第1章

{plusabonuschaptercalledTHEPARISOPERAHOUSE}

ThePhantomoftheOperaPrologueINWHICHTHEAUTHOROFTHISSINGULARWORKINFORMSTHEREADERHOW

HEACQUIREDTHECERTAINTYTHATTHEOPERAGHOSTREALLYEXISTED

TheOperaghostreallyexisted。Hewasnot，aswaslongbelieved，acreatureoftheimaginationoftheartists，thesuperstitionofthemanagers，oraproductoftheabsurdandimpressionablebrainsoftheyoungladiesoftheballet，theirmothers，thebox-keepers，thecloak-roomattendantsortheconcierge。Yes，heexistedinfleshandblood，althoughheassumedthecompleteappearanceofarealphantom。thatistosay，ofaspectralshade。

WhenIbegantoransackthearchivesoftheNationalAcademyofMusicIwasatoncestruckbythesurprisingcoincidencesbetweenthephenomenaascribedtotheghostandthemostextraordinaryandfantastictragedythateverexcitedtheParisupperclasses。

andIsoonconceivedtheideathatthistragedymightreasonablybeexplainedbythephenomenainquestion。Theeventsdonotdatemorethanthirtyyearsback。anditwouldnotbedifficulttofindatthepresentday，inthefoyeroftheballet，oldmenofthehighestrespectability，menuponwhosewordonecouldabsolutelyrely，whowouldrememberasthoughtheyhappenedyesterdaythemysteriousanddramaticconditionsthatattendedthekidnappingofChristineDaae，thedisappearanceoftheVicomtedeChagnyandthedeathofhiselderbrother，CountPhilippe，whosebodywasfoundonthebankofthelakethatexistsinthelowercellarsoftheOperaontheRue-Scribeside。ButnoneofthosewitnesseshaduntilthatdaythoughtthattherewasanyreasonforconnectingthemoreorlesslegendaryfigureoftheOperaghostwiththatterriblestory。

Thetruthwasslowtoentermymind，puzzledbyaninquirythatateverymomentwascomplicatedbyeventswhich，atfirstsight，mightbelookeduponassuperhuman。andmorethanonceIwaswithinanaceofabandoningataskinwhichIwasexhaustingmyselfinthehopelesspursuitofavainimage。Atlast，Ireceivedtheproofthatmypresentimentshadnotdeceivedme，andIwasrewardedforallmyeffortsonthedaywhenIacquiredthecertaintythattheOperaghostwasmorethanamereshade。

Onthatday，IhadspentlonghoursoverTHEMEMOIRSOFAMANAGER，thelightandfrivolousworkofthetoo-skepticalMoncharmin，who，duringhistermattheOpera，understoodnothingofthemysteriousbehavioroftheghostandwhowasmakingallthefunofitthathecouldattheverymomentwhenhebecamethefirstvictimofthecuriousfinancialoperationthatwentoninsidethemagicenvelope。

Ihadjustleftthelibraryindespair，whenImetthedelightfulacting-managerofourNationalAcademy，whostoodchattingonalandingwithalivelyandwell-groomedlittleoldman，towhomheintroducedmegaily。Theacting-managerknewallaboutmyinvestigationsandhoweagerlyandunsuccessfullyIhadbeentryingtodiscoverthewhereaboutsoftheexaminingmagistrateinthefamousChagnycase，M。Faure。Nobodyknewwhathadbecomeofhim，aliveordead。

andherehewasbackfromCanada，wherehehadspentfifteenyears，andthefirstthinghehaddone，onhisreturntoParis，wastocometothesecretarialofficesattheOperaandaskforafreeseat。

ThelittleoldmanwasM。Faurehimself。

WespentagoodpartoftheeveningtogetherandhetoldmethewholeChagnycaseashehadunderstooditatthetime。Hewasboundtoconcludeinfavorofthemadnessoftheviscountandtheaccidentaldeathoftheelderbrother，forlackofevidencetothecontrary。

buthewasneverthelesspersuadedthataterribletragedyhadtakenplacebetweenthetwobrothersinconnectionwithChristineDaae。

HecouldnottellmewhatbecameofChristineortheviscount。

WhenImentionedtheghost，heonlylaughed。He，too，hadbeentoldofthecuriousmanifestationsthatseemedtopointtotheexistenceofanabnormalbeing，residinginoneofthemostmysteriouscornersoftheOpera，andheknewthestoryoftheenvelope。

buthehadneverseenanythinginitworthyofhisattentionasmagistrateinchargeoftheChagnycase，anditwasasmuchashehaddonetolistentotheevidenceofawitnesswhoappearedofhisownaccordanddeclaredthathehadoftenmettheghost。

ThiswitnesswasnoneotherthanthemanwhomallPariscalledthePersianandwhowaswell-knowntoeverysubscribertotheOpera。

Themagistratetookhimforavisionary。

IwasimmenselyinterestedbythisstoryofthePersian。Iwanted，iftherewerestilltime，tofindthisvaluableandeccentricwitness。

MyluckbegantoimproveandIdiscoveredhiminhislittleflatintheRuedeRivoli，wherehehadlivedeversinceandwherehediedfivemonthsaftermyvisit。Iwasatfirstinclinedtobesuspicious。

butwhenthePersianhadtoldme，withchild-likecandor，allthatheknewabouttheghostandhadhandedmetheproofsoftheghost’sexistence——includingthestrangecorrespondenceofChristineDaae——todoasIpleasedwith，Iwasnolongerabletodoubt。No，theghostwasnotamyth！

Ihave，Iknow，beentoldthatthiscorrespondencemayhavebeenforgedfromfirsttolastbyamanwhoseimaginationhadcertainlybeenfedonthemostseductivetales。butfortunatelyIdiscoveredsomeofChristine’swritingoutsidethefamousbundleoflettersand，onacomparisonbetweenthetwo，allmydoubtswereremoved。

IalsowentintothepasthistoryofthePersianandfoundthathewasanuprightman，incapableofinventingastorythatmighthavedefeatedtheendsofjustice。

This，moreover，wastheopinionofthemoreseriouspeoplewho，atonetimeorother，weremixedupintheChagnycase，whowerefriendsoftheChagnyfamily，towhomIshowedallmydocumentsandsetforthallmyinferences。Inthisconnection，IshouldliketoprintafewlineswhichIreceivedfromGeneralD——：

SIR：

Icannoturgeyoutoostronglytopublishtheresultsofyourinquiry。

Irememberperfectlythat，afewweeksbeforethedisappearanceofthatgreatsinger，ChristineDaae，andthetragedywhichthrewthewholeoftheFaubourgSaint-Germainintomourning，therewasagreatdealoftalk，inthefoyeroftheballet，onthesubjectoftheghost。andIbelievethatitonlyceasedtobediscussedinconsequenceofthelateraffairthatexcitedusallsogreatly。But，ifitbepossible——as，afterhearingyou，Ibelieve——toexplainthetragedythroughtheghost，thenI

begyousir，totalktousabouttheghostagain。

Mysteriousthoughtheghostmayatfirstappear，hewillalwaysbemoreeasilyexplainedthanthedismalstoryinwhichmalevolentpeoplehavetriedtopicturetwobrotherskillingeachotherwhohadworshipedeachotheralltheirlives。

