The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-07-21
CHAPTER Iv-Continued

s.
"Patterson? Rankin's question held
a fresh note of interest. "Was that
who objected to him? What was Pat
terson's particular reason for oppos-
ing Buckley"
Stanton shrugged. II couldn't say,
because we don't require an explana-
ton for rejecting mere prospect. By
our rules, that objection can be purely
arbitrary. Or for that matter, to dis
miss Pledge who has proved unsatis-
factory. Only it takes three dissenting
voices to remove pledge pin; and
they are recorded by passing around
the blackball box"
"Blackball box?" Rankin asked curl
ously. "Then you wouldn't know who
is responsible for the adverse votes,
where PLEDGES are concerned"
'That's right, the balloting is secret.
Up to initiation, any brother can call
for the box at any meeting, to recon-
slider any one of them. Each brother
deposits a ball in the box, white if
favorable and black If not; no one
watches him. The count-up decides
the fate of the candidate in question"
"Do you know" Rankin asked Of
Palmer, whether Buckley had any
idea that it was Patterson who reject
ed him?"
The boy hesitated. II I guess
/ told him." he admitted apologetically,
and Stanton frowned. after the
PLEDGES were 'sewed up 1 mentioned
to Ralph how disappointed was he
hadn't got bid, and then asked why
Ned held grudge against him. When
he said he didn't even know Patter-
son, I was darned puzzled"
sand was he aware that Mr.. Patter-
son acted as Jordan's sponsor, Mr..
Palmer?"
II think told him that, too. Be-
cause the next thing he wanted to
know was whether we had offered
Stuart pin. / answered that we had
and spoke of Ned as having backed
him up"
1t was what the detective had ex-
pected to hear. "Then Buckley must
have seen Stuart at that first smoker,
since both were present." he said.
"Very likely, SIR" Palmer agreed
"But if they met, 1 didn't notice thing
to suggest they were ever acquainted
before; and / was with Ralph most Of
the evening. In fact, his question
about Jordan was the first time he
showed any interest in him. And the
last as well, that remember"
Elbow did Buckley react when you
Informed him of Mr.. Patterson's asso-
citation with Jordan?" Rankin inquired.
Ibid he make any comment about it?p
mot word, sir. Come to think of
1t, it made him change the subject
right away, and he didn't raise 1t
again"
"He never spoke detrimentally of
the dead boy or tried to influence your
vote against him as pledgee?" The
query echoed the detectives per-
plexity.
Again Palmer's reply was in the
lCSdlltCt WAl(A 4QllCQ " dCCOTu WlIn
his conjectures. He was at a loss
to comprehend Buckley's forbearance,
when he should have been vengeful.
until he realized that the young mans
position forced him to be silent. He
dared not SANDER his rival, lest it
reach Jordan's ears and rebound on
him. For the dead boy could set the
university authorities to examine his
previous record in school and thus dis
cover the deception by which he had
gained admission to Philadelphia. It
was also probably this fear of dis
closure that prompted him to avoid
Jordan, If he encountered him at the
fraternity smoker. Pondering the
problem, the detective nodded in salts
fed understanding.
ITO return to your movements, last
night" he continued his Interrogation.
asWhere did you and Buckley go for
your drinks?"
Larry Palmer ran his hand through
his hair. swell, it isn't all very clear
to me-" he said uncertainty. "But as
far as / can remember, we only WIS.,
tied one place-a kind of speak
easy on Spring Garden street. don't
now exactly where it was; an ordi-
mary house somewhere between Tween
ty-fifth and Twenty-sixth streets
near. :"
sYes, know the place." Rankin in
terrupted sternly and critically. SLOW
the devil do you come to be frequent
ing a joint like the Morton club?"
The boy recognized the reprimand
implicit in his biting inquiry.
"Oh, It wasn't my idea, sir" he ex.
plained quickly. II never even heard