Gilpin observer., 1913-10-23


sounds of the theater. We must not
mention that name here. Let US say
he and him; then there will be less
danger of attracting his attention"
DO you think he Is near usr'
1T is quite possible, sir. II he is
not, at this moment. with his victim.
in the house on the lake"
"Ah, SO you know that house, too?'
IF he Is not there, he may be
here. in tRis wall. in this floor. in
this ceiling! Come!"
And the Persian. asking Raoui to
deaden the sound OF his footsteps, led
him down passages which Raoul had
never seen before, even at the time
when Christine used to take him for
walks through that labyrinth.
IF only Darius has come!" said the
Persian.
who Is Darius?'
Darius? My servant"
They were now in the center OF a
apartment ill-lit by a small lamp. The
Persian stopped Raoul and. in the
softest of whispers, asked:
What did you say to the commits
sary?"
Il said that Christine Daaes alb
ductor was the Angel of Music. alias
the opera ghost. and that the real
name was :"
Hush! And did he be-
Ieve your
NO"
He attached no Importance to
what you said?"
No"
He took you for bit of a mad
man?"
Yes"
so much the better!" sighed the
Persian.
And they continued their road.
After going up and down several
staircases which Raoul had never
seen before. the two men found them
selves in front OF a door which the
Persian opened with . master-key.
The Persian and Raou we're both, OF
course. in dress-clothta; but. where
as RacA1l had tall hat, the Persian
wore the astrakhan cap which l have
already mentioned. IL was an In
fringement Of the rule which insists
upon the tall hat behind the scenes: !:
but in France foreigners are allowed
every license: the Englishman his
travelling cap, the Persian his cap OF
astrakhan.
Sir" said the Persian. your tall
hat will be in your way; you would
do well to leave 1t in the dressing
room"
What dressing roomf" asked
Raoul.
Christine Daaes."
And the Persian, letting Raoul
through the door which he had Just
opened, showed him the actress room
opposite.
They were at the end OF the pass.
age the whole OF which Raoui had
been accustomed to traverse before
knocking at Christine's door.
How well you know the opera.
sir!"
Not 80 well as he does!" said the
Persian modestly.
And he pushed the young man into
Christine's dressing-room, which was
as Raoul had left 1t few minutes
earlier.
Closing the door. the Persian went
to very thin partition that sep.
arated the dressing-room from a big
lumber-room next to 1t. He listened
and then coughed loudly.
There was a sound OF some one
stirring in the iumber.room: and, a
few seconds later. finger tapped at
the door.
Come In" said the Persian.
A man entered. also wearing an
astrakhan cap and dressed in long
overcoat. He bowed and took rich.
ly carved case from under his coat.
put II on the dressing. table. bowed
once again and went to the door.
Did no one see you come in.
Darius?"
mo, MASTER
Let no one see you 90 out"
The servant glanced down the
passage and swiftly disappeared.
The Persian opened the case. Il
contained pair OF long pistols.
when Christine Daae was carried
on, sir. ! sent woru to my servant to
bring me these pistols. have had
them long time and they can be re-
lied upon"
DO you mean to fight dueiY"
asked the young man.
1T will certainly be duel which
we shall have to fight" said the other.
examining the priming Of his pistols.
And what duel!" Handing one OF
the pistols to Raoul. he added: I'm
this duel. we shall be two to one: but
you must be prepared for everything.
for we shall be fighting the most ter
rible adversary that you can imagine.
But you love Christine Daae. do you
not7"
II worship the ground she stands
on! But you, sir. who do not love
her. tell me why l fnd YOU rsady 70