Davidson knew that he would have to depend on himself in this affair if it ever came off.
"Davidson underestimated naturally the driving power of the Frenchman's character and the force of the actuating motive.

To that man so hopelessly crippled these dollars were an enormous opportunity.

With his share of the robbery he would open another shop in Vladivostok, Haiphong, Manila--somewhere far away.
"Neither did it occur to Davidson, who is a man of courage, if ever there was one, that his psychology was not known to the world at large, and that to this particular lot of ruffians, who judged him by his appearance, he appeared an unsuspicious, inoffensive, soft creature, as he passed again through the room, his hands full of various objects and parcels destined for the sick boy.
"All the four were sitting again round the table.

Bamtz not having the pluck to open his mouth, it was Niclaus who, as a collective voice, called out to him thickly to come out soon and join in a drink.
"'I think I'll have to stay some little time in there, to help her look after the boy,' Davidson answered without stopping.
"This was a good thing to say to allay a possible suspicion.

And, as it was, Davidson felt he must not stay very long.
"He sat down on an old empty nail-keg near the improvised cot and looked at the child; while Laughing Anne, moving to and fro, preparing the hot drink, giving it to the boy in spoonfuls, or stopping to gaze motionless at the flushed face, whispered disjointed bits of information.