Every day he took a mysterious book out of his desk and absorbed himself in it at times when no classes were reciting.

He kept that book under lock and key.

There was not an urchin in school but was perishing to have a glimpse of it, but the chance never came.

Every boy and girl had a theory about the nature of that book; but no two theories were alike, and there was no way of getting at the facts in the case.

Now, as Becky was passing by the desk, which stood near the door, she noticed that the key was in the lock! It was a precious moment.