Believeme，etc。

Lastly，withmybundleofpapersinhand，Ioncemorewentovertheghost’svastdomain，thehugebuildingwhichhehadmadehiskingdom。Allthatmyeyessaw，allthatmymindperceived，corroboratedthePersian’sdocumentsprecisely。andawonderfuldiscoverycrownedmylaborsinaverydefinitefashion。Itwillberememberedthat，later，whendigginginthesubstructureoftheOpera，beforeburyingthephonographicrecordsoftheartist’svoice，theworkmenlaidbareacorpse。Well，IwasatonceabletoprovethatthiscorpsewasthatoftheOperaghost。Imadetheacting-managerputthisprooftothetestwithhisownhand。

anditisnowamatterofsupremeindifferencetomeifthepaperspretendthatthebodywasthatofavictimoftheCommune。

Thewretcheswhoweremassacred，undertheCommune，inthecellarsoftheOpera，werenotburiedonthisside。Iwilltellwheretheirskeletonscanbefoundinaspotnotveryfarfromthatimmensecryptwhichwasstockedduringthesiegewithallsortsofprovisions。

IcameuponthistrackjustwhenIwaslookingfortheremainsoftheOperaghost，whichIshouldneverhavediscoveredbutfortheunheard-ofchancedescribedabove。

Butwewillreturntothecorpseandwhatoughttobedonewithit。

Forthepresent，ImustconcludethisverynecessaryintroductionbythankingM。Mifroid(whowasthecommissaryofpolicecalledinforthefirstinvestigationsafterthedisappearanceofChristineDaae)，M。Remy，thelatesecretary，M。Mercier，thelateacting-manager，M。Gabriel，thelatechorus-master，andmoreparticularlyMme。laBaronnedeCastelot-Barbezac，whowasoncethelittleMeg

ofthestory(andwhoisnotashamedofit)，themostcharmingstarofouradmirablecorpsdeballet，theeldestdaughteroftheworthyMme。Giry，nowdeceased，whohadchargeoftheghost’sprivatebox。

Allthesewereofthegreatestassistancetome。and，thankstothem，Ishallbeabletoreproducethosehoursofsheerloveandterror，intheirsmallestdetails，beforethereader’seyes。

AndIshouldbeungratefulindeedifIomitted，whilestandingonthethresholdofthisdreadfulandveraciousstory，tothankthepresentmanagementtheOpera，whichhassokindlyassistedmeinallmyinquiries，andM。Messagerinparticular，togetherwithM。Gabion，theacting-manager，andthatmostamiableofmen，thearchitectintrustedwiththepreservationofthebuilding，whodidnothesitatetolendmetheworksofCharlesGarnier，althoughhewasalmostsurethatIwouldneverreturnthemtohim。

Lastly，Imustpayapublictributetothegenerosityofmyfriendandformercollaborator，M。J。LeCroze，whoallowedmetodipintohissplendidtheatricallibraryandtoborrowtheraresteditionsofbooksbywhichhesetgreatstore。

GASTONLEROUX。

ChapterIIsittheGhost？

ItwastheeveningonwhichMM。DebienneandPoligny，themanagersoftheOpera，weregivingalastgalaperformancetomarktheirretirement。

Suddenlythedressing-roomofLaSorelli，oneoftheprincipaldancers，wasinvadedbyhalf-a-dozenyoungladiesoftheballet，whohadcomeupfromthestageafterdancingPolyeucte。Theyrushedinamidgreatconfusion，somegivingventtoforcedandunnaturallaughter，otherstocriesofterror。Sorelli，whowishedtobealoneforamomenttorunthroughthespeechwhichshewastomaketotheresigningmanagers，lookedaroundangrilyatthemadandtumultuouscrowd。

ItwaslittleJammes——thegirlwiththetip-tiltednose，theforget-me-noteyes，therose-redcheeksandthelily-whiteneckandshoulders——whogavetheexplanationinatremblingvoice：

It’stheghost！Andshelockedthedoor。

Sorelli’sdressing-roomwasfittedupwithofficial，commonplaceelegance。

Apier-glass，asofa，adressing-tableandacupboardortwoprovidedthenecessaryfurniture。Onthewallshungafewengravings，relicsofthemother，whohadknownthegloriesoftheoldOperaintheRuelePeletier。portraitsofVestris，Gardel，Dupont，Bigottini。

Buttheroomseemedapalacetothebratsofthecorpsdeballet，whowerelodgedincommondressing-roomswheretheyspenttheirtimesinging，quarreling，smackingthedressersandhair-dressersandbuyingoneanotherglassesofcassis，beer，orevenrhum，untilthecall-boy’sbellrang。

Sorelliwasverysuperstitious。SheshudderedwhensheheardlittleJammesspeakoftheghost，calledherasillylittlefool

andthen，asshewasthefirsttobelieveinghostsingeneral，andtheOperaghostinparticular，atonceaskedfordetails：

Haveyouseenhim？

AsplainlyasIseeyounow！saidlittleJammes，whoselegsweregivingwaybeneathher，andshedroppedwithamoanintoachair。

ThereuponlittleGiry——thegirlwitheyesblackassloes，hairblackasink，aswarthycomplexionandapoorlittleskinstretchedoverpoorlittlebones——littleGiryadded：

Ifthat’stheghost，he’sveryugly！

Oh，yes！criedthechorusofballet-girls。

Andtheyallbegantotalktogether。Theghosthadappearedtothemintheshapeofagentlemanindress-clothes，whohadsuddenlystoodbeforetheminthepassage，withouttheirknowingwherehecamefrom。

Heseemedtohavecomestraightthroughthewall。

Pooh！saidoneofthem，whohadmoreorlesskeptherhead。

Youseetheghosteverywhere！

Anditwastrue。Forseveralmonths，therehadbeennothingdiscussedattheOperabutthisghostindress-clotheswhostalkedaboutthebuilding，fromtoptobottom，likeashadow，whospoketonobody，towhomnobodydaredspeakandwhovanishedassoonashewasseen，nooneknowinghoworwhere。Asbecamearealghost，hemadenonoiseinwalking。Peoplebeganbylaughingandmakingfunofthisspecterdressedlikeamanoffashionoranundertaker。buttheghostlegendsoonswelledtoenormousproportionsamongthecorpsdeballet。

Allthegirlspretendedtohavemetthissupernaturalbeingmoreorlessoften。Andthosewholaughedtheloudestwerenotthemostatease。Whenhedidnotshowhimself，hebetrayedhispresenceorhispassingbyaccident，comicorserious，forwhichthegeneralsuperstitionheldhimresponsible。Hadanyonemetwithafall，orsufferedapracticaljokeatthehandsofoneoftheothergirls，orlostapowderpuff，itwasatoncethefaultoftheghost，oftheOperaghost。

