`What was he doing? Why, you saw him! He turned about, bowed in front of him, though there was nobody in front of him, and withdrew backward.'

`Backward?'

`And Moncharmin, behind Richard, also turned about; that is, he described a semicircle behind Richard and also walked backward!...And they went like that to the staircase leading to the managers' office: backward, backward, backward! ... Well, if they are not mad, will you explain what it means?'

`Perhaps they were practising a figure in the ballet,' suggested Gabriel, without much conviction in his voice.

The secretary was furious at this wretched joke, made at so dramatic a moment. He knit his brows and contracted his lips. Then he put his mouth to Gabriel's ear:

`Don't be so sly, Gabriel. There are things going on for which you and Mercier are partly responsible.'

`What do you mean?' asked Gabriel.

`Christine Daaé is not the only one who suddenly disappeared to-night.'

`Oh, nonsense!'

`There's no nonsense about it. Perhaps you can tell me why, when Mother Giry came down to the foyer just now, Mercier took her by the hand and hurried her away with him?'

`Really?' said Gabriel, `I never saw it.'

`You did see it, Gabriel, for you went with Mercier and Mother Giry to Mercier's office. Since then, you and Mercier have been seen, but no one has seen Mother Giry.'

`Do you think we've eaten her?'

`No, but you've locked her up in the office; and any one passing the office can hear her yelling, `Oh, the scoundrels! Oh, the scoundrels!''

At this point of this singular conversation, Mercier arrived, all out of breath.

`There!' he said, in a gloomy voice. `It's worse than ever!... I shouted, `It's a serious matter! Open the door! It's I, Mercier.' I heard footsteps. The door opened and Moncharmin appeared. He was very pale. He said, `What do you want?' I answered, `Some one has run away with Christine Daaé.' What do you think he said? `And a good job, too!' And he shut the door, after putting this in my hand.'

Mercier opened his hand; Rémy and Gabriel looked.

`The safety-pin!' cried Rémy.

`Strange! Strange!' muttered Gabriel, who could not help shivering.

Suddenly a voice made them all three turn round.

`I beg your pardon, gentlemen. Could you tell me where Christine Daaé is?'

In spite of the seriousness of the circumstances, the absurdity of the question would have made them roar with laughter, if they had not caught sight of a face so sorrow-stricken that they were at once seized with pity. It was the Vicomte Raoul de Chagny.


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