“I can tell you who’s got it, if you care to know,” answered Crookes. “It’s a pewter quarter to Government bonds that Gretry, Converse & Co. sold that wheat to you. They’ve got about all the wheat there is.”

“I know, of course, they’ve been heavy buyers⁠—for this Unknown Bull they talk so much about.”

“Well, he ain’t Unknown to me,” declared Crookes. “I know him. It’s Curtis Jadwin. He’s the man we’ve been fighting all along, and all hell’s going to break loose down here in three or four days. He’s cornered the market.”

“Jadwin! You mean J. ⁠—Curtis⁠—my friend?”

Crookes grunted an affirmative.

“But⁠—why, he told me he was out of the market⁠—for good.”