"Oh, sir, sir!" began that gentleman severely, turning upon the detected culprit; but the young villain was at bay!
"Well?" he growled in defiance; "what now? what's all the muss about? Those parcels were what I took off his person when he was running away with them. Didn't I, Ben?"
Ben grumbled some inaudible answer, which Alfred assumed to be assent, for he immediately added:
"And I tied them up in my handkerchief to give them back to you. Didn't I, Ben?"
Ben mumbled something or other.
"And then I beat him for stealing. Didn't I, Ben?"
"Yes, you beat him," sulkily answered the younger brother.
Mr. Middleton gazed at the two boys in amazement; not that he entertained the slightest doubt of the innocence of Ishmael and the guilt of Alfred, but that he was simply struck with consternation at this instance of hardened juvenile depravity.
"Sir," continued the relentless young prosecutor, "if you will please to question Master Ben, I think he will tell you the truth. He has not told a downright story yet."
"What! why he has been corroborating his brother's testimony all along!" said Mr. Middleton.