Forster blew his nose a second time; then, with an even louder blast, he blew it a third time. And between the blasts he quietly observed,—
“Two hundred cents!”
A shudder ran through the hall.
The Major seemed overwhelmed, and fell back against Todrin. At this price per square mile, the Arctic regions would cost 814,000 dollars. The Canadian limit had evidently been passed.
“Two hundred cents!” said Gilmour. “Once! Twice! Any advance?” he continued.
The Major looked at the Professor, and the Colonel, and the Dutchman, and the Dane; and the Professor, and the Colonel, and the Dutchman, and the Dane looked at the Major.
“Going! Going!” said the auctioneer.
Every one looked at the codfish man.
“Gone!”
And down came Gilmour’s hammer.