XVI Mme. Giry's Revelations

           Beforefollowingthecommissaryintothemanager’sofficeImustdescribecertainextraordinaryoccurrencesthattookplaceinthatofficewhichRemyandMercierhadvainlytriedtoenterandintowhichMM.RichardandMoncharminhadlockedthemselveswithanobjectwhichthereaderdoesnotyetknow,butwhichitismyduty,asanhistorian,torevealwithoutfurtherpostponement.

           Ihavehadoccasiontosaythatthemanagers’moodhadundergoneadisagreeablechangeforsometimepastandtoconveythefactthatthischangewasduenotonlytothefallofthechandelieronthefamousnightofthegalaperformance.

           Thereadermustknowthattheghosthadcalmlybeenpaidhisfirsttwentythousandfrancs.Oh,therehadbeenwailingandgnashingofteeth,indeed!Andyetthethinghadhappenedassimplyascouldbe.

           Onemorning,themanagersfoundontheirtableanenvelopeaddressedto"MonsieurO.G.(private)"andaccompaniedbyanotefromO.G.himself:

           Thetimehascometocarryouttheclauseinthememorandum-book.Pleaseputtwentynotesofathousandfrancseachintothisenvelope,sealitwithyourownsealandhandittoMme.Giry,whowilldowhatisnecessary.

           Themanagersdidnothesitate;withoutwastingtimeinaskinghowtheseconfoundedcommunicationscametobedeliveredinanofficewhichtheywerecarefultokeeplocked,theyseizedthisopportunityoflayinghands,onthemysteriousblackmailer.And,aftertellingthewholestory,underthepromiseofsecrecy,toGabrielandMercier,theyputthetwentythousandfrancsintotheenvelopeandwithoutaskingforexplanations,handedittoMme.