Figures knelt outside the Hartleys villa gate, and they pleaded, "Miss Hartley, please spare us. It's our fault for being blind, not distinguishing right from wrong."
"We shouldn't have fabricated stories for attention, we shouldn't have disregarded the truth."
"Miss Hartley, you're magnanimous. Please let us go."
"Miss Hartley, please come out and meet us."
The sounds of wailing and pleading continued incessantly, rising and falling.
The orchestra that was playing was completely dumbfounded. They looked at the shocking scene outside the gate with bewilderment.
The music stopped!
The sounds of begging tore through the night and became even more piercing.
Inside the villa hall, everyone was stunned by this sudden change, staring at each other, not knowing what had happened.
"What's
