"Poor Sister Agatha returned to us again." But, even as she said it, swift came a name to the mind of the Prioress, answering her own question, and filling her with consternation and a great anger.

"Wilfred! Wilfred, are you come to save me ?" foolish little Seraphine had said.

Was such sacrilege possible?
Could one from the outside world have dared to intrude into their holy Sanctuary?
Yet old Antony's tale carried conviction.

Her abject fear was now explained.
That the Dead should come again, and walk and move among the haunts of men, seeking out the surroundings they have loved and left, seems always to hold terror for the untutored mind, which knows not that the Dead are more alive than the living; and that there is no death, saving the death of sin.
But to the Reverend Mother, guarding her flock from sin or shame, a visitor from the Unseen World held less of horror than a possible intruder from the Seen.
A rapid glance as she sounded the bell, had shown her that the passage was empty.
Which cell now sheltered two, where there should be but one?
The Prioress walked across to a recess near the south window, touched a spring, and slid back a portion of the oak panelling.

Passing her hand into a secret hiding place in the wall, she drew forth a beautifully fashioned dagger, with carved ivory handle, crossed metal thumb-guard, blade of bevelled steel, polished and narrowing to a sharp needle point.