Barbara and Barbie meet a robed figure at the entrance of the manor with a large number of Scorches. Later in the night, the Living Dolls are gathered and ordered to report if they know of the figure. Kate and Emilico discuss the announcement, then go to sleep.

Barbara strives to fulfill her role as a Star Bearer in spite of Barbie's concerns about her health. Troubled by the disturbances which keep occurring in the children's wing, Barbara wonders if things would have been different under the previous leader.

Meanwhile, in John's rooms, John reads a letter from Kate. Something in it sends him into a state of shock.

Kate and Emilico have resolved to become Star Bearers in order to close in on the secrets of the house, and begin to make moves in order to gather information. But just as they are about to get started in earnest, the living dolls all gather in the great hall for a rejoicing party where they are attacked by a huge mass of scorches, leading to a second incident of phantom mayhem.

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.

As Kate meets with her peers, Emilico and John reminisce under a starry sky, but the night will not end as quietly as it begins.

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

Kate and the others hold another meeting in Patrick's rooms to share information, and as they hone in on the culprit behind the phantom mayhem, Emilico realizes something.

Kate and the others have deduced the identity of Master Robe, the culprit behind the phantom mayhem, who then tells them of the cruel secret of Shadows House.

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.

The culprits are captured and handed over to the Star Bearers where a brief conversation calls up the regrets of a broken promise and secrets hidden in the past.

The phantom mayhem has ended in the worst possible way, and as the house tries to settle back into its usual routine, Kate and Emilico's suspicions and fears give rise to an unshakeable determination.