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Show LEHI FREE PRESS. LEHX UTAH Sally Sez IfMilton Propper Tike Stoleiatt Oopyriibt. 1M1 by MUto. Proppar W.ST Berric SYNOPSIS Itricksa during iaitiatiaaj lata tfc Ma BU ligaaa frataraity, Stuart Jardaa, tmivarairy tudaat. aWs ilw.rt laaaiirliitely. A pariciaa a si eased Taaaeay Raak tWIaras Wa falls fchi his slstsctJsa. takaa cWi at tJaa sa-- ra vaattsatkas. Am aaiectiaa af anna Is savswa baaa tka castas af Jardaa's aWa. Raakja tads all tha stead atuoWafa abas ara Burked His aaly Imowa relativs Is with tbianMachs, Horard Marrkk, St. Lauia aaakar, Us km wk CHAPTER II Continued 3 The Tery purpose of the discipline preceding Initiation wai to sppraise the candidate and determine their worthiness; bence, Stanton's portrait of the boy's personality was comparatively complete. As a pledgee, Jordan had been generous and sincere; though a certain gravity had given him stability and a sense of proportion. He was amenable to correction, his cheerful disposition blending wen 19 the fraternity. As a scholar, he was capable but not brilliant, without much enthusiasm for study. He had normal appetites; he drank to be sociable, though not to excess and an occasional risque Joke. Es sentlally, however, he was refined and He had no enemies among members of the chapter, of which the president knew. As to his attitude toward the opposite sex, Stanton was uncertain. The boy had attended only one dance since he was pledged, that of the past Saturday; then, he was unaccompanied. Without being aloof, he had not mingled much In the merriment of the affair. Yet, when he danced, his evident enjoyment Indicated that he was quite at ease In the company of women. There was no girl with whom he had seemed especially well acquainted or toward whom he displayed a preference. At the conclusion of the sketch, Rankin expressed his gratification. "Excellently done, Mr. Stanton But can you give me no further facts about the boy than you have already? What about the other pledgees?" the detective suggested. "Their Interests and his were mutual ; he might have made one of them a confidant." But Stanton shook his head. "Hardly, sir, after less than a month's acResides, the rest are quaintanceship. all freshmen and he's a Junior the only upper classman we Inltinted this year. They've nothing In common to cause any close friendship, there." "Would the records," Rankin asked, "add anything valuable to what I've learned? Those Jordan filed on entering the university. Even a little light on the case should be Important. - When can I see his papers?" The supervisor pursed his Hps. "Not until rooming. Tm afraid," he said doubtfully. "The office of admissions Is closed; and the clerks are more familiar with the flies than I. Still. If you must have them now they can probably be located. . . "No, I guess they can wait till tomorrow," Rankin returned agreeably. "I have enough to occupy me here, as It Is." ne paused and looked ab"With these records," he stracted. then went on, "you might also send me the names and addresses of anyone now studying here, who formerly came either from Aberdeen college or the I don't boy's home town, Tandalla. want to disregard any possible source of Information." When Mr. Warwick promised Rankin he would receive all the requisite documents early In the day, the latter faced Stanton. "It might be helpful if I saw Jordan's sponsor," he proposed. "Mr. Patterson. Isn't It? Did he know him before your rushing season?" "No, he was assigned to take charge of him quite by accident," the president answered. "College fraternities differ from civic societies, where the sponsor proposing the candidate Is usually a close friend. Here, we don't even meet our prospects before our first smoker, unless it happens casually !n classes." "Still, Td like to put a few questions to Mr. Patterson. Will you please have him brought here?" Stanton dispatched his roommate, who returned with a tall and striking young man, whose angular face, dark to the point of swarthlness, had unusually heavy and coarse bristles. Both complexion and looks revealed a nervous, dissipated condition. Above a weak chin, his heavy month held lines that could only come from Irregular living. He was obviously 111 at ease, and Rankin began without offering him a chair. "In a dreadful affair like this I must rely on all the assistance I can obtain. I believe you stood beside Jordan In the chapter room when the poison took effect?" Patterson replied abruptly. "No, I wasn't near him . . . nowhere near, when he fell," he contradicted Rankin, nrs Hps twitched nervously. "I was at the initiation, but not In the line with the rest of the sponsors." "Not with him?" Rankin's startled demand disclosed his surprise. "Then where were you?" Tha president was even more as light-hearte- clean-minde- 1 tonished. "I could have sworn that was you with Stuart," he declared. "Who took your place as sponsor, Nedr For an Instant, Patterson groped uncertainly. "I hadn't been . . . well all day," he explained. "I had a. . . splitting headache since class this morning and I didn't feel much like attending the ceremony. I didn't want to make a fuss about It, so I asked Paul WhJtaker to substitute for me at the rituaL He dressed In ray room ; and Just before the pledgees marched down to the chapter room, he fell Into file to guide Stuart." "But you Joined us later." The president's words held an Inquiry. "I remember you helped George Patten carry him upstairs, after his collapse." " "Yes, I did slip In about The sponsor paused. "At the last moment, the . . . pain disappeared and I decided to watch the Initiation anyhow, even If I didn't take part. So I put on my robe and took an empty chair behind the pledgees with the other brothers; I saw most of the eight-thirty.