For instance:
What caused their flight? Why did they not take advantage of the
help I unconsciously gave them? It would have been so simple to
say: `The hundred millions were in the safe. They are no longer
there, because they have been stolen.'"
"They lost their nerve."
"Yes, that is it--they lost their nerve...On the other hand, it
is true---"
"What is true?"
"Oh! nothing."
What was the meaning of Lupin's reticence? It was quite obvious
that he had not told me everything; there was something he was
loath to tell. His conduct puzzled me. It must indeed be a very
serious matter to cause such a man as Arsene Lupin even a momentary
hesitation. I threw out a few questions at random.
"Have you seen them since?"
"No."
"And have you never experienced the slightest degree of pity for
those unfortunate people?"
"I!" he exclaimed, with a start.
His sudden excitement astonished me. Had I touched him on a sore
spot? I continued:
"Of course. If you had not left them alone, they might have been
able to face the danger, or, at least, made their escape with full
pockets."
"What do you mean?" he said, indignantly. "I suppose you have an
idea that my soul should be filled with remorse?"
"Call it remorse or regrets--anything you like---"
"They are not worth it.
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