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.

While in the research team's lab, Kate and the others look for hints as to Master Robe's identity.

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.