Afterall，whohadseenhim？Youmeetsomanymenindress-clothesattheOperawhoarenotghosts。Butthisdress-suithadapeculiarityofitsown。Itcoveredaskeleton。Atleast，sotheballet-girlssaid。And，ofcourse，ithadadeath’shead。

Wasallthisserious？ThetruthisthattheideaoftheskeletoncamefromthedescriptionoftheghostgivenbyJosephBuquet，thechiefscene-shifter，whohadreallyseentheghost。Hehadrunupagainsttheghostonthelittlestaircase，bythefootlights，whichleadstothecellars。Hehadseenhimforasecond——

fortheghosthadfled——andtoanyonewhocaredtolistentohimhesaid：

Heisextraordinarilythinandhisdress-coathangsonaskeletonframe。

Hiseyesaresodeepthatyoucanhardlyseethefixedpupils。

Youjustseetwobigblackholes，asinadeadman’sskull。

Hisskin，whichisstretchedacrosshisboneslikeadrumhead，isnotwhite，butanastyyellow。Hisnoseissolittleworthtalkingaboutthatyoucan’tseeitside-face。andTHEABSENCE

ofthatnoseisahorriblethingTOLOOKAT。Allthehairhehasisthreeorfourlongdarklocksonhisforeheadandbehindhisears。

Thischiefscene-shifterwasaserious，sober，steadyman，veryslowatimaginingthings。Hiswordswerereceivedwithinterestandamazement。andsoontherewereotherpeopletosaythattheytoohadmetamanindress-clotheswithadeath’sheadonhisshoulders。

SensiblemenwhohadwindofthestorybeganbysayingthatJosephBuquethadbeenthevictimofajokeplayedbyoneofhisassistants。

Andthen，oneaftertheother，therecameaseriesofincidentssocuriousandsoinexplicablethattheveryshrewdestpeoplebegantofeeluneasy。

Forinstance，afiremanisabravefellow！Hefearsnothing，leastofallfire！Well，thefiremaninquestion，whohadgonetomakearoundofinspectioninthecellarsandwho，itseems，hadventuredalittlefartherthanusual，suddenlyreappearedonthestage，pale，scared，trembling，withhiseyesstartingoutofhishead，andpracticallyfaintedinthearmsoftheproudmotheroflittleJammes。[1]Andwhy？Becausehehadseencomingtowardhim，ATTHELEVELOFHISHEAD，BUTWITHOUTABODYATTACHEDTOIT，AHEADOFFIRE！And，asIsaid，afiremanisnotafraidoffire——

[1]Ihavetheanecdote，whichisquiteauthentic，fromM。PedroGailhardhimself，thelatemanageroftheOpera。

Thefireman’snamewasPampin。

Thecorpsdeballetwasflungintoconsternation。Atfirstsight，thisfieryheadinnowaycorrespondedwithJosephBuquet’sdescriptionoftheghost。Buttheyoungladiessoonpersuadedthemselvesthattheghosthadseveralheads，whichhechangedaboutashepleased。And，ofcourse，theyatonceimaginedthattheywereinthegreatestdanger。Onceafiremandidnothesitatetofaint，leadersandfront-rowandback-rowgirlsalikehadplentyofexcusesforthefrightthatmadethemquickentheirpacewhenpassingsomedarkcornerorill-lightedcorridor。Sorelliherself，onthedayaftertheadventureofthefireman，placedahorseshoeonthetableinfrontofthestage-door-keeper’sbox，whicheveryonewhoenteredtheOperaotherwisethanasaspectatormusttouchbeforesettingfootonthefirsttreadofthestaircase。

Thishorse-shoewasnotinventedbyme——anymorethananyotherpartofthisstory，alas！——andmaystillbeseenonthetableinthepassageoutsidethestage-door-keeper’sbox，whenyouentertheOperathroughthecourtknownastheCourdel’Administration。

Toreturntotheeveninginquestion。

It’stheghost！littleJammeshadcried。

Anagonizingsilencenowreignedinthedressing-room。Nothingwasheardbutthehardbreathingofthegirls。Atlast，Jammes，flingingherselfuponthefarthestcornerofthewall，witheverymarkofrealterroronherface，whispered：

Listen！

Everybodyseemedtoheararustlingoutsidethedoor。Therewasnosoundoffootsteps。Itwaslikelightsilkslidingoverthepanel。

Thenitstopped。

Sorellitriedtoshowmorepluckthantheothers。Shewentuptothedoorand，inaquaveringvoice，asked：

Who’sthere？

Butnobodyanswered。Thenfeelingalleyesuponher，watchingherlastmovement，shemadeanefforttoshowcourage，andsaidveryloudly：

Isthereanyonebehindthedoor？

Oh，yes，yes！Ofcoursethereis！criedthatlittledriedplumofaMegGiry，heroicallyholdingSorellibackbyhergauzeskirt。

Whateveryoudo，don’topenthedoor！Oh，Lord，don’topenthedoor！

ButSorelli，armedwithadaggerthatneverlefther，turnedthekeyanddrewbackthedoor，whiletheballet-girlsretreatedtotheinnerdressing-roomandMegGirysighed：

Mother！Mother！

Sorellilookedintothepassagebravely。Itwasempty。

agas-flame，initsglassprison，castaredandsuspiciouslightintothesurroundingdarkness，withoutsucceedingindispellingit。

Andthedancerslammedthedooragain，withadeepsigh。

No，shesaid，thereisnoonethere。

Still，wesawhim！Jammesdeclared，returningwithtimidlittlestepstoherplacebesideSorelli。Hemustbesomewhereprowlingabout。

Ishan’tgobacktodress。Wehadbetterallgodowntothefoyertogether，atonce，forthe`speech，’andwewillcomeupagaintogether。

Andthechildreverentlytouchedthelittlecoralfinger-ringwhichsheworeasacharmagainstbadluck，whileSorelli，stealthily，withthetipofherpinkrightthumb-nail，madeaSt。Andrew’scrossonthewoodenringwhichadornedthefourthfingerofherlefthand。

Shesaidtothelittleballet-girls：

Come，children，pullyourselvestogether！Idaresaynoonehaseverseentheghost。

Yes，yes，wesawhim——wesawhimjustnow！criedthegirls。

Hehadhisdeath’sheadandhisdress-coat，justaswhenheappearedtoJosephBuquet！

AndGabrielsawhimtoo！saidJammes。Onlyyesterday！

Yesterdayafternoon——inbroadday-light——

Gabriel，thechorus-master？

Why，yes，didn’tyouknow？

Andhewaswearinghisdress-clothes，inbroaddaylight？

Who？Gabriel？

Why，no，theghost！

Certainly！Gabrieltoldmesohimself。That’swhatheknewhimby。

Gabrielwasinthestage-manager’soffice。SuddenlythedooropenedandthePersianentered。YouknowthePersianhastheevileye——

Oh，yes！answeredthelittleballet-girlsinchorus，wardingoffill-luckbypointingtheirforefingerandlittlefingerattheabsentPersian，whiletheirsecondandthirdfingerswerebentonthepalmandhelddownbythethumb。

