"What do you mean?"

"You saw him in the hotel at Buffalo. He recognized you, and had a
conversation with your son."

"Had a conversation with Clarence? That is a lie. Clarence never spoke to
me about it."

"You had better question him. But there is no need of sparring. I tell you
confidently that Ernest Ray is alive, and demands the estate under his
grandfather's will, which you hold."

"This is ridiculous. There is but one answer to such a proposal."

"What is that?"

"I refuse absolutely to make any concession to an impostor."

"That is your final answer?"

"It is."

"Then I give you notice that the boy will at once bring suit for the
restoration of the estate and the vindication of his rights."

"I suppose you are his lawyer?" sneered Ray.

"The firm with which I am connected has undertaken the case."

"What is the firm?" asked Stephen Ray with an anxiety which he could not
conceal.

"Norcross & Co.," answered Bolton.

Great drops of perspiration appeared on the brows of Stephen Ray. He knew
well the high reputation and uniform success of the firm in question.

He did not immediately answer, but began to pace the room in agitation.
Finally he spoke.

"This has come upon me as a surprise. I thought the boy dead. I may be
willing to make some arrangement. Bring him here next week--say
Tuesday--and we will talk the matter over."

"You must do more than talk the matter over, Stephen Ray. A great
injustice has been done, the wrong must be righted."

"Come here next Tuesday," was the only answer.

The lawyer bowed and withdrew.

CHAPTER XXXVII

ERNEST COMES INTO HIS OWN

On Tuesday Bolton returned with Ernest. Two hours were spent in conference
with Stephen Ray. The latter fought hard, but yielded at last. He
understood the strength of his opponent's case.

Ernest consented to receive the estate as it was bequeathed to his father,
without any demand for back revenues. Whatever Stephen Ray had accumulated
besides, he was allowed to retain.

As this amounted to a hundred thousand dollars, Ray felt that it might
have been worse. Had he not been dissuaded by Bolton, Ernest would have
consented to share the estate with the usurper, but the lawyer represented
that this would be condoning the wrong done to his father.

In a month the whole matter was settled, and Stephen Ray removed to
Chicago, where he had business interests.

"But what shall I do with this large house?" asked Ernes