第8章

[7]Thesetwopairsofboots，whichwereplaced，accordingtothePersian’spapers，justbetweenthesetpieceandthescenefromtheROIDELAHORE，onthespotwhereJosephBuquetwasfoundhanging，wereneverdiscovered。

Theymusthavebeentakenbysomestage-carpenterordoor-shutter。

Hecrawledalittlefartheronhisknees，thenturnedrightroundandsaid：

IamgoingtohangbymyhandsfromtheedgeofthestoneandletmyselfdropINTOHISHOUSE。Youmustdoexactlythesame。

Donotbeafraid。Iwillcatchyouinmyarms。

Raoulsoonheardadullsound，evidentlyproducedbythefallofthePersian，andthendroppeddown。

HefelthimselfclaspedinthePersian’sarms。

Hush！saidthePersian。

Andtheystoodmotionless，listening。

Thedarknesswasthickaroundthem，thesilenceheavyandterrible。

ThenthePersianbegantomakeplaywiththedarklanternagain，turningtheraysovertheirheads，lookingfortheholethroughwhichtheyhadcome，andfailingtofindit：

Oh！hesaid。Thestonehasclosedofitself！

Andthelightofthelanternsweptdownthewallandoverthefloor。

ThePersianstoopedandpickedupsomething，asortofcord，whichheexaminedforasecondandflungawaywithhorror。

ThePunjablasso！hemuttered。

Whatisit？askedRaoul。

ThePersianshivered。Itmightverywellbetheropebywhichthemanwashanged，andwhichwaslookedforsolong。

And，suddenlyseizedwithfreshanxiety，hemovedthelittlereddiskofhislanternoverthewalls。Inthisway，helitupacuriousthing：

thetrunkofatree，whichseemedstillquitealive，withitsleaves。

andthebranchesofthattreeranrightupthewallsanddisappearedintheceiling。

Becauseofthesmallnessoftheluminousdisk，itwasdifficultatfirsttomakeouttheappearanceofthings：theysawacornerofabranch……andaleaf……andanotherleaf……and，nexttoit，nothingatall，nothingbuttherayoflightthatseemedtoreflectitself……Raoulpassedhishandoverthatnothing，overthatreflection。

Hullo！hesaid。Thewallisalooking-glass！

Yes，alooking-glass！saidthePersian，inatoneofdeepemotion。

And，passingthehandthatheldthepistoloverhismoistforehead，headded，Wehavedroppedintothetorture-chamber！

WhatthePersianknewofthistorture-chamberandwhattherebefellhimandhiscompanionshallbetoldinhisownwords，assetdowninamanuscriptwhichheleftbehindhim，andwhichIcopyVERBATIM。

ChapterXXIInterestingandInstructiveVicissitudesofaPersianintheCellarsoftheOperaTHEPERSIAN’SNARRATIVE

ItwasthefirsttimethatIenteredthehouseonthelake。

Ihadoftenbeggedthetrap-doorlover，asweusedtocallErikinmycountry，toopenitsmysteriousdoorstome。Healwaysrefused。

Imadeverymanyattempts，butinvain，toobtainadmittance。

WatchhimasImight，afterIfirstlearnedthathehadtakenuphispermanentabodeattheOpera，thedarknesswasalwaystoothicktoenablemetoseehowheworkedthedoorinthewallonthelake。

Oneday，whenIthoughtmyselfalone，IsteppedintotheboatandrowedtowardthatpartofthewallthroughwhichIhadseenErikdisappear。ItwasthenthatIcameintocontactwiththesirenwhoguardedtheapproachandwhosecharmwasverynearlyfataltome。

IhadnosoonerputofffromthebankthanthesilenceamidwhichI

floatedonthewaterwasdisturbedbyasortofwhisperedsingingthathoveredallaroundme。Itwashalfbreath，halfmusic。

itrosesoftlyfromthewatersofthelake。andIwassurroundedbyitthroughIknewnotwhatartifice。Itfollowedme，movedwithmeandwassosoftthatitdidnotalarmme。Onthecontrary，inmylongingtoapproachthesourceofthatsweetandenticingharmony，Ileanedoutofmylittleboatoverthewater，fortherewasnodoubtinmymindthatthesingingcamefromthewateritself。Bythistime，Iwasaloneintheboatinthemiddleofthelake。thevoice——

foritwasnowdistinctlyavoice——wasbesideme，onthewater。

Ileanedover，leanedstillfarther。Thelakewasperfectlycalm，andamoonbeamthatpassedthroughtheairholeintheRueScribeshowedmeabsolutelynothingonitssurface，whichwassmoothandblackasink。Ishookmyearstogetridofapossiblehumming。

butIsoonhadtoaccctthefactthattherewasnohummingintheearssoharmoniousasthesingingwhisperthatfollowedandnowattractedme。

HadIbeeninclinedtosuperstition，IshouldhavecertainlythoughtthatIhadtodowithsomesirenwhosebusinessitwastoconfoundthetravelerwhoshouldventureonthewatersofthehouseonthelake。Fortunately，Icomefromacountrywherewearetoofondoffantasticthingsnottoknowthemthroughandthrough。

andIhadnodoubtbutthatIwasfacetofacewithsomenewinventionofErik’s。Butthisinventionwassoperfectthat，asIleanedoutoftheboat，Iwasimpelledlessbyadesiretodiscoveritstrickthantoenjoyitscharm。andIleanedout，leanedoutuntilIalmostoverturnedtheboat。

Suddenly，twomonstrousarmsissuedfromthebosomofthewatersandseizedmebytheneck，draggingmedowntothedepthswithirresistibleforce。Ishouldcertainlyhavebeenlost，ifIhadnothadtimetogiveacrybywhichErikknewme。

Foritwashe。and，insteadofdrowningme，aswascertainlyhisfirstintention，heswamwithmeandlaidmegentlyonthebank：

Howimprudentyouare！hesaid，ashestoodbeforeme，drippingwithwater。

Whytrytoentermyhouse？Ineverinvitedyou！Idon’twantyouthere，noranybody！Didyousavemylifeonlytomakeitunbearabletome？

Howevergreattheserviceyourenderedhim，Erikmayendbyforgettingit。andyouknowthatnothingcanrestrainErik，notevenErikhimself。

Hespoke，butIhadnownootherwishthantoknowwhatIalreadycalledthetrickofthesiren。Hesatisfiedmycuriosity，forErik，whoisarealmonster——IhaveseenhimatworkinPersia，alas——isalso，incertainrespects，aregularchild，vainandself-conceited，andthereisnothinghelovessomuch，afterastonishingpeople，astoproveallthereallymiraculousingenuityofhismind。

