investigation, he saw what looked like a black figure, one that looked like a shadow carrying one of the boxes, and he started asking what the figure was, thinking it was an employee, but he said that as soon as he got near the figure, it seemed to vanish out of sight. He said it was the fastest thief he had ever seen. Though I must say, it is really strange to have a figure cloaked in black stealing things, minimal and trivial things such as food, but it's apparent that he was wearing some kind of black cape or hood over his body, since the waiter said it was rather dark down there. So, in conclusion, this thief was definitely sneaky, and a quick one at that, to be able to take things that quickly, and bolt himself out of there without getting caught. Also, he probably has some good taste in wine, as it comes from Tokay, Hungary. Rather impressive, but I will catch him in the act if he plans of coming back. I will install a few officer dogs there at the Café, if you Messieurs would allow me to do so?"

   The Managers looked at each other, and nodded in response.

   Wow, Monsieur Kaltag thought surprised, he's good. The three were completely blown away with the fact that Jean-Claude had understood so much with the very few details that had been given to him by the waiter.

   "Also, Monsieur Moncharmin, you said in your letter that you would like to speak with me, is that right?"

   "Yes, it's true," The Chinook responded, "and it's about something that has been a pain in my tail for the past few days."

   "Oh, and what might that be?"

   "OK, you might think this is crazy," Kaltag began, "but according to the staff here at the Canine, they believe in what they call an Opera Ghost is haunting this place."

   "Hmm, that's odd," Jean-Claude pondered, placing a claw under his chin, "A detective of mine had mentioned that a while ago."

   Oh, please don't tell me that the police think this is a real thing, Kaltag thought, worried that the entirety of Paris might believe in this ghost.

   "Monsieur Moncharmin, do you know about this Opera Ghost? I was pondering about it on the ride here, and I wonder if you could give me some details about him."

   "Well, OK, but I'm going to tell you right now, these are not my words." Kaltag began, "This 'ghost' is said to be covered in black, wearing a gentledog's outfit, and a long, black cape around his shoulders. He's said to have a large, white skull mask over his head, and piercing yellow eyes that glow in the night. He has large paws, and large ears, and by the way, this comes from the scene-shifter Joseph Buquet, not me Monsieur."

   "Do you believe in the ghost, Monsieur?"

   "Of course not, why would I believe in something so stupid? I am a dog of realism, Monsieur Jean-Claude, and I don't think that it's possible for spirits to roam the Earth. I can't believe that this rumor has spread this much, and I was hoping you could debunk it for us, and show everyone that they are wrong about this entire ghost thing. It's ridiculous, ludicrous, nonsensical, a-"

   Madame Aurelia then got up from her spot, and spoke up, "Monsieur Inspector, mind if I say something?"

   "Of course you may," Jean-Claude answered, "Sorry, Monsiuer, but I believe that she might have some useful information for us."

  I wasn't finished, Kaltag thought, as he didn't exactly like getting cut off when he was applying his impressive use of adjectives to his sentences.

   "Well, I've worked here for several years now, and to tell you the truth, I don't exactly like the idea that these new managers aren't taking the ghost myth seriously. No offense, of course."

   "None taken, Madame," Kaltag replied, "But you have to understand that we love myths and legends and ghost stories as much as the next dog, but this one is getting a tad out of paw. Please, Inspector, don't listen to her, she'll fill you're head with nonsense!"

   "Monsieur, I respect all of my witnesses and I suggest you do the same," Jean-Claude declared in a somewhat firm, subtle tone, one that Kaltag could see when the Inspector seemed to glare at him. He sighed, as he wasn't about to argue with the Inspector of Police, and sat back down in his chair.

   "Very well, you may continue, Madame."

   "Now, Monsieur Inspector, I've been sworn to never say this to anyone, but…" She then darted her eyes around the room, "I believe it is the opportune time to tell you, seeing as how it would be of importance to your investigation."

   "Go ahead and tell us, Madame." The Box-Keeper then proceeded to tell her first experience with the ghost.

 Five years ago…

   Madame Aurelia had applied for the role of Box-Keeper during her first visit to the Canine, and during that time, the ghost myth had seemed so silly to her. She had heard the rumors, and myths, and stories, and sightings, and she thought of it as nothing but harmless fun, but after her first day as Box-Keeper, she was singing a different tune.

   It was on the night of the first performance of The Marriage of Figaro during the spring season at the Canine, and she was stationed inside the infamous Box Five. She had asked what the reason of not selling Box Five was, but was met with "It's the ghost's Box," and "It's a haunted by the Opera Ghost," and in response to these silly rumors, she decided to sell Box Five to a small party of 4 dogs.

   This, however, would be her undoing.

   During the first act, whilst she was sitting behind one of the curtains of the Box, she thought she heard the sound of growling emanating from around the Box.

   She turned to the dogs seated in Box, "Excuse me," she whispered, "whoever is growling, could you please keep stop?"

   "Sorry, Madame, but no one has made a sound," One of the dogs whispered back. After this, the growling stopped, and she returned to watching the opera.

   However, a few minutes later, that's when she heard it.

   Excuse me…but you are in my Box…A low, whispering voice suddenly came from somewhere in the Box, and Aurelia ignored it, thinking it was nothing, but she shushed the dogs again when she heard it coming from their side.

   "Excuse me, could you please stop whispering?" She asked the dogs.

   "We haven't said a word, Madame." Another dog replied. Madame Aurelia wasn't sure what to make of all this, as she knew for a fact that she had heard a voice somewhere inside the Box.

   The voice seemed to have stopped after the first act, and it did not return until the second act started. This time, however, it was much more serious, and sounded much louder.

   Excuse me, but you are in my Box… The Border collie was getting frustrated with this voice, and she started walking around the Box, trying to see if anyone was there.

   "Madame, what are you doing?" The first dog asked.

   "Sorry, Monsieur, but there is a voice here in the Box, and someone is making it." She replied, looking behind the curtains.

   "But, we haven't heard any voice." The second dog added.

   "Maybe she's mad, ha ha!" The third dog chuckled, before getting a smack to the back of his head by his fiancé. "What, I was joking!" He answered, rubbing the back of his head.

  After a few minutes of looking in the darkness of the Box, the Box-Keeper couldn't find anything, and shrugged it off as some kind of prank by one of the staff.

Of course, this "prank" soon got out of hand when the voice came back again, and this time, it was louder than ever.

   YOU ARE IN MY BOX, LEAVE THIS INSTANT! The voice's booming tone scared the collie out of her fur, and she immediately ran out the Box door to report to it to the manager. Upon coming back, Monsieur Levefre took a quick look around the Box, and couldn't find anything, and deemed the collie as being "paranoid and nervous," as it was her first night there, and she apologized to the dogs seated in Box Five for her false accusations. They accepted it, but of course, it was clear they didn't like being accused of doing such things, as one of them said they had been on their best behavior during any sort of event such as this, and weren't pleased with the way they were treated by the collie.

   After the opera had ended, and everyone had gone home, the Box-Keeper had stayed behind to check Box Five, and opened the door rather abrasively; angry at whomever had made her get a scolding from the manager and the 4 guests.

   "OK, who's ever in here, you'd better come out and expose yourself!" She barked, as she looked around the dark Box, but couldn't find anyone, just as she had before.

   Suddenly, she noticed that all of the lights in the Grand Theater started flickering on and off, making a rather eerie setting fall around the collie.

   "This…this isn't funny." She said nervously, not liking the idea of being a victim of some kind