Page 26 - Phantom of the Opera

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"Have you ever seen .. the Opera ghost?" "As I am speaking to you now, sir!" she replied.
The inspector shook his head. "And when the ghost speaks to you, what does he say?"
"I am going to find out what this is all about." "Well, he tells me to bring him a footrest!"
The scenery manager came in to discuss various matters of This time, Richard burst out laughing.
business with Monsieur Richard. The inspector thought he "Instead of laughing, you'd be wise to do as Monsieur Poligny
could go, so slowly and quietly he was moving toward the door, did. He found out for himself!" she said.
when Monsieur Richard nailed him to the floor with a "Found out about what?" asked Moncharmin, who had never
thundering, "Stay where you are!" been so amused in all his life.
Remy returned with the box-keeper. "About the ghost, of course! They were playing La Juive* and
"What's your name?" asked Monsieur Richard. Monsieur Poligny thought he would watch the performance
"Madame* Giry. You know me well enough, sir; I'm the from the ghost's box .. Well, when Leopold cries, 'Let us fly!',
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mother of little Giry, little Meg!" Monsieur Poligny got up and walked out quite stiffly .."
Richard looked at Madame Giry, in her old coat, her worn "That doesn't tell us how the Opera ghost asked you for a
shoes, and her old dress and dirty hat. He either did not know or footrest," said Moncharmin.
could not remember meeting Madame Giry, nor little Giry. But "Well, from that evening, no one tried to take the ghost's
Madame Giry's pride was so great that she imagined everybody private box from him. The manager gave orders that he must
knew her. have it at each performance. And, whenever he came, he asked
"Never heard of her!" the manager said. "Tell me, what me for a footrest."
happened last night?" "You say,'he'?"
"I wanted to see you, sir, and talk to you about it, so that you "Yes, he has a man's voice, a lovely man's voice. When he
wouldn't have the same unpleasantness as Monsieur Debienne comes to the Opera, it's usually in the middle of the first act. He
and Monsieur Poligny." knocks gently three times on the door of Box Five. The first time
"What happened last night?" this happened, I was surprised, but he said to me, 'Don't be
"I'll tell you what happened. The ghost was annoyed again!" frightened, Madame Giry, I'm the Opera ghost!'"
Monsieur Richard was getting very angry, so Monsieur The two managers looked at the inspector, who put his fingers
Moncharmin continued the questioning. Madame Giry was not to his forehead to give his opinion that the widow was mad.
at all surprised that a voice had said that the box was being used Madame Giry told about the ghost's generosity — about the
although there was nobody in the box. Nobody could see the money and little presents he had left for her.
ghost, but everybody could hear him, she explained. Finally, Monsieur Moncharmin said, "That's enough, Madame
Monsieur Moncharmin interrupted her. "Have you spoken to Giry. You can go." Then he told the inspector that they no
the ghost, my good lady?" longer needed that madwoman's services. When they were alone,

* Madame: the French word for Mrs. * La Juive: an opera by Halevy.

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