Helaughedandshowedmealongreed。

It’sthesilliesttrickyoueversaw，hesaid，butit’sveryusefulforbreathingandsinginginthewater。IlearneditfromtheTonkinpirates，whoareabletoremainhiddenforhoursinthebedsoftherivers。[8]——

[8]AnofficialreportfromTonkin，receivedinParisattheendofJuly，1909，relateshowthefamouspiratechiefDeThamwastracked，togetherwithhismen，byoursoldiers。andhowallofthemsucceededinescaping，thankstothistrickofthereeds。

Ispoketohimseverely。

It’satrickthatnearlykilledme！Isaid。Anditmayhavebeenfataltoothers！Youknowwhatyoupromisedme，Erik？

Nomoremurders！

HaveIreallycommittedmurders？heasked，puttingonhismostamiableair。

Wretchedman！Icried。HaveyouforgottentherosyhoursofMazenderan？

Yes，hereplied，inasaddertone，Iprefertoforgetthem。

Iusedtomakethelittlesultanalaugh，though！

Allthatbelongstothepast，Ideclared。butthereisthepresent……andyouareresponsibletomeforthepresent，because，ifIhadwished，therewouldhavebeennoneatallforyou。

Rememberthat，Erik：Isavedyourlife！

AndItookadvantageoftheturnofconversationtospeaktohimofsomethingthathadlongbeenonmymind：

Erik，Iasked，Erik，swearthat……

What？heretorted。YouknowIneverkeepmyoaths。Oathsaremadetocatchgullswith。

Tellme……youcantellme，atanyrate……

Well？

Well，thechandelier……thechandelier，Erik？……

Whataboutthechandelier？

YouknowwhatImean。

Oh，hesniggered，Idon’tmindtellingyouaboutthechandelier！……ITWASN’TI！……Thechandelierwasveryoldandworn。

WhenEriklaughed，hewasmoreterriblethanever。Hejumpedintotheboat，chucklingsohorriblythatIcouldnothelptrembling。

Veryoldandworn，mydeardaroga！[9]Veryoldandworn，thechandelier！……Itfellofitself！……Itcamedownwithasmash！……Andnow，daroga，takemyadviceandgoanddryyourself，oryou’llcatchacoldinthehead！……

Andnevergetintomyboatagain……And，whateveryoudo，don’ttrytoentermyhouse：I’mnotalwaysthere……daroga！

AndIshouldbesorrytohavetodedicatemyRequiemMasstoyou！——

[9]DAROGAisPersianforchiefofpolice。

Sosaying，swingingtoandfro，likeamonkey，andstillchuckling，hepushedoffandsoondisappearedinthedarknessofthelake。

Fromthatday，Igaveupallthoughtofpenetratingintohishousebythelake。Thatentrancewasobviouslytoowellguarded，especiallysincehehadlearnedthatIknewaboutit。ButIfeltthattheremustbeanotherentrance，forIhadoftenseenErikdisappearinthethirdcellar，whenIwaswatchinghim，thoughI

couldnotimaginehow。

EversinceIhaddiscoveredErikinstalledintheOpera，Ilivedinaperpetualterrorofhishorriblefancies，notinsofarasI

wasconcerned，butIdreadedeverythingforothers。[10]——

[10]ThePersianmighteasilyhaveadmittedthatErik’sfatealsointerestedhimself，forhewaswellawarethat，ifthegovernmentofTeheranhadlearnedthatErikwasstillalive，itwouldhavebeenallupwiththemodestpensionoftheerstwhiledaroga。

Itisonlyfair，however，toaddthathePersianhadanobleandgenerousheart。andIdonotdoubtforamomentthatthecatastropheswhichhefearedforothersgreatlyoccupiedhismind。Hisconduct，throughoutthisbusiness，provesitandisaboveallpraise。

Andwheneversomeaccident，somefataleventhappened，Ialwaysthoughttomyself，IshouldnotbesurprisedifthatwereErik，

evenasothersusedtosay，It’stheghost！HowoftenhaveI

notheardpeopleutterthatphrasewithasmile！Poordevils！

Iftheyhadknownthattheghostexistedintheflesh，Isweartheywouldnothavelaughed！

AlthoughErikannouncedtomeverysolemnlythathehadchangedandthathehadbecomethemostvirtuousofmenSINCEHEWASLOVED

FORHIMSELF——asentencethat，atfirst，perplexedmemostterribly——

IcouldnothelpshudderingwhenIthoughtofthemonster。

Hishorrible，unparalleledandrepulsiveuglinessputhimwithoutthepaleofhumanity。anditoftenseemedtomethat，forthisreason，henolongerbelievedthathehadanydutytowardthehumanrace。

Thewayinwhichhespokeofhisloveaffairsonlyincreasedmyalarm，forIforesawthecauseoffreshandmorehideoustragediesinthiseventtowhichhealludedsoboastfully。

Ontheotherhand，IsoondiscoveredthecuriousmoraltrafficestablishedbetweenthemonsterandChristineDaae。Hidinginthelumber-roomnexttotheyoungprimadonna’sdressing-room，IlistenedtowonderfulmusicaldisplaysthatevidentlyflungChristineintomarvelousecstasy。but，allthesame，IwouldneverhavethoughtthatErik’svoice——whichwasloudasthunderorsoftasangels’voices，atwill——couldhavemadeherforgethisugliness。IunderstoodallwhenIlearnedthatChristinehadnotyetseenhim！Ihadoccasiontogotothedressing-roomand，rememberingthelessonshehadoncegivenme，IhadnodifficultyindiscoveringthetrickthatmadethewallwiththemirrorswingroundandIascertainedthemeansofhollowbricksandsoon——bywhichhemadehisvoicecarrytoChristineasthoughshehearditclosebesideher。InthiswayalsoIdiscoveredtheroadthatledtothewellandthedungeon——

theCommunists’dungeon——andalsothetrap-doorthatenabledEriktogostraighttothecellarsbelowthestage。

Afewdayslater，whatwasnotmyamazementtolearnbymyowneyesandearsthatErikandChristineDaaesaweachotherandtocatchthemonsterstoopingoverthelittlewell，intheCommunists’

roadandsprinklingtheforeheadofChristineDaae，whohadfainted。

Awhitehorse，thehorseoutofthePROFETA，whichhaddisappearedfromthestablesundertheOpera，wasstandingquietlybesidethem。

