He expected Captain Putnam back by noon and wished to be prepared to make a proper report to the head of the school on his arrival.
He had just seated himself at the desk in the office when there came a knock on the door.
"Come in!" he said shortly, thinking it might be a servant.

The newcomer was Bart Conners.
"Well, Conners, what is it ?" demanded the head teacher.
"I want to report that I was robbed last night," answered the captain of Company B.
"Robbed!" ejaculated Josiah Crabtree.

"Did you say robbed ?" "Yes, sir." "What of?
Where?
When ?" Josiah Crabtree's manner showed his tremendous excitement.
"Of a diamond stickpin.

I left it in one of my scarfs last night and this morning it was gone.

I've looked all over, but I can't find it." "How late was it when you retired ?" "About ten o'clock." "And when did you get up ?" "At the first bell." "And you noticed it was gone at once ?" "Yes, for I wanted to lock it away in my bureau, as Captain Putnam warned us to do when the others' things were stolen." "This is strange.