On Tuesday Bolton returned with Ernest. Two hours were spent in conference with Stephen Ray. The latter fought hard, but had to yield in the end. He understood perfectly well 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 departed, removing to Chicago, in which city he had some business interests.
"But what shall I do with this large house?" asked Ernest. "I don't want to live here."
"I know of a gentleman who would like to hire it for term of years," responded Bolton. "He will pay a rental of five thousand dollars a year. The bonds which you inherit will yield an income equally large."
"So that my income will be ten thousand dollars a year?" said Ernest, dazzled.
"Yes."
"What shall I do with it all?"
Bolton smiled.