"Bring it over here," Charming whispered.
The girls pulled the heavy rope across the roof the best they could. The prince took it and attached the grappling hook to a rain gutter, giving it a good yank. The gutter creaked but seemed to be stable. Then he tossed the loose end of the rope down into the chimney and hoisted Daphne onto his back.
"We'll go first," he said. "If there happens to be someone waiting for us at the bottom, then climb back down to the lawn and run for your grandmother."
"But you have the rope," Sabrina reminded him.
"Well, then, I guess we're all in deep trouble if there's someone down there."
He climbed into the chimney and Sabrina watched Charming and her sister descend into the darkness below. After several moments, she decided it was her turn. She scaled the chimney side, grabbed the rope tightly, and lowered herself down.
In no time at all her nose and mouth were filled with soot. All the dust made breathing impossible. She leaned against the chimney wall with her back and used her feet to lock herself into place. Then she reached into a coat pocket for a handkerchief, put it up to her nose and mouth, and took shallow breaths until the itching in her throat stopped. Then she shoved the handkerchief back into her pocket and continued on.
Unfortunately, climbing down in the narrow space was extremely difficult. She kept knocking her knees and knuckles against the rough bricks of the chimney. She scraped her back so hard she cried out, and before she knew it, Sabrina hit the floor with a thud. Luckily it wasn't a long drop and she wasn't injured. She looked around to get her bearings and saw the opening of the fireplace before her. If she craned her neck, she could see into the mansion's grand hall. She was just about to crawl out and find Charming and Daphne when she saw two sets of unfamiliar feet.
"What does that moron want?" a woman asked. Sabrina recognized the grating voice. It was Mayor Heart.
"He says that you hired a limousine to take you to a bachelorette party," the second voice said. Sabrina knew that one as well--it was Nottingham, and he was boiling with rage.
"That's nonsense," Mayor Heart cried. "Send him away."
"I'm trying, but the little fool won't listen," Nottingham replied. "I suspect he may be dim in the head."
"Then can't you cut it off and be done with him? I need my rest.
Just then, there was a rush of feet and another man's voice said, "The driver has departed, Sheriff."
"Very good," Nottingham said. "Go back to your post."
"As you wish, sir."
When the man was gone, the wicked duo continued their conversation.
"Nottingham, I'm very distraught over all of this. I doubt that I will ever get to sleep now, unless..."
"Don't even think about it!" the sheriff said.
"But my bunions are killing me. Come to my room and rub my feet," Mayor Heart begged.
"Absolutely not!"
"But it's the only thing that puts me to sleep!"
"Try counting tax payments. It eases me to sleep every night."
"DO IT OR I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD CHOPPED OFF!" There was a long pause.
"You get fifteen minutes," Nottingham replied. "Not a second more."
"Oh, you're an angel."
Moments later they were gone, and Sabrina crawled out of the fireplace. She scanned the room for Charming and Daphne and spotted them hiding behind a gaudy curtain in the hall. They rushed to her side, struggling to hide their laughter.
"What?" Sabrina whispered angrily.
"You seem to have got a little of the chimney dirt on you when you came down," Charming said.
Sabrina stepped over to a mirror hanging on the wall. In the moonlight she could see she was completely covered in black soot. Her hair, clothes, and every inch of her skin was as black as coal. Worse, she was starting to itch. She gritted her teeth, did her best to regain her dignity, and then turned back to the pair. Neither had a speck of dust on them.
"Naturally," she grumbled. "What now?"
"Follow me," Charming whispered. He led the girls through the rooms on the first floor. He opened each door, took a quick peek inside, and then closed it. Whatever he was looking for was not downstairs, so they were forced to climb the steps. Sabrina, who had snuck out of many places in her life, knew that the best place to walk on stairs was on the edges, as that was where the nails had been placed and so was usually the quietest. She gave the tip to Charming who nodded and did as he was told. Moments later, they had climbed the grand staircase and were exploring the second floor. It wasn't long before they exhausted their search.
"It's in her room," Charming mumbled. "It has to be."
"What's in her room?" Sabrina said.
Charming ignored her question. "We're going to have to go in there."
"What?" Daphne cried. "Nottingham is in there."