"I should say in one rather important point," Piers replied. "Russia
was the first country to abolish capital punishment for ordinary
crime."
The assailant showed himself perplexed, incredulous. But this state
of mind, lasting only for a moment, gave way to genial bluster.
"Oh, come now! That's a matter of opinion. To let murderers go
unhung----"
"As you please. I could mention another interesting fact. Long
before England dreamt of the simplest justice for women, it was not
an uncommon thing for a Russian peasant who had appropriated money
earned by his wife, to be punished with a flogging by the village
commune."
"A flogging! Why, there you are!" cried the other, with hoarse
laughter--"What did I say? If it isn't the knout, it's something
equivalent. As if we hadn't proved long ago the demoralising effect
of corporal chastisement! We should be ashamed, sir, to flog men
nowadays in the army or navy. It degrades: we have outgrown it--
No, no, sir, it won't do! I see you have made a special study and
you've mentioned very interesting facts; but you must see that they
are wide of the mark--painfully wide of the mark--I must be
thinking of turning in; have to be up at six, worse luck, to catch a
train. Good-night, Mr. Simmonds! Good-night to you, sir--
good-night!"
He bustled away, humming to himself; and, after musing a little, the
bilious man also left the room.
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