But on one Saturday evening Ralph was on duty at the Maryland Avenue gate. There had been a dance which had closed at eleven o’clock and the midshipmen were allowed one hour after the dance to escort their friends home. It was Ralph’s duty to report any midshipman who returned later than midnight and he reported Bollup for being “ten minutes late in returning from hop liberty.”
At this Bollup was much affronted; he received twenty-five demerits and lost many privileges, cadet lieutenant-commander though he was. He became very angry and the next time he passed Ralph he deliberately cut him.
Two weeks later Ralph was on duty as “midshipman in charge of floor”; he was mustered in front of the office of the officer-in-charge and from there went to his post. His station was at his desk, placed where the whole floor was under his eye. After making the routine inspection of rooms required Ralph settled down to study at his desk. Everything on the floor was quiet until half-past nine, then “main quarters” suddenly exploded into life. Hundreds of midshipmen threw aside their books and burst into the corridors, running, laughing and talking, all in high spirits. Most of them were in study jackets, white working trousers, and fencing slippers, an easy lounging dress.
With some surprise Ralph noted that Bollup was not only completely dressed, but it was evident he had just shaved and had on his very newest suit, the gold stripes of the coat shining with a brand new glittering brilliancy. At ten o’clock these bustling, happy young men were all in bed, which fact was not taken for granted but was ascertained by an actual inspection of every room in the building; this was done by cadet officers from each company.
At half-past ten, Ralph, still at his desk, grew impatient. “Why doesn’t the officer-in-charge turn us in?” he wondered. The midshipmen on duty are required to remain at their posts until they are relieved by order of the officer-in-charge. At a quarter to eleven a door opened, and a head, which Ralph recognized as belonging to Bollup, looked rapidly up and down the corridor. This occurred again a few minutes later. Eleven o’clock came, and still the midshipmen on duty remained at their posts, probably wondering if they had been forgotten. Shortly after, Ralph called up the officer-in-charge’s office by telephone.
“Hello! Is this the officer of the day?”
“Yes, This is Warren. Who are you?”
“Osborn. Say, Warren, what’s up? why don’t you turn us in?”
“Hello, Os. Something’s up. The O. C.[11] is out in front and has been talking to Graham, the head watchman. I heard part of a report Graham made half an hour ago. He said he saw some midshipmen running through the yard. I guess there’s a late tea party somewhere and some midshipmen are out. Graham then left, and I imagine a trap has been laid to get them. Ring off; the O. C. is headed this way.”
A moment later Bollup stepped from his room, fully dressed and darted toward the back stairs, near where Ralph’s desk was. Ralph stood in the way. It now flashed over him that Bollup was expected at the party Warren had spoken of. He instantly made up his mind to prevent Bollup from committing such a serious breach of discipline.