[7]Thesetwopairsofboots，whichwereplaced，accordingtothePersian’spapers，justbetweenthesetpieceandthescenefromtheROIDELAHORE，onthespotwhereJosephBuquetwasfoundhanging，wereneverdiscovered。
Theymusthavebeentakenbysomestage-carpenterordoor-shutter。
Hecrawledalittlefartheronhisknees，thenturnedrightroundandsaid：
IamgoingtohangbymyhandsfromtheedgeofthestoneandletmyselfdropINTOHISHOUSE。Youmustdoexactlythesame。
Donotbeafraid。Iwillcatchyouinmyarms。
Raoulsoonheardadullsound，evidentlyproducedbythefallofthePersian，andthendroppeddown。
HefelthimselfclaspedinthePersian’sarms。
Hush！saidthePersian。
Andtheystoodmotionless，listening。
Thedarknesswasthickaroundthem，thesilenceheavyandterrible。
ThenthePersianbegantomakeplaywiththedarklanternagain，turningtheraysovertheirheads，lookingfortheholethroughwhichtheyhadcome，andfailingtofindit：
Oh！hesaid。Thestonehasclosedofitself！
Andthelightofthelanternsweptdownthewallandoverthefloor。
ThePersianstoopedandpickedupsomething，asortofcord，whichheexaminedforasecondandflungawaywithhorror。
ThePunjablasso！hemuttered。
Whatisit？askedRaoul。
ThePersianshivered。Itmightverywellbetheropebywhichthemanwashanged，andwhichwaslookedforsolong。
And，suddenlyseizedwithfreshanxiety，hemovedthelittlereddiskofhislanternoverthewalls。Inthisway，helitupacuriousthing：
thetrunkofatree，whichseemedstillquitealive，withitsleaves。
andthebranchesofthattreeranrightupthewallsanddisappearedintheceiling。
Becauseofthesmallnessoftheluminousdisk，itwasdifficultatfirsttomakeouttheappearanceofthings：theysawacornerofabranch……andaleaf……andanotherleaf……and，nexttoit，nothingatall，nothingbuttherayoflightthatseemedtoreflectitself……Raoulpassedhishandoverthatnothing，overthatreflection。
Hullo！hesaid。Thewallisalooking-glass！
Yes，alooking-glass！saidthePersian，inatoneofdeepemotion。
And，passingthehandthatheldthepistoloverhismoistforehead，headded，Wehavedroppedintothetorture-chamber！
WhatthePersianknewofthistorture-chamberandwhattherebefellhimandhiscompanionshallbetoldinhisownwords，assetdowninamanuscriptwhichheleftbehindhim，andwhichIcopyVERBATIM。
ChapterXXIInterestingandInstructiveVicissitudesofaPersianintheCellarsoftheOperaTHEPERSIAN’SNARRATIVE
ItwasthefirsttimethatIenteredthehouseonthelake。
Ihadoftenbeggedthetrap-doorlover，asweusedtocallErikinmycountry，toopenitsmysteriousdoorstome。Healwaysrefused。
Imadeverymanyattempts，butinvain，toobtainadmittance。
WatchhimasImight，afterIfirstlearnedthathehadtakenuphispermanentabodeattheOpera，thedarknesswasalwaystoothicktoenablemetoseehowheworkedthedoorinthewallonthelake。
Oneday，whenIthoughtmyselfalone，IsteppedintotheboatandrowedtowardthatpartofthewallthroughwhichIhadseenErikdisappear。ItwasthenthatIcameintocontactwiththesirenwhoguardedtheapproachandwhosecharmwasverynearlyfataltome。
IhadnosoonerputofffromthebankthanthesilenceamidwhichI
floatedonthewaterwasdisturbedbyasortofwhisperedsingingthathoveredallaroundme。Itwashalfbreath，halfmusic。
itrosesoftlyfromthewatersofthelake。andIwassurroundedbyitthroughIknewnotwhatartifice。Itfollowedme，movedwithmeandwassosoftthatitdidnotalarmme。Onthecontrary，inmylongingtoapproachthesourceofthatsweetandenticingharmony，Ileanedoutofmylittleboatoverthewater，fortherewasnodoubtinmymindthatthesingingcamefromthewateritself。Bythistime，Iwasaloneintheboatinthemiddleofthelake。thevoice——
foritwasnowdistinctlyavoice——wasbesideme，onthewater。
Ileanedover，leanedstillfarther。Thelakewasperfectlycalm，andamoonbeamthatpassedthroughtheairholeintheRueScribeshowedmeabsolutelynothingonitssurface，whichwassmoothandblackasink。Ishookmyearstogetridofapossiblehumming。
butIsoonhadtoaccctthefactthattherewasnohummingintheearssoharmoniousasthesingingwhisperthatfollowedandnowattractedme。
HadIbeeninclinedtosuperstition，IshouldhavecertainlythoughtthatIhadtodowithsomesirenwhosebusinessitwastoconfoundthetravelerwhoshouldventureonthewatersofthehouseonthelake。Fortunately，Icomefromacountrywherewearetoofondoffantasticthingsnottoknowthemthroughandthrough。
andIhadnodoubtbutthatIwasfacetofacewithsomenewinventionofErik’s。Butthisinventionwassoperfectthat，asIleanedoutoftheboat，Iwasimpelledlessbyadesiretodiscoveritstrickthantoenjoyitscharm。andIleanedout，leanedoutuntilIalmostoverturnedtheboat。
Suddenly，twomonstrousarmsissuedfromthebosomofthewatersandseizedmebytheneck，draggingmedowntothedepthswithirresistibleforce。Ishouldcertainlyhavebeenlost，ifIhadnothadtimetogiveacrybywhichErikknewme。
Foritwashe。and，insteadofdrowningme，aswascertainlyhisfirstintention，heswamwithmeandlaidmegentlyonthebank：
Howimprudentyouare！hesaid，ashestoodbeforeme，drippingwithwater。
Whytrytoentermyhouse？Ineverinvitedyou！Idon’twantyouthere，noranybody！Didyousavemylifeonlytomakeitunbearabletome？
Howevergreattheserviceyourenderedhim，Erikmayendbyforgettingit。andyouknowthatnothingcanrestrainErik，notevenErikhimself。
