[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。
　　{twopagecolorillustration}
　　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？