Призрак Оперы

           Hedidnotevenfollowherwithhiseyes,forhiseyeswerefixedonthedoor,whichdidnotopenagain.

           Whenthepassagewasoncemoredeserted,hecrossedit,openedthedoorofthedressing-room,wentinandshutthedoor.Hefoundhimselfinabsolutedarkness.Thegashadbeenturnedout.

           "Thereissomeonehere!"saidRaoul,withhisbackagainstthecloseddoor,inaquiveringvoice."Whatareyouhidingfor?"

           Allwasdarknessandsilence.Raoulheardonlythesoundofhisownbreathing.Hequitefailedtoseethattheindiscretionofhisconductwasexceedingallbounds.

           "Youshan’tleavethisuntilIletyou!"heexclaimed."Ifyoudon’tanswer,youareacoward!ButI’llexposeyou!"

           Andhestruckamatch.Theblazelituptheroom.Therewasnooneintheroom!Raoul,firstturningthekeyinthedoor,litthegas-jets.Hewentintothedressing-closet,openedthecupboards,huntedabout,feltthewallswithhismoisthands.Nothing!

           "Lookhere!"hesaid,aloud."AmIgoingmad?"

           Hestoodfortenminuteslisteningtothegasflaringinthesilenceoftheemptyroom;loverthoughhewas,hedidnoteventhinkofstealingaribbonthatwouldhavegivenhimtheperfumeofthewomanheloved.Hewentout,notknowingwhathewasdoingnorwherehewasgoing.Atagivenmomentinhiswaywardprogress,anicydraftstruckhimintheface.Hefoundhimselfatthebottomofastaircase,downwhich,behindhim,aprocessionofworkmenwerecarryingasortofstretcher,coveredwithawhitesheet.

           "Whichisthewayout,please?"heaskedofoneofthemen.

           "Straightinfrontofyou,thedoorisopen