a most curious thing happened. The king summoned to
his presence a little dark swarthy man.

When Bivens received this order to appear at court he was dumfounded.
He had long worshipped and feared the king with due reverence and
always spoke his name with awe. To be actually called into his august
presence in such a crisis was an undreamed-of honour.

He was sure that his majesty had heard of his generous offer to help
the Van Dam Trust in its hour of trouble and meant to reward him with
promotion to high rank in the Empire.

He hastened into the royal presence with beating heart.

A court official conducted him into the king's private room where the
ruler sat alone, quietly smoking.

The sovereign glanced up with quick energy.

"Mr. Bivens, I believe?"

The little man bowed low.

"I hear that you are about to aid the Van Dam Trust with four millions
in cash?"

Bivens smiled with pride.

"My secretary will deliver the money to the bank within an hour."

The king suddenly wheeled in his big arm chair, raised his eyebrows and
fixed the little man with a stare that froze the blood in his veins.
When he spoke at length his tones were smooth as velvet.

"If I may give you a suggestion, Mr. Bivens, I would venture to say
that the Van Dam Trust Company is beyond aid. The larger interests of
the nation require the elimination of this institution and its
associates.

"I have heard good reports of you and I wish to save you from the
disaster about to befall the gentlemen who have been conducting the
present campaign in Wall Street. If your secretary will report to me at
once with the four millions you have set aside for the Van Dam Company
I shall be pleased to place your name on my executive council in the
big movement we begin to-day. The other gentlemen whom I have thus
honoured are now waiting for me in the adjoining room. They represent a
banking power that is resistless at the present moment.

"When the Van Dam Trust closes its doors to-day, a temporary panic will
follow. We will give the gentlemen who started this excitement a taste
of their own medicine, render a service to the nation, and,
incidentally of course, earn an honest dollar or two for ourselves. I
trust I have your hearty support in this programme?"

Bivens again bowed low.

"My hearty support and my profoundest gratitude!"

"I'll expect your secretary with your check for four millions within
thirty minutes."

The king waved a friendly