Bottom of Spiral Staircase                             -      N      - 
(-------------------------------------------------)     - <---(M)---> -
                                                        -      -      -

You are at the foot of a narrow spiral staircase that winds upwards into
the darkness.  From the cobwebs streaming from floor-to-ceiling and
wall-to-wall and the thick coating of dust on the staircase steps, you get
the impression that this staircase may be all but forgotten.  A dimly lit
room on the other side of the marble archway to the north casts eerie
shadows across the steps of the staircase.