第6章

Heretheystoodandarguedbehindsomeenormousproperties。

Iknockedatthedoor，saidRemy。Theydidnotanswer。

Perhapstheyarenotintheoffice。Inanycase，it’simpossibletofindout，fortheytookthekeyswiththem，

Theywereobviouslythemanagers，whohadgivenorders，duringthelastentr’acte，thattheywerenottobedisturbedonanypretextwhatever。Theywerenotintoanybody。

Allthesame，exclaimedGabriel，asingerisn’trunawaywith，fromthemiddleofthestage，everyday！

Didyoushoutthattothem？askedMercier，impatiently。

I’llgobackagain，saidRemy，anddisappearedatarun。

Thereuponthestage-managerarrived。

Well，M。Mercier，areyoucoming？Whatareyoutwodoinghere？

You’rewanted，Mr。Acting-Manager。

Irefusetoknowortodoanythingbeforethecommissaryarrives，

declaredMercier。IhavesentforMifroid。Weshallseewhenhecomes！

AndItellyouthatyououghttogodowntotheorganatonce。

Notbeforethecommissarycomes。

I’vebeendowntotheorganmyselfalready。

Ah！Andwhatdidyousee？

Well，Isawnobody！Doyouhear——nobody！

Whatdoyouwantmetododowntherefor{sic}？

You’reright！saidthestage-manager，franticallypushinghishandsthroughhisrebellioushair。You’reright！Buttheremightbesomeoneattheorganwhocouldtellushowthestagecametobesuddenlydarkened。NowMauclairisnowheretobefound。

Doyouunderstandthat？

Mauclairwasthegas-man，whodispenseddayandnightatwillonthestageoftheOpera。

Mauclairisnottobefound！repeatedMercier，takenaback。

Well，whatabouthisassistants？

There’snoMauclairandnoassistants！Nooneatthelights，Itellyou！Youcanimagine，roaredthestage-manager，thatthatlittlegirlmusthave，beencarriedoffbysomebodyelse：shedidn’trunawaybyherself！Itwasacalculatedstrokeandwehavetofindoutaboutit……Andwhatarethemanagersdoingallthistime？……IgaveordersthatnoonewastogodowntothelightsandI

postedafiremaninfrontofthegas-man’sboxbesidetheorgan。

Wasn’tthatright？

Yes，yes，quiteright，quiteright。Andnowlet’swaitforthecommissary。

Thestage-managerwalkedaway，shrugginghisshoulders，fuming，mutteringinsultsatthosemilksopswhoremainedquietlysquattinginacornerwhilethewholetheaterwastopsyturvy{sic}。

GabrielandMercierwerenotsoquietasallthat。Onlytheyhadreceivedanorderthatparalyzedthem。Themanagerswerenottobedisturbedonanyaccount。Remyhadviolatedthatorderandmetwithnosuccess。

Atthatmomenthereturnedfromhisnewexpedition，wearingacuriouslystartledair。

Well，haveyouseenthem？askedMercier。

Moncharminopenedthedooratlast。Hiseyeswerestartingoutofhishead。Ithoughthemeanttostrikeme。Icouldnotgetawordin。andwhatdoyouthinkheshoutedatme？`Haveyouasafety-pin？’`No！’`Well，then，clearout！’Itriedtotellhimthatanunheard-ofthinghadhappenedonthestage，butheroared，`Asafety-pin！Givemeasafety-pinatonce！’Aboyheardhim——

hewasbellowinglikeabull——ranupwithasafety-pinandgaveittohim。whereuponMoncharminslammedthedoorinmyface，andthereyouare！

Andcouldn’tyouhavesaid，`ChristineDaae。’

Ishouldliketohaveseenyouinmyplace。Hewasfoamingatthemouth。Hethoughtofnothingbuthissafety-pin。Ibelieve，iftheyhadn’tbroughthimoneonthespot，hewouldhavefallendowninafit！……Oh，allthisisn’tnatural。andourmanagersaregoingmad！……Besides，itcan’tgoonlikethis！I’mnotusedtobeingtreatedinthatfashion！

SuddenlyGabrielwhispered：

It’sanothertrickofO。G。’s。

Rimygaveagrin，Mercierasighandseemedabouttospeak……but，meetingGabriel’seye，saidnothing。

However，Mercierfelthisresponsibilityincreasedastheminutespassedwithoutthemanagers’appearing。and，atlast，hecouldstanditnolonger。

Lookhere，I’llgoandhuntthemoutmyself！

Gabriel，turningverygloomyandserious，stoppedhim。

Becarefulwhatyou’redoing，Mercier！Ifthey’restayingintheiroffice，it’sprobablybecausetheyhaveto！O。G。hasmorethanonetrickinhisbag！

ButMerciershookhishead。

That’stheirlookout！I’mgoing！Ifpeoplehadlistenedtome，thepolicewouldhaveknowneverythinglongago！

Andhewent。

What’severything？askedRemy。Whatwastheretotellthepolice？

Whydon’tyouanswer，Gabriel？……Ah，soyouknowsomething！

Well，youwoulddobettertotellme，too，ifyoudon’twantmetoshoutoutthatyouareallgoingmad！……Yes，that’swhatyouare：mad！

Gabrielputonastupidlookandpretendednottounderstandtheprivatesecretary’sunseemlyoutburst。

What`something’amIsupposedtoknow？hesaid。Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。

Remybegantolosehistemper。

Thisevening，RichardandMoncharminwerebehavinglikelunatics，here，betweentheacts。

Inevernoticedit，growledGabriel，verymuchannoyed。

Thenyou’retheonlyone！……DoyouthinkthatIdidn’tseethem？……AndthatM。Parabise，themanageroftheCreditCentral，noticednothing？……AndthatM。deLaBorderie，theambassador，hasnoeyestoseewith？……Why，allthesubscriberswerepointingatourmanagers！

Butwhatwereourmanagersdoing？askedGabriel，puttingonhismostinnocentair。

Whatweretheydoing？Youknowbetterthananyonewhattheyweredoing！……Youwerethere！……Andyouwerewatchingthem，youandMercier！……Andyouweretheonlytwowhodidn’tlaugh。

Idon’tunderstand！

Gabrielraisedhisarmsanddroppedthemtohissidesagain，whichgesturewasmeanttoconveythatthequestiondidnotinteresthimintheleast。Remycontinued：

