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 Daae is not the only one who suddenly disappeared to-night." "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 has seen Mother Giry." "Do you think we've eaten her ?" "No, but you've locked her up in the office; and any one passing the office can hear her yelling, 'Oh, the scoundrels! Oh, the scoundrels!'" At this point of this singular conversation, Mercier arrived, all out of breath.
"There!" he said, in a gloomy voice.