CHAPTER XVIII.
UNCLE AND NEPHEW.
Our hero stopped short, and, being directly in the path of his uncle,the latter was compelled to stop, too.
"Mr. Grey," said Gilbert.
"That's my name," said the other, who had not yet taken particularnotice of the youth who addressed him. But, as he spoke, he looked athim, and instantly recognized him. Gilbert could see that he did by hissudden start, and expression of surprise and annoyance. He couldn'tunderstand how the New York bootblack had been metamorphosed into thewell-dressed and gentlemanly-looking young clerk. He regretted so soonacknowledging his name, and marveled how Gilbert could have learned it.
"What business have you with me, young man?" he continued, formally.
"I have wanted to meet you for a long time," said Gilbert.
"Indeed!" said his uncle, with a sneer. "I am rather surprised to hearthis, not having, to my knowledge, ever had the honor of seeing youbefore."
"I am your nephew," said Gilbert, bluntly.
"Then he knows," said Mr. Grey to himself, rather disturbed.
"I confess," he said, in the same sarcastic tone, "I am slightlydisturbed at being claimed as a near relative by a stranger whom Ihappen to encounter in the street. May I ask how you happen to be mynephew?"
"I am the son of your older brother, John," said Gilbert.
"That can hardly be, young man. My brother had but one son, and hedied."
"Disappeared, you mean," said Gilbert, significantly.
"There is no doubt that he died," said Mr. Grey, positively.
"Then he has come to life again, for I am he."
"You are an impudent impostor," said Mr. Grey, hotly; "but you havemissed your mark. I am not so easily humbugged. I denounce you and yourpretensions as alike false. Let me pass."
As he said this he attempted to pass Gilbert, but our hero had nointention of losing sight of his uncle.
"Of course you can pass," he said; "but I shall follow you."
"You will?" demanded his uncle, shaking his cane angrily. "Then I willput you in the hands of the police."
"I don't think you will," said Gilbert, with perfect composure.
"Why not? What is to hinder me, I should like to know?"
"It wouldn't be good policy for you to do it."
"Why not, you impudent young rascal?"
"Because I should let the relationship be known."
"Well?"
"And why is it that you deny it?"
"Well," said Mr. Grey, his attention caught, "why do I deny it?"
"Because you are in possession of my father's property, which, ofright, belongs to me!" said Gilbert, firmly, looking his uncle in theeyes. "It is your interest to deny the relationship."
James Grey saw that his long injustice had come home to him at last.How could this stripling have learned what he had taken such pains toconceal? What was he to do? Was he to admit the boy's claims, andsurrender the estate? He could not make up his mind to do it. He muststave off the attack, if he could.
"This is a ridiculous story," he said. "Somebody has been making a foolof you."
"Didn't you have an older brother, named John?"
"Yes," Mr. Grey admitted, unwillingly.
"Did he not have a son?"
"Yes; but, as I told you, he died."
"He only disappeared. He was carried away, for what object, you cantell."
"You are dealing in mysteries. I don't know what you are talkingabout." Mr. Grey said this, but his troubled look showed that he didnot feel as unconcerned as he pretended.
Gilbert continued:
"The man who carried me off was a clerk in your employ. His name wasJacob Morton."
"So he took you to Australia, did he? That's a likely story."
"Yes. He was supplied with money by you for the purpose. But he did notlike Australia. After awhile he returned to New York, and there I wasbrought up in the streets, suffering every privation, while you wereenjoying the property my father left."
"Well, have you got anything more to say? The tale does great credit toyour invention."
"Three years ago--a little more, perhaps--I saw you in New York. Ibrushed your boots on the steps of the Astor House."
"Better and better. I am expected to recognize a New York bootblack asmy nephew!"
"It was your fault that I was reduced to be a bootblack."
"How happens it that you are not in the same line of business now?Perhaps you are."
"Jacob died and left me a few dollars, with which I came out West.Before he died he gave me a written paper, in which he revealed all theplot into which he entered with you."
"He gave you a paper, did he?"
"Yes. From it I learned that I was born in Cincinnati, and I expectedto find you here. But I looked in vain. After awhile I found myfather's place of business. I introduced myself to Mr. Ferguson, and hegave me a place in his employ."
"On the strength of your ridiculous story, I suppose?"
"Because he believed me to be the son of his old employer, John Grey."
"I thought Ferguson had more sense than to be duped by such a designingyoung rascal."
"He tells me that I bear a strong resemblance to my father. Look in myface, Uncle James, and tell me whether it is not true."
Almost involuntarily James Grey fixed his eyes on the frank, handsomeface of his nephew, as he stood intrepidly before him, and he wasforced, however reluctantly, to admit to himself that the resemblancewas indeed very striking.
The case was getting more serious than he had expected. Gilbert hadalready been recognized as the missing son of John Grey, and that by aman whose testimony would carry great weight. Old Jacob had testifiednot only to his identity, but to the wrongful compact by which Gilberthad been spirited away to suit his uncle's rapacity. Were this publiclyknown, his reputation would be destroyed, and he would be deprived ofthe wealth which he had labored so dishonestly to acquire. Evidentlythe claim was not to be disposed of so easily as he had at firstsupposed.
"What do you call yourself?" he asked.
"Gilbert Grey."
"Of course you would take the name of the boy you pretend to be."
"Then you don't believe I am Gilbert Grey?"
"No, I do not. I believe that Gilbert Grey is dead."
"Are you willing to come with me to Mr. Ferguson's, and speak to himabout it?"
"No, I am not. I have not time. I must leave Cincinnati at once."
"Then will you tell me where you live?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I see that you intend to follow me up and persecute me aboutthis preposterous claim. I don't choose to be troubled."
"If I am an impostor, you can prove me to be so."
"I don't choose to waste my time in doing it."
"Mr. Grey," said Gilbert, "I might as well tell you that I amdetermined in this matter. I know that you have an object in keeping meout of my rights; but I am bound to have them. I shall place the matterin the hands of a lawyer, and he can soon find out, by advertising,where you live, even if you try to keep it secret from me."
James Grey realized the truth of this, and he changed his tack.
"You say that you have a paper, signed by Jacob Morton, attesting youridentity."
"Not only signed, but written by him."
"I should like to see that paper. Have you got it with you?"
"No, but I can lay my hands upon it immediately."
"Then bring it to me at the Burnet House this afternoon, at threeo'clock. I will be in the reading-room of the hotel."
"I will bring it."
The two then separated.
Gilbert went immediately, returned to his place of business, resolvedto inform Mr. Ferguson, whom he looked upon as a good friend, that hisuncle was found.