However, the girls could not find Mrs. Hawthorne’s name, nor that of her granddaughter.
“This list doesn’t prove anything one way or the other,” Penny said, carefully replacing the ledger on the desk where she had found it. “Mrs. Hawthorne could have joined the cult under a different name. Father Benedict might not even know who she is.”
“Oh, Penny!” teased her companion. “You want to uncover a mystery so badly! Actually, there’s not one bit of evidence that Mrs. Hawthorne ever came here.”
“True,” Penny acknowledged in a low tone, “but you will admit a lot of queer things have happened. For instance, who sent Mr. Ayling the fake telegram? And why hasn’t he returned to Riverview as he said he would?”
“He’s hardly had time yet. Anyway, what connection could his absence have with this monastery?”
“None, perhaps. Unless Mrs. Hawthorne should be here—”
“Oh, Penny! Father Benedict denied that she was, didn’t he?”
“Yes, but that crystal ball reading he gave for Mr. Ayling’s benefit was a strange affair. And Lou! The worst was, he predicted harm would befall him! Maybe it has!”
“So you’re superstitious! Do you really believe in those crystal ball readings?”
“No, I’m not!” Penny denied hotly. “Not for a minute do I put any faith in that crystal ball! But—”