The transcript will be saved to the file. Type SCRIPT OFF to discontinue scripting. >make bed What would be the use? >* fair Comment recorded. >x me Your luxuriantly long and curly brown hair is a bit of a tangle, as you haven’t had access to a comb or mirror for days. The hairpins are all lost in the bedsheets by now. You’re wearing a necklace, which you can’t see, though you can feel it around your neck. And the gown you were wearing when the duke kidnapped you. The gown is now wrinkled and a bit whiffy, as the duke didn’t stop to pack your wardrobe. Other than that — well, a bath would be nice, but it’s not your most urgent problem. >x gown You see no gown here. >* oops Comment recorded. >x necklace You can’t see it, you can only feel it. Jewels of some kind, probably cheap imitations. When the wizard put it on you, the duke called it a choker. His laugh was chillingly nasty. What they told you was that if you venture beyond the spike-topped wall that surrounds the house, the necklace will tighten and tighten until, you know, death by strangulation. Possibly they were lying, but that’s not a theory you’re keen to test. >* ick Comment recorded. >i You are wearing a necklace. >l In the Tower The room is circular, the walls bare stone. A narrow window with a barred grate is the only source of light or fresh air. The bed is a hopeless lumpy tangle of sheets. A sturdy wooden door in the south wall is the only way out. >x sheets The sheets are not actually tied in knots, just wadded up in a messy, wrinkled way. >search sheets In the sheets you find a hairpin, which you take. >x hairpin A slim piece of metal not quite as long as your finger. >tie sheets (the sheets) The sheets are not actually tied in knots, just wadded up in a messy, wrinkled way. >take sheets You tried that days ago, feeding them out between the bars of the window. It was no good. The bars are set too close together. >* ah Comment recorded. >l In the Tower The room is circular, the walls bare stone. A narrow window with a barred grate is the only source of light or fresh air. The bed is a hopeless lumpy tangle of sheets. A sturdy wooden door in the south wall is the only way out. >x window A tall, narrow, closely barred aperture, through which an occasional breath of fresh air drifts into your lonely tower room. >look under bed Under the bed you see your beaded reticule. >x reticule A small beaded purse your auntie gave you, with a long slim shoulder strap so you can keep the reticule handy without having to carry it. >take it You retrieve your beaded reticule from under the bed and strap it over your shoulder, so as to leave your hands free. >look in reticule You see nothing interesting in your beaded reticule. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a hairpin. >remove necklace You’ve fiddled with the catch about a hundred times, to no avail. And you’re not fumble-fingered or unfamiliar with the donning and doffing of necklaces. No, it’s clear the wizard ensorcelled the darn thing so it won’t come off. >l In the Tower The room is circular, the walls bare stone. A narrow window with a barred grate is the only source of light or fresh air. The bed is a hopeless lumpy tangle of sheets. A sturdy wooden door in the south wall is the only way out. >x window A tall, narrow, closely barred aperture, through which an occasional breath of fresh air drifts into your lonely tower room. >x walls The stone walls are probably ancient. Impressive masonry, but masonry has never interested you very much. >x door A very sturdy-looking door. Probably oak. A latch mechanism is set in the usual place. You try rattling the latch lever, but quite apparently the door is locked. >x latch Probably iron, certainly rusted. There’s a lever for opening the door, and a keyhole. No key, unfortunately. >x lever The lever protrudes from the faceplate of the latch mechanism. >push lever Pushing the lever has no effect. >pull lever Pulling the lever has no effect. >x hole The keyhole is large enough to admit the head of a good-sized iron key, a key that is not and never has been in your possession. >pick lock You’ll need to say what you want to pick the lock with. >pick lock with hairpin You poke around in the keyhole with the hairpin. This always works in the fairytale books, doesn’t it? After a minute or two of aimless fiddling, you hear and feel a satisfying click. A large, cheerful-looking magpie lands on the windowsill, peers through the bars at you, flaps its wings, utters a loud squawk, and then flies away. You’re not likely to catch any halibut by fishing around in the keyhole with a hairpin. >* this Duke is maybe not bringing his A game Comment recorded. >l In the Tower The room is circular, the walls bare stone. A narrow window with a barred grate is the only source of light or fresh air. The bed is a hopeless lumpy tangle of sheets. A sturdy wooden door in the south wall is the only way out. >x window A tall, narrow, closely barred aperture, through which an occasional breath of fresh air drifts into your lonely tower room. >s (first opening the sturdy wooden door) At the Top of the Tower Stairs A stairway curves away down the tower here. You can return to the tower room by going through the door to the north. You could probably even lock yourself in again. A depressing idea, but you could do it. >close door Done. >lock it A thoroughly depressing idea. >d At the Bottom of the Tower Stairs The stairs curve upward from here into the tower. Passage to the northwest is blocked by the bars of an iron grille. On the wall next to the grille is a large wooden panel into which various figures have been carved. >x grille Oh, dear! Another locked door with no key? What a hopeless cliché! But here we are. Clearly the duke is serious about not wanting you to be free to run around in his pretentious manor when he’s not here to keep an eye on you. The iron bars of the grille stretch from floor to ceiling. Through them you can see the broad, empty expanse of the entry hall. Unlike the charmingly naïve door upstairs, the iron grille has no keyhole and no apparent latch mechanism. >* charmingly naive is a good term for it! Comment recorded. >x panel A lot of inexpert chiseling seems to have gone into this large, decorative wood panel. Distinguishable (more or less) in raised relief are a roaring lion, a prancing unicorn, a sailing ship, a double-bladed axe, a priest offering a benediction, a dragon, a falcon with its talons outstretched to strike, a fountain, a snake, a violin, and a flaming torch. >* rather a mish-mash Comment recorded. >x benediction It’s a carving of a priest. He seems to be offering a benediction. >* nice! Comment recorded. >x lion It’s a carving of a roaring lion. >x violin It’s a carving of a violin. >x torch It’s a carving of a flaming torch. >l At the Bottom of the Tower Stairs The stairs curve upward from here into the tower. Passage to the northwest is blocked by the bars of an iron grille. On the wall next to the grille is a large wooden panel into which various figures have been carved. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go northwest or up. >nw (first trying to open the iron grille) The iron grille is locked. >push violin The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >l At the Bottom of the Tower Stairs The stairs curve upward from here into the tower. Passage to the northwest is blocked by the bars of an iron grille. On the wall next to the grille is a large wooden panel into which various figures have been carved. >x wall A lot of inexpert chiseling seems to have gone into this large, decorative wood panel. Distinguishable (more or less) in raised relief are a roaring lion, a prancing unicorn, a sailing ship, a double-bladed axe, a priest offering a benediction, a dragon, a falcon with its talons outstretched to strike, a fountain, a snake, a violin, and a flaming torch. >push axe The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >push priest The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >g The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >push dragon The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >push snake The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >push violin The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >l At the Bottom of the Tower Stairs The stairs curve upward from here into the tower. Passage to the northwest is blocked by the bars of an iron grille. On the wall next to the grille is a large wooden panel into which various figures have been carved. >x panel A lot of inexpert chiseling seems to have gone into this large, decorative wood panel. Distinguishable (more or less) in raised relief are a roaring lion, a prancing unicorn, a sailing ship, a double-bladed axe, a priest offering a benediction, a dragon, a falcon with its talons outstretched to strike, a fountain, a snake, a violin, and a flaming torch. >pull panel Pulling the wall panel has no effect. >lift panel I don’t understand that command. >u At the Top of the Tower Stairs A stairway curves away down the tower here. You can return to the tower room by going through the door to the north. You could probably even lock yourself in again. A depressing idea, but you could do it. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or down. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or down. >n (first opening the sturdy wooden door) In the Tower The room is circular, the walls bare stone. A narrow window with a barred grate is the only source of light or fresh air. The bed is a hopeless lumpy tangle of sheets. A sturdy wooden door in the south wall is the only way out. >give up in despair You see no up here. >sleep This is no time for sleeping. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a hairpin. >put hairpin in window You can’t put anything in the barred window. >lure magpie I don’t understand that command. >l In the Tower The room is circular, the walls bare stone. A narrow window with a barred grate is the only source of light or fresh air. The bed is a hopeless lumpy tangle of sheets. A sturdy wooden door in the south wall is the only way out. >d You can’t go that way. From here you could go south. >s At the Top of the Tower Stairs A stairway curves away down the tower here. You can return to the tower room by going through the door to the north. You could probably even lock yourself in again. A depressing idea, but you could do it. >d At the Bottom of the Tower Stairs The stairs curve upward from here into the tower. Passage to the northwest is blocked by the bars of an iron grille. On the wall next to the grille is a large wooden panel into which various figures have been carved. >x panel A lot of inexpert chiseling seems to have gone into this large, decorative wood panel. Distinguishable (more or less) in raised relief are a roaring lion, a prancing unicorn, a sailing ship, a double-bladed axe, a priest offering a benediction, a dragon, a falcon with its talons outstretched to strike, a fountain, a snake, a violin, and a flaming torch. >push priest The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >push falcon The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. As you continue to fiddle with the panel without accommplishing anything, it occurs to you that perhaps the duke has a few favorites amongst the carvings. If you look around a bit, you might be able to find a clue that would tell you which of them to press. >* nice clue! Comment recorded. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go northwest or up. >s You can’t go that way. From here you could go northwest or up. >x grille The iron bars of the grille stretch from floor to ceiling. Through them you can see the broad, empty expanse of the entry hall. Unlike the charmingly naïve door upstairs, the iron grille has no keyhole and no apparent latch mechanism. >x entry The entry hall is large and rather unappealing. Bars of afternoon sunlight shine down through the dusty air from a couple of windows up near the very high ceiling. Standing next to the far wall is the inevitable suit of armor, above which hangs a banner displaying Duke Esteban’s heraldic emblems. >* ah Comment recorded. >* I think saying the hall was "empty" makes this harder than it should be Comment recorded. >x armor It’s armor. Visor, greaves, pike, all that sort of thing. As a certified (or at least acknowledged) lady, you’re not an expert on armor. Above the armor hangs a heraldic banner. >x banner The banner is emblazoned with the duke’s depressing but probably fitting heraldic emblems: a striking falcon, a fork-tongued snake, and a double-headed axe. >* LOL Comment recorded. >push falcon The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >push snake The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >push axe As you press the axe, the iron grille clanks softly and swings open an inch or two. Ah, freedom! Or at least, more freedom than you had a few minutes ago. >* This Duke is kind of dumb Comment recorded. >nw South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >x door The imposing and dignified front door of the mansion, through which you were dragged kicking and screaming (well, kicking and swearing, truth be told) a couple of days ago, is firmly closed. >x armor The armor is just standing there; it’s not doing anything. >x banner It’s hanging from the wall up toward the north end of the entry hall. >take it The banner is too far away. >take armor The suit of armor is too far away. >wear it The suit of armor is too far away. >l South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >s (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >pick lock with hairpin You see no lock here. >pick front door with hairpin The front door can’t be picked. >* hmm Comment recorded. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread and a little enamel box. The duchess coughs a bit, and dabs at her mouth with a handkerchief. >* oh this is awkward Comment recorded. >x chairs Wicker-work back and seat, what you can see of them, which is not much with the duchess and her gown spread across the chair. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. The duchess rocks forward and back gently in the chair. >x tables A little square table topped with a doily. