The Coolidge examiner., 1933-09-15
$50 1 opened up a conversation with

to her." Rankin's lips twitched ia
the ghost of a smile. And what
happened then?"
"Well, | couldn't pass up any.
thing that promising, could l? =.
Anyhow, she wasn't offended and
after a while, | suggested that /
might see her home. She said II
was impossible that night, but If /
cared to, we could fix up a date to-
gether for early this week. So
we arranged to meet at nine o'clock
last night at the same spot; didn't
care If | missed the initiation. But
she wouldn't tell me who she was
or where she lived. | asked If |
could phone her In the meantime.
but she promised to ring me instead
on Sunday. She said that would
prove she intended to show up. |
gave her the frat phone number
and my name not my right
name, of course" The boy smiled.
Not yet. just the one | always use
until I'm better acquainted with
the date"
"And did she actually call up on
Sunday?"
"Yes, and that's why it is so pecu-
liar" Crawford answered. while
she didn't tell me about herself, she
promised faithfully to see me last
night. Yet she never turned up;
waited at the corner a half-hour,
but there wasn't sign of her any
where"
"She was probably indulging in
some fun at your expense" Rankin
commented. Even so. that ac-
counts for where you were only
until nine-thirty last night"
For the first time. the boys
aplomb was shaken and he weighed
his reply.
After that :" he began.
well. | suppose | may as well ad-
NIT | visited another girl friend of
mine" He explained apologetical-
ly: "To tell the truth. had been
counting heavily on the date and
when 1t fell through. | was de-
pressed; wanted some company to
cheer me. Then | phoned this girl
for permission to drop in. and she
agreed to my visiting her."
when was this?" the detective
asked. What time was 1t. Mr.
CrawfordT'
II called her as soon as | got
back TO town again; that was ten
ten. This girl lived in the opposite
direction. in South Philly. and
had to return to town anyway to
go to her apartment That took
three-quarters of al hour and | ar
rived at half past ten." The young
man plucked nervously at his mus
tache. But but | can't give
you any more information about
her. :" Crawford found.
cred. II don't want to get her into
trouble. You see was with
her till morning; | spent the night
there" A flush OF embarrassment
suffused his face. IF that should
come out. 1t would be awkward: :
she'd probably lose her job and It
wouldn't look any too nice for me,
either"
There isn't the slightest danger
her name will figure in this affair.""
Rankin stated emphatically. MY
only interest I'm you, Mr.. Crawford.
is in tracing your movements last
night. AS long as this girl can
prove you were In her company, !
am not bit concerned with your
conduct, otherwise. Anyhow, II
necessary, could learn her iden-
tity through your fraternity broth.
ers. They could list your friends
and then ii would only be matter
of elimination"
mo, I'd rather tell you myself
Her name is Florence Dalton and
she Is a graduate at the university
hospital, here Her place in South
Philadelphia is two-roOm apart
ment at 1920 Harmon street; she
occupies it alone"
THANK you. Mr.. Crawford" The
detective rose. II think that is all
l want to ask at the present. Will
you please have Mr.. Palmer come
in next?"
After Ben Crawford left the room.
Rankin's features were a study and
his eyes held a questioning. dissat-
isfied look. For. despite the tale
he had just heard. he still remained
uncertain whether the thirty second
person at the initiation was a fra
ternity member or an intruder. He
had no reason to doubt the boy or
suspect him of lying; nor grounds
for connecting him with the crime.
Nevertheless. he could still have at
tended the ceremony the night be-
fore, provided that he managed to
escape unnoticed right after Jordan
collapsed. That occurred at nine
twenty-five. fully three-fourths of
an hour before Crawfords phone
call to Miss Dalton at ten-ten con-
firmed any part of his account. Be.
fore that. lacking witnesses. there
was only his word upon which to
rely as TO his movements.