," he resolved. "He will then
have had twenty-four hours to think over the situation, and, if he is a
man of sense, he will see that he can't get over my proofs."

When Mr. Ferguson, therefore, asked him how the business progressed, he
answered that nothing definite had been settled upon, but that he was
to have another interview with his uncle in the evening.

"It will take some time to bring him round, I think," said his
employer. "A man doesn't resign a fine estate without some opposition.
If you should need any advice, at any time, you may apply to me
freely."

"Thank you, Mr. Ferguson, I certainly will. Perhaps I may need to do it
to-morrow."

In the evening our hero walked into the hotel, and, stepping up to the
desk, inquired if Mr. Grey was in.

"He has gone away," was the answer.

"Gone!" exclaimed Gilbert, in manifest dismay, for that possibility had
not occurred to him.

"Yes--he went away yesterday afternoon."

"Do you know where he went? From what depot?"

"I cannot tell you. He didn't take a carriage, but walked. Probably he
went home."

"Will you let me see his name on the register?"

The book was placed before him, and Gilbert, finding the entry of his
uncle's name, saw opposite it, "St. Louis, Mo."

"So he lives in St. Louis," thought our hero. "It won't be hard to find
him, then. His name is probably in the directory. I must go at once to
St. Louis. This business ought to be attended to at once."

Of course, it was necessary to speak to his employer about leave of
absence. Probably, also, Mr. Ferguson would be able to give him some
valuable advice, and he was likely to stand in need of it, for the
undertaking on which he had entered was of no light character.
Single-handed, he could hardly hope to overcome so experienced and
determined an opponent as James Grey. He sought Mr. Ferguson, and gave
him a full account of what had happened thus far. He concluded by
stating the departure of his uncle.

"Well, Gilbert," said Mr. Ferguson, after he had finished, "have you
thought of anything further, or will you let the matter rest?"

"Never!" exclaimed our hero, with energy. "I will not rest till I have
recovered the property of which my uncle has deprived me."

"That will be difficult."

"I know it, but I am not afraid of difficulty. It is not impossible. He
thrust me into the streets of New York to earn my living as a
bootblack; and I might have been there now, if Jacob had not revealed