The Campus Murders by Ellery Queen Read Free Book Online Page A

stained apron walked from behind the food counter carrying a mop and pail. He looked pale and tired. He began cleaning up the mess.
    McCall finished his lunch, wiped his mouth, and headed for the door. He almost bowled over Kathryn Cohan.
    â€œHi,” she said.
    â€œHi, yourself.” After the incident of the wall, she looked good enough to eat.
    â€œI thought I’d find you here,” she said, “knowing men’s stomachs. I ducked just in time. How do you like the younger generation?”
    â€œHave you had your lunch?”
    â€œAges ago. In the far corner, where it’s relatively safe. Any progress?”
    They left the Student Union and headed for the administration building. There was no sign of any of the food-throwing students. Their hands brushed accidentally, and McCall looked down in surprise. She jerked her hand away as if she had felt something, too.
    â€œYou didn’t answer my question, Mr. McCall.”
    â€œI’ve barely started to dig in. Is that scene in the cafeteria just now typical, Miss Cohan?”
    â€œListen,” she said with some heat. “Don’t get the idea that the student body as a whole goes in for stupid things like that. Even among the so-called agitators it’s frowned on as frivolous and childish, which it is. I don’t agree with most of the minorities on campus, but they’re sincere. It’s a fringe group that does things like this.”
    â€œIs it just the fringe group that riots?” McCall asked dryly.
    â€œNo … but, well, they think they’re right. And they do have legitimate grievances. Not that I approve of rioting or any of these militant measures. But please don’t lump all the students with convictions as freaks and anarchists, the way some of the faculty and administration do.”
    â€œAre you sure you’re not a spy for the other side?” McCall asked with a smile.
    â€œIt’s not funny, McCall!” Kathryn stamped her foot. “Most of the students aren’t here for trouble. But there’s trouble in the air. But that isn’t what I wanted to talk to you about. Something very odd’s happened to Dean Gunther.”
    McCall stopped short. “Oh? I just saw him and he didn’t mention anything.”
    â€œHe didn’t know about it then. Mrs. Gunther phoned him, I guess after you left him. Somebody’s burgled their house.”
    â€œWhat was taken?”
    â€œThat’s the odd part of it. A suit of clothes.”
    â€œThat’s all?”
    â€œA shirt and a pair of shoes, too.”
    McCall stared at her. “The Dean’s suit?”
    â€œYes. An expensive one, he says.”
    â€œAnd the shirt and shoes?”
    â€œHis, too. Mrs. Gunther went to lay out his good suit for tonight. It seems a gentleman named McCall is invited to dinner.”
    McCall was frowning. “And nothing else was taken?”
    â€œApparently not. Mrs. Gunther says drawers were yanked out of the dean’s bureau and shirts scattered all over the floor, but that seemed plain spitefulness, she says—several pairs of his shoes were tossed around their bedroom, too.”
    â€œAnd she didn’t hear anything?”
    â€œShe was out shopping. Does it make any sense to you?”
    â€œIf I were Sherlock Holmes I could probably make some profound deduction but, frankly, I’m stuck. I can’t imagine who the devil would want to steal a man’s clothes and leave other things of more negotiable value untouched.”
    â€œYou’re some detective, you are.”
    â€œI never claimed to be.”
    â€œI expected a brilliant solution right away.”
    â€œSo you’re disappointed in me.”
    â€œIn one way.” Her remarkable eyes washed over him. “In another, I’m relieved.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œYou’re human.”
    â€œOh, yes,” McCall said.
    For some reason both fell silent.
    A bell had been