"What would you do?" I asked.
"Leave here," he replied, "within an hour; and we would go together, and so double his rage."
"To do this all you want is your hands and feet?" I asked, doubtingly.
"That is all, and I wouldn't go through the door if it were open."
I could set him free, and why not, I asked myself, the sweat starting out all over me at the thought. What wrong would there be in it, for it was as the robber said—Moth had a right to put him there, but no right to treat me the same way, and in breaking the law he was no better than the highwayman. Reasoning thus, I determined to do what the robber said, and so answered:
"I'll cut the ropes, if that's all you want."
"I shall be much obliged if you will, but I'll not ask you to do it," he answered.
"Why not?"
"Oh, perhaps because I am foolish."
"How will you get out if you are free, as you say?" I asked, not seeing any way.