Page:Fairview Boys and their Rivals.djvu/73

Rh "I am sorry," replied Miss Williams, "but I found it in your desk."

"In my desk?" cried Bob.

"Yes, Bob."

"When?"

"Just now. I searched all the desks. It was in yours, Bob," went on Miss Williams, and her voice shook a little.

"I think a great deal of you, and I do not wish to misjudge you, but you must explain this."

"Why, how can I?" spoke Bob. "I don't know anything about the list."

"Have you any idea how it came in your desk?"

"Why—yes, I have"

A sudden thought had come into Bob's mind. It was a dreadful thought, too. He almost turned pale, he was so upset. Just like a flash a quick idea made him almost gasp.

"Speak out, Bob," urged Miss Williams, but Bob was silent. He hung his head and tried to think out a great muddle in his mind.

"If you know anything about the missing list. Bob," went on his teacher, "you must certainly tell me. If you suspect any one, it is right you should say so."

"Miss Williams," replied Bob, making up his mind and looking up now, "I could make a guess, but I won't do it till I am sure I am right."

"Bob," said Miss Williams, "a week from Monday the school board meets. It is my duty to tell them what has happened. You know as well as I do that they will suspend or expel a scholar for using a key to any of the lessons."

"But I haven't used any key. I never heard of the list until this minute," declared Bob.

"But you know who did take it. You will have to tell