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread and a little enamel box. >x knick-knacks You see no knick-knacks here. >x knickknacks You see no knickknacks here. >x knicknacks You see nothing special about the knicknacks. The duchess holds up her embroidery hoop in order to examine the stitching. >* ah Comment recorded. >x hoop A wooden hoop about ten inches across. A piece of white fabric is stretched across it, and the duchess is busily stitching colored thread into the fabric. >x fabric A wooden hoop about ten inches across. A piece of white fabric is stretched across it, and the duchess is busily stitching colored thread into the fabric. >x thread Yellow, pink, mauve, violet — it’s quite a rainbow. The duchess smiles at you vaguely. >l Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread and a little enamel box. The duchess holds up her embroidery hoop in order to examine the stitching. >x doily A frilly white doily. >x box A design of blue and green lumpy blobs on a black background decorates the hinged lid of the little enamel box. On close inspection, the blobs may be crudely illustrated sheep. >open it Your hand strays slowly toward the enamel box, but the duchess fixes you with an unpleasant glare, and you desist. The duchess rocks forward and back gently in the chair. >x duchess A stout and surprisingly pleasant old lady — surprising given her son’s creepy tendencies — with a brittle mop of unconvincing red hair whose gray roots and stray straggling strands are easily to be seen. She’s wearing a long purple gown trimmed with white lace. She’s seated in her favorite rocking chair, placidly stitching embroidery. The duchess smiles at you vaguely. >talk to duchess You are already talking to Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. (You could ask her about embroidery, the enamel box, the cook, herself or the duke) The duchess coughs a bit, and dabs at her mouth with a handkerchief. >about Captivity is copyright (c) 2020 by Jim Aikin. You may distribute this game freely, but may not make derivative works. Captivity sprang from the idle mind of Jim Aikin. It was written using the muscular TADS 3 programming language created by Michael J. Roberts and the streamlined adv3Lite library created by Eric Eve. Thanks to Eric for supplying a couple of library tweaks and to RealNC for solving a problem with the web- browser-hosted version. Thanks also, and especially, to dedicated testers Marco Alpert, Peter M.J. Gross, Jessica Knoth, Nathan Simpson, Daniel Worm, and JimB for hunting down a plague of pesky bugs! (Shine that gold-tinted spotlight on Nathan and Daniel for a moment, please.) Without the unstinting efforts of the entire testing team, this game would have been a real mess. Bug reports should be emailed to the author at midiguru23@gmail.com. >l Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread and a little enamel box. >ask duchess about herself “I’ve lived a long and difficult life,” she says. “Perhaps that’s why I no longer sleep as soundly as I did when I was younger. Life is easier nowadays. I’m content to just sit and do my needlework.” She holds up the embroidery hoop for you to admire. >ask duchess about duke “Tell me honestly,” you say. “What do you think of your son’s behavior?” “Oh, it’s just a phase he’s going through,” the dowager duchess replies. >ask duchess about duke “Don’t you feel that kidnapping me and locking me up in the tower is just a bit ungentlemanly?” you ask. “Tsk-tsk. I’m quite sure you’ll like him when you get to know him better.” >ask duchess about duke “Are you sure you really approve of your son?” you ask. “Of course,” she replies a trifle haughtily. “He’s my son, after all.” >ask duchess about duke It doesn’t seem you’re going to get any deeper insight out of her on that subject. >ask duchess about me “I really haven’t thought about it,” she says. >ask duchess about me “Do you suppose it’s approaching supper time?” she asks irrelevantly. >ask duchess about me “You’re quite inquisitive, you know,” she observes. “Perhaps a bit too much so for some people’s tastes.” >ask duchess about myself “I rarely concern myself with such things,” she replies. >ask duchess about castle She murmurs politely and continues stitching her embroidery. >ask duchess about escpae “Do you suppose it’s approaching supper time?” she asks irrelevantly. >ask duchess about escape “I rarely concern myself with such things,” she replies. >ask duchess about abduction “You’re quite inquisitive, you know,” she observes. “Perhaps a bit too much so for some people’s tastes.” >ask duchess about legal justification for all this “I really haven’t thought about it,” she says. >ask duchess about hoop “Do you like it? I feel I have quite a gift! Not everyone agrees, I’m sad to say. But you’re cut from a different cloth, I sense that. You may offer a gentle compliment on my work whenever you should wish to.” >compliment work You offer a few words of lukewarm praise for Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s dreadful embroidery. Your seemingly innocent comment has a rather surprising result. “Oh, you’re so very kind!” she gushes. “I know you’d like to see more of my work. Just stay where you are for half a tick ... I’ll go fetch a few of my nicer pieces for you to see!” She heaves herself out of the rocking chair (which squeaks in gratitude as it’s unburdened), gathers her voluminous skirts about her, and trots out of the parlor. >* hah Comment recorded. >open box Opening the little enamel box reveals some white powder. >x powder The white powder is a bit of a mystery. It occurs to you that you should probably have asked the dowager duchess about the little enamel box before you snatched it. >undo One turn undone: x powder >undo One turn undone: open box >undo One turn undone: compliment work >ask about box “Oh, that.” She sighs rather theatrically. “I suffer terribly from insomnia, you see. Some nights I don’t sleep a wink, not so much as a wink! I beseeched Porfiru — such a clever young man! — to whip up a sleeping powder for me, something that would put me straight to sleep and keep me there all night long. That’s what’s in the box.” She sighs again. “Sometimes I do wonder about his competence. For a few weeks the sleeping powder worked well enough, but now it hardly works at all. I can stir it into two dozen cups of tea immediately after supper, and I’m as fresh as a daisy right through until dawn.” >* that doesn't sound good Comment recorded. >compliment work You offer a few words of lukewarm praise for Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s dreadful embroidery. Your seemingly innocent comment has a rather surprising result. “Oh, you’re so very kind!” she gushes. “I know you’d like to see more of my work. Just stay where you are for half a tick ... I’ll go fetch a few of my nicer pieces for you to see!” She heaves herself out of the rocking chair (which squeaks in gratitude as it’s unburdened), gathers her voluminous skirts about her, and trots out of the parlor. >open box Opening the little enamel box reveals some white powder. >take powder The only way to carry the powder around is to leave it in the enamel box. >take box Deftly you snatch the little enamel box and tuck it into your reticule. >z Time passes. >z Time passes. The dowager duchess returns to the parlor, bearing so many pieces of embroidery, framed and unframed, that they keep falling from her hands as she crosses the room, forcing her to stop and stoop to retrieve them with a series of dismayed grunts. You take pity on her and help a bit, and at last she’s settled again in her rocker. She spends the next ten minutes boring you nearly to tears by showing off one criminally inept bit of embroidery after another. >l Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. The duchess holds up her embroidery hoop in order to examine the stitching. >compliment work If you mention the embroidery again, she’ll probably insist on giving you lessons for a year. Better not. >take thred (take them) The dowager duchess could hardly fail to notice if you were to try pilfering her embroidery thread. >take thread The dowager duchess could hardly fail to notice if you were to try pilfering her embroidery thread. The duchess rocks forward and back gently in the chair. >undo One turn undone: take thread >undo One turn undone: take them >undo One turn undone: compliment work >undo One turn undone: l >undo One turn undone: z >undo One turn undone: z >take thread The dowager duchess could hardly fail to notice if you were to try pilfering her embroidery thread. >undo One turn undone: take thread >undo One turn undone: take box >take box Deftly you snatch the little enamel box and tuck it into your reticule. >e South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. The dowager bustles down the stairs, heavily laden with pieces of embroidery, framed and unframed. “Let’s sit ourselves down so I can show these to you,” she gushes. You follow her into the front parlor. As she crosses the room things keep falling, forcing her to stop and stoop to retrieve them with a series of dismayed grunts. You take pity on her and help her a bit, and at last she’s settled again in her rocker. She spends the next ten minutes boring you nearly to tears by showing off one criminally inept bit of embroidery after another. >e South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >n As you come down the hall, Thibon saunters in and plunks himself down on the stairs. He grins at you in a nasty way and starts cleaning his nails with a small dagger. “Hi there, cutie,” he says. “I thought you was locked up. Well, no matter. You won’t go far.” North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. Thibon is lounging at the foot of the stairs, grinning at you unsympathetically. Thibon winks at you. >x thibon A sly smile, a pale oily complexion, thick rubbery lips, and a shock of pale, unkempt hair. His handsome, almost foppish clothes being altogether too stylish and well-cut for a servant, it’s a good guess Thibon enjoys a special status within the household. He’s cleaning his fingernails with a small dagger. Thibon rubs his earlobe. >* nice description here Comment recorded. >x thibon A sly smile, a pale oily complexion, thick rubbery lips, and a shock of pale, unkempt hair. His handsome, almost foppish clothes being altogether too stylish and well-cut for a servant, it’s a good guess Thibon enjoys a special status within the household. He’s cleaning his fingernails with a small dagger. Thibon says, “You still here?” >talk to him You are already talking to Thibon. (You could ask him about the dogs, the necklace, the wizard, his ring, the duchess or himself) >ask him about dagger He holds the dagger up to admire it. “It’s a pip, ain’t it?” >ask him about me Thibon sticks his little finger in one ear and twists it around. “Sorry. I didn’t catch that.” >ask him about duke “He don’t let nobody nor nothin’ get in his way,” Thibon says. “Not so many men you can say that about.” >ask him about duke “You treat him right, he’ll treat you right.” Thibon giggles. “On t’other hand, if you don’t treat him right, he’ll still treat you. Count on it.” >ask him about duke “Him and me, we got an understanding,” Thibon says. “Nothin’ what would interest you, though.” >ask him about duke It seems unlikely you’ll get any useful information about Duke Esteban from Thibon. >ask him about duchess “Her? I got no opinion one way or the other. Sometimes I hear her walkin’ around the house all through the night. The wizard gave her some kind of sleeping powder, but I don’t guess it works too good.” >ask him about duchess “Her? I got no opinion one way or the other. Sometimes I hear her walkin’ around the house all through the night. The wizard gave her some kind of sleeping powder, but I don’t guess it works too good.” >ask him about wizard “What can you tell me about the wizard?” you ask. “Not much. Got a trick or two up his sleeve, I guess. Thinks he’s a lady’s man, and that’s a laugh. I seen him combin’ his mustache lookin’ in a little hand mirror he’s got. I like to bust out laughin’!” >ask him about wizard “But he could take this necklace off, couldn’t he?” you ask. “Could. Won’t. Wouldn’t dare. Wouldn’t care to, neither. Why should he? He’s no friend of yours. Wouldn’t hurt you to make up to him, though, I guess. Won’t help you none, but it couldn’t hurt.” >ask him about wizard Thibon has told you what he knows about the wizard — that the wizard is vain, and that you might try being friendly. >* nice summary Comment recorded. >ask him about necklace “I’m curious,” you venture. “Can you tell me anything about this necklace?” Thibon chuckles. “I told him it wasn’t like he needed it on you. The dogs won’t let you go anywhere, and if the dogs don’t stop you it’s not like you’ll be climbin’ over the wall. Me, I think he just wanted the wizard to feel like he was earnin’ his keep. But a little extra precautionary embellishment couldn’t hurt nothin’, I reckon. Besides, it looks good on you.” >ask him about necklace “But isn’t there some way for me to get it to come off?” you persist. “It’s kind of chafing my neck, and like you said, it’s not as if I’m going anywhere.” “Nobody but the wizard knows how to get it off,” Thibon tells you. “And it’s not like he’s gonna cross Duke Esteban. Knows which side of the bread’s got the butter on it, does our little wizard.” >ask him about necklace Quizzing Thibon further about the necklace seems not likely to avail you aught. >ask him about dogs “They’re good dogs,” he says, nodding firmly. “Easy to train, and they’ll go after you as soon as look at you, once they been trained to your scent. I train 'em, that’s part o’ my job.” >ask him about dogs “Tear you to pieces. And when I say 'you,’ I mean you. We got 'em trained on you, girlie.” >ask him about dogs “I like dogs,” you tell him. “Surely there must be some way I can get them to like me.” Thibon snorts. “No way. As long as they’re not fast asleep, they’ll rip your throat out quick as Jack-be-nimble.” >ask him about dogs It doesn’t seem you’ll be able to get any more information from Thibon about the dogs. >* You don't say Comment recorded. >l North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. Thibon is lounging at the foot of the stairs, grinning at you unsympathetically. