第7章

Richardtoreoffhiscoat。Thetwomanagersturnedthepocketinsideout。THEPOCKETWASEMPTY。Andthecuriousthingwasthatthepinremained，stuckinthesameplace。

RichardandMoncharminturnedpale。Therewasnolongeranydoubtaboutthewitchcraft。

Theghost！mutteredMoncharmin。

ButRichardsuddenlyspranguponhispartner。

Noonebutyouhastouchedmypocket！Givemebackmytwenty-thousandfrancs！……Givemebackmytwenty-thousandfrancs！……

Onmysoul，sighedMoncharmin，whowasreadytoswoon，onmysoul，IswearthatIhaven’tgotit！

Thensomebodyknockedatthedoor。Moncharminopeneditautomatically，seemedhardlytorecognizeMercier，hisbusiness-manager，exchangedafewwordswithhim，withoutknowingwhathewassayingand，withanunconsciousmovement，putthesafety-pin，forwhichhehadnofurtheruse，intothehandsofhisbewilderedsubordinate……

ChapterXVIIITheCOmmissary，TheViscountandthePersianThefirstwordsofthecommissaryofpolice，onenteringthemanagers’office，weretoaskafterthemissingprimadonna。

IsChristineDaaehere？

ChristineDaaehere？echoedRichard。No。Why？

AsforMoncharmin，hehadnotthestrengthlefttoutteraword。

Richardrepeated，forthecommissaryandthecompactcrowdwhichhadfollowedhimintotheofficeobservedanimpressivesilence。

WhydoyouaskifChristineDaaeishere，M。LECOMMISSAIRE？

Becauseshehastobefound，，declaredthecommissaryofpolicesolemnly。

Whatdoyoumean，shehastobefound？Hasshedisappeared？

Inthemiddleoftheperformance！

Inthemiddleoftheperformance？Thisisextraordinary！

Isn’tit？Andwhatisquiteasextraordinaryisthatyoushouldfirstlearnitfromme！

Yes，saidRichard，takinghisheadinhishandsandmuttering。

Whatisthisnewbusiness？Oh，it’senoughtomakeamansendinhisresignation！

Andhepulledafewhairsoutofhismustachewithoutevenknowingwhathewasdoing。

Soshe……soshedisappearedinthemiddleoftheperformance？

herepeated。

Yes，shewascarriedoffinthePrisonAct，atthemomentwhenshewasinvokingtheaidoftheangels。butIdoubtifshewascarriedoffbyanangel。

AndIamsurethatshewas！

Everybodylookedround。Ayoungman，paleandtremblingwithexcitement，repeated：

Iamsureofit！

Sureofwhat？askedMifroid。

ThatChristineDaae’wascarriedoffbyanangel，M。LECOMMISSAIRE

andIcantellyouhisname。

Aha，M。leVicomtedeChagny！SoyoumaintainthatChristineDaaewascarriedoffbyanangel：anangeloftheOpera，nodoubt？

Yes，monsieur，byanangeloftheOpera。andIwilltellyouwherehelives……whenwearealone。

Youareright，monsieur。

Andthecommissaryofpolice，invitingRaoultotakeachair，clearedtheroomofalltherest，exceptingthemanagers。

ThenRaoulspoke：

M。leCommissaire，theangeliscalledErik，helivesintheOperaandheistheAngelofMusic！

TheAngelofMusic！Really！Thatisverycurious！……TheAngelofMusic！And，turningtothemanagers，M。Mifroidasked，HaveyouanAngelofMusiconthepremises，gentlemen？

RichardandMoncharminshooktheirheads，withoutevenspeaking。

Oh，saidtheviscount，thosegentlemenhaveheardoftheOperaghost。

Well，IaminapositiontostatethattheOperaghostandtheAngelofMusicareoneandthesameperson。andhisrealnameisErik。

M。MifroidroseandlookedatRaoulattentively。

Ibegyourpardon，monsieurbutisityourintentiontomakefunofthelaw？And，ifnot，whatisallthisabouttheOperaghost？

Isaythatthesegentlemenhaveheardofhim。

Gentlemen，itappearsthatyouknowtheOperaghost？

Richardrose，withtheremaininghairsofhismustacheinhishand。

No，M。Commissary，no，wedonotknowhim，butwewishthatwedid，forthisveryeveninghehasrobbedusoftwenty-thousandfrancs！

AndRichardturnedaterriblelookonMoncharmin，whichseemedtosay：

Givemebackthetwenty-thousandfrancs，orI’lltellthewholestory。

Moncharminunderstoodwhathemeant，for，withadistractedgesture，hesaid：

Oh，telleverythingandhavedonewithit！

AsforMifroid，helookedatthemanagersandatRaoulbyturnsandwonderedwhetherhehadstrayedintoalunaticasylum。

Hepassedhishandthroughhishair。

Aghost，hesaid，who，onthesameevening，carriesoffanopera-singerandstealstwenty-thousandfrancsisaghostwhomusthavehishandsveryfull！Ifyoudon’tmind，wewilltakethequestionsinorder。Thesingerfirst，thetwenty-thousandfrancsafter。Come，M。deChagny，letustrytotalkseriously。

YoubelievethatMlle。ChristineDaaehasbeencarriedoffbyanindividualcalledErik。Doyouknowthisperson？Haveyouseenhim？

Yes。

Where？

Inachurchyard。

M。Mifroidgaveastart，begantoscrutinizeRaoulagainandsaid：

Ofcourse！……That’swhereghostsusuallyhangout！……Andwhatwereyoudoinginthatchurchyard？

Monsieur，saidRaoul，Icanquiteunderstandhowabsurdmyrepliesmustseemtoyou。ButIbegyoutobelievethatIaminfullpossessionofmyfaculties。Thesafetyofthepersondearesttomeintheworldisatstake。Ishouldliketoconvinceyouinafewwords，fortimeispressingandeverminuteisvaluable。

Unfortunately，ifIdonottellyouthestrangeststorythateverwasfromthebeginning，youwillnotbelieveme。IwilltellyouallIknowabouttheOperaghost，M。Commissary。Alas，Idonotknowmuch！……