Ishowedmyself。Itwasterrible。Isawsparksflyfromthoseyelloweyesand，beforeIhadtimetosayaword，Ireceivedablowontheheadthatstunnedme。

WhenIcametomyself，Erik，Christineandthewhitehorsehaddisappeared。

Ifeltsurethatthepoorgirlwasaprisonerinthehouseonthelake。Withouthesitation，Iresolvedtoreturntothebank，notwithstandingtheattendantdanger。Fortwenty-fourhours，Ilayinwaitforthemonstertoappear。forIfeltthathemustgoout，drivenbytheneedofobtainingprovisions。And，inthisconnection，Imaysay，that，whenhewentoutinthestreetsorventuredtoshowhimselfinpublic，heworeapasteboardnose，withamustacheattachedtoit，insteadofhisownhorribleholeofanose。

Thisdidnotquitetakeawayhiscorpse-likeair，butitmadehimalmost，Isayalmost，endurabletolookat。

Ithereforewatchedonthebankofthelakeand，wearyoflongwaiting，wasbeginningtothinkthathehadgonethroughtheotherdoor，thedoorinthethirdcellar，whenIheardaslightsplashinginthedark，Isawthetwoyelloweyesshininglikecandlesandsoontheboattouchedshore。Erikjumpedoutandwalkeduptome：

You’vebeenherefortwenty-fourhours，hesaid，andyou’reannoyingme。Itellyou，allthiswillendverybadly。Andyouwillhavebroughtituponyourself。forIhavebeenextraordinarilypatientwithyou。Youthinkyouarefollowingme，yougreatbooby，whereasit’sIwhoamfollowingyou。andIknowallthatyouknowaboutme，here。Isparedyouyesterday，inMYCOMMUNISTS’ROAD。

butIwarnyou，seriously，don’tletmecatchyouthereagain！

Uponmyword，youdon’tseemabletotakeahint！

HewassofuriousthatIdidnotthink，forthemoment，ofinterruptinghim。Afterpuffingandblowinglikeawalrus，heputhishorriblethoughtintowords：

Yes，youmustlearn，onceandforall——onceandforall，Isay——

totakeahint！Itellyouthat，withyourrecklessness——foryouhavealreadybeentwicearrestedbytheshadeinthefelthat，whodidnotknowwhatyouweredoinginthecellarsandtookyoutothemanagers，wholookeduponyouasaneccentricPersianinterestedinstagemechanismandlifebehindthescenes：Iknowallaboutit，Iwasthere，intheoffice。youknowIameverywhere——well，Itellyouthat，withyourrecklessness，theywillendbywonderingwhatyouareafterhere……andtheywillendbyknowingthatyouareafterErik……andthentheywillbeafterErikthemselvesandtheywilldiscoverthehouseonthelake……Iftheydo，itwillbeabadlookoutforyou，oldchap，abadlookout！……

won’tanswerforanything。

Againhepuffedandblewlikeawalrus。

Iwon’tanswerforanything！……IfErik’ssecretsceasetobeErik’ssecrets，ITWILLBEABADLOOKOUTFORAGOODLYNUMBER

OFTHEHUMANRACE！That’sallIhavetotellyou，andunlessyouareagreatbooby，itoughttobeenoughforyou……exceptthatyoudon’tknowhowtotakeahint。

Hehadsatdownonthesternofhisboatandwaskickinghisheelsagainsttheplanks，waitingtohearwhatIhadtoanswer。

Isimplysaid：

It’snotErikthatI’mafterhere！

Whothen？

YouknowaswellasIdo：it’sChristineDaae，Ianswered。

Heretorted：Ihaveeveryrighttoseeherinmyownhouse。

Iamlovedformyownsake。

That’snottrue，Isaid。Youhavecarriedheroffandarekeepingherlockedup。

Listen，hesaid。Willyoupromisenevertomeddlewithmyaffairsagain，ifIprovetoyouthatIamlovedformyownsake？

Yes，Ipromiseyou，Ireplied，withouthesitation，forIfeltconvincedthatforsuchamonstertheproofwasimpossible。

Well，then，it’squitesimple……ChristineDaaeshallleavethisasshepleasesandcomebackagain！……Yes，comebackagain，becauseshewishes……comebackofherself，becauseshelovesmeformyself！……

Oh，Idoubtifshewillcomeback！……Butitisyourdutytolethergo。Myduty，yougreatbooby！……Itismywish……

mywishtolethergo。andshewillcomebackagain……forshelovesme！……Allthiswillendinamarriage……amarriageattheMadeleine，yougreatbooby！Doyoubelievemenow？

WhenItellyouthatmynuptialmassiswritten……waittillyouheartheKYRIE……

Hebeattimewithhisheelsontheplanksoftheboatandsang：

KYRIE！……KYRIE！……KYRIEELEISON！……Waittillyouhear，waittillyouhearthatmass。

Lookhere，Isaid。IshallbelieveyouifIseeChristineDaaecomeoutofthehouseonthelakeandgobacktoitofherownaccord。

Andyouwon’tmeddleanymoreinmyaffairs？

No。

Verywell，youshallseethatto-night。Cometothemaskedball。

ChristineandIwillgoandhavealookround。Thenyoucanhideinthelumber-roomandyoushallseeChristine，whowillhavegonetoherdressing-room，delightedtocomebackbytheCommunists’road……And，now，beoff，forImustgoanddosomeshopping！

Tomyintenseastonishment，thingshappenedashehadannounced。

ChristineDaaeleftthehouseonthelakeandreturnedtoitseveraltimes，without，apparently，beingforcedtodoso。ItwasverydifficultformetoclearmymindofErik。However，Iresolvedtobeextremelyprudent，anddidnotmakethemistakeofreturningtotheshoreofthelake，orofgoingbytheCommunists’road。

Buttheideaofthesecretentranceinthethirdcellarhauntedme，andIrepeatedlywentandwaitedforhoursbehindascenefromtheRoideLahore，whichhadbeenleftthereforsomereasonorother。

Atlastmypatiencewasrewarded。Oneday，Isawthemonstercometowardme，onhisknees。Iwascertainthathecouldnotseeme。

HepassedbetweenthescenebehindwhichIstoodandasetpiece，wenttothewallandpressedonaspringthatmovedastoneandaffordedhimaningress。Hepassedthroughthis，andthestoneclosedbehindhim。

