"Then he's sure to be caught."
"Wait a bit—a man who can tackle a bloodhound and choke the life out of him is pretty determined," said Brack.
Dick acknowledged as much and said the circumstances were out of the common. He was interested in the old sailor's tale. He did not know whether to admire what Brack had done or to condemn it; he put himself in his place, wondering how he would have acted under similar circumstances.
Brack watched him, a peculiar smile on his face.
"Goin' to give me away?" he asked.
Dick laughed as he answered: "I was thinking whether you were right or wrong."
"Guessed as much. I was right to give such a man another chance. He's no coward, not he, and guilty men are all cowards," said Brack.
"Who is the man?"
"Don't know; he wouldn't tell me, but he said he was a lifer. He didn't seem very keen about his capture."
"You mean he seemed glad the man had escaped?" said Dick, surprised.