omplaisantly. "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 he is so
prejudiced 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? You look awfully shabby."

"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 towards the door.
Presently Clarence entered, and went up to him.

"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 any one 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.

THE TOWN OF 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