Iwaitedforatleastthirtyminutesandthenpressedthespringinmyturn。EverythinghappenedaswithErik。ButIwascarefulnottogothroughtheholemyself，forIknewthatErikwasinside。

Ontheotherhand，theideathatImightbecaughtbyEriksuddenlymademethinkofthedeathofJosephBuquet。Ididnotwishtojeopardizetheadvantagesofsogreatadiscoverywhichmightbeusefultomanypeople，toagoodlynumberofthehumanrace，

inErik’swords。andIleftthecellarsoftheOperaaftercarefullyreplacingthestone。

IcontinuedtobegreatlyinterestedintherelationsbetweenErikandChristineDaae，notfromanymorbidcuriosity，butbecauseoftheterriblethoughtwhichobsessedmymindthatErikwascapableofanything，ifheoncediscoveredthathewasnotlovedforhisownsake，asheimagined。Icontinuedtowander，verycautiously，abouttheOperaandsoonlearnedthetruthaboutthemonster’sdrearylove-affair。

HefilledChristine’smind，throughtheterrorwithwhichheinspiredher，butthedearchild’sheartbelongedwhollytotheVicomteRaouldeChagny。Whiletheyplayedabout，likeaninnocentengagedcouple，ontheupperfloorsoftheOpera，toavoidthemonster，theylittlesuspectedthatsomeonewaswatchingoverthem。

Iwaspreparedtodoanything：tokillthemonster，ifnecessary，andexplaintothepoliceafterward。ButErikdidnotshowhimself。

andIfeltnonethemorecomfortableforthat。

Imustexplainmywholeplan。Ithoughtthatthemonster，beingdrivenfromhishousebyjealousy，wouldthusenablemetoenterit，withoutdanger，throughthepassageinthethirdcellar。

Itwasimportant，foreverybody’ssake，thatIshouldknowexactlywhatwasinside。Oneday，tiredofwaitingforanopportunity，Imovedthestoneandatonceheardanastoundingmusic：

themonsterwasworkingathisDonJuanTriumphant，witheverydoorinhishousewideopen。Iknewthatthiswastheworkofhislife。

Iwascarefulnottostirandremainedprudentlyinmydarkhole。

Hestoppedplaying，foramoment，andbeganwalkingabouthisplace，likeamadman。Andhesaidaloud，atthetopofhisvoice：

ItmustbefinishedFIRST！Quitefinished！

Thisspeechwasnotcalculatedtoreassuremeand，whenthemusicrecommenced，Iclosedthestoneverysoftly。

OnthedayoftheabductionofChristineDaae，Ididnotcometothetheateruntilratherlateintheevening，tremblinglestI

shouldhearbadnews。Ihadspentahorribleday，for，afterreadinginamorningpapertheannouncementofaforthcomingmarriagebetweenChristineandtheVicomtedeChagny，Iwonderedwhether，afterall，Ishouldnotdobettertodenouncethemonster。

Butreasonreturnedtome，andIwaspersuadedthatthisactioncouldonlyprecipitateapossiblecatastrophe。

When，mycabsetmedownbeforetheOpera，Iwasreallyalmostastonishedtoseeitstillstanding！ButIamsomethingofafatalist，likeallgoodOrientals，andIenteredready，foranything。

ChristineDaae’sabductioninthePrisonAct，whichnaturallysurprisedeverybody，foundmeprepared。IwasquitecertainthatshehadbeenjuggledawaybyErik，thatprinceofconjurers。

AndIthoughtpositivelythatthiswastheendofChristineandperhapsofeverybody，somuchsothatIthoughtofadvisingallthesepeoplewhowerestayingonatthetheatertomakegoodtheirescape。

Ifelt，however，thattheywouldbesuretolookuponmeasmadandIrefrained。

Ontheotherhand，Iresolvedtoactwithoutfurtherdelay，asfarasIwasconcerned。ThechanceswereinmyfavorthatErik，atthatmoment，wasthinkingonlyofhiscaptive。Thiswasthemomenttoenterhishousethroughthethirdcellar。andIresolvedtotakewithmethatpoorlittledesperateviscount，who，atthefirstsuggestion，accepted，withanamountofconfidenceinmyselfthattouchedmeprofoundly。Ihadsentmyservantformypistols。

Igaveonetotheviscountandadvisedhimtoholdhimselfreadytofire，for，afterall，Erikmightbewaitingforusbehindthewall。

WeweretogobytheCommunists’roadandthroughthetrap-door。

Seeingmypistols，thelittleviscountaskedmeifweweregoingtofightaduel。Isaid：

Yes。andwhataduel！But，ofcourse，Ihadnotimetoexplainanythingtohim。Thelittleviscountisabravefellow，butheknewhardlyanythingabouthisadversary。anditwassomuchthebetter。Mygreatfearwasthathewasalreadysomewherenearus，preparingthePunjablasso。NooneknowsbetterthanhehowtothrowthePunjablasso，forheisthekingofstranglersevenasheistheprinceofconjurors。Whenhehadfinishedmakingthelittlesultanalaugh，atthetimeoftherosyhoursofMazenderan，

sheherselfusedtoaskhimtoamuseherbygivingherathrill。

ItwasthenthatheintroducedthesportofthePunjablasso。

HehadlivedinIndiaandacquiredanincredibleskillintheartofstrangulation。Hewouldmakethemlockhimintoacourtyardtowhichtheybroughtawarrior——usually，amancondemnedtodeath——

armedwithalongpikeandbroadsword。Erikhadonlyhislasso。

anditwasalwaysjustwhenthewarriorthoughtthathewasgoingtofellErikwithatremendousblowthatweheardthelassowhistlethroughtheair。Withaturnofthewrist，Eriktightenedthenooseroundhisadversary’sneckand，inthisfashion，draggedhimbeforethelittlesultanaandherwomen，whosatlookingfromawindowandapplauding。ThelittlesultanaherselflearnedtowieldthePunjablassoandkilledseveralofherwomenandevenofthefriendswhovisitedher。ButIprefertodropthisterriblesubjectoftherosyhoursofMazenderan。Ihavementioneditonlytoexplainwhy，onarrivingwiththeVicomtedeChagnyinthecellarsoftheOpera，Iwasboundtoprotectmycompanionagainsttheever-threateningdangerofdeathbystrangling。Mypistolscouldservenopurpose，forErikwasnotlikelytoshowhimself。butErikcouldalwaysstrangleus。Ihadnotimetoexplainallthistotheviscount。

besides，therewasnothingtobegainedbycomplicatingtheposition。

IsimplytoldM。deChagnytokeephishandatthelevelofhiseyes，withthearmbent，asthoughwaitingforthecommandtofire。

