XXIII.

The wooden stairs, the only rotten part of the house in need of repair, whimpered like crying babies as he ascended. He started coughing as soon as he reached the top. The dust was so thick it blurred his vision. He was standing in a narrow space between two doors. Made of old wood almost ruined by moisture, they were in much worst condition than the doors downstairs. Stuart reached for the rusty handle on his left. It shifted easily under his hand and the door opened with a creak.