ait your reply.

Benjamin Bolton,
Attorney at Law.

182 Nassau Street, New York City.

Ernest read this letter with eager interest, and showed it to Luke
Robbins.

"What do you think of it, Luke?" he asked.

"What do I think of it? It looks very much as if you were entitled to some
money."

"What shall I do?"

"Write this Mr. Bolton that you will go at once to New York, and call upon
him."

"But how about the store? I should not like to leave Mr. Ames in the
lurch."

"I will take your place here, and to qualify myself for it I will come in
to-morrow, and begin to serve an apprenticeship."

Ernest wrote to Bolton that he would start for New York in a week. He
added that he had the money necessary for the journey. He said also that
he was the son of Dudley Ray, and that he remembered visiting Elmira with
his father.

When Bolton received this letter, he exclaimed triumphantly: "Now, Stephen
Ray, I have you on the hip. You looked down upon me when I called upon
you. In your pride, and your unjust possession of wealth, you thought me
beneath your notice. Unless I am mistaken, I shall be the instrument under
Providence of taking from you your ill-gotten gains, and carrying out the
wishes expressed in the last will of your deceased uncle."

Ernest left Oreville with four hundred dollars in his pocket. The balance
of his money he left, in the hands of his friend Horace Ames, upon whom he
was authorized to draw if he should have need.

"I don't intend to carry all my money with me," he said to Luke Robbins.
"I might lose it all."

"Even if you did, Ernest, you could draw on me. If you need it, do so
without any hesitation."

"You are a good friend, Luke," said Ernest warmly. "What should I do
without you?"

"I am beginning to wonder what I should do without you, Ernest. Suppose,
now, this lawyer puts a fortune in your hands?"

"If he does, Luke, I am sure to need your help in some way."

"Thank you, Ernest. I know you mean what you say. You may find a better
friend, but you won't find one that is more ready to serve you than Luke
Robbins."

"I am sure of that, Luke," said Ernest with a bright smile as he pressed
the rough hand of his faithful friend.

Ernest did not loiter on his way, though he was tempted to stop in
Chicago, but he reflected that he would have plenty of chances to visit
that bustlin