The count himself was seized with this idea; and, later, the examining magistrate, on receiving the report of the commissary of police, came to the same conclusion.
"Who is Erik ?" asked the count, pressing his brother's hand.
"He is my rival.

And, if he's not dead, it's a pity." He dismissed the servants with a wave of the hand and the two Chagnys were left alone.

But the men were not out of earshot before the count's valet heard Raoul say, distinctly and emphatically: "I shall carry off Christine Daae to-night." This phrase was afterward repeated to M.Faure, the examining-magistrate.

But no one ever knew exactly what passed between the two brothers at this interview.

The servants declared that this was not their first quarrel.