est Ray, but
learned in reply that Ernest had left the place some months before, and
had not since been heard from.

CHAPTER XXXIII

ANSWERING THE 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 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 papers 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?"

"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 Bolton
felt that it was possibly of importance. It was the first clue he had been
able to obtain.

That Dudley Ray's son should be forced by dire necessity to sell
newspapers was not improbable. Bolton therefore inserted the advertisement
already mentioned.

A few days later he received two letters post-marked St. Louis.

He opened them with a thrill of excitement. He felt that he was on the
verge of making an important discovery.

One letter was addressed in a schoolboy hand, and ran thus:

Dear Sir: I saw your advertisement in one of the morning papers. I
hope it means me. My name is not Ernest, but it may have been changed
by some people with whom I lived in Nebraska. I am sixteen years old,
and I am obliged to earn my living selling papers. My father died
when I was a baby, and my mother three years later. I am alone in the
world, and am having a hard time. I suppose you wouldn't advertise
for me unless you had some good news for me. You may send your answer
to this letter to the Southern Hotel. The clerk is a friend of mine,
and he says he will save it for me.

Yours respectfully,
Arthur