Then it was clear what had happened: they were trussed like two fowls, and gagged.
The Duke pulled a penknife from his pocket, opened the blade, stepped into the car and set Firmin free.

Firmin coughed and spat and swore.
The Duke cut the bonds of Jean.
"Well," said the Duke, in a tone of cutting irony, "what new game is this?
What have you been playing at ?" "It was those Charolais--those cursed Charolais!" growled Firmin.
"They came on us unawares from behind," said Jean.
"They tied us up, and gagged us--the swine!" said Firmin.
"And then--they went off in the two cars," said Jean.
"Went off in the two cars ?" cried the millionaire, in blank stupefaction.
The Duke burst into a shout of laughter.
"Well, your dear friend Lupin doesn't do things by halves," he cried.
"This is the funniest thing I ever heard of." "Funny!" howled the millionaire.

"Funny! Where does the fun come in?
What about my pictures and the coronet ?" The Duke laughed his laugh out; then changed on the instant to a man of action.
"Well, this means a change in our plans," he said.

"I must get to Paris in this car here." "It's such a rotten old thing," said the millionaire.

"You'll never do it." "Never mind," said the Duke.