text: [Themes: Historical, mystery, male protagonist, crime]
  
  > describe your surroundings
  You are standing balanced on the narrow ledge. To keep yourself from falling, you have to cling on to the ivy which grows on the house wall. It is a long way down to the pavement below!
  
  You can hear some whispered conversation from outside the door.
  
  > Close window
  With great care not to make a noise, you close the window and latch it.
  
  There is an eerie silence outside the door.
  
  > look at the wall
  The ivy has grown up over most of the front of the house and clings to the walls around the window.
  
  You hear some muttered discussion out on the landing then the sound of someone trying to burst through the door. However, their attempts are in vain, as the door is currently locked.
  
  > examine the ground
  You can make out some of the details of the facade of the house: the windows of this floor, the two storeys below and the one above; the ivy-clad walls; the portico over the front door; and the steps down to the pavement. Above, is the night sky.
  
  You hear a muttered curse from beyond the study door, and someone says "The blighter's locked it!"
  
  > examine the portico
  You can make out some of the details of the facade of the house: the windows of this floor, the two storeys below and the one above; the ivy-clad walls; the portico over the front door; and the steps down to the pavement. Above, is the night sky.
  
  Low voices on the landing seem to be in deep discussion.
  
  > look at the portico
  You can make out some of the details of the facade of the house: the windows of this floor, the two storeys below and the one above; the ivy-clad walls; the portico over the front door; and the steps down to the pavement. Above, is the night sky.
  
  There is the sound of a gunshot from the landing, followed by a shriek. You hear Mrs Jenkins say, rather loudly, "Oh no, Lord Bellwater, I don't think it's safe to try and shoot the lock!"
  
  > examine the steps
  (the house view)
  You can make out some of the details of the facade of the house: the windows of this floor, the two storeys below and the one above; the ivy-clad walls; the portico over the front door; and the steps down to the pavement. Above, is the night sky.
  
  There is a heavy thud as though someone has tried to break the door with their shoulder, but the lock holds fast.
  
  > examine the windows
  You can make out some of the details of the facade of the house: the windows of this floor, the two storeys below and the one above; the ivy-clad walls; the portico over the front door; and the steps down to the pavement. Above, is the night sky.
  
  You recognise Dewhurst's voice saying, "I'll try and prise it open with this poker."
  
  > climb the ivy
  You grab a handful of the ivy in each hand and test its strength. It doesn't feel stong enough to allow you to climb up.
  
  There is a thud as something is being wedged into the door jamb, then a creaking sound as someone levers against the locked door.
  
  > examine the portico
  You can make out some of the details of the facade of the house: the windows of this floor, the two storeys below and the one above; the ivy-clad walls; the portico over the front door; and the steps down to the pavement. Above, is the night sky.
  
  With a splintering sound the lock is torn away from the door, which bursts open with a crash.
  
  Looking through the window into the study, you see the figure of Lord Bellwater appear in the doorway, swathed in a tartan dressing gown and brandishing a revolver. Behind him looms the figure of Dewhurst, who has somehow managed to change into his immaculately cleaned and pressed butler's uniform. At first they look around the apparently empty room in some surprise, but then they spot you silhouetted against the light entering the window. They both dash to the window, flinging it open, and drag you bodily back into the room. Neither of them seems to recognise you in the pale light but, none too gently, they wrestle you to the floor.
  
  Some weeks later, the following item appears in "The Times":
  
  Today at the Old Bailey was concluded the trial which has been called (in the more "popular" press) the "Bellwater burglary case". The curious background to this case is that in the early hours of 20th June a groom, then in the service of Lord James Bellwater, was discovered in his employer's study, in the act of stealing papers and a substantial sum of money from a safe.
  
  During the ensuing trial, the groom, by the name of Smith, has made repeated allegations that a murder had been committed in Lord Bellwater's household and that his employer was trying to subvert the intentions of his late father's will. The trial of Smith has created a degree of public interest because Lord Bellwater himself appeared as a witness for the prosecution: despite his many business comittments and his recent bereavement (the previous Lord Bellwater having passed away a few days before the events of the case), Lord Bellwater stated that he must "do his public duty as a witness and ensure that justice is done".
  
  After retiring for just fifteen minutes, the jury returned a guilty verdict on Smith. In sentencing, the Judge spoke out strongly against this servant who has breached the trust of the noble family of Bellwater. Smith is to be transported, for life, to the penal colony in Western Australia.
  
  > Tear curtains
  You leave the door and walk over to the window.
  
  The house is in a deep silence. The sound of your own breathing seems loud and raucous.
  
  You can hear the sound of heavy feet hastening up the staircase.
  
  > lock the door
  You leave the window, and walk over to the door.
  
  (with the heavy iron key)
  
  The key turns smoothly in the lock and you hear a faint but satisfying click as the lock engages.
  
  You hear another set of footsteps coming down the staircase from the upper parts of the house, and somebody shouting about a burglar.
  
  > Tear curtains
  You leave the door and walk over to the window.
  
  You can hear a light gust of wind blowing past the window and rattling the ivy leaves against the panes.
  
  The sounds of running footsteps converge outside the door of the study. You recognise Dewhurst's voice saying "He's in there, my Lord."
  