Hespoke，butIhadnownootherwishthantoknowwhatIalreadycalledthetrickofthesiren。Hesatisfiedmycuriosity，forErik，whoisarealmonster——IhaveseenhimatworkinPersia，alas——isalso，incertainrespects，aregularchild，vainandself-conceited，andthereisnothinghelovessomuch，afterastonishingpeople，astoproveallthereallymiraculousingenuityofhismind。
Helaughedandshowedmealongreed。
It’sthesilliesttrickyoueversaw，hesaid，butit’sveryusefulforbreathingandsinginginthewater。IlearneditfromtheTonkinpirates，whoareabletoremainhiddenforhoursinthebedsoftherivers。[8]——
[8]AnofficialreportfromTonkin，receivedinParisattheendofJuly，1909，relateshowthefamouspiratechiefDeThamwastracked，togetherwithhismen，byoursoldiers。andhowallofthemsucceededinescaping，thankstothistrickofthereeds。
Ispoketohimseverely。
It’satrickthatnearlykilledme！Isaid。Anditmayhavebeenfataltoothers！Youknowwhatyoupromisedme，Erik？
Nomoremurders！
HaveIreallycommittedmurders？heasked，puttingonhismostamiableair。
Wretchedman！Icried。HaveyouforgottentherosyhoursofMazenderan？
Yes，hereplied，inasaddertone，Iprefertoforgetthem。
Iusedtomakethelittlesultanalaugh，though！
Allthatbelongstothepast，Ideclared。butthereisthepresent……andyouareresponsibletomeforthepresent，because，ifIhadwished，therewouldhavebeennoneatallforyou。
Rememberthat，Erik：Isavedyourlife！
AndItookadvantageoftheturnofconversationtospeaktohimofsomethingthathadlongbeenonmymind：
Erik，Iasked，Erik，swearthat……
What？heretorted。YouknowIneverkeepmyoaths。Oathsaremadetocatchgullswith。
Tellme……youcantellme，atanyrate……
Well？
Well，thechandelier……thechandelier，Erik？……
Whataboutthechandelier？
YouknowwhatImean。
Oh，hesniggered，Idon’tmindtellingyouaboutthechandelier！……ITWASN’TI！……Thechandelierwasveryoldandworn。
WhenEriklaughed，hewasmoreterriblethanever。Hejumpedintotheboat，chucklingsohorriblythatIcouldnothelptrembling。
Veryoldandworn，mydeardaroga！[9]Veryoldandworn，thechandelier！……Itfellofitself！……Itcamedownwithasmash！……Andnow，daroga，takemyadviceandgoanddryyourself，oryou’llcatchacoldinthehead！……
Andnevergetintomyboatagain……And，whateveryoudo，don’ttrytoentermyhouse：I’mnotalwaysthere……daroga！
AndIshouldbesorrytohavetodedicatemyRequiemMasstoyou！——
[9]DAROGAisPersianforchiefofpolice。
Sosaying，swingingtoandfro，likeamonkey，andstillchuckling，hepushedoffandsoondisappearedinthedarknessofthelake。
Fromthatday，Igaveupallthoughtofpenetratingintohishousebythelake。Thatentrancewasobviouslytoowellguarded，especiallysincehehadlearnedthatIknewaboutit。ButIfeltthattheremustbeanotherentrance，forIhadoftenseenErikdisappearinthethirdcellar，whenIwaswatchinghim，thoughI
couldnotimaginehow。
EversinceIhaddiscoveredErikinstalledintheOpera，Ilivedinaperpetualterrorofhishorriblefancies，notinsofarasI
wasconcerned，butIdreadedeverythingforothers。[10]——
[10]ThePersianmighteasilyhaveadmittedthatErik’sfatealsointerestedhimself，forhewaswellawarethat，ifthegovernmentofTeheranhadlearnedthatErikwasstillalive，itwouldhavebeenallupwiththemodestpensionoftheerstwhiledaroga。
Itisonlyfair，however，toaddthathePersianhadanobleandgenerousheart。andIdonotdoubtforamomentthatthecatastropheswhichhefearedforothersgreatlyoccupiedhismind。Hisconduct，throughoutthisbusiness，provesitandisaboveallpraise。
Andwheneversomeaccident，somefataleventhappened，Ialwaysthoughttomyself，IshouldnotbesurprisedifthatwereErik，
evenasothersusedtosay，It’stheghost！HowoftenhaveI
notheardpeopleutterthatphrasewithasmile！Poordevils！
Iftheyhadknownthattheghostexistedintheflesh，Isweartheywouldnothavelaughed！
AlthoughErikannouncedtomeverysolemnlythathehadchangedandthathehadbecomethemostvirtuousofmenSINCEHEWASLOVED
FORHIMSELF——asentencethat，atfirst，perplexedmemostterribly——
IcouldnothelpshudderingwhenIthoughtofthemonster。
Hishorrible，unparalleledandrepulsiveuglinessputhimwithoutthepaleofhumanity。anditoftenseemedtomethat，forthisreason，henolongerbelievedthathehadanydutytowardthehumanrace。
Thewayinwhichhespokeofhisloveaffairsonlyincreasedmyalarm，forIforesawthecauseoffreshandmorehideoustragediesinthiseventtowhichhealludedsoboastfully。
Ontheotherhand，IsoondiscoveredthecuriousmoraltrafficestablishedbetweenthemonsterandChristineDaae。Hidinginthelumber-roomnexttotheyoungprimadonna’sdressing-room，IlistenedtowonderfulmusicaldisplaysthatevidentlyflungChristineintomarvelousecstasy。but，allthesame，IwouldneverhavethoughtthatErik’svoice——whichwasloudasthunderorsoftasangels’voices，atwill——couldhavemadeherforgethisugliness。IunderstoodallwhenIlearnedthatChristinehadnotyetseenhim！Ihadoccasiontogotothedressing-roomand，rememberingthelessonshehadoncegivenme，IhadnodifficultyindiscoveringthetrickthatmadethewallwiththemirrorswingroundandIascertainedthemeansofhollowbricksandsoon——bywhichhemadehisvoicecarrytoChristineasthoughshehearditclosebesideher。InthiswayalsoIdiscoveredtheroadthatledtothewellandthedungeon——
theCommunists’dungeon——andalsothetrap-doorthatenabledEriktogostraighttothecellarsbelowthestage。
