The sentries outside her sitting room were deep in conversation. They were quite some way away and the corridor was dark. Theola took off her slippers, and holding them in her hand, she drew a deep breath and ran. She reached the other side of the corridor and waited apprehensively. There was no sound except for the continued murmur of the sentries and she realised they had not seen her. Now she had to find her way down to the next floor. It was not difficult.
Moving away from the centre of the building where there was the Grand Staircase, she walked down several smaller passages and finally found some secondary stairs. These were hung with pictures of Austrian monarchs, which suggested they were used by the Palace Officials.
Quickly she ran downstairs to find more passages, which were u
