This week we continue learning about cold weather expressions with the story “Mystery at The Ice Castle Inn .” They have all traveled to The Ice Castle Inn . This mountain inn is a popular vacation spot for birdwatchers . However , a cold snap has blown through the mountains , snowing them in . This is an extreme and unexpected drop in temperature , so no one is prepared . They have been trapped inside the castle for several days . When people are stuck inside together with nothing to do , they naturally begin talking about themselves . Very quickly , small facts about a person snowball into a bigger picture of them . What this means is that these little facts collect more little facts -- like a snowball collecting more snow as it rolls downhill . Soon , it becomes a big ball of facts , rolling quickly down the hill , threatening to destroy everything in its path ! But I am getting ahead of myself . One of these small facts is this : no one here is actually interested in birds . Our four travelers gather inside by the fireplace . The inn's housekeeper puts a log into the fire . The group does not notice her as she pours more hot cocoa into their empty mugs . You see , they are the kind of people who never really notice the servants . No one is talking . The four guests have avoided each other for several days . But now they are forced together by the warmth of the only working fireplace and the promise of hot cocoa . After all , the inn is quite cold and uncomfortable . Only candles light the rooms . The rugs are so thin that the stone floor underneath shows . Some of the windows are cracked , letting the winter storm blow right through . The castle looks the same way it did a hundred years ago . It is a place frozen in time . Finally , Sylvia , the actress , breaks the ice by talking about the winter storm raging outside . Talking about the weather is a common ice-breaker that can bring strangers together . It gives them something to talk about . “This cold snap is lasting a long time ! When will we be able to leave ?” Sylvia says this to no one in particular . But the teacher , Madeline , responds . “Yes , when can we leave ? I am tired of sitting around in this cold , drafty castle .” “I have an idea ,” Vincent , the handsome athlete , says to the young teacher . “Why don't you join me for a walk in the castle .” At that , the actress , Sylvia , laughs out loud . Vincent realizes that he is now on thin ice with both women . He is not really in danger . Rather , he is now on very uncertain terms with them . The room suddenly drops a couple more degrees -- and not from the weather . Major Jack feels sorry for Vincent after the women freeze him out , or make him feel unwelcome . Vincent shakes his head no . He says he quit cold turkey last year . The major says he admires the athlete's accomplishment . “Well , perhaps you don't have the mental strength that I do ,” Vincent says . Major Jack regrets trying to help such a cold hearted man . He turns his attention to Sylvia . He tells her he likes her voice very much . Most women would melt at his words . But for Sylvia they cut no ice . His words have no effect . Her once-friendly voice turns to ice as she says , “What shall I do next , sing for you ?” He shudders not from the temperature of the room but from her icy stare . He thinks to himself that the attractive actress can certainly be an ice queen when she wants to be . At this point , it is fair to say that the conversations among the group are not going well . Outside , the temperature is dropping . Everything is frozen solid . Inside , the entire inn is in a different kind of deep freeze . Everyone sits in silence . They stare at the fire as it makes crackling noises in the fireplace . Next to it , only a few logs of wood remain . This is when the very quiet housekeeper breaks the stone cold silence . She straightens her back , takes off her apron and pushes her gray hair back into place . “If I may have your attention ,” she says to the group . Her voice cuts through the coldness that hangs in the air . “The owner of the inn has planned an interesting game for you , our special guests , to play .” Vincent throws cold water on the idea . He laughs and says coldly , “I'm not a child . I don't play games .” “You may want to change your mind , young man . This game is a kind of treasure hunt ,” the housekeeper says . She is standing in front of the group and no longer seems like “just ” a servant . She now has control of the room . When they hear the word “treasure ,” they pay close attention to the housekeeper for the first time since their arrival . She places a large wooden box on the table . It is labeled “Treasure Hunt .” She explains : “In this box are four envelopes marked with each person's name . In the envelope are clues . If you follow the clues correctly , you will find your treasure !” They all agree to play . They are thinking that finding some cold , hard cash would be a really nice treasure . They pick their envelopes and read the clues carefully . Then , each person travels through the empty hallways and rooms of the otherwise deserted castle . Three hours later , the sun sinks behind the cold mountains . The four treasure-seekers return to the fireplace . The housekeeper is waiting . She motions with her hand for them to sit by the fire . And , one by one , she asks them to reveal their treasure . Madeline is first . “My treasure is a framed termination letter ? I don't understand . Am I being fired for something ?” The calm in her eyes is gone and for the first time she is nervous . Vincent is not confused or nervous . He is simply angry . “My treasure is a bride's white wedding veil .” He throws the thin , white piece of fabric into the air . Major Jack takes out what he found -- a military medal . He reads the writing on the front : “For brave service in battle .” He looks as if he has seen a ghost . Sylvia's “treasure ” is a pink baby's rattle . With a haunted look on her face , she shakes it slowly and sadly . Confusion and tension fill the room . Finally Sylvia , who is standing by the fire as if she were on stage , says what everyone is thinking . “Okay this is too much ! And it isn't funny ! Why are we here ? And who is teasing us with these so-called treasures ?” The housekeeper begins to speak , but suddenly she stops . A terrible sound -- part human , part animal , howling from a room above them -- freezes their blood cold . And that is we will leave our story .