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box) and a necklace, and carrying a hairpin. >w Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. On the harpsichord you see a sheet of music notation. >* sad Comment recorded. >x books The books are numerous, dusty, and not important. >* but I was told reading is fun-damental Comment recorded. >dust The dust is undisturbed. >dust dust The dust is undisturbed. >dust dust dust The dust is undisturbed. >dust dust dust dust dust dust dust dust dust The dust is undisturbed. >* woah Comment recorded. >l Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. On the harpsichord you see a sheet of music notation. >x harpsichord The sides of the harpsichord are inlaid with a design of capering satyrs and nymphs, but the inlay is chipped and marred. On the harpsichord you see a sheet of music notation. >x notation The sheet of music notation is large and smudged, but readable. The title at the top of the page suggests that the piece is called “Gaudeamus Igitur.” Your Latin is rusty, but you vaguely recall that this is the name of a bawdy poem. >* juvenes dum sumus! Comment recorded. >* post iucundum juven tu-tem Comment recorded. >* post molestem senectutem Comment recorded. >* nos habebit humus Comment recorded. >* etc. Comment recorded. >l Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. On the harpsichord you see a sheet of music notation. >play harpsichord Your attempt to produce a musical sound from the harpsichord can only be catalogued as a failure. The instrument proves to be in a dreadful state of disrepair. >sing song I don’t understand that command. >sing I don’t understand that command. >take sheet Taken. >play music You try plunking out the tune on the harpsichord, but the harpsichord turns out to be in a dreadful condition. Only a racket of discordant twangs, thwaps, and thumps ensues. >l Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >n (first trying to open the rosewood door) The rosewood door is locked. >unlock rosewood You don’t have the key. >pick rosewood with hairpin The rosewood door can’t be picked. >* alas Comment recorded. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. Thibon is lounging at the foot of the stairs, grinning at you unsympathetically. Thibon flips his dagger up in the air, catches it, and laughs. >give sheet to thibon “That?” Thibon’s lip curls in a sneer. “Duke thinks he’s gonna be a musician, I guess. At night I hear him scrapin’ out some tune on the hurdy-gurdy he took offa old Gorlick. That could be the very tune, but I don’t read those ink spatters, so don’t ask me.” >* hurdy-gurdy you say? Comment recorded. >l North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. Thibon is lounging at the foot of the stairs, grinning at you unsympathetically. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >x chairs They’re just ordinary chairs. >x table A massive and well-scarred slab of dark oak. The shortage of chairs suggests that the duke is not in the habit of hosting banquets. Just speculatively, that might be because his neighbors detest him. >x fireplace The fireplace is smoke-blackened and large enough that a whole ox could doubtless be cooked on a spit, if there were a spit (which there isn’t). >look up chimney What do you want to look that up in? >x chimney You see no chimney here. >l Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >x windows The windows are tall, and while they admit a little light they’re so grimy you really can’t see anything through them. >clean windows The windows doesn’t need cleaning. >* seems like they might! Comment recorded. >x chandelier Dozens of flame-shaped metal blades festoon the chandelier. Dribbles of candle wax and the protruding stubs of candles suggest that it’s more than merely decorative. A long chain extends diagonally from the rafter above the chandelier down to a hook in the wall directly behind the chair at the head of the table. >unhook chandelier The chandelier is too far away. >x chain The thick metal links of the chain suggest that it’s functional rather than decorative. Indeed, gazing upward, you can see that the heavy chandelier that dangles above the head of the dining table is suspended from the chain. >unhook chain If you do that, the chandelier will fall straight down. Other than making a loud noise, that would most likely serve no practical purpose at the moment. >* but it would annoy the duke! Comment recorded. >l Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >climb chain Aside from giving you an excuse to sing “I’m swingin’ from the chain,” a parody of a song that won’t be written for at least 300 more years, this gymnastic exercise would serve no practical purpose. >* nicely done! Comment recorded. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The old ferryman is leaned back against the wall in a straight chair, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. He spies you as you enter, and his keen old eyes mix sympathy with mischief. “Ah, the young miss,” he says. “D’ye know about the lad come to rescue you?” “Someone come to rescue me?” you say eagerly. The ferryman presses his lips together and shakes his head. “Struck down by Duke Esteban, he was. Not dead, the pitiful young fool, though fearful bloodied about the head. No sooner had the duke rid off than two men from the village come and hoisted him up, and he limped away between them. Said they’d take him to the hostel at the monastery for his wounds to be bound. Don’t reckon we’ll be seein’ any more of him.” The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >x cook As round and flour-streaked as an unbaked butterball. She’s busy in the kitchen, doing mostly what you’d expect a cook to do. >x ferryman Lean and bony, with a sharp eye, a patchy beard, and a bald, mottled scalp. When the duke dragged you off here, he had to bring you across the river in the old man’s boat. You heard him call the old man Gorlick. He’s smoking a long- stemmed pipe. The ferryman says to the cook, “You got anything special cooked up for me, sweet pea?” The cook stirs something in a bowl. >ask gorlick about hurdy-gurdy “Ah, me gurdy! The duke said he couldn’t stand hearin’ me play a tune on it. Not too musical, the duke, if you was to ask me. But who’s to say? Bibbidgy tells me he ain’t smashed it, and I’d be sorrowful to learn he did. No, he’s got it up in his room tryin’ to play it, at night when he thinks there’s nobody to hear. Well, I wouldn’t mind havin’ it back, but life goes on, you know. Truth be told, I warn’t too fleet-fingered on it meself.” >give sheet to gorlick Gorlick does not respond. >ask gorlick about duke “I used to know about that,” he says. “Or mebbe not.” >ask gorlick about duke He scratches his chin and mutters something you don’t quite catch. >ask gorlick about himself “Couldn’t rightly say,” he replies between puffs on his pipe. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >ask gorlick about gorlick “Bright-eyed, feisty young lady, ain’t ye?” The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >ask gorlick about cook “Aw, she’s sweet. Don’t let her hear me sayin’ that, though!” He pauses to guffaw, and winks at the cook to make sure she heard him. “Only thing about sweet Bibbidgy you got to know, she don’t like rats, and she don’t like fire. How she come to be a cook I couldn’t rightly say. Cook’s got to be around a stove all day long, don’t she, and how is the stove goin’ to stove if it ain’t got a fire in it? Well, that ain’t none o’ my concern, is it?” He pauses for a moment to inspect the bowl of his pipe. “Rats, though, she’ll hunt down a rat all day long if she even hears one scuttlin’ around. Ain’t that right, sweet pea?” Bibbidgy nods firmly. “I will, too. Knock their little brains out, count on it.” The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >ask gorlick about cook “She ain’t half bad as a cook, is she? And get her on the dance floor? Oh, my!” >ask gorlick about cook “She ain’t half bad as a cook, is she? And get her on the dance floor? Oh, my!” >ask gorlick about cook “She ain’t half bad as a cook, is she? And get her on the dance floor? Oh, my!” The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >ask gorlick about thibon “Ah, that’s a right mystery, ain’t it?” >ask gorlick about duchess “Couldn’t rightly say,” he replies between puffs on his pipe. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >talk to gorlick You are already talking to Gorlick. (You could ask him about the hurdy-gurdy or the dogs) >ask gorlick about dogs “The dogs seem awfully ferocious,” you observe. “They are that, right enough,” the ferryman replies. “Thibon, he’s got 'em trained up. Any time they’re awake, they’re mean — and hungry, too.” The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >ask gorlick about dogs “The dogs seem awfully ferocious,” you observe. “They are that, right enough,” the ferryman replies. “Thibon, he’s got 'em trained up. Any time they’re awake, they’re mean — and hungry, too.” >ask cook about cook Bibbidgy scratches her head. “Can’t rightly say nothin’ about that,” she says. The ferryman scratches his grizzled beard. >ask cook about cook “Me, I don’t pay no mind to nothin’ but my kitchen,” she informs you. The ferryman puffs contentedly on his pipe. >ask cook about gorlick “That old man? I got no use for him at all, but I let him come around so as to pass the time. Used to bring his hurdy-gurdy up here to play me a tune, only the duke, God bless him, took the hurdy-gurdy away from him. Claimed it was account of he couldn’t stand the sound, but then afterward I heard him up there in his room tryin’ to puzzle out a tune on hit hisself. Me, I think the duke was just jealous somebody could do somethin’ better’n he could. Gorlick moped for a spell after the hurdy-gurdy was gone—” “I never!” the old man insists. “But he got over it, mostly.” The ferryman strikes a match to re-light his pipe. The cook glares at him. >ask cook about gorlick “Ah, he ain’t too bad for a scurvy old coot. He’s sweet on me, more fool him.” >ask cook about pipe “Them as knows more about that is who you ought to talk to,” she says. “Me, I’m just the cook.” >ask cook about gorlick “Ah, he ain’t too bad for a scurvy old coot. He’s sweet on me, more fool him.” >ask cook about duke “He’s not so bad as all that,” the cook assures you. “Not once you get used to him, I mean.” >ask cook about duke “He’s not so bad as all that,” the cook assures you. “Not once you get used to him, I mean.” The ferryman puffs contentedly on his pipe. >ask cook about duchess “I never pay much attention to all that,” she says. >ask cook about dogs “The dogs don’t like me” you say. “They don’t like nobody,” the cook replies. “Only Thibon. He trains 'em up. You might try bein’ nice to 'em. I doubt it will work, but it could hardly hurt to try.” The ferryman strikes a match to re-light his pipe. The cook glares at him. >ask cook about dogs “How can I be nice to the dogs?” you ask. “They attack me the instant they see me.” “I suppose they might like a tasty treat,” the cook says. “Only thing, don’t you dare feed them those steaks. Those are for His Dukeship’s supper.” The ferryman says to the cook, “You got anything special cooked up for me, sweet pea?” >ask cook about dogs “Got nothin’ more to say about them dogs,” Bibbidgy says. >ask cook about steaks “You might talk to that Thibon about that,” she suggests. “Him is smarter than me by a fair pitch. If you don’t believe me, just ask him!” The ferryman scratches his grizzled beard. >ask cook about steaks “Them as knows more about that is who you ought to talk to,” she says. “Me, I’m just the cook.” The ferryman strikes a match to re-light his pipe. The cook glares at him. >l Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The old ferryman is leaned back against the wall in a straight chair, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >talk to cook You are already talking to Bibbidgy. (You could ask her about matches, the wizard or rats) The ferryman puffs contentedly on his pipe. >ask cook about rats “Somebody was saying there are rats in the house,” you say. “Is that true?” Bibbidgy shudders. “Better not be,” she says firmly. “You see any, or even hear 'em, you tell me.” >ask cook about rats “Somebody was saying there are rats in the house,” you say. “Is that true?” Bibbidgy shudders. “Better not be,” she says firmly. “You see any, or even hear 'em, you tell me.” The ferryman says to the cook, “You got anything special cooked up for me, sweet pea?” >ask cook about wizard “What can you tell me about the wizard?” you inquire. “Ah, that one.” Bibbidgy smacks her lips. “A sight too fond of the ladies, I’d say. He’s even been pestering Ulia, not that she’d ever let a man touch her. Hasn’t tried to get fresh with me — he knows I’d sooner brain him with a rolling pin than let him into my knickers. But if you want to get on his good side, you could try being friendly. Give him a little kiss, you know, nothing more than that.” >ask cook about wizard “What can you tell me about the wizard?” you inquire. “Ah, that one.” Bibbidgy smacks her lips. “A sight too fond of the ladies, I’d say. He’s even been pestering Ulia, not that she’d ever let a man touch her. Hasn’t tried to get fresh with me — he knows I’d sooner brain him with a rolling pin than let him into my knickers.” >ask cook about matches “You wouldn’t happen to know where I could find some matches,” you venture. Bibbidgy curls her lip. “Nasty things, matches. Never use 'em.” >ask cook about matches “Don’t you need matches to light the stove?” you ask. “Most food’s cooked a sight too much,” the cook assures you. “Don’t need the stove hardly at all, if you know what you’re about.” The ferryman scratches his grizzled beard. >ask cook about matches “Are you sure you can’t tell me where I could find a match?” you ask. “You’re not plannin’ to burn the house down, are you? No? Then you got no need of matches that I can see.” >ask cook about stove “It’s just a stove,” she says. “Even as fine and well-bred a young lady as you, I guess you know what a stove is for.” The ferryman says to the cook, “You got anything special cooked up for me, sweet pea?” >ask cook about stove “It’s just a stove,” she says. “Even as fine and well-bred a young lady as you, I guess you know what a stove is for.” >l Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The old ferryman is leaned back against the wall in a straight chair, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. The ferryman puffs contentedly on his pipe. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >x walls You see no walls here. >x cabinets The cabinets are mounted on the wall. >open it The sheet of music notation is not something you can open. The ferryman strikes a match to re-light his pipe. The cook glares at him. >open cabinets You open the cabinets. >x them The cabinets are mounted on the wall. The ferryman scratches his grizzled beard. >l Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The old ferryman is leaned back against the wall in a straight chair, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >look in cabinets You see nothing interesting in the cabinets. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >l Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The old ferryman is leaned back against the wall in a straight chair, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. The ferryman scratches his grizzled beard. >x table A long, sturdy work table, scarred by random knife cuts and lightly flecked here and there with crumbs. On the work table you see a wooden platter and a bowl of cherries. On the wooden platter you see some raw steaks. The ferryman says to the cook, “You got anything special cooked up for me, sweet pea?” >x platter A slim and slightly warped slab of wood. On the wooden platter you see some raw steaks. >x steaks Thick, juicy chunks of red meat, lightly marbled with veins of fat. