Page:GB Lancaster--law-bringer.djvu/374

372 too, and the law knows it But the law is powerless there—and so are we."

"I thought you knew human nature better than to talk like that. We can't get back to the original factor in an individual case, anyway. He's generally dead."

"No, he isn't," said Tempest quietly. "He's always living—plenty of him. He's you and me, and all the other men who help to rule and serve Canada. He is every man who hasn't got five cents to spare for the Missionary box; and who can't be bothered to subscribe to the Hospital Fund, and who makes a ring on the Education Board because of the money he can get out of it. He is every man who won't put sin or temptation out of another's path because he's afraid of dirtying his own hands. He is every man who takes advantage of the laws of the country to add to that sin and temptation. Oh, he isn't dead. Don't you think it. He's alive, and he's going to keep on living. And he is going to keep on governing the world."

Dick was on his feet now. He walked through the room. Then he came back and stood over Tempest. His face was black.

"Because you're a Puritan you needn't curse all other men," he said. "I imagine we are as God made us—if there is a God."

Tempest flushed painfully.

"I don't want to curse other men. But—I can be glad that she is to die for this. It was life that I was afraid of for her."

Dick walked back to the window. He stood there some time. Then he said:

"On my honour, I never meant to make her love me."

"What happened to your honour when you gave me your word that you'd leave her alone, and then broke it?" said Tempest sternly.

Dick turned round. That crumpled body with the clear, menacing eyes seemed suddenly terrible. He understood that this man was fighting for more than "the individual case."

"Oh, you can't understand," he said impatiently. "If you could you wouldn't need to ask. You'd know for