He was playing his organ. She did not know whether it was a good or a bad sign, for she could not make out his melody's mood in the cave's reverberation.
Carefully avoiding any noise that would make him aware of her presence, she approached him further until she got a clearer impression of his song.

It was a light, quiet melody, yet it had tone of irony, amusement even. He was obviously very pleased with himself. She decided that it was safe to approach him and walked closer until she stood directly behind him. She saw from his change in posture that he had noticed her, but he did not interrupt his playing, nor did he acknowledge her in any other way. She knew this all too well, him waiting for her to make the first move. Ever since she had brought him here, he had looked out for her guidance, sought for her advice. Ever. Until he had started to show a great amount of interest in a certain chorus girl. It was then that they had suddenly lost contact. She had tried to reach his lair several times, but the iron gates out on the lake had always been closed.Tonight they were open again. Another sign for his good mood …

She suddenly noticed how much she had lost herself in her thoughts and finally opened her mouth to speak to him.
"How extraordinarily kind of you to finally leave your door open to me again." She could almost sense his smile. "Mademoiselle la danseuse, it has always been open to you." She feigned surprise: "Oh, really? Well, perhaps those iron bars out in the water blocked my view." "Perhaps." He eventually stopped playing and turned to her. "Mademoiselle la danseuse, I had hoped for your opinion of tonight's performance."

Mademoiselle la danseuse … he had called her that ever since he had found out that she was dancing at the Paris Opera House. Neither her marriage nor her retiring from the stage had made him change his name for her.

"I must admit that it was quite a pleasant surprise. After what the girl had shown during rehearsals, I had expected far less." He seemed quite pleased with her comment. "As always, I could not say it any better myself. She proved quite useful an instrument."

She could not believe her ears. What was he talking about? And where the hell was the girl? Some of her astoundment must have shown on her face, for he began to chuckle.
"Mademoiselle la danseuse, you were not really fooled by my little charade, were you?" She glared at him. If there was one thing she could not stand it was being laughed at. He became serious and continued to speak. "I see that some explanations would be adequate. You see, Mademoiselle, that I had to gain the respect of our dear new managers somehow. What would be better than a ghost that is madly in love, or in lust, with a chorus girl and is ready to kill to get her into the limelight?" Realisation dawned on her face. "You mean, it was all acting?" "From the beginning to the very dramatic ending." She almost laughed. He had fooled them all! "But what about the girl?" Now it was him who had to fight laughter. "The girl? A pretty face, a pretty voice. I wouldn't mind keeping her for a week or two, but after some time life would become pretty dull. You just can't have an intelligent conversation with her. She faints at the slightest hinge. She's in my chambers now. But really, you just can't talk to her. Few women have mastered the art of uniting beauty and esprit the way you have."
"You mustn't flatter an old woman like that. One day I might actually believe you." He smirked. "Mademoiselle la danseuse can always believe me. By the way, why did you honour my humble living space with your presence? I doubt you just dropped in to exchange pleasantries."
She became serious. "The boy is coming here. He wants her back."

Again he chuckled. "Well, he can have her. I don't see the problem." She rolled her eyes. "You damn acting skills are the problem. He believes you re madly in love with her and expects a fight to the end. Do you really want to just give her back? Without a grande finale?" She smirked and shook her head. "What a waste of your work!"

"Who said that this end can't be dramatic? In fact, it is the perfect scenario for one of the most brutal questions in the world. I will ask her to either stay with me and save him or leave me and condemn him to death."

"That would indeed be highly amusing. Pray tell, is there a part for me in your little play as well, or may I simply watch?" He bowed to her. "Mademoiselle la danseuse, I would be honoured if you would take part in my unworthy performance. I suggest you take your position in the shadows and interfere at any time that seems fitting to you. I will leave it to you to choose whether you are my evil, sly accomplice or the shining guardian angel. That adds the element of surprise."

"I shall see what fits the situation better, but I think I will be your accomplice. Being evil is so much more tempting." And with these words she walked into the shadows to watch the scene that was to unfold itself in front of her.