"Yes, we draw the line there," suddenly said Firefly, in a high-pitched voice, which sounded as if it was going to crack. "I admire bravery," said Mrs. Cameron, after a pause. "Ask your questions, Helen. For my dead sister's sake I will accept the word of a Maybright. 'Pon my word, you are extraordinary young people; but I admire girls who are not afraid to speak out, and who uphold their parents' teaching. Ask the children quickly, Helen, if they know anything about the dog, for after David's hint about his having strayed on that awful moor, and perhaps having broken one of his dear little legs, I feel more uncomfortable than ever about him. For goodness' sake, Helen! ask your question quickly, and let me get out on the moor to look for my dog." "Children," said Helen, coming forward at once, "do you know anything about Scorpion's loss, _any_thing? Now, I am going to ask you each singly; as you answer you can leave the room. Polly, I begin with you." One by one the Maybrights and Flower answered very clear and emphatic "No's" to Helen's question, and one by one they retired to wait for their companions in the passage outside. At last Helen put the question to Firefly. Two big, green-tinted hazel eyes were raised to her face. "Yes, Helen, I do know," replied Firefly. Mrs. Cameron uttered a shriek, and almost fell upon the little girl, but Helen very gently held her back. "One minute," she said. "Firefly, what do you know?" "I'm not going to tell you, Helen." The child's lips quivered, but her eyes looked up bravely. "Why so? Please, Aunt Maria, let me speak to her. Why won't you tell what you know, dear Fly?" "Because I promised. There, I won't say a word more about it. I do know, and I won't tell; no, I won't ever, ever tell. You can punish me, of course, Aunt Maria." "So I will, Miss. Take that slap for your impertinence. Oh! if you were my child, should not I give you a whipping. You know what has happened to my poor _dear_ little dog, and you refuse to tell. But you shall tell--you wicked cruel little thing--you shall, you must!" "Shall I take Firefly away and question her?" asked Helen. "Please, Aunt Maria, don't be too stern with her. She is a timid little thing; she is not accustomed to people blaming her. She has some reason for this, but she will explain everything to her sister Nell, won't you, darling?" The child's lips were trembling, and her eyes filling with tears. "There's no use in my going away with you, Helen," she replied, steadily. "I am willing Aunt Maria should punish me, but I can't tell because I'm a Maybright. It would be telling a lie to say what I know. I don't mind your punishing me rather badly, Aunt Maria." "Oh, you don't, don't you?" said Aunt Maria. "Listen; was not that the sound of wheels?" "The doctor to see father," explained Helen. "I ought to go."