dictionary of mine? I had it in school about ten days ago when I
was showing you the prints of the dress and armor of the Romans,
and I have not seen it since. I fancy I must have left it on my
table, but I cannot be sure. I looked everywhere in my library for
it last night and cannot find it. Perhaps if I left it on the desk
one of you has taken it to look at the pictures."

There was a general silence.

"I think it must be so," Mr. Porson went on more gravely. "If the
boy who has it will give it up I shall not be angry, as, if I left
it on the desk, there would be no harm in taking it to look at the
pictures."

Still there was silence.

"I value the book," Mr. Porson went on, "not only because it is an
expensive work, but because it is a prize which I won at Durham."

He paused a moment, and then said in a stern voice: "Let every boy
open his desk."

The desks were 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."