Page:Melville Davisson Post--The Man of Last Resort.djvu/276

252 “But,” said the giant Alshire, “I don't want other men's money. I don't want to commit a crime.”

The veins in the forehead of Randolph Mason grew black with anger.

“Commit a crime!” he cried. “No man who has followed my advice has ever committed a crime. Crime is a technical word. It is the law's name for certain acts which it is pleased to define and punish with a penalty. None but fools, dolts, and children commit crimes.”

“Well,” responded the grazier, “whether the plan you are about to propose is a crime or not, it is certainly a moral wrong, and I have no desire to rob a bank by committing even a moral wrong.”

Randolph Mason arose slowly and pointed his finger at the huge Alshire.

“The old story,” he sneered, “child afraid of a goblin. Moral wrong! A name used to frighten fools. There is no such thing. The law lays down the only standard by which the acts of the citizen are to be governed. What the law permits is right, else it would prohibit it. What the law prohibits is wrong, because