‘Jane Peartree?’
‘Yes; but it may be assumed. I have noticed one thing which I may tell you in confidence. The initials on the clothes she wore when she came here are quite different.’
‘Indeed.’
‘Not “J. P.”—but “M. F.”’
Sutherland started in new surprise.
‘Impossible!’ he exclaimed.
‘Yes, “M. F.” Do you know any person with those initials? Who was the person to whom you referred upstairs?’
Sutherland’s reply was singular.
‘I cannot tell you; not, at least, to-night. Promise me, however, before I go, that this lady—she is a lady, that is clear, and very different to the usual inmates of the Home—shall not go away from Mount Eden until you hear from me again. In the meantime assure her, should she question you, that I have not recognised her.’
‘That you have not recognised her?’ echoed Sister Ursula, puzzled and anxious.