Taking a deep breath, she turned the doorknob. The door swung open, revealing a nearly pitch black room beyond. The smell of incense was gone now, replaced by a pervasive mustiness. Adelaide poked her head in, but found it impossible to see anything except for the few remaining embers in the fireplace. The chaperone's silhouette was no longer in the chair by the fire, or the woman had fallen asleep in its plush depths. She listened for a moment. The pounding of her heart filled her ears. No other sound drew her attention. She edged into the room and closed the door behind her.

It took a few minutes before her eyes adjusted to the darkness. She tiptoed to the nearest gas lamp. Not even the faintest hint of blue showed at its base. There were no logs or coal to build up the fire, either. She looked...

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