was indeed gone, and he was equally certain that it had not been removed
without hands. It was a most surprising circumstance, he had taught in
that Academy five years, and this was the first instance of dishonesty
among his pupils. Some boys, it was true, had given him trouble in
various ways, but never any thing of this kind. He remained in deep
thought for a few moments, but all this did not bring back the missing
bill; and he decided that his duty was, if possible, to find out who had
stolen the money, for stolen it had been beyond a doubt. He was sure if
any boy had been tempted to purloin the money after returning to the
school-room at the noon hour, he must have it about him still, having
had no opportunity of disposing of it; he knew it must have been taken
after the return of some of the boys for he was the last one himself who
left the room at noon; and he therefore determined to take prompt
measures to find out who was the guilty one. He had no suspicion of any
one, for there was not a pupil in the school who for a moment he would
have believed capable of such an act. He ordered perfect silence in the
room and in as few words as possible explained what had happened;
desiring if any one present possessed the least knowledge of the matter
they would at once make it known to him; saying at the same time, if any
boy had been tempted to take the money, if he would then come forward,
and own the theft, and give up the bill, he would forgive him and the
matter should go no further. Mr. Oswald granted us fifteen minutes, in
which to reveal any thing we might know concerning the affair. A pin
might have been heard to fall in the room during those fifteen minutes,
and seeing that nothing was to be learned in that way Mr. Oswald rose
and stepping from his desk said, "a duty is before me and it must be
performed, no matter how unpleasant it may be, but this matter must not
rest as it is. If you are all innocent you need not fear, but I shall
certainly take the liberty of searching the pockets of every boy in this
room, for, if any boy took that money, he has it now." Assisted by Mr.