"'Certainly, two hundred and forty thousand francs are not be picked up
for the asking,' said M. Poligny, without moving a muscle of his face.
'And have you considered what the loss over Box Five meant to us? We
did not sell it once; and not only that, but we had to return the
subscription: why, it's awful! We really can't work to keep ghosts!
We prefer to go away!' "'Yes,' echoed M. Debienne, 'we prefer to go away. Let us go.'"
"And he stood up. Richard said: 'But, after all all, it seems to me
that you were much too kind to the ghost. If I had such a troublesome
ghost as that, I should not hesitate to have him arrested.' "'But how? Where?' they cried, in chorus. 'We have never seen him!' "'But when he comes to his box?' "'WE HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM IN HIS BOX.' "'Then sell it.' "'Sell the Opera ghost's box! Well, gentlemen, try it.' "Thereupon we all four left the office. Richard and I had 'never
laughed so much in our lives.'"