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。