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。privateandaccompaniedbyanotefromO。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。