"Yours it is to judge as every man may judge his fellowman.

You mean it is not yours to sentence.

But if yours it were, Kenneth, what then ?" The lad paused a moment ere he answered.

His bigoted Presbyterian training was strong within him, and although, as he said, he pitied Galliard, yet to him whose mind was stuffed with life's precepts, and who knew naught of the trials it brings to some and the temptations to which they were not human did they not succumb--it seemed that vice was not to be excused by misfortune.

Out of mercy then he paused, and for a moment he had it even in his mind to cheer his fellow-captive with a lie.