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >x cherries The bowl is brimming with ripe cherries. The ferryman puffs contentedly on his pipe. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >eat cherry At the moment you’re not very hungry. >l Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. On the work table you see a wooden platter and a bowl of cherries. On the wooden platter you see some raw steaks. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The old ferryman is leaned back against the wall in a straight chair, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >x boots The old boots are cracked, scuffed, and down-at-heel. The ferryman strikes a match to re-light his pipe. The cook glares at him. >take them They wouldn’t fit you. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box) and a necklace, and carrying a sheet of music notation and a hairpin. The ferryman strikes a match to re-light his pipe. The cook glares at him. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >ask gorlick about boots “Ah, that’s a right mystery, ain’t it?” >l Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. On the work table you see a wooden platter and a bowl of cherries. On the wooden platter you see some raw steaks. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The old ferryman is leaned back against the wall in a straight chair, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >x bucket It’s probably leaky, but at the moment it’s dry inside. The ferryman says to the cook, “You got anything special cooked up for me, sweet pea?” >take it You’re not thirsty, and anyway nobody has told you where the well is. >l Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. On the work table you see a wooden platter and a bowl of cherries. On the wooden platter you see some raw steaks. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The old ferryman is leaned back against the wall in a straight chair, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. >n As you appear in the doorway, the dogs rush toward you, baying furiously! They bare their teeth and lunge at you! There are only three of them, but that’s about five too many. You slam the door hurriedly. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >x window You see no window here. >l Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. On the work table you see a wooden platter and a bowl of cherries. On the wooden platter you see some raw steaks. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The old ferryman is leaned back against the wall in a straight chair, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. The ferryman puffs contentedly on his pipe. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >e Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. From somewhere nearby you hear something squeaking. >x shelves Floor to ceiling. Someone seems to like onions a great deal, as there’s certainly no shortage of them. On the bottom shelf are some burlap bags. From behind the bags you hear an indistinct scuttling sound. Possibly it’s a rat. >take onion The onions are not important. >x bags Plump burlap bags bursting with grain. Probably millet. >listen The scrabbling, squeaking noises are quiet, but they suggest strongly that the pantry is the happy hunting ground of some rats. >move bags The burlap bags are fixed in place. >look behind bag You find nothing behind your beaded reticule. >look behind burlap You find nothing behind the burlap bags. >l Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. >search bags You see nothing interesting in the burlap bags. >kick bags It’s best to avoid pointless violence. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box) and a necklace, and carrying a sheet of music notation and a hairpin. >x rats You can’t see any rats, but from time to time you hear little scuttling scrabbling noises. >w Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. On the work table you see a wooden platter and a bowl of cherries. On the wooden platter you see some raw steaks. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. Gorlick is standing by the door. “Got to be goin’,” he says to Bibbidgy. “Barnacles to scrape an’ whatnot. As for you, little lady,” he says, turning to you with a wink, “mayhap you can find your own way out o’ the fine mess you’re in. Me, I can’t help you none. I don’t dare.” The dogs yammer and yap as he opens the door and slips out. >tell cook about rats “I thought I heard a rat in the pantry,” you tell the cook. “Ah, not again! Thank you for tellin’ me!” She grabs a hefty frying pan and stalks into the pantry. From within, you hear her cry, “Come out, little rattie! Come out and meet mama! Here, rattie, rattie!” >put powder on steaks You sprinkle a hefty dose of the white powder onto the steaks. >give steaks to dogs You see no dogs here. >take stakes You see no stakes here. >take steaks You pick up the platter. >open door Opened. >give steaks to dogs You see no dogs here. >n As the dogs charge toward you, intent on mayhem, you quickly set the wooden platter on the ground and retreat a few steps. They pause to investigate the meat, determine that it’s both edible and tasty, and wolf it down, quarreling with one another for the best bits. Within less than a minute, they’re stretched out on the ground, snoring. Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >* whew Comment recorded. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. On the work table you see a bowl of cherries. >take all white powder: The only way to carry the powder around is to leave it in the enamel box. You take the bowl of cherries and the little enamel box. >l Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >open stove Opened. >look in stoe You see no stoe here. >look in stove You see nothing interesting in the big iron stove. The cook returns from the pantry, looking frazzled but triumphant. “That’ll take care of the little monsters, I reckon,” she says. >e Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. >listen The scrabbling, squeaking noises are quiet, but they suggest strongly that the pantry is the happy hunting ground of some rats. >w Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. Standing in the middle of the kitchen with her hands on her hips, the cook frowns in perplexity. “Now where did those steaks get to?” You do your best to look innocent, and it works. She shrugs and says, “Ah, well. I guess Thibon must have run off with 'em. Always playin’ tricks, he is.” >close stove Done. >d Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >smell You smell nothing out of the ordinary. >* ah Comment recorded. >x casks The casks are made of wood, possibly oak, in the usual barrel shape. No spigots, though; they don’t seem to have been tapped. There’s a narrow gap beside the casks through which you might be able to travel a bit further to the north. >listen Soft whuffling and occasional scrabbling noises are audible. >l Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >x shelf The shelf is stacked high with casks. >n Cramped Space The cramped space behind the casks is small and surprisingly warm, but there’s nothing to be seen here. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. >listen Soft whuffling and occasional scrabbling noises are audible. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a bowl of cherries, a little enamel box (in which is some white powder), a sheet of music notation, and a hairpin. >drop cherries You drop the bowl of cherries. >take them You no longer see that here. >take it Taken. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >u Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >ask cook about cellar “I never pay much attention to all that,” she says. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. Thibon is lounging at the foot of the stairs, grinning at you unsympathetically. >u Thibon shakes his head at you and smirks. “Can’t have you just wanderin’ around anywhere, can we, missy? Stuff upstairs I reckon His Dukeness wouldn’t want you messin’ with. Or botherin’ Porfiru. You won’t get in no trouble down here.” Thibon hums a little tune. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >x dogs The dogs are sound asleep. >pet dogs You would have to be insane to take a chance on waking them. >g You would have to be insane to take a chance on waking them. >x chickens They’re just ordinary chickens. >take chickens The chickens are not important. >pet chickens The chickens are not important. >l Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >n You can’t go that way. From here you could go east or south. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go east or south. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >x trees The tree sports quite a mass of foliage. There are some stout branches up there. >x sundial The sundial tops what was once a waist-high pedestal of stone. Alas, it will never tell time again. It has fallen over on its side. >lift sundial I don’t understand that command. >push sundial Pushing the fallen sundial has no effect. >flip sundial You can’t usefully flip the fallen sundial. >turn sundial Turning the fallen sundial achieves nothing. >l Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >look under sundial You find nothing of interest under the fallen sundial. >x spikes The spikes look wickedly sharp. >x wall The wall is tall, thick, and topped by a closely spaced row of iron spikes. >x earth It appears the soil has been spaded up here, and then tamped down again. >dig earth You poke around gingerly for a minute in the dirt, but find nothing of any interest. The prospect of digging any deeper is not in the least appealing. For one thing, what it would do to your nails. For another, there might actually be something (or someone) buried there, and you’d really much prefer not to know for certain. >l Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >x tree The tree sports quite a mass of foliage. There are some stout branches up there. >clim it (climb it) You scramble up into the tree. On a Tree Branch The spikes at the top of the wall are almost close enough to touch, but they look even nastier than they did from down below. A bird’s nest is tucked into a crook between two branches. In the nest you see a ruby ring. >x nes (x mes) Your luxuriantly long and curly brown hair is a bit of a tangle, as you haven’t had access to a comb or mirror for days. You’re wearing a necklace, which you can’t see, though you can feel it around your neck. And the gown you were wearing when the duke kidnapped you. The gown is now wrinkled and a bit whiffy, as the duke didn’t stop to pack your wardrobe. Other than that — well, a bath would be nice, but it’s not your most urgent problem. >x nest Not surprisingly, the nest is built out of twigs. There’s no bird in evidence at the moment. In the nest you see a ruby ring. >x ring A chunky gold band in which is mounted a sparkling blood-colored ruby. >take it Taken. >wear it You slip the ring onto your finger, but it’s too big for you, and slides right off. >open it The ruby ring is not something you can open. >d Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >x weeds You see no weeds here. >* oops Comment recorded. >x manor You see no manor here. >x house (x hole) The keyhole turns out to be wide enough for you to put your little finger into it, but doing so has no practical result. In the absence of a key, the padlock is going to prove an insurmountable barrier. >* huh Comment recorded. >l Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >x gate The gate looks to be quite impregnable, what with the close-set iron-bound wood beams and the massive padlock. >x padlock The padlock is as big as your head. It’s made of metal, iron at a guess. (Straw is not reputed to be a suitable substance with which to make padlocks.) There’s a keyhole, of course, but you don’t have the key. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or east. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little enamel box (in which is some white powder), a bowl of cherries, a ruby ring, a sheet of music notation, and a hairpin. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go east or south. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >ask cook about ring Bibbidgy scratches her head. “Can’t rightly say nothin’ about that,” she says. >give ring to cook “Ooh, that’s Thibon’s precious ring,” Bibbidgy says. “Best you give it to him when next you see him. He’ll be ever so grateful.” >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. Thibon is lounging at the foot of the stairs, grinning at you unsympathetically. >save Saved. >give ring to thibon You show Thibon the ruby ring. “I heard you were looking for this,” you say. He holds out his hand. “Gimme.” You hand him the ring. He inspects it critically and frowns at you. “Where’d you find it?” “It was under the dining room table,” you tell him innocently. “Thought I looked there. Well, never mind. I guess I owe you one, then. See you around.” With that, he dons the ring and wanders away, holding his hand up to admire it. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >save Saved. >e As you appear in the doorway carrying the bowl of cherries, Porfiru hops up and comes to bar your way. “No, no,” he says. “You mustn’t come in here with the cherries. Hermione is already becoming rather obese, you see. If I’m not careful about restricting her diet, she may soon be so fat she won’t be able to fly.” You retreat to the hallway, and he returns to his desk. >* eek Comment recorded. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >x embroidery You see no embroidery here. >* huh Comment recorded. >x framed You see no framed here. >x pieces You see no pieces here. >x walls You see no walls here. >x rugs The throw-rugs are a haphazard lot. Most of them lie flat, but one, a russet- colored monstrosity with a lumpy macramé design that might possibly be a lion, is rather rucked up. >x lion The rug is thick and reddish-brown. It’s about four feet long and three feet wide. The figure of the lion is unconvincing. >move lion Moving the lion rug has no effect. >pull lion Pulling the lion rug has no effect. >look under lion In picking up the rug, you discover that there’s a hole in the floor beneath it — a gap between two of the floorboards. >x gap There’s a narrow gap between two of the floorboards. >look in gap Peering down through the hole, you have a bird’s-eye view of the kitchen. The cook is moving around down there. As you watch, she picks up a small metal box from the table, glares at it, looks around in a ruminative way, and then stuffs it into one of the old boots standing near the door. >* hmmm Comment recorded. >l The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. There’s a little hole in the floor in the spot where the lion rug was lying. