well, M.Poligny--I was watching him from the back of the next box, which was empty--M.

Poligny got up and walked out quite stiffly, like a statue, and before I had time to ask him, 'Whither go ye ?' like Eleazer, he was down the staircase, but without breaking his leg.
"Still, that doesn't let us know how the Opera ghost came to ask you for a footstool," insisted M.Moncharmin.
"Well, from that evening, no one tried to take the ghost's private box from him.

The manager gave orders that he was to have it at each performance.

And, whenever he came, he asked me for a footstool." "Tut, tut! A ghost asking for a footstool! Then this ghost of yours is a woman ?" "No, the ghost is a man." "How do you know ?" "He has a man's voice, oh, such a lovely man's voice! This is what happens: When he comes to the opera, it's usually in the middle of the first act.

He gives three little taps on the door of Box Five.