The Coolidge examiner., 1933-11-10

murQerlnS MIN 10 remove what he
dreaded-the danger of exposure"
mo, he couldn't have stupped
him from going through at the lasr
moment, even by the blackbaH box.
The final vote on the PLEDGES took
place at a special meeting called on
Monday afternoon. Tuesday was
too late; once hell night is over,
their membership is assured. ANY.
how, il takes three blackballs TO re.
move a pledge pin. So Ned's change
of front would not have helped him
but only looked very strange"
Rankin's tone held no pleasure.
you see, that settles 1t. Mr.. Stan
ton" he said. 1T all fits in to com.
plete his motive. I've sent for him !;
! want to give him every chance TO
clear himself. But unless be can dc
that, ! shall have to charge him with
murder, unpleasant as that may be"
lie pressed the buzzer on Captain
Thomas desk. summoning Simpson.
Patterson had just come in, the Off
Ger informed him; and he ordered
that the student be ushcreG into the
office.
Deliberately he set the watch ia
full view on the desk-tOp, 10 note
the sponsors reaction when he saw
it. In the door, Patterson hesitated;
he glanced from the detective to
his schOolmates, perplexed anxious
frOwn on his swarthy features. Sud
denly. his eyes on the umepiece, hv
stiffened; telitale recognition
drained the blood from his sallow
cheeks He clenched his fingers and
swallowed hard. Then. as If robbed
of all power to dissimulate, he
dropped into an empty chair by tho
door and buried his head hopelessly
In his outstretched arms. II was q
wordless scene. which his two
friends watched in silent concern
and commiseration.
At length Patterson raised a de-
spairing face. Its haggard lines ac-
centuating u new wanness.
well. you've caught the thief al
last. Ted" His words were grim and
bitter, but without defiance. what
do you intend to do about il? Make
an example OF me. suppose"
Stanton spoke roughly, to cloak
his emotions. Don't be d-n fool,
Ned" he replied. "Of course, wen
see you through this. What good
are fraternity brothers If they don't
stand by you at a time like thls?"
The detective swiftly took charge
of the situation. THE money Mr.
Savoulos gave you for the property
you stole went to pay your gambling
debts at the Morton club" he stated.
Isn't that so, Mr.. PattersOnT"
Yes. Walton's debt and others" q"
Wisely the boy tried 10 conceal
nothing. Il settled with him last
night for sixty dollars. have been
going there almost twice a week the
past year TO play poker and black
jack; and | also lost to Lew Meyer
and a chap named AL Kahler. I
used all the funds | could scrape to-
gether the last few months TO square
them-eyen what my folks sent for
tuition and expenses; and ! simply
had to get hold of more"
why didn't you let us know you
needed money, Ned?" Stanton ad
monished. "Some of the fellows
would have been glad to help you
out with a loan"
Patterson shook his head defect
edly. Not for what | was In hole,
Ted; I've lost over a thousand dol
lars altogether. To be honest, | was
ashamed to admit what | was doing
and where i went; and afraid my
family might learn what became of
their checks. My people are strict,
especially dad, who would have
taken me out of school. Then |
met Savoulos through Carl Walton.
| figured my luck would turu If ]
continued to go back to the club,
and l could redeem what l had
pledged with him. Only, somehow, !
never got any breaks"
"You could hardly expect them
from the Meyer-Kahler crowd" Ran
kin commented bluntly. But what
made you delay pawning this watch
until last night? You took it Tues
day morning and agreed to give
Walton the money that evening. Yet
on Wednesday. you still put off pay
ing him."
Il well, you see, that was
because. :" For the first time.
the student floundered nervously.
unwilling to answer.
AT the club on Wednesday," the
detective pressed him, you claimed
something had prevented your set
tling with him in time" Abruptly
he shot the question at him. WAS
1t the fact that Jordan discovered
you in the act of robbery, so that
you dreaded to get rid of the watch
! while he lived?"
mo, he didn't actually catch me
at II" Patterson contradicted hur-
riedly. II was already leaving
Ben's room with 1t, when he ap