And seeing from the boys' momentary confusion that they were guilty, Minchukov said to Vershina: "It's obvious that they did it." The boys renewed their denials. They were taken into a small room and whipped. Not being able to endure the pain, they confessed. But even then they were unwilling to say who had given them the money. "We did it on our own," they said. They were whipped again until they confessed that Cherepnin had given them the money. The boys were then turned over to their father. "Well, we've punished them--that is their father punished them," said the Commissioner to Vershina, "and now you know who's responsible." "I won't let that Cherepnin off easily," said Vershina. "I'll prosecute him." "I shouldn't advise you to, Natalya Afanasyevna," said Minchukov abruptly. "You'd better let the thing drop." "What! Let such wretches go! No, never!" exclaimed Vershina. "After all, you have had no real proof," said the Commissioner quietly. "What do you mean by no proof, when the boys themselves have confessed it?" "That doesn't count, they might deny it before the judge and there'd be no one to flog them there." "How can they deny it? There are the constables who were witnesses," said Vershina confidently. "Where are your witnesses? When you beat a man he'll confess anything, even something that never happened. They're rascals, of course, and they got what they deserved. But you'll get nothing out of them in court." Minchukov smiled and looked calmly at Vershina. Vershina left the Commissioner very dissatisfied, but after reflection admitted to herself that it was difficult to accuse Cherepnin, and that only publicity and scandal would come of it. [1] _nedotikomka_, an invention of the author. The word means "the touch-me-not-creature." It is presumably an elemental, a symbol of the evil of the world. Sologub begins one of his poems-- "The grey Nedotikomka Wriggles and turns, round and round me...." CHAPTER XIII Towards evening Peredonov appeared before the Head-Master--to talk on business.