- to the moisture on some of the larger particles of glass." He shut the door after the departing officer, and proceeded to discover from Stanton the relative positions, at the moment of the tragedy, of the officers on the dais, the pledgees and sponsors at Its foot, and the spectators seated behind them. When the scene was fully described to him, he Indicated the door. "How about that? I gather It Isn't locked during the ceremony, If Patterson could enter the room after It started." "No, there's no need for it," the president replied, "because an officer of the fraternity Is posted there. We call him the sergeant at arms; his duty is to keep order In meeting and evict unruly brothers at the command of the chair. He opens the door only to those who have a right to be present." "It Is Improbable, then, that anyone could get In secretly, unknown to hlmr Stanton nodded emphatically. "No -- Sun-to- n As an honorary member, sir," -stated quickly. We do thai someto honor someone outside of times, Bchool and In prominent the com- munity." -I see." Rankin bit his lip medita"I had assumed that Mr. tively. Mu Fletcher was already a member of an as tonight attending Beta Sigma, alumnus" For the first time, the lawyer spoke, dehis features austere and his tone liberate. "Perhaps I should have explained earlier my reason for being here," he said, "but I thought you understood. Now, after this unfortunate tragedy, I would prefer to have my connection with the fraternity kept in the backemground. Undue publicity might at any me in my profession; barrass rate, the association would be most unpleasant. Though not a fraternity man, I heard a great deal about this chapter from two nephews of mine who used to belong to it. They have since graduated from the business school. Last year, they broached the subject of my becoming an honorary As a possible means of remember. newing my youth, the idea attracted uie; though beyond visiting the house once or twice, I was too busy to consider it adequately, at the time. This autumn, my nephew and young George Patten, whose people are close friends, renewed the matter. I was literally rushed by smokers and social events; at the dance last Saturday, my wife and I acted as chaperons. She added her persuasion to theirs, so that I finally agreed to Join, If only because I regarded the group highly." "You witnessed what took place in tills room tonight?" Rankin inquired. "Yes that Is, what I could, under the circumstances. Remember, I was blindfolded and kneeling in line with the other pledgees, listening to the ceremony." "How far away, Mr. Fletcher," the detective asked, "were you from young Jordan when he collasped?" "I knelt on his left, facing the al tar," the lawyer replied, "that is, nexi or whoever took to his sponsor Patterson's place; he was the only one between us. George Patten war my sponsor and stood on my left." "Can you suggest any details of the tragedy," Rankin wanted to know, "that Mr. Stanton has neglected to mention?" "No, I can't, Rankin." The lawyer shook his head. "His story seems to have covered everything bearing on it accurately and quite substantially." "Do you know anything about youn;; Jordan that so far has not been brought out?" Barely perceptibly, Mr. Fletcher hes itated; but again he answered in the negative. Rankin's forehead furrowed in thought as he once more addressed the president. "Please have your sergeant at arms called in, Mr. Stanton," he requested "Before I question any of the other boys, I want to find out about the exact attendance." When the officer arrived, he proved to be a young man of medium height and stocky build, with broad shoulders and long muscular arms. Even before he was introduced, Rankin, an arden: football fan, recognized Lew Kurly ace halfback of the university eleven. He waited until Kurly closed the door of the chapter room behind him. "I am making inquiries, Mr. Kurly,1 he then explained, "about the mem bers present at the Initiation and who they were. Your president informs me that, as sergeant at arms, you guard the door at meetings and after it has begun, let in only those who can give the proper signals and pass words. I have already consulted the and ascertained that when the roll was taken, thirty men an swered. Now, can you tell me who ar rived after this check-uand when they came In?" "I let in two fellows during