dst of all this din and confusion
Fred Halsey stood where he could see Bryant and mark the effect of the
blow he had given him. Down, down went the stock till 81 was reached.
Then the gavel fell, and the battle was over for that day. Brokers
Manson and Tracey rushed over to Fred and grasped his hand. Neither one
had lost any fleece in the fight.

"It was a terrible blow," said Manson.

"The worst deal in the Exchange since I became a member," said Tracey.
"You did wrong, my boy. You should have unloaded in a more cautious
manner--one or two thousand at a time, As it was, you broke the corner
and ruined half a hundred men."

"They would have been ruined, anyhow," Fred replied. "Bryant would have
dumped his load on 'em at par. I wanted to knock him out, and I think I
succeeded. Will you two come over to my place a while?"

They both declined and Fred went over alone. Allison grasped his hand as
he entered the bank. He had heard the news. Callie, Bob and Gertie were
in the private office when Fred went in to see them. Gertie sprang up,
threw her arms about his neck and kissed him.

"Hello! What's the matter?" he exclaimed. "What's up?"

"Why, I am up--up in the world--up in spirits and the happiest girl that
ever lived!" cried Gertie, and the next moment she was hugging and
kissing Callie.

"Oh, you needn't let up on me," said Fred. "I am not kicking on that
sort of thing. What the deuce is the matter with her, Bob?"

"I have just told her what her tip on Rock Island had made for her," Bob
replied.

"Ah! She will get a nice plum out of the pie. But look here, girls. If
you give us away, there's no telling what may happen. It would do
mischief, and a lot of it, too."

"I won't say a word," said Gertie.

"Nor will I," said Callie.

"Well, let's see if girls really can keep a secret," and then he sat
down and told how he had given Bowles and Bryant a deadly blow, and how
the old man had to be carried out of the Exchange.

"Great Scott!" exclaimed Bob. "I'd have given a thousand to have seen
Bryant when he got it in the neck."

"Oh, he was sick," said Fred. "You'd have to buy a bale of wool to hang
up if you want to display his fleece."

"That would be cruel," said Gertie.

They all laughed and were a happy party. Fred sent out and ordered a
carriage to take them off uptown, saying:

"I don't want to meet any of those fellows to-day."

"What are you afraid of?" Bob asked him.

"I am afraid about ten th