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！
　　{twopagecolorillustration}
　　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]