So it came to pass that the reporter and Doane went out together, walking through the crowded, hurrying, bustling financial district. The first place visited was a private room where market quotations were displayed on a blackboard. Mr. Doane was interested, but the scene seemed to suggest nothing.
He looked upon it all as any stranger might have done. After a time they passed out. Suddenly a man came running toward them--evidently a broker.
"What's the matter?" asked another.
"Montana copper's gone to smash," was the reply.
"_Copper!_ _Copper!_" gasped Doane suddenly.
Hatch looked around quickly at his companion. Doane's face was a study. On it was half realization and a deep perplexed wrinkle, a glimmer even of excitement.
"Copper!!" he repeated.
"Does the word mean anything to you?" asked Hatch quickly. "Copper--metal, you know."
"Copper, copper, copper," the other repeated. Then, as Hatch looked, the queer expression faded; there came again utter hopelessness.
There are many men with powerful names who operate in the Street--some of them in copper. Hatch led Doane straight to the office of one of these men and there introduced him to a partner in the business.