But he believes that moral standards vary
with circumstances."
"Pernicious stuff, sir. There is one moral law. There is one Table of
Commandments."
"But surely you must translate the Commandments into the language of the
occasion. You do not believe that 'Thou shalt not kill' is absolute in
every case?"
"I mean that except in the God-appointed necessity of war, and in the
serving of criminal justice, killing is murder."
"Suppose a man goes travelling," said Lewis with abstracted eyes, "and
has a lot of native servants. They mutiny, and he shoots down one or
two. He saves his life, he serves, probably, the ends of civilization.
Do you call that murder?"
"Assuredly. Better, far better that he should perish in the wilderness
than that he should take the law into his own hands and kill one of
God's creatures."
"But law, you know, is not an absolute word."
Mr. Wishart scented danger. "I can't argue against your subtleties,
but my mind is clear; and I can respect no man who could think
otherwise."
Lewis reddened and looked appealingly at Alice. She, too, was
uncomfortable. Her opinions sounded less convincing when stated
dogmatically by her father.
Mr. Stocks saw his chance and took it.
"Did you ever happen to be in such a crisis as you speak of, Mr.
Haystoun? You have travelled a great deal."
"I have never had occasion to put a man to death," said Lewis, seeing
the snare and scorning to avoid it.
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