.

"Why do you think he has changed his attitude toward me?"

"From something he said. That mob has written a question mark before
his life."

"By George!" he exclaimed, his black eyes sparkling. "It may be
possible."

"You'll try?" Nan asked eagerly.

"No."

"Why not?" she cried with anger.

The little man smiled cunningly.

"I'll not try--I'll _do_ it."

His wife laughed.

"Yes, I'll do it," Bivens continued with elation. "And I'll make my
offer so big and generous I'll take his breath, so big that no man in
human shape can resist it. I'll prepare every step so carefully that
there can be no possibility of failure."

"How?"

Nan spoke her question with the eagerness of a child, and the shrewd
man of the world never dreamed of the sinister motive coiled within the
silent depths of her heart.

"I've an enemy somewhere among the fallen," Bivens went on musingly,
"who is dying hard. With his last gasp he is trying still to reach my
heart. In spite of the fact that I have unlimited resources, this man
is constantly circulating reports about the soundness of my finances.
He uses the telephone principally and he has started two runs on my
bank within the past month. Another is pending. I'm going to ask Jim to
preside over an investigation of my resources in the presence of a
dozen newspaper reporters."

Nan stooped and kissed him.

CHAPTER XI

THE LAMP OF ALADDIN

When Stuart reached Bivens's new offices in Wall Street he was amazed
at their size and magnificence. The first impression was one of
dazzling splendour. The huge reception hall was trimmed from floor to
dome in onyx and gold. The draperies were a deep scarlet, with massive
furniture and oriental rugs to match. A fountain with concealed
electric lights adorned the centre.

Stuart nodded to a group of reporters waiting for the chance of a word
with the great man.

A reporter ventured to give him some information.

"I'm afraid you're too late, not a chance to see him; look at 'em
waiting."

He waved around the room at the crowd lounging about or gazing at the
paintings.

"Looks like a full house, doesn't it?" Stuart answered casually.

"They've been here for hours. There's a senator of the United States,
three members of the House of Representatives, the Ambassador of a
European court, the Governor of a Chinese province, a Japanese Prince
and a dozen big politicians from as many states, to say nothing of the
small fry."

"