conclusion that a slump was coming, and there was scarcely any trading
in the stock. When Elon Gardner, acting for Montgomery Brewster; took
ten thousand shares at 108 3/4 there was a mighty gasp on the Exchange,
then a rubbing of eyes, then commotion. Astonishment was followed by
nervousness, and then came the struggle.

Brewster, confident that the stock could go no higher, and that sooner
or later it must drop, calmly ordered his horse for a ride in the
snow-covered park. Even though he knew the venture was to be a failure
in the ordinary sense he found joy in the knowledge that he was doing
something. He might be a fool, he was at least no longer inactive. The
feel of the air was good to him. He was exhilarated by the glitter of
the snow, the answering excitement of his horse, the gaiety and sparkle
of life about him.

Somewhere far back in his inner self there seemed to be the sound of
cheering and the clapping of hands. Shortly before noon he reached his
club, where he was to lunch with Colonel Drew. In the reading-room he
observed that men were looking at him in a manner less casual than was
customary. Some of them went so far as to smile encouragingly, and
others waved their hands in the most cordial fashion. Three or four
very young members looked upon him with admiration and envy, and even
the porters seemed more obsequious. There was something strangely
oppressive in all this show of deference.

Colonel Drew's dignity relaxed amazingly when he caught sight of the
young man. He came forward to meet him and his greeting almost carried
Monty off his feet.

"How did you do it, my boy?" cried the Colonel. "She's off a point or
two now, I believe, but half an hour ago she was booming. Gad, I never
heard of anything more spectacular!"

Monty's heart was in his mouth as he rushed over to the ticker. It did
not take him long to grasp the immensity of the disaster. Gardner had
bought in at 108 3/4, and that very action seemed to put new life into
the stock. Just as it was on the point of breaking for lack of support
along came this sensational order for ten thousand shares; and there
could be but one result. At one time in the morning Lumber and Fuel,
traded in by excited holders, touched 113 1/2 and seemed in a fair way
to hold firm around that figure.

Other men came up and listened eagerly. Brewster realized that his dash
in Lumber and Fuel had been a master-stroke of cleverness when
considered from the poin