e of scripture: 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the
Lord?'"

"Indeed!"

"Yes, I'm going to show you that you're not Almighty God though you are
the possessor of a hundred million dollars."

"I'll be present at the demonstration, Jim. Good night!"

CHAPTER XXI

A PLEA FOR JUSTICE

Stuart was not surprised to receive notice from Bivens's lawyers that
they would demand sentence on Woodman within two days.

The financier was present with two great lawyers who smilingly assured
him that he need have no fear as to the result. Yet the little man was
uneasy. He fidgeted in his seat and watched Stuart's calm serious face
with dread.

"Don't worry," the senior counsel assured him with confidence. "The old
Recorder is a terror to every criminal in New York. Stuart's plea can
only be a formal request for mercy, which he will not get."

In spite of all assurance, Bivens's nervousness increased as the hour
drew near for the case to be called. He looked at his watch, fuming
over the fact that Nan was late. He wished her to see Stuart and find
out what he had up his sleeve. A woman could do such tricks better than
a man. He looked out the window anxiously, and saw the flash of his big
French limousine rounding the corner. He hurried to the steps to meet
his wife.

"Nan, for heaven's sake see Jim before this case is called and find out
what he's going to say to that judge."

"I'll do my best. I'll send my card in and ask him to see me at once."

"Good. When he returns to the court room wait, and I'll come out."

Bivens went back to his seat beside his lawyers and watched the court
officer speak to Stuart.

He frowned and hesitated, rose and slowly followed the man through the
door.

Nan seized his hand.

"Oh, Jim, I'm so worried. Cal says you are going to make a desperate
fight against him this morning in this disgusting affair. Is it so?"

"I'm going to make the usual plea for mercy for an old broken man--my
friend."

"But will it be the usual plea?"

"I'm not going to mince words. I'm going to fight for his life as I
would for my own."

The woman drew close, so close he could feel her breath on his cheek as
she whispered, earnestly:

"Please, don't do or say anything to-day to cause a break. I couldn't
endure it. You don't know how much your friendship means to me."

"You can never lose that again, Nan," he answered, simply.

"But I must see you. Your visits are the brightest spots in my l