Afewdayslater，whatwasnotmyamazementtolearnbymyowneyesandearsthatErikandChristineDaaesaweachotherandtocatchthemonsterstoopingoverthelittlewell，intheCommunists’
roadandsprinklingtheforeheadofChristineDaae，whohadfainted。
Awhitehorse，thehorseoutofthePROFETA，whichhaddisappearedfromthestablesundertheOpera，wasstandingquietlybesidethem。
Ishowedmyself。Itwasterrible。Isawsparksflyfromthoseyelloweyesand，beforeIhadtimetosayaword，Ireceivedablowontheheadthatstunnedme。
WhenIcametomyself，Erik，Christineandthewhitehorsehaddisappeared。
Ifeltsurethatthepoorgirlwasaprisonerinthehouseonthelake。Withouthesitation，Iresolvedtoreturntothebank，notwithstandingtheattendantdanger。Fortwenty-fourhours，Ilayinwaitforthemonstertoappear。forIfeltthathemustgoout，drivenbytheneedofobtainingprovisions。And，inthisconnection，Imaysay，that，whenhewentoutinthestreetsorventuredtoshowhimselfinpublic，heworeapasteboardnose，withamustacheattachedtoit，insteadofhisownhorribleholeofanose。
Thisdidnotquitetakeawayhiscorpse-likeair，butitmadehimalmost，Isayalmost，endurabletolookat。
Ithereforewatchedonthebankofthelakeand，wearyoflongwaiting，wasbeginningtothinkthathehadgonethroughtheotherdoor，thedoorinthethirdcellar，whenIheardaslightsplashinginthedark，Isawthetwoyelloweyesshininglikecandlesandsoontheboattouchedshore。Erikjumpedoutandwalkeduptome：
You’vebeenherefortwenty-fourhours，hesaid，andyou’reannoyingme。Itellyou，allthiswillendverybadly。Andyouwillhavebroughtituponyourself。forIhavebeenextraordinarilypatientwithyou。Youthinkyouarefollowingme，yougreatbooby，whereasit’sIwhoamfollowingyou。andIknowallthatyouknowaboutme，here。Isparedyouyesterday，inMYCOMMUNISTS’ROAD。
butIwarnyou，seriously，don’tletmecatchyouthereagain！
Uponmyword，youdon’tseemabletotakeahint！
HewassofuriousthatIdidnotthink，forthemoment，ofinterruptinghim。Afterpuffingandblowinglikeawalrus，heputhishorriblethoughtintowords：
Yes，youmustlearn，onceandforall——onceandforall，Isay——
totakeahint！Itellyouthat，withyourrecklessness——foryouhavealreadybeentwicearrestedbytheshadeinthefelthat，whodidnotknowwhatyouweredoinginthecellarsandtookyoutothemanagers，wholookeduponyouasaneccentricPersianinterestedinstagemechanismandlifebehindthescenes：Iknowallaboutit，Iwasthere，intheoffice。youknowIameverywhere——well，Itellyouthat，withyourrecklessness，theywillendbywonderingwhatyouareafterhere……andtheywillendbyknowingthatyouareafterErik……andthentheywillbeafterErikthemselvesandtheywilldiscoverthehouseonthelake……Iftheydo，itwillbeabadlookoutforyou，oldchap，abadlookout！……
won’tanswerforanything。
Againhepuffedandblewlikeawalrus。
Iwon’tanswerforanything！……IfErik’ssecretsceasetobeErik’ssecrets，ITWILLBEABADLOOKOUTFORAGOODLYNUMBER
OFTHEHUMANRACE！That’sallIhavetotellyou，andunlessyouareagreatbooby，itoughttobeenoughforyou……exceptthatyoudon’tknowhowtotakeahint。
Hehadsatdownonthesternofhisboatandwaskickinghisheelsagainsttheplanks，waitingtohearwhatIhadtoanswer。
Isimplysaid：
It’snotErikthatI’mafterhere！
Whothen？
YouknowaswellasIdo：it’sChristineDaae，Ianswered。
Heretorted：Ihaveeveryrighttoseeherinmyownhouse。
Iamlovedformyownsake。
That’snottrue，Isaid。Youhavecarriedheroffandarekeepingherlockedup。
Listen，hesaid。Willyoupromisenevertomeddlewithmyaffairsagain，ifIprovetoyouthatIamlovedformyownsake？
Yes，Ipromiseyou，Ireplied，withouthesitation，forIfeltconvincedthatforsuchamonstertheproofwasimpossible。
Well，then，it’squitesimple……ChristineDaaeshallleavethisasshepleasesandcomebackagain！……Yes，comebackagain，becauseshewishes……comebackofherself，becauseshelovesmeformyself！……
Oh，Idoubtifshewillcomeback！……Butitisyourdutytolethergo。Myduty，yougreatbooby！……Itismywish……
mywishtolethergo。andshewillcomebackagain……forshelovesme！……Allthiswillendinamarriage……amarriageattheMadeleine，yougreatbooby！Doyoubelievemenow？
WhenItellyouthatmynuptialmassiswritten……waittillyouheartheKYRIE……
Hebeattimewithhisheelsontheplanksoftheboatandsang：
KYRIE！……KYRIE！……KYRIEELEISON！……Waittillyouhear，waittillyouhearthatmass。
Lookhere，Isaid。IshallbelieveyouifIseeChristineDaaecomeoutofthehouseonthelakeandgobacktoitofherownaccord。
Andyouwon’tmeddleanymoreinmyaffairs？
No。
Verywell，youshallseethatto-night。Cometothemaskedball。
ChristineandIwillgoandhavealookround。Thenyoucanhideinthelumber-roomandyoushallseeChristine，whowillhavegonetoherdressing-room，delightedtocomebackbytheCommunists’road……And，now，beoff，forImustgoanddosomeshopping！
Tomyintenseastonishment，thingshappenedashehadannounced。
ChristineDaaeleftthehouseonthelakeandreturnedtoitseveraltimes，without，apparently，beingforcedtodoso。ItwasverydifficultformetoclearmymindofErik。However，Iresolvedtobeextremelyprudent，anddidnotmakethemistakeofreturningtotheshoreofthelake，orofgoingbytheCommunists’road。
Buttheideaofthesecretentranceinthethirdcellarhauntedme，andIrepeatedlywentandwaitedforhoursbehindascenefromtheRoideLahore，whichhadbeenleftthereforsomereasonorother。
Atlastmypatiencewasrewarded。Oneday，Isawthemonstercometowardme，onhisknees。Iwascertainthathecouldnotseeme。