Nevermind，goon，goon！exclaimedRichardandMoncharmin，suddenlygreatlyinterested。

Unfortunatelyfortheirhopesoflearningsomedetailthatcouldputthemonthetrackoftheirhoaxer，theyweresooncompelledtoacceptthefactthatM。RaouldeChagnyhadcompletelylosthishead。

AllthatstoryaboutPerros-Guirec，death’sheadsandenchantedviolins，couldonlyhavetakenbirthinthedisorderedbrainofayouthmadwithlove。Itwasevident，also，thatMr。CommissaryMifroidsharedtheirview。andthemagistratewouldcertainlyhavecutshorttheincoherentnarrativeifcircumstanceshadnottakenituponthemselvestointerruptit。

Thedooropenedandamanentered，curiouslydressedinanenormousfrock-coatandatallhat，atonceshabbyandshiny，thatcamedowntohisears。Hewentuptothecommissaryandspoketohiminawhisper。

Itwasdoubtlessadetectivecometodeliveranimportantcommunication。

Duringthisconversation，M。MifroiddidnottakehiseyesoffRaoul。

Atlast，addressinghim，hesaid：

Monsieur，wehavetalkedenoughabouttheghost。Wewillnowtalkaboutyourselfalittle，ifyouhavenoobjection：

youweretocarryoffMlle。ChristineDaaeto-night？

Yes，M。leCommissaire。

Aftertheperformance？

Yes，M。leCommissaire。

Allyourarrangementsweremade？

Yes，M。leCommissaire。

Thecarriagethatbroughtyouwastotakeyoubothaway……Therewerefreshhorsesinreadinessateverystage……

Thatistrue，M。leCommissaire。

AndneverthelessyourcarriageisstilloutsidetheRotundaawaitingyourorders，isitnot？

Yes，M。leCommissaire。

Didyouknowthattherewerethreeothercarriagesthere，inadditiontoyours？

Ididnotpaytheleastattention。

TheywerethecarriagesofMlle。Sorelli，whichcouldnotfindroomintheCourdeI’Administration。ofCarlotta。andofyourbrother，M。leComtedeChagny……

Verylikely……

Whatiscertainisthat，thoughyourcarriageandSorelli’sandCarlotta’sarestillthere，bytheRotundapavement，M。leComtedeChagny’scarriageisgone。

Thishasnothingtosayto……

Ibegyourpardon。WasnotM。leComteopposedtoyourmarriagewithMlle。Daae？

Thatisamatterthatonlyconcernsthefamily。

Youhaveansweredmyquestion：hewasopposedtoit……andthatwaswhyyouwerecarryingChristineDaaeoutofyourbrother’sreach……Well，M。deChagny，allowmetoinformyouthatyourbrotherhasbeensmarterthanyou！ItishewhohascarriedoffChristineDaae！

Oh，impossible！moanedRaoul，pressinghishandtohisheart。

Areyousure？

Immediatelyaftertheartist’sdisappearance，whichwasprocuredbymeanswhichwehavestilltoascertain，heflungintohiscarriage，whichdroverightacrossParisatafuriouspace。

AcrossParis？askedpoorRaoul，inahoarsevoice。WhatdoyoumeanbyacrossParis？

AcrossParisandoutofParis……bytheBrusselsroad。

Oh，criedtheyoungman，Ishallcatchthem！Andherushedoutoftheoffice。

Andbringherbacktous！criedthecommisarygaily……Ah，that’satrickworthtwooftheAngelofMusic’s！

And，turningtohisaudience，M。Mifroiddeliveredalittlelectureonpolicemethods。

Idon’tknowforamomentwhetherM。leComtedeChagnyhasreallycarriedChristineDaaeoffornot……butIwanttoknowandI

believethat，atthismoment，nooneismoreanxioustoinformusthanhisbrother……Andnowheisflyinginpursuitofhim！

Heismychiefauxiliary！This，gentlemen，istheartofthepolice，whichisbelievedtobesocomplicatedandwhich，neverthelessappearssosimpleassoonitsyouseethatitconsistsingettingyourworkdonebypeoplewhohavenothingtodowiththepolice。

ButM。leCommissairedePoliceMifroidwouldnothavebeenquitesosatisfiedwithhimselfifhehadknownthattherushofhisrapidemissarywasstoppedattheentrancetotheveryfirstcorridor。

AtallfigureblockedRaoul’sway。

Whereareyougoingsofast，M。deChagny？askedavoice。

Raoulimpatientlyraisedhiseyesandrecognizedtheastrakhancapofanhourago。Hestopped：

It’syou！hecried，inafeverishvoice。You，whoknowErik’ssecretsanddon’twantmetospeakofthem。Whoareyou？

YouknowwhoIam！……IamthePersian！

ChapterXIXTheViscountandthePersianRaoulnowrememberedthathisbrotherhadonceshownhimthatmysteriousperson，ofwhomnothingwasknownexceptthathewasaPersianandthathelivedinalittleold-fashionedflatintheRuedeRivoli。

Themanwiththeebonyskin，theeyesofjadeandtheastrakhancapbentoverRaoul。

Ihope，M。deChagny，hesaid，thatyouhavenotbetrayedErik’ssecret？

AndwhyshouldIhesitatetobetraythatmonster，sir？

Raoulrejoinedhaughtily，tryingtoshakeofftheintruder。

Isheyourfriend，byanychance？

Ihopethatyousaid，nothingaboutErik，sir，becauseErik’ssecretisalsoChristineDaae’sandtotalkaboutoneistotalkabouttheother！

Oh，sir，saidRaoul，becomingmoreandmoreimpatient，youseemtoknowaboutmanythingsthatinterestme。andyetIhavenotimetolistentoyou！

Oncemore，M。deChagny，whereareyougoingsofast？

Cannotyouguess？ToChristineDaae’sassistance……

Then，sir，stayhere，forChristineDaaeishere！

WithErik？

WithErik。

Howdoyouknow？

IwasattheperformanceandnooneintheworldbutErikcouldcontriveanabductionlikethat！……Oh，hesaid，withadeepsigh，Irecognizedthemonster’stouch！……

Youknowhimthen？

ThePersiandidnotreply，butheavedafreshsigh。

Sir，saidRaoul，Idonotknowwhatyourintentionsare，butcanyoudoanythingtohelpme？Imean，tohelpChristineDaae？

