The idea of his firm turning a crooked trick, when it was an established institution as strong as Gibraltar and as conservative as a national bank, was ridiculous.

He and Stoner could point with pride to an unbroken record of successes and to a list of satisfied investors as long as a Santa Fe time-table.

Desert Scorpion stock would go to two dollars, and five would get you ten if you didn't think so.

Now then, step lively! The refunding of money halted; there was a deal of noisy argument.

Some of the disgruntled investors still insisted upon selling out; others decided to hold on; even a few asked to repurchase the stock they had turned in, and this they were reluctantly permitted to do at an advance of fifty per cent.
When the last caller had disappeared, Gray inquired, curiously: "How are you going to make good on your assertion that the stock will rise ?" "Easy!" said Stoner.