Withhisvictiminthisattitude，itisimpossibleevenforthemostexpertstranglertothrowthelassowithadvantage。

Itcatchesyounotonlyroundtheneck，butalsoroundthearmorhand。Thisenablesyoueasilytounloosethelasso，whichthenbecomesharmless。

Afteravoidingthecommissaryofpolice，anumberofdoor-shuttersandthefiremen，aftermeetingtherat-catcherandpassingthemaninthefelthatunperceived，theviscountandIarrivedwithoutobstacleinthethirdcellar，betweenthesetpieceandthescenefromtheRoideLahore。Iworkedthestone，andwejumpedintothehousewhichErikhadbuilthimselfinthedoublecaseofthefoundation-wallsoftheOpera。Andthiswastheeasiestthingintheworldforhimtodo，becauseErikwasoneofthechiefcontractorsunderPhilippeGarnier，thearchitectoftheOpera，andcontinuedtoworkbyhimselfwhentheworkswereofficiallysuspended，duringthewar，thesiegeofParisandtheCommune。

IknewmyEriktoowelltofeelatallcomfortableonjumpingintohishouse。IknewwhathehadmadeofacertainpalaceatMazenderan。

Frombeingthemosthonestbuildingconceivable，hesoonturneditintoahouseoftheverydevil，whereyoucouldnotutterawordbutitwasoverheardorrepeatedbyanecho。Withhistrap-doorsthemonsterwasresponsibleforendlesstragediesofallkinds。

Hehituponastonishinginventions。Ofthese，themostcurious，horribleanddangerouswastheso-calledtorture-chamber。Exceptinspecialcases，whenthelittlesultanaamusedherselfbyinflictingsufferinguponsomeunoffendingcitizen，noonewasletintoitbutwretchescondemnedtodeath。And，eventhen，whenthesehadhadenough，theywerealwaysatlibertytoputanendtothemselveswithaPunjablassoorbowstring，leftfortheiruseatthefootofanirontree。

Myalarm，therefore，wasgreatwhenIsawthattheroomintowhichM。leVicomtedeChagnyandIhaddroppedwasanexactcopyofthetorture-chamberoftherosyhoursofMazenderan。

Atourfeet，IfoundthePunjablassowhichIhadbeendreadingalltheevening。IwasconvincedthatthisropehadalreadydonedutyforJosephBuquet，who，likemyself，musthavecaughtErikoneeveningworkingthestoneinthethirdcellar。Heprobablytrieditinhisturn，fellintothetorture-chamberandonlyleftithanged。

IcanwellimagineErikdraggingthebody，inordertogetridofit，tothescenefromtheRoideLahore，andhangingitthereasanexample，ortoincreasethesuperstitiousterrorthatwastohelphiminguardingtheapproachestohislair！Then，uponreflection，ErikwentbacktofetchthePunjablasso，whichisverycuriouslymadeoutofcatgut，andwhichmighthavesetanexaminingmagistratethinking。Thisexplainsthedisappearanceoftherope。

AndnowIdiscoveredthelasso，atourfeet，inthetorture-chamber！……Iamnocoward，butacoldsweatcoveredmyforeheadasI

movedthelittlereddiskofmylanternoverthewalls。

M。deChagnynoticeditandasked：

Whatisthematter，sir？

Imadehimaviolentsigntobesilent。

ChapterXXIIIntheTortureChamberTHEPERSIAN’SNARRATIVECONTINUED

Wewereinthemiddleofalittlesix-corneredroom，thesidesofwhichwerecoveredwithmirrorsfromtoptobottom。

Inthecorners，wecouldclearlyseethejoinsintheglasses，thesegmentsintendedtoturnontheirgear。yes，IrecognizedthemandIrecognizedtheirontreeinthecorner，atthebottomofoneofthosesegments……theirontree，withitsironbranch，forthehangedmen。

Iseizedmycompanion’sarm：theVicomtedeChagnywasalla-quiver，eagertoshouttohisbetrothedthathewasbringingherhelp。

Ifearedthathewouldnotbeabletocontainhimself。

Suddenly，weheardanoiseonourleft。Itsoundedatfirstlikeadooropeningandshuttinginthenextroom。andthentherewasadullmoan。IclutchedM。deChagny’sarmmorefirmlystill。

andthenwedistinctlyheardthesewords：

Youmustmakeyourchoice！Theweddingmassortherequiemmass！

Irecognizedthevoiceofthemonster。

Therewasanothermoan，followedbyalongsilence。

Iwaspersuadedbynowthatthemonsterwasunawareofourpresenceinhishouse，forotherwisehewouldcertainlyhavemanagednottoletushearhim。Hewouldonlyhavehadtoclosethelittleinvisiblewindowthroughwhichthetorture-loverslookdownintothetorture-chamber。Besides，Iwascertainthat，ifhehadknownofourpresence，thetortureswouldhavebegunatonce。

Theimportantthingwasnottolethimknow。andIdreadednothingsomuchastheimpulsivenessoftheVicomtedeChagny，whowantedtorushthroughthewallstoChristineDaae，whosemoanswecontinuedtohearatintervals。

Therequiemmassisnotatallgay，Erik’svoiceresumed，whereastheweddingmass——youcantakemywordforit——ismagnificent！

Youmusttakearesolutionandknowyourownmind！Ican’tgoonlivinglikethis，likeamoleinaburrow！DonJuanTriumphantisfinished。andnowIwanttolivelikeeverybodyelse。IwanttohaveawifelikeeverybodyelseandtotakeheroutonSundays。

Ihaveinventedamaskthatmakesmelooklikeanybody。Peoplewillnoteventurnroundinthestreets。Youwillbethehappiestofwomen。

Andwewillsing，allbyourselves，tillweswoonawaywithdelight。

Youarecrying！Youareafraidofme！AndyetIamnotreallywicked。

Lovemeandyoushallsee！AllIwantedwastobelovedformyself。

IfyoulovedmeIshouldbeasgentleasalamb。andyoucoulddoanythingwithmethatyoupleased。

Soonthemoansthataccompaniedthissortoflove’slitanyincreasedandincreased。Ihaveneverheardanythingmoredespairing。

andM。deChagnyandIrecognizedthatthisterriblelamentationcamefromErikhimself。Christineseemedtobestandingdumbwithhorror，withoutthestrengthtocryout，whilethemonsterwasonhiskneesbeforeher。

