As he pressed the teacup against the edge of his lips, Max paused. A strange sound slid down the hallway. The noise repeated in a steady tap, tap, drag. Tap, tap, draaaaag.. It stopped outside the parlor.

Max put his cup down and stared as the door handle twisted and was pushed open by the creepiest looking man Max had ever laid eyes on. The man wore bulky leg-braces over his black silk pajamas. He was held upright by a crutch under each arm. With a fair amount of effort, he maneauvered himself into the room. Tap. Tap. Drag. Stranger yet, the man was completely bald- even his eyebrows and eyelashes were gone.

Once he was close enough, the man proffered a callused hand. “My name is Xavier Francis. I am the head alienist and chief administrator here. Miss Kinross informed me that you have a burning desire to speak with me.”

Max shook the outstretched hand and introduced himself. “Max Eisenhardt. I apologize for coming late and disturbing your rest but I have questions I’m afraid only you can answer.”