The seaman’s face reddened with anger. “Hell, no! I wouldn’t touch the stuff.”
The inspector wasn’t impressed with the denial. That’s what they all said until you found their supply of narcotics.
When he started to open a locker, the crewman said, “It’s empty. I’ve already taken everything out.”
The inspector looked at the man’s hands shake as he lit a cigarette. “Why don’t you sit down and take it easy, mister?” he said. “I’ve just decided to take a good look around.”
Slowly he went over the cabin. At last he pulled the locker away from the bulkhead and saw a small cotton bag taped to the back of the locker. He yanked it loose and held it out toward the seaman. “What is this?”
The seaman made a grab for the bag. “Give that to me!” he said. “It’s nothing that interests you.”
The inspector opened the bag and saw that it contained a white powder which looked suspiciously like heroin. He said, “Mister, if this is heroin, you are in trouble.”
“It’s not heroin,” the seaman said sullenly.
“If it isn’t heroin,” the inspector said, “then what is it? Why did you hide it behind the locker? What are you trying to hide?” But the seaman remained silent.
The inspector said, “You are not to leave this ship until I have an analysis made of this powder. Do you understand?”