The only time during the afternoon that he met with defeat was when the famous steeplechaser Firefly was brought out.
"Five hundred dollars," said Caliban curtly.
"Six hundred," said the musical voice of a girl and the crowd turned to look.
Caliban smiled condescendingly. "A thousand," he said.
"There, you see you can't do it. The horse isn't worth any more," cautioned Harry.
"Fifteen hundred dollars," cried Pauline.
"Does she mean that, or is this only a joke?" demanded Caliban, turning to the auctioneer.
"The lady's word is good enough for me. Going at fifteen hundred— going, going—"
"Two thousand dollars. I guess that'll stop any jokes around here," grinned Caliban.
"Three thousand," said Pauline so quickly that even Harry gasped, cut short in mid-protest.