Accessing the Base

The mantel post had served its purpose. I descended the brick facade in deliberate increments, landing silently on the wooden floorboards. The grandfather clock loomed overhead. At its foundation, near the carved base moulding, lay an unlatched wooden service panel. I tested the edge with both gloved fingers, working the narrow door outward until it gave way with a dry click. Inside rested a spare brass winding key, draped in a fine web of dust. The mechanism above continues its slow pendulum swing. Access has been secured.