This is the critical instant - one glance from one visitor and his life could effectively end - and he does not delay. It isn't action, he suspects, that usually lands a thief in prison. It's hesitation.
-- Stéphane Breitwieser (One)

Importance: In this quote from The Art Thief, the author highlights the intense and precarious nature of Stéphane's art heists. The phrase "This is the critical instant" emphasizes the pivotal moment in each theft, where Stéphane's fate hangs in the balance. It captures the high-stakes nature of his actions, as one wrong move or slip-up could lead to his downfall. The quote also offers a glimpse into the psychology of a thief, highlighting the calculated mindset and nerve required to commit such audacious crimes. It showcases the duality of Stéphane's character, where he is both an art connoisseur and a cunning thief, driven by passion and ambition. The notion that "one...