intent to kill is still there.’ James looked at him doubtfully. Undeterred, Lombroso went on to describe further acts of carnage in the animal kingdom. ‘Horses, bulls and deer all fight and kill for control of their group. Humans do just the same to further their ambitions. Gorillas kill any male rivals to ensure that there is only one leader – another very human criminal trait. Murder is rife among animals. Cannibalism seems to be a particular favourite.’
James was still sceptical. ‘So, animals can be guilty of crime, just as humans can? But surely it is in their nature. They know nothing else.’
‘Exactly, Murray, you have the point exactly! It is the same for mankind, or some members of it at any rate. Some are born to crime. They have no choice in the matter. There is no question of free will here. Did you know that in ancient and even medieval times it was common for people to convict and punish animals for their actions? It seems that they were right to do so!’
He beckoned James over to the other side of the room and pointed at a large photograph of what appeared to be a series of portraits of dark-skinned men.
‘These are the faces of savages, Murray, and we must equate their crimes with those of animals. They know no better. Our own criminals are just the same. Both are examples of atavistic man at his worst.’
‘What form does this connection take, Professor?’ James asked.
Lombroso turned and frowned at him. ‘Have you not studied the writings of Mr Darwin, young man? Really, I would have thought that you would have acquired at least a basic knowledge of such matters before coming here.’
James had, of course, despite his religious upbringing. His mother had told him that Christians had been forbidden from defending any scientific opinions that contravened the faith. Before he could protest, Lombroso began to sigh and shake his head sadly, muttering under his breath. Then he began to speak slowly and carefully as if addressing a small child.
‘Our origins are in the animal kingdom. It is hardly a leap of faith to suggest that those humans of a more primitive nature might possess similar criminal tendencies.’
Try as he might James could not let that go. ‘But what of free will, Professor? Surely that is where animals differ?’
‘Free will! Absurd! You have much to learn!’
‘Actually, I think he has a point,’ declared a voice in a soft American drawl.
James turned and saw a man leaning on the doorpost, smoking a cigar. He wore an expensive-looking coat with an astrakhan collar. Everything about him exuded ostentatious wealth. Even his thick dark hair gleamed as if he had been anointed with good fortune. It was brushed back revealing a broad forehead, strangely unlined, almost like that of a child. He looked over to them and smiled, sardonically, as if he despised them. He had sharp teeth and even sharper features, giving him an almost lupine quality. His nose was prominent, almost beak-like, but it was his eyes that James really noticed. They were steely grey, cold, almost lifeless, as if he did not, could not, care about anything or anyone and yet, despite this or perhaps because of it, James could not help but look into them.
Lombroso pursed his lips as the man sauntered into the room and handed James a card. It said,
WALTER B. HORTON
ALIENIST
SAN FRANCISCO
‘Dr Horton is from America,’ said Lombroso in a tone that suggested this explained everything. ‘I thought you were arriving tomorrow, Horton. The debate is not until then.’
‘On the contrary, Professor. I have been sampling the “delights” that Turin has to offer for some weeks now.’
‘Debate?’ James enquired.
‘The professor is crossing swords with DeClichy tomorrow evening, to open the symposium. The motion is “Criminals are born not made.” It’s a sell-out, I understand. Should be a good show!’
‘It is a debate, not a circus,’ Lombroso said icily.
Horton grinned. ‘I could say
James was still sceptical. ‘So, animals can be guilty of crime, just as humans can? But surely it is in their nature. They know nothing else.’
‘Exactly, Murray, you have the point exactly! It is the same for mankind, or some members of it at any rate. Some are born to crime. They have no choice in the matter. There is no question of free will here. Did you know that in ancient and even medieval times it was common for people to convict and punish animals for their actions? It seems that they were right to do so!’
He beckoned James over to the other side of the room and pointed at a large photograph of what appeared to be a series of portraits of dark-skinned men.
‘These are the faces of savages, Murray, and we must equate their crimes with those of animals. They know no better. Our own criminals are just the same. Both are examples of atavistic man at his worst.’
‘What form does this connection take, Professor?’ James asked.
Lombroso turned and frowned at him. ‘Have you not studied the writings of Mr Darwin, young man? Really, I would have thought that you would have acquired at least a basic knowledge of such matters before coming here.’
James had, of course, despite his religious upbringing. His mother had told him that Christians had been forbidden from defending any scientific opinions that contravened the faith. Before he could protest, Lombroso began to sigh and shake his head sadly, muttering under his breath. Then he began to speak slowly and carefully as if addressing a small child.
‘Our origins are in the animal kingdom. It is hardly a leap of faith to suggest that those humans of a more primitive nature might possess similar criminal tendencies.’
Try as he might James could not let that go. ‘But what of free will, Professor? Surely that is where animals differ?’
‘Free will! Absurd! You have much to learn!’
‘Actually, I think he has a point,’ declared a voice in a soft American drawl.
James turned and saw a man leaning on the doorpost, smoking a cigar. He wore an expensive-looking coat with an astrakhan collar. Everything about him exuded ostentatious wealth. Even his thick dark hair gleamed as if he had been anointed with good fortune. It was brushed back revealing a broad forehead, strangely unlined, almost like that of a child. He looked over to them and smiled, sardonically, as if he despised them. He had sharp teeth and even sharper features, giving him an almost lupine quality. His nose was prominent, almost beak-like, but it was his eyes that James really noticed. They were steely grey, cold, almost lifeless, as if he did not, could not, care about anything or anyone and yet, despite this or perhaps because of it, James could not help but look into them.
Lombroso pursed his lips as the man sauntered into the room and handed James a card. It said,
WALTER B. HORTON
ALIENIST
SAN FRANCISCO
‘Dr Horton is from America,’ said Lombroso in a tone that suggested this explained everything. ‘I thought you were arriving tomorrow, Horton. The debate is not until then.’
‘On the contrary, Professor. I have been sampling the “delights” that Turin has to offer for some weeks now.’
‘Debate?’ James enquired.
‘The professor is crossing swords with DeClichy tomorrow evening, to open the symposium. The motion is “Criminals are born not made.” It’s a sell-out, I understand. Should be a good show!’
‘It is a debate, not a circus,’ Lombroso said icily.
Horton grinned. ‘I could say
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