Threetimesover，Erikfiercelybewailedhisfate：

Youdon’tloveme！Youdon’tloveme！Youdon’tloveme！

Andthen，moregently：

Whydoyoucry？Youknowitgivesmepaintoseeyoucry！

Asilence。

Eachsilencegaveusfreshhope。Wesaidtoourselves：

PerhapshehasleftChristinebehindthewall。

AndwethoughtonlyofthepossibilityofwarningChristineDaaeofourpresence，unknowntothemonster。Wewereunabletoleavethetorture-chambernow，unlessChristineopenedthedoortous。

anditwasonlyonthisconditionthatwecouldhopetohelpher，forwedidnotevenknowwherethedoormightbe。

Suddenly，thesilenceinthenextroomwasdisturbedbytheringingofanelectricbell。TherewasaboundontheothersideofthewallandErik’svoiceofthunder：

Somebodyringing！Walkin，please！

Asinisterchuckle。

Whohascomebotheringnow？Waitformehere……IAMGOING

TOTELLTHESIRENTOOPENTHEDOOR。

Stepsmovedaway，adoorclosed。Ihadnotimetothinkofthefreshhorrorthatwaspreparing。Iforgotthatthemonsterwasonlygoingoutperhapstoperpetrateafreshcrime。Iunderstoodbutonething：

Christinewasalonebehindthewall！

TheVicomtedeChagnywasalreadycallingtoher：

Christine！Christine！

Aswecouldhearwhatwassaidinthenextroom，therewasnoreasonwhymycompanionshouldnotbeheardinhisturn。

Nevertheless，theviscounthadtorepeathiscrytimeaftertime。

Atlast，afaintvoicereachedus。

Iamdreaming！itsaid。

Christine，Christine，itisI，Raoul！

Asilence。

Butanswerme，Christine！……InHeaven’sname，ifyouarealone，answerme！

ThenChristine’svoicewhisperedRaoul’sname。

Yes！Yes！ItisI！Itisnotadream！……Christine，trustme！……Weareheretosaveyou……butbeprudent！

Whenyouhearthemonster，warnus！

ThenChristinegavewaytofear。ShetrembledlestErikshoulddiscoverwhereRaoulwashidden。shetoldusinafewhurriedwordsthatErikhadgonequitemadwithloveandthathehaddecidedTO

KILLEVERYBODYANDHIMSELFWITHEVERYBODYifshedidnotconsenttobecomehiswife。Hehadgivenhertilleleveno’clockthenexteveningforreflection。Itwasthelastrespite。Shemustchoose，ashesaid，betweentheweddingmassandtherequiem。

AndErikhadthenutteredaphrasewhichChristinedidnotquiteunderstand：

Yesorno！Ifyouranswerisno，everybodywillbedeadANDBURIED！

ButIunderstoodthesentenceperfectly，foritcorrespondedinaterriblemannerwithmyowndreadfulthought。

CanyoutelluswhereErikis？Iasked。

Sherepliedthathemusthaveleftthehouse。

Couldyoumakesure？

No。Iamfastened。Icannotstiralimb。

Whenweheardthis，M。deChagnyandIgaveayelloffury。

Oursafety，thesafetyofallthreeofus，dependedonthegirl’slibertyofmovement。

Butwhereareyou？askedChristine。Thereareonlytwodoorsinmyroom，theLouis-PhilipperoomofwhichItoldyou，Raoul。adoorthroughwhichErikcomesandgoes，andanotherwhichhehasneveropenedbeforemeandwhichhehasforbiddenmeevertogothrough，becausehesaysitisthemostdangerousofthedoors，thedoorofthetorture-chamher！

Christine，thatiswhereweare！

Youareinthetorture-chamber？

Yes，butwecannotseethedoor。

Oh！ifIcouldonlydragmyselfsofar！Iwouldknockatthedoorandthatwouldtellyouwhereitis。

Isitadoorwithalocktoit？Iasked。

Yes，withalock。

Mademoiselle，Isaid，itisabsolutelynecessary，thatyoushouldopenthatdoortous！

Buthow？askedthepoorgirltearfully。

Weheardherstraining，tryingtofreeherselffromthebondsthatheldher。

Iknowwherethekeyis，shesaid，inavoicethatseemedexhaustedbytheeffortshehadmade。ButIamfastenedsotight……Oh，thewretch！

Andshegaveasob。

Whereisthekey？Iasked，signingtoM。deChagnynottospeakandtoleavethebusinesstome，forwehadnotamomenttolose。

Inthenextroom，neartheorgan，withanotherlittlebronzekey，whichhealsoforbademetotouch。Theyarebothinalittleleatherbagwhichhecallsthebagoflifeanddeath……Raoul！Raoul！Fly！Everythingismysteriousandterriblehere，andErikwillsoonhavegonequitemad，andyouareinthetorture-chamber！……Gobackbythewayyoucame。

Theremustbeareasonwhytheroomiscalledbythatname！

Christine，saidtheyoungman。wewillgofromheretogetherordietogether！

Wemustkeepcool，Iwhispered。Whyhashefastenedyou，mademoiselle？Youcan’tescapefromhishouse。andheknowsit！

Itriedtocommitsuicide！Themonsterwentoutlastnight，aftercarryingmeherefaintingandhalfchloroformed。HewasgoingTOHISBANKER，sohesaid！……Whenhereturnedhefoundmewithmyfacecoveredwithblood……Ihadtriedtokillmyselfbystrikingmyforeheadagainstthewalls。

Christine！groanedRaoul。andhebegantosob。

Thenheboundme……Iamnotallowedtodieuntileleveno’clockto-morrowevening。

Mademoiselle，Ideclared，themonsterboundyou……andheshallunbindyou。Youhaveonlytoplaythenecessarypart！

Rememberthathelovesyou！

Alas！weheard。AmIlikelytoforgetit！

Rememberitandsmiletohim……entreathim……tellhimthatyourbondshurtyou。

ButChristineDaaesaid：

Hush！……Ihearsomethinginthewallonthelake！……Itishe！……Goaway！Goaway！Goaway！

Wecouldnotgoaway，evenifwewantedto，Isaid，asimpressivelyasIcould。Wecannotleavethis！Andweareinthetorture-chamber！

