effect.  The boy has pretty much run through his money, and will soon be in need.  I do not intend, however, to send him money, for he would misuse it.  I don’t think it will do him any harm to suffer a little privation, as a fitting punishment for his wayward courses.  I would not wish him to suffer too much, and I am anxious lest he should go further astray.  I now come to the explanation of my proposal to you.  I wish you to go to California, to seek out Gregory, obtain his confidence, and then persuade him to give up his bad course, and come home with you, prepared to lead a worthier life.  Are you willing to undertake it?”

“Yes, sir,” answered Hector.  “I will undertake it, since you are willing to place such a responsibility upon me.  I will do my best to accomplish what you desire, but I may fail.”

“In that case I will not blame you,” answered the merchant.

“What sort of a boy is Gregory?  Shall I find it difficult to gain his confidence?”

“No; he is a youth of very amiable disposition—­indeed, he was generally popular among his companions and associates, but he is morally weak, and finds it difficult to cope with temptation.  I believe that a boy like you will stand a better chance of influencing him than a man of mature age.”

“I will do my best, sir.”

“One thing more.  You may assure Gregory that I forgive him the theft of my money, though it gave me great pain to find him capable of such an act, and that I am prepared to receive him back into my favor if he will show himself worthy of it.  I will give you a letter to that effect.  Now, when will you be ready to start?”

“By the next steamer.”

“That is well.”

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Mr. Roscoe makes A discovery.

The California steamer was to start in two days.  This gave Hector but little time for preparation, but then he had but scanty preparation to make.  Mr. Ross and Walter were naturally surprised at the confidence placed in Hector by a stranger, but were inclined to think that our hero would prove himself worthy of it.

“Don’t be gone long, Hector,” said Walter.  “I shall miss you.  I depended upon having your company for a good while yet.”

“Come back to my house, Hector,” said Mr. Ross, cordially, “when you return, whether you are successful or not.  Consider it a home where you are always welcome.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Hector, gratefully.  “I wish you were my uncle instead of Mr. Allan Roscoe.”

“By the way, Hector, take time, while you are in California, to go to Sacramento to see if you can learn anything of your early history.  It is most important to you, and I’m sure Mr. Newman will not object.”

“He has already suggested it to me,” said Hector.  “Moreover, he has given me the name of the minister who baptized me, and, should he be dead or removed, he has given me the name of another person—­a lady—­with whom my father boarded during his residence in Sacramento.”