“Just write that down on a piece of paper, Creelton, so that I will not forget and ask you again.”
Creelton quickly took pencil and paper and wrote: “The towels I have lent to Streeter I drew from the store yesterday.” Himski read the paper, then put it in his pocket. He then said to Hamm, “Billy, run down to the store double time; tell the clerk Mr. Creelton wants to see his requisition book to check up what he drew last month.” And Hamm left on a dead run.
“I don’t want it,” cried Creelton; “this is a put up job!”
“Come in, Taylor,” called out Himski to the former, who was passing in the corridor. “I want you to stay here and see that Creelton gets fair play; never mind what it’s all about. Streeter, skip out and bring Bollup here. He’s four striper and should know what’s going on.”
In a few moments Streeter reappeared with Bollup, and soon Hamm ran breathlessly in with an open requisition book, of the kind in which are charged the articles drawn monthly by midshipmen.
“He didn’t draw any towels last month and I don’t know for how many months back,” cried Billy Bacon.
“I’m going to search your room now, Creelton,” said Himski; and suiting the action to the word, he commenced throwing things pell-mell from the shelves of the wardrobe to the floor.
“I object,” cried Creelton, in frantic, impotent fear.
In the middle shelf, covered up by clothing, was a locked tin box. Creelton made a desperate leap toward Himski but was held back by Bollup who was looking on with grim approval.
After a while Himski said: “I think this is all; give me the towels and the box. We’ll go now to the commandant’s office. I want you fellows to keep entirely quiet about this and let me run it.”