Sir Thomas marched resolutely across the East Wing's resplendent white marble expanse, halting beneath a vast, circular stained glass window depicting the achievements of civilization that was embedded in the outer wall. After giving it some thought, he instead began examining an antique suit of armor propped beneath it.

Farther along the wall, Mr. Gilby was staring out of a second window, this one a delicate blue shade, which admitted pale radiant hues into the room. A curiously emotional expression had overtaken his moderately craggy features.

Not far from where the inner wall curved away from the room into a stairway leading down into the atrium, Mr. Flowers was inspecting an iron crucifix hanging above the heavily-inlaid door to The South Wing.