But he wouldn't believe me; he said I must have taken it, for I was the only mischievous person about the place, and if I didn't own up and show him where it was, he'd horsewhip me till I did." "O Max! the wicked old wretch!" cried Lulu, between her clenched teeth.
"What did you do?
You couldn't tell a lie!" "No, I thought I couldn't, Lu; and oh, I'm so ashamed!" said Max, growing very red and tears starting to his eyes.

"But he beat me, and beat me, and beat me till I thought he'd kill me; and so to stop him at last I said I took it.

But I didn't gain anything, for of course he asked next where it was, and I couldn't tell him, because I didn't know.

So he began again; but I fainted, and I suppose that scared him and made him stop.

He didn't say anything more about the padlock till weeks afterward it was found in the hay, and it was clear that I hadn't anything to do with it." "Oh, the old wretch!" cried Lulu again.