AndyouknowhowsuperstitiousGabrielis，continuedJammes。

However，heisalwayspolite。WhenhemeetsthePersian，hejustputshishandinhispocketandtoucheshiskeys。Well，themomentthePersianappearedinthedoorway，Gabrielgaveonejumpfromhischairtothelockofthecupboard，soastotouchiron！

Indoingso，hetoreawholeskirtofhisovercoatonanail。

Hurryingtogetoutoftheroom，hebangedhisforeheadagainstahat-pegandgavehimselfahugebump。then，suddenlysteppingback，heskinnedhisarmonthescreen，nearthepiano。hetriedtoleanonthepiano，butthelidfellonhishandsandcrushedhisfingers。

herushedoutoftheofficelikeamadman，slippedonthestaircaseandcamedownthewholeofthefirstflightonhisback。

Iwasjustpassingwithmother。Wepickedhimup。Hewascoveredwithbruisesandhisfacewasalloverblood。Wewerefrightenedoutofourlives，but，allatonce，hebegantothankProvidencethathehadgotoffsocheaply。Thenhetolduswhathadfrightenedhim。

HehadseentheghostbehindthePersian，THEGHOSTWITHTHEDEATH’S

HEADjustlikeJosephBuquet’sdescription！

Jammeshadtoldherstoryeversoquickly，asthoughtheghostwereatherheels，andwasquiteoutofbreathatthefinish。

Asilencefollowed，whileSorellipolishedhernailsingreatexcitement。

ItwasbrokenbylittleGiry，whosaid：

JosephBuquetwoulddobettertoholdhistongue。

Whyshouldheholdhistongue？askedsomebody。

That’smother’sopinion，repliedMeg，loweringhervoiceandlookingallaboutherasthoughfearinglestotherearsthanthosepresentmightoverhear。

Andwhyisityourmother’sopinion？

Hush！Mothersaystheghostdoesn’tlikebeingtalkedabout。

Andwhydoesyourmothersayso？

Because——because——nothing——

Thisreticenceexasperatedthecuriosityoftheyoungladies，whocrowdedroundlittleGiry，begginghertoexplainherself。

Theywerethere，sidebyside，leaningforwardsimultaneouslyinonemovementofentreatyandfear，communicatingtheirterrortooneanother，takingakeenpleasureinfeelingtheirbloodfreezeintheirveins。

Isworenottotell！gaspedMeg。

Buttheylefthernopeaceandpromisedtokeepthesecret，untilMeg，burningtosayallsheknew，began，withhereyesfixedonthedoor：

Well，it’sbecauseoftheprivatebox。

Whatprivatebox？

Theghost’sbox！

Hastheghostabox？Oh，dotellus，dotellus！

Notsoloud！saidMeg。It’sBoxFive，youknow，theboxonthegrandtier，nexttothestage-box，ontheleft。

Oh，nonsense！

Itellyouitis。Motherhaschargeofit。Butyouswearyouwon’tsayaword？

Ofcourse，ofcourse。

Well，that’stheghost’sbox。Noonehashaditforoveramonth，excepttheghost，andordershavebeengivenatthebox-officethatitmustneverbesold。

Anddoestheghostreallycomethere？

Yes。

Thensomebodydoescome？

Why，no！Theghostcomes，butthereisnobodythere。

Thelittleballet-girlsexchangedglances。Iftheghostcametothebox，hemustbeseen，becauseheworeadress-coatandadeath’shead。

ThiswaswhattheytriedtomakeMegunderstand，butshereplied：

That’sjustit！Theghostisnotseen。Andhehasnodress-coatandnohead！Allthattalkabouthisdeath’sheadandhisheadoffireisnonsense！There’snothinginit。Youonlyhearhimwhenheisinthebox。Motherhasneverseenhim，butshehasheardhim。

Motherknows，becauseshegiveshimhisprogram。

Sorelliinterfered。

Giry，child，you’regettingatus！

ThereuponlittleGirybegantocry。

Ioughttohaveheldmytongue——ifmotherevercametoknow！

ButIwasquiteright，JosephBuquethadnobusinesstotalkofthingsthatdon’tconcernhim——itwillbringhimbadluck——

motherwassayingsolastnight——

Therewasasoundofhurriedandheavyfootstepsinthepassageandabreathlessvoicecried：

Cecile！Cecile！Areyouthere？

It’smother’svoice，saidJammes。What’sthematter？

Sheopenedthedoor。Arespectablelady，builtonthelinesofaPomeraniangrenadier，burstintothedressing-roomanddroppedgroaningintoavacantarm-chair。Hereyesrolledmadlyinherbrick-dustcoloredface。

Howawful！shesaid。Howawful！

What？What？

JosephBuquetWhatabouthim？

JosephBuquetisdead！

Theroombecamefilledwithexclamations，withastonishedoutcries，withscaredrequestsforexplanations。

Yes，hewasfoundhanginginthethird-floorcellar！

It’stheghost！littleGiryblurted，asthoughinspiteofherself。

butsheatoncecorrectedherself，withherhandspressedtohermouth：

No，no！——I，didn’tsayit！——Ididn’tsayit！——

Allaroundher，herpanic-strickencompanionsrepeatedundertheirbreaths：

Yes——itmustbetheghost！

Sorelliwasverypale。

Ishallneverbeabletorecitemyspeech，shesaid。

MaJammesgaveheropinion，whilesheemptiedaglassofliqueurthathappenedtobestandingonatable。theghostmusthavesomethingtodowithit。

ThetruthisthatnooneeverknewhowJosephBuquetmethisdeath。

Theverdictattheinquestwasnaturalsuicide。InhisMemoirsofManager，M。Moncharmin，oneofthejointmanagerswhosucceededMM。

DebienneandPoligny，describestheincidentasfollows：

AgrievousaccidentspoiledthelittlepartywhichMM。

DebienneandPolignygavetocelebratetheirretirement。Iwasinthemanager’soffice，whenMercier，theacting-manager，suddenlycamedartingin。Heseemedhalfmadandtoldmethatthebodyofascene-shifterhadbeenfoundhanginginthethirdcellarunderthestage，betweenafarm-houseandascenefromtheRoideLahore。

Ishouted：

`Comeandcuthimdown！’

BythetimeIhadrusheddownthestaircaseandtheJacob’sladder，themanwasnolongerhangingfromhisrope！

SothisisaneventwhichM。Moncharminthinksnatural。Amanhangsattheendofarope。theygotocuthimdown。theropehasdisappeared。Oh，M。Moncharminfoundaverysimpleexplanation！

Listentohim：

Itwasjustaftertheballet。andleadersanddancing-girlslostnotimeintakingtheirprecautionsagainsttheevileye。

Thereyouare！PicturethecorpsdeballetscuttlingdowntheJacob’sladderanddividingthesuicide’sropeamongthemselvesinlesstimethanittakestowrite！When，ontheotherhand，Ithinkoftheexactspotwherethebodywasdiscovered——

thethirdcellarunderneaththestage！——imaginethatSOMEBODY

musthavebeeninterestedinseeingthattheropedisappearedafterithadeffecteditspurpose。andtimewillshowifIamwrong。

