ir heads on a pike."

"Take your time, Jim," Bivens broke in, rising. "'There's a tide in the
affairs of men which, taken at its flood'--you know the rest. But this
tide will not ebb out for you to-night. I'm going to let it flow about
you for days and weeks and months if need be. In the meantime I've got
to see more of you. Nan wants it and I want it. You must come up to our
house and entertainments. The politicians have turned you down but the
big men who count are afraid of you and they'll go out of their way to
meet you. Come up to dinner with us to-night. I want you to make my
home your home whether you accept my offer or not."

Stuart hesitated.

"Really, Cal, I oughtn't to go to-night."

"Why not?"

"Well you see, old man, I'm afraid I've let you take too much for
granted. I've got to fight this thing out alone. It's the biggest thing
physically and morally I've ever been up against. I've got to be alone
for awhile."

"Oh, nonsense, be alone as much as you like later. Nan insisted on my
bringing you to-night, and you've got to come, to save me from trouble
if nothing else. I've an engagement down town after dinner. You and Nan
can talk over old times. I promise you faithfully that not a word of
business shall be spoken."

Stuart felt the foundations of life slipping beneath his feet and yet
he couldn't keep back the answer:

"All right, I'll come."

CHAPTER XIII

THE FORBIDDEN LAND

As Stuart dressed for the dinner he thought of Harriet with a pang. He
had promised her to try to keep out of danger. But could she know or
understand the struggle through which he was passing! He wondered
vaguely why he had seen so little of her lately. She had become more
and more absorbed in her music and her manner had grown shy and
embarrassed. Yet, whenever he had resented it and stopped to lounge and
chat and draw her out, she was always her old sweet self.

The doctor, too, had avoided him of late and he noticed that his
clothes had begun to look shabby. He hurried down stairs, determined to
see him a moment before leaving.

He caught him hurrying from the house and laid his hand affectionately
on his arm.

"These are tough times, Doctor, and if you need any help you must let
me know."

The older man's voice trembled as he replied:

"Thank you, my boy, that's a very unusual speech to hear these days. It
renews my faith in the world."

"You're not in trouble?"

The doctor lifted his head gently