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 these 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.