Призрак Оперы

           GabrielandMercierwerenotsoquietasallthat.Onlytheyhadreceivedanorderthatparalyzedthem.Themanagerswerenottobedisturbedonanyaccount.Remyhadviolatedthatorderandmetwithnosuccess.

           Atthatmomenthereturnedfromhisnewexpedition,wearingacuriouslystartledair.

           "Well,haveyouseenthem?"askedMercier.

           "Moncharminopenedthedooratlast.Hiseyeswerestartingoutofhishead.Ithoughthemeanttostrikeme.Icouldnotgetawordin;andwhatdoyouthinkheshoutedatme?’Haveyouasafety-pin?’’No!’’Well,then,clearout!’Itriedtotellhimthatanunheard-ofthinghadhappenedonthestage,butheroared,’Asafety-pin!Givemeasafety-pinatonce!’Aboyheardhim—hewasbellowinglikeabull—ranupwithasafety-pinandgaveittohim;whereuponMoncharminslammedthedoorinmyface,andthereyouare!"

           "Andcouldn’tyouhavesaid,’ChristineDaae.’"

           "Ishouldliketohaveseenyouinmyplace.Hewasfoamingatthemouth.Hethoughtofnothingbuthissafety-pin.Ibelieve,iftheyhadn’tbroughthimoneonthespot,hewouldhavefallendowninafit!...Oh,allthisisn’tnatural;andourmanagersaregoingmad!...Besides,itcan’tgoonlikethis!I’mnotusedtobeingtreatedinthatfashion!"

           SuddenlyGabrielwhispered:

           "It’sanothertrickofO.G.’s."

           Rimygaveagrin,Mercierasighandseemedabouttospeak...but,meetingGabriel’seye,saidnothing.

           However,Mercierfelthisresponsibilityincreasedastheminutespassedwithoutthemanagers’appearing;and,atlast,hecouldstanditnolonger.