Призрак Оперы
XIII A Master-stroke Of The Trap-door Lover
Raoulwasnocoward;andyethetrembled.Heputoutagroping,hesitatinghandtowardthetablebyhisbedside.Hefoundthematchesandlithiscandle.Theeyesdisappeared.
Stilluneasyinhismind,hethoughttohimself:
"ShetoldmethatHISeyesonlyshowedinthedark.Hiseyeshavedisappearedinthelight,butHEmaybetherestill."
Andherose,huntedabout,wentroundtheroom.Helookedunderhisbed,likeachild.Thenhethoughthimselfabsurd,gotintobedagainandblewoutthecandle.Theeyesreappeared.
Hesatupandstaredbackatthemwithallthecouragehepossessed.Thenhecried:
"Isthatyou,Erik?Man,genius,orghost,isityou?"
Hereflected:"Ifit’she,he’sonthebalcony!"
Thenherantothechestofdrawersandgropedforhisrevolver.Heopenedthebalconywindow,lookedout,sawnothingandclosedthewindowagain.Hewentbacktobed,shivering,forthenightwascold,andputtherevolveronthetablewithinhisreach.
Theeyeswerestillthere,atthefootofthebed.Weretheybetweenthebedandthewindow-paneorbehindthepane,thatistosay,onthebalcony?ThatwaswhatRaoulwantedtoknow.Healsowantedtoknowifthoseeyesbelongedtoahumanbeing...Hewantedtoknoweverything.Then,patiently,calmly,heseizedhisrevolverandtookaim.Heaimedalittleabovethetwoeyes.Surely,iftheywereeyesandifabovethosetwoeyestherewasaforeheadandifRaoulwasnottooclumsy...
Theshotmadeaterribledinamidthesilenceoftheslumberinghouse.