Whatisthesenseofthisnewmaniaoftheirs？WHYWON’TTHEY

HAVEANYONECOMENEAR，THEMNOW？

What？WON’TTHEY，HAVEANYONECOMENEARTHEM？

ANDTHEYWON’TLETANYONETOUCHTHEM！

Really？HaveyounoticedTHATTHEYWON’TLETANYONETOUCH

THEM？Thatiscertainlyodd！

Oh，soyouadmitit！Andhightime，too！AndTHEN，THEYWALKBACKWARD！

BACKWARD！YouhaveseenourmanagersWALKBACKWARD？Why，Ithoughtthatonlycrabswalkedbackward！

Don’tlaugh，Gabriel。don’tlaugh！

I’mnotlaughing，protestedGabriel，lookingassolemnasajudge。

Perhapsyoucantellmethis，Gabriel，asyou’reanintimatefriendofthemanagement：WhenIwentuptoM。Richard，outsidethefoyer，duringtheGardeninterval，withmyhandoutbeforeme，whydidM。Moncharminhurriedlywhispertome，`Goaway！Goaway！

Whateveryoudo，don’ttouchM。leDirecteur！’AmIsupposedtohaveaninfectiousdisease？

It’sincredible！

And，alittlelater，whenM。deLaBorderiewentuptoM。Richard，didn’tyouseeM。Moncharminflinghimselfbetweenthemandhearhimexclaim，`M。l’AmbassadeurIentreatyounottotouchM。leDirecteur’？

It’sterrible！……AndwhatwasRicharddoingmeanwhile？

Whatwashedoing？Why，yousawhim！Heturnedabout，BOWEDINFRONTOFHIM，THOUGHTHEREWASNOBODYINFRONTOFHIM，ANDWITHDREWBACKWARD。

BACKWARD？

AndMoncharmin，behindRichard，alsoturnedabout。thatis，hedescribedasemicirclebehindRichardandalsoWALKED

BACKWARD！……AndtheywentLIKETHATtothestaircaseleadingtothemanagers’office：BACKWARD，BACKWARD，BACKWARD！……Well，iftheyarenotmad，willyouexplainwhatitmeans？

Perhapstheywerepractisingafigureintheballet，suggestedGabriel，withoutmuchconvictioninhisvoice。

Thesecretarywasfuriousatthiswretchedjoke，madeatsodramaticamoment。Heknithisbrowsandcontractedhislips。

ThenheputhismouthtoGabriel’sear：

Don’tbesosly，Gabriel。TherearethingsgoingonforwhichyouandMercierarepartlyresponsible。

Whatdoyoumean？askedGabriel。

ChristineDaaeisnottheonlyonewhosuddenlydisappearedto-night。

Oh，nonsense！

There’snononsenseaboutit。Perhapsyoucantellmewhy，whenMotherGirycamedowntothefoyerjustnow，Merciertookherbythehandandhurriedherawaywithhim？

Really？saidGabriel，Ineversawit。

Youdidseeit，Gabriel，foryouwentwithMercierandMotherGirytoMercier’soffice。Sincethen，youandMercierhavebeenseen，butnoonehasseenMotherGiry。

Doyouthinkwe’veeatenher？

No，butyou’velockedherupintheoffice。andanyonepassingtheofficecanhearheryelling，`Oh，thescoundrels！Oh，thescoundrels！’

Atthispointofthissingularconversation，Mercierarrived，alloutofbreath。

There！hesaid，inagloomyvoice。It’sworsethanever！……

Ishouted，`It’saseriousmatter！Openthedoor！It’sI，Mercier。’

Iheardfootsteps。ThedooropenedandMoncharminappeared。

Hewasverypale。Hesaid，`Whatdoyouwant？’Ianswered，`SomeonehasrunawaywithChristineDaae。’Whatdoyouthinkhesaid？

`Andagoodjob，too！’Andheshutthedoor，afterputtingthisinmyhand。

Mercieropenedhishand。RemyandGabriellooked。

Thesafety-pin！criedRemy。

Strange！Strange！mutteredGabriel，whocouldnothelpshivering。

Suddenlyavoicemadethemallthreeturnround。

Ibegyourpardon，gentlemen。CouldyoutellmewhereChristineDaaeis？

Inspiteoftheseriousnessofthecircumstances，theabsurdityofthequestionwouldhavemadethemroarwithlaughter，iftheyhadnotcaughtsightofafacesosorrow-strickenthattheywereatonceseizedwithpity。ItwastheVicomteRaouldeChagny。

ChapterXVChristine！Christine！

Raoul’sfirstthought，afterChristineDaae’sfantasticdisappearance，wastoaccuseErik。HenolongerdoubtedthealmostsupernaturalpowersoftheAngelofMusic，inthisdomainoftheOperainwhichhehadsetuphisempire。AndRaoulrushedonthestage，inamadfitofloveanddespair。

Christine！Christine！hemoaned，callingtoherashefeltthatshemustbecallingtohimfromthedepthsofthatdarkpittowhichthemonsterhadcarriedher。Christine！Christine！

Andheseemedtohearthegirl’sscreamsthroughthefrailboardsthatseparatedhimfromher。Hebentforward，helistened，……hewanderedoverthestagelikeamadman。Ah，todescend，todescendintothatpitofdarknesseveryentrancetowhichwasclosedtohim，……forthestairsthatledbelowthestagewereforbiddentooneandallthatnight！

Christine！Christine！……

Peoplepushedhimaside，laughing。Theymadefunofhim。

Theythoughtthepoorlover’sbrainwasgone！

Bywhatmadroad，throughwhatpassagesofmysteryanddarknessknowntohimalonehadErikdraggedthatpure-souledchildtotheawfulhaunt，withtheLouis-Philipperoom，openingoutonthelake？

Christine！Christine！……Whydon’tyouanswer？……Areyoualive？……

HideousthoughtsflashedthroughRaoul’scongestedbrain。

Ofcourse，Erikmusthavediscoveredtheirsecret，musthaveknownthatChristinehadplayedhimfalse。Whatavengeancewouldbehis！

