Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-13

who arrived as the curtain rose on me
second act. created a regular scandal
by their laughter and their RIDICULOUS
observations. There were cries Oh
sHushp all around them and the whole
house was beginning to protest Wnen
the box-keeper came to fetch me. i
entered the box and said what I
thought necessary. The people olu
not seem to me to be In their rlgnS
mind: and they made stupid remarks.
I satd that, II the noise was repeated,
I should be compelled to clear the
box. The moment l left heard the
laughing again, with fresh protests
from the house. ! returned with
municipal guard, who turned them
out. They protested. still laughing
saying they would not go unless they
had their money back. At last, they |
became quiet and / allowed them 10
enter the box again. The laughter at
once recommended; and, this time,
had them turned out definitely.
Send for the inspector" said Rich
ard to his secretary, who had already
read the ,report and marked 1t with
blue pencil.
M. Remy, the secretary. had fore
seen the order and called the inspec-
tor at once.
Tell US what happened" said Rich
ard bluntly.
The inspector began to splutter ana
referred to the report.
well, but what were those people
laughing att" asked Moncharmin.
They must have been dining, sir,
and seemed more inclined to lark
about than to listen to good music.
! The moment they entered the box
/ they came out again and called the
box-keeper, who asked them what
they wanted. They said, Look in the
box: there's no one there, is there?
No. said the woman. Well said
they, when we went in, we heard
voice saying that the box was tax
emf"
M Moncharmin could not help smil.
Tag as he looked at NJ. Richard: but
M. Richard did not smile. He him
self had done too much in that way
in his time not to recognize. in the
inspectors story, all the marks OF one
of those practical jokes which begin
by amusing and end by engaging the
victims. The inspector, to curry favor
with M. Moncharmin, who was smif
ing, thought 1t best to give smile
too. A most unfortunate smile! M.
Richard glared at his subordinate,
who thenceforth made It his business
!. to display a face of utter consterna-
ton.
However, when the people arrived"
roared Richard, there was no one in
the box, was there?"
Not a soul, sir. not soul! Nor
in the box on the right, nor in the
box on the left; not a soul, sir, ]
swear! The box-keeper told it to me
often enough, which proves that it
was all a joke"
"Oh, you agree. do your" said Rich
ard. You agree! It's joke! And
you think 1t funny, no doubt?"
Il think 1t is very bad taste, sir"
And what did the box-keeper say?'
"Oh, she just said that it was tbs
opera ghost That's all she said!"
And the inspector grinned But ht
soon found that he had made a mis-
take in grinning, for the words hac
no sooner left his mouth than M Rich
ard, from gloomy, became furious.
Send for the box-keeper!" he shout
ed. Send for her! This minute
This minute! And bring her in to m,
here! And turn all those people out!
The inspector tried to protest, blu
Richard closed his mouth with an an
CRY order to hold his tongue. Then
d when the wretched mans lips SCENE,
shut for ever, the manager command
ed him to open them once more.
Who Is this opera ghost?'" b.
snarled.
But the inspector was by this tim
incapable Of speaking a word. H
a managed to convey, by a despairin
+ gesture, that he knew nothing abou
it, or rather that he did not wish t
know.
Have you ever seen him; have yo
seen the opera ghost?"
The inspector. by means OF a vic
. orous shake OF the head, denied eve
having seen the ghost in question.
. Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Richard colo
ly.
The inspectors eyes started out @
his head, as though to ask why tn
manager had uttered that ominou
+ Very WE'LL"
. Because I'm going to settle the az
. count Of any one who has not see
Sim!" explained the manager. "a