HepassedbetweenthescenebehindwhichIstoodandasetpiece，wenttothewallandpressedonaspringthatmovedastoneandaffordedhimaningress。Hepassedthroughthis，andthestoneclosedbehindhim。
Iwaitedforatleastthirtyminutesandthenpressedthespringinmyturn。EverythinghappenedaswithErik。ButIwascarefulnottogothroughtheholemyself，forIknewthatErikwasinside。
Ontheotherhand，theideathatImightbecaughtbyEriksuddenlymademethinkofthedeathofJosephBuquet。Ididnotwishtojeopardizetheadvantagesofsogreatadiscoverywhichmightbeusefultomanypeople，toagoodlynumberofthehumanrace，
inErik’swords。andIleftthecellarsoftheOperaaftercarefullyreplacingthestone。
IcontinuedtobegreatlyinterestedintherelationsbetweenErikandChristineDaae，notfromanymorbidcuriosity，butbecauseoftheterriblethoughtwhichobsessedmymindthatErikwascapableofanything，ifheoncediscoveredthathewasnotlovedforhisownsake，asheimagined。Icontinuedtowander，verycautiously，abouttheOperaandsoonlearnedthetruthaboutthemonster’sdrearylove-affair。
HefilledChristine’smind，throughtheterrorwithwhichheinspiredher，butthedearchild’sheartbelongedwhollytotheVicomteRaouldeChagny。Whiletheyplayedabout，likeaninnocentengagedcouple，ontheupperfloorsoftheOpera，toavoidthemonster，theylittlesuspectedthatsomeonewaswatchingoverthem。
Iwaspreparedtodoanything：tokillthemonster，ifnecessary，andexplaintothepoliceafterward。ButErikdidnotshowhimself。
andIfeltnonethemorecomfortableforthat。
Imustexplainmywholeplan。Ithoughtthatthemonster，beingdrivenfromhishousebyjealousy，wouldthusenablemetoenterit，withoutdanger，throughthepassageinthethirdcellar。
Itwasimportant，foreverybody’ssake，thatIshouldknowexactlywhatwasinside。Oneday，tiredofwaitingforanopportunity，Imovedthestoneandatonceheardanastoundingmusic：
themonsterwasworkingathisDonJuanTriumphant，witheverydoorinhishousewideopen。Iknewthatthiswastheworkofhislife。
Iwascarefulnottostirandremainedprudentlyinmydarkhole。
Hestoppedplaying，foramoment，andbeganwalkingabouthisplace，likeamadman。Andhesaidaloud，atthetopofhisvoice：
ItmustbefinishedFIRST！Quitefinished！
Thisspeechwasnotcalculatedtoreassuremeand，whenthemusicrecommenced，Iclosedthestoneverysoftly。
OnthedayoftheabductionofChristineDaae，Ididnotcometothetheateruntilratherlateintheevening，tremblinglestI
shouldhearbadnews。Ihadspentahorribleday，for，afterreadinginamorningpapertheannouncementofaforthcomingmarriagebetweenChristineandtheVicomtedeChagny，Iwonderedwhether，afterall，Ishouldnotdobettertodenouncethemonster。
Butreasonreturnedtome，andIwaspersuadedthatthisactioncouldonlyprecipitateapossiblecatastrophe。
When，mycabsetmedownbeforetheOpera，Iwasreallyalmostastonishedtoseeitstillstanding！ButIamsomethingofafatalist，likeallgoodOrientals，andIenteredready，foranything。
ChristineDaae’sabductioninthePrisonAct，whichnaturallysurprisedeverybody，foundmeprepared。IwasquitecertainthatshehadbeenjuggledawaybyErik，thatprinceofconjurers。
AndIthoughtpositivelythatthiswastheendofChristineandperhapsofeverybody，somuchsothatIthoughtofadvisingallthesepeoplewhowerestayingonatthetheatertomakegoodtheirescape。
Ifelt，however，thattheywouldbesuretolookuponmeasmadandIrefrained。
Ontheotherhand，Iresolvedtoactwithoutfurtherdelay，asfarasIwasconcerned。ThechanceswereinmyfavorthatErik，atthatmoment，wasthinkingonlyofhiscaptive。Thiswasthemomenttoenterhishousethroughthethirdcellar。andIresolvedtotakewithmethatpoorlittledesperateviscount，who，atthefirstsuggestion，accepted，withanamountofconfidenceinmyselfthattouchedmeprofoundly。Ihadsentmyservantformypistols。
Igaveonetotheviscountandadvisedhimtoholdhimselfreadytofire，for，afterall，Erikmightbewaitingforusbehindthewall。
WeweretogobytheCommunists’roadandthroughthetrap-door。
Seeingmypistols，thelittleviscountaskedmeifweweregoingtofightaduel。Isaid：
Yes。andwhataduel！But，ofcourse，Ihadnotimetoexplainanythingtohim。Thelittleviscountisabravefellow，butheknewhardlyanythingabouthisadversary。anditwassomuchthebetter。Mygreatfearwasthathewasalreadysomewherenearus，preparingthePunjablasso。NooneknowsbetterthanhehowtothrowthePunjablasso，forheisthekingofstranglersevenasheistheprinceofconjurors。Whenhehadfinishedmakingthelittlesultanalaugh，atthetimeoftherosyhoursofMazenderan，
sheherselfusedtoaskhimtoamuseherbygivingherathrill。
ItwasthenthatheintroducedthesportofthePunjablasso。
HehadlivedinIndiaandacquiredanincredibleskillintheartofstrangulation。Hewouldmakethemlockhimintoacourtyardtowhichtheybroughtawarrior——usually，amancondemnedtodeath——
armedwithalongpikeandbroadsword。Erikhadonlyhislasso。
anditwasalwaysjustwhenthewarriorthoughtthathewasgoingtofellErikwithatremendousblowthatweheardthelassowhistlethroughtheair。Withaturnofthewrist，Eriktightenedthenooseroundhisadversary’sneckand，inthisfashion，draggedhimbeforethelittlesultanaandherwomen，whosatlookingfromawindowandapplauding。ThelittlesultanaherselflearnedtowieldthePunjablassoandkilledseveralofherwomenandevenofthefriendswhovisitedher。ButIprefertodropthisterriblesubjectoftherosyhoursofMazenderan。Ihavementioneditonlytoexplainwhy，onarrivingwiththeVicomtedeChagnyinthecellarsoftheOpera，Iwasboundtoprotectmycompanionagainsttheever-threateningdangerofdeathbystrangling。Mypistolscouldservenopurpose，forErikwasnotlikelytoshowhimself。butErikcouldalwaysstrangleus。Ihadnotimetoexplainallthistotheviscount。
