"Quarter of a million, at least."

Ernest's eyes opened wide with amazement.

"But I will introduce you to Mr. Norcross, my princ.i.p.al, and we will talk over our plan of operations. You must a.s.sert your rights, and demand that your grandfather's will be carried out. Are you content to place yourself in our hands?"

"Entirely so. But I am sorry for Cousin Stephen. It will be a great blow for him."

"Don't waste any pity upon him. He defrauded your father, and meant to defraud you."

CHAPTER x.x.xVI

STEPHEN RAY ALARMED

"A gentleman to see you, sir."

This was the message brought to Stephen Ray by the servant one morning.

"Did he give his name?"

"No, sir."

"Very well; bring him up."

Mr. Ray was sitting at the desk in his library. He was looking over some plans for the improvement of his handsome residence.

He proposed to enlarge a lower room by a bay window and to carry the piazza round on each side. It would cost something, but his income was ample--at least four times his expenditure.

He looked up as a handsomely dressed gentleman entered the room.

"What is your business, sir?" asked Stephen Ray formally.

The visitor smiled.

"You don't recognize me, Stephen Ray?" he said.

"Benjamin Bolton!" exclaimed the other, his countenance changing.

"The same."

"I judge from your appearance that your circ.u.mstances have improved," said Mr. Ray coldly.

"Fortunately, yes."

"I congratulate you."

"Thank you. The money you kindly loaned me when I was last here did me a great deal of good."

"I presume you have come to repay it," said Ray, with a sneer.

"You are right," and Bolton drew from his pocket two fifty-dollar bills, which he tendered to his host.

Stephen Ray was fond of money, and he received the notes with satisfaction.

"You have acted honorably," he said more graciously. "Are you located in the neighborhood?"

"No, in New York City. I am in a law office there."

"I am pleased with your success. I would ask you to remain, but I am quite busy this morning."

"Excuse me, Mr. Ray, but the repayment of the loan was not my only errand.

I am here on more important business."

Stephen Ray's countenance changed. He began to fear that Bolton had found Ernest.

"When I was here last year you told me that Dudley Ray's son, Ernest, was dead."

"Yes, he died in Alabama."

"When I was here before you told me he died in Georgia."

"I believe it was Georgia," said Stephen Ray, disconcerted.

"You will be glad to hear that it is a mistake--about the death, I mean.

He is as much alive as you are."

"Mr. Bolton," said Ray angrily, "you are trying to impose upon me. The boy is dead, I tell you."

"And I tell you he is not dead. I saw him only yesterday."

"You may have seen some one who pretended to be Ernest Ray."

"I should not be easily deceived. He is the image of his father."

"I don't believe the boy is alive."

"Shall I bring him here?"

"You need not trouble yourself. I can have nothing to say to him, whether he is really Ernest Ray, or an impostor."

"I beg your pardon. If he is Ernest Ray, under the will which I have in my possession, he is the owner of this property."

Bolton spoke firmly, and looked Ray resolutely in the eye.

Stephen Ray flushed and paled. There was a great fear in his heart, but he resolved to brave it out.