Giry haughtily.

"He broke it for him on the grand staircase, which he ran down too fast, sir, and it will be long before the poor gentleman will be able to go up it again!" "Did the ghost tell you what he said in M.Maniera's right ear ?" asked M.Moncharmin, with a gravity which he thought exceedingly humorous.
"No, sir, it was M.Maniera himself.

So----" "But you have spoken to the ghost, my good lady ?" "As I'm speaking to you now, my good sir!" Mme.

Giry replied.
"And, when the ghost speaks to you, what does he say ?" "Well, he tells me to bring him a footstool!" This time, Richard burst out laughing, as did Moncharmin and Remy, the secretary.

Only the inspector, warned by experience, was careful not to laugh, while Mme.