"That was sad," he said.
"Yes, and as you will see, even had your story about the will been true,it would have made no difference in the disposal of the property."
"Still the revelation of your complicity in the suppression of the lastwill would injure your reputation, Mr. Ray."
"I can stand it," answered Ray with assumed indifference. "You see, mydear fellow, you have brought your wares to the wrong market. Of courseyou are disappointed."
"Yes, especially as I am dead broke."
"No doubt."
"And it prompts me to take my chances with the will in spite of the deathof the rightful heirs."
"What do you propose to do?"
"Lay the matter before a shrewd lawyer of my acquaintance."
Stephen Ray looked uneasy. The lawyer might suggest doubts as to the truthof his story concerning Ernest's decease.
"That would be very foolish," he said.
"Would it? Then perhaps you can suggest a better course."
"You are a man of education and have been a lawyer yourself. Get a placein the office of some attorney and earn an honest living."
"You see how I am dressed. Who would employ me in this garb?"
"There is something in what you say. I feel for you, Bolton. Changed asyou are, you were once a friend. I certainly haven't any reason to feelfriendly to you, especially as you came here with the intention ofextorting money from me. But I can make allowance for you in yourunfortunate plight, and am willing to do something for you. Bring me thedocument you say you possess, and I will give you fifty--no, a hundreddollars."
Bolton eyed his prosperous companion with a cunning smile.
"No, Stephen Ray, I prefer to keep the will," he replied, "though I can donothing with it. Give me the money unconditionally, and if I get on myfeet you will have nothing to fear from me."
CHAPTER XXVI
BOUGHT OFF
Bolton's reply did not quite suit Mr. Ray, but he felt that if he said toomuch about the will it would give it an exaggerated importance in the eyesof the man before him. So he answered carelessly: "I will give you thehundred dollars, but I wish it understood that it is all I can give you atany time. Don't apply to me again, for it will be of no use."
"I understand," said Bolton non-committally.
"Shall I give you a check?"
"I could do better with the money. My name is not known now at any bank."
"Well, I think I can accommodate you. I believe I have that sum in mydesk."
He opened a drawer in his secretary, and produced a hundred dollars incrisp new bills. They had been taken from the bank the day before for adifferent purpose.
Bolton took them joyfully. It was long since he had so much money in hispossession. He had been his own worst enemy. Once a prosperous lawyer hehad succumbed to the love of drink and gradually lost his clients and hisposition. But he had decided to turn over a new leaf, and he saw in thismoney the chance to reinstate himself, and in time recover his lostposition.
"Thank you," he said, but while there was relief there was no gratitude inhis tone.
"And now," said Stephen Ray, "I must ask you to leave me. I have importantbusiness to attend to. You will excuse me if I suggest it would be betterto go away--to a distance--and try to build yourself up somewhat where youare not known."
"I might go to Savannah."
"Yes, to Savannah, if you think it will be to your advantage," said Raywith equanimity.
The other noticed his manner, and he said to himself: "He is willing tohave me visit Savannah. It is clear that Ernest did not die there."
Benjamin Bolton left the house in a pleasant frame of mind. It was not thesum which he had received that exhilarated him. He looked upon it only asthe first installment. It was clear that Stephen Ray feared him, for hewas not an open-handed man, and would not have parted with his moneyunnecessarily.
Bolton had not arranged his campaign, but he was determined to raisehimself in the world by playing on the fears of the man he had justvisited.
"I wonder," he said to himself, "whether Dudley Ray's son is dead. If sothe document is of no value, and though I should prefer to have it, Iwon't insist. He was a strong and healthy boy, and he may still beliving."
This was a point not easy to ascertain.
He went to a restaurant and obtained a substantial meal, of which he stoodvery much in need. Then he went out for a stroll. He did not propose toleave the place yet.
As he was walking along he met Clarence Ray again, but not now on hiswheel. The boy recognized him.
"Are you going to stay in town?" asked Clarence curiously.
"Not long."
"Did you get through your business with pa?"
"Yes, for the present. I suppose you know that you have a cousin aboutyour own age. I used to know him and his father."
"Did you? His father is dead."
"So I have understood. Do you happen to know where the son is?"
"Somewhere out West, I think."
Bolton pricked up his ears. So it seemed that Stephen Ray had deceivedhim.
"I would give five dollars to know where he is," he said slowly.
"Have you got five dollars?" Clarence asked doubtfully.
By way of answer Bolton took a roll of bills from his pocket. They werethose which Stephen Ray had given him.