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A rug that might be meant to depict a lion is among the collection. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >x basket A wicker hamper overflowing with balls of colored thread. >open it It’s already open. >look in basket In the sewing basket you see some scissors. >take scissors Taken. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >s South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >x doorway The arched doorway leads to the duke’s bedchamber. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, east or south. >s Duke Esteban’s Bedchamber A sumptuously appointed but somehow garish and tasteless bedroom. Opposite the canopied four-poster bed is a cabinet. Leaning casually against the cabinet is a hurdy-gurdy. The maid is straightening the covers on the bed. When she sees you, she swiftly digs into her satchel and pulls out a pamphlet. “Hello,” she says. “I was reading this this morning and thinking of you. It’s inspirational. I was thinking you might benefit from reading it.” She holds it out to you. >x bed The bed is wide, probably soft, and certainly sinister. “These pamphlets are so important,” she says. “Everybody should read them and take their holy messages to heart!” >take pamphlet She hands you the pamphlet, in the process brushing your hand briefly. Her fingers are damp. “Oh, I’m so happy to share the good news! Do read it!” >read it The descriptions of sin are surprisingly lurid. On the other hand, the means by which one can avoid sinning are vague. “I had a look at your pamphlet,” you admit. “I’m so happy to hear that!” Ulia gushes. “I have lots more holy literature! But first — I know, let’s go to the chapel together and pray! Wouldn’t that be wonderful? I don’t know if you’ve been to the chapel, so just follow me.” She beckons you to follow her out the door of the bedchamber. [Note: For the next few turns, the normal commands that move you from room to room won’t work. In order to travel, you’ll need to 'follow ulia’.] >follow Whom do you want to follow? >ulia You follow Ulia to the north. South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >x ulia Thin and rather drab, with a washed-out complexion and faded clothes, Ulia is plainly the member of the household with the lowest status. She wears a large leather satchel, or pouch, which is slung from a shoulder strap. She’s busy doing the things maids usually do. >x pouch The bulging leather satchel is slung on a shoulder strap, and hangs at Ulia’s waist. >open pouch You’re much too well-bred to go rummaging among Ulia’s personal possessions. >follow ulia You follow Ulia to the north. North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. Ulia fidgets as she waits for you to follow her. >g You follow Ulia down. North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. Ulia beckons to you. >g You follow Ulia to the west. Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. “Let’s hurry to the chapel!” she says. She retrieves a key from her satchel and unlocks the rosewood door. >g Ulia opens the rosewood door. You follow Ulia through the rosewood door. Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. On the altar you see a cloth sack. “Ah, here we are!” she says, lifting her arms as if to embrace the entire room. >* ah! Comment recorded. >x brass The candlesticks are tall, but not very interesting. >x altar The altar is really just a low square table draped with a white cloth. On the altar you see a cloth sack. >x cloth The altar cloth adds a solemn note to the decor. >x sack The little cloth sack is brown. >pray Ulia’s eyes shine with admiration. “Oh, yes — you do understand!” >ask ulia about ulia “Isn’t it wonderful having a holy relic to gaze upon,” she says irrelevantly. >ask ulia about relic “The pouch was given to me by a traveling monk,” she explains. “It contains a very holy relic — a shoelace from the venerated foot of Saint Giselda.” >ask ulia about shoelace “Holy, holy, holy,” she murmurs. >ask ulia about giselda “Perhaps we can speak of that later,” she says. >ask ulia about relic Ulia has explained that the cloth pouch contains a holy relic. >ask ulia about duke Rather than answer, she hums a hymn softly. >talk to her You are already talking to Ulia. >pray Ulia’s eyes shine with admiration. “Oh, yes — you do understand!” >open sack Her eyes fly open. “Oh, no, you mustn’t touch the holy cloth pouch!” >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go south. >s Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >n Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. On the altar you see a cloth sack. Ulia is kneeling on the low padded bench, her eyes closed, her hands clasped together, murmuring a prayer. >kneel You get on the kneeling bench. >pray Ulia’s eyes shine with admiration. “Oh, yes — you do understand!” >g Ulia’s eyes shine with admiration. “Oh, yes — you do understand!” >g Ulia’s eyes shine with admiration. “Oh, yes — you do understand!” >g Ulia’s eyes shine with admiration. “Oh, yes — you do understand!” >stand You get off the kneeling bench. >l Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. On the altar you see a cloth sack. Ulia is kneeling on the low padded bench, her eyes closed, her hands clasped together, murmuring a prayer. >take cloth You’re in no need of an enormous handkerchief. >s Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >x bowl The bowl is brimming with ripe cherries. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >drop bowl Dropped. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >x bowl It’s a very ordinary bowl. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >take it The bowl is not important. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. You can see a bowl of cherries here. >take all white powder: The only way to carry the powder around is to leave it in the enamel box. You take the bowl of cherries. >l North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying some scissors, a religious pamphlet, a bowl of cherries, a hairpin, a little enamel box (in which is some white powder), and a sheet of music notation. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. There’s a little hole in the floor in the spot where the lion rug was lying. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A rug that might be meant to depict a lion is among the collection. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >s South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. > South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >s Duke Esteban’s Bedchamber A sumptuously appointed but somehow garish and tasteless bedroom. Opposite the canopied four-poster bed is a cabinet. Leaning casually against the cabinet is a hurdy-gurdy. >take hurdy-gurdy The hurdy-gurdy can only be played using two hands. You’ll need to drop whatever you’re holding. >put all in reticule your beaded reticule: The sheet of music notation is too big to fit in your beaded reticule. little enamel box: You should probably close the box first. white powder: The powder may be good for something, but putting it there would probably be a waste. your beaded reticule: The religious pamphlet is too big to fit in your beaded reticule. your beaded reticule: The bowl of cherries is too big to fit in your beaded reticule. hurdy-gurdy: (first trying to take the hurdy-gurdy) The hurdy-gurdy can only be played using two hands. You’ll need to drop whatever you’re holding. necklace: (first trying to take off the necklace) You’ve fiddled with the catch about a hundred times, to no avail. And you’re not fumble-fingered or unfamiliar with the donning and doffing of necklaces. No, it’s clear the wizard ensorcelled the darn thing so it won’t come off. You put the hairpin and the scissors in your beaded reticule. >take hurdy-gurdy The hurdy-gurdy can only be played using two hands. You’ll need to drop whatever you’re holding. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which are some scissors and a hairpin) and a necklace, and carrying a religious pamphlet, a bowl of cherries, a little enamel box (in which is some white powder), and a sheet of music notation. >drop all necklace: (first trying to take off the necklace) You’ve fiddled with the catch about a hundred times, to no avail. And you’re not fumble-fingered or unfamiliar with the donning and doffing of necklaces. No, it’s clear the wizard ensorcelled the darn thing so it won’t come off. your beaded reticule: (first trying to take off your beaded reticule) Best keep it on for now. It might come in handy. You drop the sheet of music notation, the little enamel box, the religious pamphlet, and the bowl of cherries. >take hurdy-gurdy Taken. >play it You turn the crank on the hurdy-gurdy and run through a few notes of a favorite air. >play sheet You pick out, haltingly, the opening notes of “Gaudeamus Igitur.” With a quiet click, the door of the inlaid cabinet springs open! Lying on a shelf in the cabinet is a book. >* oh OK Comment recorded. >drop hurdy-gurdy Dropped. >take all white powder: The only way to carry the powder around is to leave it in the enamel box. hurdy-gurdy: The hurdy-gurdy can only be played using two hands. You’ll need to drop whatever you’re holding. You take the well-thumbed book, the hairpin, the scissors, the sheet of music notation, the little enamel box, the religious pamphlet, and the bowl of cherries. >l Duke Esteban’s Bedchamber A sumptuously appointed but somehow garish and tasteless bedroom. Opposite the canopied four-poster bed is a cabinet. You can see a hurdy-gurdy here. >x bed The bed is wide, probably soft, and certainly sinister. >look under bed You find nothing of interest under the four-poster bed. >x cabinet The doors of the cabinet are inlaid with a design of a coquettish young woman hiding part of her face behind a fan. >open it The inlaid cabinet is already open. >x book The pages of the book are well-thumbed, and the wood-cut illustrations are really quite shocking. You like to think of yourself as a modern, sophisticated young lady, but you’ve never even suspected that people might do that, or that, or that. Oh, my! >* eek Comment recorded. >read it The text, what there is of it, is replete with misspellings and grammatical errors. But the illustrations — after perusing a few pages in mounting consternation, you shut the book firmly and vow never to look at it again. >take it You’re already holding the well-thumbed book. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little enamel box (in which is some white powder), a sheet of music notation, a religious pamphlet, a bowl of cherries, a well-thumbed book, some scissors, and a hairpin. >n South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, east or south. >e The Lavatory A basin on a table, a water pitcher next to it, and a large, round, splintery- looking wooden tub are the fixtures here. (Indoor plumbing has not yet been invented.) The door is to the west. >x basin The basin is cracked. >take basin The basin is not important. >x pitcher The pitcher is empty. >take it The water pitcher is not important. >x tub The tub is uninviting. >enter tub The wooden tub is not important. >l The Lavatory A basin on a table, a water pitcher next to it, and a large, round, splintery- looking wooden tub are the fixtures here. (Indoor plumbing has not yet been invented.) The door is to the west. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go west. >w South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, east or south. >n North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. There’s a little hole in the floor in the spot where the lion rug was lying. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A rug that might be meant to depict a lion is among the collection. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e As you appear in the doorway carrying the bowl of cherries, Porfiru hops up and comes to bar your way. “No, no,” he says. “You mustn’t come in here with the cherries. Hermione is already becoming rather obese, you see. If I’m not careful about restricting her diet, she may soon be so fat she won’t be able to fly.” You retreat to the hallway, and he returns to his desk. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little enamel box (in which is some white powder), a sheet of music notation, a religious pamphlet, a bowl of cherries, a well-thumbed book, some scissors, and a hairpin. >put cherries in purse The bowl of cherries is too big to fit in your beaded reticule. >drop bowl Dropped. