to escape the consequences. You are not his son, but his
nephew. Your mother was his sister, but quite superior to
himself. Your right name is Arthur Grant, and it will be well
for you to assume it hereafter. I have entered you in the
list of passengers under that name.

"I thought you had taken the will from my uncle's desk, but I
am inclined to think you had nothing to do with it. If you
know where it is, or whether Bolton has it, I expect you to
notify me in return for the money I have expended in your
behalf. In that case you can write to me, No. -- Madison
Avenue.

"Curtis Waring."

Dodger read the letter over twice, and it puzzled him.

"He seems from the letter to take an interest in me," he soliloquized.
"At any rate, he has given me money and clothes, and paid my passage
to California. What for, I wonder? I don't believe it is to get me
away from the bad influence of Tim. There must be some other reason."

There was another part of the letter with which Dodger did not agree.

Curtis asserted positively that he was the nephew of Tim Bolton, while
he was positive that there was no relationship between them.

In that case Curtis must have been an early acquaintance of Tim's. At
any rate, he seemed to know about his past life.