Привид Опери
Prologue
Thetruthwasslowtoentermymind,puzzledbyaninquirythatateverymomentwascomplicatedbyeventswhich,atfirstsight,mightbelookeduponassuperhuman;andmorethanonceIwaswithinanaceofabandoningataskinwhichIwasexhaustingmyselfinthehopelesspursuitofavainimage.Atlast,Ireceivedtheproofthatmypresentimentshadnotdeceivedme,andIwasrewardedforallmyeffortsonthedaywhenIacquiredthecertaintythattheOperaghostwasmorethanamereshade.
Onthatday,IhadspentlonghoursoverTHEMEMOIRSOFAMANAGER,thelightandfrivolousworkofthetoo-skepticalMoncharmin,who,duringhistermattheOpera,understoodnothingofthemysteriousbehavioroftheghostandwhowasmakingallthefunofitthathecouldattheverymomentwhenhebecamethefirstvictimofthecuriousfinancialoperationthatwentoninsidethe"magicenvelope."
Ihadjustleftthelibraryindespair,whenImetthedelightfulacting-managerofourNationalAcademy,whostoodchattingonalandingwithalivelyandwell-groomedlittleoldman,towhomheintroducedmegaily.Theacting-managerknewallaboutmyinvestigationsandhoweagerlyandunsuccessfullyIhadbeentryingtodiscoverthewhereaboutsoftheexaminingmagistrateinthefamousChagnycase,M.Faure.Nobodyknewwhathadbecomeofhim,aliveordead;andherehewasbackfromCanada,wherehehadspentfifteenyears,andthefirstthinghehaddone,onhisreturntoParis,wastocometothesecretarialofficesattheOperaandaskforafreeseat.ThelittleoldmanwasM.Faurehimself.
