The stolid face of the banker became a motionless mask as he asked:
"Are we going to stand together?"
Bivens sprang to his feet, exclaiming fiercely:
"Until hell freezes over!"
The banker smiled feebly for the first time in a week.
"Then it's all right, Mr. Bivens. We'll pull through. They'll start a run on us to-morrow. Five millions in cash will meet it and we'll win, hands down. We have powerful friends. Our only sin is our association with your group. We must have that five millions in the safe before the doors are opened to-morrow."
"You shall have it," was the firm answer.
With a cheerful pressure of the hand the president of the Van Dam Trust Company left and Bivens called his secretary.
"We turn the market to-morrow—orders to all our men. Knock the bottom out of it until the noon hour, then turn and send it skyward with a bound. You understand?"
"Yes sir."