Hush！whisperedChristineagain。

Heavystepssoundedslowlybehindthewall，thenstoppedandmadethefloorcreakoncemore。Nextcameatremendoussigh，followedbyacryofhorrorfromChristine，andweheardErik’svoice：

Ibegyourpardonforlettingyouseeafacelikethis！

WhatastateIamin，amInot？It’sTHEOTHERONE’SFAULT！

Whydidhering？DoIaskpeoplewhopasstotellmethetime？

Hewillneveraskanybodythetimeagain！Itisthesiren’sfault。

{twopagecolorillustration}

Anothersigh，deeper，moretremendousstill，camefromtheabysmaldepthsofasoul。

Whydidyoucryout，Christine？

BecauseIaminpain，Erik。

IthoughtIhadfrightenedyou。

Erik，unloosemybonds……AmInotyourprisoner？

Youwilltrytokillyourselfagain。

Youhavegivenmetilleleveno’clockto-morrowevening，Erik。

Thefootstepsdraggedalongtheflooragain。

Afterall，aswearetodietogether……andIamjustaseagerasyou……yes，Ihavehadenoughofthislife，youknow……Wait，don’tmove，Iwillreleaseyou……Youhaveonlyonewordtosay：`NO！’AnditwillatoncebeoverWITHEVERYBODY！……Youareright，youareright。whywaittilleleveno’clockto-morrowevening？True，itwouldhavebeengrander，finer……Butthatischildishnonsense……Weshouldonlythinkofourselvesinthislife，ofourowndeath……therestdoesn’tmatter……YOU’RELOOKINGATMEBECAUSEIAMALLWET？……Oh，mydear，it’srainingcatsanddogsoutside！……Apartfromthat，Christine，IthinkIamsubjecttohallucinations……Youknow，themanwhorangatthesiren’sdoorjustnow——goandlookifhe’sringingatthebottomofthelake-well，hewasratherlike……There，turnround……areyouglad？You’refreenow……Oh，mypoorChristine，lookatyourwrists：tellme，haveI

hurtthem？……Thatalonedeservesdeath……Talkingofdeath，IMUSTSINGHISREQUIEM！

Hearingtheseterribleremarks，Ireceivedanawfulpresentiment……Itoohadoncerungatthemonster’sdoor……and，withoutknowingit，musthavesetsomewarningcurrentinmotion。

AndIrememberedthetwoarmsthathademergedfromtheinkywaters……Whatpoorwretchhadstrayedtothatshorethistime？

Whowas`theotherone，’theonewhoserequiemwenowheardsung？

Eriksanglikethegodofthunder，sangaDIESIRAEthatenvelopedusasinastorm。Theelementsseemedtoragearoundus。

Suddenly，theorganandthevoiceceasedsosuddenlythatM。deChagnysprangback，ontheothersideofthewall，withemotion。

Andthevoice，changedandtransformed，distinctlygratedoutthesemetallicsyllables：WHATHAVEYOUDONEWITHMYBAG？

ChapterXXIIITheTorturesBeginTHEPERSIAN’SNARRATIVECONTINUED。

Thevoicerepeatedangrily：Whathaveyoudonewithmybag？

Soitwastotakemybagthatyouaskedmetoreleaseyou！

Weheardhurriedsteps，ChristinerunningbacktotheLouis-Philipperoom，asthoughtoseekshelterontheothersideofourwall。

Whatareyourunningawayfor？askedthefuriousvoice，whichhadfollowedher。Givemebackmybag，willyou？

Don’tyouknowthatitisthebagoflifeanddeath？

Listentome，Erik，sighedthegirl。Asitissettledthatwearetolivetogether……whatdifferencecanitmaketoyou？

Youknowthereareonlytwokeysinit，saidthemonster。

Whatdoyouwanttodo？

IwanttolookatthisroomwhichIhaveneverseenandwhichyouhavealwayskeptfromme……It’swoman’scuriosity！shesaid，inatonewhichshetriedtorenderplayful。

ButthetrickwastoochildishforEriktobetakeninbyit。

Idon’tlikecuriouswomen，heretorted，andyouhadbetterrememberthestoryofBLUE-BEARDandbecareful……Come，givemebackmybag！……Givemebackmybag！……Leavethekeyalone，willyou，youinquisitivelittlething？

Andhechuckled，whileChristinegaveacryofpain。Erikhadevidentlyrecoveredthebagfromher。

Atthatmoment，theviscountcouldnothelputteringanexclamationofimpotentrage。

Why，what’sthat？saidthemonster。Didyouhear，Christine？

No，no，repliedthepoorgirl。Iheardnothing。

IthoughtIheardacry。

Acry！Areyougoingmad，Erik？Whomdoyouexpecttogiveacry，inthishouse？……Icriedout，becauseyouhurtme！Iheardnothing。

Idon’tlikethewayyousaidthat！……You’retrembling……You’requiteexcited……You’relying！……Thatwasacry，therewasacry！……Thereissomeoneinthetorture-chamber！……

Ah，Iunderstandnow！

Thereisnoonethere，Erik！

Iunderstand！

Noone！

Themanyouwanttomarry，perhaps！

Idon’twanttomarryanybody，youknowIdon’t。

Anothernastychuckle。Well，itwon’ttakelongtofindout。

Christine，mylove，weneednotopenthedoortoseewhatishappeninginthetorture-chamber。Wouldyouliketosee？Wouldyouliketosee？Lookhere！Ifthereissomeone，ifthereisreallysomeonethere，youwillseetheinvisiblewindowlightupatthetop，neartheceiling。Weneedonlydrawtheblackcurtainandputoutthelightinhere。There，that’sit……Let’sputoutthelight！

You’renotafraidofthedark，whenyou’rewithyourlittlehusband！

ThenweheardChristine’svoiceofanguish：

No！……I’mfrightened！……Itellyou，I’mafraidofthedark！……

Idon’tcareaboutthatroomnow……You’realwaysfrighteningme，likeachild，withyourtorture-chamber！……AndsoIbecameinquisitive……ButIdon’tcareaboutitnow……notabit……notabit！

AndthatwhichIfearedaboveallthingsbegan，AUTOMATICALLY。

Weweresuddenlyfloodedwithlight！Yes，onoursideofthewall，everythingseemedaglow。TheVicomtedeChagnywassomuchtakenabackthathestaggered。Andtheangryvoiceroared：