Ithinkso，M。deChagny，andthatiswhyIspoketoyou。

Whatcanyoudo？

Trytotakeyoutoher……andtohim。

Ifyoucandomethatservice，sir，mylifeisyours！……Onewordmore：thecommissaryofpolicetellsmethatChristineDaaehasbeencarriedoffbymybrother，CountPhilippe。

Oh，M。deChagny，Idon’tbelieveawordofit。

It’snotpossible，isit？

Idon’tknowifitispossibleornot。buttherearewaysandwaysofcarryingpeopleoff。andM。leComtePhilippehasnever，asfarasIknow，hadanythingtodowithwitchcraft。

Yourargumentsareconvincing，sir，andIamafool！……Oh，letusmakehaste！Iplacemyselfentirelyinyourhands！……

HowshouldInotbelieveyou，whenyouaretheonlyonetobelieveme……whenyouaretheonlyonenottosmilewhenErik’snameismentioned？

AndtheyoungmanimpetuouslyseizedthePersian’shands。

Theywereice-cold。

Silence！saidthePersian，stoppingandlisteningtothedistantsoundsofthetheater。Wemustnotmentionthatnamehere。

Letussay`he’and`him。’thentherewillbelessdangerofattractinghisattention。

Doyouthinkheisnearus？

Itisquitepossible，Sir，ifheisnot，atthismoment，withhisvictim，INTHEHOUSEONTHELAKE。

Ah，soyouknowthathousetoo？

Ifheisnotthere，hemaybehere，inthiswall，inthisfloor，inthisceiling！……Come！

AndthePersian，askingRaoultodeadenthesoundofhisfootsteps，ledhimdownpassageswhichRaoulhadneverseenbefore，evenatthetimewhenChristineusedtotakehimforwalksthroughthatlabyrinth。

IfonlyDariushascome！saidthePersian。

WhoisDarius？

Darius？Myservant。

Theywerenowinthecenterofarealdesertedsquare，animmenseapartmentill-litbyasmalllamp。ThePersianstoppedRaouland，inthesoftestofwhispers，asked：

Whatdidyousaytothecommissary？

IsaidthatChristineDaae’sabductorwastheAngelofMusic，ALIAStheOperaghost，andthattherealnamewas……

Hush！……Anddidhebelieveyou？

No。

Heattachednoimportancetowhatyousaid？

No。

Hetookyouforabitofamadman？

Yes。

Somuchthebetter！sighedthePersian。

Andtheycontinuedtheirroad。AftergoingupanddownseveralstaircaseswhichRaoulhadneverseenbefore，thetwomenfoundthemselvesinfrontofadoorwhichthePersianopenedwithamaster-key。ThePersianandRaoulwereboth，ofcourse，indress-clothes。but，whereasRaoulhadatallhat，thePersianworetheastrakhancapwhichIhavealreadymentioned。Itwasaninfringementoftherulewhichinsistsuponthetallhatbehindthescenes。butinFranceforeignersareallowedeverylicense：

theEnglishmanhistraveling-cap，thePersianhiscapofastrakhan。

Sir，saidthePersian，yourtallhatwillbeinyourway：

youwoulddowelltoleaveitinthedressing-room。

Whatdressing-room？askedRaoul。

ChristineDaae’s。

AndthePersian，lettingRaoulthroughthedoorwhichhehadjustopened，showedhimtheactress’roomopposite。

TheywereattheendofthepassagethewholelengthofwhichRaoulhadbeenaccustomedtotraversebeforeknockingatChristine’sdoor。

HowwellyouknowtheOpera，sir！

Notsowellas`he’does！saidthePersianmodestly。

AndhepushedtheyoungmanintoChristine’sdressing-room，whichwasasRaoulhadleftitafewminutesearlier。

Closingthedoor，thePersianwenttoaverythinpartitionthatseparatedthedressing-roomfromabiglumber-roomnexttoit。

Helistenedandthencoughedloudly。

Therewasasoundofsomeonestirringinthelumber-room。and，afewsecondslater，afingertappedatthedoor。

Comein，saidthePersian。

Amanentered，alsowearinganastrakhancapanddressedinalongovercoat。Hebowedandtookarichlycarvedcasefromunderhiscoat，putitonthedressing-table，bowedonceagainandwenttothedoor。

Didnooneseeyoucomein，Darius？

No，master。

Letnooneseeyougoout。

Theservantglanceddownthepassageandswiftlydisappeared。

ThePersianopenedthecase。Itcontainedapairoflongpistols。

WhenChristineDaaewascarriedoff，sir，Isentwordtomyservanttobringmethesepistols。Ihavehadthemalongtimeandtheycanbereliedupon。

Doyoumeantofightaduel？askedtheyoungman。

Itwillcertainlybeaduelwhichweshallhavetofight，

saidtheother，examiningtheprimingofhispistols。Andwhataduel！

HandingoneofthepistolstoRaoul，headded，Inthisduel，weshallbetwotoone。butyoumustbepreparedforeverything，forweshallbefightingthemostterribleadversarythatyoucanimagine。ButyouloveChristineDaae，doyounot？

Iworshipthegroundshestandson！Butyou，sir，whodonotloveher，tellmewhyIfindyoureadytoriskyourlifeforher！

YoumustcertainlyhateErik！

No，sir，saidthePersiansadly，Idonothatehim。IfIhatedhim，hewouldlongagohaveceaseddoingharm。

Hashedoneyouharm？

Ihaveforgivenhimtheharmwhichhehasdoneme。

Idonotunderstandyou。Youtreathimasamonster，youspeakofhiscrime，hehasdoneyouharmandIfindinyouthesameinexplicablepitythatdrovemetodespairwhenIsawitinChristine！

ThePersiandidnotreply。Hefetchedastoolandsetitagainstthewallfacingthegreatmirrorthatfilledthewholeofthewall-spaceopposite。Thenheclimbedonthestooland，withhisnosetothewallpaper，seemedtobelookingforsomething。

Ah，hesaid，afteralongsearch，Ihaveit！And，raisinghisfingerabovehishead，hepressedagainstacornerinthepatternofthepaper。Thenheturnedroundandjumpedoffthestool：

Inhalfaminute，hesaid，heshallbeONHISROAD！andcrossingthewholeofthedressing-roomhefeltthegreatmirror。

