Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/246

 "All you required was military discipline."

"I daresay, but I have no authority to discipline an unwilling worker. Even in the Army, an officer is not allowed to strike a soldier."

"True, nevertheless, you could exercise discipline if only you went the right way about it."

"What is the right way, Mr. Wilmot?"

"Do you know what contracting out means?"

"I'm afraid I don't."

"Well, roughly speaking, it is this. Any rights a man possesses he may dispose of, this being a free country. You've no right to strike a man in the face with your fist, yet if a man permits you to do so, or sells you the right to do so, who is to prevent you? Prize-fighting is an illegal sport, but boxing with gloves is not, and a man may be very severely punished by the latter method. Having your consent I might knock you insensible with gloves on my fists. Without your consent the placing of my finger on your shoulder is illegal assault. A man by contract may give you the liberty of punishment."

"Do you mean to say that if a man was contracted out I might legally encompass his death?"

"Oh, nonsense, Stranleigh, you're going to extremes. Of course you couldn't. Where your