Призрак Оперы

           "

           "IsthereastableattheOpera?Uponmyword,Ididn’tknow.Whereisit?"

           "Inthecellars,ontheRotundaside.It’saveryimportantdepartment;wehavetwelvehorses."

           "Twelvehorses!Andwhatfor,inHeaven’sname?"

           "Why,wewanttrainedhorsesfortheprocessionsintheJuive,TheProfetaandsoon;horses’usedtotheboards.’Itisthegrooms’businesstoteachthem.M.Lachenelisverycleveratit.HeusedtomanageFranconi’sstables."

           "Verywell...butwhatdoeshewant?"

           "Idon’tknow;Ineversawhiminsuchastate."

           "Hecancomein."

           M.Lachenelcamein,carryingariding-whip,withwhichhestruckhisrightbootinanirritablemanner.

           "Goodmorning,M.Lachenel,"saidRichard,somewhatimpressed."Towhatdoweowethehonorofyourvisit?"

           "Mr.Manager,Ihavecometoaskyoutogetridofthewholestable."

           "What,youwanttogetridofourhorses?"

           "I’mnottalkingofthehorses,butofthestablemen."

           "Howmanystablemenhaveyou,M.Lachenel?"

           "Sixstablemen!That’satleasttwotoomany."

           "Theseare’places,’"Mercierinterposed,"createdandforceduponusbytheunder-secretaryforfinearts.Theyarefilledbyprotegeesofthegovernmentand,ifImayventureto..."

           "Idon’tcareahangforthegovernment!"roaredRichard."Wedon’tneedmorethanfourstablemenfortwelvehorses."

           "Eleven,"saidtheheadriding-master,correctinghim.

           "Twelve,"repeatedRichard.

           "Eleven,"repeatedLachenel.

           "Oh,theacting-managertoldmethatyouhadtwelvehorses!"

           "Ididhavetwelve,butIhaveonlyelevensinceCesarwasstolen."

           AndM.