Oh, the ventriloquist’s terrible voice! It was everywhere, everywhere. It passed through the little invisible window, through the walls. It ran around us, between us. Erik was there, speaking to us! We made a movement as though to fling ourselves upon him. But, already, swifter, more fleeting than the voice of the echo, Erik’s voice had leaped back behind the wall!
Soon we heard nothing more at all, for this is what happened:
“Erik! Erik!” said Christine’s voice. “You tire me with your voice. Don’t go on, Erik! Isn’t it very hot here?”
“Oh, yes,” replied Erik’s voice, “the heat is unendurable!”
“But what does this mean? … The wall is really getting quite hot! … The wall is burning! …”