A Steampunk Guide to Hunting Monsters 14 | Page 18

of that man's sadness disappeared behind a
veil of darkness, I retired to my room.
It appeared the same mood for solitude
soon struck the rest of the company; I heard
the sounds of doors closing all down the hall.
I had partly disrobed, having taken off my
outer accoutrements, and was sitting before
my mirror brushing my hair, when I fi rst
heard the sounds of someone walking very
heavily along the corridor outside my room.
I thought perhaps the fi gure was drunk, for
his breathing was heavy as he approached my
door. I heard the sound of his breath nearly
as fulsome as the panting of some lar