hands."

Bolton did so. His terse and crisp statement--for he was really a man
of ability--interested the lawyer, and disposed him favorably toward
the matter.

The result of the interview was that he engaged Bolton at a small
salary and a commission on business brought to the office for a period
of three months.

"Thank you," said Bolton, as he rose to go. "You will not regret this
step."

The next morning Bolton brought his rail road acquaintance to the
office, and Mr. Norcross formally undertook his case.

"I think we shall win," he said. "It is an aggravated case of undue
influence. Mr. Bolton will from time to time communicate to you the
steps we have taken."

It is unnecessary to go into details. It is enough to say that the
will was broken, and a goodly sum found its way to the coffers of
lawyer Norcross.

By this time Benjamin Bolton had established himself in the favor of
his employer, who, at the end of three months, made a new and much
more advantageous arrangement. Bolton had not as yet taken any steps
in Ernest's case, but he now felt that the time had come to do so. He
wrote to the postmaster at Oak Forks, inquiring if he knew a boy named
Ernest Ray, but learned, in reply, that Ernest had left the place some
months before, and had not since been heard from.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE RESULT OF AN ADVERTISEMENT.

The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in
this way:

Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time, of Western
clients, if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name of
Ray. One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes,
I know a boy named Ray."

"Tell me all you know about him," said Bolton, eagerly.

"I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr.
Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy
who sold the evening newspapers outside. I was so attracted by him
that I inquired his name. He said it was Ray, and that he was alone in
the world."

"What was his first name?"

"I can't recall. I am not sure that I heard it."

"Was it Ernest?"

"Very possibly. But, as I said before, I cannot speak with any
certainty."

"How old did the boy appear to be?"

"About sixteen."

"That would have been the age of Dudley Ray's son," said Bolton to
himself.

"I suppose you didn't learn where the boy lived?"

"No."

This was all the information Mr. Windham was able to impart, but