“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 tonight.”
“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