"You are right, Mazeroux; I was not equal to the job."
"Nor I, Chief."
"You … you have only been in this business since yesterday evening"
"Well, so have you, Chief!"
"Yes, I know, since yesterday evening, whereas the others have been working at it for weeks and weeks. But, all the same, these two are dead; and I was there, I, Lupin, was there! The thing has been done under my eyes; and I saw nothing! I saw nothing! How is it possible?"
He uncovered the poor boy's shoulders, showing the mark of a puncture at the top of the arm.
"The same mark—the same mark obviously that we shall find on the father.… The lad does not seem to have suffered, either.… Poor little chap! He did not look very strong.… Never mind, it's a nice face; what a terrible blow for his mother when she learns!"
The detective sergeant wept with anger and pity, while he kept on mumbling:
"Dash it all!… Dash it all!"
"We shall avenge them, eh, Mazeroux?"
"Rather, Chief! Twice over!"
"Once will do, Mazeroux. But it shall be done with a will."
"That I swear it shall!"
"You're right; let's swear. Let us swear that this dead pair shall be avenged. Let us swear not to lay down our arms until the murderers of Hippolyte Fauville and his son are punished as they deserve."
"I swear it as I hope to be saved, Chief."
