The moment the drawing-room door creaked open, Julie's heart pounded in her chest, her breath catching in her throat. She had expected an imposing figure—perhaps even a group of stern-faced officials—storming in to question their midnight intrusion and elaborate candlelit setup. Instead, a slender figure draped in a heavy black veil stepped into the room, cloaked in mystery.

Julie’s eyes widened as the figure hesitated at the entrance, her silhouette barely visible in the flickering candlelight. The veil was slowly drawn back, revealing a strikingly beautiful elderly woman. Her hair, a cascade of soft, wavy silver, framed a face that exuded an ageless charm despite its wrinkles. Her deep, brown eyes, shadowed with an almost sorrowful depth, surveyed the room with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The air was thick with tension; the only sounds were the soft crackling of the candles and the girls’ tentative breathing.

The woman’s voice broke the silence—a melodious and gentle whisper, tinged with sadness. “Which of you sent me the letter?” Her gaze was fixed on Amanda, who, despite the intense moment, managed to stay composed.

Amanda stepped forward, her voice steady despite her racing heart. “I did,” she said clearly.

The woman’s eyes softened. “That was very kind of you. I intended to come as soon as I received it and timed my arrival to coincide with the day you mentioned. But I must admit, I’m puzzled by all this,” she said, her eyes drifting to the sea of flickering candles. “I don’t quite understand how you came to be here.”

Amanda stumbled over her words. “I—I didn’t manage to explain everything in the letter. And I wasn’t sure you’d even notice it. But we can tell you everything now, if you’re willing to listen.”

Julie’s eyes widened with realization, and she rushed forward, grabbing the woman’s hand. “Are you Mrs. Collingwood?” she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and excitement.

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“Yes, my dear,” the woman replied with a warm smile.

Julie’s emotions overflowed, and she began to sob uncontrollably. “Oh, I’m so glad—so glad!” she cried between sobs, her joy mingled with the weight of her earlier fears.

Mrs. Collingwood, looking both touched and weary, settled onto the couch, motioning for the girls to join her. “Please, sit. I’m quite exhausted and—overwhelmed.” She patted the space beside her, inviting them to sit.

Amanda took a deep breath and began recounting the entire story—from their initial exploration of the house to their growing curiosity about its secrets. As she spoke, Mrs. Collingwood listened intently, her expression shifting from surprise to intrigue.

When Amanda reached the part about the hidden stairway, Mrs. Collingwood’s eyes widened. “A hidden stairway? I had no idea such a thing existed,” she exclaimed. “The rooms were re-papered once, but I was away at the time. None of us had any inkling of this.”

“We thought you might not know,” Amanda continued. “We found something in the locked-up room and believed you should see it. Julie’s great-aunt, Lucia Kenway, had shared much of the story with us, and I felt compelled to reach out to you. I didn’t even tell Julie—I was afraid she’d think I was overstepping. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had to do something. I sent the letter to the only address I had, not knowing if it would even reach you.”

“I chose this date deliberately,” Amanda added. “I wanted the place to feel a bit welcoming, to avoid you arriving to a dark, empty house.”

Mrs. Collingwood reached out and took each girl’s hand in hers, her grip gentle yet reassuring. “You dear little meddlers,” she said warmly. “This is all so astonishing, but I believe you have done nothing but good. Now, will you show me what you found?”

Amanda rose and handed Mrs. Collingwood a lit candle. “It’s up these stairs, in the room above—on the desk. I think you’d prefer to see it alone,” she suggested.

Mrs. Collingwood accepted the candle and, with a nod of gratitude, made her way to the narrow stairway in the library. Amanda watched as she carefully climbed the steps, her figure gradually disappearing into the dim light. Julie and Amanda remained in the drawing-room, the silence now imbued with a sense of reverence and anticipation, as they awaited the resolution of their mysterious quest.