Призрак Оперы

           Rememberthat,Erik:Isavedyourlife!"

           AndItookadvantageoftheturnofconversationtospeaktohimofsomethingthathadlongbeenonmymind:

           "Erik,"Iasked,"Erik,swearthat..."

           "What?"heretorted."YouknowIneverkeepmyoaths.Oathsaremadetocatchgullswith."

           "Tellme...youcantellme,atanyrate..."

           "Well?"

           "Well,thechandelier...thechandelier,Erik?..."

           "Whataboutthechandelier?"

           "YouknowwhatImean."

           "Oh,"hesniggered,"Idon’tmindtellingyouaboutthechandelier!...ITWASN’TI!...Thechandelierwasveryoldandworn."

           WhenEriklaughed,hewasmoreterriblethanever.Hejumpedintotheboat,chucklingsohorriblythatIcouldnothelptrembling.

           "Veryoldandworn,mydeardaroga!Veryoldandworn,thechandelier!...Itfellofitself!...Itcamedownwithasmash!...Andnow,daroga,takemyadviceandgoanddryyourself,oryou’llcatchacoldinthehead!...Andnevergetintomyboatagain...And,whateveryoudo,don’ttrytoentermyhouse:I’mnotalwaysthere...daroga!AndIshouldbesorrytohavetodedicatemyRequiemMasstoyou!"

           Sosaying,swingingtoandfro,likeamonkey,andstillchuckling,hepushedoffandsoondisappearedinthedarknessofthelake.

           Fromthatday,Igaveupallthoughtofpenetratingintohishousebythelake.Thatentrancewasobviouslytoowellguarded,especiallysincehehadlearnedthatIknewaboutit.ButIfeltthattheremustbeanotherentrance,forIhadoftenseenErikdisappearinthethirdcellar,whenIwaswatchinghim,thoughIcouldnotimaginehow.