AndRaoulthoughtagainoftheyellowstarsthathadcome，thenightbefore，androamedoverhisbalcony。Whyhadhenotputthemoutforgood？Thereweresomemen’seyesthatdilatedinthedarknessandshonelikestarsorlikecats’eyes。CertainlyAlbinos，whoseemedtohaverabbits’eyesbyday，hadcats’eyesatnight：

everybodyknewthat！……Yes，yes，hehadundoubtedlyfiredatErik。

Whyhadhenotkilledhim？Themonsterhadfledupthegutter-spoutlikeacatoraconvictwho——everybodyknewthatalso——wouldscaletheveryskies，withthehelpofagutter-spout……NodoubtErikwasatthattimecontemplatingsomedecisivestepagainstRaoul，buthehadbeenwoundedandhadescapedtoturnagainstpoorChristineinstead。

SuchwerethecruelthoughtsthathauntedRaoulasherantothesinger’sdressing-room。

Christine！Christine！

Bittertearsscorchedtheboy’seyelidsashesawscatteredoverthefurnituretheclotheswhichhisbeautifulbridewastohavewornatthehouroftheirflight。Oh，whyhadsherefusedtoleaveearlier？

Whyhadshetoyedwiththethreateningcatastrophe？Whytoyedwiththemonster’sheart？Why，inafinalaccessofpity，hadsheinsistedonflinging，asalastsoptothatdcmon’ssoul，herdivinesong：

Holyangel，inHeavenblessed，Myspiritlongswiththeetorest！

Raoul，histhroatfilledwithsobs，oathsandinsults，fumbledawkwardlyatthegreatmirrorthathadopenedonenight，beforehiseyes，toletChristinepasstothemurkydwellingbelow。

Hepushed，pressed，gropedabout，buttheglassapparentlyobeyednoonebutErik……Perhapsactionswerenotenoughwithaglassofthekind？Perhapshewasexpectedtouttercertainwords？

Whenhewasalittleboy，hehadheardthattherewerethingsthatobeyedthespokenword！

Suddenly，RaoulrememberedsomethingaboutagateopeningintotheRueScribe，anundergroundpassagerunningstraighttotheRueScribefromthelake……Yes，Christinehadtoldhimaboutthat……And，whenhefoundthatthekeywasnolongerinthebox，heneverthelessrantotheRueScribe。Outside，inthestreet，hepassedhistremblinghandsoverthehugestones，feltforoutlets……metwithironbars……werethosethey？……Orthese？……

Orcoulditbethatair-hole？……Heplungedhisuselesseyesthroughthebars……Howdarkitwasinthere！……Helistened……

Allwassilence！……Hewentroundthebuilding……andcametobiggerbars，immensegates！……ItwastheentrancetotheCourdeI’Administration。

Raoulrushedintothedoorkeeper’slodge。

Ibegyourpardon，madame，couldyoutellmewheretofindagateordoor，madeofbars，ironbars，openingintotheRueScribe……

andleadingtothelake？……YouknowthelakeImean？……Yes，theundergroundlake……undertheOpera。

Yes，sir，IknowthereisalakeundertheOpera，butIdon’tknowwhichdoorleadstoit。Ihaveneverbeenthere！

AndtheRueScribe，madame，theRueScribe？HaveyouneverbeentotheRueScribe？

Thewomanlaughed，screamedwithlaughter！Raouldartedaway，roaringwithanger，ranup-stairs，fourstairsatatime，down-stairs，rushedthroughthewholeofthebusinesssideoftheopera-house，foundhimselfoncemoreinthelightofthestage。

Hestopped，withhisheartthumpinginhischest：supposeChristineDaaehadbeenfound？Hesawagroupofmenandasked：

Ibegyourpardon，gentlemen。CouldyoutellmewhereChristineDaaeis？

Andsomebodylaughed。

Atthesamemomentthestagebuzzedwithanewsoundand，amidacrowdofmeninevening-dress，alltalkingandgesticulatingtogether，appearedamanwhoseemedverycalmanddisplayedapleasantface，allpinkandchubby-cheeked，crownedwithcurlyhairandlitupbyapairofwonderfullysereneblueeyes。Mercier，theacting-manager，calledtheVicomtedeChagny’sattentiontohimandsaid：

Thisisthegentlemantowhomyoushouldputyourquestion，monsieur。

LetmeintroduceMifroid，thecommissaryofpolice。

Ah，M。leVicomtedeChagny！Delightedtomeetyou，monsieur，

saidthecommissary。Wouldyoumindcomingwithme？……Andnowwherearethemanagers？……Wherearethemanagers？

Mercierdidnotanswer，andRemy，thesecretary，volunteeredtheinformationthatthemanagerswerelockedupintheirofficeandthattheyknewnothingasyetofwhathadhappened。

Youdon’tmeantosayso！Letusgouptotheoffice！

AndM。Mifroid，followedbyanever-increasingcrowd，turnedtowardthebusinesssideofthebuilding。MerciertookadvantageoftheconfusiontoslipakeyintoGabriel’shand：

Thisisallgoingverybadly，hewhispered。YouhadbetterletMotherGiryout。

AndGabrielmovedaway。

Theysooncametothemanagers’door。Mercierstormedinvain：

thedoorremainedclosed。

Openinthenameofthelaw！commandedM。Mifroid，inaloudandratheranxiousvoice。

Atlastthedoorwasopened。Allrushedintotheoffice，onthecommissary’sheels。

Raoulwasthelasttoenter。Ashewasabouttofollowtherestintotheroom，ahandwaslaidonhisshoulderandheheardthesewordsspokeninhisear：

ERIK’SSECRETSCONCERNNOONEBUTHIMSELF！

Heturnedaround，withastifledexclamation。Thehandthatwaslaidonhisshoulderwasnowplacedonthelipsofapersonwithanebonyskin，witheyesofjadeandwithanastrakhancaponhishead：

thePersian！Thestrangerkeptupthegesturethatrecommendeddiscretionandthen，atthemomentwhentheastonishedviscountwasabouttoaskthereasonofhismysteriousintervention，bowedanddisappeared。

ChapterXVIMme。Giry’sAstoundingRevelationsastoHerPersonalRelationswiththeOperaGhostBeforefollowingthecommissaryintothemanager’sofficeI

mustdescribecertainextraordinaryoccurrencesthattookplaceinthatofficewhichRemyandMercierhadvainlytriedtoenterandintowhichMM。RichardandMoncharminhadlockedthemselveswithanobjectwhichthereaderdoesnotyetknow，butwhichitismyduty，asanhistorian，torevealwithoutfurtherpostponement。

