CHAPTER NINEKonstantina waited until the household had retired before attempting to carry out her plan.
As midnight struck, she threw a few clothes into a small leather valise and wrapped herself in a thick cloak.
To open the front door, she would have to steal the key from under Madame Zand’s nose.
She had never entered the housekeeper’s room. It had a fusty air to it and smelled of stale eau de cologne.
Her step faltered to see Madame Zand bolt upright in bed facing the door and her chatelaine belt with its keys was draped over the lower bedstead.
Konstantina knew that the front door key was very large and inscribed with the letter ‘M’. At last she had it in her hand and Madame Zand remained asleep.
Ten minutes later Konstantina stepped out into the dark night, leaving the key in t
