Father Mermillod had had a difficult and busy day. Now, late in the evening, he was looking forward to some quiet prayer time and then some well-earned rest. But God had other plans. Suddenly, a loud, insistent rap summoned him to the door.

When he opened it, a young man, well-dressed and of pleasing manner, entered. The priest had never met the man before. Reverend Mermillod was very active in the practice of his priestly vocation, though, and was beginning to be known throughout his diocese as a man who loved the sublime vocation that Jesus had bestowed upon him. He applied himself tirelessly to studying the timeless truths of the Roman Catholic faith - the one and only Church established by God - and devoted all of his time and energies to bringing the treasures of God’s graces, which the Catholic Church alone can give, to all in his diocese that were in need of them.

The unknown visitor informed Father that his priestly gifts were required - a lady was in danger of death. When Father inquired whether the case was urgent, the messenger responded that the case was, indeed, very grave. He gave the address where the woman would be found and requested that the man of God call on her at the same hour on the following night. The address was in an unfamiliar district, so Father Mermillod was very careful in doubling checking the address before his night visitor left. As he prepared for bed he gave little thought to the matter.

Mindful of his promise, he made his way on the following evening to the home of the sick lady, which he found without much difficulty. It was a beautiful chalet in the midst of a garden and commanding a magnificent view of Lake Geneva.

He opened the gate and approached the house, noting that a dinner party was in progress. The dining room was alight and through its open windows the sound of light-hearted voices and laughter could be distinctly heard.

Somewhat mystified, he rang at the door, which was promptly thrown open by a distinctively dressed butler.

“Good evening, my name is Father Mermillod and I have been requested to provide the aid and comforts of the Catholic sacraments to a dying woman. Could you take me to her?”

“Dying woman!” replied the shocked butler, “but there is no one even sick in this house! I am sorry sir but somehow you have come here by mistake. Perhaps the address is incorrect?”

"But is this not Chalet Violet and are we not in Rue Valois?" he asked, showing the carefully written address.

"The address is quite correct, Sir, but there must be a misunderstanding of some kind. There is no one ill in the house, and I cannot understand how a message should have been sent without my knowledge. It is my duty to see that such communications are delivered, and I receive corresponding instructions as to whom I am to receive into the house." The butler was attempting to be helpful but the obvious impossibility of the situation could not be overlooked.

"Might I speak with your Mistress?" suggested Fr. Mermillod.

"I regret, Reverend Sir, that my Mistress is, at the moment, entertaining at dinner a company of actors from the Opera. If you insist, though, I will take her your message."

"I should be obliged if you did so since the case seems mysterious. I am not yet sure what is the truth but it was difficult to come such a long distance. I would appreciate an opportunity to verify the situation because I will not be able to make the journey again very easily."

The butler kindly reported to the lady of the house the odd details surrounding the unannounced visitor that now stood at her door. On hearing about the strange incident, the lady was naturally surprised and, telling her guests what had happened, suggested to her husband that it might be well to see the priest. Her husband went accordingly to interview the visitor.

"We are very sorry, dear Sir, to hear that someone without our knowledge has asked you to call. We cannot imagine who it could have been, or what could have been the motive of such an ill-timed joke. There is no one ill in the house, and, quite frankly, we do not even belong to your religion. Just now we are entertaining some friends from the theater. Would you mind joining us at dinner? You are most welcome, and my wife will be glad to hear all about this singular incident from your own lips. Some of our guests, are, I believe, also Catholics."

Father Mermillod's first thought was to decline from the invitation and he replied that he had already dined. But Father was a good and spiritual man and knew that God usually leads His instruments by hidden ways. Somehow, God had some good to accomplish through him that night and so the priest informed the gracious owner of the elegant home that he would be glad to join the party.

As he was led by this generous man through his luxurious dwelling, so lavishly decorated and filled with the cheerful banter of carefree souls, Father Mermillod could not help but wonder about his mysterious visitor of the night before. He had seemed so sincere, honest and determined that it was difficult to believe that he had been some foolish prankster, sending the priest on a phony mission. But there were clearly no signs of any tragedy in the villa. Certainly, no one was dying. As he entered the elegant formal dining room he was haunted by the events of the previous night. Who was the mysterious messenger and what was the purpose of his calling?