I followed all the steps and clicked on all the clues like some others recommended,including the animated ones.I also found the note and read it,yet I'm still stuck on the part saying I decide to take this note to Ian.Some other people also are having trouble with this part of the plot.Clicking on all on the clues in order,(save for the paper which was already picked up) and backwards hasn't done anything.It now just shows the note itself,but other then that, there is still no way to go down stairs.

I'm using Firefox and Windows 7

- The staircase is a very small link halfway down the hall. There are two doors on either side.

If you have trouble clicking it, you might be able to select it using the tab key and then press enter?

Click to enlarge

thank you so much!I finally got back downstairs!I don't know why no one told me that on the other board!