Fortunately there was a window at the end of this part of the hallway, looking out over the lake.  We were at the back of this palace and still amazingly high up from the lake below.  The window opened easily, it was straight down to the water.  Hmm, it’s a long dro…um, Muffin, must you sit on my head?  Meow.  Yes, I know you want to see, however…meow. (okay, okay).  Then she slides back onto my shoulder and down to the ledge of the window.  I look to the right and, hey, another window and not too far either. I wonder…remember how we practiced this at home Muffin?  Meow! (Yep!)  Okay, I’ll go across first and get the window open.  Meow? Why can’t you go first?  Because you couldn’t hold me if I started to fall.

Good thing we have our backpacks with us, I said as I take out a metal bar and some rope.  I tie the rope onto a loop hook on the metal bar and fix it in place across the window.  Then out I go slowly and once down far enough I begin to swing until I have enough momentum to make it up to the next window ledge.  But, I lost my balance and down I went!  Fortunately Muffin was watching closely and she made sure the metal bar stayed put on the window frame.  Good thing it was all stone, nice and strong.  I started swinging again and back onto that other ledge.  This time I stayed there and quickly pushed the window open so I could jump inside.  Guess they didn’t feel any need to lock these windows.

Okay Muffin, I call out.  Muffin pushes the metal bar so it goes out the window and Muffin falls with it!  But she’s holding on tight and I quickly pull her up to the window ledge and she jumps inside right away.  There, wasn’t that fun Muffin?  Meow, meow! (You and I have different ideas of fun!).  I pack away the rope and bar then look around the room.  Another storage room with a bunch of old furniture, broken and rotted.  Some of it could be fixed up and be beautiful furniture again.  Anyway, there are 2 doors in this room. Well Muffin, which one should we pick?  Meow! (I’m scared, maybe one is a trap!).

That’s a good point, but we need to find a way out of here.  I open one door which just led to stairs going down.  We don’t want to go down, that’s for sure.  Meow. (I agree).  The next door led to stairs going up and it looked like daylight at the top.  Muffin and I ran up the stairs as fast as we could and down the hallway to another window.  There was also 2 doors, one on each side of the hall, but Muffin and I decided on the window.  It was at the front of the palace and ground level.  But I couldn’t get the window open, the hinges were just too rusty.  Why don’t they take better care of this place?  Meow.  What’s that, you brought some oil?  Good girl.  I get it out of her backpack, it was just a small bottle but good enough for this job.

We had to wait a few minutes then I was able to open the window with a bit of effort.  We both got out that window fast and onto the nicely kept lawn.  There is beautiful hedges and trees, all nicely shaped by the gardener no doubt.  Feels good to be outside, right Muffin?  Meow, meow!  What do you mean “yes, now let’s stay out here and go back home?”  We have to finish this case.  And stop sighing like that.  We go back in the front door and directly to the kitchen to see if Rossana has been here.  I open the kitchen door and…No!  Meow!!

To be continued.

Steve and Muffin.

© 2020 Steve McLeod.