The Teeth of the Tiger · Chapter
XVII: Open Sesame! explained
Don Luis Perenna, imprisoned as Arsène Lupin, wrestles with despair over Florence Levasseur's safety but resolves to secure his temporary release by bargaining with Prime Minister Valenglay.
What happens
Don Luis Perenna, imprisoned as Arsène Lupin, wrestles with despair over Florence Levasseur's safety but resolves to secure his temporary release by bargaining with Prime Minister Valenglay. He offers a kingdom in exchange for twenty-four hours of liberty to save Florence and prove her innocence.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Obsession
Don Luis's love for Florence drives his every action, overriding all other concerns including his own freedom.
Intelligence and Cunning
Don Luis devises a mathematical plan and negotiates shrewdly with Valenglay, offering a kingdom for temporary liberty.
Fate and Determinism
Don Luis feels events are inevitable, moving from A to D, yet struggles against the possibility of Florence's death.
Characters to notice
- Don Luis Perenna
Imprisoned as Arsène Lupin, he negotiates with Valenglay for temporary freedom to save Florence.
- Florence Levasseur
The woman Don Luis loves and seeks to rescue; her life is in immediate danger.
- Valenglay
Prime Minister who meets with Don Luis and is offered a kingdom in exchange for his release.
- M. Desmalions
Prefect of Police present during the negotiation with Valenglay.
- Deputy Chief Weber
Mentioned as having reported to the Prefect and as pursuing the fugitive's motor car.
Key passages
“If Florence had to die, if it was too late to snatch her from the enemy, in that case he might as well remain in prison. Arsène Lupin spending the rest of his days in a convict settlement was a fitting end to the spoilt life of a man who had not even been able to win the love of the only woman he had really loved.”
Don Luis feels that if Florence dies, his life is worthless and he might as well stay imprisoned forever.
Reflects his deep despair and the centrality of his love for Florence.
“I offer you a kingdom, Monsieur le Président du Conseil.”
Don Luis proposes to give Valenglay a kingdom in exchange for twenty-four hours of freedom.
The dramatic offer that forms the core of his negotiation with the Prime Minister.