Glass was shattering, and footsteps echoed above Veronique and Erik. Erik dragged her to a row of mirrors, one of which was covered by a thick curtain. He placed her behind the curtain, let it down behind them, and told her to be very quiet. Voices traveled down through the dungeons...

"So, what do you suppose happened to the man?"

"He probably died... I hope he did so we don't have to deal with a Phantom... Now, Claude... er... Monsieur Saltiere, should we rebuild the place to look as it did before the disaster, or shall we create an entirely new theatre that is more modern?"

"Jacques... I mean... Monsieur Beaupres, why do you ask such technical questions? We shall leave that up to the contractors... The real question is which opera shall be performed for the Grande Opening?"

The voices faded away, as did the footsteps. Veronique and Erik both let out their bated breath and stepped out from the curtain.

Putting his mask back on, Erik turned towards the gondola. "I must make sure they are gone. Wait here for me." He kissed her goodbye and started rowing away.

Veronique watched him until she could no longer hear him humming the song he wrote for her. "What am I supposed to do now?" she thought aloud. "Maybe I should find out more about Erik..." She knew not what was really behind the curtain which they hid behind, and she wanted to find out what it was that was kept hidden behind a mirror. Taking one of the many candles scattered around the lair, she tiptoed to the curtain once more. She made sure that Erik was not behind her, and pulled back the curtain with the thick gold cord.

She discovered that it was a long tunnel. But after walking for a very long time, she saw a door on the right side of the stone wall. Turning the knob slowly, it opened with great ease and she turned into the room behind the secret door.

The candle's light was dim, but it was enough to see what was hanging on the walls. There were so many punjab lassos hanging on small hooks, and next to each one was a different outfit. She saw two directly across the room that looked the most intriguing and unique. But, they also seemed strangely familiar. She observed the two; one a gorgeous dress and the other a handsome tuxedo, complete with top hat. Veronique noticed a small card tied to each of them.

Both cards read the same thing. 'de Launce, 1860'

Veronique's eyes fluttered and she fell to the floor, not hearing the calls echoing down the tunnel. "Veronique! Veronique!"...