No，itisnotyieldingyet，hemuttered。

Oh，arewegoingoutbythemirror？askedRaoul。LikeChristineDaae。

SoyouknewthatChristineDaaewentoutbythatmirror？

Shedidsobeforemyeyes，sir！IwashiddenbehindthecurtainoftheinnerroomandIsawhervanishnotbytheglass，butintheglass！

Andwhatdidyoudo？

Ithoughtitwasanaberrationofmysenses，amaddream。

Orsomenewfancyoftheghost’s！chuckledthePersian。

Ah，M。deChagny，hecontinued，stillwithhishandonthemirror，wouldthatwehadtodowithaghost！Wecouldthenleaveourpistolsintheircase……Putdownyourhat，please……there……

andnowcoveryourshirt-frontasmuchasyoucanwithyourcoat……

asIamdoing……Bringthelapelsforward……turnupthecollar……Wemustmakeourselvesasinvisibleaspossible。

Bearingagainstthemirror，afterashortsilence，hesaid：

Ittakessometimetoreleasethecounterbalance，whenyoupressonthespringfromtheinsideoftheroom。Itisdifferentwhenyouarebehindthewallandcanactdirectlyonthecounterbalance。

Thenthemirrorturnsatonceandismovedwithincrediblerapidity。

Whatcounterbalance？askedRaoul。

Why，thecounterbalancethatliftsthewholeofthiswallontoitspivot。Yousurelydon’texpectittomoveofitself，byenchantment！Ifyouwatch，youwillseethemirrorfirstriseaninchortwoandthenshiftaninchortwofromlefttoright。

Itwillthenbeonapivotandwillswinground。

It’snotturning！saidRaoulimpatiently。

Oh，wait！Youhavetimeenoughtobeimpatient，sir！Themechanismhasobviouslybecomerusty，orelsethespringisn’tworking……Unlessitissomethingelse，addedthePersian，anxiously。

What？

Hemaysimplyhavecutthecordofthecounterbalanceandblockedthewholeapparatus。

Whyshouldhe？Hedoesnotknowthatwearecomingthisway！

Idaresayhesuspectsit，forheknowsthatIunderstandthesystem。

It’snotturning！……AndChristine，sir，Christine？

ThePersiansaidcoldly：

Weshalldoallthatitishumanlypossibletodo！……Buthemaystopusatthefirststep！……Hecommandsthewalls，thedoorsandthetrapdoors。Inmycountry，hewasknownbyanamewhichmeansthe`trap-doorlover。’

Butwhydothesewallsobeyhimalone？Hedidnotbuildthem！

Yes，sir，thatisjustwhathedid！

Raoullookedathiminamazement。butthePersianmadeasigntohimtobesilentandpointedtotheglass……Therewasasortofshiveringreflection。Theirimagewastroubledasinaripplingsheetofwaterandthenallbecamestationaryagain。

Yousee，sir，thatitisnotturning！Letustakeanotherroad！

To-night，thereisnoother！declaredthePersian，inasingularlymournfulvoice。Andnow，lookout！Andbereadytofire。

Hehimselfraisedhispistoloppositetheglass。Raoulimitatedhismovement。Withhisfreearm，thePersiandrewtheyoungmantohischestand，suddenly，themirrorturned，inablindingdazeofcross-lights：itturnedlikeoneofthoserevolvingdoorswhichhavelatelybeenfixedtotheentrancesofmostrestaurants，itturned，carryingRaoulandthePersianwithitandsuddenlyhurlingthemfromthefulllightintothedeepestdarkness。

ChapterXXIntheCellarsoftheOperaYourhandhigh，readytofire！repeatedRaoul’scompanionquickly。

Thewall，behindthem，havingcompletedthecirclewhichitdescribeduponitself，closedagain。andthetwomenstoodmotionlessforamoment，holdingtheirbreath。

Atlast，thePersiandecidedtomakeamovement。andRaoulheardhimsliponhiskneesandfeelforsomethinginthedarkwithhisgropinghands。Suddenly，thedarknesswasmadevisiblebyasmalldarklanternandRaoulinstinctivelysteppedbackwardasthoughtoescapethescrutinyofasecretenemy。ButhesoonperceivedthatthelightbelongedtothePersian，whosemovementshewascloselyobserving。

ThelittlereddiskwasturnedineverydirectionandRaoulsawthatthefloor，thewallsandtheceilingwereallformedofplanking。ItmusthavebeentheordinaryroadtakenbyEriktoreachChristine’sdressing-roomandimposeuponherinnocence。

AndRaoul，rememberingthePersian’sremark，thoughtthatithadbeenmysteriouslyconstructedbytheghosthimself。Later，helearnedthatErikhadfound，allpreparedforhim，asecretpassage，longknowntohimselfaloneandcontrivedatthetimeoftheParisCommunetoallowthejailerstoconveytheirprisonersstraighttothedungeonsthathadbeenconstructedfortheminthecellars。

fortheFederateshadoccupiedtheopera-houseimmediatelyaftertheeighteenthofMarchandhadmadeastarting-placerightatthetopfortheirMongolfierballoons，whichcarriedtheirincendiaryproclamationstothedepartmcnts，andastateprisonrightatthebottom。

ThePersianwentonhiskneesandputhislanternontheground。

Heseemedtobeworkingatthefloor。andsuddenlyheturnedoffhislight。ThenRaoulheardafaintclickandsawaverypaleluminoussquareinthefloorofthepassage。ItwasasthoughawindowhadopenedontheOperacellars，whichwerestilllit。

RaoulnolongersawthePersian，buthesuddenlyfelthimbyhissideandheardhimwhisper：

FollowmeanddoallthatIdo。

Raoulturnedtotheluminousaperture。ThenhesawthePersian，whowasstillonhisknees，hangbyhishandsfromtherimoftheopening，withhispistolbetweenhisteeth，andslideintothecellarbelow。

Curiouslyenough，theviscounthadabsoluteconfidenceinthePersian，thoughheknewnothingabouthim。Hisemotionwhenspeakingofthemonsterstruckhimassincere。and，ifthePersianhadcherishedanysinisterdesignsagainsthim，hewouldnothavearmedhimwithhisownhands。Besides，RaoulmustreachChristineatallcosts。

