The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-09-29

sonally. Doctor Thompson, here. our
university physician. was first sum-
moned by the students In the house at
about nine-thirty."
The physician, waiting on the steps.
came forward to acknowledge the in
PRODUCTION.
"Then something has happened that
might require official inquiry?" RAN
kin asked.
Perhaps we had better go into the
living rOOm," Doctor Thompson put
In. I'D much prefer to discuss the
matter privately"
Rankin posted the two policemen at
the door and followed the university
officials. A middle-aged man, seated
In the room In comfortable armchair,
rose to greet them. He had thin.
somewhat sharp face, with cool i'm
penetrable eyes and bony nose; COM
pact, set lips held hint of ruthless
ness over an unyielding jaw. His
bearing was dignified, almost dominat-
ing, perhaps because of his chill
serenity.
The supervisor made the introduc-
lions. "Mr. Rankin, Of the central
detective bureau. 4. This Is Mr..
Edward Fletcher"
Rankin knew of Mr.. Fletcher as
successful civil lawyer, renowned for
his ingenuity of mind in the field of
corporation law, in which he special
lied. He had married late in life, the
detective recalled-but five years be-
fore-a girl much his junior, from
his own office; the nuptials had caused
rather widespread press comment and
publicity.
Rankin was not aware, however, of
any connection he might have with
the university or fraternity. But
though at loss to account for his
presence, he accepted it for the mo-
ment without comment.
The supervisor waited until the liv-
ing room door was closed and all were
seated.
Il regret very much, Mr.. Rankin"
he began, shat what has occurred
here tonight makes it necessary to
summon the aid of the authorities.
Briefly, these are the facts. An initia-
ton was held in this house tonight, to
admit new men into membership In
this fraternity. And just as the final
rites were being administered, one Of
the candidates, a young third-year stu
dent in the architectural school, named
Stuart Jordan, was killed"
KILLED" Rankin pursed his lips
gravely. THAT'S very tragic. 1t was
an accident, of course?"
But Mr.. Warwick negatived the de-
tective's superstition. 1--WE can't say
how 1t happened, but it was scarcely
unintentional. Young Jordan was
poisoned"
"Poisoned?" Rankin repeated; the
unexpected statement startled him.
"How"
"By subtle, quickly acting drug"
Doctor Thompson explained, shat pro-
duces sort of muscular paralysis.
Death follows from INSTRUCTED respi-
ration"
"Have you any idea, Doctor, of the
nature of the poison?" the detective
asked.
81 can only guess; the autopsy will
have to decide that accurately. But
l am led to suspect a vegetable aka
loid-that is, the poisonous juice of
some plant. 1t might be aconite or
nicotine or perhaps gelsemin. :"
"Gelsemin?" Rankin queried curl
ously.
"Yes, the Juice of the gelsemium
plant. 1t causes most of the symp-
toms observed in Jordan-the muscu-
lar disturbance, prostration. dilation
Of the eyes and quickened respiration.
Or again, for the same reasons, 1t
could be CONNIE"
"How would you say the poison was
taken?"
at is difficult to determine that un-
til the autopsy" Doctor Thompson re-
piled sit might have been swallowed;
but in my superficial examination.
found no indication OF that. Perhaps
it was injected with a hypodermic
needle, under the skin"
"Could it possibly be self-admin-
istered?" Rankin put the suggestion
tentatively.
Evidently It had never occurred to
the doctor, but he considered it care
fully.
"Yes, / know of nothing to contra
dict that idea," he admitted slowly !;
sin fact, I'd rather that were the
case. But it seems most unlikely,
doesn't it? After all, a fraternity
initiation is singular place to COM
NIT suicide"
The detectives tone held the per-
plexity his words expressed. "But no
more so, surely, than as the scene Of
a murder. And If someone else in
jected the poison during the ceremony,
the boy would have felt the stab of
the needle and made some disturb
ance." He paused. you were called
in, Doctor, at nine-thirty?"
ITO be exact, at nine thirty Eve !;
that was shortly after Jordan col
lapsed in the initiation room, and a
fruitless effort to revive him made.
1 arrived fifteen minutes later, but 1t
was then too late to help him. Given
large enough quantity of poison, it
must have taken effect a few minutes