Gilpin observer., 1913-07-03

inspectors story, all the marks OF one
OF those practical jokes which begin
by amusing and end by enraging the
victims. The inspector. to curry favor
with M. Moncharmin. who was smil-
ing. thought 1t best to give smile
too. A most unfortunate smile! M.
Richard glared at his subordinate.
who thenceforth made 1t his business
to display face Of utter consterna-
ton.
However. when the people arrived
roared Richard, there was no one in
the box, was there?"
Not soul, sir, not a soul! Nor
in the box on the right, nor in the
box on the left; mot soul, sir.
swear! The box-keeper told it to me
often enough, which proves that It
was all joke"
"Oh. you agree, do your" said Rich
ard. You agree! It's Joke! And
you think 1t funny, no doubt?"
II think 1t is very bad taste. sir"
"And what did the box-keeper sayr
"Oh, she just said that 1t was the
opera ghost. That's all she said!"
And the inspector grinned. But he
soon found that he had made mis-
take in grinning, for the words had
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 me
here! And turn all those people out!"
The inspector tried to protest. but
Richard closed his mouth with an an
cry order to hold his tongue. Then.
when the wretched mans lips seemed
shut for ever, the manager command
ed him to open them once more
Who is this opera ghost?' he
snarled
But the inspector was by this time
incapable Of speaking word. He
managed to convey, by despairing
| gesture, that he knew nothing about
1t, or rather that he did not wish to
know.
Have you ever seen him: have you
seen the opera ghost?"
The inspectoI by means OF a Wig
orous shake of the head. denied ever
having seen the ghost in question.
Very well!" said Mr.. Richard cold
ly.
The Inspectors eyes started out OF
his head, as though to ask why the
manager had uttered that ominoui
Very well!"
Because I'm going to settle the &C
count of any one who has not seer
him!" explained the manager. "Ai
he seems to be everywhere. l cam
have people telling me that they Sex
him nowhere. like people to worl
for me when l employ them!"
Having said this. NJ. Richard pait
no attention to the inspector and dis
cussed various matters OF business
with his acting-manager. who had en-
tered the room meanwhile. The In
spector thought he could go and wa
gently-oh, SO gently!-sidiing te
ward the door. when M. Richar
nailed the man to the floor with
laundering:
Stay where you are!"
NJ. Remy had sent for the box-keel
er to the Rue de Provence. close
the opera, where she was engaged
a porteress. She soon made her al
pearance.
Whats your name?
Name Giry. You know me we
enough, sir; I'm the mother OF ittl
Giry, little Meg. what!" :
: This was said in SO rough and so
I emn a tone that. for moment, \
Richard was impressed. He looked
Name Giry. in her faded shawl, M
r worn shoes, her old tafreta dress an
5 dingy bonnet. 1t was quite evidel
from the managers attitude. that
either did not know or could not r
; member having met Name Giry. NJ
r even little Giry. nor even little Meg
, But Name Giry's pride was so gre
that the celebrated box-keeper II
agined that everybody knew her.
CTO BE CONTINUED)