"I suppose you know we haven't got it?"
"I do."
"We can't deliver."
"Yes, you can. Go out in the open market and buy. Now, I own a few shares, for instance. I might sell."
The faces of Messrs. Crane and Keith did not picture lively enjoyment. They were caught. If it had been Scattergood alone they might have wriggled out of it, they thought, for they had scant respect for his sagacity, but Linderman—well, Linderman was not to be trifled with.
"How much?" said Crane.
"You need five hundred shares. Par is a hundred, is it not? I will part with mine for three hundred. First, last, and only offer. In ten minutes the price goes up to three fifty, and fifty for each five minutes after that."
"It's robbery ..." Mr. Crane spluttered, and made uncouth sounds of rage.
"Now you know how the other fellow has been feeling. Seven minutes left...."
Four more minutes sped before the surrender came.