Ihavehadoccasiontosaythatthemanagers’moodhadundergoneadisagreeablechangeforsometimepastandtoconveythefactthatthischangewasduenotonlytothefallofthechandelieronthefamousnightofthegalaperformance。

Thereadermustknowthattheghosthadcalmlybeenpaidhisfirsttwentythousandfrancs。Oh，therehadbeenwailingandgnashingofteeth，indeed！Andyetthethinghadhappenedassimplyascouldbe。

Onemorning，themanagersfoundontheirtableanenvelopeaddressedtoMonsieurO。G。(private)andaccompaniedbyanotefromO。G。himself：

Thetimehascometocarryouttheclauseinthememorandum-book。

Pleaseputtwentynotesofathousandfrancseachintothisenvelope，sealitwithyourownsealandhandittoMme。Giry，whowilldowhatisnecessary。

Themanagersdidnothesitate。withoutwastingtimeinaskinghowtheseconfoundedcommunicationscametobedeliveredinanofficewhichtheywerecarefultokeeplocked，theyseizedthisopportunityoflayinghands，onthemysteriousblackmailer。

And，aftertellingthewholestory，underthepromiseofsecrecy，toGabrielandMercier，theyputthetwentythousandfrancsintotheenvelopeandwithoutaskingforexplanations，handedittoMme。Giry，whohadbeenreinstatedinherfunctions。Thebox-keeperdisplayednoastonishment。Ineedhardlysaythatshewaswellwatched。

Shewentstraighttotheghost’sboxandplacedthepreciousenvelopeonthelittleshelfattachedtotheledge。Thetwomanagers，aswellasGabrielandMercier，werehiddeninsuchawaythattheydidnotlosesightoftheenvelopeforasecondduringtheperformanceandevenafterward，for，astheenvelopehadnotmoved，thosewhowatcheditdidnotmoveeither。andMme。Girywentawaywhilethemanagers，GabrielandMercierwerestillthere。

Atlast，theybecametiredofwaitingandopenedtheenvelope，afterascertainingthatthesealshadnotbeenbroken。

Atfirstsight，RichardandMoncharminthoughtthatthenoteswerestillthere。butsoontheyperceivedthattheywerenotthesame。

Thetwentyrealnotesweregoneandhadbeenreplacedbytwentynotes，oftheBankofSt。Farce！[2]——

[2]FlashnotesdrawnontheBankofSt。FarceinFrancecorrespondwiththosedrawnontheBankofEngravinginEngland——

Translator’sNote。

Themanagers’rageandfrightwereunmistakable。Moncharminwantedtosendforthecommissaryofpolice，butRichardobjected。

Henodoubthadaplan，forhesaid：

Don’tletusmakeourselvesridiculous！AllPariswouldlaughatus。

O。G。haswonthefirstgame：wewillwinthesecond。

Hewasthinkingofthenextmonth’sallowance。

Nevertheless，theyhadbeensoabsolutelytrickedthattheywereboundtosufferacertaindejection。And，uponmyword，itwasnotdifficulttounderstand。Wemustnotforgetthatthemanagershadanideaatthebackoftheirminds，allthetime，thatthisstrangeincidentmightbeanunpleasantpracticaljokeonthepartoftheirpredecessorsandthatitwouldnotdotodivulgeitprematurely。

Ontheotherhand，MoncharminwassometimestroubledwithasuspicionofRichardhimself，whooccasionallytookfancifulwhimsintohishead。Andsotheywerecontenttoawaitevents，whilekeepinganeyeonMotherGiry。Richardwouldnothaveherspokento。

Ifsheisaconfederate，hesaid，thenotesaregonelongago。

But，inmyopinion，sheismerelyanidiot。

She’snottheonlyidiotinthisbusiness，saidMoncharminpensively。

Well，whocouldhavethoughtit？moanedRichard。Butdon’tbeafraid……nexttime，Ishallhavetakenmyprecautions。

ThenexttimefellonthesamedaythatbeheldthedisappearanceofChristineDaae。Inthemorning，anotefromtheghostremindedthemthatthemoneywasdue。Itread：

Dojustasyoudidlasttime。Itwentverywell。PutthetwentythousandintheenvelopeandhandittoourexcellentMme。Giry。

Andthenotewasaccompaniedbytheusualenvelope。Theyhadonlytoinsertthenotes。

ThiswasdoneabouthalfanhourbeforethecurtainroseonthefirstactofFaust。RichardshowedtheenvelopetoMoncharmin。

Thenhecountedthetwentythousand-francnotesinfrontofhimandputthenotesintotheenvelope，butwithoutclosingit。

Andnow，hesaid，let’shaveMotherGiryin。

Theoldwomanwassentfor。Sheenteredwithasweepingcourtesy。

Shestillworeherblacktaffetadress，thecolorofwhichwasrapidlyturningtorustandlilac，tosaynothingofthedingybonnet。

Sheseemedinagoodtemper。Sheatoncesaid：

Goodevening，gentlemen！It’sfortheenvelope，Isuppose？

Yes，Mme。Giry，saidRichard，mostamiably。Fortheenvelope……andsomethingelsebesides。

Atyourservice，M。Richard，atyourservice。Andwhatisthesomethingelse，please？

Firstofall，Mme。Giry，Ihavealittlequestiontoputtoyou。

Byallmeans，M。Richard：Mme。Giryisheretoansweryou。

Areyoustillongoodtermswiththeghost？

Couldn’tbebetter，sir。couldn’tbebetter。

Ah，wearedelighted……Lookhere，Mme。Giry，saidRichard，inthetoneofmakinganimportantconfidence。Wemayjustaswelltellyou，amongourselves……you’renofool！

Why，sir，exclaimedthebox-keeper，stoppingthepleasantnoddingoftheblackfeathersinherdingybonnet，Iassureyounoonehaseverdoubtedthat！

Wearequiteagreedandweshallsoonunderstandoneanother。

Thestoryoftheghostisallhumbug，isn’tit？……Well，stillbetweenourselves，……ithaslastedlongenough。

Mme。GirylookedatthemanagersasthoughtheyweretalkingChinese。

ShewalkeduptoRichard’stableandasked，ratheranxiously：

Whatdoyoumean？Idon’tunderstand。

Oh，you，understandquitewell。Inanycase，you’vegottounderstand……And，firstofall，tellushisname。

