"Well, this court is satisfied--you believe him guilty, Mr. Hampden?"
"He is certainly guilty of attempted abduction."
He apparently put the same question to the two stern-faced men beside us, and they gave assent in brief phrases.
"The court is unanimous," said Big Sam. "Guilty of attempted abduction, violation of the bargain between the tongs, sacrificing the interests of his race to the interest of his tong by challenging the white vengeance. What should the penalty be, Mr. Hampden?"
"I think in our court he would get two years for the attempted abduction, assuming that he was convicted."
"A mild punishment, Mr. Hampden. I do not wonder that crime flourishes in your country with justice so feeble. But we have no prisons at our command. Death or exile or fine--these are the punishments we can enforce."
I shuddered at his words and tone, but it seemed impossible that we were discussing more than a theoretical case.
"Do you mean to say that our judgment will be carried out?" I cried.
"Certainly. An example is necessary; an offense has been committed; the guilty is before us for sentence."
"I should be satisfied with exile," I said, as Big Sam's eye demanded my choice.