Призрак Оперы
XV Christine! Christine!
MerciertookadvantageoftheconfusiontoslipakeyintoGabriel’shand:
"Thisisallgoingverybadly,"hewhispered."YouhadbetterletMotherGiryout."
AndGabrielmovedaway.
Theysooncametothemanagers’door.Mercierstormedinvain:thedoorremainedclosed.
"Openinthenameofthelaw!"commandedM.Mifroid,inaloudandratheranxiousvoice.
Atlastthedoorwasopened.Allrushedintotheoffice,onthecommissary’sheels.
Raoulwasthelasttoenter.Ashewasabouttofollowtherestintotheroom,ahandwaslaidonhisshoulderandheheardthesewordsspokeninhisear:
"ERIK’SSECRETSCONCERNNOONEBUTHIMSELF!"
Heturnedaround,withastifledexclamation.Thehandthatwaslaidonhisshoulderwasnowplacedonthelipsofapersonwithanebonyskin,witheyesofjadeandwithanastrakhancaponhishead:thePersian!Thestrangerkeptupthegesturethatrecommendeddiscretionandthen,atthemomentwhentheastonishedviscountwasabouttoaskthereasonofhismysteriousintervention,bowedanddisappeared.
