l and handy for just about any job around here."

"In a limited capacity, no doubt," Goil said dryly. "And he apparently
does a lot of jobs around here he's not expected to do. A check of
your tool cribs and equipment storage shows that Maloon has had his
hands on just about everything you have available at one time or
another since he has been here. Mr. Maloon is a very busy man during
his off-duty hours, it seems."

"What has this to do with calling Willy in about the missing energizer
and generator?" I ventured to ask.

"Part of a suspicion," Goil said. "Maloon's use of company tools and
equipment increased just before the disappearance of those two pieces
of equipment. It may be significant or it may not. What is significant
is this: everybody having access to supply and equipment was out
participating in one way or another in the operation the other day. It
seems that everybody can be accounted for but Maloon. He could easily
have had time to get unauthorized items out of supply."

"This is fantastic!" snorted Orrin.

* * * * *

They don't know the half of it! I thought to myself.

I didn't want Willy to have to face Goil. Willy was weak in some
ways.... Aloud I said:

"I know Willy quite well, Mr. Goil. If you will let me talk to
him...."

"I'm sure you do," said Goil icily. "You and he came here together.
Even applied and were accepted for this job together," he added
significantly.

* * * * *

There was a mild knock on the door. It opened slowly and Willy stood
in the doorway, hesitating before entering, looking around the room.
He said:

"You wanted to see me, Mr. Goil?"

Mr. Garfield Goil, in spite of his somewhat unstable temperament, had
made rapid strides in his career to his present staff position. He was
no nincompoop. He was well educated and trained, and had apparently
learned to measure a man accurately and quickly. He so seemed to
measure Willy at a glance, drawing, no doubt, also from his recent
examination of Willy's records, and the personality profile he had
gleaned from it. Willy (he probably reasoned) for all his foibles
would be basically truthful, especially if confronted by Authority.
And he apparently was timid and obviously worried. Therefore, he must
have some cause to worry. Therefore, the impact of direct action
should produce quick results. Mr. Goil asked:

"Willy, we'd like to know what happened to the gra