the cere mony, Mr. Rankin. The first one came in only ten minutes or so after it started ; that was half past eight." "According to his account, that would be Mr. Patterson," the detective observed. "What about the second chap?" But Kurly shook his head. "I don't know who he was," he answered. "In fact, I couldn't tell Patterson, either They were both completely masked by their robes and hoods. Anyhow, knocked on the door correctly andthey exchanged the password with me, so I opened the door for them both." "Didn't you recognize their voices at all?" Rankin's manner revealed his disappointment "No, I never had a chance to," the sergeant at arms returned. "The password Is Just a single word; not to let me identify anybody enough by his speech." "At least you have some Idea of when this second late arrival entered the room?" "To the moment, sir; I looked at mv watch Just a few seconds before he signaled outside. It was exactly eicht one could pass him, Mr. Rankin, with"Then it was you who stepped up out giving the signals by which he to untie Jordan's hand before the final recognizes a brother." "I suppose only fraternity brothers toast?" Rankin's query was penetrating and unexpected, to catch him off are familiar with these signals?" Rankin inquired. his guard "Yes, though you must remember, Though still perturbed, as If at his surroundings, Patterson displayed no sir, that every chapter of Mu Beta Sigma has exactly the same ritual alarm. and ceremonies. So members all over "No, I stayed In my place," he answered. "I had no Idea where he the country know them ; but no loyal stood In the line. Anyhow, enough of frater would ever divulge them." "That's what I thought," the detecthe other boys got up ahead of me to "What about the tive remarked. free all the pledgees." Rankin accepted this assurance with a nod. "And now, Mr. Patterson," he said, "as to what you may have learned through knowing Stuart so well. . . ." For the following fifteen minutes, he questioned the sponsor senrehlngly a about his contacts with the dead boy and their various conversations together. Less constrained as the Inquiry progressed, Patterson appeared candid and willing to relate what he could. But, as Stanton had Intimated, he could tell no more about the boy than any other member of the fraternity. When the detective dismissed Patterson, he had discovered nothing to forward his Investigation. Before he went below to view the chapter room Itself, Doctor Snckett, the coroner's physician, arrived and Immediately began his examination of the body. At the same time, a headquarters photographer appeared; and though his service had little value, because Jordan had been moved since He Was Obviously III at Ease, and his seizure, he set his camera without Rankin Began, Without Offering Him a Chair. waiting for directions. The detective arranged with Doctor Sackett for havfront door of the house, Mr. Stanton?" ing the remains shipped to the morgue, Could an Intruder steal in, undiswhen his diagnosis was completed. covered?" "With regard to the autopsy, Doc"Not unless someone on the Inside tor," he then said, "see that It Is beunfastened It for him," Stanton regun Immediately. It Is absolutely esplied. "It's always kept locked; and sential to have the poison that killed only brothers and pledgees have keys." him Identified early tomorrow. Can "You realize what that means," Rankin pointed out soberly. "Only memyou arrange to find that out by the first thing In the morning?" bers and candidates for Initiation could "Well, I'll do what I can," the physihave been present at the ritual tocian grumbled. "But you mustn't exnight" Mr. Warwick looked grave, and as pect miracles. With any luck, we might strike the poison on our first he comprehended the dreadful Implior second analysis; on the other hand. cation of the statement, Stanton It might take more than a dozen elimblanched and swallowed hard. His voice dropped to a whisper. inating tests to clear the ground." Doctor Thompson remained upstairs "Yes, I suppose that's inevitable," he to assist him, so that only Ted Stanadmitted. ton, the supervisor and Mr. Fletcher "And now, what about your attendaccompanied Rankin below. As yet he ance at meetings?" the detective cardid not understand the lawyer's conried on briskly. "Is it compulsory or nection with the fraternity; but the not?" problems presented by the crime occu The president recovered his poise with difficulty. "It Isn't, because we pled him at the moment to the exclusion of that question. Mr. Warwick's have to make allowances for other enattitude indicated some good reason gagements or for sickness. That's why for his presence and Rankin continued Ned was able to stay away tonight." to accept him as a spectator. "I should like to find out, Mr. StanThe scene of the Initiation offered ton, how many were present at the eloquent proof of the confusion followceremony, this evening. Also, who ing Jordan's collapse. The line of was missing and where they were at chairs barely suggested the semicircle the time." will give you most of "The they previously