Призрак Оперы
XXII In The Torture Chamber
Wewereunabletoleavethetorture-chambernow,unlessChristineopenedthedoortous;anditwasonlyonthisconditionthatwecouldhopetohelpher,forwedidnotevenknowwherethedoormightbe.
Suddenly,thesilenceinthenextroomwasdisturbedbytheringingofanelectricbell.TherewasaboundontheothersideofthewallandErik’svoiceofthunder:
"Somebodyringing!Walkin,please!"
Asinisterchuckle.
"Whohascomebotheringnow?Waitformehere...IAMGOINGTOTELLTHESIRENTOOPENTHEDOOR."
Stepsmovedaway,adoorclosed.Ihadnotimetothinkofthefreshhorrorthatwaspreparing;Iforgotthatthemonsterwasonlygoingoutperhapstoperpetrateafreshcrime;Iunderstoodbutonething:Christinewasalonebehindthewall!
TheVicomtedeChagnywasalreadycallingtoher:
"Christine!Christine!"
Aswecouldhearwhatwassaidinthenextroom,therewasnoreasonwhymycompanionshouldnotbeheardinhisturn.Nevertheless,theviscounthadtorepeathiscrytimeaftertime.
Atlast,afaintvoicereachedus.
"Iamdreaming!"itsaid.
"Christine,Christine,itisI,Raoul!"
Asilence.
"Butanswerme,Christine!...InHeaven’sname,ifyouarealone,answerme!"
ThenChristine’svoicewhisperedRaoul’sname.
"Yes!Yes!ItisI!Itisnotadream!...Christine,trustme!...Weareheretosaveyou...butbeprudent!Whenyouhearthemonster,warnus!"
ThenChristinegavewaytofear.