Hethereforewentonhiskneesalsoandhungfromthetrapwithbothhands。

Letgo！saidavoice。

AndhedroppedintothearmsofthePersian，whotoldhimtoliedownflat，closedthetrap-doorabovehimandcroucheddownbesidehim。

Raoultriedtoaskaquestion，butthePersian’shandwasonhismouthandheheardavoicewhichherecognizedasthatofthecommissaryofpolice。

RaoulandthePersianwerecompletelyhiddenbehindawoodenpartition。

Nearthem，asmallstaircaseledtoalittleroominwhichthecommissaryappearedtobewalkingupanddown，askingquestions。

ThefaintlightwasjustenoughtoenableRaoultodistinguishtheshapeofthingsaroundhim。Andhecouldnotrestrainadullcry：

therewerethreecorpsesthere。

Thefirstlayonthenarrowlandingofthelittlestaircase。

thetwoothershadrolledtothebottomofthestaircase。

Raoulcouldhavetouchedoneofthetwopoorwretchesbypassinghisfingersthroughthepartition。

Silence！whisperedthePersian。

Hetoohadseenthebodiesandhegaveonewordinexplanation：

HE！

Thecommissary’svoicewasnowheardmoredistinctly。

Hewasaskingforinformationaboutthesystemoflighting，whichthestage-managersupplied。Thecommissarythereforemustbeintheorganoritsimmediateneighborhood。

Contrarytowhatonemightthink，especiallyinconnectionwithanopera-house，theorganisnotamusicalinstrument。Atthattime，electricitywasemployedonlyforaveryfewsceniceffectsandforthebells。Theimmensebuildingandthestageitselfwerestilllitbygas。hydrogenwasusedtoregulateandmodifythelightingofascene。andthiswasdonebymeansofaspecialapparatuswhich，becauseofthemultiplicityofitspipes，wasknownastheorgan。

Aboxbesidetheprompter’sboxwasreservedforthechiefgas-man，whofromtheregavehisorderstohisassistantsandsawthattheywereexecuted。Mauclairstayedinthisboxduringalltheperformances。

ButnowMauclairwasnotinhisboxandhisassistantsnotintheirplaces。

Mauclair！Mauclair！

Thestage-manager’svoiceechoedthroughthecellars。ButMauclairdidnotreply。

Ihavesaidthatadooropenedonalittlestaircasethatledtothesecondcellar。Thecommissarypushedit，butitresisted。

Isay，hesaidtothestage-manager，Ican’topenthisdoor：

isitalwayssodifficult？

Thestage-managerforceditopenwithhisshoulder。Hesawthat，atthesametime，hewaspushingahumanbodyandhecouldnotkeepbackanexclamation，forherecognizedthebodyatonce：

Mauclair！Poordevil！Heisdead！

ButMr。CommissaryMifroid，whomnothingsurprised，wasstoopingoverthatbigbody。

No，hesaid，heisdead-drunk，whichisnotquitethesamething。

It’sthefirsttime，ifso，saidthestage-managerThensomeonehasgivenhimanarcotic。Thatisquitepossible。

Mifroidwentdownafewstepsandsaid：

Look！

Bythelightofalittleredlantern，atthefootofthestairs，theysawtwootherbodies。Thestage-managerrecognizedMauclair’sassistants。Mifroidwentdownandlistenedtotheirbreathing。

Theyaresoundasleep，hesaid。Verycuriousbusiness！

Somepersonunknownmusthaveinterferedwiththegas-manandhisstaff……andthatpersonunknownwasobviouslyworkingonbehalfofthekidnapper……Butwhatafunnyideatokidnapaperformeronthestage！……Sendforthedoctorofthetheater，please。

AndMifroidrepeated，Curious，decidedlycuriousbusiness！

Thenheturnedtothelittleroom，addressingthepeoplewhomRaoulandthePersianwereunabletoseefromwheretheylay。

Whatdoyousaytoallthis，gentlemen？Youaretheonlyoneswhohavenotgivenyourviews。Andyetyoumusthaveanopinionofsomesort。

Thereupon，RaoulandthePersiansawthestartledfacesofthejointmanagersappearabovethelanding——andtheyheardMoncharmin’sexcitedvoice：

Therearethingshappeninghere，Mr。Commissary，whichweareunabletoexplain。

Andthetwofacesdisappeared。

Thankyoufortheinformation，gentlemen，saidMifroid，withajeer。

Butthestage-manager，holdinghischininthehollowofhisrighthand，whichistheattitudeofprofoundthought，said：

ItisnotthefirsttimethatMauclairhasfallenasleepinthetheater。

Irememberfindinghim，oneevening，snoringinhislittlerecess，withhissnuff-boxbesidehim。

Isthatlongago？askedM。Mifroid，carefullywipinghiseye-glasses。

No，notsoverylongago……Waitabit！……Itwasthenight……ofcourse，yes……ItwasthenightwhenCarlotta——youknow，Mr。Commissary——gaveherfamous`co-ack’！

Really？ThenightwhenCarlottagaveherfamous`co-ack’？

AndM。Mifroid，replacinghisgleamingglassesonhisnose，fixedthestage-managerwithacontemplativestare。

SoMauclairtakessnuff，doeshe？heaskedcarelessly。

`Yes，Mr。Commissary……Look，thereishissnuff-boxonthatlittleshelf……Oh！he’sagreatsnuff-taker！

SoamI，saidMifroidandputthesnuff-boxinhispocket。

RaoulandthePersian，themselvesunobserved，watchedtheremovalofthethreebodiesbyanumberofscene-shifters，whowerefollowedbythecommissaryandallthepeoplewithhim。

TheirstepsWereheardforafewminutesonthestageabove。

WhentheywerealonethePersianmadeasigntoRaoultostandup。

Raouldidso。but，ashedidnotlifthishandinfrontofhiseyes，readytofire，thePersiantoldhimtoresumethatattitudeandtocontinueit，whateverhappened。

Butittiresthehandunnecessarily，whisperedRaoul。IfI

dofire，Ishan’tbesureofmyaim。

Thenshiftyourpistoltotheotherhand，saidthePersian。

Ican’tshootwithmylefthand。

Thereupon，thePersianmadethisqueerreply，whichwascertainlynotcalculatedtothrowlightintotheyoungman’sflurriedbrain：

