“It’s likely!” replied the red-headed one, and suddenly twisting himself round, he disengaged his bristles from Stepan’s hand.
Then he started off running, but Sasha overtook him, gave him a blow in the back, and the boy fell. The gardener again seized him and bound him with his belt.
“Give me the ring!” cried Sasha.
“Wait a moment, young master,” said Stepan; “we will lead him to the bailiff to be questioned.”.
The gardener led the captive into the courtyard of the manor-house, accompanied by Sasha, who glanced uneasily at his trousers, torn and stained with the grass. Suddenly all three found themselves face to face with Kirila Petrovitch, who was going to inspect his stables.
“What is the meaning of this?” he said to Stepan.
Stepan in a few words related all that had happened.
Kirila Petrovitch listened to him with attention.
“You rascal,” said he, turning to Sasha: “why did you wrestle with him?”
“He stole a ring out of the hollow tree, papa; make him give up the ring.”