Призрак Оперы
XII Apollo's Lyre
Well,whileCesarwasquietlycarryingmeonhisback,Isawthoseblackdemonsinthedistance,lookingquitesmall,infrontoftheredfiresoftheirfurnaces:theycameintosight,disappearedandcameintosightagain,aswewentonourwindingway.Atlast,theydisappearedaltogether.TheshapewasstillholdingmeupandCesarwalkedon,unledandsure-footed.Icouldnottellyou,evenapproximately,howlongthisridelasted;Ionlyknowthatweseemedtoturnandturnandoftenwentdownaspiralstairintotheveryheartoftheearth.Eventhen,itmaybethatmyheadwasturning,butIdon’tthinkso:no,mymindwasquiteclear.Atlast,Cesarraisedhisnostrils,sniffedtheairandquickenedhispacealittle.IfeltamoistnessintheairandCesarstopped.Thedarknesshadlifted.Asortofblueylightsurroundedus.Wewereontheedgeofalake,whoseleadenwatersstretchedintothedistance,intothedarkness;butthebluelightlitupthebankandIsawalittleboatfastenedtoanironringonthewharf!"
"Aboat!"
"Yes,butIknewthatallthatexistedandthattherewasnothingsupernaturalaboutthatundergroundlakeandboat.ButthinkoftheexceptionalconditionsinwhichIarriveduponthatshore!Idon’tknowwhethertheeffectsofthecordialhadwornoffwhentheman’sshapeliftedmeintotheboat,butmyterrorbeganalloveragain.Mygruesomeescortmusthavenoticedit,forhesentCesarbackandIheardhishoofstramplingupastaircasewhilethemanjumpedintotheboat,untiedtheropethathelditandseizedtheoars.