It’snotaquestionofshootingwiththerighthandortheleft。

it’saquestionofholdingoneofyourhandsasthoughyouweregoingtopullthetriggerofapistolwithyourarmbent。

Asforthepistolitself，whenallissaid，youcanputthatinyourpocket！Andheadded，Letthisbeclearlyunderstood，orIwillanswerfornothing。Itisamatteroflifeanddeath。

Andnow，silenceandfollowme！

ThecellarsoftheOperaareenormousandtheyarefiveinnumber。

RaoulfollowedthePersianandwonderedwhathewouldhavedonewithouthiscompanioninthatextraordinarylabyrinth。Theywentdowntothethirdcellar。andtheirprogresswasstilllitbysomedistantlamp。

Thelowertheywent，themoreprecautionsthePersianseemedtotake。

HekeptonturningtoRaoultoseeifhewasholdinghisarmproperly，showinghimhowhehimselfcarriedhishandasifalwaysreadytofire，thoughthepistolwasinhispocket。

Suddenly，aloudvoicemadethemstop。Someoneabovethemshouted：

Allthedoor-shuttersonthestage！Thecommissaryofpolicewantsthem！

Stepswereheardandshadowsglidedthroughthedarkness。ThePersiandrewRaoulbehindasetpiece。Theysawpassingbeforeandabovethemoldmenbentbyageandthepastburdenofopera-scenery。

Somecouldhardlydragthemselvesalong。others，fromhabit，withstoopingbodiesandoutstretchedhands，lookedfordoorstoshut。

Theywerethedoor-shutters，theold，worn-outscene-shifters，onwhomacharitablemanagementhadtakenpity，givingthemthejobofshuttingdoorsaboveandbelowthestage。Theywentaboutincessantly，fromtoptobottomofthebuilding，shuttingthedoors。

andtheywerealsocalledThedraft-expellers，atleastatthattime，forIhavelittledoubtthatbynowtheyarealldead。

Draftsareverybadforthevoice，wherevertheymaycomefrom。[3]——

[3]M。PedroGailhardhashimselftoldmethathecreatedafewadditionalpostsasdoor-shuttersforoldstage-carpenterswhomhewasunwillingtodismissfromtheserviceoftheOpera。

Thetwomenmighthavestumbledoverthem，wakingthemupandprovokingarequestforexplanations。Forthemoment，M。Mifroid’sinquirysavedthemfromanysuchunpleasantencounters。

ThePersianandRaoulwelcomedthisincident，whichrelievedthemofinconvenientwitnesses，forsomeofthosedoor-shutters，havingnothingelsetodoornowheretolaytheirheads，stayedattheOpera，fromidlenessornecessity，andspentthenightthere。

Buttheywerenotlefttoenjoytheirsolitudeforlong。Othershadesnowcamedownbythesamewaybywhichthedoor-shuttershadgoneup。

Eachoftheseshadescarriedalittlelanternandmoveditabout，above，belowandallaround，asthoughlookingforsomethingorsomebody。

Hangit！mutteredthePersian。Idon’tknowwhattheyarelookingfor，buttheymighteasilyfindus……Letusgetaway，quick！……Yourhandup，sir，readytofire！……Bendyourarm……more……that’sit！……Handatthelevelofyoureye，asthoughyouwerefightingaduelandwaitingforthewordtofire！Oh，leaveyourpistolinyourpocket。Quick，comealong，down-stairs。Levelofyoureye！Questionoflifeordeath！……

Here，thisway，thesestairs！Theyreachedthefifthcellar。

Oh，whataduel，sir，whataduel！

Onceinthefifthcellar，thePersiandrewbreath。Heseemedtoenjoyarathergreatersenseofsecuritythanhehaddisplayedwhentheybothstoppedinthethird。butheneveralteredtheattitudeofhishand。AndRaoul，rememberingthePersian’sobservation——I

knowthesepistolscanbereliedupon——wasmoreandmoreastonished，wonderingwhyanyoneshouldbesogratifiedatbeingabletorelyuponapistolwhichhedidnotintendtouse！

ButthePersianlefthimnotimeforreflection。TellingRaoultostaywherehewas，heranupafewstepsofthestaircasewhichtheyhadjustleftandthenreturned。

Howstupidofus！hewhispered。Weshallsoonhaveseentheendofthosemenwiththeirlanterns。Itisthefiremengoingtheirrounds。[4]——

[4]Inthosedays，itwasstillpartofthefiremen’sdutytowatchoverthesafetyoftheOperahouseoutsidetheperformances。

butthisservicehassincebeensuppressed。IaskedM。PedroGailhardthereason，andhereplied：

Thetwomenwaitedfiveminuteslonger。ThenthePersiantookRaoulupthestairsagain。butsuddenlyhestoppedhimwithagesture。

Somethingmovedinthedarknessbeforethem。

Flatonyourstomach！whisperedthePersian。

Thetwomenlayflatonthefloor。

Theywereonlyjustintime。Ashade，thistime。carryingnolight，justashadeintheshade，passed。Itpassedclosetothem，nearenoughtotouchthem。

Theyfeltthewarmthofitscloakuponthem。Fortheycoulddistinguishtheshadesufficientlytoseethatitworeacloakwhichshroudeditfromheadtofoot。Onitsheadithadasoftfelthat……

Itmovedaway，drawingitsfeetagainstthewallsandsometimesgivingakickintoacorner。

Whew！saidthePersian。We’vehadanarrowescape。thatshadeknowsmeandhastwicetakenmetothemanagers’office。

Itwasbecausethemanagementwasafraidthat，intheirutterinexperienceofthecellarsoftheOpera，thefiremenmightsetfiretothebuilding！

Isitsomeonebelongingtothetheaterpolice？askedRaoul。

It’ssomeonemuchworsethanthat！repliedthePersian，withoutgivinganyfurtherexplanation。[5]——

