ttendant on the abstraction of it.

Just at this moment, Hamilton, Trevannion, and Salisbury, with one or
two more of the first class, entered from the playground, and walked
directly across to Ferrers.

Alive to all the disgrace of being found by his class-fellows in
possession of a key, and unable to return it unobserved, Ferrers,
in the first moment of alarm, tried to push it into the desk at
which he was writing, but finding it locked, he stood up with as
much self-possession as he could assume, and pretending to be
looking among his books and papers, managed, unobserved, to pass
the obnoxious volume over to Louis' heap of books, laying it half
under one of them. Louis was wholly unconscious of the danger so
near him, and did not raise his held from his absorbing occupation
when the fresh comers approached the desk.

"Ferrers," said Salisbury, as they came up, "we want your advice on
a small matter; come with us into the class-room."

Accordingly Ferrers obeyed, glad to leave the dangerous spot, and Louis
was left in undisturbed possession of the apartment for more than half
an hour, at the end of which time the party returned from the inner
room laughing, and all walked out of doors. Just as they passed out,
Mr. Witworth, the usher, approached Louis, and asked him if he could
lend him a pencil. Louis laid his pen down, and began to search his
pockets for a pencil he knew should be there, when he was startled by
the ejaculation of the master:

"Hey!--what!--This is it, is it? So I have found you out, sir."

Louis looked up in alarm. "Found me out, sir?" he said, in a terrified
tone: "what have I done?"

"Done!" exclaimed Mr. Witworth,--"done, indeed: what are you doing there?"

"My exercise, sir."

"To be sure, to be sure. What's the meaning of this, sir?" and he held
up the key. "What have you done, indeed!--you hoped that it was nicely
concealed, I dare say. I wonder how you can be so artful."

"I am sure I don't know any thing about that book," said Louis,
in great agitation.

"Admirably acted," said Mr. Witworth. "It wouldn't walk here, however,
Master Mortimer: some one must have brought it."

"I am sure I don't know who did--I don't indeed," said poor Louis,
despairingly.

"Perhaps you'll try to make me believe you don't know what it is,
and that you never saw the book before," remarked Mr. Witworth,
scornfully.

"I do know what it is, but I never used it, I do assure you, sir,
and I did not