Blue Harbor

Lupin found the townhouse silent and still. Uncle Mortimor was nowhere in sight. Too exhausted to care at this point, however, Lupin trod wearily up the staircase to the first floor, and found a small, blue sitting room tucked between two larger salons. A rather frail looking Louis the IV settee graced the far corner, and although Lupin was sure it would be less than comfortable, it was better than the floor. The grate, at least, was lit, and the room small enough to be warmed from it even in the predawn cold. Lupin curled up on the blue silk, pulling the cloak tight about her, and laid down her head. She dozed for a moment, then sitting stalk upright, she looked grimly at the fire. Plodding to the door, she found the key in the lock and turned it deliberately, then walking dazedly back to her couch, she sank down and let the key lose itself in the folds of her borrowed warmth.
She awoke to the sound of precise, peremptory knocking upon the painted wood panels of the door. Groggilly looking opening her eyes, she saw the light was white and bright and gray - the light of midmorning. She rested her head back onto the crook of her arm and felt the cold in her toes. The fire had burnt down. The knocking, however, continued unabashed.
Rising, Lupin crossed to the door and reached out to open it, only to realize it was locked. "Uncle Mortimor, I am looking for the key," she said close to the panelling. The knocking stopped. A frigid voice replied, "I do not care what you are doing, my dear, I want you to come without and entertain me."
It was Uncle Mortimor, and it was not Uncle Mortimor. Lupin failed to understand this sudden and very strange change, but underneath Uncle Mortimor's crisp and angry tones there was an intonation of urgency, as if he was trying to communicate something.
Lupin reached the settee and looking underneath, found the metal key lying on the thick pile of the blue and gold carpet. It was very fine carpet, she realized, as her fingers brushed the surface, and very expensive. This connexion of Uncle Mortimor's was not impoverished.