truth. We'll return the value of his jewels. I'll get the
money to make good what you owe him----" his voice broke.

"Oh, why, why, why didn't you let me know; but what's the use to ask,
it's done now!"

"Yes, it's done and it can't be undone," the older man interrupted
hopelessly.

"But it can and it will be undone. I've influence with Bivens. He'll
drop the matter and no one on earth will know save we three. You can go
on with your work among the poor and I'll help you."

"But you don't understand, Jim," the broken man protested, feebly. "I
tell you I've given up. I can't take your money, I can't pay. I tell
you I've given up. I can't take your money. I can't pay it back."

"You can pay it back, too, if you like. Harriet will be earning
thousands of dollars in a few years. Her success is sure."

A faint smile lighted the father's face.

"Her success _is_ sure, isn't it?" he asked with the eagerness of a
child. And then the smile slowly faded.

"But I shall not be here to see it."

"Yes you will. I'm running your affairs now, and you've got to do what
I say. Get ready. We are going to see Bivens."

"I'll do it if you say so, boy," the doctor answered feebly, "but it's
no use. He'll prosecute me to the limit of the law."

"He'll do nothing of the kind."

"He will--I know him."

* * * * *

Bivens refused point blank at first to see Woodman and ordered his
servant to put him out of the house and ask Stuart to remain for a
conference.

Stuart drew from his case a card and wrote a message to Nan.

"Imperative that I see Cal at once in the presence of my friend
on a matter of grave importance. Please send him down. He is
stubborn."

He handed it to the servant and said:

"Take that to Mrs. Bivens."

Bivens came in a few minutes, shook hands cordially with Stuart and
ignored Woodman.

"I want to see you alone with the doctor," the young lawyer began,
"where we can not possibly be overheard."

The financier's keen eyes looked piercingly from one to the other, and
he said curtly:

"I have nothing to say to this man, but for your sake, all right. Come
up to the library."

Once in the room and the door closed the doctor sank listlessly into a
chair, seeing nothing, hearing nothing. His deep, sunken, bloodshot
eyes were turned within. The outer world no longer made any impression.

Stuart plunged at once into his mission.

"Cal, you and I have