It all seemed rather odd, he thought, but no doubt he would understand soon.
“First,” she said, “I think you used to know Father Franklin. He became a Cardinal, didn’t he?”
Mr. Francis assented, smiling.
“Do you know if he is alive?”
“No,” he said. “He is dead. He was in Rome, you know, at the time of its destruction.”
“Ah! You are sure?”
“Quite sure. Only one Cardinal escaped—Steinmann. He was hanged in Berlin; and the Patriarch of Jerusalem died a week or two later.”
“Ah! very well. Well, now, here is a very odd question. I ask for a particular reason, which I cannot explain, but you will soon understand.... It is this—Why do Catholics believe in God?”
He was so much taken aback that for a moment he sat staring.
“Yes,” she said tranquilly, “it is a very odd question. But—-” she hesitated. “Well, I will tell you,” she said. “The fact is, that I have a friend who is—is in danger from this new law. I want to be able to argue with her; and I must know her side. You are the only priest—I mean who has been a priest—whom I ever knew, except Father Franklin. So I thought you would not mind telling me.”