THE MISSING BOOK. — 69

believe I have never given you cause to doubt my
integrity, and I hope you will believe me when I say
I did not know the book was there. As it has been
found there, and has been missing for a fortnight, I
know of but one way in which it could have been put
there. But I beg of you to take some other method
of ascertaining the truth. I may implicate one who is
innocent, and nothing but your express commands can
cause me to make known my suspicions. If you will
please to wait a day or two longer, perhaps all will be
cleared up.” : |

“IT have such confidence in you, Maurice,” said Mr. |
Harding, “and feel such a respect for your wishes,
that I will let the matter rest until to-morrow, when
Mr. Neville returns, and I will consult with him as to
the best course to pursue.”

Philip Graham returned that evening to school.
He looked very sad, and much softened. He had
come from the death-bed and funeral of his father,
and was received with much kindness and sympathy
by Mr. Harding. |

Mr. Neville returned the next day, but not until the
boys had been assembled in school for an hour, and
of course Mr. Harding had no opportunity to consult
with him on the discovery of the offender. —

After the lessons were over Mr. Harding related to
Mr. Neville, in presence of the whole school, the cir-
cumstances of the missing book, and concluded by