besides，therewasnothingtobegainedbycomplicatingtheposition。
IsimplytoldM。deChagnytokeephishandatthelevelofhiseyes，withthearmbent，asthoughwaitingforthecommandtofire。
Withhisvictiminthisattitude，itisimpossibleevenforthemostexpertstranglertothrowthelassowithadvantage。
Itcatchesyounotonlyroundtheneck，butalsoroundthearmorhand。Thisenablesyoueasilytounloosethelasso，whichthenbecomesharmless。
Afteravoidingthecommissaryofpolice，anumberofdoor-shuttersandthefiremen，aftermeetingtherat-catcherandpassingthemaninthefelthatunperceived，theviscountandIarrivedwithoutobstacleinthethirdcellar，betweenthesetpieceandthescenefromtheRoideLahore。Iworkedthestone，andwejumpedintothehousewhichErikhadbuilthimselfinthedoublecaseofthefoundation-wallsoftheOpera。Andthiswastheeasiestthingintheworldforhimtodo，becauseErikwasoneofthechiefcontractorsunderPhilippeGarnier，thearchitectoftheOpera，andcontinuedtoworkbyhimselfwhentheworkswereofficiallysuspended，duringthewar，thesiegeofParisandtheCommune。
IknewmyEriktoowelltofeelatallcomfortableonjumpingintohishouse。IknewwhathehadmadeofacertainpalaceatMazenderan。
Frombeingthemosthonestbuildingconceivable，hesoonturneditintoahouseoftheverydevil，whereyoucouldnotutterawordbutitwasoverheardorrepeatedbyanecho。Withhistrap-doorsthemonsterwasresponsibleforendlesstragediesofallkinds。
Hehituponastonishinginventions。Ofthese，themostcurious，horribleanddangerouswastheso-calledtorture-chamber。Exceptinspecialcases，whenthelittlesultanaamusedherselfbyinflictingsufferinguponsomeunoffendingcitizen，noonewasletintoitbutwretchescondemnedtodeath。And，eventhen，whenthesehadhadenough，theywerealwaysatlibertytoputanendtothemselveswithaPunjablassoorbowstring，leftfortheiruseatthefootofanirontree。
Myalarm，therefore，wasgreatwhenIsawthattheroomintowhichM。leVicomtedeChagnyandIhaddroppedwasanexactcopyofthetorture-chamberoftherosyhoursofMazenderan。
Atourfeet，IfoundthePunjablassowhichIhadbeendreadingalltheevening。IwasconvincedthatthisropehadalreadydonedutyforJosephBuquet，who，likemyself，musthavecaughtErikoneeveningworkingthestoneinthethirdcellar。Heprobablytrieditinhisturn，fellintothetorture-chamberandonlyleftithanged。
IcanwellimagineErikdraggingthebody，inordertogetridofit，tothescenefromtheRoideLahore，andhangingitthereasanexample，ortoincreasethesuperstitiousterrorthatwastohelphiminguardingtheapproachestohislair！Then，uponreflection，ErikwentbacktofetchthePunjablasso，whichisverycuriouslymadeoutofcatgut，andwhichmighthavesetanexaminingmagistratethinking。Thisexplainsthedisappearanceoftherope。
AndnowIdiscoveredthelasso，atourfeet，inthetorture-chamber！……Iamnocoward，butacoldsweatcoveredmyforeheadasI
movedthelittlereddiskofmylanternoverthewalls。
M。deChagnynoticeditandasked：
Whatisthematter，sir？
Imadehimaviolentsigntobesilent。
ChapterXXIIIntheTortureChamberTHEPERSIAN’SNARRATIVECONTINUED
Wewereinthemiddleofalittlesix-corneredroom，thesidesofwhichwerecoveredwithmirrorsfromtoptobottom。
Inthecorners，wecouldclearlyseethejoinsintheglasses，thesegmentsintendedtoturnontheirgear。yes，IrecognizedthemandIrecognizedtheirontreeinthecorner，atthebottomofoneofthosesegments……theirontree，withitsironbranch，forthehangedmen。
Iseizedmycompanion’sarm：theVicomtedeChagnywasalla-quiver，eagertoshouttohisbetrothedthathewasbringingherhelp。
Ifearedthathewouldnotbeabletocontainhimself。
Suddenly，weheardanoiseonourleft。Itsoundedatfirstlikeadooropeningandshuttinginthenextroom。andthentherewasadullmoan。IclutchedM。deChagny’sarmmorefirmlystill。
andthenwedistinctlyheardthesewords：
Youmustmakeyourchoice！Theweddingmassortherequiemmass！
Irecognizedthevoiceofthemonster。
Therewasanothermoan，followedbyalongsilence。
Iwaspersuadedbynowthatthemonsterwasunawareofourpresenceinhishouse，forotherwisehewouldcertainlyhavemanagednottoletushearhim。Hewouldonlyhavehadtoclosethelittleinvisiblewindowthroughwhichthetorture-loverslookdownintothetorture-chamber。Besides，Iwascertainthat，ifhehadknownofourpresence，thetortureswouldhavebegunatonce。
Theimportantthingwasnottolethimknow。andIdreadednothingsomuchastheimpulsivenessoftheVicomtedeChagny，whowantedtorushthroughthewallstoChristineDaae，whosemoanswecontinuedtohearatintervals。
Therequiemmassisnotatallgay，Erik’svoiceresumed，whereastheweddingmass——youcantakemywordforit——ismagnificent！
Youmusttakearesolutionandknowyourownmind！Ican’tgoonlivinglikethis，likeamoleinaburrow！DonJuanTriumphantisfinished。andnowIwanttolivelikeeverybodyelse。IwanttohaveawifelikeeverybodyelseandtotakeheroutonSundays。
