He found a paved courtyard, which he crossed briskly, and mounted the steps of a pillared peristyle, on which the windows looked out. These were all closed to the very top, with full shutters. As he stood thinking how he should make his way into the house, the door was half opened, with a noise of iron that reminded him of the door in the Villa Dupont, and Altenheim appeared: "I say, prince, is that the way you trespass on private property? I shall be forced to call in the gendarmes, my dear fellow!" Sernine caught him by the throat and, throwing him down on a bench: "Geneviève? . . . Where is Geneviève? If you don't tell me what you've done with her, you villain. . . ." "Please observe," stammered the baron, "that you are making it impossible for me to speak." Sernine released his hold of him: "To the point! . . . And look sharp! . . . Answer. . . . Geneviève?" "There is one thing," replied the baron, "which is much more urgent, especially where fellows like you and me are concerned, and that is to feel one's self at home. . . ." And he carefully closed the front door, which he barricaded with bolts. Then, leading Sernine to the adjoining drawing-room, a room without furniture or curtains, he said: "Now I'm your man. What can I do for you, prince?" "Geneviève?" "She is in perfect health." "Ah, so you confess . . . ?" "Of course! I may even tell you that your imprudence in this respect surprised me. Why didn't you take a few precautions? It was inevitable. . . ." "Enough! Where is she?" "You are not very polite." "Where is she?" "Between four walls, free. . . ." "Free?" "Yes, free to go from one wall to another." "Where? Where?" "Come, prince, do you think I should be fool enough to tell you the secret by which I hold you? You love the little girl . . ." "Hold your tongue!" shouted Sernine, beside himself. "I forbid you. . . ." "What next? Is there anything to be ashamed of? I love her myself and I have risked . . ." He did not complete his sentence, frightened by the terrific anger of Sernine, a restrained, dumb anger that distorted the prince's features. They looked at each other for a long time, each of them seeking for the adversary's weak point. At last, Sernine stepped forward and, speaking very distinctly, like a man who is threatening rather than proposing a compact: "Listen to me," he said. "You remember the offer of partnership which you made me? The Kesselbach business for the two of us . . . we were to act together . . . we were to share the profits. . . . I refused. . . . To-day, I accept. . . ." "Too late." "Wait! I accept more than that: I give the whole business up. . . . I shall take no further part in it. . . . You shall have it all. . . . If necessary, I'll help you." "What is the condition?" "Tell me where Geneviève is." The baron shrugged his shoulders: "You're driveling, Lupin. I'm sorry for you . . . at your age. . . ."