The Opera House Chapter 35 to 37

35.

In the catacombs near the Opera House, Martin pulled the cart that he will take through the catacombs. He had set cart the lighted lantern that will be his illuminating guide there. He looked to his brother Marius who had done that and was checking the ‘blundebuss’ gun that had been inherited from their father. The gun originated from the Dutch and held a loud bang on firing. It was effective short range but Marius preferred his own hand gun; the Model 1873 French Made Revolver with six rounds cylinder. He had taken it from a drunkard officer at the docks.

“Martin, I will be coming with you.” It was the aide of the hirer. Marius had known Marcel for some time, and fought with the other sailor in the brawls. He can trust the man and he will vouch for his brother Martin. He knew that Marcel was a fake name and not from the land but was a refugee who escaped the life of tyranny.

“A word of caution, Marcel. My authorities’ friend told me there are some plans afloat with the Chief Inspector. He is not sure but it may involve what we are doing.”

“Nothing to concern on. The secret of the catacombs lies within us. Let us wait our turns here.”

“I just want to careful. So stay hidden until the moment. We will get the shipment there for you.”

Not all was as arranged by the Diva when she did the number on Carmen

CARMEN Jamais Carmen ne cédera ! Libre elle est née et libre elle mourra ! CHŒUR et FANFARES (dans le cirque) Viva ! viva ! la course est belle ! Viva ! sur le sable sanglant le taureau, le taureau s'élance ! Voyez ! voyez ! voyez ! Le taureau qu'on harcèle

CARMEN Carmen will never yield! Free she was born and free she will die! CHORUS and FANFARES (in the arena) Hurrah! hurrah! a grand fight! Hurrah! Across the bloodstained sand the bull charges! Look! Look! Look! The tormented bull

“Non….. You are doing it wrong!” The Diva screeched at one of the singers in the chorus line. She turned to the look at the Conductor. “How could we not do it not when we are opening tonight?”

“I will…” It was then the birds flew downwards and then soared to the other side of the House. It caused a scare among the members of the cast, and one of the dancers even screamed out then. Monsieur Giry rushed forth to comfort the dancer before the panic spread. None else was in that state except the Diva who was quivering with fear.

“The Phantom…” The Diva muttered to herself.

“Stay calm!” The commanding voice came from the audience seats and it was the Chief Inspector. “You have nothing to fear. I am here.”

“Monsieur Inspector…” The Diva clasped her hands close to her heart. “I am relieved.”

“Chief Inspector, I am.” The senior officer took to the stage. “I will protect all of you for tonight and the nights to come. I have come prepared.”

The senior officer motioned to his men who had filed in then from the entrances. There were six of them, and they were armed with the gun belt at their waist.

“Take your positions by the doors. I will have it covered.” The Chief Inspector then turned to the cast on the stage. “All in is in….”

“Chief Inspector, what manner of intrusion is this?” It was Firmin who had arrived from the back stage. “I don’t recall …”

“We are duty bound to maintain the peace. The Opera House will be a point of congregation tonight and we do not want the …patrons in any inconvenience.”

“But Chief Inspector, we will…in fact, I have arranged for extra security to be posted tonight. No one…real or phantom will slipped by us.” Firmin tried to manage the situation but the Chief Inspector was adamant on his men being there.

“I have the Magistrate to …” The Chief Inspector reached for the paper inside his coat but Firmin held him back.

“No need, Chief Inspector. I can appreciate the extra care here.” With the Firmin took his leave of the officer, and met Armand at the rear.

“Tell the Comte to be careful with  the shipment. We are having issues here.” Armand nodded and took off to meet the Comte. He then turned to look for Opera House caretaker.

“Monsieur Lenier, I have addressed to you the Phantom issue. Please resolve it before tonight or stand to lose your job.” Lenier heard the owner and took to his heels to find the assistant of his. He was not at the catacombs so the man took to the roofing. He searched there and found the assistant at the chandelier clips. He smacked the assistant on the back of the head before he reprimanded the boy.

“Why are …… Never mind that. I want you to stop the Phantom antics.” Emil was to reply but he could not find the words to speak. “I know it’s you.”

Emil looked at the other. He had stumbled on the Phantom attires once at the catacombs and the later had caught him at it. He was reprimanded and told never to go there. Emil have not really done as he was told but he have been there of recent. Emil was smacked a few times and by then the boy then was upset. He wanted to hit back but he held back.

“I….” Emil protested but he was given another smack on the head.

“I will not hear of the Phantom issues after tonight.” With that Lenier took leave of the boy and made his way down. Emil watched with anger at the other’s departure but he told himself that he needed to be patience. His fingers then were on the clip holder which he was loosening then. He had planned it since morning to avenge Christine. He had not seen her and assumed that she was gone.