ThehorridnewssoonspreadallovertheOpera，whereJosephBuquetwasverypopular。Thedressing-roomsemptiedandtheballet-girls，crowdingaroundSorelliliketimidsheeparoundtheirshepherdess，madeforthefoyerthroughtheill-litpassagesandstaircases，trottingasfastastheirlittlepinklegscouldcarrythem。

ChapterIITheNewMargaritaOnthefirstlanding，SorelliranagainsttheComtedeChagny，whowascomingup-stairs。Thecount，whowasgenerallysocalm，seemedgreatlyexcited。

Iwasjustgoingtoyou，hesaid，takingoffhishat。Oh，Sorelli，whatanevening！AndChristineDaae：whatatriumph！

Impossible！saidMegGiry。Sixmonthsago，sheusedtosinglikeaCROCK！Butdoletusgetby，mydearcount，continuesthebrat，withasaucycurtsey。Wearegoingtoinquireafterapoormanwhowasfoundhangingbytheneck。

Justthentheacting-managercamefussingpastandstoppedwhenheheardthisremark。

What！heexclaimedroughly。Haveyougirlsheardalready？

Well，pleaseforgetaboutitfortonight——andabovealldon’tletM。DebienneandM。Polignyhear。itwouldupsetthemtoomuchontheirlastday。

Theyallwentontothefoyeroftheballet，whichwasalreadyfullofpeople。TheComtedeChagnywasright。nogalaperformanceeverequalledthisone。Allthegreatcomposersofthedayhadconductedtheirownworksinturns。FaureandKrausshadsung。and，onthatevening，ChristineDaaehadrevealedhertrueself，forthefirsttime，totheastonishedandenthusiasticaudience。GounodhadconductedtheFuneralMarchofaMarionnette。Reyer，hisbeautifuloverturetoSiguar。SaintSaens，theDanseMacabreandaReverieOrientale。

Massenet，anunpublishedHungarianmarch。Guiraud，hisCarnaval。

Delibes，theValseLentefromSylviaandthePizzicatifromCoppelia。

Mlle。KrausshadsungthebolerointheVespriSiciliani。

andMlle。DeniseBlochthedrinkingsonginLucreziaBorgia。

ButtherealtriumphwasreservedforChristineDaae，whohadbegunbysingingafewpassagesfromRomeoandJuliet。ItwasthefirsttimethattheyoungartistsanginthisworkofGounod，whichhadnotbeentransferredtotheOperaandwhichwasrevivedattheOperaComiqueafterithadbeenproducedattheoldTheatreLyriquebyMme。Carvalho。Thosewhoheardhersaythathervoice，inthesepassages，wasseraphic。butthiswasnothingtothesuperhumannotesthatshegaveforthintheprisonsceneandthefinaltrioinFAUST，whichshesangintheplaceofLaCarlotta，whowasill。

Noonehadeverheardorseenanythinglikeit。

DaaerevealedanewMargaritathatnight，aMargaritaofasplendor，aradiancehithertounsuspected。Thewholehousewentmad，risingtoitsfeet，shouting，cheering，clapping，whileChristinesobbedandfaintedinthearmsofherfellow-singersandhadtobecarriedtoherdressing-room。Afewsubscribers，however，protested。

Whyhadsogreatatreasurebeenkeptfromthemallthattime？

Tillthen，ChristineDaaehadplayedagoodSiebeltoCarlotta’srathertoosplendidlymaterialMargarita。AndithadneededCarlotta’sincomprehensibleandinexcusableabsencefromthisgalanightforthelittleDaae，atamoment’swarning，toshowallthatshecoulddoinapartoftheprogramreservedfortheSpanishdiva！

Well，whatthesubscriberswantedtoknowwas，whyhadDebienneandPolignyappliedtoDaae，whenCarlottawastakenill？Didtheyknowofherhiddengenius？And，iftheyknewofit，whyhadtheykeptithidden？Andwhyhadshekeptithidden？Oddlyenough，shewasnotknowntohaveaprofessorofsingingatthatmoment。

Shehadoftensaidshemeanttopractisealoneforthefuture。

Thewholethingwasamystery。

TheComtedeChagny，standingupinhisbox，listenedtoallthisfrenzyandtookpartinitbyloudlyapplauding。PhilippeGeorgesMarieComtedeChagnywasjustforty-oneyearsofage。

Hewasagreataristocratandagood-lookingman，abovemiddleheightandwithattractivefeatures，inspiteofhishardforeheadandhisrathercoldeyes。Hewasexquisitelypolitetothewomenandalittlehaughtytothemen，whodidnotalwaysforgivehimforhissuccessesinsociety。Hehadanexcellentheartandanirreproachableconscience。OnthedeathofoldCountPhilibert，hebecametheheadofoneoftheoldestandmostdistinguishedfamiliesinFrance，whosearmsdatedbacktothefourteenthcentury。

TheChagnysownedagreatdealofproperty。and，whentheoldcount，whowasawidower，died，itwasnoeasytaskforPhilippetoacceptthemanagementofsolargeanestate。Histwosistersandhisbrother，Raoul，wouldnothearofadivisionandwaivedtheirclaimtotheirshares，leavingthemselvesentirelyinPhilippe’shands，asthoughtherightofprimogeniturehadneverceasedtoexist。

Whenthetwosistersmarried，onthesameday，theyreceivedtheirportionfromtheirbrother，notasathingrightfullybelongingtothem，butasadowryforwhichtheythankedhim。

TheComtessedeChagny，needeMoerogisdeLaMartyniere，haddiedingivingbirthtoRaoul，whowasborntwentyyearsafterhiselderbrother。

Atthetimeoftheoldcount’sdeath，Raoulwastwelveyearsofage。

Philippebusiedhimselfactivelywiththeyoungster’seducation。

Hewasadmirablyassistedinthisworkfirstbyhissistersandafterwardbyanoldaunt，thewidowofanavalofficer，wholivedatBrestandgaveyoungRaoulatasteforthesea。

TheladenteredtheBordatraining-ship，finishedhiscoursewithhonorsandquietlymadehistriproundtheworld。Thankstopowerfulinfluence，hehadjustbeenappointedamemberoftheofficialexpeditiononboardtheRequin，whichwastobesenttotheArcticCircleinsearchofthesurvivorsoftheD’Artoi’sexpedition，ofwhomnothinghadbeenheardforthreeyears。Meanwhile，hewasenjoyingalongfurloughwhichwouldnotbeoverforsixmonths。

andalreadythedowagersoftheFaubourgSaint-Germainwerepityingthehandsomeandapparentlydelicatestriplingforthehardworkinstoreforhim。

Theshynessofthesailor-lad——Iwasalmostsayinghisinnocence——

wasremarkable。Heseemedtohavebutjustleftthewomen’sapron-strings。Asamatteroffact，pettedashewasbyhistwosistersandhisoldaunt，hehadretainedfromthispurelyfeminineeducationmnnnersthatwerealmostcandidandstampedwithacharmthatnothinghadyetbeenabletosully。Hewasalittleovertwenty-oneyearsofageandlookedeighteen。Hehadasmall，fairmustache，beautifulblueeyesandacomplexionlikeagirl’s。

