The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-07-17

1 A'A~~&A S~~ V~~0
ed, annoyed, and perhaps little
frightened by what he was told. He
wondered, not without misgivings,
what the contents of the packet were.
He had no clue-this was where the
spy failed him-as to the time when
Sir John had entrusted it to Mary, but
it was evident to him that, as his faith
er had selected her in preference to
himself to receive and deposit it with
the bankers, there was that in it
which Sir John did not wish him to
see or know. AS he pondered the
matter his fears increased. At all
hazards, he thought, he must obtain
possession of that packet.
He lay awake for some time think
ing about it, and finally evolved a
scheme which he thought would
work. In the morning he was alone
at breakfast, as Christabel and Mary
We're having their meal in the latter's
room. Hearing that Mary was I'M
able to rise. he sent word that he
wished to see her before he went out
for the day, and Mary told him to
come up. When he saw her he inquir-
ed very kindly how she was, and then
said that he had thoroughly consider
| ed the making of restitution to the
Forbes, and was now determined to
fall in with her wishes. 1t might ease
her mind, he went on to say, and
that was why he had asked her to see
him. Mary thanked him and felt hap
| pier. Of course, she told Christabel
what he had said as soon as she saw
her again.
This was MaXwells first move; he
intended it as blind. and it sue
oee1ed for the time being. Having
instructed his spy to keep close watch
on Christabels movements, he mo-
tored to the city and spent an hour
debating letters in his Office to his
private secretary. Then he got into
cab and drove to Coutts' bank in the
Strand, where he asked for one of
the partners whom he knew.
by the way" said Maxwell to this
gentleman. after the conventional sal
utations had been exchanged and in
quiries had been made and answered
respecting Sir Johns condition, "my
father gave my sister packet some
| time ago to leave here in your care.
should like to get it now, if you will
| for it,"
81 know nothing of the packet" said
the banker, "but have no doubt it is
here. as you say so. Have you an Or
der for it,"
"No,' replied Maxwell, easily; "Sir
John, you see, is in no fit state to
write or even sign an order. 1t is al
most" he continued, dropping his
voice, "as if my poor father were al
ready dead"
The banker bowed gravely.
ut is not quite the same thing" he
said after an instant's silence. "Per-
haps, as your sister deposited the
packet with us, an order from her
would do. We have an inflexible, cast
iron rule, Mr.. Sisterson, with regard
to such matters-every bank has, you
know. In case of death, of course, it
is different, for the heirs, or trustees,
or other legal representatives are
given whatever they are entitled to
receive. Otherwise we must have an
order-that is the universal rule, Mr..
Sisterson."
But there are exceptions to every
, rule" pleaded Maxwell; "and surely
| this is a case where you can stretch
point?'
| wei, I'll send and see if we have
any instructions with respect to the
packet, if you will be good enough to
wait for minute or two. 1t may be
that we can give it up to you, though
fear that in any case an order will
be necessary"
ooh, don't think I don't appreciate
your scruples," said Maxwell. you
are perfectly justified in having
them
Which was true-much truer than
the banker could even suspect, and he
did not suspect SO great man as
Maxwell Sisterson.
While the banker sent a clerk to
look at the packet, the two men dis
cussed the days city news, regarding
which Maxwell showed all the keen
ness and insight for which he was
famous.
/ There is such packet, sir" said
the clerk, who presently appeared. to
his employer, Tin the vaults, and it
bears the name of Miss Sisterson."
Miss Sisterson's Nance" asked the
banker.
Eyes, sir"
THAT will do; White" said the
banker, nodding his subordinate's dis
missal. "You see, Mr. Sisterson, I
can hardly give it up to you, as it is
in your sisters name, but you can
easily get an order from herr" The
last words were put interrogatively.
I. Eyes, easily" replied Maxwell. "But
don't you think that, as said before,
you might stretch a point In the cir.
cumstances? 1t is a pity there should
be. any further trouble. Do let me
have It. I'll give you receipt for IT
II you like i..s
II am sorry, Mr.. sisterson, but I dc
y S.1fnr<. xyS4,, n4ss 4e