The true ethics of the situation never once occurred to him, and never would have, under any circumstances.
After he had all the money in the handbag, a revulsion of feeling seized him.

He would not do it--no! Think of what a scandal it would make.

The police! They would be after him.

He would have to fly, and where?
Oh, the terror of being a fugitive from justice! He took out the two boxes and put all the money back.

In his excitement he forgot what he was doing, and put the sums in the wrong boxes.