“I am interested in this company, and if you take the stock at once you shall have it for twenty, though it went at twenty-two to-day.”
“I will take two hundred and fifty shares of it.”
“You are sensible,” replied Cormorin. “You have the money in your fist, and you can return it in a week or two, and put ten thousand dollars into your pocket.”
I had not told Cormorin my secret, and I think he was anxious to have me invest the five thousand dollars, I had taken from the bank, that we might stand on an equal footing. He desired to possess as strong a hold upon me as I had upon him. I was satisfied of the truth of what he had told me in regard to his own “coppers.” I had inquired for myself, and I realized that he was making ten if not fifteen thousand dollars by his operation.
I felt compelled to take the step he suggested. I owed my bank three thousand dollars, and while Aunt Rachel was so feeble, I had no hope of obtaining the amount from her. I must do something to save myself from possible exposure. The brilliant example of Cormorin loomed up before me. If he had made a large sum in “coppers,” there was no reason why I should not do the same. It was necessary that I should make the effort, and I gave him the five thousand dollars he had just returned to me, to be invested in Bustumups.
“It will be a safe operation, Glasswood,” continued Cormorin. “Bustumups are sure to go up.”
I did not regard this last expression as one to be taken in the metaphorical sense.
“You have looked into this matter, Cormorin, and of course you understand it. As things now stand, you and I must hang together.”
“That’s so; count on me for anything you want.”