Ihaveinventedamaskthatmakesmelooklikeanybody。Peoplewillnoteventurnroundinthestreets。Youwillbethehappiestofwomen。
Andwewillsing，allbyourselves，tillweswoonawaywithdelight。
Youarecrying！Youareafraidofme！AndyetIamnotreallywicked。
Lovemeandyoushallsee！AllIwantedwastobelovedformyself。
IfyoulovedmeIshouldbeasgentleasalamb。andyoucoulddoanythingwithmethatyoupleased。
Soonthemoansthataccompaniedthissortoflove’slitanyincreasedandincreased。Ihaveneverheardanythingmoredespairing。
andM。deChagnyandIrecognizedthatthisterriblelamentationcamefromErikhimself。Christineseemedtobestandingdumbwithhorror，withoutthestrengthtocryout，whilethemonsterwasonhiskneesbeforeher。
Threetimesover，Erikfiercelybewailedhisfate：
Youdon’tloveme！Youdon’tloveme！Youdon’tloveme！
Andthen，moregently：
Whydoyoucry？Youknowitgivesmepaintoseeyoucry！
Asilence。
Eachsilencegaveusfreshhope。Wesaidtoourselves：
PerhapshehasleftChristinebehindthewall。
AndwethoughtonlyofthepossibilityofwarningChristineDaaeofourpresence，unknowntothemonster。Wewereunabletoleavethetorture-chambernow，unlessChristineopenedthedoortous。
anditwasonlyonthisconditionthatwecouldhopetohelpher，forwedidnotevenknowwherethedoormightbe。
Suddenly，thesilenceinthenextroomwasdisturbedbytheringingofanelectricbell。TherewasaboundontheothersideofthewallandErik’svoiceofthunder：
Somebodyringing！Walkin，please！
Asinisterchuckle。
Whohascomebotheringnow？Waitformehere……IAMGOING
TOTELLTHESIRENTOOPENTHEDOOR。
Stepsmovedaway，adoorclosed。Ihadnotimetothinkofthefreshhorrorthatwaspreparing。Iforgotthatthemonsterwasonlygoingoutperhapstoperpetrateafreshcrime。Iunderstoodbutonething：
Christinewasalonebehindthewall！
TheVicomtedeChagnywasalreadycallingtoher：
Christine！Christine！
Aswecouldhearwhatwassaidinthenextroom，therewasnoreasonwhymycompanionshouldnotbeheardinhisturn。
Nevertheless，theviscounthadtorepeathiscrytimeaftertime。
Atlast，afaintvoicereachedus。
Iamdreaming！itsaid。
Christine，Christine，itisI，Raoul！
Asilence。
Butanswerme，Christine！……InHeaven’sname，ifyouarealone，answerme！
ThenChristine’svoicewhisperedRaoul’sname。
Yes！Yes！ItisI！Itisnotadream！……Christine，trustme！……Weareheretosaveyou……butbeprudent！
Whenyouhearthemonster，warnus！
ThenChristinegavewaytofear。ShetrembledlestErikshoulddiscoverwhereRaoulwashidden。shetoldusinafewhurriedwordsthatErikhadgonequitemadwithloveandthathehaddecidedTO
KILLEVERYBODYANDHIMSELFWITHEVERYBODYifshedidnotconsenttobecomehiswife。Hehadgivenhertilleleveno’clockthenexteveningforreflection。Itwasthelastrespite。Shemustchoose，ashesaid，betweentheweddingmassandtherequiem。
AndErikhadthenutteredaphrasewhichChristinedidnotquiteunderstand：
Yesorno！Ifyouranswerisno，everybodywillbedeadANDBURIED！
ButIunderstoodthesentenceperfectly，foritcorrespondedinaterriblemannerwithmyowndreadfulthought。
CanyoutelluswhereErikis？Iasked。
Sherepliedthathemusthaveleftthehouse。
Couldyoumakesure？
No。Iamfastened。Icannotstiralimb。
Whenweheardthis，M。deChagnyandIgaveayelloffury。
Oursafety，thesafetyofallthreeofus，dependedonthegirl’slibertyofmovement。
Butwhereareyou？askedChristine。Thereareonlytwodoorsinmyroom，theLouis-PhilipperoomofwhichItoldyou，Raoul。adoorthroughwhichErikcomesandgoes，andanotherwhichhehasneveropenedbeforemeandwhichhehasforbiddenmeevertogothrough，becausehesaysitisthemostdangerousofthedoors，thedoorofthetorture-chamher！
Christine，thatiswhereweare！
Youareinthetorture-chamber？
Yes，butwecannotseethedoor。
Oh！ifIcouldonlydragmyselfsofar！Iwouldknockatthedoorandthatwouldtellyouwhereitis。
Isitadoorwithalocktoit？Iasked。
Yes，withalock。
Mademoiselle，Isaid，itisabsolutelynecessary，thatyoushouldopenthatdoortous！
Buthow？askedthepoorgirltearfully。
Weheardherstraining，tryingtofreeherselffromthebondsthatheldher。
Iknowwherethekeyis，shesaid，inavoicethatseemedexhaustedbytheeffortshehadmade。ButIamfastenedsotight……Oh，thewretch！
Andshegaveasob。
Whereisthekey？Iasked，signingtoM。deChagnynottospeakandtoleavethebusinesstome，forwehadnotamomenttolose。
Inthenextroom，neartheorgan，withanotherlittlebronzekey，whichhealsoforbademetotouch。Theyarebothinalittleleatherbagwhichhecallsthebagoflifeanddeath……Raoul！Raoul！Fly！Everythingismysteriousandterriblehere，andErikwillsoonhavegonequitemad，andyouareinthetorture-chamber！……Gobackbythewayyoucame。
Theremustbeareasonwhytheroomiscalledbythatname！
Christine，saidtheyoungman。wewillgofromheretogetherordietogether！
Wemustkeepcool，Iwhispered。Whyhashefastenedyou，mademoiselle？Youcan’tescapefromhishouse。andheknowsit！
Itriedtocommitsuicide！Themonsterwentoutlastnight，aftercarryingmeherefaintingandhalfchloroformed。HewasgoingTOHISBANKER，sohesaid！……Whenhereturnedhefoundmewithmyfacecoveredwithblood……Ihadtriedtokillmyselfbystrikingmyforeheadagainstthewalls。
Christine！groanedRaoul。andhebegantosob。
Thenheboundme……Iamnotallowedtodieuntileleveno’clockto-morrowevening。
Mademoiselle，Ideclared，themonsterboundyou……andheshallunbindyou。Youhaveonlytoplaythenecessarypart！
Rememberthathelovesyou！
Alas！weheard。AmIlikelytoforgetit！