Whosename？

Thenameofthemanwhoseaccompliceyouare，Mme。Giry！

Iamtheghost’saccomplice？I？……Hisaccompliceinwhat，pray？

Youdoallhewants。

Oh！He’snotverytroublesome，youknow。

Anddoeshestilltipyou？

Imustn’tcomplain。

Howmuchdoeshegiveyouforbringinghimthatenvelope？

Tenfrancs。

MME。GIRY’

Youpoorthing！That’snotmuch，isit？

Why？

I’lltellyouthatpresently，Mme。Giry。Justnowweshouldliketoknowforwhatextraordinaryreasonyouhavegivenyourselfbodyandsoul，tothisghost……Mme。Giry’sfriendshipanddevotionarenottobeboughtforfivefrancsortenfrancs。

That’strueenough……AndIcantellyouthereason，sir。

There’snodisgraceaboutit……onthecontrary。

We’requitesureofthat，Mme。Giry！

Well，it’slikethis……onlytheghostdoesn’tlikemetotalkabouthisbusiness。

Indeed？sneeredRichard。

Butthisisamatterthatconcernsmyselfalone……Well，itwasinBoxFiveoneevening，Ifoundaletteraddressedtomyself，asortofnotewritteninredink。Ineedn’treadthelettertoyousir。Iknowitbyheart，andIshallneverforgetitifIlivetobeahundred！

AndMme。Giry，drawingherselfup，recitedtheletterwithtouchingeloquence：

MADAM：

1825。Mlle。Menetrier，leaderoftheballet，becameMarquisedeCussy。

1832。Mlle。MarieTaglioni，adancer，becameComtesseGilbertdesVoisins。

1846。LaSota，adancer，marriedabrotheroftheKingofSpain。

1847。LolaMontes，adancer，becamethemorganaticwifeofKingLouisofBavariaandwascreatedCountessofLandsfeld。

1848。Mlle。Maria，adancer，becameBaronned’Herneville。

1870。TheresaHessier，adancer，marriedDomFernando，brothertotheKingofPortugal。

RichardandMoncharminlistenedtotheoldwoman，who，assheproceededwiththeenumerationofthesegloriousnuptials，swelledout，tookcourageand，atlast，inavoiceburstingwithpride，flungoutthelastsentenceofthepropheticletter：

1885。MegGiry，Empress！

Exhaustedbythissupremeeffort，thebox-keeperfellintoachair，saying：

Gentlemen，theletterwassigned，`OperaGhost。’Ihadheardmuchoftheghost，butonlyhalfbelievedinhim。FromthedaywhenhedeclaredthatmylittleMeg，thefleshofmyflesh，thefruitofmywomb，wouldbeempress，Ibelievedinhimaltogether。

AndreallyitwasnotnecessarytomakealongstudyofMme。Giry’sexcitedfeaturestounderstandwhatcouldbegotoutofthatfineintellectwiththetwowordsghostandempress。

Butwhopulledthestringsofthatextraordinarypuppet？

Thatwasthequestion。

Youhaveneverseenhim。hespeakstoyouandyoubelieveallhesays？

askedMoncharmin。

Yes。Tobeginwith，IoweittohimthatmylittleMegwaspromotedtobetheleaderofarow。Isaidtotheghost，`Ifsheistobeempressin1885，thereisnotimetolose。shemustbecomealeaderatonce。’

Hesaid，`Lookuponitasdone。’AndhehadonlyawordtosaytoM。Polignyandthethingwasdone。

SoyouseethatM。Polignysawhim！

No，notanymorethanIdid。butheheardhim。Theghostsaidawordinhisear，youknow，ontheeveningwhenheleftBoxFive，lookingsodreadfullypale。

Moncharminheavedasigh。Whatabusiness！hegroaned。

Ah！saidMme。Giry。IalwaysthoughtthereweresecretsbetweentheghostandM。Poligny。AnythingthattheghostaskedM。PolignytodoM。Polignydid。M。Polignycouldrefusetheghostnothing。

Youhear，Richard：Polignycouldrefusetheghostnothing。

Yes，yes，Ihear！saidRichard。M。Polignyisafriendoftheghost。and，asMme。GiryisafriendofM。Poligny，thereweare！……ButIdon’tcareahangaboutM。Poligny，headdedroughly。

TheonlypersonwhosefatereallyinterestsmeisMme。Giry……Mme。Giry，doyouknowwhatisinthisenvelope？

Why，ofcoursenot，shesaid。

Well，look。

Mine。Girylookedintotheenvelopewithalacklustereye，whichsoonrecovereditsbrilliancy。

Thousand-francnotes！shecried。

Yes，Mme。Giry，thousand-francnotes！Andyouknewit！

I，sir？I？……Iswear……

Don’tswear，Mme。Giry！……AndnowIwilltellyouthesecondreasonwhyIsentforyou。Mme。Giry，Iamgoingtohaveyouarrested。

Thetwoblackfeathersonthedingybonnet，whichusuallyaffectedtheattitudeoftwonotesofinterrogation，changedintotwonotesofexclamation。asforthebonnetitself，itswayedinmenaceontheoldlady’stempestuouschignon。Surprise，indignation，protestanddismaywerefurthermoredisplayedbylittleMeg’smotherinasortofextravagantmovementofoffendedvirtue，halfbound，halfslide，thatbroughtherrightunderthenoseofM。Richard，whocouldnothelppushingbackhischair。

HAVEMEARRESTED！

ThemouththatspokethosewordsseemedtospitthethreeteeththatwerelefttoitintoRichard’sface。

M。Richardbehavedlikeahero。Heretreatednofarther。

HisthreateningforefingerseemedalreadytobepointingoutthekeeperofBoxFivetotheabsentmagistrates。

Iamgoingtohaveyouarrested，Mme。Giry，asathief！

Saythatagain！

AndMme。GirycaughtMr。ManagerRichardamightyboxontheear，beforeMr。ManagerMencharminhadtimetointervene。Butitwasnotthewitheredhandoftheangryoldbeldamethatfellonthemanagerialear，buttheenvelopeitself，thecauseofallthetrouble，themagicenvelopethatopenedwiththeblow，scatteringthebank-notes，whichescapedinafantasticwhirlofgiantbutterflies。

Thetwomanagersgaveashout，andthesamethoughtmadethembothgoontheirknees，feverishly，pickingupandhurriedlyexaminingthepreciousscrapsofpaper。

