They should not hang him.

He would fight them tooth and claw, and yet Lionel should not suffer.

He would take care of that.

And then the thought of Lionel changed his mood a little.

How easily could he have shattered their accusation, how easily have brought her to her proud knees imploring pardon of him! By a word he could have done it, yet he feared lest that word must jeopardize his brother.
In the calm, still watches of that night, as he lay sleepless upon his bed and saw things without heat, there crept a change into his mental attitude.