The mansion stood eerily silent. Night wrapped darkness around it. Shadows danced across the walls. A clock ticked eleven times. Thunder rumbled in the distance. Rain tapped against the windows. The butler polished silver plates. Madame Blackwood sipped her whiskey. Colonel Graves smoked his pipe. Lady Victoria adjusted her pearls. Professor Reid examined chess pieces. A scream shattered the silence. Everyone froze in their place. Footsteps echoed from the hallway. The library door swung open. Miss Hampton appeared, face pale. Blood stained her white gloves. "Lord Blackwood is quite dead."