"The tavern sounds like a good idea,"

Charles says, "It's better to be safe and sure than to be stranded at a place we're not even supposed to be."

Stephanie agreed and they were off to the tavern.

After the fair was paid and their goodbyes said, the cabbie left the couple at a very quaint and stereotypical tavern with gables and sporting a few rooms above the restaurant and pub. It wasn't long before they were served one of the best dishes both of them had ever tasted and Charles took the opportunity to sample the house ale.

After they ate, the owner came over and began to talk with them. "I understand you inherited the Von Kempre estate," began Havor.

"So you know it?" asked Stephanie, relieved that they were in fact in the correct city.

"Oh sure. It's not really known by that name in these parts simply because it's been empty for so long. It's really just known as 'the empty place up on the hill'. It's a nice spread--has a good 13 acres to it. The business could easily be revived, now that our economy and tourism is back up."

"Business?" asked Charles. This was news to him.

"Sure, the wax museum. You do know it's a museum, don't you?"

"You mean, we can't live in it?" asked Stephanie becoming depressed again.

"Oh, sure, top two floors and most of the back are still livable space, and that's plenty to live in, I asure you. It's just that the front parlor and most of the second floor and basement are part of a wax museum. The place closed down in the '80s but as far as I know, everything is still up there. It's just that--you're Uncle was it?" Charles nodded yes, "well, he never came out in public much. Died some four years ago--probably took 'em that long to track you down. Ol' Kempre never did marry."

"Well, thank you for the information, I really appreciate it. How much do I owe you for the meal?"

"Aw, it's on the house. A welcome to town present. Do you know how to get to the museum from here?"

The couple looked at each other and then back at the owner. "Not actually," admitted Charles.

"Well then, I'll have one of the staff show you up. Later I can have one of my lads bring your luggage up."

It took a while before Havor came back and introduced one of the bar maids as Heidi and then went back to work. Heidi was not timid, telling the two everything about herself. Charles was having troubles watching where he was going, avoiding his wife's glances and making sure she didn't catch him staring at the blonde teen's finely shaped ass that lead them to their new home. Her hair must have been extremely long but she had it tied up under her white serving bonnet and it spilled out all around the edges in large blonde cascades. She was currently seeing someone but planned on being married within the year. She had been born and raised in the town and so Stephanie jumped on that piece of information to gleen some more facts about the town and it's history. Between the conversation and the walk went very fast.

"Do you want to come in?" asked Charles once they got the gate unlocked. He wasn't sure why he invited her other than by habit of being polite. Stephanie gave him an odd look for that one but didn't say anything against it. Heidi was too excited claiming she had always wanted to see the inside.

The lawyers had given him three keys, one for the gate, another that was obviously for a modern lock which fit the front door, and a third that had a strange skeletal look to it.

The mansion itself was huge... at least five stories and towers and turrets stuck out everywhere. It wasn't spooky so much as it looked disused and in need of care.

The front room was enourmous. A large entry that must have served as a reception or waiting room at one time. It's vaulted ceiling spanned three fours and two rows of balcony could be seen overlooking the room, with staircases on both sides leading up to the second story balcony where many closed doors could be seen. The floor was tiled in a black marble and straight ahead they could see a hallway leading off to the rest of the house.

The room itself was host to six large displays that were populated by various life size statues. Three to a side, they were elaborate with props and authentic costumes. They were impressed. Marie Antoinette's gorey demise was on the first display to the left--the King looking at her with scorn. Across the aisle from there was the burning of Joan of Arc, displayed with an Abott shaking his fist at her as the flames were begining to lick her heels.

On it went as they walked down the aisle examing each rise. When they had reached the end, Stephanie tugged on Charles's sleeve. "Look over there."

A small black box sat on a small table. Attached to it was a note that Charles quickly pulled off and read.

"What's it say," asked Heidi, who wasn't shy in making herself at home with these two strangers.

"It says that the inheritor of the house, and only the inheritor, is to open the box. Inside is the control for all that occurs within these walls. And it's signed by Kempre. Odd"

"Well, open it then," said Stephanie.

Charles pulled out the key ring and found the third strangely shaped key. It fit perfectly and the box's lock sprang with a click. Slowly he lifted the lid and discovered a strange stone inside, sitting on a bed of silk. It was finely polished and smooth, giving off a strange yellow and green color when held up to the light.

"There's more to the note," said Stephanie, who had quickly lost interest in the rock, "It says the uniforms hanging close by are to be worn to promote the proper mood."

"Proper mood for what?" asked Heidi

"The business I suppose," answered Charles, pocketing the stone and walking over to join his wife in admiring the Victorian costumes, one suit and one dress.

"Right then," he said turning around to admire the room, "where should we go exploring first?"