Aretheystillgenuine，Moncharmin？

Aretheystillgenuine，Richard？

Yes，theyarestillgenuine！

Abovetheirheads，Mme。Giry’sthreeteethwereclashinginanoisycontest，fullofhideousinterjections。ButallthatcouldbedearlydistinguishedwasthisLEIT-MOTIF：

I，athief！……I，athief，I？

Shechokedwithrage。Sheshouted：

Ineverheardofsuchathing！

And，suddenly，shedarteduptoRichardagain。

Inanycase，sheyelped，you，M。Richard，oughttoknowbetterthanIwherethetwentythousandfrancswentto！

I？askedRichard，astounded。AndhowshouldIknow？

Moncharmin，lookingsevereanddissatisfied，atonceinsistedthatthegoodladyshouldexplainherself。

Whatdoesthismean，Mme。Giry？heasked。AndwhydoyousaythatM。Richardoughttoknowbetterthanyouwherethetwenty-thousandfrancswentto？

AsforRichard，whofelthimselfturningredunderMoncharmin’seyes，hetookMme。Girybythewristandshookitviolently。Inavoicegrowlingandrollinglikethunder，heroared：

WhyshouldIknowbetterthanyouwherethetwenty-thousandfrancswentto？Why？Answerme！

Becausetheywentintoyourpocket！gaspedtheoldwoman，lookingathimasifhewerethedevilincarnate。

RichardwouldhaverusheduponMme。Giry，ifMoncharminhadnotstayedhisavenginghandandhastenedtoaskher，moregently：

Howcanyoususpectmypartner，M。Richard，ofputtingtwenty-thousandfrancsinhispocket？

Ineversaidthat，declaredMme。Giry，seeingthatitwasmyselfwhoputthetwenty-thousandfrancsintoM。Richard’spocket。

Andsheadded，underhervoice，There！It’sout！……Andmaytheghostforgiveme！

Richardbeganbellowinganew，butMoncharminauthoritativelyorderedhimtobesilent。

Allowme！Allowme！Letthewomanexplainherself。Letmequestionher。Andheadded：Itisreallyastonishingthatyoushouldtakeupsuchatone！……Weareonthevergeofclearingupthewholemystery。Andyou’reinarage！……You’rewrongtobehavelikethat……I’menjoyingmyselfimmensely。

Mme。Giry，likethemartyrthatshewas，raisedherhead，herfacebeamingwithfaithinherowninnocence。

Youtellmethereweretwenty-thousandfrancsintheenvelopewhichIputintoM。Richard’spocket。butItellyouagainthatI

knewnothingaboutit……NorM。Richardeither，forthatmatter！

Aha！saidRichard，suddenlyassumingaswaggeringairwhichMoncharmindidnotlike。Iknewnothingeither！Youputtwenty-thousandfrancsinmypocketandIknewnothingeither！

Iamverygladtohearit，Mme。Giry！

Yes，theterribledameagreed，yes，it’strue。Weneitherofusknewanything。Butyou，youmusthaveendedbyfindingout！

RichardwouldcertainlyhaveswallowedMme。Giryalive，ifMoncharminhadnotbeenthere！ButMoncharminprotectedher。

Heresumedhisquestions：

WhatsortofenvelopedidyouputinM。Richard’spocket？

Itwasnottheonewhichwegaveyou，theonewhichyoutooktoBoxFivebeforeoureyes。andyetthatwastheonewhichcontainedthetwenty-thousandfrancs。

Ibegyourpardon。TheenvelopewhichM。leDirecteurgavemewastheonewhichIslippedintoM。leDirecteur’spocket，

explainedMme。Giry。TheonewhichItooktotheghost’sboxwasanotherenvelope，justlikeit，whichtheghostgavemebeforehandandwhichIhidupmysleeve。

Sosaying，Mme。Girytookfromhersleeveanenvelopereadypreparedandsimilarlyaddressedtothatcontainingthetwenty-thousandfrancs。

Themanagerstookitfromher。Theyexamineditandsawthatitwasfastenedwithsealsstampedwiththeirownmanagerialseal。

Theyopenedit。ItcontainedtwentyBankofSt。Farcenoteslikethosewhichhadsomuchastoundedthemthemonthbefore。

Howsimple！saidRichard。

Howsimple！repeatedMoncharmin。AndhecontinuedwithhiseyesfixeduponMme。Giry，asthoughtryingtohypnotizeher。

Soitwastheghostwhogaveyouthisenvelopeandtoldyoutosubstituteitfortheonewhichwegaveyou？AnditwastheghostwhotoldyoutoputtheotherintoM。Richard’spocket？

Yes，itwastheghost。

Thenwouldyoumindgivingusaspecimenofyourlittletalents？

Hereistheenvelope。Actasthoughweknewnothing。

Asyouplease，gentlemen。

Mme。Girytooktheenvelopewiththetwentynotesinsideitandmadeforthedoor。Shewasonthepointofgoingoutwhenthetwomanagersrushedather：

Oh，no！Oh，no！We’renotgoingtobe`done’asecondtime！

Oncebitten，twiceshy！

Ibegyourpardon，gentlemen，saidtheoldwoman，inself-excuse，youtoldmetoactasthoughyouknewnothing……Well，ifyouknewnothing，Ishouldgoawaywithyourenvelope！

Andthenhowwouldyouslipitintomypocket？arguedRichard，whomMoncharminfixedwithhislefteye，whilekeepinghisrightonMme。Giry：aproceedinglikelytostrainhissight，butMon-MME。GIRY’

charminwaspreparedtogotoanylengthtodiscoverthetruth。

Iamtoslipitintoyourpocketwhenyouleastexpectit，sir。

YouknowthatIalwaystakealittleturnbehindthescenes，inthecourseoftheevening，andIoftengowithmydaughtertotheballet-foyer，whichIamentitledtodo，ashermother。

Ibringherhershoes，whentheballetisabouttobegin……infact，IcomeandgoasIplease……Thesubscriberscomeandgotoo……Sodoyou，sir……Therearelotsofpeopleabout……

Igobehindyouandsliptheenvelopeintothetail-pocketofyourdress-coat……There’snowitchcraftaboutthat！

