42 THE CHERRY-STONES.

all these rooms he expected to find un-
fastened; and though the outer door of
the marching-room, which opened into
the playground, would of course be lock-
ed, yet he knew the key was always left
in the lock on the inside. He was not
mistaken. On trying the dining-room and
school-room doors, they opened without
difficulty. He encountered no obstacle,
as he passed stealthily and silently through
them. Grim and ghost-like appeared the
desks and forms as the moonlight stream-
ed in full upon them. As he looked
round, he could hardly realize to himself
that it was the scene of his daily labours,
so different was its unbroken - stillness,
and its general aspect, under the cold,
white light of the moon, from the glare,
and noise, and bustle, which enlivened it
by day. Its silence and loneliness made