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