“ J. ,” faltered the broker, “ J. , I⁠—I’m damned if I know.”

And then, all in the same moment, the two men were on their feet. The event which all those past eleven months had been preparing was suddenly consummated, suddenly stood revealed, as though a veil had been ripped asunder, as though an explosion had crashed through the air upon them, deafening, blinding.

Jadwin sprang forward, gripping the broker by the shoulder.

“Sam,” he shouted, “do you know⁠—great God!⁠—do you know what this means? Sam, we can corner the market!”