Rememberitandsmiletohim……entreathim……tellhimthatyourbondshurtyou。
ButChristineDaaesaid：
Hush！……Ihearsomethinginthewallonthelake！……Itishe！……Goaway！Goaway！Goaway！
Wecouldnotgoaway，evenifwewantedto，Isaid，asimpressivelyasIcould。Wecannotleavethis！Andweareinthetorture-chamber！
Hush！whisperedChristineagain。
Heavystepssoundedslowlybehindthewall，thenstoppedandmadethefloorcreakoncemore。Nextcameatremendoussigh，followedbyacryofhorrorfromChristine，andweheardErik’svoice：
Ibegyourpardonforlettingyouseeafacelikethis！
WhatastateIamin，amInot？It’sTHEOTHERONE’SFAULT！
Whydidhering？DoIaskpeoplewhopasstotellmethetime？
Hewillneveraskanybodythetimeagain！Itisthesiren’sfault。
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Anothersigh，deeper，moretremendousstill，camefromtheabysmaldepthsofasoul。
Whydidyoucryout，Christine？
BecauseIaminpain，Erik。
IthoughtIhadfrightenedyou。
Erik，unloosemybonds……AmInotyourprisoner？
Youwilltrytokillyourselfagain。
Youhavegivenmetilleleveno’clockto-morrowevening，Erik。
Thefootstepsdraggedalongtheflooragain。
Afterall，aswearetodietogether……andIamjustaseagerasyou……yes，Ihavehadenoughofthislife，youknow……Wait，don’tmove，Iwillreleaseyou……Youhaveonlyonewordtosay：`NO！’AnditwillatoncebeoverWITHEVERYBODY！……Youareright，youareright。whywaittilleleveno’clockto-morrowevening？True，itwouldhavebeengrander，finer……Butthatischildishnonsense……Weshouldonlythinkofourselvesinthislife，ofourowndeath……therestdoesn’tmatter……YOU’RELOOKINGATMEBECAUSEIAMALLWET？……Oh，mydear，it’srainingcatsanddogsoutside！……Apartfromthat，Christine，IthinkIamsubjecttohallucinations……Youknow，themanwhorangatthesiren’sdoorjustnow——goandlookifhe’sringingatthebottomofthelake-well，hewasratherlike……There，turnround……areyouglad？You’refreenow……Oh，mypoorChristine，lookatyourwrists：tellme，haveI
hurtthem？……Thatalonedeservesdeath……Talkingofdeath，IMUSTSINGHISREQUIEM！
Hearingtheseterribleremarks，Ireceivedanawfulpresentiment……Itoohadoncerungatthemonster’sdoor……and，withoutknowingit，musthavesetsomewarningcurrentinmotion。
AndIrememberedthetwoarmsthathademergedfromtheinkywaters……Whatpoorwretchhadstrayedtothatshorethistime？
Whowas`theotherone，’theonewhoserequiemwenowheardsung？
Eriksanglikethegodofthunder，sangaDIESIRAEthatenvelopedusasinastorm。Theelementsseemedtoragearoundus。
Suddenly，theorganandthevoiceceasedsosuddenlythatM。deChagnysprangback，ontheothersideofthewall，withemotion。
Andthevoice，changedandtransformed，distinctlygratedoutthesemetallicsyllables：WHATHAVEYOUDONEWITHMYBAG？
ChapterXXIIITheTorturesBeginTHEPERSIAN’SNARRATIVECONTINUED。
Thevoicerepeatedangrily：Whathaveyoudonewithmybag？
Soitwastotakemybagthatyouaskedmetoreleaseyou！
Weheardhurriedsteps，ChristinerunningbacktotheLouis-Philipperoom，asthoughtoseekshelterontheothersideofourwall。
Whatareyourunningawayfor？askedthefuriousvoice，whichhadfollowedher。Givemebackmybag，willyou？
Don’tyouknowthatitisthebagoflifeanddeath？
Listentome，Erik，sighedthegirl。Asitissettledthatwearetolivetogether……whatdifferencecanitmaketoyou？
Youknowthereareonlytwokeysinit，saidthemonster。
Whatdoyouwanttodo？
IwanttolookatthisroomwhichIhaveneverseenandwhichyouhavealwayskeptfromme……It’swoman’scuriosity！shesaid，inatonewhichshetriedtorenderplayful。
ButthetrickwastoochildishforEriktobetakeninbyit。
Idon’tlikecuriouswomen，heretorted，andyouhadbetterrememberthestoryofBLUE-BEARDandbecareful……Come，givemebackmybag！……Givemebackmybag！……Leavethekeyalone，willyou，youinquisitivelittlething？
Andhechuckled，whileChristinegaveacryofpain。Erikhadevidentlyrecoveredthebagfromher。
Atthatmoment，theviscountcouldnothelputteringanexclamationofimpotentrage。
Why，what’sthat？saidthemonster。Didyouhear，Christine？
No，no，repliedthepoorgirl。Iheardnothing。
IthoughtIheardacry。
Acry！Areyougoingmad，Erik？Whomdoyouexpecttogiveacry，inthishouse？……Icriedout，becauseyouhurtme！Iheardnothing。
Idon’tlikethewayyousaidthat！……You’retrembling……You’requiteexcited……You’relying！……Thatwasacry，therewasacry！……Thereissomeoneinthetorture-chamber！……
Ah，Iunderstandnow！
Thereisnoonethere，Erik！
Iunderstand！
Noone！
Themanyouwanttomarry，perhaps！
Idon’twanttomarryanybody，youknowIdon’t。
Anothernastychuckle。Well，itwon’ttakelongtofindout。
Christine，mylove，weneednotopenthedoortoseewhatishappeninginthetorture-chamber。Wouldyouliketosee？Wouldyouliketosee？Lookhere！Ifthereissomeone，ifthereisreallysomeonethere，youwillseetheinvisiblewindowlightupatthetop，neartheceiling。Weneedonlydrawtheblackcurtainandputoutthelightinhere。There，that’sit……Let’sputoutthelight！
You’renotafraidofthedark，whenyou’rewithyourlittlehusband！
ThenweheardChristine’svoiceofanguish：
No！……I’mfrightened！……Itellyou，I’mafraidofthedark！……
Idon’tcareaboutthatroomnow……You’realwaysfrighteningme，likeachild，withyourtorture-chamber！……AndsoIbecameinquisitive……ButIdon’tcareaboutitnow……notabit……notabit！
AndthatwhichIfearedaboveallthingsbegan，AUTOMATICALLY。
