-before putting up for sale a rick
of hay.

"About four tons," said Mr. Robinson, "new meadow hay, well saved, saved
with not a drop of rain. Gentlemen, I needn't tell you that this is a
rare, under existing conditions, a unique opportunity. Hay--you know
this better than I do--is at present unobtainable in the ordinary market
Now, don't disappoint me, gentlemen. Let me have a reasonable offer.
Thirty pounds. Did I hear some one say fifteen pounds? Less than four
pounds a ton! Now, gentlemen, really----"

But the crowd in front of Mr. Robinson knew just as well as he did that
four pounds a ton is not a reasonable offer. The bids succeeded each
other rapidly. The original fifteen pounds changed to twenty pounds,
then to twenty-five, rose a little more slowly to thirty pounds. At
thirty-two pounds the bidding hesitated. Mr. Robinson, dropping his
cigarette from his mouth, urged his clients on with gusts of eloquence.
There was a short spurt The bids rose by five shillings at a time and
finally stopped dead at thirty-four pounds. The hay was sold at a little
over eight pounds a ton. Public interest, roused to boiling point by the
sale of a whole rick of hay, cooled down a little when Mr. Robinson went
on to the next lot on his list.

"Gentlemen," he said, "I am now offering the hay stored in the loft
above the stable. A small lot, gentlemen, but prime hay. I offer no
guarantee as to the quantity in the loft; but I should guess it at
anything between ten and fifteen hundred-weight."

Several of the more important farmers drew out of the crowd which
surrounded Mr. Robinson. It was not worth while bidding for so small a
quantity of hay. Other members of the crowd, feeling that a breathing
space had been granted them, took packets of sandwiches from their
pockets and sat down in one of the outhouses to refresh themselves.
Mr. Robinson viewed the diminishing group of bidders with some
disappointment. He was gratified to see that the new police officer from
Curraghfin, a gentleman who had not so far made a single bid, crossed
the yard and took a place on the steps leading to the loft. Colonel
Eden, too, appeared interested in the new lot of hay. If the inspector
of police and Colonel Eden began to bid against each other the hay might
realize a good price.

"Now, gentlemen," said Mr. Robinson, "shall we make a start with three
pounds?"

He glanced at Colonel Eden, then at the police officer. Neither
gentleman made any sig