Julius. I make him reason this way....
Lafcadio. Do you really think he reasons?
Julius (continuing). The author of a crime is always found out by the need he had to commit it.
Lafcadio. We said that he was very clever.
Julius. Yes, and all the cleverer because he acts with perfect coolness. Just think! A crime that has no motive either of passion or need! His very reason for committing the crime is just to commit it without any reason.
Lafcadio. You reason about his crime—he merely commits it.
Julius. There is no reason that a man who commits a crime without reason should be considered a criminal.
Lafcadio. You’re too subtle. You have carried him to such a pitch that you have made him what they call “a free man.”
Julius. At the mercy of the first opportunity.
Lafcadio. I’m longing to see him at work. What in the world are you going to offer him?