Prologue

           TheOperaghostreallyexisted.Hewasnot,aswaslongbelieved,acreatureoftheimaginationoftheartists,thesuperstitionofthemanagers,oraproductoftheabsurdandimpressionablebrainsoftheyoungladiesoftheballet,theirmothers,thebox-keepers,thecloak-roomattendantsortheconcierge.Yes,heexistedinfleshandblood,althoughheassumedthecompleteappearanceofarealphantom;thatistosay,ofaspectralshade.

           WhenIbegantoransackthearchivesoftheNationalAcademyofMusicIwasatoncestruckbythesurprisingcoincidencesbetweenthephenomenaascribedtothe"ghost"andthemostextraordinaryandfantastictragedythateverexcitedtheParisupperclasses;andIsoonconceivedtheideathatthistragedymightreasonablybeexplainedbythephenomenainquestion.Theeventsdonotdatemorethanthirtyyearsback;anditwouldnotbedifficulttofindatthepresentday,inthefoyeroftheballet,oldmenofthehighestrespectability,menuponwhosewordonecouldabsolutelyrely,whowouldrememberasthoughtheyhappenedyesterdaythemysteriousanddramaticconditionsthatattendedthekidnappingofChristineDaae,thedisappearanceoftheVicomtedeChagnyandthedeathofhiselderbrother,CountPhilippe,whosebodywasfoundonthebankofthelakethatexistsinthelowercellarsoftheOperaontheRue-Scribeside.ButnoneofthosewitnesseshaduntilthatdaythoughtthattherewasanyreasonforconnectingthemoreorlesslegendaryfigureoftheOperaghostwiththatterriblestory.