PhilippespoiledRaoul。Tobeginwith，hewasveryproudofhimandpleasedtoforeseeagloriouscareerforhisjuniorinthenavyinwhichoneoftheirancestors，thefamousChagnydeLaRoche，hadheldtherankofadmiral。Hetookadvantageoftheyoungman’sleaveofabsencetoshowhimParis，withallitsluxuriousandartisticdelights。Thecountconsideredthat，atRaoul’sage，itisnotgoodtobetoogood。Philippehimselfhadacharacterthatwasverywell-balancedinworkandpleasurealike。

hisdemeanorwasalwaysfaultless。andhewasincapableofsettinghisbrotherabadexample。Hetookhimwithhimwhereverhewent。

Heevenintroducedhimtothefoyeroftheballet。IknowthatthecountwassaidtobeontermswithSorelli。Butitcouldhardlybereckonedasacrimeforthisnobleman，abachelor，withplentyofleisure，especiallysincehissistersweresettled，tocomeandspendanhourortwoafterdinnerinthecompanyofadancer，who，thoughnotsovery，verywitty，hadthefinesteyesthateverwereseen！And，besides，thereareplaceswhereatrueParisian，whenhehastherankoftheComtedeChagny，isboundtoshowhimself。andatthattimethefoyeroftheballetattheOperawasoneofthoseplaces。

Lastly，PhilippewouldperhapsnothavetakenhisbrotherbehindthescenesoftheOperaifRaoulhadnotbeenthefirsttoaskhim，repeatedlyrenewinghisrequestwithagentleobstinacywhichthecountrememberedatalaterdate。

Onthatevening，Philippe，afterapplaudingtheDaae，turnedtoRaoulandsawthathewasquitepale。

Don’tyousee，saidRaoul，thatthewoman’sfainting？

Youlooklikefaintingyourself，saidthecount。What’sthematter？

ButRaoulhadrecoveredhimselfandwasstandingup。

Let’sgoandsee，hesaid，sheneversanglikethatbefore。

Thecountgavehisbrotheracurioussmilingglanceandseemedquitepleased。

Theyweresoonatthedoorleadingfromthehousetothestage。

Numbersofsubscriberswereslowlymakingtheirwaythrough。

RaoultorehisgloveswithoutknowingwhathewasdoingandPhilippehadmuchtookindahearttolaughathimforhisimpatience。

ButhenowunderstoodwhyRaoulwasabsent-mindedwhenspokentoandwhyhealwaystriedtoturneveryconversationtothesubjectoftheOpera。

Theyreachedthestageandpushedthroughthecrowdofgentlemen，scene-shifters，supersandchorus-girls，Raoulleadingtheway，feelingthathisheartnolongerbelongedtohim，hisfacesetwithpassion，whileCountPhilippefollowedhimwithdifficultyandcontinuedtosmile。Atthebackofthestage，Raoulhadtostopbeforetheinrushofthelittletroopofballet-girlswhoblockedthepassagewhichhewastryingtoenter。Morethanonechaffingphrasedartedfromlittlemade-uplips，towhichhedidnotreply。

andatlasthewasabletopass，anddivedintothesemi-darknessofacorridorringingwiththenameofDaae！Daae！ThecountwassurprisedtofindthatRaoulknewtheway。HehadnevertakenhimtoChristine’shimselfandcametotheconclusionthatRaoulmusthavegonetherealonewhilethecountstayedtalkinginthefoyerwithSorelli，whooftenaskedhimtowaituntilitwashertimetogoonandsometimeshandedhimthelittlegaitersinwhichsherandownfromherdressing-roomtopreservethespotlessnessofhersatindancing-shoesandherflesh-coloredtights。Sorellihadanexcuse。

shehadlosthermother。

PostponinghisusualvisittoSorelliforafewminutes，thecountfollowedhisbrotherdownthepassagethatledtoDaae’sdressing-roomandsawthatithadneverbeensocrammedasonthatevening，whenthewholehouseseemedexcitedbyhersuccessandalsobyherfaintingfit。Forthegirlhadnotyetcometo。andthedoctorofthetheaterhadjustarrivedatthemomentwhenRaoulenteredathisheels。Christine，therefore，receivedthefirstaidoftheone，whileopeninghereyesinthearmsoftheother。

Thecountandmanymoreremainedcrowdinginthedoorway。

Don’tyouthink，Doctor，thatthosegentlemenhadbettercleartheroom？askedRaoulcoolly。There’snobreathinghere。

You’requiteright，saidthedoctor。

Andhesenteveryoneaway，exceptRaoulandthemaid，wholookedatRaoulwitheyesofthemostundisguisedastonishment。

Shehadneverseenhimbeforeandyetdarednotquestionhim。

andthedoctorimaginedthattheyoungmanwasonlyactingashedidbecausehehadtherightto。Theviscount，therefore，remainedintheroomwatchingChristineassheslowlyreturnedtolife，whileeventhejointmanagers，DebienneandPoligny，whohadcometooffertheirsympathyandcongratulations，foundthemselvesthrustintothepassageamongthecrowdofdandies。TheComtedeChagny，whowasoneofthosestandingoutside，laughed：

Oh，therogue，therogue！Andheadded，underhisbreath：

Thoseyoungsterswiththeirschool-girlairs！Sohe’saChagnyafterall！

HeturnedtogotoSorelli’sdressing-room，butmetherontheway，withherlittletroopoftremblingballet-girls，aswehaveseen。

Meanwhile，ChristineDaaeutteredadeepsigh，whichwasansweredbyagroan。Sheturnedherhead，sawRaoulandstarted。Shelookedatthedoctor，onwhomshebestowedasmile，thenathermaid，thenatRaoulagain。

Monsieur，shesaid，inavoicenotmuchaboveawhisper，whoareyou？

Mademoiselle，repliedtheyoungman，kneelingononekneeandpressingaferventkissonthediva’shand，IAMTHELITTLE

BOYWHOWENTINTOTHESEATORESCUEYOURSCARF。

Christineagainlookedatthedoctorandthemaid。andallthreebegantolaugh。

Raoulturnedveryredandstoodup。

Mademoiselle，hesaid，sinceyouarepleasednottorecognizeme，Ishouldliketosaysomethingtoyouinprivate，somethingveryimportant。

WhenIambetter，doyoumind？Andhervoiceshook。Youhavebeenverygood。

Yes，youmustgo，saidthedoctor，withhispleasantestsmile。

Leavemetoattendtomademoiselle。

Iamnotillnow，saidChristinesuddenly，withstrangeandunexpectedenergy。

Sheroseandpassedherhandoverhereyelids。

Thankyou，Doctor。Ishouldliketobealone。Pleasegoaway，allofyou。Leaveme。Ifeelveryrestlessthisevening。

Thedoctortriedtomakeashortprotest，but，perceivingthegirl’sevidentagitation，hethoughtthebestremedywasnottothwarther。

