“Oh, I have nothing to say,” Cressler interrupted. “I did know. I knew from the first it was to be speculation. I tried to deceive myself. I⁠—well, this don’t interest you. The point is I must get out of the market. I don’t like to go back on you others”⁠—Cressler’s fingers were fiddling with his watch chain⁠—“I don’t like to⁠—I mean to say you must let me out. You must let me cover⁠—at once. I am⁠—very nearly bankrupt now. Another half-cent rise, and I’m done for. It will take as it is⁠—my⁠—my⁠—all my ready money⁠—all my savings for the last ten years to buy in my wheat.”

“Let’s see. How much did I sell for you?” demanded Crookes. “Five hundred thousand?”

“Yes, five hundred thousand at ninety-eight⁠—and we’re at a dollar nine now. It’s an eleven-cent jump. I⁠—I can’t stand another eighth. I must cover at once.”

Crookes, without answering, drew his desk telephone to him.

“Hello!” he said after a moment. “Hello!⁠ ⁠… Buy five hundred May, at the market, right away.”