And when Rodriguez had finished up the bacon he
carefully reconsidered the case of Morano, and there were points
in it which he had not thought of before. He reflected that for
the execution of knaves a suitable person was provided. He should
perhaps give Morano up to la Garda. His next thought was where to
find la Garda. And easily enough another thought followed that
one, which was that although on foot and still some way behind
four of la Garda were trying to find him. Rodriguez' mind, which
was looking at life from the point of view of a judge, changed
somewhat at this thought. He reflected next that, for the
prevention of crime, to make Morano see the true nature of his
enormity so that he should never commit it again might after all
be as good as killing him. So what we call his better nature, his
calmer judgment, decided him now to talk to Morano and not to kill
him: but Morano, looking back upon this merciful change, always
attributed it to fried bacon.
"Morano," said Rodriguez' better nature, "to offend the laws of
Chivalry is to have against you the swords of all true men."
"Master," Morano said, "that were dreadful odds."
"And rightly," said Rodriguez.
"Master," said Morano, "I will keep those laws henceforth. I may
cook bacon for you when you are hungry, I may brush the dust from
your cloak, I may see to your comforts. This Chivalry forbids none
of that. But when I see anyone trying to kill you, master; why,
kill you he must, and welcome.
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