The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-02-28

Send for the Inspector" saA Ftch
ard to mis- secretary, who had already
read the report and marked it with
blue pencil
NJ 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 and
referred to the report.
We'll. 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
en-"
NJ. Moncharmin could not help smil-
| ing as he looked at NJ Richard; but
| NJ. 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 smil-
ing, thought it best to give a smile
| too. A most unfortunate smilei NJ.
| 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 soul, sir, not a soul! Nor
| in the box on the right, nor In the
| box on the left; not 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 it 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 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 NJ. Rich
ard, from gloomy, became furious.
Send for the box-keeper!" he shout
81
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
it, or rather that he did not wish to
know
Have you ever seen him; have you
seen the opera ghost?"
The Inspector, by means of Wig
having seen the ghost in question.
| Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Richard cold
| ly.
The inspectors eyes started out OF
his head. as though to ask why the
manager had uttered that ominous
Very well!''
Because I'm going to settle the &C.
count of any one who has not seen
| himl" explained the manager. AS
he seems to be everywhere, | can't
! have people telling me that they see
him nowhere. l like people to work
| for me when l employ them!"
Having said this, M. Richard paid
no attention to the inspector and dis
! cussed various matters OF business
with his acting-manager who had Ell
tered the room meanwhile. The in
spector thought he could go and was
| gently-oh, so gentIy!-sidIing to-
4 ward the door, when M. Richard
nailed the man to the floor with q
laundering:
Stay where you are!"
NJ. Remy had sent for the bOx-keep>
! er to the Rue de Provence, close to
! the opera, where she was engaged as
! porteress. She soon made her ap
! pearance.
| Whats your name?"
! Name Giry. You know me well
| enough, sir; I'm the mother Of little
! Giry, little Meg, what"
! This was said in so rough and sol
| emn a tone that, for a moment NJ
Richard was impressed. He looked at
| Name CRY, in her faded shawl, her
worn shoes, her old taffeta dress and
| dingy bonnet. 1t was quite evident
| from the managers attitude. that he
| either did not know or could not re-
member having met Name Giry, nor
| even little Giry nor even little Meg!"
! But Name Giry's pride was SO great
that tho caIphratpd box-keapor i'm,