He took Stuart's hand in his big crushing grip and whispered: "Have you any engagement this evening?" Stuart smiled and hesitated. "A girl--I see!" laughed the doctor. "Well, I'll get through by nine o'clock. You can give me the three hours till then? It's a matter of importance, and I want your advice." "My advice--you!" Stuart exclaimed. "Yes. You're the brightest young lawyer I know in town. I've gotten along without lawyers so far, but I guess I'm in for it now. You can come with me?" "Of course," Stuart answered hurriedly. "Forgive my apparent hesitation, doctor. I was just surprised at your worry. What's the matter?" The older man was silent a moment and then slowly said: "I'll tell you later. I wish to show you something before I ask your advice on a question of law; we must hurry. We will finish by nine and you will be a little late for dinner. But if she loves you, you can telephone and she will wait. It will be all right?" Stuart coloured. "Of course, it will be all right--besides, she doesn't know yet that I've returned." The doctor handed the young lawyer a letter which he opened and read hastily. NO. 60 GRAMERCY PARK. TO DR. HENRY WOODMAN, Dear Sir: I must have an answer to the proposition of the American Chemical Company before noon to-morrow. After that hour the matter will be definitely closed. JNO. C. CALHOUN BIVENS. April 2, 1898. Still looking at the letter he asked: "What does it mean?" "An ultimatum from the Chemical Trust. I'll explain to you when you've seen something of my work to-night. The first hour I want you to put in with me at the dispensary." Stuart's eye rested on the embossed heading of the letter, "No. 60 Gramercy Park," and he slowly crushed the paper. It was the Primrose house, Nan's home! Her mother had succeeded. Bivens, the new sensation in high finance, she had established as her star boarder in his absence! Bivens, his schoolmate at college--Bivens, the little razorback scion of poor white trash from the South who had suddenly become a millionaire! His blood boiled with rage. He could see the soft, cat-like movements of Mrs. Primrose and hear her purring while she spun the web to entangle him with Nan. As he turned and followed the doctor, he laughed with sudden fierce determination. CHAPTER II THINGS BEYOND PRICE The dispensary was Woodman's hobby. The old-fashioned drug store stood on a corner of the Bowery, and in the rear extension which opened on the side street, he had established what he had laughingly called his "Life Line," a free dispensary where any man needing medicine or a doctor's advice could have it without charge if unable to pay.