formed, so many were overturned or out of place. On the that Information." Stanton volundais lay glasses of wine, the bottle teered. "The recorder of the chapter Itself on the tray. Other wine gobkeeps the minutes of our meetings and lets had been carefully placed on the calls the roll, before we start. Any floor amid the shattered pieces of boy who doesn't answer to his name, those dropped and broken In the uphe marks absent" He produced from roar. a shelf In a hollow section, behind Rankin's first act was to send the the altar, a brown leather-bounvolofficer on guard at the door to Doctor ume of white ruled sheets. Sackett, to procure from his kit sev"This Is the recorder's book and eral empty medicine vials. He rehere Is the registry of attendance." turned shortly with three, which the He ran his Index finger along one detective took. These, he carefully of the columns. "It was exceptionally filled with wine, the first from the good tonight, you see almost 100 per contents of the bottle, and the other cent Of our thirty-thre- e active brothtwo from glasses chosen at random ers, only three were away; besides among those on the floor. When he Ned, Ben Crawford, a sophomore, and had corked them and set them aside, Larry Palmer. It may be that Ben he knelt gingerly among the debris at or Larry also came In during tne cerethe altar; and covering his hands for mony, Just as Ned did. But you'll have protection with the folds of two handto ask the sergeant at arms about s kerchiefs, he swept together the that; I was too busy with the ritual of splintered glass within his to notice." He shut the book and rereach. Then from an Inner pocket, he turned It to the altar. "That makes produced an empty envelope and put thirty members In the room," he sumthem Into It, sealing the flap. The marized, "or, counting Ned Patterson, entire collection he delivered to the thirty-on- e as far as I know. In addipoliceman. . tion, there were the Initiates, ten of "Give these bottles and the envelope them If you count Mr. Fletcher. . , ." to Doctor Sackett," he Instructed. "In Rankin's sharp question halted the forty-five.- " case he leaves before I am finished boy. "Mr. Fletcher?" he Rankin nibbed his chin. demanded, Well hP here, tell him to have them thoroughly mystified. "Do you mean that he evidently must have been either 'this the was being initiated into the frater analyzed by departmental chemist Hen Crawford or Larry Pal Warn him to pay particular attention nity?" Stated reflectively. -- See if ,ou' ritual." T3 ... roll-boo- p roll-boo- k d frag-ment- J be discover which It was. Mr. Kurly," learned, requested. "And when you've report to me." As his Investigation progressed, he gradeliciting various new facts, of the ually modified his Impressionand darmurderer's unusual rashness the initiaing. Actually, he realized, tion made the crime comparatively safe, provided the criminal managed to reach his intended victim, ostenelse. sibly to untie him, before anyone of Though one of a limited group that group, by its very numthirty-two- . no bers, was his chief protection. If him the observed previous had one ifcjht tampering with Jordan's shoes, there was nothing to single him out from any other member. Rankin considered It futile to search and reathe chamber for finger-printfind to he those might expect sonably forward his quest In any way. As he previously suggested, the main danger to the criminal's otherwise perfect plot lay in the boy's reaction to the jab of the needle. But he also perceived the situation on which the plotter relied to make even that risk A quick stab was not very negligible. If Jordan jumped or gave painful; vent to a grunt, neither act would attract much attention. But he would make no sound at all If he supposed that the prick he felt was part and parcel of the rituaL And therein K&a his slayer's assurance of safety. Fifteen minutes elapsed before Lew Kurly returned to the chapter room with the information after which Rankin had sent him. His eyes blazed in excitement and he looked troubled and perplexed. "It's darned funny," he burst out; the words tumbled over one another, "but the second chap who came to the meeting late wasn't either Larry or Hen. I don't know who he could have been. They aren't in the house at all ; I've asked the other fellows but nobody remembers seeing them around tonight." The president's surprise at the news verged on alarm. "But that is imposmemsible! No one left and thirty-twbers were in this room when the ritual ended." Though immediately alert, Rankin was more composed. "Probably one of them attended the ceremony," he suggested, "and has gone out since, for some reason. I should say that is what has happened ; it would explain everything." "No, no one could have done that," "That's Kurly asserted positively. what makes it so peculiar. If either f.arry or Ben was in the house this evening, some of the boys would have seen him go out afterward. But they'll all swear that not a soul did that since fordan collapsed, and only thirty-on- e rothers are in the house." "It's certain no one tried to leave ifter I arrived," the detective agreed, 'or the officers would have prevented t and reported to me. But how can you be so positive he hadn't slipped iway before that time?" "Because as soon as 'Chuck' Saunders went to phone Doctor Thompson, someone was always at the door, re.vatching for him," the half-baclated. "I waited there myself for a while and am sure no one got out then. And while the doctor made his "xapiination, several of us stood In the down-stair- s hallway, discussing what liad happened. They all say the same , Tka aasian f w Nasdn't sir. f luddeo treaaaL access far aar aredacera uraaga Bust JUST PATSONIZR nnu .... i THIS WEEK'S PRIZE STOE! FRANCES WHY BE Herein Health R. M. L. LAXATOXE-$1.