"That's the meaning," agreed Sir Pedro.
"We have to go immediately to Melvin hostel, Sir Robinson resolved as we made our way out of Antonio Samson's hostel. He lay down again on his bed as we left.

"Where is Melvin's hostel, S.P?" Sir Herbert asked me.

"We are all in the same room at the first hostel," I replied with the eagerness to know more about the case on ground.
"The teachers, Francis and I left for my hostel to confirm from Melvin what Antonio had said.

The hostel was quiet as many people were sleeping. A few of the students were already awake especlally Michael and John who were awakened at the sound of our entry. The light in the room was on. I pointed to Melvin's bed and gave way for the masters to get there by themselves.

Melvin was such a notorious boy in the School. He was rude and unruly. However, he sounded so polite each time he denied an allegation that one would Scarcely argue with him. Yet, he could be the very devil. Many staff members had one Complaint or the other against
him. Melvin had little or no regard for authorities.
He was strong on the city life. The masters knew the person they were about to confront.
Stories also had it that Melvin's elder brother was a very bad boy in the days he was in
the school and had narrowly escaped expulsion.
He gave teachers so much headache that tales of him were still on years after he had left the
school. His younger brother, Melvin, seemed to have taken after him.

Sir Robinson tapped Melvin with his cane and called his name, David Melvin, get up."
Melvin looked behind as he was lying with his face on the pillow. Seeing the men that surrounded him at this time of the night, the
sleep vanished from his eyes. He was suddenly alert.

"Where is the slum Book that Antonio Samson gave to you? asked Sir Herbert. Melvin looked at the stern faces of the masters which appeared to be hewn out of granite, as though he were at a loss.

"I don't know what you are talking about sir Melvin said.

"Do you mean to say that you did not understand my question or that you have not
heard of Slum Book before? Sir Robinson queried.

"I mean, it is not in my custody", Melvin said, gesticulating as if to prove his innocence.
The teachers laughed for it was obvious he was lying through his front teeth.
"Okay, come with us", ordered Sir Herbert
They moved away from the hostel and my deputy and I followed them. We were merely watching the drama, observing the interrogated and the
interrogators. Everything happened without any trace of it coming to our notice. That was very unfortunate.
In a jiffy, we were at Antonio's hostel again.
He was lying down in deep thought-on his bed waiting for the feedback on the information
gave.

Antonio, Sir Herbert called.
Sir Antonio answered, trying to wear a deep pan expression.
"You told us that the Slum Book was with Melvin
"Yes, Sir, I gave it to him".
"You gave me whatl'"Melvin exclaimed.

Didn't I give you the Slum Book? Why are you denying it, Melvin?" Antonio asked.
"I hate someone accusing me of what I did not do, Melvin tried to justify himself.
"During mid-term break, do you say that I did not give it to you and you returned and told
me that you left it at home?" Antonio became more specific and made a sign to Melvin with his eyes to accept that the book was at home.
The masters were then watching both of them as they argued back and forth and accused each other. Then Melvin suddenly accepted that he received the slum book from Antonio but forgot it at home while returning.

"Oh, have you now accepted that you collected it?" Sir Pedro mocked. "I thought that you didn't even know about the book".
"Samson", called Sir Herbert, "I hope you know you are in already trouble with us"

"Yes Sir"
"Well, take note of that. Even when your father brought you back to school, right there
and then, you were caught with a blue film disc.
You are already a disgrace to your father and your family", said Sir Robinson.
"No, he is trying to be" contradicted Sir Herbert. This was because he was closely related to the family of Antonio. Moreover, he was a Pastor and Samson Antonio's father was also a highly respected Pastor.
That notwithstanding, this case was not the type to be treated with kid gloves. "Get ready, this morning, immediately it is 7a.m., come over to my residence for a permission card to travel..
You are going to bring the Slum Book back to school today. Take note that every information in
the book is well known to us. We know everything written there, all these questions we are asking are merely for necessity sake, only to confirm what have already," Sir Herbert said in a
clipped tone.
"You can go back to sleep," said Sir Herbert. Melvin left for his hostel and we left also for other hostels for another set of the midnight arrest.
On reaching my hostel, more students were awake by because of the noise we were making. The masters inquired from me where the beds of some of the culprits were. I directed them to the places.
Daniel Rufus was one of the major prefects of the school. He was also wanted for one or two cases leveled against him. I had also reported to the teachers that Rufus was making use of a radio set in the hostel which was a very
serious offence in the school. Even though I was their overall leader as the Senior Prefect, I had respect for my executive members. As a result of this, I didn't report Daniel Rufus immediately. I kept warning him and threatening to report him.
He however paid a deaf ear and refused to put the radio away.