ysterious Nun from Russia

ome time ago Baron Von Lodge was the head of a small country near Switzerland known as Lilliland.

From time to time people claimed to be a distant relative of the Von Lodge royal family. It happened two or three times a year. The relative who says that he is or she is a relative is turned over to Professor Hamblin so that their story can be checked. Rarely is the person cleared and is just an imposter looking for a place to stay. The imposter is usually treated to some food and lodging for a while and is then asked to just move on.

But this time a request was very different. A messenger carried a note for the Baron from Sister Patricia from St. Petersburg, Russia. The note said that she was the daughter of a cousin known in Lilliland lore as the Archangel Patricia. Included with the message was a small locket with a crest. The crest was identified by Professor Hamblin as the one owned by the Archangel Patricia. The messenger said that Sister Patricia was a nun in a convent in Russia that had been taken over by terrorists. She was being held captive in a dungeon, without food or water, to starve to death. A friendly jailer let her escape but she was now hiding somewhere in Russia. She asked that the message not be answered but she wanted to come to Lilliland to seek refuge for a while. She wanted to continue to do the work of the Lord, but not in Russia, until things got much better.

One night at the Lilliland Castle gate, a frail woman dressed all in black quietly appeared. It was Sister Pat from Russia.

She was welcomed and told she could stay in seclusion with Lady Angela until she could regain her strength.

Her religious vows were of poverty, silence and obedience. The people who took over the convent swore to keep her in the dungeon until she denounced her vows. She refused and escaped to Lilliland.

The Baron was very helpful in keeping her identity a secret and if the terrorists thought that she was a member of the royal family, they would attempt to capture her for ransom.

Lady Angela and Sister Pat became very close friends and they wanted to figure out a plan for her future.