' I am sorry to tell you that another theft has been committed. A gold pencil-case has disappeared from my study table. I was using it after school. I left it on the table when I went for a stroll before dinner. I remember most distinctly laying it down among the pens. I went into my study ten minutes ago, and wanting to make a note as to this afternoon's work looked for the pencil and it was gone. The window was open as usual, and it is possible that tramps passing along the road may have come into the garden and have got in at the window. As in the case of the book I suspect no one, but two such occurrences as these are very uncomfortable for us all. I shall not propose any search this time, for had any of you taken it, which I cannot for a moment believe, he would not have been careless enough to put it in his pocket, or conceal it in his desk or boxes, but would have stowed it away somewhere where there would be no
chance whatever of its being found. Now let us dismiss the subject and go on with our lessons.'
While the master was speaking Ripon and Sankey had glanced for a moment at each other; the same thought was in both their minds. After school was over they joined each other in the yard.
'Was Mather in the washing-room with the others?' Sankey asked eagerly.
' He was, but he came up last,' Ripon replied. ' You know he generally saunters along in a lazy way and is the last to get in. So he was to-day, but I don't know that he was later than usual.'
' I think, Ripon, we ought to speak to Porson.'
'I think so too/' Ripon rejoined gravely; 'it is too serious to keep to ourselves. Any ordinary thing I would not peach about on any account, but a disgraceful theft like this, which throws a doubt over us all, is another thing; the honour of the whole school is at stake. I have been thinking it over. I don't want Mather to suspect anything, so I will go out at the back gate with you, as if I was going to walk part of the way home with you, and then we will go round to the front door and speak to Porson.'
The master was sitting on a low seat in the window of his study. Hearing footsteps coming up from the front gate he looked round.
' Do you want to speak to me, boys?' he asked in some surprise through the open window. ' What makes you come round the front way?'
' We want to see you privately, sir,' Ripon said.
' Very well, boys, I will open the door for you. Now, what is it?' he asked as the boys followed him into the study.
' Well, sir, it may be nothing, I am sure I hope so,' Ripon said; 'but Sankey and I thought you ought to know and then it will be off our minds, and you can do as you like about it. Now, Sankey, tell what you know first, then I will tell what Mother Brown said to me on Wednesday.'
Ned told the story in the same words in which he had related it to Ripon; and Ripon then detailed his conversation with the cake-woman, and her threats of reporting Mather on Saturday were the debt not paid. Ned had already given his reason for keeping silence in the matter hitherto, and Ripon now explained that they had determined to wait till Saturday to see what came of it, but that after that new theft they deemed it their duty to speak at once. Mr. Porson sat with his face half shaded with his hand and without speaking a single word until the boys had concluded.
' It is a sad business,' he said in a low tone, ' a very sad business. It is still possible that you may have come to false conclusions; but the circumstances you have related are terribly strong. I am grieved, indeed, over the business, and would rather have lost a hundred books and pencil-cases than it should have happened. You have done quite right, boys; I am greatly obliged to you both, and you have acted very well. I know how painful it
must be to you both to have been obliged to bring so grave a matter to my ears. Thank you; I will consider what is the best course to adopt. If it can be avoided, I shall so arrange that your names do not appear in the matter.'
For some little time after the boys had left him Mr-Porson remained in deep thought; then he rose, put on his hat, and went out, first inquiring of the servant if she knew where the woman who sold cakes to the boys lived.
'Yes, sir; she lives in a little house in Mill Street; it's not a regular shop, but there are a few cakes in one of the windows; I have bought things there for the kitchen, knowing that she dealt with the young gentlemen.'
Mr. Porson made his way to Mill Street and easily found the house he was in search of. On being questioned the old woman at first showed some reluctance in answering his questions, but Mr. Porson said sharply:
' Now, dame, I want no nonsense; I am acquainted with the whole affair, but wish to have it from your own lips. Unless you tell me the whole truth not a cake will you sell my boys in future.'
Thus pressed Mrs. Brown at once related the story of Mather having borrowed some money of her; of her threats to report him unless he paid, and of his having given her five shillings on the following Saturday, saying that he would give her the rest in a few days but could pay no more then; and how, after repeated disappointments, she had now given him till Saturday to settle the debt.
' If he didn't pay, sir, I meant to have come to ye and telled ye all about it, for I hate lies, and Master Mather has lied to me over and over again about it; but seeing that Saturday hasn't come I don't like telling ye the story, as he may have meant to keep his word to me this time.'
' Here are the five shillings which he borrowed of you; as to the other money, you will never get it, and I hope it will be a lesson to you; and mind, if I find that you ever allow the boys to run an account with you further than the following Saturday after it is incurred, you will never come into my field or playground again.'
Mr. Porson then went to the chief constable's, and after a short conversation with him a constable was told off' to accompany him. He and the master took their station at a short distance from the shop of the man White and waited quietly. A little after nine a figure was seen coming down the street from the other end. He passed quickly into the shop.
' That is the boy,' Mr. Porson said.
'Wouldn't it be better, sir,' the constable asked, 'to wait till the deed is completed, then we can lay our hands on White as a receiver?'
'No,' Mr. Porson replied, 'for in that case the boy would have to appear with him in the dock, and that I wish of all things to avoid.'
So saying he walked quickly on and entered the shop. Mather was leaning across the counter while the man was examining the pencil-case by the light of the candle.
' Five shillings,' the man said, ' and no more. I was nearly getting into trouble over that last job of yours.'
' But it's worth a great deal more than that,' Mather said. ' You might give me ten.'
'Well, take it back then,' the man said, pushing it across the counter.
'Thank you, I will take it myself,' Mr. Porson said quietly, as he advanced and stretched out his hand.
Mather turned round with a sudden cry, and then stood the picture of silent terror.
' As for you,' the master said indignantly to the dealer, ' you scoundrel, if you had your deserts I would hand you over to the constable, who is outside the door, as a receiver of stolen goods, and for inciting this boy to theft. I heard you offer him a sum of money for it which shows that you knew it was stolen; but your time will come, sir, and you will hang over the gate of York prison as many a poor wretch far less guilty than yourself has done;' for in those days death was the punishment of receivers of stolen goods, as well as of those convicted of highway robbery and burglary.
'Have mercy, sir, oh, spare me!' Mather exclaimed, falling on his knees. ' Don't give me in charge.'
' I am not going to do so,' the master said. ' Get up and come with me.' Not a word was spoken on the way back to the school.
Mr. Porson then took Mather into his study, where they remained for half an hour. What passed between them was never known. In the morning the boys who
slept in the room with Mather were surprised to find that his bed was empty and the window open. He had gone to bed at half-past eight as usual, and saying he was sleepy had threatened to punch the head of any boy who spoke, so that all had gone off to sleep in a very short time. A stout ivy grew against the wall, and some fallen leaves on the ground showed them that he had climbed down with the assistance of its stem. But why he should have gone, and what on earth possessed him to run away, none could imagine. The news ran rapidly through the other bedrooms, and brimful of excitement all went down when the bell rang for prayers before breakfast. The list of names was called out by the master as usual, and the excitement grew breathless as the roll of the third class was called; but to the astonishment of all, Mather's name was omitted. When the list was concluded Mr. Porson