[5]LikethePersian，Icangivenofurtherexplanationtouchingtheapparitionofthisshade。Whereas，inthishistoricnarrative，everythingelsewillbenormallyexplained，howeverabnormalthecourseofeventsmayseem，IcannotgivethereaderexpresslytounderstandwhatthePersianmeantbythewords，Itissomeonemuchworsethanthat！Thereadermusttrytoguessforhimself，forIpromisedM。PedroGailhard，theformermanageroftheOpera，tokeephissecretregardingtheextremelyinterestingandusefulpersonalityofthewandering，cloakedshadewhich，whilecondemningitselftoliveinthecellarsoftheOpera，renderedsuchimmenseservicestothosewho，ongalaevenings，forinstance，venturetostrayawayfromthestage。Iamspeakingofstateservices。and，uponmywordofhonor，Icansaynomore。

It’snot……he？

He？……Ifhedoesnotcomebehindus，weshallalwaysseehisyelloweyes！Thatismoreorlessoursafeguardto-night。Buthemaycomefrombehind，stealingup。andwearedeadmenifwedonotkeepourhandsasthoughabouttofire，atthelevelofoureyes，infront！

ThePersianhadhardlyfinishedspeaking，whenafantasticfacecameinsight……awholefieryface，notonlytwoyelloweyes！

Yes，aheadoffirecametowardthem，ataman’sheight，butwithnobodyattachedtoit。Thefaceshedfire，lookedinthedarknesslikeaflameshapedasaman’sface。

Oh，saidthePersian，betweenhisteeth。Ihaveneverseenthisbefore！……Pampinwasnotmad，afterall：hehadseenit！……

Whatcanthatflamebe？ItisnotHE，buthemayhavesentit！……Takecare！……Takecare！Yourhandatthelevelofyoureyes，inHeaven’sname，atthelevelofyoureyes！……knowmostofhistricks……

butnotthisone……Come，letusrun……itissafer。

Handatthelevelofyoureyes！

Andtheyfleddownthelongpassagethatopenedbeforethem。

Afterafewseconds，thatseemedtothemlikelongminutes，theystopped。

Hedoesn’toftencomethisway，saidthePersian。Thissidehasnothingtodowithhim。Thissidedoesnotleadtothelakenortothehouseonthelake……Butperhapsheknowsthatweareathisheels……althoughIpromisedhimtoleavehimaloneandnevertomeddleinhisbusinessagain！

Sosaying，heturnedhisheadandRaoulalsoturnedhishead。

andtheyagainsawtheheadoffirebehindtheirtwoheads。

Ithadfollowedthem。Anditmusthaverunalso，andperhapsfasterthanthey，foritseemedtobenearertothem。

Atthesametime，theybegantoperceiveacertainnoiseofwhichtheycouldnotguessthenature。Theysimplynoticedthatthesoundseemedtomoveandtoapproachwiththefieryface。Itwasanoiseasthoughthousandsofnailshadbeenscrapedagainstablackboard，theperfectlyunendurablenoisethatissometimesmadebyalittlestoneinsidethechalkthatgratesontheblackboard。

Theycontinuedtoretreat，butthefieryfacecameon，cameon，gainingonthem。Theycouldseeitsfeaturesclearlynow。Theeyeswereroundandstaring，thenosealittlecrookedandthemouthlarge，withahanginglowerlip，veryliketheeyes，noseandlipofthemoon，whenthemoonisquitered，brightred。

Howdidthatredmoonmanagetoglidethroughthedarkness，ataman’sheight，withnothingtosupportit，atleastapparently？

Andhowdiditgosofast，sostraightahead，withsuchstaring，staringeyes？Andwhatwasthatscratching，scraping，gratingsoundwhichitbroughtwithit？

ThePersianandRaoulcouldretreatnofartherandflattenedthemselvesagainstthewall，notknowingwhatwasgoingtohappenbecauseofthatincomprehensibleheadoffire，andespeciallynow，becauseofthemoreintense，swarming，living，numeroussound，forthesoundwascertainlymadeupofhundredsoflittlesoundsthatmovedinthedarkness，underthefieryface。

Andthefieryfacecameon……withitsnoise……camelevelwiththem！……

Andthetwocompanions，flatagainsttheirwall，felttheirhairstandonendwithhorror，fortheynowknewwhatthethousandnoisesmeant。Theycameinatroop，hustledalongintheshadowbyinnumerablelittlehurriedwaves，swifterthanthewavesthatrushoverthesandsathightide，littlenight-wavesfoamingunderthemoon，underthefieryheadthatwaslikeamoon。

Andthelittlewavespassedbetweentheirlegs，climbinguptheirlegs，irresistibly，andRaoulandthePersiancouldnolongerrestraintheircriesofhorror，dismayandpain。Norcouldtheycontinuetoholdtheirhandsattheleveloftheireyes：

theirhandswentdowntotheirlegstopushbackthewaves，whichwerefulloflittlelegsandnailsandclawsandteeth。

Yes，RaoulandthePersianwerereadytofaint，likePampinthefireman。

Buttheheadoffireturnedroundinanswcrtotheircries，andspoketothem：

Don’tmove！Don’tmove！……Whateveryoudo，don’tcomeafterme！……Iamtherat-catcher！……Letmepass，withmyrats！……

Andtheheadoffiredisappeared，vanishedinthedarkness，whilethepassageinfrontofitlitup，astheresultofthechangewhichtherat-catcherhadmadeinhisdarklantern。Before，soasnottoscaretheratsinfrontofhim，hehadturnedhisdarklanternonhimself，lightinguphisownhead。now，tohastentheirflight，helitthedarkspaceinfrontofhim。Andhejumpedalong，draggingwithhimthewavesofscratchingrats，allthethousandsounds。

RaoulandthePersianbreathedagain，thoughstilltrembling。

IoughttohaverememberedthatEriktalkedtomeabouttherat-catcher，

saidthePersian。Buthenevertoldmethathelookedlikethat……

andit’sfunnythatIshouldneverhavemethimbefore……

Ofcourse，Eriknevercomestothispart！

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Areweveryfarfromthelake，sir？askedRaoul。Whenshallwegetthere？……Takemetothelake，oh，takemetothelake！……

Whenweareatthelake，wewillcallout！……Christinewillhearus！……AndHEwillhearus，too！……And，asyouknowhim，weshalltalktohim！Baby！saidthePersian。Weshallneverenterthehouseonthelakebythelake！……Imyselfhaveneverlandedontheotherbank……thebankonwhichthehousestands……Youhavetocrossthelakefirst……anditiswellguarded！……Ifearthatmorethanoneofthosemen——oldscene-shifters，olddoor-shutters——whohaveneverbeenseenagainweresimplytemptedtocrossthelake……Itisterrible……Imyselfwouldhavebeennearlykilledthere……ifthemonsterhadnotrecognizedmeintime！……Onepieceofadvice，sir。nevergonearthelake……And，aboveall，shutyourearsifyouhearthevoicesingingunderthewater，thesiren’svoice！

