so far from being bankrupt, he would realize much of the profit that
he had expected.

But a rumor was floating through the afternoon papers that a well-
known merchant, eminent in financial and social circles, had been
detected in violating the revenue laws, and that the losses which such
violation would involve to him would be immense. The stock market,
more sensitive than a belle's vanity, paused to see what it meant. One
of Mr. Allen's partners of the cloth house brought a paper to him. He
grew pale as he read it, put his hand suddenly to his head, but after
a moment seemingly found his voice and said:

"Could Fox have been so dastardly?"

His partner shrugged his shoulder as much as to say, "Fox could do
anything in that line."

Mr. Allen sent for Fox, but he could not be found. In the meantime the
stock market closed and the rise of his stock was evidently checked
for the moment.

By reason of the party, Mr. Allen had to return uptown, but he
arranged with his partner to remain and if anything new developed to
send word by special messenger.

By eight o'clock the Allen mansion on Fifth Avenue was all aglow with
light. By nine, carriages began to roll up to the awning that
stretched from the heavy arched doorway across the sidewalk, and
ladies that would soon glide through the spacious rooms in elegant
drapery, now seemed misshapen bundles in their wrapping, and gathered