XX In The Cellars Of The Opera

           "Yourhandhigh,readytofire!"repeatedRaoul’scompanionquickly.

           Thewall,behindthem,havingcompletedthecirclewhichitdescribeduponitself,closedagain;andthetwomenstoodmotionlessforamoment,holdingtheirbreath.

           Atlast,thePersiandecidedtomakeamovement;andRaoulheardhimsliponhiskneesandfeelforsomethinginthedarkwithhisgropinghands.Suddenly,thedarknesswasmadevisiblebyasmalldarklanternandRaoulinstinctivelysteppedbackwardasthoughtoescapethescrutinyofasecretenemy.ButhesoonperceivedthatthelightbelongedtothePersian,whosemovementshewascloselyobserving.ThelittlereddiskwasturnedineverydirectionandRaoulsawthatthefloor,thewallsandtheceilingwereallformedofplanking.ItmusthavebeentheordinaryroadtakenbyEriktoreachChristine’sdressing-roomandimposeuponherinnocence.AndRaoul,rememberingthePersian’sremark,thoughtthatithadbeenmysteriouslyconstructedbytheghosthimself.Later,helearnedthatErikhadfound,allpreparedforhim,asecretpassage,longknowntohimselfaloneandcontrivedatthetimeoftheParisCommunetoallowthejailerstoconveytheirprisonersstraighttothedungeonsthathadbeenconstructedfortheminthecellars;fortheFederateshadoccupiedtheopera-houseimmediatelyaftertheeighteenthofMarchandhadmadeastarting-placerightatthetopfortheirMongolfierballoons,whichcarriedtheirincendiaryproclamationstothedepartments,andastateprisonrightatthebottom.

           ThePersianwentonhiskneesandputhislanternontheground.