Weweresuddenlyfloodedwithlight！Yes，onoursideofthewall，everythingseemedaglow。TheVicomtedeChagnywassomuchtakenabackthathestaggered。Andtheangryvoiceroared：
Itoldyoutherewassomeone！Doyouseethewindownow？
Thelightedwindow，rightupthere？Themanbehindthewallcan’tseeit！Butyoushallgoupthefoldingsteps：thatiswhattheyaretherefor！……Youhaveoftenaskedmetotellyou。andnowyouknow！……Theyaretheretogiveapeepintothetorture-chamber……youinquisitivelittlething！
Whattortures？……Whoisbeingtortured？……Erik，Erik，sayyouareonlytryingtofrightenme！……Sayit，ifyouloveme，Erik！……Therearenotortures，arethere？
Goandlookatthelittlewindow，dear！
Idonotknowiftheviscountheardthegirl’sswooningvoice，forhewastoomuchoccupiedbytheastoundingspectaclethatnowappearedbeforehisdistractedgaze。Asforme，Ihadseenthatsighttoooften，throughthelittlewindow，atthetimeoftherosyhoursofMazenderan。andIcaredonlyforwhatwasbeingsaidnextdoor，seekingforahinthowtoact，whatresolutiontotake。
Goandpeepthroughthelittlewindow！Tellmewhathelookslike！
Weheardthestepsbeingdraggedagainstthewall。
Upwithyou！……No！……No，Iwillgoupmyself，dear！
Oh，verywell，Iwillgoup。Letmego！
Oh，mydarling，mydarling！……Howsweetofyou！……Howniceofyoutosavemetheexertionatmyage！……Tellmewhathelookslike！
Atthatmoment，wedistinctlyheardthesewordsaboveourheads：
Thereisnoonethere，dear！
Noone？……Areyousurethereisnoone？
Why，ofcoursenot……noone！
Well，that’sallright！……What’sthematter，Christine？
You’renotgoingtofaint，areyou……asthereisnoonethere？……
Here……comedown……there！……Pullyourselftogether……asthereisnoonethere！……BUTHOWDOYOULIKETHELANDSCAPE？
Oh，verymuch！
There，that’sbetter！……You’rebetternow，areyounot？……
That’sallright，you’rebetter！……Noexcitement！……Andwhatafunnyhouse，isn’tit，withlandscapeslikethatinit？
Yes，it’sliketheMuseeGrevin……But，say，Erik……therearenotorturesinthere！……Whatafrightyougaveme！
Why……asthereisnoonethere？
Didyoudesignthatroom？It’sveryhandsome。You’reagreatartist，Erik。
Yes，agreatartist，inmyownline。
Buttellme，Erik，whydidyoucallthatroomthetorture-chamber？
Oh，it’sverysimple。Firstofall，whatdidyousee？
Isawaforest。
Andwhatisinaforest？
Trees。
Andwhatisinatree？
Birds。
Didyouseeanybirds？
No，Ididnotseeanybirds。
Well，whatdidyousee？Think！YousawbranchesAndwhatarethebranches？askedtheterriblevoice。THERE’SAGIBBET！
ThatiswhyIcallmywoodthetorture-chamber！……Yousee，it’sallajoke。Ineverexpressmyselflikeotherpeople。
ButIamverytiredofit！……I’msickandtiredofhavingaforestandatorture-chamberinmyhouseandoflivinglikeamountebank，inahousewithafalsebottom！……I’mtiredofit！Iwanttohaveanice，quietflat，withordinarydoorsandwindowsandawifeinsideit，likeanybodyelse！AwifewhomIcouldloveandtakeoutonSundaysandkeepamusedonweek-days……Here，shallIshowyousomecard-tricks？Thatwillhelpustopassafewminutes，whilewaitingforeleveno’clockto-morrowevening……MydearlittleChristine！……Areyoulisteningtome？……Tellmeyouloveme！……
No，youdon’tloveme……butnomatter，youwill！……Once，youcouldnotlookatmymaskbecauseyouknewwhatwasbehind……Andnowyoudon’tmindlookingatitandyouforgetwhatisbehind！……Onecangetusedtoeverything……ifonewishes……Plentyofyoungpeoplewhodidnotcareforeachotherbeforemarriagehaveadoredeachothersince！Oh，Idon’tknowwhatIamtalkingabout！Butyouwouldhavelotsoffunwithme。
Forinstance，Iamthegreatestventriloquistthateverlived，Iamthefirstventriloquistintheworld！……You’relaughing……
Perhapsyoudon’tbelieveme？Listen。
Thewretch，whoreallywasthefirstventriloquistintheworld，wasonlytryingtodivertthechild’sattentionfromthetorture-chamber。
butitwasastupidscheme，forChristinethoughtofnothingbutus！
Sherepeatedlybesoughthim，inthegentlesttoneswhichshecouldassume：
Putoutthelightinthelittlewindow！……Erik，doputoutthelightinthelittlewindow！
Forshesawthatthislight，whichappearedsosuddenlyandofwhichthemonsterhadspokeninsothreateningavoice，mustmeansomethingterrible。Onethingmusthavepacifiedherforamoment。
andthatwasseeingthetwoofus，behindthewall，inthemidstofthatresplendentlight，aliveandwell。Butshewouldcertainlyhavefeltmucheasierifthelighthadbeenputout。
Meantime，theotherhadalreadybeguntoplaytheventriloquist。
Hesaid：
Here，Iraisemymaskalittle……Oh，onlyalittle！……
Youseemylips，suchlipsasIhave？They’renotmoving！……Mymouthisclosed——suchmouthasIhave——andyetyouhearmyvoice……Wherewillyouhaveit？Inyourleftear？Inyourrightear？
Inthetable？Inthoselittleebonyboxesonthemantelpiece？……
Listen，dear，it’sinthelittleboxontherightofthemantelpiece：
whatdoesitsay？`SHALLITURNTHESCORPION？’……Andnow，crack！
Whatdoesitsayinthelittleboxontheleft？`SHALLITURN
THEGRASSHOPPER？’……Andnow，crack！Hereitisinthelittleleatherbag……Whatdoesitsay？`IAMTHELITTLEBAGOFLIFE
ANDDEATH！’……Andnow，crack！ItisinCarlotta’sthroat，inCarlotta’sgoldenthroat，inCarlotta’scrystalthroat，asIlive！
Whatdoesitsay？Itsays，`It’sI，Mr。Toad，it’sIsinging！
IFEELWITHOUTALARM——CO-ACK——WITHITSMELODYENWINDME——CO-ACK！’……
Andnow，crack！Itisonachairintheghost’sboxanditsays，`MADAMECARLOTTAISSINGINGTO-NIGHTTOBRINGTHECHANDELIERDOWN！’……Andnow，crack！Aha！WhereisErik’svoicenow？