A veiled woman burst screaming from an elevator. The small crowd gathered in a basement corridor of New Zealand ’s parliament drew back nervously. Their guide, wearing a trailing, white gown, smiled sweetly. “You’re welcome to take the elevator,” she said. Nobody did. Mysterious deaths, unexplained noises and late-night apparitions are not the usual fodder of daily tours offered at the parliament buildings in Wellington. However, after hours on Thursday, guides donned Victorian-era garb to regale visitors with the precinct’s less savory history — “mostly factual” tales of real-world tragedy and paranormal lore that have grown established among political staffers through decades of colorful retelling. The historical Parliament library, constructed in the late 19th century and rumored to be haunted, is particularly rich in woe. It has survived two fires, a flood and being overrun by feral cats. According to Ministry insiders, this unassuming edifice might be hiding more than just dusty tomes.