"Yes."
"What do you say to that?" the stranger asked, turning to Don Ruiz.
"I say," he replied, simply, "that as this man is not my enemy, I cannot and ought not to take any vengeance on him."
"Hence?"
"Hence, justice alone has the right to make him account for his conduct. As for me, I decline."
"And that is truly the expression of your thoughts?"
"On my honour, Caballero. During the fight I should not have felt the slightest hesitation in killing him—for in that case I was defending the life he tried to take; but now that he is a prisoner, and unarmed, I have no longer aught to do with him."
In spite of the mask of indifference the stranger wore on his face, he could not completely hide the joy he experienced at hearing these noble sentiments so simply expressed.
There was a moment's silence, during which the three men seemed questioning each other's faces. At length Stronghand spoke again, and addressed the bandit, who remained motionless, and apparently indifferent to what was being said—
"Go! You are free!" he said, as he cut the last bonds that held him. "But remember, Kidd, that if it has pleased this Caballero to forget your offences, I have not pardoned them. You know me, so do your best to keep out of my way, or you will not escape, so easily as this day, the just punishment you have deserved. Begone!"