the room.

"What is your business, sir?" asked Stephen Ray formally.

The visitor smiled.

"You don't recognize me, Stephen Ray?" he said.

"Benjamin Bolton!" exclaimed the other, his countenance changing.

"The same."

"I judge from your appearance that your circumstances have improved," said
Mr. Ray coldly.

"Fortunately, yes."

"I congratulate you."

"Thank you. The money you kindly loaned me when I was last here did me a
great deal of good."

"I presume you have come to repay it," said Ray, with a sneer.

"You are right," and Bolton drew from his pocket two fifty-dollar bills,
which he tendered to his host.

Stephen Ray was fond of money, and he received the notes with
satisfaction.

"You have acted honorably," he said more graciously. "Are you located in
the neighborhood?"

"No, in New York City. I am in a law office there."

"I am pleased with your success. I would ask you to remain, but I am quite
busy this morning."

"Excuse me, Mr. Ray, but the repayment of the loan was not my only errand.
I am here on more important business."

Stephen Ray's countenance changed. He began to fear that Bolton had found
Ernest.

"When I was here last year you told me that Dudley Ray's son, Ernest, was
dead."

"Yes, he died in Alabama."

"When I was here before you told me he died in Georgia."

"I believe it was Georgia," said Stephen Ray, disconcerted.

"You will be glad to hear that it is a mistake--about the death, I mean.
He is as much alive as you are."

"Mr. Bolton," said Ray angrily, "you are trying to impose upon me. The boy
is dead, I tell you."

"And I tell you he is not dead. I saw him only yesterday."

"You may have seen some one who pretended to be Ernest Ray."

"I should not be easily deceived. He is the image of his father."

"I don't believe the boy is alive."

"Shall I bring him here?"

"You need not trouble yourself. I can have nothing to say to him, whether
he is really Ernest Ray, or an impostor."

"I beg your pardon. If he is Ernest Ray, under the will which I have in my
possession, he is the owner of this property."

Bolton spoke firmly, and looked Ray resolutely in the eye.

Stephen Ray flushed and paled. There was a great fear in his heart, but he
resolved to brave it out.

"This is a base conspiracy. Your share in it ought to land you in State's
prison."

"I am willing to take my chance of it," said the lawyer. "Didn't you
recognize the boy when you saw him?"