Moncharmin asked what he meant and Richard answered that he had persuaded his concierge, in whom he had the greatest confidence, to come and take Mame Giry’s place. Yes, he would like to see if, with that woman instead of the old lunatic, Box Five would continue to astonish the natives?

“By the way,” said Moncharmin, “you know that Mother Giry is going to lodge a complaint against you.”

“With whom? The ghost?”

The ghost! Moncharmin had almost forgotten him. However, that mysterious person did nothing to bring himself to the memory of the managers; and they were just saying so to each other for the second time, when the door of the box suddenly opened to admit the startled stage-manager.

“What’s the matter?” they both asked, amazed at seeing him there at such a time.