"No, Clarence, I would rather you wouldn't. There are reasons why it is better not to say anything about it." "All right. Are you well off?" Ernest smiled. "I am not rich," he said, "but I am comfortably fixed." "Do you live in California?" "I have lived there for the last few months." "Why did you come East?" "On a little business." "I am glad you are well off. I think pa was afraid you were a poor relation." "Your father is rich?" "Yes, ever so rich. We've got a fine place near Elmira. If pa wasn't so cranky I would invite you there to visit me." "Thank you all the same," said Ernest, smiling. Later in the evening, when Stephen Ray came in, Ernest noticed that he looked at him critically. He, too, examined the man who, he had reason to believe, was enjoying the estates that should be his, and was not attracted toward him. "What will he say," thought Ernest, "when I make a formal demand for the property?" "What in the name of all that's unlucky can have brought that boy here at this time?" Stephen Ray was saying to himself. He never for an instant doubted Ernest's identity--in fact, he could not well have done so, for he bore a strong resemblance to Dudley Ray. Stephen Ray's curiosity was excited. Ernest did not appear like the average poor relation. He was quite as well dressed as Clarence. Besides, he had registered at a high-priced hotel, which showed that he was not cramped for means. This gave him satisfaction, as it made it less likely that he would appeal to him for assistance. Stephen Ray was rather surprised that Clarence made no further reference to Ernest. Had he known that the two had had a conversation he would have been seriously disturbed. He hoped that Bolton would not get hold of the boy. CHAPTER XXXV MR. BOLTON AND HIS CLIENT Benjamin Bolton sat at his desk in the law office of Albert Norcross, on Nassau Street. He was well, even handsomely dressed, and looked very unlike the shabby tramp who had called months before at the house of Stephen Ray. He was really a man of ability which his employer had found out. He had raised Bolton's salary to a liberal figure, and felt that in securing his services he had made a real acquisition. Bolton was absorbed in preparation for a case which had been assigned to him, when a boy came to his desk with a card. Bolton no sooner read the name, "Ernest Ray," than he became eager and excited. "Tell him to come in," he said. Ernest, quiet and self-possessed, entered the office and approached the lawyer's desk. "Are you Mr. Bolton?" he asked. "Yes, and you----" "I am Ernest Ray." Benjamin Bolton looked keenly at the boy, admiring his handsome face and manly bearing. "I see your father's looks in you," he said. "Then you knew my father?" said Ernest. "Yes. We were young men together." "I am glad to meet you, then." "You come from California?" "Yes." "I judge from your appearance that you have not suffered from poverty."