She started to make her way back up the stairs, all the while listening carefully. He was bound to reach the trapdoor some time soon.
Any moment now … unless he had decided to come back … which would ruin the plan she had come to think of. It would really be a pity.
There
it was! The screaming of stone against stone, followed by a yell and
a distant, splashing sound. "Enjoy your bath, Monsieur. It might
take some time", she murmured as she climbed up the stairs, now
hurrying as if she were followed by nameless shadows.
The water
basin would cool the young man's emotions and give her time to
reach her destination.
Gasping, she finally reached the dressing room and rushed towards the mirror, using the hidden mechanics to open the secret passageway that led to Erik's lair.
Oh,
the stairs led there too!
But she preferred the short route that
was devoid of any trapdoors, trick stairs and hidden rooms in which a
man could rot for years until he was found.
Carefully avoiding the ropes that were tied all across the tunnel, she made her way through the darkness and felt a humiliating wave of relief go over her when she reached the lake and found the boat in its place.