"Do you mean it?" asked Clarence in a more respectful tone.
"Yes, I mean it."
"Why didn't you ask pa?"
"He never liked the boy nor his father, and I don't think he would tellme."
"That is true. He didn't like either of them."
"I suppose you couldn't find out for me?"
"I don't know but I could," answered Clarence brusquely.
He had a special use for five dollars, and it struck him that he mightjust as well earn the money offered by the stranger.
"If you could I would cheerfully pay you the five dollars. You see I usedto know Ernest Ray and his father, and I would be pleased to meet themagain."
"Just so," said Clarence complacently. "How long are you going to remainin town?"
"I did think of going to Elmira to-night, but I think on the whole I willstay 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 I don't think he wouldtell you."
"That's so. He will be going out this evening, and then I will search inhis 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?"
"Your suggestion is a good one," said Bolton, smiling. "Come to look atmyself I do appear shabby. But then I'm no dude. I dare say when you rodeinto 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, andbegan 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 toward the door. PresentlyClarence entered.
"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, askingpa 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 youwhat I promised. It isn't best that anyone should think
we had dealingstogether."
Five minutes later Clarence started for home, happy in the possession of afive-dollar bill.
"I never paid any money more cheerfully in my life," mused Bolton. "Now Imust find the boy!"
CHAPTER XXVII
OREVILLE
When Ernest and Luke Robbins started for California, they had no verydefinite plans as to the future. But they found among their fellowpassengers a man who was just returning from the East, where he had beento visit his family. He was a practical and successful miner, and was byno means reluctant to speak of his success.
"When I landed in 'Frisco," he said, "two years ago, I had just fortydollars left after paying the expenses of my trip. I couldn't findanything to do in the city, so I set out for the mines."
"Where did you go?" asked Luke, becoming interested.
"To Oreville. At least, that's what they call it now. Then it didn't havea name."
"I hope you prospered," said Ernest.
"Well, not just at first, but luck came after a while. When I reached themines I was dead broke, and went to work for somebody else. After a whileI staked out a claim for myself. Well, I won't go into particulars, butI've got six thousand dollars salted down with a trust company in 'Frisco,and I've got a few hundred dollars about my clothes besides."
"That's the place for us, Ernest," said Luke.
"So I think," answered Ernest.
"Do you want to go to the mines?" asked the miner.
"Yes; we have our fortunes to make, and are willing to work."
"Then go out to Oreville with me. Have you got any money?"
"We have enough to get there, and perhaps a little over."
"That will do. I'll set you to work on one of my claims. We will share andshare alike. How will that suit you?"
"It seems fair. Do you think we can make enough to live upon?"
"That depends partly on yourselves and partly upon luck."
"At any rate, we are willing to work," said Ernest.
"Then I'm your friend, and will help you," said the miner heartily. "TomAshton never goes back on his friends."
This was very encouraging. Luke and Ernest were not dead broke, but werenear it. They had less than forty dollars between them, and they hadalready found out that living was high in California. They remained but aday in San Francisco, and then started for Oreville with Mr. Ashton.
The two friends knew nothing of mining, but as practiced in those days ittook very little time to learn. They found that their new friend was a manof consideration at Oreville. He owned several claims, and had nodifficulty in finding them employment. They set to work at once, for theywere almost penniless.
It may easily be supposed that the miners were not fastidious aboutliving. The cabins or huts which they occupied were primitive to the lastdegree. Generally they did their own cooking, such as it was. Three ofthese cabins Tom Ashton owned, and one was assigned to the use of Ernestand his friend.
For years Ernest, with his old friend and supposed uncle, Peter Brant, hadlived in a cabin at Oak Forks, but it was superior to their new residence.Yet his former experience enabled him the better to accommodate himself tothe way of living at Oreville.
For a month the two friends worked steadily at their claim, which Ashtonhad finally given them. They made little. In fact, it was with difficultythat they made expenses.
"It will be a long time before we make our pile, Ernest," said Luke oneevening, as he sat in front of his cabin smoking.
"Yes, Luke, things don't look very promising," replied Ernest gravely.
"If it weren't for my pipe I should feel blue."
"That is where you have the advantage of me, Luke."
"You have the same chance that I have. I have an extra pipe. Won't youtake a smoke?"
Ernest shook his head.
"I think I'm better off without it."
"Perhaps you're right, lad. I remember my poor father warned me againstsmoking. The question is, how long we'd better keep at it."
"Is there anything else, Luke?"
"Well, no; not here."