  > Tear curtains
  You can hear a light gust of wind blowing past the window and rattling the ivy leaves against the panes.
  
  You hear Lord Bellwater's voice, outside the door, saying "Dewhurst, you guard the door! My father used to keep his old service revolver in a drawer in the library. I'll go and get that, then we'll flush the rat out!"
  
  > rip the curtains
  There's nothing suitable to drink here.
  
  You hear Lord Bellwater's voice, outside the door, saying "Dewhurst, you guard the door! My father used to keep his old service revolver in a drawer in the library. I'll go and get that, then we'll flush the rat out!"
  
  > take the pulley
  You try to take the cord, but it is firmly attached to the curtains, out of reach, above you.
  
  You hear the sound of someone rattling the door handle and saying "He's got a key and has locked it from the inside!"
  
  > close the curtains
  You pull the cord and the heavy curtains draw smoothly across the window, plunging the room into darkness.
  
  You can hear some muted discussion outside the door.
  
  It is now pitch dark in here!
  
  > go outside
  You push your way through the heavy curtains and climb out through the window onto the sill.
  
  You are standing balanced on the narrow ledge. To keep yourself from falling, you have to cling on to the ivy which grows on the house wall. It is a long way down to the pavement below!
  
  Out on the landing, you hear the sound of footsteps moving briskly away from the door.
  
  > Close window
  With great care not to make a noise, you close the window and latch it.
  
  There is silence from outside the door.
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  You recognise Mrs Jenkins" voice outside the door, saying "There's nowhere for him to go. We've got him cornered."
  
  > wait a while
  Time passes.
  
  You can hear some shuffling of feet and a murmur of voices outside the door.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  You hear Dewhurst's voice: "We can't go in yet. The burglar might be dangerous. We'll wait for Lord Bellwater to come back with the revolver."
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  Through the study door you can hear some shuffling of feet and a murmur of voices.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  You recognise Dewhurst's voice outside the door, saying "I'm ready with this iron poker. I'll give him a good whack with that."
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  There is an eerie silence outside the door.
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  You can hear some whispered conversation outside the study door.
  
  > wait a while
  Time passes.
  
  You hear a shout from somewhere in the depths of the house.
  
  > wait a while
  Time passes.
  
  You hear the sound of approaching footsteps outside the door.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  Through the study door you can hear Lord Bellwater's voice, apparently giving instructions to the others.
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  You recognise Dewhurst's voice outside the door, but cannot distinguish what he is saying.
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  Through the study door you can hear Lord Bellwater asking, saying "Right then, are we all ready?"
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  You hear a faint rattling of the handle of the study door.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  You hear a faint rustling sound from outside the study door.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  You can hear some whispered conversation from outside the door.
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  There is an eerie silence outside the door.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  You hear some muttered discussion out on the landing then the sound of someone trying to burst through the door. However, their attempts are in vain, as the door is currently locked.
  
  > shout geronimo
  (to yourself)
  There is no reply.
  
  You hear a muttered curse from beyond the study door, and someone says "The blighter's locked it!"
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  Low voices on the landing seem to be in deep discussion.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  There is the sound of a gunshot from the landing, followed by a shriek. You hear Mrs Jenkins say, rather loudly, "Oh no, Lord Bellwater, I don't think it's safe to try and shoot the lock!"
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  There is a heavy thud as though someone has tried to break the door with their shoulder, but the lock holds fast.
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  You recognise Dewhurst's voice saying, "I'll try and prise it open with this poker."
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  There is a thud as something is being wedged into the door jamb, then a creaking sound as someone levers against the locked door.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  With a splintering sound the lock is torn away from the door, which bursts open with a crash.
  
  Looking through the window into the study, you see the figure of Lord Bellwater appear in the doorway, swathed in a tartan dressing gown and brandishing a revolver. Behind him looms the figure of Dewhurst, who has somehow managed to change into his immaculately cleaned and pressed butler's uniform. At first they look around the apparently empty room in some surprise, but then they spot you silhouetted against the light entering the window. They both dash to the window, flinging it open, and drag you bodily back into the room. Neither of them seems to recognise you in the pale light but, none too gently, they wrestle you to the floor.
  
  Some weeks later, the following item appears in "The Times":
  
  Today at the Old Bailey was concluded the trial which has been called (in the more "popular" press) the "Bellwater burglary case". The curious background to this case is that in the early hours of 20th June a groom, then in the service of Lord James Bellwater, was discovered in his employer's study, in the act of stealing papers and a substantial sum of money from a safe.
  
  During the ensuing trial, the groom, by the name of Smith, has made repeated allegations that a murder had been committed in Lord Bellwater's household and that his employer was trying to subvert the intentions of his late father's will. The trial of Smith has created a degree of public interest because Lord Bellwater himself appeared as a witness for the prosecution: despite his many business comittments and his recent bereavement (the previous Lord Bellwater having passed away a few days before the events of the case), Lord Bellwater stated that he must "do his public duty as a witness and ensure that justice is done".
  
  After retiring for just fifteen minutes, the jury returned a guilty verdict on Smith. In sentencing, the Judge spoke out strongly against this servant who has breached the trust of the noble family of Bellwater. Smith is to be transported, for life, to the penal colony in Western Australia.