"I was not consulted when the receiver was appointed," he answered. "I have rights in the matter and those rights must be protected. It's a deal framed up to beat the pool. My, how it rattles!" and he shook the exchequer again.
I was at my wits' end. I knew that tact was far and away more effective than violence when dealing with a crazed person.
"Put it down for a moment, Gilhooly," I wheedled, "and come over to the directors' meeting."
"Who are the directors?" he asked suspiciously.
"Well, there are only two. I'm one, you know, and you're the other."
He exploded a laugh, tossed the exchequer in the air like a strong man playing with a cannon ball, and then caught it deftly as it came down.
"I'm the boy to juggle with railroads!" he boasted. "Ask any one in the Street and they'll tell you."
"Look out!" I gasped, "or you'll drop it."
"Not I!" he mumbled. "I never yet wrecked a railroad."
"Where did you come from, Gilhooly?" I asked, seeking to get him into conversation while I edged closer to him by degrees.