After removing carpet/transition strip from an adjacent area, I found the foyer in our 1960s house has some interesting tile under the existing flooring. I have a few problems and questions (see photos also). Some adhesive seems to have seeped onto the hardwood floors that we've just uncovered and that we'll refinish. How do we get that black stuff off? Next, how do I know it's safe or possible to take off the flooring (the brick-colored layer) to see if we might restore what's underneath? Finally, if it's possible to uncover the old tile, I notice that it is a textured surface that would seems to accumulate dirt, and I'm wondering if it is supposed to be filled with grout? The person who sold us this house believes the top layer of floor there in the foyer was put in ~20 years ago or more, and I believe the layer underneath was the original floor from 1966. I have a similar situation in a bathroom as well (original tile that I like under a layer put in ~20 years ago, except no black stuff) Thanks for any advice or info!

http://s1124.photobucket.com/albums/l580/peonyfan/foyer/