“Christine gone.” Emil muttered to himself. He will make the Diva go too.

Just then Christine had agreed to be with the Comte for that evening’s play but she raised two pertinent questions.

“Would Raoul be there?”

“The Viscomte? I am not sure but I am sure he will be there. He won’t miss it.” The Comte saw her concern, and immediately addressed it. “We will be in my private box and you need not see him. Or anyone else.”

Christine nodded and then raised her second concern.

“I have not a dress for tonight.”

“Then one will be given to you.” The Comte signalled the servant. “After all, you are my guest and more to it, call me Philippe my dear.”

 

36.

Madame Giry looked to the man who had been her daughter’s mentor then tormented with the other’s dismissal as a singer. They were seated at the dining area alongside with Madame Valerian.

“Jean, you must not fight …I meant argue with her. She is the Diva.” Madame Giry advised the elderly pianist. “We still need to work here. Where else could we go?”

“Jean, Madame Giry is right.” The other lady held out her arms to the pianist but he was beyond consoling. The pianist stared at the two ladies. One he loved as his wife, the other he admired as his peer in the field of music.

“Christine deserved a chance. She was getting better but the ….. Diva was picking her not for the singing but on personal matters. I know not what but the ….woman is ruthless.”

“Jean, all ….of us are ruthless at times in the line of work. I am at times to tell off some of my ladies.” Madame Giry explained. “It’s all in the works. No one will come to see a bad play at the Opera House.”

“The Opera House? I am getting tired of this place.” Jean then sighed. “We worked our life her for this House. They are no Phantoms but us. We are the Phantoms.”

It was then they heard another crashing sound in the House.

“Thank for reminding me.” Jean shouted out in anger at the ceiling and then stood up. “I will do what is needed.”

With that Jean the pianist stormed off. The two ladies sat there stunned by the pianist action. Madame Giry looked to the other and asked.

“What does he mean?”

“I …I don’t know. I have not seen him in that manner ever since …” Madame Valerian grinded her teeth. She had not seen the man so upset. Not since their escape soon after he found her at the dugout. He had to carry her but he was weaker then. He then dragged her most of the way, and finally they saw a hut. It was occupied by an elderly man who offered them shelter. It was fine until near dawn when he woke up to find the man holding the cleaver to his wife’s throat. He had realized that he woke up from her screams. He shouted at the man who was threatening his wife.

“She is …unwell. She may feed us with her meat….her body for food.”

Jean Valerian did not know what actually transpired but from his wife recount of the event, he went berserk and pushed the man off his wife while they struggled with the cleaver. The fight was brief for Jean was younger and he managed to get the cleaver off the other. He levelled the cleaver on the man.

“You touched my wife….You wanted to eat her.” Jean screamed. “Eat this then.”

Jean did not only kill the other but cut the other into halves. He then shoved the halves into the fireplace and watched them burn. He looked to his wife and told her.

“No one harms my family.”

“Madame Valerian, what will Jean do?” Madame Giry asked the lady but she was not telling.

So was the Raoul when he bought the revolver. He had approached the gunsmith and paid in cash. He was to leave when he bumped into the Chief Inspector there at the entrance.

“Monsieur Raoul, I am …” The Chief Inspector looked at the man. He was ever cautious when a person he knew patronized the gunsmith, even for a man who was once at the Academy.

“Paris is safe, non?” The Chief Inspector smiled.

“Oui, it still is but I have my old revolver checked. It was my father’s.” Roaul smiled and then excused himself. The Chief Inspector then approached the gunsmith.

“My revolver? Is it ready?” The gun was handed over by the other.

“A rarity this piece. Only four thousand made and rarer with the shorter barrel.” The Manhattan Navy Series I five shots revolver circa 1859 was developed upon the expiration of the Colt revolver patents. It was made in Manhattan hence the name. The differences were the extra safety notches along the cylinder.

“Yes, it was a gift from a friend in the colonial states then. I was privileged to have one but the revolver needed cleaning. I am not an expert at it. And …:”

“Yes, the box of cartridges is here.” The gunsmith pushed over the box. “Complimentary of mine.”

“Oui,” The Chief Inspector smiled. He was glad that the cartridges were given free. His meagre remuneration does not permit him many luxuries. Just like his men, they were glad to be posted to the Opera House. It was another rarity for them.

“What did the Viscomte want?”

“Viscomte Raoul was here to …. purchase a gun.” The gunsmith motioned to the glass display.”

The Mauserweke C96 later to be known with the famous name Mauser was a semi-automatic pistol then a new comer to the world of guns. It held a ten round internal magazine.

