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！
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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]