Mr. Handy wrote:
"We've been thinking about those soldiers and their intentions, Baron," says
Henry.
"We noticed signs of a recent fire in one of the caves nearby, so it appears that they were camped there. The map they had left in the coach showed that they were interested in this Chateau, in particular the abandoned portion. We've heard rumours that there are riches concealed there. Those rumours are obviously untrue, but the soldiers may have heard them and believed them. I have no doubt that that part of the Chateau is dangerous, and the soldiers would be putting themselves at risk if they decide to trespass there. We may able to dissuade them if we could find and speak to them, but we would first need to know what actually is in that area and why it is off-limits. If there is indeed a spirit haunting it, as some of the rumours suggest, my companions and I have experience with such things. We may be able to put them to rest."
"I hold no belief in spirits," remarks the Baron. "Stories told by peasants to scare unruly children."
"'There are more things in heaven and earth,'" says Isaac softly, his voice tapering off. Upon seeing the Baron raise his eyebrows, he continues, "Forgive me. Charlotte and I have been studying
Hamlet and my mind wandered for a moment. Pay me no mind."
"As for riches," the Baron goes on, after giving Isaac a peculiar look, "supposedly one of my ancestors secreted a valuable item of some sort within the abandoned section of the Chateau. Surely some treasure hunter would have run across it by now if there were any truth to the tale. As for the soldiers, Devil take them! If they were men of honor like my elder son, they would be at their posts, not skulking about like brigands. May they come to a bad end!"
After having expressed this opinion with some passion, the Baron calms himself, as if abashed to have shown such emotion.
"As far as the empty rooms go, there is not much to be said about them. An old library, its volumes crumbling; a small storage room, full of this, that, and the other, of no great value; three bedchambers with ruined furniture; an abandoned chapel, stripped of its valuables long ago; and old servants' quarters no longer needed. I forbid entry into them strictly to prevent harm to curious innocents. Intruders bent on mischief may suffer the consequences with no sympathy from me."
After the interview is completed, Isaac takes Doctor North aside and whispers to him.
"Should any of your party take it upon themselves to risk exploring the area, I should be most interested." With, he takes his leave.