This soliloquy ended, he turned to Marius, and asked, as he looked at him searchingly,—
"Would you be afraid?"
"Of what?" Marius asked.
"Of these men."
"No more than I am of you," Marius answered roughly, for he was beginning to notice that this policeman had not yet said, "sir."
The Inspector looked at Marius more intently still, and continued, with a sort of sententious solemnity,—
"You speak like a brave man and like an honest man. Courage does not fear crime, nor honesty the authorities."
Marius interrupted him,—
"That is all very well, but what do you intend doing?"
The Inspector restricted himself to saying,—