ere opened, and Mr. Porson walked round and glanced at each.

"This is a serious matter now," he said. "Ripon, will you come to the
study with me and help me to search again. It is possible it may still
be there and I may have overlooked it. The rest will remain in their
places till I return."

There was a buzz of conversation while the master was absent. On his
return he said:

"The book is certainly not there. The bookshelves are all so full that
it could only have been put in its own place or laid upon the table.
Ripon and I have searched the room thoroughly and it is certainly not
there. Now, boys, this is a serious business. In the first place, I will
give a last chance to whoever may have taken it to rise in his place and
confess it."

He paused, and still all were silent.

"Now mind," he said, "I do not say that any of you have taken it--I have
no grounds for such an accusation. It may have been taken by a servant.
A tramp may have come in at the back gate when you were all away and
have carried it off. These things are possible. And even were I sure
that it had been done by one of you I should not dream of punishing all;
therefore for the present we will say no more about it. But in order
to assure myself and you I must ask you for the keys of your boxes. The
servants' boxes will also be searched, as well as every nook and corner
of the house; and then, when we have ascertained for a certainty that
the book is not within these four walls, I shall go on with a lighter
heart."

The boys all eagerly opened their trunks and play boxes, searched under
the beds, in the cupboards, and in every nook and corner of their part
of the house, and an equally minute search was afterward made in the
other apartments; but no trace of the book was discovered. For days the
matter was a subject of conversation among the boys, and endless were
the conjectures as to what could have become of the dictionary. Their
respect and affection for their master were greatly heightened by
the fact that his behavior toward them was in no way altered by the
circumstances. His temper was as patient and equable as before in the
schoolroom; he was as cheerful and friendly in the cricket field, They
could see, however, that he was worried and depressed, though he strove
to appear the same as usual. Often did they discuss among themselves how
different the state of things would have been had the loss happened
to Mr. Hathorn, and what a life the