[_____V_____]

Tic, Fortunato, Marya Zaleska and FerretChucker are riding up to the mansion.


Tic: Let's leave the horses near the cave. We can't be too close to the mansion to alert anyone inside it.

Fortunato: I think I saw an old codger in there somewhere...come to think about it now, I am not so sure.

FerretChucker: It would have helped if I had brought one of my ferret specials...

Marya Zaleska: Good thing you didn't. Or I would have stuffed it with you.


They leave their horses near a cave near the mansion, about which Tic knows. They then proceed in foot, cautiously...as the skies darken and the first drops of rain spatter on and around them.


Marya Zaleska (to Fortunato): Make sure the ammunition doesn't get wet.

Fortunato: Don't worry. I got it.


They approach the big gates of the mansion which is chained shut, then look around it, peering inside into the garden and the huge house beyond.


Tic (in a low voice): This gate will take some opening. And we can't afford to fire our guns just yet. Marya and Fortunato, find us another entry.

Marya Zaleska (silently): We are on it.

FerretChucker: Why not me?

Tic (glaring and whispering): Keep your voice down...


Fortunato and Marya disappear for a bit, and after a few minutes Marya comes running back to Tic and FerretChucker.


Marya Zaleska (excitedly in-between breaths): Fortunato found a smaller gate on the backside, over which we can climb in. And we saw the old man again...he was pulling something inside the side-door of the house. It looked odd and heavy, in a black bag of sorts...

Tic (urgently): There is not a moment to lose. Someone's life may depend on how quick we are.


Tic, Marya and FerretChucker hurry to Fortunato, who waits beside the smaller gate behind the mansion. By then, its pouring rain on all sides, with long flashes of lightning and loud rumbles of thunder everywhere.


Fortunato: I ll go first. Then lets chuck FerretChucker in, since he's the smallest.


All four climb in, and then cautiously move forward.


FerretChucker (in a low voice): Wish I had a ferr-

Fortunato: Quiet! I hear some sounds nearby.


An odd, shuffling sound comes from behind the long door beside them. All 4 stop dead in their tracks, listening. Suddenly, the ground below them gives away...and they fall in with a huge yell!