As she groped her way through the darkness of the Notts" garden, Rose stumbled over stones that once outlined flowerbeds now long gone. She made her way to the palace walls, running her fingers over the stones and tracing the entire perimeter. She carefully checked under the windows and peered through the air vents in the basement, attempting to force the service door, which remained tightly closed. While she had no intention of entering the house, if she found a way in, she knew she would seize the opportunity.