Bolton was quite taken aback by this statement, as Stephen Ray perceived, and he plumed himself on the success of his falsehood.
“When did the boy die?” asked Bolton.
“About five years ago.”
“And where?”
“At Savannah,” answered Ray glibly.
“What should have taken him down there?”
“I am not positive, but I believe after his father’s death a Southern gentleman became interested in him and took him to Georgia, where the poor boy died.”
Bolton looked keenly at the face of his companion, and detected an expression of triumph about the eyes which led him to doubt the truth of his story. But he decided not to intimate his disbelief.
“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.”