“Under those circumstances I have decided to employ new brokers. I have selected Fox & Mason. Mr. Jarboe has made a slight miscalculation. Instead of having no money, I have a backing representing $11,000,000.”
“What’s that? Say that again, please!” ejaculated Fox in amazement.
Vance repeated the amount.
“Say, you’re not joking, are you?” said Fox with a smile.
“Never more serious in my life,” replied the boy earnestly. “This gentleman, William Bradhurst, is worth exactly that sum, and he is backing me. He is ready to give you a check on the Bankers’ National Bank now to cover my first transaction, which is an order to purchase any part of five million bushels of corn as soon as it is offered in the pit this morning.”
“Five million bushels!” exclaimed Fox, staring hard at Vance.
“That’s what I said. Please call up the Bankers’ National on your ’phone and verify my statement. Don’t lose a minute, please.”
Jack Fox, still somewhat bewildered by such an order, did as Vance requested him, and returned to his desk perfectly satisfied with the result.
“Now we’ll get down to business,” he said.
And they did.