The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-02-28
CHAPTER xxxlI-continued.


was Sir Mark Buckingham. Claire's
sfiancel husband. 1t was his resem
o!ance to John Wilson that had been
such a shock to her and caused her tc
lwoon.
From the moment that she had con
vinced herself that this was the ex
PLANTATION of the mystery she began tc
regain her health and spirits and look
forward with the old eagerness to the
hours she spent with Frank Allister.
Inspector Millett of Scotland Yard
who had made inquiries of the lodge
keeper in a guarded way. had con
Guided that the only man who had
been at The Nest on the Saturday at
ternoon besides himself was Sir Mark
Buckingham. But Sir Mark had only
come to Miss Barton's for a moment
ard had left in his motor car after a
stay Of a few minutes.
The inspector was more convinced
than ever. remembering Harold Bret
tingham's visit to the Yard. that the
BrettinghaE's and Claire Barton had
some interest in the convict's wife.
He determined to find an excuse for
seeing Sir Mark, and watching the eff.
feet CT a revelation he intended to
make 10 him.
E.e would call at the Albany the next
day in his official capacity. saying that
Mr.. Harold Buckingham had made an
| inquiry on Sir Marks behalf as to the
j whereabouts of a Mrs. Wilson, the wife
OF convict, and he would watch the
effect OF his words upon the baronet
VINO would be taken unawares.
But Oh Sunday, when the inspector
called. he found Sir Mark had left for
Paris. and then came the news of the
tragedy.
Then suddenly the light came
"Phew!" exclaimed the eminent de.
tectivc, with long. low whistle.
Have l found it at last? This looks
more like suicide than an accident.
Sir Mark Buckingham was at The
Nest May Wilson saw him and recog-
nized her husband The man has been
palming himself Off on Claire Barton
j. as baronet.'
brow wrinkled.
| "But the brother---the brother who
! lives in London-must have seen the
announcement of the engagement. He
would not be deceived No----I haven't
got it YET
When Inspector Millett read in the
| l&rG:s that MI, now Sir Harond Bret
H., tin2ham had identified the victim of
the Paris express accident as his
brother he gave up the John Wilson
mystery as a bad job, and left it to
! the quickest detective in the service
! c.iance---to unravel. Of one thing he
| was certain, and that was that Ber-
tram Hank, with money at his COM
lnand. had been too clever for Scotland
Ward.
| Bat Mr.. Bertram Hank was not con-
graduating himself on his c!everuess.
With the death OF Sir Mark he had lost
a vcr! profitable source of income.
He had paid his respects to Sir Har-
cd soon after the latter's return to
London, but had not found him so plia-
BE as he expected.
The young baronet told Mr. Hank
plainly that he had been very we'll paid
for his services. To the hint that il
would be still important to the family
for he story OF Sir Mark Brettingham
not to leak out, he replied that it would
be equally important to Mr. Hank.
I'm the case Of your betraying the
secret you have been Handsomely paid
TO keep he said. 1t would inevitably
le2k out that you had conceived the
escape and assisted in it. I do not
know what the penal servitude is for
tire offense, but l have no doubt that
you do
! E2ving convinced Mr.. Hank that it
would be very bad policy for him ia
...6Ec threats, Sir Harold said that
there was little business he might
rut in his way. If he, Hank. would
orange meeting between himself
81 Harold, and the woman his broth
g. was supposed TO have married, he
would be paid fer his services.
Su Ioscd!" exclaimed Hank.
There is TO superstition. It was a
marriage right enough. He gave ms
TIE particulars. I know where the
marriage took place, and can find the
widow
SO 1t came about that one day the
young baronet met May Wilson and
finding her gentle and refined woman
who had loved and suffered, told he
the truth.
May--when she had recovered from
the astonishment which Sir Harold'
admission caused her----assured hin
that under no circumstances woul,
she betray the confidence reposed ii
her.
She had no desire to be known a.
Lady Buckingham, and at first she re
fused the allowance which was offere,
her.
But Sir Harold explained that /
was hers by right as the wife of tn
dead man, and it would grieve bot
his mother and himself if she refuse
it.
Then she accepted, and had littl
later on, when Frank Allister aske
her to be his wife, to admit to the as