Nowitchcraft！growledRichard，rollinghiseyeslikeJupiterTonans。

Nowitchcraft！Why，I’vejustcaughtyouinalie，youoldwitch！

Mme。Girybristled，withherthreeteethstickingoutofhermouth。

Andwhy，mayIask？

BecauseIspentthateveningwatchingBoxFiveandtheshamenvelopewhichyouputthere。Ididnotgototheballet-foyerforasecond。

No，sir，andIdidnotgiveyoutheenvelopethatevening，butatthenextperformance……ontheeveningwhentheunder-secretaryofstateforfinearts……

Atthesewords，M。RichardsuddenlyinterruptedMme。Giry：

Yes，that’strue，Iremembernow！Theunder-secretarywentbehindthescenes。Heaskedforme。Iwentdowntotheballet-foyerforamoment。Iwasonthefoyersteps……Theunder-secretaryandhischiefclerkwereinthefoyeritself。Isuddenlyturnedaround……youhadpassedbehindme，Mme。Giry……Youseemedtopushagainstme……Oh，Icanseeyoustill，Icanseeyoustill！

Yes，that’sit，sir，that’sit。Ihadjustfinishedmylittlebusiness。

Thatpocketofyours，sir，isveryhandy！

AndMme。Giryoncemoresuitedtheactiontotheword，ShepassedbehindM。Richardand，sonimblythatMoncharminhimselfwasimpressedbyit，slippedtheenvelopeintothepocketofoneofthetailsofM。Richard’sdress-coat。

Ofcourse！exclaimedRichard，lookingalittlepale。It’sverycleverofO。G。Theproblemwhichhehadtosolvewasthis：

howtodoawaywithanydangerousintermediarybetweenthemanwhogivesthetwenty-thousandfrancsandthemanwhoreceivesit。

Andbyfarthebestthinghecouldhituponwastocomeandtakethemoneyfrommypocketwithoutmynoticingit，asImyselfdidnotknowthatitwasthere。It’swonderful！

Oh，wonderful，nodoubt！Moncharminagreed。Only，youforget，Richard，thatIprovidedten-thousandfrancsofthetwentyandthatnobodyputanythinginmypocket！

ChapterXVIITheSafety-PinAgainMoncharmin’slastphrasesodearlyexpressedthesuspicioninwhichhenowheldhispartnerthatitwasboundtocauseastormyexplanation，attheendofwhichitwasagreedthatRichardshouldyieldtoallMoncharmin’swishes，withtheobjectofhelpinghimtodiscoverthemiscreantwhowasvictimizingthem。

ThisbringsustotheintervalaftertheGardenAct，withthestrangeconductobservedbyM。Remyandthosecuriouslapsesfromthedignitythatmightbeexpectedofthemanagers。ItwasarrangedbetweenRichardandMoncharmin，first，thatRichardshouldrepeattheexactmovementswhichhehadmadeonthenightofthedisappearanceofthefirsttwenty-thousandfrancs。and，second，thatMoncharminshouldnotforaninstantlosesightofRichard’scoat-tailpocket，intowhichMme。Girywastoslipthetwenty-thousandfrancs。

M。Richardwentandplacedhimselfattheidenticalspotwherehehadstoodwhenhebowedtotheunder-secretaryforfinearts。

M。Moncharmintookuphispositionafewstepsbehindhim。

Mme。Girypassed，rubbedupagainstM。Richard，gotridofhertwenty-thousandfrancsinthemanager’scoat-tailpocketanddisappeared……Orrathershewasconjuredaway。

InaccordancewiththeinstructionsreceivedfromMoncharminafewminutesearlier，Merciertookthegoodladytotheacting-manager’sofficeandturnedthekeyonher，thusmakingitimpossibleforhertocommunicatewithherghost。

Meanwhile，M。Richardwasbendingandbowingandscrapingandwalkingbackward，justasifhehadthathighandmightyminister，theunder-secretaryforfinearts，beforehim。Only，thoughthesemarksofpolitenesswouldhavecreatednoastonishmentiftheunder-secretaryofstatehadreallybeeninfrontofM。Richard，theycausedaneasilycomprehensibleamazementtothespectatorsofthisverynaturalbutquiteinexplicablescenewhenM。Richardhadnobodyinfrontofhim。

M。Richardbowed……tonobody。benthisback……beforenobody。

andwalkedbackward……beforenobody……And，afewstepsbehindhim，M。MoncharmindidthesamethingthathewasdoinginadditiontopushingawayM。RemyandbeggingM。deLaBorderie，theambassador，andthemanageroftheCreditCentralnottotouchM。leDirecteur。

Moncharmin，whohadhisownideas，didnotwantRichardtocometohimpresently，whenthetwenty-thousandfrancsweregone，andsay：

Perhapsitwastheambassador……orthemanageroftheCreditCentral……orRemy。

Themoresoas，atthetimeofthefirstscene，asRichardhimselfadmitted，RichardhadmetnobodyinthatpartofthetheaterafterMme。Giryhadbrushedupagainsthim……

Havingbegunbywalkingbackwardinordertobow，Richardcontinuedtodosofromprudence，untilhereachedthepassageleadingtotheofficesofthemanagement。Inthisway，hewasconstantlywatchedbyMoncharminfrombehindandhimselfkeptaneyeonanyoneapproachingfromthefront。Oncemore，thisnovelmethodofwalkingbehindthescenes，adoptedbythemanagersofourNationalAcademyofMusic，attractedattention。butthemanagersthemselvesthoughtofnothingbuttheirtwenty-thousandfrancs。

Onreachingthehalf-darkpassage，RichardsaidtoMoncharmin，inalowvoice：

Iamsurethatnobodyhastouchedme……YouhadnowbetterkeepatsomedistancefrommeandwatchmetillIcometodooroftheoffice：itisbetternottoarousesuspicionandwecanseeanythingthathappens。

ButMoncharminreplied。No，Richard，no！YouwalkaheadandI’llwalkimmediatelybehindyou！Iwon’tleaveyoubyastep！

But，inthatcase，exclaimedRichard，theywillneverstealourtwenty-thousandfrancs！

Ishouldhopenot，indeed！declaredMoncharmin。

Thenwhatwearedoingisabsurd！

Wearedoingexactlywhatwedidlasttime……Lasttime，Ijoinedyouasyouwereleavingthestageandfollowedclosebehindyoudownthispassage。

