I fancy I must have left it on my table, but I cannot be sure.

I looked everywhere in my library for it last night and cannot find it.

Perhaps if I left it on the desk one of you has taken it to look at the pictures." There was a general silence.
"I think it must be so," Mr.Porson went on more gravely.

"If the boy who has it will give it up I shall not be angry, as, if I left it on the desk, there would be no harm in taking it to look at the pictures." Still there was silence.
"I value the book," Mr.Porson went on, "not only because it is an expensive work, but because it is a prize which I won at Durham." He paused a moment, and then said in a stern voice: "Let every boy open his desk." The desks were opened, and Mr.Porson walked round and glanced at each.
"This is a serious matter now," he said.

"Ripon, will you come to the study with me and help me to search again.