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.

Benjamin Bolton was sitting in the public-room of the hotel an hour later,
smoking a cigar, and from time to time looking toward the door. Presently
Clarence entered.

"Have you got it?" asked Bolton eagerly.

"Yes," nodded Clarence.

He took a piece of paper from his vest pocket and handed it to Bolton.

It read thus: "Ernest Ray, Oak Forks, Iowa."

"How did you get it?" asked Bolton.

"I found a letter in pa's desk from an old man named Peter Brant, asking
pa for some money for the boy, who was living with him."

"When was that letter written?"

"About two years ago."

"Thank you. This gives me a clue. Come out of doors and I will give you
what I promised. It isn't best that anyone should think we had dealings
together."

Five minutes later Clarence started for home, happy in the possession of a
five-dollar bill.

"I never paid any money more cheerfully in my life," mused Bolton. "Now I
must find the boy!"

CHAPTER XXVII

OREVILLE

When Ernest and Luke Robbins started for California, they had no very
definite plans as to the future. But they found among their fellow
passengers a man who was just returning from the East, where he had been
to visit his family. He was a practical and successful miner, and was by
no means reluctant to speak of his success.

"When I landed in 'Frisco,