The Shadow of the Wind
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Contents
City of Shadows — Chapter 15
Overview
Daniel tracks Julián Carax’s past to the ruined Fortuny hat shop and questions the caretaker, Doña Aurora, who confirms Carax’s identity but reveals Fortuny claimed Julián died in Paris in 1919. Aurora’s recollections expose Fortuny’s brutality, a rumor that Julián was not Fortuny’s son, and links to the powerful Aldaya family and a classmate named Miquel. Daniel and Aurora break into the abandoned Fortuny apartment, find signs of recent intrusion, and Daniel uncovers a hidden key—setting up entry into a locked room that may hold decisive answers.
Summary
Daniel goes to the long-shuttered Fortuny hat shop on Ronda de San Antonio and meets the building’s caretaker, Doña Aurora. Showing her the scorched photograph, Daniel confirms the young man is Julián Carax (using his mother’s surname) but learns Fortuny told Aurora that Julián died in Paris in 1919—an account Daniel challenges, insisting Julián lived in Paris until at least 1935 and later returned to Barcelona.
Encouraged, Aurora shares memories and gossip about the Fortuny household: Julián was imaginative and morbid as a child; Fortuny was violent and abusive toward his French wife, who sometimes hid with a neighbor, Viçenteta. Aurora repeats a rumor the Frenchwoman confided that Julián was not Fortuny’s biological son, though she never named the father.
Aurora also recalls Julián’s connections: a wealthy school friend from the Aldaya family, who sometimes sent a chauffeur-driven car for him, and another schoolmate named Miquel. Asked about the apartment, Aurora says it has remained untouched since Fortuny died alone there; the estranged wife lives in Buenos Aires and left matters to a “strange” lawyer who occasionally visits at night. Aurora adds that a suspicious, constantly smiling man claiming to be a Crime Squad inspector once demanded access, but she refused him.
Persuaded by Daniel, Aurora uses a master key to let him into the Fortuny attic apartment. Inside, they find a damp, ash-coated interior with pigeons and a lingering stench; Aurora points out the chair where Fortuny’s body was discovered. Daniel searches photographs and rooms, hearing more unsettling details, including Julián’s childhood story about an unseen “sister” who came out of mirrors.
Following footprints in the dust, Daniel discovers a bedroom door that has been fitted with an unusual lock and appears recently visited. In Fortuny’s bedroom, Daniel finds little of value until he opens a carved music box, discovers a hidden gold key jamming its mechanism, and recognizes the resumed melody as Ravel. Over Aurora’s objections, Daniel decides to use the key to open the locked room.
Who Appears
- Daniel SempereInvestigates Carax at the Fortuny building; enters the abandoned apartment and finds a hidden key.
- Doña AuroraCaretaker who confirms Carax’s identity, shares gossip, and reluctantly helps Daniel access the apartment.
- Julián CaraxSubject of Daniel’s search; confirmed as Fortuny’s son in name, linked to Paris and old school friends.
- Mr. FortunyJulián’s abusive father; lied about Julián’s death and died alone in the apartment.
- Fortuny’s French wifeAbused spouse who fled; rumored Julián was not Fortuny’s biological son.
- ViçentetaNeighbor who sheltered the French wife and heard confidences about Julián’s paternity.
- IsabelitaAurora’s daughter; remembered as fond of Julián and later heard nocturnal visits above her apartment.
- The Aldaya friendWealthy school friend who had a chauffeur-driven car fetch Julián.
- MiquelAnother of Julián’s school friends, recalled only by first name.
- Mr. MolinsBuilding administrator who supposedly holds official information about the lawyer and apartment access.
- Unidentified Crime Squad inspectorCreepy, smiling man who once demanded entry to the Fortuny apartment for unclear, personal reasons.