“The Viscomte said he had found use for the pistol. He has developed rare needs.” The gunsmith knew of the deChagny was not a user of revolvers. He had supplied hunting rifles and even shotguns but never a revolver.

“Oui. I am impressed.” The Chief Inspector returned the smile. He was then keen to leave the place. He believed more than one crime may be committed that day. He took his gun and left the gunsmith.

“The Opera House now.”

37.

The Comte personally supervised the shipment of guns. He had them stored beneath the prods that were from his basement. They were old props that his family have collected over the years and to him were taking up spaces in his basement. He needed the place for the new shipments that were delayed and accumulated with the delay on the Firmin’ shipment.

“Comte, the …goods are loaded.” The aide reported in. “We will ride with the wagons there this evening.”

“They are using the Opera House?” The Comte asked.

“Yes, I believed…”

“Yes or No? You oaf.” The Comte rebuked. He had met Firmin and Armand long before the arrangement. They have met in London and spoke on their terms there before the conversation turned to more leisure terms. The name of the Opera House came up then.

“I was told of a certain place that was to be sold. The Opera House? I was told it was built over the catacombs.” Armand had come to point on the issue.

“The catacombs? Why ….”

“It’s a smuggler route. We heard of it for some time now.”

“It may be but it’s a protected one. One that few are aware of its routes and well preserved to the few that could use it.” De Comte whispered out. “And you may not …”

“Comte de Chagny, you will know that our arrangement is on the goods and how we take delivery will be our concern. We do have other associates that are in …how I will put it, in possession of the catacombs routes. May we conclude at that? And for your information, we have made the decision to acquire the Opera House.”

“I take it you have the funds for it. I will not stop you then but my goods are for good payment clients.” De Comte snapped back. He had regretted that he had not enforced his terms then. His reluctance to do that had resulted in the delay there.

“Comte, the goods are leaving.”

So was the Diva then when she saw the young lover of her was not there in the suite. She called the maids and was told that he left early. She huff her frustration and returned to the bedroom. She had earlier wanted to come there to snuggle up to the warm body but instead she was greeted by the empty bedding. She then decided to have a warm bath and called the maid to have one prepared for her. She then sat by the window and looked at the building tops of the city.

“Madame Diva” The maid intruded on her thoughts. “The Comte de Chagny is here.”

The Comte stepped up without hesitation and greeted the Diva. The maid was dismissed and the Diva looked towards the figure who had not yet taken a seat then. She then stood up and told him that her bath was ready. She turned her back towards him.

“Madame, perhaps it will be ….” The Comte was interrupted by the Diva.

“Surely, you are a gentleman. Please help me undo the straps.” The Comte was uneasy then although he had been in the company of the lady before but then he felt inappropriate to be there. “Surely, you had seen it all before. If not only mine, perhaps the slut Christine look better.”

“Madame…” The Comte was infuriated by the comments made by the lady that he stepped back from her. The lady turned to look at the figure.

“Surely you will not be angry with me on that? Who is she to you? She was your brother’s lover and now is she yours too? How does that differ from me who now sleeps with your brother?”

“I….I am leaving now.” The Comte turned to leave and then recalled why he came over. He stopped in his tracks and spoke out. “I came to tell you to be careful. The Opera House may be more than just a playhouse tonight.”

“So the Comte warns me now. Am I to be terrified and excuse myself for the slut of your to take my place? Comte de Chagny, you are a ….disappointment.” The lady heaved out her reply in a controlled voice although her heart was troubled by the Comte. “I….”

The lady was interrupted by the arrival of the Viscomte who had stepped into the bedroom. Raoul saw his brother there and then the lady. He was to step out when the other spoke to him.

“The Comte is leaving. He was just here to …” The lady stopped there when she saw both brothers were having their own thoughts then. “He…”

“I am leaving.” The Comte continued walking but Raoul stopped him.

“Leave Christine alone.” Raoul told his brother. “Get…”

“Christine is no longer yours. Good day to all and good bye.” The Comte brushed the other off before walking out. Raoul fingers were to reach out but he kept his anger in check. He then looked at the lady and asked.

“What did…” Raoul was cut off.

“He came to warn me that the Opera House may …not be safe tonight.” Raoul was puzzled by the concern that his brother had n the Opera House. He had known of the smuggling and the guns were to move that night but where he was unsure. Maybe it was happening then at the Opera House. He felt complete then for he has the revolver with him. He reckoned he needed the extra protection should he exposed the scheme. With the new revelations, Raoul was convinced that there was something happening that night.

“I will be at the Opera House.” Raoul muttered out and then turned to leave.

“Hey, what about me?” The lady looked at the departing figure and then cursed out. “Christine, you bitch.”

To the diva, it was all about Christine.