"Look at Juri," he commanded. "She is flawless, strong, sound of hoof and heart and limb. And that is because her sire and her mother before her were well seen to. No narrow forehead has ever been allowed to come into the breed of the Eden Grays. I have heard Paul condemn a colt because the very ears were too long and flabby and the carriage of the horse dull. The weak and the faulty have been gelded and sent from the Garden or else killed. And therefore Juri to-day is stout and noble, and Glani has a spirit of fire. It is not easy to do. But if I find a sin in my own nature, do I not tear it out at a price of pain? And shall I spare a colt when I do not spare myself? A law is a law and a fault is a fault. Timeh must die!" The extended arms of Elijah fell. Connor felt Ruth surge forward from beside him, but he checked her strongly. "No use!" he said. "You could change a very devil more easily than you can change David now! He's too proud to change his mind." "Oh," sobbed the girl softly, "I hate him! I hate him!" "Let Timeh live until the morning," said David in the same calm voice. "Let Juri be spared this night of grief and uneasiness. If it is done in the morning she will be less anxious until the dark comes, and by that time the edge of her sorrow shall be dulled." "Whose hand," asked Elijah faintly--"whose hand must strike the blow?" "Yesterday," said David, "you spoke to me a great deal of the laws of the Garden and their breaking. Do you not know that law which says that he from whose household the faulty mare foal has come must destroy it? You know that law. Then let it not be said that Elijah, who so loves the law, has shirked his lawful burden!" At this final blow poor Elijah lifted his face. "Lord God!" he said, "give me strength. It is more than I can bear!" "Go!" commanded the master of the Garden. Elijah turned slowly away. As if to show the way, Timeh galloped before him. _CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE_ David watched them go, and while his back was turned a fierce, soft dialogue passed between Ruth Manning and Ben Connor. "Are you a man?" she asked him, through her set teeth. "Are you going to let that beautiful little thing die?" "I'd rather see the cold-hearted fool die in place of Timeh. But what can we do? Nothing. Just smile in his face." "I hate him!" she exclaimed. "If you hate him, then use him. Will you?" "If I can make him follow me, tease him to come, make him think I love him, I'll do it. I'd do anything to torture him." "I told you he was a savage." "You were right, Ben. A fiend--not a man! Oh, thank Heavens that I see through him." Anger gave her color and banished her tears. And when David turned he found what seemed a picture of pleasure. It was infinitely grateful to him. If he had searched and studied for the words he could not have found anything to embitter her more than his first speech. "And what do you think of the justice of David?" he asked, coming to them.