He himself had done too much in that way in his time not to recognize, in the inspector's story, all the marks of one of those practical jokes which begin by amusing and end by enraging the victims.

The inspector, to curry favor with M.Moncharmin, who was smiling, thought it best to give a smile too.

A most unfortunate smile! M.Richard glared at his subordinate, who thenceforth made it his business to display a face of utter consternation.
"However, when the people arrived," roared Richard, "there was no one in the box, was there ?" "Not a soul, sir, not a soul! Nor in the box on the right, nor in the box on the left: not a soul, sir, I swear! The box-keeper told it me often enough, which proves that it was all a joke." "Oh, you agree, do you ?" said Richard.

"You agree! It's a joke! And you think it funny, no doubt ?" "I think it in very bad taste, sir." "And what did the box-keeper say ?" "Oh, she just said that it was the Opera ghost.

That's all she said!" And the inspector grinned.