Q. `Did it not occur to you that the musician might be hiding behind that very heap of bones?'
R. `It was the one thought that did occur to me, monsieur, so much so that I omitted to follow Mlle. Daaé,
when she stood up and walked slowly to the gate. She was so much absorbed just then that I am not
surprised that she did not see me.'
Q. `Then what happened that you were found in the morning lying half-dead on the steps of the high
altar?'
R. `First a skull rolled to my feet...then another...then another...It was as if I were the mark of that ghastly
game of bowls. And I had an idea that false step must have destroyed the balance of the structure behind
which our musician was concealed. This surmise seemed to be confirmed when I saw a shadow suddenly
glide along the sacristy wall. I ran up. The shadow had already pushed open the door and entered the
church. But I was quicker than the shadow and caught hold of a corner of its cloak. At that moment,
we were just in front of the high altar; and the moonbeams fell straight upon us through the stained-
glass windows of the apse. As I did not let go of the cloak, the shadow turned round; and I saw a terrible
death's head, which darted a look at me from a pair of scorching eyes. I felt as if I were face to face
with Satan; and, in the presence of this unearthly apparition, my heart gave way, my courage failed me...and
I remember nothing more until I recovered consciousness at the Setting Sun.'
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By PanEris
using Melati.
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