Hauntings by Lewis Stanek Read Free Book Online

here.”
                  “I wouldn't be the least surprised.” Said Bridget, “All sort of animals could have made their home in here over the years.”
                  “It has been neglected, that is true, but I don't know if I would say it has ever really been vacant.” Heinrich commented, “After the Baroness Theadora died the corporation has been seeing to it that the mansion has been maintained after a fashion while they decide what to do with it. Personally I think they should just leave it alone, they don't want visitors here.”  Bridget gave a tilt of the head in Heinrich's direction and winked to Ozzie, as if to say “W e've got a live one here”. Ozzie grinned childishly in reply, but thankfully didn't say a word.
                  “The baron must have enjoyed entertaining to have such a ballroom.” Randal said to change the subject.
                  “Oh, not the baron, he was not what one would call a people person. The Baroness Theadora though, she was one for celebrations and parties. I believe it was for her that he bought this house. The Ballroom was a bit of a consolation prize for the baroness for agreeing to leave the gaiety of the city and moving out here to the country. I'm sure he told her how she could host extravagant parties for her friends from the city. Who knows she may have held one or two before the SS came to commandeer their home.” Whenever Heinrich spoke of the baroness, a thin veil of wistfulness would come over his expression. Lonely old fart. Randal thought.
                  “Heinrich, you said they stored paperwork here, do they have the electricity turned on?” Bridget asked, “If not, I want to know what we are going to do for light during the night.”
                  “The electricity is on, so is the water. There are plenty of candles in the storeroom, in case the lights go out.” Heinrich explained. “ Let me give you a tour of the house before the sun sets.” Heinrich led the three of them up the stairs to the entrance of the ballroom. Randal paused to take a look. The room was immense, the ceiling was clearly two twenty feet tall. This is the type of room one finds in a museum of natural history it is clearly large enough to display a mastodon or perhaps a brontosaurus skeleton, but the room today was empty except for the marble statues standing guard between the windows and the plaster cupids adorning the walls.
                  “Are the statues of anyone we should know?” Ozzie asked.
                  “I couldn't say with any certainty.” Heinrich replied. We slowly walked into the great room, the statues drew Randal's attention, there appeared to be a medieval military theme, knights at attention, knights with swords drawn, a goddess with bow in hand ready to vanquish her enemies, and at the head of the room appeared what must have been the Lord of the manor with his subjects groveling at his feet seeking his pardon or his favor.
                  “Homey touch don't you think, would make a perfect playroom for the children. Randal commented.
                  “Beyond this door” Heinrich continued pointing to his right “is the a kitchen, I suppose the baroness from time to time would use the ballroom to host a banquet and having a kitchen nearby would be a convenience. There is a smaller dining room on the other side of this kitchen where they would normally have their meals, and of course when the Nazi's had the house they would eat where ever they felt like eating. I had this kitchen stocked with food and beverages for our stay. We will be dining in the small family dining room.” 
                  Leading them through the kitchen to the smaller dining room, Heinrich continued the tour. The dining room had no windows, but each wall held a door. They came through the door from the kitchen, opposite was a double door