Привид Опери

           Yes,theyweremarkedandscratched;theyhadbeen"starred,"inspiteoftheirsolidity;andthisprovedtomethatthetorture-chamberinwhichwenowwereHADALREADYSERVEDAPURPOSE.

           Yes,somewretch,whosefeetwerenotbarelikethoseofthevictimsoftherosyhoursofMazenderan,hadcertainlyfallenintothis"mortalillusion"and,madwithrage,hadkickedagainstthosemirrorswhich,nevertheless,continuedtoreflecthisagony.Andthebranchofthetreeonwhichhehadputanendtohisownsufferingswasarrangedinsuchawaythat,beforedying,hehadseen,forhislastconsolation,athousandmenwrithinginhiscompany.

           Yes,JosephBuquethadundoubtedlybeenthroughallthis!Werewetodieashehaddone?Ididnotthinkso,forIknewthatwehadafewhoursbeforeusandthatIcouldemploythemtobetterpurposethanJosephBuquetwasabletodo.Afterall,IwasthoroughlyacquaintedwithmostofErik’s"tricks;"andnoworneverwasthetimetoturnmyknowledgetoaccount.

           Tobeginwith,Igaveupeveryideaofreturningtothepassagethathadbroughtustothataccursedchamber.Ididnottroubleaboutthepossibilityofworkingtheinsidestonethatclosedthepassage;andthisforthesimplereasonthattodosowasoutofthequestion.Wehaddroppedfromtoogreataheightintothetorture-chamber;therewasnofurnituretohelpusreachthatpassage;noteventhebranchoftheirontree,noteveneachother’sshoulderswereofanyavail.

           Therewasonlyonepossibleoutlet,thatopeningintotheLouis-PhilipperoominwhichErikandChristineDaaewere.