"Have you drunk the water?" "No, uncle; not yet." The archdeacon shook his head. "You came to drink, and you did not drink; that does not hang well together. Napoleon, take care. If you frankly confess your fault, whatever it may be, you shall be forgiven; but if you tell a lie, and persist in it, I warn you that I shall punish you severely." The entrance of M. Bonaparte, M. Fesch, and Joseph, Napoleon's eldest brother, interrupted the conversation; and for some minutes the elder gentlemen spoke to each other on political subjects; when a sudden exclamation from Severia, as she opened the cupboard, attracted the attention of all. "Santa Madona! who has taken the fruit?" "This is the mystery discovered!" said the canon, turning toward Napoleon. "So you stole the fruit?" "I never touched it," replied the boy. "Call in the other children," said the archdeacon. In a few minutes five beautiful children, three boys and two girls, formed a group round their father, who, looking at each one in turn, asked, "Which of you has taken the fruit that was gathered in your uncle the canon's garden?" "I did not!" "Nor I!" "Nor I!" cried they all. But Eliza's voice was lower and less assured than those of the others. "And you, Napoleon?" "I have said, papa, that I did not do it." "That's a falsehood!" exclaimed Severia, who, being an old domestic, took great liberties. "If you were not a woman!" said Napoleon, shaking his small clenched hand at her. "Silence! Napoleon," said his father, sternly. "It must have been you, Napoleon," said Severia; "for after putting the fruit into the cupboard, I never left the ante-room, and not a soul passed through except the archdeacon and yourself. If he has not taken them--" "I wish truly I had," said the old gentleman, "and then I should not have the grief of seeing one of my children persist in a lie." "Uncle, I am not guilty," repeated Napoleon firmly. "Do not be obstinate, but confess," said his father. "Yes," added the canon; "'tis the only way to escape punishment." "But I never touched the fruit--indeed, I did not." "Napoleon," said his uncle, "I can not believe you. I shall give you five minutes; and if, at the end of that time, you do not confess, and ask for pardon, I shall whip you." "A whip is for horses and dogs, not for children!" said the boy. "A whip is for disobedient, lying children," replied his father. "Then 'tis unjust to give it me, for I am neither a liar nor disobedient." So saying, Napoleon crossed his arms on his chest, and settled himself in a firm attitude. Meantime his brothers and his sister Pauline came close to him, and whispered good-natured entreaties that he would confess. "But how can I, when I have not done wrong?" "So you are still obstinate?" said his uncle. And taking him by the arm, he led him into the next room. Presently the sound of sharp repeated blows was heard, but not a cry or complaint from the little sufferer.