"I wonder," he said to himself, "whether Dudley Ray's son is dead. If so the document is of no value, and though I should prefer to have it, I won't insist. He was a strong and healthy boy, and he may still be living." This was a point not easy to ascertain. He went to a restaurant and obtained a substantial meal, of which he stood very much in need. Then he went out for a stroll. He did not propose to leave the place yet. As he was walking along he met Clarence Ray again, but not now on his wheel. The boy recognized him. "Are you going to stay in town?" asked Clarence curiously. "Not long." "Did you get through your business with pa?" "Yes, for the present. I suppose you know that you have a cousin about your own age. I used to know him and his father." "Did you? His father is dead." "So I have understood. Do you happen to know where the son is?" "Somewhere out West, I think." Bolton pricked up his ears. So it seemed that Stephen Ray had deceived him. "I would give five dollars to know where he is," he said slowly. "Have you got five dollars?" Clarence asked doubtfully. By way of answer Bolton took a roll of bills from his pocket. They were those which Stephen Ray had given him. "Do you mean it?" asked Clarence in a more respectful tone. "Yes, I mean it." "Why didn't you ask pa?" "He never liked the boy nor his father, and I don't think he would tell me." "That is true. He didn't like either of them." "I suppose you couldn't find out for me?" "I don't know but I could," answered Clarence brusquely. He had a special use for five dollars, and it struck him that he might just as well earn the money offered by the stranger. "If you could I would cheerfully pay you the five dollars. You see I used to know Ernest Ray and his father, and I would be pleased to meet them again." "Just so," said Clarence complacently. "How long are you going to remain in town?" "I did think of going to Elmira to-night, but I think on the whole I will stay at the hotel here till to-morrow morning." "That will give me time to find out," said Clarence. "All right! You had better not ask your father, for I don't think he would tell you." "That's so. He will be going out this evening, and then I will search in his desk. I saw a letter there once in which the boy's name was mentioned. But I say, if you've got money why don't you buy some new clothes?" "Your suggestion is a good one," said Bolton, smiling. "Come to look at myself I do appear shabby. But then I'm no dude. I dare say when you rode into me this morning you took me for a tramp." "Well, you did look like one." "That's so. I can't blame you." "Shall I find you at the hotel this evening?" "Yes." "Then I'll see what I can do." About seven o'clock Squire Ray went out to attend to a business meeting, and Clarence was left in possession of the study. He locked the door, and began to ransack his father's desk. At length he succeeded in his quest.