He beckoned to his manager, who was a man named Mappin, and told him to buy the required quantity of Mexican railway stock.
"Market's very weak, sir. It's fallen to-day one half already in anticipation of a bad dividend," replied Mappin.
"Can't help that."
Mappin went away to execute the order.
An hour elapsed, and a special edition of an evening paper was brought into the office.
It contained a telegram from Mexico, stating that there had not been one revolution, and two earthquakes in that country before breakfast, as usual, that morning. The railway dividend was remarkably good, and Mexican Preference Stock went up five per cent., at which price the broker took upon himself to close the account, thinking his client would be well satisfied with his profits.
"Clever fellow, Oliphant," muttered Mr. Maybrick; "up to every move on the board. Deuced clever!"
At that moment Mr. Oliphant, who was a stout, red-faced man, inclined to apoplexy, rushed into the office.
He was agitated, and looked as if he was going to have a fit.
"Close the account," he gasped.