he part of
him in which conscience abode. He denied me and repulsed me over and
over again, until he so calloused himself that there was no point left
for attack. And so we have become two separate and complete human
beings."

Gordon's words were rushing forth in an impulsive torrent and the
physician held up an arresting finger. "No, you're wrong there. You
are not two complete human beings. It has come about that he has
divested himself of moral sense. But he still has a wonderful esthetic
gift, of very great value to the world. Have you any part in that?"

"No, I have not," was Gordon's quick reply. "I admit I am lacking on
that side of my nature. But is that the most important thing for a man
to possess?"

He sprang to his feet and strode about as he went on pouring out his
arguments with emphatic, forceful manner. Dr. Annister watched him,
wondering at his apparent size. For he looked a considerably larger
man than did Felix Brand. The light gray clothing, of looser fit,
made some difference, but the physician decided that his manner was
responsible for most of the illusion--his self-confident stride, his
masterful quality, the impression he gave of abundant vitality and of
strength of character and of body. These were all in strong contrast
to Brand's courtly, winning manners, affable tones and leisurely,
graceful movements.

"Felix Brand has become a monster, a swollen toad of egotism. He cares
for nothing but his own advantage, his own interests, his own
pleasures, and these he reaches out and takes, grabs them, without
any regard for other people's rights or necessities. That kind
of selfishness is the root of all evil, and Felix Brand is its
incarnation. He is soaked with wickedness. Oh, you do not know the
half of it, Dr. Annister, though you have guessed something from the
change in the expression of his countenance. For years he has been
like a carrier of typhoid, spreading the contagion of his own sinful
nature wherever he went, himself unpunished, even admired, looked up
to and patterned after. Do you want to keep such a man alive? Do you
think, do you really believe, Dr. Annister, that the genius of such a
man as that, whatever it is, could make amends to the world for all
the evil that he does?"

"You forget, Mr. Gordon, that it is no part of my purpose to keep him
as he is. It is my duty to save him from the consequences of his folly
and of his perverted view of his relations with the world--to