He forgot to do
so, and went home to dinner leaving the money in his desk, without even
locking it. The circumstance recurred to his mind soon after the school
was called to order in the afternoon; and, going at once to his desk,
could hardly credit his own eyesight when he perceived that the bill was
gone; he examined all the papers in the desk, as well as every crevice
and corner, but no bill could be found; and he became convinced that it
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.
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