Andhewentaway，sayingtoRaoul，outside：

Sheisnotherselfto-night。Sheisusuallysogentle。

ThenhesaidgoodnightandRaoulwasleftalone。Thewholeofthispartofthetheaterwasnowdeserted。Thefarewellceremonywasnodoubttakingplaceinthefoyeroftheballet。RaoulthoughtthatDaaemightgotoitandhewaitedinthesilentsolitude，evenhidinginthefavoringshadowofadoorway。HefeltaterriblepainathisheartanditwasofthisthathewantedtospeaktoDaaewithoutdelay。

Suddenlythedressing-roomdooropenedandthemaidcameoutbyherself，carryingbundles。Hestoppedherandaskedhowhermistresswas。

Thewomanlaughedandsaidthatshewasquitewell，butthathemustnotdisturbher，forshewishedtobeleftalone。Andshepassedon。OneideaalonefilledRaoul’sburningbrain：ofcourse，DaaewishedtobeleftaloneFORHIM！Hadhenottoldherthathewantedtospeaktoherprivately？

Hardlybreathing，hewentuptothedressing-roomand，withhiseartothedoortocatchherreply，preparedtoknock。Buthishanddropped。HehadheardAMAN’SVOICEinthedressing-room，saying，inacuriouslymasterfultone：

Christine，youmustloveme！

AndChristine’svoice，infinitelysadandtrembling，asthoughaccompaniedbytears，replied：

Howcanyoutalklikethat？WHENISINGONLYFORYOU！

Raoulleanedagainstthepaneltoeasehispain。Hisheart，whichhadseemedgoneforever，returnedtohisbreastandwasthrobbingloudly。ThewholepassageechoedwithitsbeatingandRaoul’searsweredeafened。Surely，ifhisheartcontinuedtomakesuchanoise，theywouldhearitinside，theywouldopenthedoorandtheyoungmanwouldbeturnedawayindisgrace。WhatapositionforaChagny！

Tobecaughtlisteningbehindadoor！Hetookhisheartinhistwohandstomakeitstop。

Theman’svoicespokeagain：Areyouverytired？

Oh，to-nightIgaveyoumysoulandIamdead！Christinereplied。

Yoursoulisabeautifulthing，child，repliedthegraveman’svoice，andIthankyou。Noemperoreverreceivedsofairagift。

THEANGELSWEPTTONIGHT。

Raoulheardnothingafterthat。Nevertheless，hedidnotgoaway，but，asthoughhefearedlestheshouldbecaught，hereturnedtohisdarkcorner，determinedtowaitforthemantoleavetheroom。

Atoneandthesametime，hehadlearnedwhatlovemeant，andhatred。

Heknewthatheloved。Hewantedtoknowwhomhehated。Tohisgreatastonishment，thedooropenedandChristineDaaeappeared，wrappedinfurs，withherfacehiddeninalaceveil，alone。Sheclosedthedoorbehindher，butRaoulobservedthatshedidnotlockit。

Shepassedhim。Hedidnotevenfollowherwithhiseyes，forhiseyeswerefixedonthedoor，whichdidnotopenagain。

Whenthepassagewasoncemoredeserted，hecrossedit，openedthedoorofthedressing-room，wentinandshutthedoor。

Hefoundhimselfinabsolutedarkness。Thegashadbeenturnedout。

Thereissomeonehere！saidRaoul，withhisbackagainstthecloseddoor，inaquiveringvoice。Whatareyouhidingfor？

Allwasdarknessandsilence。Raoulheardonlythesoundofhisownbreathing。Hequitefailedtoseethattheindiscretionofhisconductwasexceedingallbounds。

Youshan’tleavethisuntilIletyou！heexclaimed。Ifyoudon’tanswer，youareacoward！ButI’llexposeyou！

Andhestruckamatch。Theblazelituptheroom。Therewasnooneintheroom！Raoul，firstturningthekeyinthedoor，litthegas-jets。Hewentintothedressing-closet，openedthecupboards，huntedabout，feltthewallswithhismoisthands。Nothing！

Lookhere！hesaid，aloud。AmIgoingmad？

Hestoodfortenminuteslisteningtothegasflaringinthesilenceoftheemptyroom。loverthoughhewas，hedidnoteventhinkofstealingaribbonthatwouldhavegivenhimtheperfumeofthewomanheloved。

Hewentout，notknowingwhathewasdoingnorwherehewasgoing。

Atagivenmomentinhiswaywardprogress，anicydraftstruckhimintheface。Hefoundhimselfatthebottomofastaircase，downwhich，behindhim，aprocessionofworkmenwerecarryingasortofstretcher，coveredwithawhitesheet。

Whichisthewayout，please？heaskedofoneofthemen。

Straightinfrontofyou，thedoorisopen。Butletuspass。

Pointingtothestretcher，heaskedmechanically：What’sthat？

Theworkmenanswered：

`That’isJosephBuquet，whowasfoundinthethirdcellar，hangingbetweenafarm-houseandascenefromtheROIDELAHORE。

Hetookoffhishat，fellbacktomakeroomfortheprocessionandwentout。

ChapterIIITheMysteriousReasonDuringthistime，thefarewellceremonywastakingplace。

IhavealreadysaidthatthismagnificentfunctionwasbeinggivenontheoccasionoftheretirementofM。DebienneandM。Poligny，whohaddeterminedtodiegame，aswesaynowadays。Theyhadbeenassistedintherealizationoftheirideal，thoughmelancholy，programbyallthatcountedinthesocialandartisticworldofParis。

Allthesepeoplemet，aftertheperformance，inthefoyeroftheballet，whereSorelliwaitedforthearrivaloftheretiringmanagerswithaglassofchampagneinherhandandalittlepreparedspeechatthetipofhertongue。Behindher，themembersoftheCorpsdeBallet，youngandold，discussedtheeventsofthedayinwhispersorexchangeddiscreetsignalswiththeirfriends，anoisycrowdofwhomsurroundedthesupper-tablesarrangedalongtheslantingfloor。

Afewofthedancershadalreadychangedintoordinarydress。butmostofthemworetheirskirtsofgossamergauze。andallhadthoughtittherightthingtoputonaspecialfacefortheoccasion：all，thatis，exceptlittleJammes，whosefifteensummers——happyage！——seemedalreadytohaveforgottentheghostandthedeathofJosephBuquet。Sheneverceasedtolaughandchatter，tohopaboutandplaypracticaljokes，untilMm。DebienneandPolignyappearedonthestepsofthefoyer，whenshewasseverelycalledtoorderbytheimpatientSorelli。

Everybodyremarkedthattheretiringmanagerslookedcheerful，asistheParisway。NonewilleverbeatrueParisianwhohasnotlearnedtowearamaskofgaietyoverhissorrowsandoneofsadness，boredomorindifferenceoverhisinwardjoy。Youknowthatoneofyourfriendsisintrouble。donottrytoconsolehim：

hewilltellyouthatheisalreadycomforted。but，shouldhehavemetwithgoodfortune，becarefulhowyoucongratulatehim：hethinksitsonaturalthatheissurprisedthatyoushouldspeakofit。