"And we haven't money enough to get away."
Just then a tall man with reddish hair strode across the field to theircabin.
"Good-evening, neighbors," he said. "How are you making out?"
"Not over well," answered Luke.
"There's a difference in claims. You've got a poor one."
"Probably you are right."
"There's been considerable gold-dust gathered in Oreville within sixmonths. I have been one of the lucky ones."
"Indeed! I am glad of it."
"Yes; I found a nugget two months since that I sold for two thousanddollars. I have made five thousand within a year."
"You've been in luck. I wish the boy and I could be as successful."
"The claim is not good enough to support two. Why not let the boy findsomething else?"
"You wouldn't have me freeze him out?" said Luke in a tone ofdispleasure.
"No, but suppose I find something for him to do? What then?"
"That's a different matter. Have you an extra claim?"
"Yes; but that isn't what I offer him. I have a plan in which he can helpme."
"What is it?"
"All our supplies come from Sacramento. What we need is a retail store inOreville--a general store for the sale of almost everything that minersneed."
"It would be a good plan to open one," said Luke approvingly.
"Now, you must know that I am an old storekeeper. I had for years a storeabout twenty miles from Boston. I succeeded fairly with it, but my healthgave out. The doctor told me I must not be so confined--that I neededout-of-door exercise. So I came out here and got it. Well, the adviceproved good. I am strong and robust, and I feel enterprising. Now, what Ipropose is this: 'I will open a store, and put the boy in charge underme.'"
"I should like it," said Ernest eagerly.
"You know what we pay for supplies. There's at least a hundred per cent.made, and no one objects to the prices. Why shouldn't we make it as wellas the Sacramento storekeepers?"
"True!" said Luke.
"I don't ask you to work for me, my friend, for I don't think it wouldsuit you."
"It wouldn't. At home--that's in Oak Forks, Iowa--I was a hunter. I wasalways in the open air. The sort of life we live here suits me, though Ihaven't made much money as yet."
"The boy, I think, would do. He looks like a hustler. I need only look athis face to know that he'd be honest and faithful. What is your name,boy?"
"Ernest Ray."
"That's a good name. You'll only have to live up to it--to the first partof it, I mean. Then you accept my offer?"
"You haven't made any," said Ernest, smiling.
"Oh, you mean about wages. Well, I don't offer any stated wages. I willgive you one-third profits, and then your pay will depend on your success.The fact is, you are to keep the store."
Ernest looked an inquiry.
"One person can attend to it by day. I will come in the evening, and takea general look after things. Just at first I'll stay with you till you'vegot the hang of things. But during the day I shall be looking after myclaims. Do you know how to keep books?"
"I understand single-entry bookkeeping."
"That will be all you will require."
"How soon shall you start?" asked Ernest, who began to feel very muchinterested.
"I will go to Sacramento to-morrow, now that we have come to terms. Youknow that frame building near Ashton's cabin?"
"Yes."
"I don't know what it was originally used for, but it is empty and I cansecure it for our store. It isn't large, but it will hold all we need."
"Yes, that will do."
"You haven't said how you like my offer."
"Of one-third profits? I like it better than if you paid me wages. I willmake it amount to a good deal."
"That will suit me. I don't care how much you make out of it, for I shallmake twice as much."
&
nbsp; "How did you happen to think of me?"
"I've watched you ever since you came. I can judge of anyone, man or boy,if I have time enough to take stock of him. I saw that you were just theman for me."
"Boy," suggested Ernest, smiling.
"Oh, well, I'll make a man of you. By the way, an idea has just occurredto me. You'd better go to Sacramento with me to-morrow."
"I should like to do it," said Ernest.
"Then you can notice where I buy my supplies. You may need to go alonesometimes."
"At what time will we start?"
"The stage leaves at seven o'clock."
"I will be ready."
CHAPTER XXVIII
STOREKEEPING
The journey to Sacramento was made, the goods selected, and in less than aweek the new store was stocked. In the arrangement of goods Ernest took azealous part. He had never served in a store, yet it seemed to comenatural to him, and he felt more interest in it than in the work ofmining.
After the store was in full working order, Horace Ames left Ernest as solemanager, coming in only in the evening to look at the books, for Ernest asfar as possible kept a record of every sale.
Storekeeping in those days and in that country was unusually profitable.Ernest made a little comparison between the cost of goods and the sellingprice, and arrived at the conclusion that the average profits were ahundred per cent. And still the miners were able to buy goods cheaper thanwhen they sent to Sacramento for them.