As you may remember, my lord, the ground
upon the other side of the building is on a lower level than the
cloister lawn. The windows of the Reverend Mother's cell are therefore
raised above the shrubbery and it is not possible to see into the
chamber. But Sister Mary Rebecca, who went round after dark, noted
that the Reverend Mother had lighted her tapers and drawn her curtains.
This morning the light is extinguished, the curtains are drawn back,
and the casement flung open. Moreover at the usual hour for rising,
the Reverend Mother rang the bell, as is her custom, to waken the
nuns--rang it from within her cell, by means of this rope and pulley."
"Ah," said the Bishop.
"Sister Abigail, up already, thereupon ran to the Reverend Mother's
cell; and, the bell still swinging, tapped and asked if she might bring
in milk and bread. Once more the only answer was the low chanting of
prayers. Also, Sister Abigail declares, the voice was so weak and
faltering, she scarce knew it for the Reverend Mother's. And since
then, my lord, there has been silence within the cell, and a sore sense
of fear within our hearts; for it is unlike the Reverend Mother to keep
her door locked, when the entire community calls and knocks without."
The Bishop lifted his hand.
"In that speak you truly, Mother Sub-Prioress," said he. "Also I must
tell you without further delay, that the Prioress is not within her
cell."
"_Not_ within her cell!" exclaimed Mother Sub-Prioress.
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