InParis，ourlivesareonemaskedball。andthefoyeroftheballetisthelastplaceinwhichtwomensoknowingasM。DebienneandM。Polignywouldhavemadethemistakeofbetrayingtheirgrief，howevergenuineitmightbe。AndtheywerealreadysmilingrathertoobroadlyuponSorelli，whohadbeguntoreciteherspeech，whenanexclamationfromthatlittlemadcapofaJammesbrokethesmileofthemanagerssobrutallythattheexpressionofdistressanddismaythatlaybeneathitbecameapparenttoalleyes：

TheOperaghost！

Jammesyelledthesewordsinatoneofunspeakableterror。andherfingerpointed，amongthecrowdofdandies，toafacesopallid，solugubriousandsougly，withtwosuchdeepblackcavitiesunderthestraddlingeyebrows，thatthedeath’sheadinquestionimmediatelyscoredahugesuccess。

TheOperaghost！TheOperaghost！EverybodylaughedandpushedhisneighborandwantedtooffertheOperaghostadrink，buthewasgone。Hehadslippedthroughthecrowd。andtheothersvainlyhuntedforhim，whiletwooldgentlementriedtocalmlittleJammesandwhilelittleGirystoodscreaminglikeapeacock。

Sorelliwasfurious。shehadnotbeenabletofinishherspeech。

themanagers，hadkissedher，thankedherandrunawayasfastastheghosthimself。Noonewassurprisedatthis，foritwasknownthattheyweretogothroughthesameceremonyonthefloorabove，inthefoyerofthesingers，andthatfinallytheywerethemselvestoreceivetheirpersonalfriends，forthelasttime，inthegreatlobbyoutsidethemanagers’office，wherearegularsupperwouldbeserved。

Heretheyfoundthenewmanagers，M。ArmandMoncharminandM。FirminRichard，whomtheyhardlyknew。nevertheless，theywerelavishinprotestationsoffriendshipandreceivedathousandflatteringcomplimentsinreply，sothatthoseoftheguestswhohadfearedthattheyhadarathertediouseveninginstoreforthematonceputonbrighterfaces。Thesupperwasalmostgayandaparticularlycleverspeechoftherepresentativeofthegovernment，minglingthegloriesofthepastwiththesuccessesofthefuture，causedthegreatestcordialitytoprevail。

Theretiringmanagershadalreadyhandedovertotheirsuccessorsthetwotinymaster-keyswhichopenedallthedoors——thousandsofdoors——

oftheOperahouse。Andthoselittlekeys，theobjectofgeneralcuriosity，werebeingpassedfromhandtohand，whentheattentionofsomeoftheguestswasdivertedbytheirdiscovery，attheendofthetable，ofthatstrange，wanandfantasticface，withtheholloweyes，whichhadalreadyappearedinthefoyeroftheballetandbeengreetedbylittleJammes’exclamation：

TheOperaghost！

Theresattheghost，asnaturalascouldbe，exceptthatheneitheratenordrank。Thosewhobeganbylookingathimwithasmileendedbyturningawaytheirheads，forthesightofhimatonceprovokedthemostfunerealthoughts。Noonerepeatedthejokeofthefoyer，nooneexclaimed：

There’stheOperaghost！

Hehimselfdidnotspeakawordandhisveryneighborscouldnothavestatedatwhatprecisemomenthehadsatdownbetweenthem。

buteveryonefeltthatifthedeaddidevercomeandsitatthetableoftheliving，theycouldnotcutamoreghastlyfigure。

ThefriendsofFirminRichardandArmandMoncharminthoughtthatthisleanandskinnyguestwasanacquaintanceofDebienne’sorPoligny’s，whileDebienne’sandPoligny’sfriendsbelievedthatthecadaverousindividualbelongedtoFirminRichardandArmandMoncharmin’sparty。

Theresultwasthatnorequestwasmadeforanexplanation。

nounpleasantremark。nojokeinbadtaste，whichmighthaveoffendedthisvisitorfromthetomb。Afewofthosepresentwhoknewthestoryoftheghostandthedescriptionofhimgivenbythechiefscene-shifter——

theydidnotknowofJosephBuquet’sdeath——thought，intheirownminds，thatthemanattheendofthetablemighteasilyhavepassedforhim。

andyet，accordingtothestory，theghosthadnonoseandthepersoninquestionhad。ButM。Moncharmindeclares，inhisMemoirs，thattheguest’snosewastransparent：long，thinandtransparent

arehisexactwords。I，formypart，willaddthatthismightverywellapplytoafalsenose。M。Moncharminmayhavetakenfortransparcncywhatwasonlyshininess。Everybodyknowsthatorthopaedicscienceprovidesbeautifulfalsenosesforthosewhohavelosttheirnosesnaturallyorastheresultofanoperation。

Didtheghostreallytakeaseatatthemanagers’supper-tablethatnight，uninvited？AndcanwebesurethatthefigurewasthatoftheOperaghosthimself？Whowouldventuretoassertasmuch？Imentiontheincident，notbecauseIwishforasecondtomakethereaderbelieve——oreventotrytomakehimbelieve——

thattheghostwascapableofsuchasublimepieceofimpudence。

butbecause，afterall，thethingisimpossible。

M。ArmandMoncharmin，inchapterelevenofhisMemoirs，says：

WhenIthinkofthisfirstevening，IcannotseparatethesecretconfidedtousbyMM。DebienneandPolignyintheirofficefromthepresenceatoursupperofthatGHOSTLYpersonwhomnoneofusknew。

Whathappenedwasthis：Mm。DebienneandPoligny，sittingatthecenterofthetable，hadnotseenthemanwiththedeath’shead。

Suddenlyhebegantospeak。

Theballet-girlsareright，hesaid。ThedeathofthatpoorBuquetisperhapsnotsonaturalaspeoplethink。

DebienneandPolignygaveastart。

IsBuquetdead？theycried。

Yes，repliedtheman，ortheshadowofaman，quietly。Hewasfound，thisevening，hanginginthethirdcellar，betweenafarm-houseandascenefromtheRoideLahore。

Thetwomanagers，orratherex-managers，atonceroseandstaredstrangelyatthespeaker。Theyweremoreexcitedthantheyneedhavebeen，thatistosay，moreexcitedthananyoneneedbebytheannouncementofthesuicideofachiefscene-shifter。Theylookedateachother。They，hadbothturnedwhiterthanthetable-cloth。

Atlast，DebiennemadeasigntoMm。RichardandMoncharmin。

Polignymutteredafewwordsofexcusetotheguests。andallfourwentintothemanagers’office。IleaveM。Mencharmintocompletethestory。InhisMemoirs，hesays：

Mm。DebienneandPolignyseemedtogrowmoreandmoreexcited，andtheyappearedtohavesomethingverydifficulttotellus。

First，theyaskedusifweknewtheman，sittingattheendofthetable，whohadtoldthemofthedeathofJosephBuquet。and，whenweansweredinthenegative，theylookedstillmoreconcerned。Theytookthemaster-keysfromourhands，staredatthemforamomentandadvisedustohavenewlocksmade，withthegreatestsecrecy，fortherooms，closetsandpressesthatwemightwishtohavehermeticallyclosed。