confer with you on that occasion."

CHAPTER III

A STRAIGHT TIP

Nan received the announcement of Bivens's failure to settle Woodman's
suit with a grim resolution to win now, at all hazards. The sensational
reports of Stuart's action against the big financiers had given her
quick mind the cue to a new line of stratagem. She began cautiously.

"You are not going to give up a thing I've set my heart on merely
because old Woodman's a fool, are you?" she asked her husband, with a
touch of scorn. "Jim Stuart is the best friend you ever had. He has
become one of the most famous men in America. He would lend distinction
to our house. I want him at our next entertainment."

"The thing that puzzles me," Bivens broke in, "is why the devil he will
not come to the house. When I meet him down town he's always friendly."

Nan's lips quivered with a queer little smile.

"Will he succeed in this action against these men?"

"No."

"Why?"

"He can't get the facts."

"If he could get them and did succeed, what would happen?"

"He'd shake the foundations of the financial world."

"You could get the facts, couldn't you, dear?"

Nan spoke in the softest tones.

"I have them already."

"Why not give them to him?"

"I had thought of that--but it's dangerous."

"Why dangerous?"

"It might bring on a panic."

"What have you to lose by it?"

"Nothing, if I'm wise."

"I've never known anybody to call you a fool."

"A panic's a dangerous thing to monkey with."

"Nonsense!" Nan cried with enthusiasm. "I'll back you to win when the
test comes."

Bivens smiled with pride.

"Yes. I could win, I think, having a little inside information about
what may happen."

"Why don't you do it, then?"

"It's dangerous," Bivens repeated, thoughtfully.

"It couldn't injure Stuart?" his wife asked cautiously.

"No. It couldn't hurt him. On the other hand, I might make him the
unconscious instrument of a great personal vengeance, double my fortune
and possibly land Jim in the White House."

"You must do it, dear!" his wife cried, trembling with suppressed
excitement. Bivens hesitated and shook his head.

"It's playing with dynamite."

"It's worth the risk to double your fortune--do it for my sake!"

Nan leaned close and pressed her husband's hand while her dark eyes
found their way into his heart. The hard mouth smiled as he took her
flushed face in his hands and kissed her.

"I'll do it," he said with firm accen