The broad writing-table in the middle of the room stood between the two men.
"Do you imagine yourself in love with the princess ?" asked Steinmetz suddenly, with characteristic bluntness.
"If you like," returned the other.
"If I thought that it was that," said the German, looking at him thoughtfully, "I would throw you out of the window.

If it is any thing else, I will only throw you down stairs." De Chauxville bit his thumb-nail anxiously.

He frowned across the table into Steinmetz's face.

In all their intercourse he had never heard that tone of voice; he had never seen quite that look on the heavy face.

Was Steinmetz aroused at last?
Steinmetz aroused was an unknown quantity to Claude de Chauxville.
"I have known you now for twenty-five years," went on Karl Steinmetz, "and I cannot say that I know any good of you.