Emilico and company have an unhappy encounter with a Star Bearer that leads to late-night watch duty. Kate frets over the approaching debut. Sides are taken, friendships are forged, and one of Shadow House's mysteries is solved.

The debut continues as the dolls try to find their shadow masters. Will Lou and Ricky's unlikely partnership last much longer? Will Emilico and Rum survive the dreadful maze? And why has Edward planned such an elaborate debut in the first place?

The Star Bearers have determined that the soot pipes are the origin of the phantoms. For now, in order to quell the disorder in the children's wing, Barbara punishes the Belle twins, who broke the coffee carafes, by assigning them to cleaning the soot pipes. However, having been unable to ascertain the true culprit behind the incidents, the Star Bearers turn their suspicions on Kate.

Each of the peers from the midnight meeting, along with their living dolls, begin their separate investigations.

No match for Maryrose, Kate and John flee the main house, but just when they feel truly cornered, they come up with a plan to turn the tables.