"The message was the end of hope"
At nine o'clock Skelly's office called up. A clerk gave the message, Mr. Skelly being too occupied. Bojo listened, hoping desperately against hope, believing in the possibility of salvation in an enormous block to be thrown on the market. The message was the end of hope!
"Cancel selling orders. Buy Pittsburgh & New Orleans at the market up to 20,000 shares."
He tried ineffectively to reach Skelly personally and then communicated the order to the others, who were waiting in silence.
"If Drake's out, good-by," said Forshay, who went to the window, whistling. "Well, let's save what we can!"
The realization of the situation brought a sudden calm. Hauk departed for the floor of the Stock Exchange. The others prepared to wait.
"Match you quarters," said Forshay with a laugh. He came back, glancing over Bojo's shoulder at a few figures jotted down on a pad, reading off the total: "12,350 shares. I thought you were in only ten thousand."
"Twenty-three fifty Saturday," said Bojo, staring at the pad. "At 5 per cent. margin too."
"Lovely. What cleans you out?"
Bojo figured a moment, frowned, consulted his list, and finally announced: "Thirty-seven and one-half wipes me out nice and clean."