“Kalbrandt Institute” snippet

Adan had been prepared to discover that the keys to the gate and the front door no longer fitted, but they did. When the front door popped open, he tentatively pushed it open, careful not to make a sound in case his return had yet to be detected. No draft passed him as he entered. A good sign. In the study, the clock struck the hour. All was dark, as it should be. Or…?

Adan’s breath hitched when he glimpsed a sliver of light shining under the parlour door. From the outside, the windows had all looked dark, but no matter how often he blinked, the light was still there. When at last curiosity overcame trepidation, he inched closer. The parlour door opened by itself as if to invite him in.

The light came from a single lamp that stood on the parlour table. Next to it lay a large sheet of what appeared to be thick paper, as well as a small black object that shone in the light. A warm breeze encouraged him to come closer.

From file F/25852/YA, Paris 1849.