The news went round like wild fire and half an hour later the price of
Estuaries was running up like quicksilver dipped in hot water.
"What in hell do you make of that?" Hipps demanded of his chief.
Hugo Van Diest shrugged his shoulders.
"He wass a doughty adversary, dis Mr. Torrington," he replied. "Must egshpect dis sort of ting."
"Guess there's more behind it than that. What are they hoping on, anyway?"
"Donno—donno."
But the sudden appearance of Sydney Cranbourne did something to enlighten them.
"Forgive my intrusion, gentlemen," he said, "but could you give me a possible date on which we might expect the return of our mutual friend?"
Neither Hipps nor Van Diest betrayed the smallest surprise.
"Our mutual friend, Mister Cranbourne?"