Привид Опери
XVIII The Commissary, The Viscount And The Persian
Unfortunatelyfortheirhopesoflearningsomedetailthatcouldputthemonthetrackoftheirhoaxer,theyweresooncompelledtoacceptthefactthatM.RaouldeChagnyhadcompletelylosthishead.AllthatstoryaboutPerros-Guirec,death’sheadsandenchantedviolins,couldonlyhavetakenbirthinthedisorderedbrainofayouthmadwithlove.Itwasevident,also,thatMr.CommissaryMifroidsharedtheirview;andthemagistratewouldcertainlyhavecutshorttheincoherentnarrativeifcircumstanceshadnottakenituponthemselvestointerruptit.
Thedooropenedandamanentered,curiouslydressedinanenormousfrock-coatandatallhat,atonceshabbyandshiny,thatcamedowntohisears.Hewentuptothecommissaryandspoketohiminawhisper.Itwasdoubtlessadetectivecometodeliveranimportantcommunication.
Duringthisconversation,M.MifroiddidnottakehiseyesoffRaoul.Atlast,addressinghim,hesaid:
"Monsieur,wehavetalkedenoughabouttheghost.Wewillnowtalkaboutyourselfalittle,ifyouhavenoobjection:youweretocarryoffMlle.ChristineDaaeto-night?"
"Yes,M.leCommissaire."
"Aftertheperformance?"
"Yes,M.leCommissaire."
"Allyourarrangementsweremade?"
"Yes,M.leCommissaire."
"Thecarriagethatbroughtyouwastotakeyoubothaway...Therewerefreshhorsesinreadinessateverystage..."
"Thatistrue,M.leCommissaire."
"AndneverthelessyourcarriageisstilloutsidetheRotundaawaitingyourorders,isitnot?"
"Yes,M.leCommissaire.
