“We are,” said Clara, with a surprised laugh. “But how did you know?”

“There was a telegram,” said Sister Monique. “From a capitaine.”

Clara blushed. “Captain de Beauchesne?”

“Yes, perhaps. I did not see it myself. But the Reverend Mother said that when you arrived, we were to bring you straight to her.”

A little bewildered, the travelers followed Sister Monique out of the kitchen and down a passage to another door which led them into a pleasant parlor with views over the orchard, where a tall, stately woman wearing the same gray habit as Sister Monique rose to greet them and introduced herself in careful English as Mother Julienne, and asked how she might be of assistance.

The Reverend Mother listened attentively as Ben and Lotti told her of their plans. When they had finished, she joined her hands together as if in prayer, and looked at them thoughtfully. She was a kind woman but known for her plain-speaking, and for always telling the truth.

“It will not be easy,” she said. “To find a person missing for so long, after such a war as this … it is almost impossible. But you must know this already. Here is what I can do for you. There is a mission house in Buisseau, closely affiliated to ours. Sister Monique stays there sometimes when she goes to Saturday market. I will give you a message to take to them. You may stay there while you conduct your search, and they will help you.”

“Thank you,” said Ben. He spoke calmly but his heart was hammering. “We’ll leave immediately. How do we … how does one get to Buisseau from here?”

“The railway station at St. Matthieu is twelve miles away. Sister Monique can take you in the pony cart. You may leave your boat at the jetty; it will be quite safe. You will all be going?”

“The puppies,” said Clara. “Someone ought to stay with them. Lotti …”

“Absolutely not,” said Lotti. “I’m going with Ben.”

“It would be better if you went with an adult,” said the Reverend Mother. “Buisseau, that whole area—it has suffered much.”

“I want Lotti,” said Ben. “It doesn’t work if we’re not together.”

He and Lotti stepped closer to each other, until they stood shoulder to shoulder facing the two women. Looking at them, Clara and the Reverend Mother had the same feeling that Henri de Beauchesne had experienced on the Sparrhowhawk, of seeing a small, efficient combat unit.

An hour later, after a quick lunch, Lotti, Ben and Federico left for the railway station. Clara stayed behind to look after the Sparrowhawk and the puppies.