At last the thought struck him that he might jump out the window.

He felt some hesitation at taking this step, but finally he concluded that he would do it, and just go near enough to see what the boys were hiding, and exactly where they were putting it, so that he could go afterward and find it without fail.

He determined to return then immediately.
"I shall not be out longer than five minutes," said he to himself, "and I will let it go for my recess." So he took his cap from the nail where he was accustomed to hang it, while he was at his studies, and then climbing out the window, feet foremost, he let himself down gently to the ground.

He then crept slyly along through the yards and gardens, until he got pretty near the place where the boys were at work.

The mystery, however, was rather increased than diminished by the near view.