Kellog ran over to the antichron and began setting the dials as Wade called out the figures. Then he threw a master switch and the machine hummed into activity. In a moment the screen was glowing, then transparent. It was as if Kellog were looking out of a window high over a green park surrounded on three sides by water. He adjusted the mechanism and caused the projected screen to lower itself to a great sprawling building that lay below. He forced it through a wall, and there he was—looking in on the trading floor of the nerve center of the Solar System, the Systemic Stock Exchange!
Thousands of men were milling about beneath, gesticulating and shouting. At the other end of the vast hall an immense annunciator board stood, on which names and numbers appeared. A flickering screen beside it was displaying news flashes.
"A notebook! Hurry!" exclaimed Doc Kellog. He jotted down quotations as he watched. Callistan Radioactives was high and climbing—a sale at 423-1/2, then another at 428, then at 430-1/4. A flash came over the screen saying Martian Gems had passed its dividend. Martian Gems promptly dropped twelve points. Etherways and I. P. T. were strong. The market generally was strong.
"Let her run," Doc shouted, shoving the book into his pocket. "Damn the power bill. If I'm right, it won't matter; if I'm wrong, it won't matter either. I'll be seeing you."
Then he was out and gone, hurrying to Neville & Beardsley.
Mr. Neville took the money, but he looked at the young scientist dubiously.