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. The wizard is sitting in an armchair at his desk. >save Saved. >x clutter The shelves and tables are not important. The wizard looks up into the distant rafters at the top of the room, makes a little clucking noise with his tongue, and smiles. >x shelves The shelves and tables are not important. The wizard takes a sip of tea. >l A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. The wizard is sitting in an armchair at his desk. The wizard sharpens his quill pen with a little penknife. >x implements You see no implements here. >x pallet Unless you’re planning to sleep with him (and you’re not!), the pallet is of no potential interest to you. >* eek Comment recorded. >l A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. The wizard is sitting in an armchair at his desk. >x desk The desk is large and cluttered. Mounted on one corner is a small brass brazier, and a drawer is mounted beneath the desk. Near the wizard’s elbow is his gently steaming teacup. >x brazier The interior of the cup-shaped brass brazier is stained gray and black, as if things are burned in it from time to time. >x teacup The wizard’s teacup is on his desk. Curiously, no matter how much he sips from it, it remains full. >take it You’re not actually all that thirsty. Anyway, Porfiru would never let you. The wizard says, “You’re really very pretty. I hope you’ll come to like living here.” >x drawer The drawer is tucked away beneath the desk. On the front of the drawer is, you guessed it, a keyhole. The wizard doodles pentagrams on a scrap of paper. >open it It seems not very likely that Porfiru would want you to do that. >l A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. The wizard is sitting in an armchair at his desk. >x wizard Porfiru is a smallish, mild-looking man. He’s not wearing a pointy wizard hat or a purple robe decorated with arcane symbols, more’s the pity. The bushy mustache attempts to imbue his face with gravitas, but the effect is undercut by the spectacles that have slid halfway down his nose. The implements of his wizardly craft are arrayed before him on the desk. >talk to him You are already talking to Porfiru. (You could ask him about Hermione, himself, the necklace or magic) The wizard takes a sip of tea. >ask him about himself “Me? Well, I suppose I have a certain measure of talent in the sorcerous area.” He pauses to primp his mustache. “And I don’t mind confessing I’m quite fond of the young ladies.” He leans toward you conspiratorially, and winks. “If you promise not to tell anyone, you may give me a little kiss when we’re alone, heh-heh. Duke Esteban has promised that if all goes well, he will soon see to it that I’m provided a — ah, er, I suppose I needn’t go into that.” >ask him about himself “Me? Well, I suppose I have a certain measure of talent in the sorcerous area.” He pauses to primp his mustache. “And I don’t mind confessing I’m quite fond of the young ladies.” He leans toward you conspiratorially, and winks. “If you promise not to tell anyone, you may give me a little kiss when we’re alone, heh-heh. Duke Esteban has promised that if all goes well, he will soon see to it that I’m provided a — ah, er, I suppose I needn’t go into that.” >ask him about duke “My patron, Duke Esteban, is a fine man. A bit brusque at times, but he lets nothing stand in his way, and I admire that.” >ask him about duke “My patron, Duke Esteban, is a fine man. A bit brusque at times, but he lets nothing stand in his way, and I admire that.” >ask him about duchess “A charming older lady, don’t you think?” >ask him about duchess “A charming older lady, don’t you think?” >ask him about thibon “You young people are simply bursting with curiosity, I must say.” Porfiru smiles at you benignly. >ask him about thibon He takes a sip of tea. “I’m sorry. I drifted off for a moment there. You were saying...?” >ask him about hurdy-gurdy “Heh-heh-heh.” Porfiru pauses to stroke his mustache. “Perhaps now that you’re here, Duke Esteban will find less need to amuse himself with it.” >ask him about magic “I’m sure you’re a powerful wizard,” you tell him. “What can you tell me about magic?” “Oh, I’m sure magic wouldn’t interest you,” he says condescendingly. “You’re only a girl. But yes, I’ve devoted many long years to the study of the art. Writing in invisible ink, for instance. I always write out my most potent spells in invisible ink, to protect them from prying eyes.” >ask him about magic “No, no, don’t concern your pretty little head with that,” he insists. >ask him about ink “How can you possibly read something,” you ask, “if it’s written in invisible ink?” “Oh, my goodness! You certainly don’t expect me to tell you that!” >ask him about ink “Not, no,” he says. “Let’s talk about something else.” >ask him about matches “I really haven’t given the matter much thought,” he confesses. >ask him about necklace “I’m wondering if possibly I could convince you to take off the necklace now,” you tell Porfiru. “It’s kind of uncomfortable, and really you can trust me! I promise to be nice.” He chuckles in a kindly way. “Oh, no, I don’t think so. Removing it would require quite an elaborate spell. I’m proud of the spell, if I do say so. Here, let me show you.” He whistles in a peculiar high-pitched way — and within moments a large bat flutters down from the ceiling! The bat settles on the desk and folds its wings, and the wizard strokes its head fondly. “Hello, Hermione. How are we feeling this afternoon, eh?” The bat squeaks, though whether that’s a reply or just a thing bats do, you have no notion. Hanging around the bat’s neck on a slim purple ribbon is a small silver key. The wizard deftly slips the ribbon over the bat’s head and unlocks his desk drawer with the key. From the drawer he brings out a somewhat tattered parchment scroll. “Here, you see? This tells how to remove the necklace.” Curiously, the scroll appears to be blank. He says it tells how to remove the necklace, but you can’t see any writing on it at all. He puts the scroll back into the drawer, closes and locks the drawer, and loops the purple ribbon once more around the neck of the bat. The bat flutters upward, back toward the dim and distant ceiling. >whistle Porfiru does not respond. >whistle to hermione Porfiru does not respond. >kiss wizard You plant a gentle maidenly kiss on the wizard’s cheek. He smiles at you. “Just a moment.” He jumps up, trots across the room, and returns with a small hand mirror, which he uses to comb and fluff up his mustache with his fingers. >kiss wizard Maybe once was enough. You wouldn’t want to offer him too much encouragement. The wizard sharpens his quill pen with a little penknife. >ask him about necklace “So it’s really a magic necklace?” you ask. “I mean, it really will kill me if I go past the wall? Aren’t those nasty sharp spikes on the wall enough to keep me here?” “It’s quite deadly, I assure you,” he replies. “But that needn’t concern you, as far as I can see. You’re not planning to leave, are you?” He chuckles indulgently. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. You can see a bowl of cherries here. >take cherries You take the bowl of cherries. >e As you appear in the doorway carrying the bowl of cherries, Porfiru hops up and comes to bar your way. “No, no,” he says. “You mustn’t come in here with the cherries. Hermione is already becoming rather obese, you see. If I’m not careful about restricting her diet, she may soon be so fat she won’t be able to fly.” You retreat to the hallway, and he returns to his desk. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >whistle (white) It looks potent. Probably it could send almost anybody off to dreamland. >* oops Comment recorded. >put powder on cherries You can’t put anything on the bowl of cherries. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >whistle (white) It looks potent. Probably it could send almost anybody off to dreamland. >u You scramble up into the tree. On a Tree Branch The spikes at the top of the wall are almost close enough to touch, but they look even nastier than they did from down below. A bird’s nest is tucked into a crook between two branches. >take nest The nest would only fall to pieces if you tried to pick it up. >d Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or south. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or east. >n (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go east or south. >n You can’t go that way. From here you could go east or south. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >s South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. Dowager Duchess Dorolinda squints suspiciously at you. “Is that my enamel box? Why, yes, I believe it is!” She snatches it from you with an indignant sniff and tucks it into her bosom. For no very clear reason, you’re overcome with a sensation of deep dread. Possibly the stuff in the box had some definite use that you weren’t aware of. Duke Esteban is going to be very happy this evening. You, not so much. >undo One turn undone: w >* uh oh Comment recorded. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >w Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >n Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. On the altar you see a cloth sack. Ulia is kneeling on the low padded bench, her eyes closed, her hands clasped together, murmuring a prayer. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little enamel box (in which is some white powder), a sheet of music notation, a religious pamphlet, a bowl of cherries, a well-thumbed book, some scissors, and a hairpin. >give book to maid “Have you seen this?” you say to Ulia. “There are some sins in it that I thought you might not be familiar with.” She takes the book from you gingerly and flips it open. Her eyes grow wide and her mouth falls open. “Oh, dear,” she says at last, breathing hard. “I had never even — this is monstrous! It’s dreadful! Thank you so very much for showing it to me. I must study it further, much further, so as to be armed in the future against—” She licks her lips. “—against the temptations of the flesh.” She springs up from the kneeling bench and rushes out of the chapel, clutching the book tight. >l Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. On the altar you see a cloth sack. >open sack Opening the cloth sack reveals a holy shoelace. >take lace Taken. >x it The shoelace is obviously of great age. It’s not exactly falling to pieces, but traces of rot are evident. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a religious pamphlet, a little enamel box (in which is some white powder), a bowl of cherries, a holy shoelace, a hairpin, a sheet of music notation, and some scissors. >cut lace You can’t cut the holy shoelace. >s Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >n Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. On the altar you see a cloth sack. >take sack Taken. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a bowl of cherries, a religious pamphlet, a holy shoelace, a cloth sack, a hairpin, a little enamel box (in which is some white powder), some scissors, and a sheet of music notation. >put all in sack cloth sack: The sheet of music notation is too big to fit in the cloth sack. little enamel box: You should probably close the box first. white powder: The powder may be good for something, but putting it there would probably be a waste. cloth sack: The religious pamphlet is too big to fit in the cloth sack. cloth sack: The bowl of cherries is too big to fit in the cloth sack. necklace: (first trying to take off the necklace) You’ve fiddled with the catch about a hundred times, to no avail. And you’re not fumble-fingered or unfamiliar with the donning and doffing of necklaces. No, it’s clear the wizard ensorcelled the darn thing so it won’t come off. your beaded reticule: (first trying to take off your beaded reticule) Best keep it on for now. It might come in handy. You put the hairpin, the scissors, and the holy shoelace in the cloth sack. >s Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, east, south, southeast or down. >talk to cook about wizard Bibbidgy does not respond. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >e Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go west. >w Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. There’s a little hole in the floor in the spot where the lion rug was lying. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A rug that might be meant to depict a lion is among the collection. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >d You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, east, south, west or up. >w Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >tell cook about rats “Are you sure you got rid of the rat in the pantry?” you ask. “Sure as I need to be, for now,” she replies. >e Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. >listen The scrabbling, squeaking noises are quiet, but they suggest strongly that the pantry is the happy hunting ground of some rats. >w Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >x box A design of blue and green lumpy blobs on a black background decorates the hinged lid of the little enamel box. On close inspection, the blobs may be crudely illustrated sheep. The little enamel box is open and contains some white powder. >x boot The old boots are cracked, scuffed, and down-at-heel. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >look in boot In the pair of old boots you see a metal box. >take metal Taken. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >x metal Which do you mean, the tarnished suit of armor or the metal box? >box The metal box is small enough to fit in your hand. >open it Opening the metal box reveals a match. >x matc You see no matc here. >x match A slim wooden stick with a little knob of sulfur or gunpowder or something (you’re not too clear on the technology) at one end. >* OK so that will light the brazier to reveal the invisble ink... Comment recorded. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e As you appear in the doorway carrying the bowl of cherries, Porfiru hops up and comes to bar your way. “No, no,” he says. “You mustn’t come in here with the cherries. Hermione is already becoming rather obese, you see. If I’m not careful about restricting her diet, she may soon be so fat she won’t be able to fly.” You retreat to the hallway, and he returns to his desk. >drop cherries You drop the bowl of cherries. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a little hand mirror. The wizard is sitting in an armchair at his desk. The wizard says, “You’re really very pretty. I hope you’ll come to like living here.” >x mirror It’s just a little hand mirror. The wizard doodles pentagrams on a scrap of paper. >take it As your hand glides toward the mirror, Porfiru says, “Tsk-tsk. Mustn’t touch.” The wizard looks up into the distant rafters at the top of the room, makes a little clucking noise with his tongue, and smiles. >tell wizard about maid “I’d rather not get into that at the moment, if you don’t mind.” >tell wizard about cook The wizard shrugs lightly. “The world is filled with these little perplexities,” he muses. >tell wizard about duke “I really haven’t given the matter much thought,” he confesses. >talk to wizard You are already talking to Porfiru. (You could ask him about Hermione or the necklace) >ask him about bat “This ... Hermione...??” you ask hesitantly. Porfiru nods happily. “She’s quite harmless, I assure you. She’s a fruit bat, not one of the awful blood-sucking kind.” A bat, you find yourself thinking. He has a pet bat. >ask him about bat “This ... Hermione...??” you ask hesitantly. Porfiru nods happily. “She’s quite harmless, I assure you. She’s a fruit bat, not one of the awful blood-sucking kind.” A bat, you find yourself thinking. He has a pet bat. >ask him about necklace “It’s a pretty necklace, one of the dowager duchess’s castoffs. You look quite fetching in it, I think,” he says. >talk to wizard You are already talking to Porfiru. (You could ask him about the necklace) The wizard takes a sip of tea. >ask him about necklace It’s no use. You’re not going to convince him to do anything about the necklace. >put powder in tea At a moment when Porfiru is scrutinizing a scroll and therefore not paying much attention to you, you dump what remains of the white powder into his tea. A few moments later he drinks deeply from the tea, goes back to reading the scroll — and then yawns hugely, removes his spectacles, rubs his eyes, and slumps over in his chair, asleep. >* OK, still works! Comment recorded. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. You can see a bowl of cherries here. >take cherries You take the bowl of cherries. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see some wire-rimmed spectacles and a little hand mirror. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >whistle He’s asleep. Best not disturb him. >take mirror Taken. >give cherries to bat You see no to bat here. >put cherries on desk After a moment, a sonorous flutter of wings announces the arrival of the large brown bat named Hermione. The bat settles on the desk and busies itself munching with surprising delicacy on the cherries in the bowl. >take ribbon Taken. >unlock drawer Unlocked. >open it Opening the drawer reveals an apparently blank scroll. >take blank Taken. >light brazier with match You cannot burn the brass brazier. >light brazier The brass brazier is not something you can light. >* really? Comment recorded. >x brazier The interior of the cup-shaped brass brazier is stained gray and black, as if things are burned in it from time to time. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little hand mirror, a metal box (in which is a match), a little silver key, an apparently blank scroll, a sheet of music notation, a cloth sack (in which are some scissors, a holy shoelace, and a hairpin), a little enamel box, and a religious pamphlet. >put pamphlet in brazier You put the religious pamphlet in the brass brazier. >burn pamphplet You see no pamphplet here. >burn pamphlet You cannot burn the religious pamphlet. >burn brazier You cannot burn the brass brazier. >* a little trouble here... Comment recorded. >light brazier The brass brazier is not something you can light. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >burn scroll You cannot burn the apparently blank scroll. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >light fireplace The great stone fireplace is not something you can light. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little hand mirror, a metal box (in which is a match), a little silver key, an apparently blank scroll, a sheet of music notation, a cloth sack (in which are some scissors, a holy shoelace, and a hairpin), and a little enamel box. >pull chai You see no chai here. >pull chain You give the chain an experimental tug, and the chandelier sways alarmingly. Unhooking the chain might be dangerous for anybody who happened to be sitting directly under the chandelier. >unhook chain If you do that, the chandelier will fall straight down. Other than making a loud noise, that would most likely serve no practical purpose at the moment. >* I want the candle... Comment recorded. >w North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >x earth It appears the soil has been spaded up here, and then tamped down again. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little hand mirror, a metal box (in which is a match), a little silver key, an apparently blank scroll, a sheet of music notation, a cloth sack (in which are some scissors, a holy shoelace, and a hairpin), and a little enamel box. >read blank The scroll appears to be blank, except for some very faint and thoroughly indecipherable markings. Possibly whatever is written on it was written using invisible ink. >g The scroll appears to be blank, except for some very faint and thoroughly indecipherable markings. Possibly whatever is written on it was written using invisible ink. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >n (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or east. >n (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >s You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or east. >n (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >x stove The stove is a big pot-bellied affair made of wrought iron. >put blank over stove I don’t understand that command. >put scroll on stove You can’t put anything on the big iron stove. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >d Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >n Cramped Space The cramped space behind the casks is small and surprisingly warm, but there’s nothing to be seen here. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. >touch wall (touch all) Sorry; ALL is not allowed with this command. >l Cramped Space The cramped space behind the casks is small and surprisingly warm, but there’s nothing to be seen here. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go south. >n You can’t go that way. From here you could go south. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go south. >l Cramped Space The cramped space behind the casks is small and surprisingly warm, but there’s nothing to be seen here. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. >feel floor The ground is not important. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >x cass You see no cass here. >u Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >e Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. >w Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or west. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >s South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, south, west or southeast. >s (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >se At the Bottom of the Tower Stairs The stairs curve upward from here into the tower. Passage to the northwest is now easy, as the grille is no longer locked. On the wall next to the grille is a large wooden panel into which various figures have been carved. >nw South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, south, west or southeast. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. Dowager Duchess Dorolinda squints suspiciously at you. “Is that my enamel box? Why, yes, I believe it is!” She snatches it from you with an indignant sniff and tucks it into her bosom. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little hand mirror, a little silver key, an apparently blank scroll, a sheet of music notation, a metal box (in which is a match), and a cloth sack (in which are some scissors, a holy shoelace, and a hairpin). The duchess rocks forward and back gently in the chair. >* guess we're safe to lose the powder now Comment recorded. >x mirror It’s just a little hand mirror. >e South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >w Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >n Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. >s Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >give mirror to cook Bibbidgy does not respond. >talk to cook You are already talking to Bibbidgy. (You could ask her about matches) The cook stirs something in a bowl. >ask cook about matches It seems clear Bibbidgy isn’t going to help you find any matches. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. There’s a little hole in the floor in the spot where the lion rug was lying. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A rug that might be meant to depict a lion is among the collection. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a bowl of cherries and some wire-rimmed spectacles. A large brown bat is perched on the wizard’s desk. In the brass brazier you see a religious pamphlet. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >cut pamphlet You can’t cut the religious pamphlet. >pet bat Your intentions might all too easily be misunderstood. >x spectacles The spectacles have the usual round lenses. >take them Taken. >wear them You’re now wearing the wire-rimmed spectacles. >x blank The parchment scroll is cream-colored and rather frayed at the edges. There’s some writing on it. >* hah! nice feitn Comment recorded. >* hah! nice feint Comment recorded. >read blank Something is written on the scroll in a flowing hand — but it’s unreadable! You find yourself unable to make sense of it. >read blank in mirror Well, how about that! The scroll not only used invisible ink, it used mirror writing. The spell described in the scroll, which is now perfectly readable thanks to the spectacles and the mirror, looks to be possible, but not easily managed. First there’s a list of ingredients: a lock of the wearer’s hair (that shouldn’t be difficult, if you can find some scissors), a holy relic, and some scales from a dragon (!). These are to be burned while chanting “Le collier s’enlève.” Fortunately, your parents insisted that you learn to speak French, so you should be able to pronounce it when the time comes. >cut hair You have nothing to cut with. (Maybe some scissors would help.) >cut hair with scissors (first taking the scissors) Using the scissors, you carefully snip off a few strands of your hair. >cut hair You’ve already hacked off a few strands of hair. This is not a punk, goth, or death metal story, so disfiguring your lovely self would not be in keeping with the genre. >* lol Comment recorded. >save Saved. >x blnak You see no blnak here. >x scroll The parchment scroll is cream-colored and rather frayed at the edges. There’s some writing on it. >read it Something is written on the scroll in a flowing hand — but it’s unreadable! You find yourself unable to make sense of it. >read it in mirror The spell described in the scroll, which is now perfectly readable thanks to the spectacles and the mirror, looks to be possible, but not easily managed. First there’s a list of ingredients: a lock of the wearer’s hair (that shouldn’t be difficult, if you can find some scissors), a holy relic, and some scales from a dragon (!). These are to be burned while chanting “Le collier s’enlève.” Fortunately, your parents insisted that you learn to speak French, so you should be able to pronounce it when the time comes. >chant He’s asleep. Best not disturb him. >* scales are the tricky bit -- and finding someplace to burn stuff Comment recorded. >take pamphlet Taken. >take brazier It seems to be firmly mounted on the desk. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule, some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying an apparently blank scroll, a little silver key, some scissors, some strands of hair, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, a little hand mirror, a cloth sack (in which are a holy shoelace and a hairpin), and a metal box (in which is a match). >put hair in brazier You’d look very odd without your hair, and detaching it would be painful. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule, some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying an apparently blank scroll, a little silver key, some scissors, some strands of hair, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, a little hand mirror, a cloth sack (in which are a holy shoelace and a hairpin), and a metal box (in which is a match). >put lock in brazier You see no lock here. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule, some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying an apparently blank scroll, a little silver key, some scissors, some strands of hair, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, a little hand mirror, a cloth sack (in which are a holy shoelace and a hairpin), and a metal box (in which is a match). >put strands in brazier You put the strands of hair in the brass brazier. >put lace in brazier (first taking the holy shoelace) You put the holy shoelace in the brass brazier. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule, some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying an apparently blank scroll, a little silver key, some scissors, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, a little hand mirror, a cloth sack (in which is a hairpin), and a metal box (in which is a match). >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a bowl of cherries. A large brown bat is perched on the wizard’s desk. In the brass brazier you see a holy shoelace and some strands of hair. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >wake wizard Let him have his nice nap. He’s earned it. >x pallet Unless you’re planning to sleep with him (and you’re not!), the pallet is of no potential interest to you. >search it The pallet is not important. >x implements You see no implements here. >x shelves The shelves and tables are not important. >search shelves The shelves and tables are not important. >d You can’t go that way. From here you could go west. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >d Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >n Cramped Space Peering at you with hopeful puppy eyes is a small dragon! Its breath whuffles gently in the scatter of reptilian scales that it has shed on the floor of its nest. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. Behind the casks, a cute little dragon has made its nest. >* ah, here we are Comment recorded. >pet dragon The little dragon lets you pat its head. It makes a little gurgling noise. >take dragon The baby dragon is fixed in place. >* erm Comment recorded. >x nest You see no nest here. >* erm Comment recorded. >x scales The dragon scales are scattered across the floor. >take them You gather up a handful of dragon scales. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >u Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a bowl of cherries. A large brown bat is perched on the wizard’s desk. In the brass brazier you see a holy shoelace and some strands of hair. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >put scales in brazier You put the handful of dragon scales in the brass brazier. >light brazier The brass brazier is not something you can light. >read scroll in mirror The spell described in the scroll, which is now perfectly readable thanks to the spectacles and the mirror, looks to be possible, but not easily managed. First there’s a list of ingredients: a lock of the wearer’s hair (that shouldn’t be difficult, if you can find some scissors), a holy relic, and some scales from a dragon (!). These are to be burned while chanting “Le collier s’enlève.” Fortunately, your parents insisted that you learn to speak French, so you should be able to pronounce it when the time comes. >chant He’s asleep. Best not disturb him. >pronounce He’s asleep. Best not disturb him. >take all cup of tea: You’re not actually all that thirsty. The bat stretches her wings, springs from the desk, and flies up into the rafters. You take the hairpin, the match, the strands of hair, the holy shoelace, and the handful of dragon scales. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >put strands in fireplace You put the strands of hair in the great stone fireplace. >put scales in fireplace You put the handful of dragon scales in the great stone fireplace. >put lace in fireplace You put the holy shoelace in the great stone fireplace. >burn fireplace You cannot burn the great stone fireplace. >burn strands You cannot burn the strands of hair. >chant (what) You’re not talking to anyone. >* Argh! Comment recorded. >read scroll in mirror The spell described in the scroll, which is now perfectly readable thanks to the spectacles and the mirror, looks to be possible, but not easily managed. First there’s a list of ingredients: a lock of the wearer’s hair (that shouldn’t be difficult, if you can find some scissors), a holy relic, and some scales from a dragon (!). These are to be burned while chanting “Le collier s’enlève.” Fortunately, your parents insisted that you learn to speak French, so you should be able to pronounce it when the time comes. >burn strands You cannot burn the strands of hair. >burn strands with match You cannot burn the strands of hair. >perform ritual I don’t understand that command. >take all You take the strands of hair, the handful of dragon scales, and the holy shoelace. >w North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >s South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, south, west or southeast. >s (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >put strands in stove (first opening the big iron stove) You put the strands of hair in the big iron stove. >put lace in stove You put the holy shoelace in the big iron stove. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >x scales The dragon scales shimmer faintly with rainbow light, and they’re crisp to the touch. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >put scalesin stove (put scale in stove) You put the handful of dragon scales in the big iron stove. >close stove Done. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >chant Bibbidgy does not respond. >open stove Opening the big iron stove reveals a holy shoelace, a handful of dragon scales, and some strands of hair. >take all You take the strands of hair, the holy shoelace, and the handful of dragon scales. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >s You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or east. >* I feel like the brazier is the obvious place to burn this stuff but it's not working Comment recorded. >hint (Warning: Some people don’t like built-in hints, since the temptation to ask for help prematurely can become overwhelming when hints are so close at hand. If you’re worried that your willpower won’t hold up, you can disable hints for the rest of this session by typing HINTS OFF. If you still want to see the hints now, type HINT.) >hint Done. >hint Done. >hint Done. >* hmm, not especially helpful Comment recorded. >* OK just looked in the walkthrough, a bit guess the verb-y Comment recorded. >n (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >u You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, east, south, southeast or down. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule, some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying a match, a hairpin, a religious pamphlet, a holy shoelace, a bowl of cherries, some strands of hair, a handful of dragon scales, a cloth sack, a metal box, a sheet of music notation, some scissors, an apparently blank scroll, a little hand mirror, and a little silver key. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >u You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or west. >sw You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or west. >w North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule, some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying a match, a hairpin, a religious pamphlet, a holy shoelace, a bowl of cherries, some strands of hair, a handful of dragon scales, a cloth sack, a metal box, a sheet of music notation, some scissors, an apparently blank scroll, a little hand mirror, and a little silver key. >put strands and scales and lace in brazier You put the strands of hair, the handful of dragon scales, and the holy shoelace in the brass brazier. >light match You strike the match, and it flares up merrily. >put match in brazier The items in the brazier swiftly ignite. As the smoke rises, you chant the French words you read on the parchment scroll. The wizard murmurs fretfully in his sleep, but doesn’t awaken. And after a few nervous-making moments, the necklace magically drops off of your neck onto the floor! Free at last! Now all you have to do is figure out how to climb over a wall topped with sharp metal spikes.... >take necklace After you went to all that trouble to get it off? Do try to get a grip. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. As you descend the stairs, the front door bangs open and Duke Esteban strides into the entry hall. He sees you and smiles broadly — but a moment later his eyes fill with rage. “You’re not wearing the necklace! And my hounds are asleep, I warrant that was your doing too. Thought you were going to flee, did you? We’ll soon see about that!” He grips your wrist with iron strength, causing everything you were carrying to fall to the floor, and drags you into the dining hall, oblivious to your struggles and cries of distress. He seats himself at the head of the table without relinquishing his grip on you, bangs on the table with his free hand, and shouts to the servants to bring him ale. [Oh, dear. It seems you neglected something — something important, and it was way back at the start of your escape attempt. As matters now stand, your maidenly virtue is but a treasured memory, your future an unending and shameful misery. Rewinding the story to such an early point would be, at this juncture, all but impossible. Nevertheless, the author in his nearly infinite benevolence feels inclined to take pity on you. Waving his magic wand, he generously provides you with the resources you’ll need. Whether you can figure out what to do with them — well, that remains to be seen.] >* That's kind of irritating Comment recorded. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which are some scissors) and some wire-rimmed spectacles. >x me Your luxuriantly long and curly brown hair is a bit of a tangle, as you haven’t had access to a comb or mirror for days. You’re wearing a necklace, which you can’t see, though you can feel it around your neck. And the gown you were wearing when the duke kidnapped you. The gown is now wrinkled and a bit whiffy, as the duke didn’t stop to pack your wardrobe. Other than that — well, a bath would be nice, but it’s not your most urgent problem. >l Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >* is the duke here? Comment recorded. >pull chain The duke jerks you down onto his lap and starts fondling you. You struggle to your feet, but the chain remains out of reach. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which are some scissors) and some wire-rimmed spectacles. >cut duke with scissors (first taking the scissors) You jab at the duke’s face with the scissors. He jerks back sharply, blood spewing from a sudden deep wound just below his eye, and lets go of your wrist! You lunge at him again, but he roars in pain and reaches out to grab your hair. An extended combat session is probably not going to get you anywhere. At least, not anywhere you want to go. >pull chain You jerk on the chain and the chandelier sways alarmingly. But just pulling on the chain isn’t going to do the job. You might try unhooking it.... >unhook chain With a rattle of chain links, the chandelier falls swiftly from the rafter! Several of its numerous sharp metal protrusions bury themselves here or there in Duke Esteban’s anatomy. (Good thing he wasn’t wearing armor.) The duke makes a variety of indistinct screaming-type noises and struggles, with rapidly decreasing fervor, under the weight of the deadly chandelier. Almost before you know it, he has expired in a pool of blood. Now all you have to do is get out the front gate (or over the wall) before Thibon wanders in with his little dagger and discovers what you’ve done. Only when you’ve left this wretched estate entirely will you be able to feel safe. >search duke You can’t bear the thought of touching the repulsive thing that used to be Duke Esteban. >w North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. You can see an apparently blank scroll, a little silver key, a religious pamphlet, a hairpin, a bowl of cherries, a sheet of music notation, a little hand mirror, a cloth sack, and a metal box here. >take all You take the sheet of music notation, the cloth sack, the metal box, the little hand mirror, the little silver key, the apparently blank scroll, the religious pamphlet, the hairpin, and the bowl of cherries. >s South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >s (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >s You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or east. >x gate The gate looks to be quite impregnable, what with the close-set iron-bound wood beams and the massive padlock. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >x gate The gate looks to be quite impregnable, what with the close-set iron-bound wood beams and the massive padlock. >unlock padlock You don’t have the key. Possibly the duke has the key on his person, but the thought of going back inside and groping the body fills you with revulsion. There’s just got to be some other way out of here. >* I mean I feel like we could suck it up Comment recorded. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >climb What do you want to climb? >tree You scramble up into the tree. On a Tree Branch The spikes at the top of the wall are almost close enough to touch, but they look even nastier than they did from down below. A bird’s nest is tucked into a crook between two branches. >jump off wall You’re not on the wall. >x spikes The spikes atop the wall are closely set and obviously sharp, providing an effective barrier should anyone be so foolish as to try to climb over the wall. >jump over wall It is pointless to try to jump over the wall. >l On a Tree Branch The spikes at the top of the wall are almost close enough to touch, but they look even nastier than they did from down below. A bird’s nest is tucked into a crook between two branches. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and some wire-rimmed spectacles, and carrying an apparently blank scroll, a little silver key, a religious pamphlet, a hairpin, a bowl of cherries, a sheet of music notation, some scissors, a little hand mirror, a cloth sack, and a metal box. >cut wire You see no wire here. >cut spikes You can’t cut the wall spikes. >x spieks You see no spieks here. >x spikes The spikes atop the wall are closely set and obviously sharp, providing an effective barrier should anyone be so foolish as to try to climb over the wall. >hint Done. >fly I don’t understand that command. >d Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go east or south. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, east, south, southeast or down. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >w Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >s South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, south, west or southeast. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. >e South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >s (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. The corpse of the evil duke lies on the floor beneath the chandelier. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >d Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >n Cramped Space Peering at you with hopeful puppy eyes is a small dragon! Its breath whuffles gently in the scatter of reptilian scales that it has shed on the floor of its nest. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. Behind the casks, a cute little dragon has made its nest. >take dragon The baby dragon is fixed in place. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >u Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >e Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. >w Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. You can see a necklace here. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. There’s a little hole in the floor in the spot where the lion rug was lying. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A rug that might be meant to depict a lion is among the collection. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >s South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >e The Lavatory A basin on a table, a water pitcher next to it, and a large, round, splintery- looking wooden tub are the fixtures here. (Indoor plumbing has not yet been invented.) The door is to the west. >w South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, east or south. >s Duke Esteban’s Bedchamber A sumptuously appointed but somehow garish and tasteless bedroom. Opposite the canopied four-poster bed is a cabinet. You can see a hurdy-gurdy here. >e You can’t go that way. From here you could go north. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north. >n South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >n North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >hint Done. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. There’s a little hole in the floor in the spot where the lion rug was lying. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A rug that might be meant to depict a lion is among the collection. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >take rug Taken. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >* hah! Comment recorded. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >e Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. >w Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >climb tree You scramble up into the tree. On a Tree Branch The spikes at the top of the wall are almost close enough to touch, but they look even nastier than they did from down below. A bird’s nest is tucked into a crook between two branches. >put rug on spikes You put the lion rug on the wall spikes. >e Oh, Happy Day! You’ve Escaped! As you drop to the ground beyond the wall, an overwhelming sense of gratitude upwells in you. In spite of all the difficulties, you’ve escaped your distressing captivity and avoided the dire fate that awaited you. You proceed down the hill to the river, where the friendly ferryman greets you and ushers you onto his boat. “He be comin’ after you afore long, I reckon,” the ferryman says doubtfully. Without going into detail, you assure him that’s not going to be a problem. On reaching the far side of the river, you bid the ferryman farewell and set off, a fresh breeze lightly riffling in your hair, on the long (but not too long) hike home. *** Your virtue is intact. *** Would you like to RESTART the story, see the CREDITS, RESTORE a saved position, or QUIT? >q