Butthen，whatareweherefor？askedRaoul，inatransportoffever，impatienceandrage。IfyoucandonothingforChristine，atleastletmedieforher！ThePersiantriedtocalmtheyoungman。

WehaveonlyonemeansofsavingChristineDaae，believeme，whichistoenterthehouseunperceivedbythemonster。

Andisthereanyhopeofthat，sir？

Ah，ifIhadnotthathope，Iwouldnothavecometofetchyou！

Andhowcanoneenterthehouseonthelakewithoutcrossingthelake？

Fromthethirdcellar，fromwhichweweresounluckilydrivenaway。

Wewillgobacktherenow……Iwilltellyou，saidthePersian，withasuddenchangeinhisvoice，Iwilltellyoutheexactplace，sir：itisbetweenasetpieceandadiscardedscenefromROIDELAHORE，exactlyatthespotwhereJosephBuquetdied……Come，sir，takecourageandfollowme！Andholdyourhandatthelevelofyoureyes！……Butwherearewe？

ThePersianlithislampagainandflungitsraysdowntwoenormouscorridorsthatcrossedeachotheratrightangles。

Wemustbe，hesaid，inthepartusedmoreparticularlyforthewaterworks。Iseenofirecomingfromthefurnaces。

HewentinfrontofRaoul，seekinghisroad，stoppingabruptlywhenhewasafraidofmeetingsomewaterman。Thentheyhadtoprotectthemselvesagainsttheglowofasortofundergroundforge，whichthemenwereextinguishing，andatwhichRaoulrecognizedthedemonswhomChristinehadseenatthetimeofherfirstcaptivity。

Inthisway，theygraduallyarrivedbeneaththehugecellarsbelowthestage。Theymustatthistimehavebeenattheverybottomofthetubandatanextremelygreatdepth，whenwerememberthattheearthwasdugoutatfiftyfeetbelowthewaterthatlayunderthewholeofthatpartofParis。[6]——

[6]Allthewaterhadtobeexhausted，inthebuildingoftheOpera。

Togiveanideaoftheamountofwaterthatwaspumpedup，IcantellthereaderthatitrepresentedtheareaofthecourtyardoftheLouvreandaheighthalfasdeepagainasthetowersofNotreDame。Andneverthelesstheengineershadtoleavealake。

soundingontheflooroftheupperportionsofthetheater。

ThePersiantouchedapartition-wallandsaid：

IfIamnotmistaken，thisisawallthatmighteasilybelongtothehouseonthelake。

Hewasstrikingapartition-wallofthetub，andperhapsitwouldbeaswellforthereadertoknowhowthebottomandthepartition-wallsofthetubwerebuilt。Inordertopreventthewatersurroundingthebuilding-operationsfromremaininginimmediatecontactwiththewallssupportingthewholeofthetheatricalmachinery，thearchitectwasobligedtobuildadoublecaseineverydirection。

Theworkofconstructingthisdoublecasetookawholeyear。

ItwasthewallofthefirstinnercasethatthePersianstruckwhenspeakingtoRaoulofthehouseonthelake。Toanyoneunderstandingthearchitectureoftheedifice，thePersian’sactionwouldseemtoindicatethatErik’smysterioushousehadbeenbuiltinthedoublecase，formedofathickwallconstructedasanembankmentordam，thenofabrickwall，atremendouslayerofcementandanotherwallseveralyardsinthickness。

AtthePersian’swords，Raoulflunghimselfagainstthewallandlistenedeagerly。Butheheardnothing……nothing……exceptdistantsteps。

ThePersiandarkenedhislanternagain。

Lookout！hesaid。Keepyourhandup！Andsilence！Forweshalltryanotherwayofgettingin。

Andheledhimtothelittlestaircasebywhichtheyhadcomedownlately。

Theywentup，stoppingateachstep，peeringintothedarknessandthesilence，tilltheycametothethirdcellar。HerethePersianmotionedtoRaoultogoonhisknees。and，inthisway，crawlingonbothkneesandonehand——fortheotherhandwasheldinthepositionindicated——theyreachedtheendwall。

AgainstthiswallstoodalargediscardedscenefromtheROIDELAHORE。

Closetothisscenewasasetpiece。Betweenthesceneandthesetpiecetherewasjustroomforabody……forabodywhichonedaywasfoundhangingthere。ThebodyofJosephBuquet。

ThePersian，stillkneeling，stoppedandlistened。Foramoment，heseemedtohesitateandlookedatRaoul。thenheturnedhiseyesupward，towardthesecondcellar，whichsentdownthefaintglimmerofalantern，throughacrannybetweentwoboards。

ThisglimmerseemedtotroublethePersian。

Atlast，hetossedhisheadandmadeuphismindtoact。HeslippedbetweenthesetpieceandthescenefromtheROIDELAHORE，withRaoulcloseuponhisheels。Withhisfreehand，thePersianfeltthewall。

Raoulsawhimbearheavilyuponthewall，justashehadpressedagainstthewallinChristine’sdressing-room。Thenastonegaveway，leavingaholeinthewall。

Thistime，thePersiantookhispistolfromhispocketandmadeasigntoRaoultodoashedid。Hecockedthepistol。

And，resolutely，stillonhisknees，hewiggledthroughtheholeinthewall。Raoul，whohadwishedtopassfirst，hadtobecontenttofollowhim。

Theholewasverynarrow。ThePersianstoppedalmostatonce。

Raoulheardhimfeelingthestonesaroundhim。ThenthePersiantookouthisdarklanternagain，stoopedforward，examinedsomethingbeneathhimandimmediatelyextinguishedhisIantern。Raoulheardhimsay，inawhisper：

Weshallhavetodropafewyards，withoutmakinganoise。

takeoffyourboots。

ThePersianhandedhisownshoestoRaoul。

Putthemoutsidethewall，hesaid。Weshallfindthemtherewhenweleave。[7]