“I have done nothing,” said Cimon, “save to collect evidence; and have been uncertain what further steps to take.”
“You should put your proofs at once in the hands of Alexander’s lawyer. If he judges them sufficient for this latitude and for a Roman Court (for a Roman Court it must be, since the case is between a Greek and a Jew), let him put things in train without delay. You could find no more skillful advocate; and he has the further advantage, somewhat rare in his profession, of being an honest man. This in itself will instinctively enlist him against such a rogue as Malus. He will do all he can to bring the fellow to justice.”
“Can you tell me what the prospects for justice in a Roman Court are?”
“The Roman law, in general, is just; but a case has to be very clear or the strong rogues, in Alexandria as elsewhere, will manage to escape by means of the evasions, delays, appeals, and various tricks that are purchasable by the free use of money. It is said that all things are venal at Rome. I am afraid the state of things is no better in Alexandria. Malus will use money freely—can you do the same?”
“That depends,” said Cimon. “For such purposes as the collecting of evidence and the securing of the ablest advocate that can be had, I say Yes to your question. For the purpose of bribing the judges, I say No.”
“This is the answer I expected from you. But your enemy has no scruples. He will have the freedom of all means—righteous and unrighteous. In this respect he has much the advantage over you—always provided that there is no God, and that there is a devil. But in certain other important respects you have an advantage over him.”
“Will you tell us in what?” suggested Aleph.
“First, in the intrinsic justice of your cause; for I have no doubt that the case is as you have stated it. Next, the evil repute of Malus among the better class of people is against him. They all know that he is capable of doing just the sort of thing you charge against him—that, in fact, he has done it in multitudes of cases and has only escaped by the terror which he inspires in people too weak financially and otherwise to contend with him. It is worth while for even Roman judges to make some account of the higher grades of public opinion. Further, it would not be strange if many of the small victims of Malus should summon courage in the presence of so large a suit as yours to appear against him with an amount of testimony that would be overwhelming.”