That’strue！sighedRichard，shakinghisheadandpassivelyobeyingMoncharmin。

Twominuteslater，thejointmanagerslockedthemselvesintotheiroffice。Moncharminhimselfputthekeyinhispocket：

Weremainedlockeduplikethis，lasttime，hesaid，untilyoulefttheOperatogohome。

That’sso。Noonecameanddisturbedus，Isuppose？

Noone。

Then，saidRichard，whowastryingtocollecthismemory，thenI

mustcertainlyhavebeenrobbedonmywayhomefromtheOpera。

No，saidMoncharmininadriertonethanever，no，that’simpossible。

ForIdroppedyouinmycab。Thetwenty-thousandfrancsdisappearedatyourplace：there’snotashadowofadoubtaboutthat。

It’sincredible！protestedRichard。Iamsureofmyservants……

andifoneofthemhaddoneit，hewouldhavedisappearedsince。

Moncharminshruggedhisshoulders，asthoughtosaythathedidnotwishtoenterintodetails，andRichardbegantothinkthatMoncharminwastreatinghiminaveryinsupportablefashion。

Moncharmin，I’vehadenoughofthis！

Richard，I’vehadtoomuchofit！

Doyoudaretosuspectme？

Yes，ofasillyjoke。

Onedoesn’tjokewithtwenty-thousandfrancs。

That’swhatIthink，declaredMohcharmin，unfoldinganewspaperandostentatiouslystudyingitscontents。

Whatareyoudoing？askedRichard。Areyougoingtoreadthepapernext？

Yes，Richard，untilItakeyouhome。

Likelasttime？

Yes，likelasttime。

RichardsnatchedthepaperfromMoncharmint’shands。

Moncharminstoodup，moreirritatedthanever，andfoundhimselffacedbyanexasperatedRichard，who，crossinghisarmsonhischest，said：

Lookhere，I’mthinkingofthis，I’MTHINKINGOFWHATIMIGHT

THINKif，likelasttime，aftermyspendingtheeveningalonewithyou，youbroughtmehomeandif，atthemomentofparting，Iperceivedthattwenty-thousandfrancshaddisappearedfrommycoat-pocket……likelasttime。

Andwhatmightyouthink？askedMoncharmin，crimsonwithrage。

Imightthinkthat，asyouhadn’tleftmebyafoot’sbreadthandas，byyourownwish，youweretheonlyonetoapproachme，likelasttime，Imightthinkthat，ifthattwenty-thousandfrancswasnolongerinmypocket，itstoodaverygoodchanceofbeinginyours！

Moticharminleapedupatthesuggestion。

Oh！heshouted。Asafety-pin！

Whatdoyouwantasafety-pinfor？

Tofastenyouupwith！……Asafety-pin！……Asafety-pin！

Youwanttofastenmewithasafety-pin？

Yes，tofastenyoutothetwenty-thousandfrancs！Then，whetherit’shere，oronthedrivefromheretoyourplace，oratyourplace，youwillfeelthehandthatpullsatyourpocketandyouwillseeifit’smine！Oh，soyou’resuspectingmenow，areyou？

Asafety-pin！

AndthatwasthemomentwhenMoncharminopenedthedooronthepassageandshouted：

Asafety-pin！……somebodygivemeasafety-pin！

Andwealsoknowhow，atthesamemoment，Remy，whohadnosafety-pin，wasreceivedbyMoncharmin，whileaboyprocuredthepinsoeagerlylongedfor。Andwhathappenedwasthis：Moncharminfirstlockedthedooragain。ThenhekneltdownbehindRichard’sback。

Ihope，hesaid，thatthenotesarestillthere？

SodoI，saidRichard。

Therealones？askedMoncharmin，resolvednottobehadthistime。

Lookforyourself，saidRichard。Irefusetotouchthem。

MoncharmintooktheenvelopefromRichard’spocketanddrewoutthebank-noteswithatremblinghand，for，thistime，inorderfrequentlytomakesureofthepresenceofthenotes，hehadnotsealedtheenvelopenorevenfastenedit。Hefeltreassuredonfindingthattheywereallthereandquitegenuine。

Heputthembackinthetail-pocketandpinnedthemwithgreatcare。

ThenhesatdownbehindRichard’scoat-tailsandkepthiseyesfixedonthem，whileRichard，sittingathiswriting-table，didnotstir。

Alittlepatience，Richard，saidMoncharmin。Wehaveonlyafewminutestowait……Theclockwillsoonstriketwelve。

Lasttime，weleftatthelaststrokeoftwelve。

Oh，Ishallhaveallthepatiencenecessary！

Thetimepassed，slow，heavy，mysterious，stifling。Richardtriedtolaugh。

Ishallendbybelievingintheomnipotenceoftheghost，hesaid。

Justnow，don’tyoufindsomethinguncomfortable，disquieting，alarmingintheatmosphereofthisroom？

You’requiteright，saidMoncharmin，whowasreallyimpressed。

Theghost！continuedRichard，inalowvoice，asthoughfearinglestheshouldbeoverheardbyinvisibleears。Theghost！Suppose，allthesame，itwereaghostwhoputsthemagicenvelopesonthetable……whotalksinBoxFive……whokilledJosephBuquet……

whounhookedthechandelier……andwhorobsus！For，afterall，afterall，afterall，thereisnoonehereexceptyouandme，and，ifthenotesdisappearandneitheryounorIhaveanythingtodowithit，well，weshallhavetobelieveintheghost……intheghost。

Atthatmoment，theclockonthemantlepiecegaveitswarningclickandthefirststrokeoftwelvestruck。

Thetwomanagersshuddered。Theperspirationstreamedfromtheirforeheads。Thetwelfthstrokesoundedstrangelyintheirears。

Whentheclockstopped，theygaveasighandrosefromtheirchairs。

Ithinkwecangonow，saidMoncharmin。

Ithinkso，Richardaagreed。

Beforewego，doyoumindifIlookinyourpocketBut，ofcourse，Moncharmin，YOUMUST！……Well？heasked，asMoncharminwasfeelingatthepocket。

Well，Icanfeelthepin。

Ofcourse，asyousaid，wecan’tberobbedwithoutnoticingit。

ButMoncharmin，whosehandswerestillfumbling，bellowed：

Icanfeelthepin，butIcan’tfeelthenotes！

Come，nojoking，Moncharmin！……Thisisn’tthetimeforit。

Well，feelforyourseIf。