There were two crises then, one on each floor of the big house. At one Davis himself 'phoned.
“Still hanging around 700,” he announced. “Begins to look as if the top had been reached. What shall I do now?”
My plan was ready and I gave my orders as if I had been doing such things for years.
“Sell, in small lots, at intervals,” I told him. “Then, if the price breaks, begin buying through another broker as cautiously as you can.”
The answer was in a different tone; there was a new note, almost of hope, in it.
“By the Lord, I believe you have got it!” he cried. “It may work. I'll report to you, Mr. Colton, right away.”
Plainly he had no doubt that “Big Jim” was directing the fight in person. Far was it from me to undeceive him!
Another interval. Then he reported a drop of a hundred points.
“The bottom is beginning to fall out, I honestly believe. They think you've done 'em again. I am spreading the report that you have the control cinched. As soon as the scramble is really on I'll have a half dozen brokers buying for us.”
It was half-past two when the next message came. It was exultant, triumphant.