He read her certain extracts from the newspapers he had brought. The first article stated that recently a new factor had appeared in the Chicago wheat market. A "Bull" clique had evidently been formed, presumably of New York capitalists, who were ousting the Crookes crowd and were rapidly coming into control of the market. In consequence of this the price of wheat was again mounting.
Another paper spoke of a combine of St. Louis firms who were advancing prices, bulling the market. Still a third said, at the beginning of a half-column article:
"It is now universally conceded that an Unknown Bull has invaded the Chicago wheat market since the beginning of the month, and is now dominating the entire situation. The Bears profess to have no fear of this mysterious enemy, but it is a matter of fact that a multitude of shorts were driven ignominiously to cover on Tuesday last, when the Great Bull gathered in a long line of two million bushels in a single half hour. Scalping and eighth-chasing are almost entirely at an end, the smaller traders dreading to be caught on the horns of the Unknown. The new operator's identity has been carefully concealed, but whoever he is, he is a wonderful trader and is possessed of consummate nerve. It has been rumoured that he hails from New York, and is but one of a large clique who are inaugurating a Bull campaign. But our New York advices are emphatic in denying this report, and we can safely state that the Unknown Bull is a native, and a present inhabitant of the Windy City."
Page looked up at Landry quickly, and he returned her glance without speaking. There was a moment's silence.
"I guess," Landry hazarded, lowering his voice, "I guess we're both thinking of the same thing."
"But I know he told my sister that he was going to stop all that kind of thing. What do you think?"
"I hadn't ought to think anything."
"Say 'shouldn't think,' Landry."
"Shouldn't think, then, anything about it. My business is to execute Mr. Gretry's orders."
"Well, I know this," said Page, "that Mr. Jadwin is down town all day again. You know he stayed away for a while."