"That's my name," said the other, who had not yet taken particular notice of the youth who addressed him. But, as he spoke, he looked at him, and instantly recognized him. Gilbert could see that he did by his sudden start, and expression of surprise and annoyance. He couldn't understand how the New York bootblack had been metamorphosed into the well-dressed and gentlemanly-looking young clerk. He regretted so soon acknowledging his name, and marveled how Gilbert could have learned it. "What business have you with me, young man?" he continued, formally. "I have wanted to meet you for a long time," said Gilbert. "Indeed!" said his uncle, with a sneer. "I am rather surprised to hear this, not having, to my knowledge, ever had the honor of seeing you before." "I am your nephew," said Gilbert, bluntly. "Then he knows," said Mr. Grey to himself, rather disturbed. "I confess," he said, in the same sarcastic tone, "I am slightly disturbed at being claimed as a near relative by a stranger whom I happen to encounter in the street. May I ask how you happen to be my nephew?" "I am the son of your older brother, John," said Gilbert. "That can hardly be, young man. My brother had but one son, and he died." "Disappeared, you mean," said Gilbert, significantly. "There is no doubt that he died," said Mr. Grey, positively. "Then he has come to life again, for I am he." "You are an impudent impostor," said Mr. Grey, hotly; "but you have missed your mark. I am not so easily humbugged. I denounce you and your pretensions as alike false. Let me pass." As he said this he attempted to pass Gilbert, but our hero had no intention of losing sight of his uncle. "Of course you can pass," he said; "but I shall follow you." "You will?" demanded his uncle, shaking his cane angrily. "Then I will put you in the hands of the police." "I don't think you will," said Gilbert, with perfect composure. "Why not? What is to hinder me, I should like to know?" "It wouldn't be good policy for you to do it." "Why not, you impudent young rascal?" "Because I should let the relationship be known." "Well?" "And why is it that you deny it?" "Well," said Mr. Grey, his attention caught, "why do I deny it?" "Because you are in possession of my father's property, which, of right, belongs to me!" said Gilbert, firmly, looking his uncle in the eyes. "It is your interest to deny the relationship." James Grey saw that his long injustice had come home to him at last. How could this stripling have learned what he had taken such pains to conceal? What was he to do? Was he to admit the boy's claims, and surrender the estate? He could not make up his mind to do it. He must stave off the attack, if he could. "This is a ridiculous story," he said. "Somebody has been making a fool of you." "Didn't you have an older brother, named John?" "Yes," Mr. Grey admitted, unwillingly. "Did he not have a son?" "Yes; but, as I told you, he died."