The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-09-08

monies"
"Well, had to use my opportunity.
You see how lucky was to have it
at the very moment needed it; other
wise, I shouldn't have succeeded. Ex-
cept for the chapter room, the house
was dark and practically deserted; it
was easy for me to enter unobserved
That was why asked Larry about
the attendance-to learn how much
chance there was Of running into any
one in the halls or upstairs"
''And you wore the robe as dis
guise, of course" Rankin asserted.
Eyes, in case that happened" Buck
ley admitted. II ordered it from
Kingston's week before initiation,
according to Larry's description" He
shrugged. "Any brother met would
take me for a member and suppose /
had just left the services; he'd think
nothing Of seeing me enter Larry's
room. AS matter Of fact, met no.
body. / merely closed the door and
searched until found what l came
for; I slipped off my gown just be-
fore quitting the house and was in the
street again by nine o'clock"
Rankin bent forward. 'Then none
of the boys might remember your be-
ing upstairs between eight-forty-five
and nine? A witness to your move
ments would be valuable to verify
your story"
The student shook his head slowly.
"No. didn't run into anyone from
the time I entered till left"
"And you didn't return then, to Mr..
Palmer" the detective observed severe
ly. "What was your object in drugging
him at the club in the first place and
letting him shift for himself?"
II didn't intend to harm him." Buck
ley assured him promptly. "But that
was the only way could go through
his pockets. You see, he might not
have put the bank account away, but
be carrying it with him as he had only
received it the day before. Then I
wouldn't need to visit the house at all.
hunted through his clothes while pre-
tending to talk confidentially to him;
the place was empty enough to get
away with it. But he didn't have 1t.
At the same time, I took his key which
used to open the front door. Then,
as you've already learned, / took a
taxi to my apartment for my cos
J tune"
Can you tell me anything about
the car or the chap who drove it to
help me trace him?'
"No, my mind was too full Of my
plans and didn't pay much attention
to him. I'm afraid"
"Well, what has become Of the
check?" Rankin asked next. Els it de-
stroyedY
"No, I kept II; in fact, have it with
me now. AS long as hold it, figured
it is harmless. And it was barely pos
sible that for some reason, as in this
very case, it might prove valuable to
me again."
"Give 1t to me, Buckley" the detec-
tive directed, extending his hand.
From an inner pocket, the student
willingly produced small slip Of
paper that went far to substantiate his
narrative. Drawn ON the Security
Trust company by Lawrence Palmer
to Buckeyes order, it was dated Feb
ruary sixth; the amount was two hum
bred and fifty dollars. On the back,
the latter's endorsement and the single
stamp "Paid 81" the date Of the
March monthly. clearing, proved indis-
putably 1t had been cashed directly
by the bank. Particularly, Rankin
compared the slanting, somewhat
wavering writing on the face in imita-
ton Of Palmers style with the firm
straight characters Of Buckley's undis-
guised Endorsement.
He gave it to Mr.. Warwick. SIN
turning this over to you, Mr.. War
wick" he stated. "As long as it ap-
pears to have no connection with the
murder, I shan't take any steps re-
garding it. You can do as you please"
The supervisor indicated the culprit.
''Then you are satisfied Buckley is In
nocent Of the crime. Mr.. Rankin"
mot entirely; can't De sure until
his statement has been Investigated
thoroughly. But it certainly seems
I've been working on mistaken the
ory," Rankin acknowledged candidly.
Except for your advice, I might have
made a grave error. have no desire
to cause the university unnecessary
unpleasantness."
Buckley's audible sigh Of relief was
echoed by Mr.. Warwick's qualification.
"That's very good Of you, Mr.. RAN
KIM" he said. "Now it will be easy to
hush the matter up. 1t isn't likely that
young Palmer win care to prosecute"
A few minutes later, when the detec-
tive left Mr. Warwick and the student
together and took his departure, the