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. Daae, 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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