's down for only twenty-one thousand
shares."

"Then he's the only one," said Dumont, "for the Fanning-Smiths have
only twenty-one thousand shares at the present time. I know that
positively."

"What!" Tavistock showed that he was astounded. "I knew James
Fanning-Smith was an ass, but I never suspected him of such folly as
that. So they are the ones that have been selling?"

"Yes--not only selling what they owned but also-- However, no matter.
It's safe to say there are less than a hundred and fifty thousand
shares for us to take care of. I want you to get me--right
away--options for fifteen days on as many of these remaining big lots
as possible. Make the best terms you can--anything up to one hundred
and twenty-five--and offer five or even ten dollars a share forfeit for
the option. Make bigger offers--fifteen--where it's necessary. Set
your people to work at once. They've got the rest of to-day, all day
to-morrow, all day Sunday. But I'd rather the whole thing were closed
up by Saturday night. I'll be satisfied when you've got me control of
a hundred thousand shares--that'll be the outside of safety."

"Yes, you're reasonably sure to win, if you can carry that and look
after offerings of fifty thousand in the market. The options on the
hundred thousand shares oughtn't to cost you much more than a million.
The fifty thousand you'll have to buy in the market may cost you six or
seven millions." Tavistock recited these figures carelessly. In
reality he was watching Dumont shrewdly, for he had believed that the
National Woolens raid had ruined him, had certainly put him out of the
large Wall Street moves.

"In that small drawer, to the left, in the desk there," said Dumont,
pointing. "Bring me the Inter-State National check-book, and pen and
ink."

When he had the book he wrote eight checks, the first for fifty
thousand, the next five for one hundred thousand each, the last two for
two hundred and fifty thousand each. "The first check," he said, "you
may use whenever you like. The others, except the last two, will be
good after two o'clock to-day. The last two can be used any time after
eleven to-morrow. And--don't forget! I'm supposed to be hopelessly
ill--but then, no one must know you've seen me or know anything about
me. Spread it as a rumor."

Tavistock went away convinced, enthusiastic. There was that in Dumont
which inspired men to their strongest, most intelligent efforts. He
was