Itoldyoutherewassomeone！Doyouseethewindownow？

Thelightedwindow，rightupthere？Themanbehindthewallcan’tseeit！Butyoushallgoupthefoldingsteps：thatiswhattheyaretherefor！……Youhaveoftenaskedmetotellyou。andnowyouknow！……Theyaretheretogiveapeepintothetorture-chamber……youinquisitivelittlething！

Whattortures？……Whoisbeingtortured？……Erik，Erik，sayyouareonlytryingtofrightenme！……Sayit，ifyouloveme，Erik！……Therearenotortures，arethere？

Goandlookatthelittlewindow，dear！

Idonotknowiftheviscountheardthegirl’sswooningvoice，forhewastoomuchoccupiedbytheastoundingspectaclethatnowappearedbeforehisdistractedgaze。Asforme，Ihadseenthatsighttoooften，throughthelittlewindow，atthetimeoftherosyhoursofMazenderan。andIcaredonlyforwhatwasbeingsaidnextdoor，seekingforahinthowtoact，whatresolutiontotake。

Goandpeepthroughthelittlewindow！Tellmewhathelookslike！

Weheardthestepsbeingdraggedagainstthewall。

Upwithyou！……No！……No，Iwillgoupmyself，dear！

Oh，verywell，Iwillgoup。Letmego！

Oh，mydarling，mydarling！……Howsweetofyou！……Howniceofyoutosavemetheexertionatmyage！……Tellmewhathelookslike！

Atthatmoment，wedistinctlyheardthesewordsaboveourheads：

Thereisnoonethere，dear！

Noone？……Areyousurethereisnoone？

Why，ofcoursenot……noone！

Well，that’sallright！……What’sthematter，Christine？

You’renotgoingtofaint，areyou……asthereisnoonethere？……

Here……comedown……there！……Pullyourselftogether……asthereisnoonethere！……BUTHOWDOYOULIKETHELANDSCAPE？

Oh，verymuch！

There，that’sbetter！……You’rebetternow，areyounot？……

That’sallright，you’rebetter！……Noexcitement！……Andwhatafunnyhouse，isn’tit，withlandscapeslikethatinit？

Yes，it’sliketheMuseeGrevin……But，say，Erik……therearenotorturesinthere！……Whatafrightyougaveme！

Why……asthereisnoonethere？

Didyoudesignthatroom？It’sveryhandsome。You’reagreatartist，Erik。

Yes，agreatartist，inmyownline。

Buttellme，Erik，whydidyoucallthatroomthetorture-chamber？

Oh，it’sverysimple。Firstofall，whatdidyousee？

Isawaforest。

Andwhatisinaforest？

Trees。

Andwhatisinatree？

Birds。

Didyouseeanybirds？

No，Ididnotseeanybirds。

Well，whatdidyousee？Think！YousawbranchesAndwhatarethebranches？askedtheterriblevoice。THERE’SAGIBBET！

ThatiswhyIcallmywoodthetorture-chamber！……Yousee，it’sallajoke。Ineverexpressmyselflikeotherpeople。

ButIamverytiredofit！……I’msickandtiredofhavingaforestandatorture-chamberinmyhouseandoflivinglikeamountebank，inahousewithafalsebottom！……I’mtiredofit！Iwanttohaveanice，quietflat，withordinarydoorsandwindowsandawifeinsideit，likeanybodyelse！AwifewhomIcouldloveandtakeoutonSundaysandkeepamusedonweek-days……Here，shallIshowyousomecard-tricks？Thatwillhelpustopassafewminutes，whilewaitingforeleveno’clockto-morrowevening……MydearlittleChristine！……Areyoulisteningtome？……Tellmeyouloveme！……

No，youdon’tloveme……butnomatter，youwill！……Once，youcouldnotlookatmymaskbecauseyouknewwhatwasbehind……Andnowyoudon’tmindlookingatitandyouforgetwhatisbehind！……Onecangetusedtoeverything……ifonewishes……Plentyofyoungpeoplewhodidnotcareforeachotherbeforemarriagehaveadoredeachothersince！Oh，Idon’tknowwhatIamtalkingabout！Butyouwouldhavelotsoffunwithme。

Forinstance，Iamthegreatestventriloquistthateverlived，Iamthefirstventriloquistintheworld！……You’relaughing……

Perhapsyoudon’tbelieveme？Listen。

Thewretch，whoreallywasthefirstventriloquistintheworld，wasonlytryingtodivertthechild’sattentionfromthetorture-chamber。

butitwasastupidscheme，forChristinethoughtofnothingbutus！

Sherepeatedlybesoughthim，inthegentlesttoneswhichshecouldassume：

Putoutthelightinthelittlewindow！……Erik，doputoutthelightinthelittlewindow！

Forshesawthatthislight，whichappearedsosuddenlyandofwhichthemonsterhadspokeninsothreateningavoice，mustmeansomethingterrible。Onethingmusthavepacifiedherforamoment。

andthatwasseeingthetwoofus，behindthewall，inthemidstofthatresplendentlight，aliveandwell。Butshewouldcertainlyhavefeltmucheasierifthelighthadbeenputout。

Meantime，theotherhadalreadybeguntoplaytheventriloquist。

Hesaid：

Here，Iraisemymaskalittle……Oh，onlyalittle！……

Youseemylips，suchlipsasIhave？They’renotmoving！……Mymouthisclosed——suchmouthasIhave——andyetyouhearmyvoice……Wherewillyouhaveit？Inyourleftear？Inyourrightear？

Inthetable？Inthoselittleebonyboxesonthemantelpiece？……

Listen，dear，it’sinthelittleboxontherightofthemantelpiece：

whatdoesitsay？`SHALLITURNTHESCORPION？’……Andnow，crack！

Whatdoesitsayinthelittleboxontheleft？`SHALLITURN

THEGRASSHOPPER？’……Andnow，crack！Hereitisinthelittleleatherbag……Whatdoesitsay？`IAMTHELITTLEBAGOFLIFE

ANDDEATH！’……Andnow，crack！ItisinCarlotta’sthroat，inCarlotta’sgoldenthroat，inCarlotta’scrystalthroat，asIlive！

Whatdoesitsay？Itsays，`It’sI，Mr。Toad，it’sIsinging！

IFEELWITHOUTALARM——CO-ACK——WITHITSMELODYENWINDME——CO-ACK！’……

Andnow，crack！Itisonachairintheghost’sboxanditsays，`MADAMECARLOTTAISSINGINGTO-NIGHTTOBRINGTHECHANDELIERDOWN！’……Andnow，crack！Aha！WhereisErik’svoicenow？