“I’ve just found out,” said Gretry, “that Crookes and his crowd are going to take hold tomorrow. There’ll be hell to pay in the morning. They are going to attack us the minute the gong goes.”

“Who’s with them?”

“I don’t know; nobody does. Sweeny, of course. But he has a gang back of him⁠—besides, he’s got good credit with the banks. I told you you’d have to fight him sooner or later.”

“Well, we’ll fight him then. Don’t get scared. Crookes ain’t the Great Mogul.”

“Holy Moses, I’d like to know who is, then.”

“ I am. And he’s got to know it. There’s not room for Crookes and me in this game. One of us two has got to control this market. If he gets in my way, by God, I’ll smash him!”