The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-01-24
CHAPTER XIV (contlnued.)

AS the young man thought the sit
uation out his face flushed with anger.
It seemed to him an outrage that this
convict bearing his fathers name
should hold it up to scandal. The
scandal of public affichage would
have been bad enough, but it was evil
dent that society believed that Miss
Claire Barton was to be made Lady
Buckingham and the mistress of Dray-
colt Hall.
Lady Brettingham! That was the
name his mother bore. and this wo-
man would bear it-and flaunt it in
the eyes of the world
Thinking over the tragedy of the
elder brother who had come so sud-
denly and so strangely into his life
story. Harold Buckingham reviewed
the whole of the circumstances that
had been made known to him; and,
thinking, he remembered that in some
of the latest accounts of the futile po-
lice search for John Wilson which had
appeared in the newspapers it had
been mentioned that the convict was
believed to have a wife in London.
If that were true, at any rate the
family would be saved the shame of
this new Lady Brettingham; unless,
indeed, Mark intended to add bigamy
to his other crimes.
The young man, thinking things out
carefully in face Of a serious situa-
ton, came to the conclusion that the
convict's wife had never been inform
ed of her husbands change of fortune
Even if Mark had wished his wife to
share in it, it would have been impos-
sible for her to do so while he was in
England. Her presence with him
would instantly have given the police
a clue which must lead to his arrest.
Il gave my father my oath l would
keep the secret of this mans identity
for the sake of our name" Harold
said to himself; but if there is a wife
in existence ought at least to know
where to find her. If let Mark know
that have this knowledge he will not
dare to marry this other woman"
Where was he to get the informa-
ton? He might go to Somerset
House, but he had very little data to
60 upon. There must be scores of
John Wilson's of about the same age
who have been married within the
last ten years, and he didn't even
know in what part of England Mark
had been living at the time-presum-
ing it was correct that he had a wife
at the time he went through the
ceremony.
He remembered that in the newspa.
per reports it was the police who stat
ed that John Wilson was married. It
was from the police that he might get
the information. He would make the
inquiry in guarded manner. He
didn't want to trace the woman to
give her any information. All he want
ed was the certainty that she existed.
This knowledge would make him mas
ter of the situation in the event of
his brother carrying his infatuation
for the Pandora chorus girl so far as
to announce his intended marriage
with her.
The idea had no sooner come to
Harold Buckingham than he determin-
ed to act upon it. He took hanson
down to Scotland Yard and sent in
his card, asking to see an official who
could give him information with re-
gard to convict.
He was shown into an office and
received politely by superintendent,
who inquired what kind of informa-
ton it was that Mr.. Buckingham
wanted.
On the way the young man had ar
ranged his story. "a charitable lady"
he said, has heard that a woman who
says she is the wife of a convict
named John Wilson-a man who re-
Gently escaped, Il believes in dis
tress. am very anxious on this
lady's behalf to know if the man was
really married.
The superintendent, who had listen
ed attentively, looked up sharply at
his visitor
MAY l ask you the lady's name?"
"Certainly-of course" stammered
Harold, who had not anticipated cross
questionings. "The lady is my mother
Lady Buckingham"
The superintendent bowed. "Give
me a minute" he said, "and l will
have the information looked up for
you"
He wrote something on sheet of
paper and handed it to a constable
who entered at his summons. Then
he went on reading the letters which
were lying on his desk.
When the constable returned he
gave the superintendent a note, which
the latter read to his visitor.
John Wilson is married. His wife
Is living, and is in London"
And her address?'
"You can hardly want it from me-
said the superintendent, quietly, "as
you say she has already applied to
your mother for assistance. In any
case, It IL against our rules to supply
the addresses Of convicts' relatives t.
lnquirers. Good morning"
Harold Buckingham walked out O,
the Yard With an uneasy feeling tina,
~ had given himself away" But, af
49, -.