- 0fl Constipation by vitaliiiag the intestinal muscles. "The longer yoo oae it, the less you need." This adv. (rood for 5c on purchase af any R. M. L. product within one week from dae of issue. At all drugfrists or direct from as Rocky Mountain Laboratories 18 W. 2nd So. Salt Lake City, I'Ui this to us for reto each $1 purchase.) (Druggist Return demption A Limit 1 longer stretch highway of the extends in national Ohio a than any other state. ASK YOUR DRUGGIST FOR APES Witch Hazel 1--4 Cream (SKIN LOTION) AN INTERMOUNTAIN PRODUCT An animal about the mouse and having pale fur, has been discovered size of a blue-gra- y Receiver's Sale of Pianos and Other Musical Instruments As Receiver for Consolidated Mailt Company I have pianos for sale i many parts of the Intermountain Weft, particularly in Utah, southern Haas, and western Wyoming. Msny of these instruments have bees repossessed and will be sold for owing or less. The old reliable Consolidated Ma Company is beinr liquidated ta PV creditors. Unususl bsrgsins stay be had for cash, or convenient time payments may be arranged at simple terest rates. .on The stock of merchandise in Lake store is large and complete, consisting of the finest line of Musical Instruments on the market, all " disposed of at sacrifice prices. for catalogues and prices. ELIAS A. SMITH Receiver for Co. Consolidated Music 15 E. 1st Salt Lake So. Voting by mail City 1 i is not permrae in California. Suspicion is a. trait common both man and what he hires distinguish as "the animals to w EVERYTHING FOR THE BUILDER - LUMBER SASH DOORS MOULDINGS GLASS OIL PAINT PLUMBING FIXTURES VALVES PIPE Supply Ketchum Builders W. 4th So. 78 B.JtLW are pro Baths for 3,000 workers vided at a coal mine near Hartlepool, England EEVv $3.00 ass Intermountsln should Similar to above.e Good," your story in prwe or tersaoantain ProdocH Col""":11 Bos ISM. Sslt Lake City. story appear! In this column yon will re- 1 i two-thlrd- CONTINUED.) AILING? by KATl'RAL METHODS Corrects inter-rogation- s, Bl wa K Neutralizes acids and toxins. Rettcm chemical balance, the basis of health. For Rheumatism, Acidosis, Gas, liken, Ectems. etc. e (TO 1 Normalize Rejuvenate R. M. L. BIOTONE-$1.- 00 :.hlng." Rankin continued his Ted Stanton quit the room. The detective had Questions s of the fraternity, ;h viui AJCU. P SMITH, The first salarv the United States congress a day while in session. k moned. While I Ws !I want ts live in th Wat aW. tha world. Wa can make it rwatk,? Everybody pall together. Let as awt disgrace our tablai bv anything an the but Intemosatata fa? Let as nat caw ear bodies vita thine hat Intermoantain made cletbtLan. Bur InterDwantsin. talk Interaeuuk prod ace Interntonnuin and eusaiarte. InUraastuitain a a til aar (rand and rltrZ. Intermoantain country will lead tW aaaZ and tha warid in prosperity. o Rankin frowned and took out his watch. "It's two o'clock already," he said. "If Mr. Palmer and Mr. Craw-or- d didn't attend the initiation, it's strange they haven't returned yet t.et me know the minute they do." "I suppose you appreciate what that Indicates, Mr. Rankin," the supervisor declared solemnly. "A stranger, not belonging to the fraternity someone with no right was present in this room. That completely changes the scope of your Investigation." "Yes, that seems to be the alternative," Rankin agreed, equally grave. "Rut It would be wise to verify Mr. Kuriy's report before we accept that conclusion. I'll have to check up the evidence of every boy, anyhow ; there are a number of other points I must settle." He spent the following forty-fivminutes In meeting and quickly Interviewing one young man after another in the chapter room. Of each member and each candidate, his Inquiries were the same, first as to his knowledge of the dead boy, his antecedents and those of his family. He obtained no facts, however, besides those Stanton had already supplied. One and all, as was to be expected if the criminal was among them, denied untying Jordan's wrists; and none could say who had freed him. Nor did the detective learn anything new about the tacks In his shoes; no one had been seen tampering with them the previous night. But Kuriy's statement about the two absent brothers received unanimous confirmation. Neither boy had gone out since Doctor Thompson was sum- I I -- lr l, (Q " ft 7" ff TiTlikt ctf |