When the king heard the first rumour of the fact that the Van Dam Trust was backing the schemes of the Allied Bankers in their sensational raid on the market his big nostrils suddenly dilated.
At last he had them just where he wanted them. He signed the death warrant of the bank and handed it to his executioner without a word of comment. And then a most curious thing happened. The king summoned to his presence a little dark swarthy man.
When Bivens received this order to appear at court he was dumfounded. He had long worshipped and feared the king with due reverence and always spoke his name with awe. To be actually called into his august presence in such a crisis was an undreamed-of honour.
He was sure that his majesty had heard of his generous offer to help the Van Dam Trust in its hour of trouble and meant to reward him with promotion to high rank in the Empire.
He hastened into the royal presence with beating heart.
A court official conducted him into the king's private room where the ruler sat alone, quietly smoking.
The sovereign glanced up with quick energy.
"Mr. Bivens, I believe?"
The little man bowed low.
"I hear that you are about to aid the Van Dam Trust with four millions in cash?"