School was dismissed as usual, and the boys went home. In the afternoon Tony had some work to do, and did not come.
A few minutes after two, when the boys were all in, Farmer Whipple entered the room, apparently in a high state of excitement.
"Where is Tony Weston?" said he.
"He is absent this afternoon," replied Mr. Hyde.
"I lost my pocket-book this morning."
"Indeed!"
"I saw Tony Weston and the Bunker boy in the woodshed a little before."
"It was Tim Bunker, then," added Mr. Hyde in a low tone.
"I think's likely," continued Farmer Whipple; "but Tony was there too."
"I will state the case, and see if the boys know anything about it," said the master.