The Coolidge examiner., 1933-12-01

not, IL was TO recover this before
il fell into my hands, that she came
to the university post office. She
expressed the belief in il that you
are capable of such a terrible deed.
Naturally, she didn't want you to
learn how her imprudence involved
you and first set me on your trail. "
He waited in silence while Mr..
Fletcher read the missive. This
time he was rewarded by signs of
apprehension the hand holding the
letter trembled and the lawyers
eyes widened. With increasing as
surance. Rankin pointed out. as he
how IL supplied the motive for the
crime-the two occasions on which
the lawyer caught her and Jordan
together.
AS he listened. Mr.. Fletcher's
wrath fiared again, but somewhat
subdued by dismay.
Are you daring to suggest" he
demanded. that | killed Jordan be
cause | suspected my wife of being
unfaithful and having relations with
him?"
1T won't help you to lose your
temper" the detective warned him
smoothly, nor TO pretend you
weren't persuaded of their guilty in
trigue. didn't intend acQuainting
you with this evidence until was
ready TO arrest you; but as that
was just a matter of hours, you can
realize your position"
The lawyers features grew slight
ly pale, but he replied scornfully.
THAT doesn't frighten me, Ran
kin. What you mistakenly consid-
er as adequate motive gives you no
case in court. You couldn't even get
warrant on such fiimsy conjec-
ture."
Perhaps not" Rankin admit
ted, but | have more proof of your
guilt than that Don't forget you
had the opportunity to commit the
crime. Throughout the initiation.
your hands were free to admins
ter the poison; you stood close to
the boy and marched around the
chapter room just behind him. +.
And you will find this difficult to
explain. Mr.. Fletcher! !"
Suddenly he placed on the desk
before the lawyer, the hypodermic
needle discovered in the roadster,
which the city chemist had re-
turned that morning.
But Mr.. Fletcher only looked at 1t
in wonder; II he was acting, his
self-control was remarkable
"Explaln?" he queried. puzzled.
why, it's hypodermicl What has
it got to do with me- II isn't by
any chance the needle that .
that :"
Exactly, Mr.. Fletcher. | expect
ed you to recognize it," the detec-
tive interrupted grlmly. That's
the weapon which injected the poi
son into Jordan's wrist And found
it while searching your roadster last
night; 1t was hidden in your dash
board pouchI"
I'm my car? What are you say
ing, Rankini | never saw it before
in my life! don't know anything
about it. Someone must have plant
ed it. You don't suppose I'd have
left such incriminating evidence
since Tuesday where anyone taking
the car might have discovered it?
| would have got rid of it."
The very fervor of his denial lent
it a sincere ring; and even as he
answered the argument. Rankin
perceived its validity.
I'm afraid that won't do, Mr.
Fletcher. Under the circumstances.
the pouch would seem as safe a
place of concealment as any.
Besides, you tampered with Jordan's
shoes"
Again Mr.. Fletcher's only reac-
tion TO the charge was perplexity.
"Tampered with his Shoes" he re-
peated. Il don't understand what
you mean"
You visited his room in the dor
mitories on Tuesday morning to put
thumb-tacks in the soles of all his
shoes. Only the murderer would
do that and for one purpose-to dis
tinguish him at the initiation from
the other PLEDGES, all of whom wore
similar gowns. 1t was precaution
to insure
Il never touched them, Rankin y
the lawyer cried in alarm and be-
wilderment.