“Yup. I've got it.”
“Sign it 'Colton' and send it along. I am using your father's name,” I added, turning to her. “It seems to me the only way to avoid suspicion and get action. No one must know that 'Big Jim' is critically ill; you understand that.”
“Yes, I understand. But,” hesitatingly, “to buy may mean paying tremendous prices, may it not? Can we—”
“We must. Here is Davis's reply coming. What is it, Phin?”
Cahoon read off the message as the receiver clicked.
“You are insane. Buying at such prices will be suicide.”
“Tell him no. Tell him to let it leak out that Colton is seizing the opportunity to clinch his control of the road. The other crowd will think, if he is willing to buy at any price, that he cannot be so short as they supposed. Send all that, Phin. It is a bluff, Miss Colton, nothing but a bluff, but it may win. God knows I hope it will.”
She did not answer. Together we waited for the reply. It came as follows:
All right if you say so, of course, but still think it suicide. I am off on the still hunt for those shares but don't believe one to be had, Consolidated bunch too sharp for that. Stay by the wire. Will report when I can. Good luck and good-by.
“He's gone, I cal'late,” observed Phineas. “Need me any more, do you think?”