"Yes—as far as regards God; but we must make what amends we can to man also. When Christ came to Zacchaeus, the publican received free salvation, but still he said, 'Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have done wrong to any man I restore him fourfold.'"
"I do not understand you, boy!" said Ali, and very deep grew the furrow on his brow. "I have taken one life, and I cannot restore it; God does not require an impossibility."
Robin was silent, he knew not how to express what was on his mind: but Ali was resolved to have an explanation.
"If you were in my place what would you do?" asked the Amir.
"I do not know what I should do, but I know what I should feel that I ought to do," replied Robin, with some reluctance.
"What might that be?" asked Ali, looking the young Englishman full in the face with his keen, piercing eyes.
Robin met the gaze as he made reply, "Go to my mother, entreat her forgiveness, and then give myself up to justice."
This was so contrary to any idea which had ever been entertained by the Oriental, that his first emotion was that of astonishment at the childish simplicity which could make so absurd a suggestion. However, Robin was evidently in earnest, the warm blood was mantling even to his brow, and he intuitively clenched his hand as if realising what an effort it would cost him, what courage he felt that it would require to do what he deemed to be right in so terrible a case.
Ali did not lose his temper, but his voice sounded harsh as, after a pause of some minutes, he expressed himself as follows:
"There is no justice—I mean according to English ideas—in Persia. If I became my own accuser, I should but be regarded as a fool. I should not be injured in life or limb, but every hanger on at a corrupt court would seize on the opportunity of robbing me of every piastre that I possess. I should be stripped of all that I have inherited, all that I have made by skilful speculations in jewels and horses since leaving Persia. I should simply be reduced to a penniless beggar; unless, indeed, by speaking out my opinion regarding Mahomet, I should be promoted to the rank of a martyr."