While Walter was still panicking, Lily immediately calmed down and looked around the building they just entered.
The inside was dark, and there were a few coffins on the floor. A bookcase with strange jars and knickknacks were on the shelves.
In the darkness, a voice said, "Look at this. Two young ones. Isn't it a little too soon for you to be in need of my services?"
Before they could reply, a man with long, white hair dressed in black came out of the shadows toward them. Walter backed away, but Lily held out her hand. "Pardon us for intruding. We were held at gunpoint and managed to escape. We took refuge here. I am Lillith Athelward."
"Athelward….As in the Athelward Shipping Company."
"Yes. I own it."
"I am the Undertaker. Pleased to make your acquaintance, daughter of Henry and Mary Athelward."
"You knew my parents?" Lily asked, surprised, as they shook hands.
"I know many things," the Undertaker replied. "Like I know the young man with you is Walter Dellmore, son of Peter and Helen Dellmore."
Walter glared. "Let's go to the police and tell them about the criminal, Lily."
Lily was looking around, then turned her attention to the teenage boy. "No. If we go out in the open, he might come after us again." She turned toward the Undertaker. "Excuse me, good sir, but do you have a telephone we may use?"
"Ah, yes, but you'll have to pay."
Walter's face turned red. "How dare you ask us that! There is a man out there who tried to kill us! We have a right to use a phone!"
Calmly, Lily said, "Shouting will get us nowhere. How much?"
The Undertaker shook his head. "Money is useless to me. I need something money won't buy."
"Which is?"
"Laughter. Tell me a joke, and I'll let you use my telephone."
"This is ridiculous! I will not stand for this nonsense!"
Lily told a joke that made the Undertaker chuckle. "I'll let you have the call cheap, then, but next time, I won't be so generous."
Lily called the police and gave them the man's description, and they told her to stay where they were at. The teenage girl told her fiance what they had said, to which he replied, angrily, "I refuse to stay in this creepy place!"
Lily sighed and turned toward the Undertaker. "Forgive his rudeness, sir. I apologize that we got you involved in this."
"No need for apologies, young lady. A thrill is good for the soul." He chuckled. "While you are waiting, let's have a cup of tea."
"Thank you for your kindness," said Lily, and she and Walter sat down.
Lily looked around in fascination as the Undertaker brought out a pot of tea and three teacups. "I see you are admiring my coffins, young lady," he said. He poured each of them a cup of tea. "They are made with the finest wood."
"They are beautiful," she remarked.
Right before she could take a drink, Walter began coughing. Lily asked, "Are you alright?"
Walter kept coughing. Lily got closer to him, and he whispered, "Don't drink the tea; it may be poisoned."
She whispered back, "Well, if it is, I'll be the first to know. Then, she took a sip. "This tea is very strong."
"Yes. It is a special blend," the Undertaker said, and drank.
Walter eyed Lily with a mixture of irritation and fear. When Lily showed no signs of abnormalities, he relaxed. However, he himself didn't drink the tea.
After they were done drinking, the Undertaker invited the young couple to look around. Walter replied, "As if we would want to!"
He turned to look at Lily, and he was appalled when he saw her accepting the man's request. "What are you doing?!" Walter hissed.
"I am looking," Lily replied, simply. Walter grabbed her hand, but she pulled it away. "I am allowed to do what I want! I will not be controlled!"
They heard the Undertaker chuckle. Walter's face turned red. "What are you laughing at?!"
"You are a feisty one, Lady Athelward," the Undertaker said, still chuckling. "It is rare to find a female that has a mind of her own. I say it's refreshing."
"I say it's inappropriate and unbecoming of a lady!" shouted Walter.
Lily said, calmly, "Please do not shout. It is rude and unbecoming of a male."
Walter glared but said nothing.
Lily continued looking around. She entered another room and was startled by what she saw. There was a woman's body in a coffin. She approached it. Suddenly, the woman sat up, which made Lily scream. Walter rushed in, and the Undertaker walked in behind him.
"Whatever is the matter?" Walter asked, worried.
"She sat up!"
Walter looked in the coffin and shuddered, not acknowledging that the woman was lying down. "We need to get out of here now." He gently led her out of the room. Then he said, frustrated, "Where are the police?! Haven't they caught the man yet?!"
"Have patience, Walter. Help will come," Lily replied, still trying to overcome her shock. She composed herself and took a deep breath. She turned away from the two men and unbuttoned the top button of her dress. A green upside down pentagram with words circling it glowed on her chest. "Sebastian…come and save me."
As Lily buttoned the top button again, Walter asked, "What about Sebastian?"
Lily turned toward him. "Nothing."
A few minutes later, there was a gunshot that sounded off outside. Walter looked nervous, but Lily stayed calm. A few seconds later, the door opened.
Sebastian walked in.
"Hello, Sebastian Michaelis," the Undertaker said. The Undertaker had been watching the scene unfold.
"Good afternoon." Sebastian bowed to Lily. "The attempted murderer has been taken care of, my lady. Are you hurt?"
"Thank you, Sebastian, and no, neither myself nor Walter are hurt."
"Shall we take you home, Lord Walter?" the butler asked.
Walter looked perplexed. "Did you…?"
"Did I what?"
"Did you catch the man?"
"If I couldn't apprehend one incompetent criminal, what kind of butler would I be?" Sebastian smiled, slyly.
The three of them went to leave the building. Sebastian turned toward the Undertaker and said, "Thank you for watching my mistress and her fiance."
"It was my pleasure. The next time one of you drops by, it might be as a customer." He chuckled.
Sebastian simply closed the door behind him.