ts. The issues involved are too big and
far-reaching for pettifogging methods. I suggested your name to help
you in your career. I couldn't do it any other way. The stock I now own
in the American Chemical Company is a mere trifle. I'll have a good
joke on our crowd if you do win. I'll celebrate with a state dinner and
make them all drink to your health. They'll pull ugly faces but they'll
do it and fall over one another to do you honour besides."

Stuart broke into a hearty laugh.

"What a funny mixture of the devil and the human you are, after all,
Cal! The more I see of you, the less I know you. How any man can make a
colossal fortune as you have, and yet do such things as you've done for
me, is incredible. In business you are an oppressor of the weak, cruel
and unjust, and yet you are a good husband, a loyal friend, and a
member of the church. It beats the devil!"

Bivens smiled cynically.

"Nothing mysterious about it. I came into a world where I found robbery
and murder the foundation of our commercial system. I grappled with my
enemies, learned the rules of the game and beat them at their own
sport. I'm simply the product of the age--no better, no worse than the
principles of modern society by which I live."

"And you expect to win in the end?"

"I have won!"

The young lawyer shook his head thoughtfully.

"There's a text our old preacher at home used to ring the changes on
that's been burning into my life of late:

'SIN WHEN IT IS FULL GROWN BRINGETH FORTH DEATH.'

"Whatever sin may be, theologically, it is certainly the violation of
law. Before any man can, in the end, reap good from the seeds of evil,
the tides must forget to come in, grass and bud fail to come at the
call of spring, and every law of the universe be reversed; because it
is the Law--the law of Science, Philosophy, Love, Life, Nature, God."

"I'm afraid you're getting beyond my depth now," Bivens answered,
dryly. "I'm not a philosopher or a theologian, only a man of business
who takes the world as he finds it and tries to beat it and win out in
the scuffle. I suggested your name in this suit, Jim, because I like
you and there's nothing I wouldn't do for you, if you'd let me."

As the two men drew thus closer and closer together, Stuart's bearing
toward Nan became guarded, and at last their relations strained.

She met his new attitude with deep resentment and growing wonder. Her
firm conviction was that he had become inter