Sernine whispered.
"I will save you. . . . I have infallible remedies. . . . One word only . . . Geneviève? . . ."
It was as though this word of hope revived the man's strength. Altenheim tried to utter articulate sounds.
"Answer," said Sernine, persisting. "Answer, and I will save you. . . . Answer. . . . It means your life to-day . . . your liberty to-morrow. . . . Answer! . . ."
The door shook under the blows that rained upon it.
The baron gasped out unintelligible syllables. Leaning over him, affrighted, straining all his energy, all his will to the utmost, Sernine panted with anguish. He no longer gave a thought to the policemen, his inevitable capture, prison. . . . But Geneviève. . . . Geneviève dying of hunger, whom one word from that villain could set free! . . .
"Answer! . . . You must! . . ."
He ordered and entreated by turns. Altenheim stammered, as though hypnotized and defeated by that indomitable imperiousness:
"Ri . . . Rivoli. . . ."
"Rue de Rivoli, is that it? You have locked her up in a house in that street . . . eh? Which number?"