He saw Ernest at the table soon after, and so did Stephen Ray. The latter noted with alarm the resemblance of the boy to his cousin Dudley Ray, whose estate he had usurped.
“I hope Bolton won’t get hold of him,” he said to himself. “It would be dangerous to me.”
After supper Mr. Ray went out, leaving Clarence to himself.
He improved the opportunity. Seeing Ernest sitting alone, he went up to him.
“Is your name Ray?” he asked.
“Yes, Ernest Ray.”
“My name is Clarence Ray.”
“So I thought. We are cousins.”
“That’s what I told pa, but he said it was not so—that Ernest Ray was dead.”
“Your father’s name is Stephen Ray?”