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Again that "H-a-a-a-w!"
Once more the gavel.
"The American Trust Company of New York has suspended payment."
"H-a-a-a-w!"
The storm was on.
What do you think?" asked Targool. "You can't brave this storm. Can't you quit selling and hold
out for a few days? Why not sell short?"
"They ought to close this thing up," Cowperwood said, shortly. "It would be a splendid way out.
Then nothing could be done."
He hurried to consult with those who, finding themselves in a similar predicament with himself,
might use their influence to bring it about. It was a sharp trick to play on those who, now finding
the market favorable to their designs in its falling condition, were harvesting a fortune. But what
was that to him? Business was business. There was no use selling at ruinous figures, and he
gave his lieutenants orders to stop. Unless the bankers favored him heavily, or the stock
exchange was closed, or Stener could be induced to deposit an additional three hundred
thousand with him at once, he was ruined. He hurried down the street to various bankers and
brokers suggesting that they do this--close the exchange. At a few minutes before twelve
o'clock he drove rapidly to the station to meet Stener; but to his great disappointment the latter
did not arrive. It looked as though he had missed his train. Cowperwood sensed something,
some trick; and decided to go to the city hall and also to Stener's house. Perhaps he had
returned and was trying to avoid him.
Not finding him at his office, he drove direct to his house. Here he was not surprised to meet
Stener just coming out, looking very pale and distraught. At the sight of Cowperwood he actually
blanched.
"Why, hello, Frank," he exclaimed, sheepishly, "where do you come from?"
"What's up, George?" asked Cowperwood. "I thought you were coming into Broad Street."
"So I was," returned Stener, foolishly, "but I thought I would get off at West Philadelphia and
change my clothes. I've a lot of things to 'tend to yet this afternoon. I was coming in to see you."
After Cowperwood's urgent telegram this was silly, but the young banker let it pass.
"Jump in, George," he said. "I have something very important to talk to you about. I told you in
my telegram about the likelihood of a panic. It's on. There isn't a moment to lose. Stocks are
'way down, and most of my loans are being called. I want to know if you won't let me have three
hundred and fifty thousand dollars for a few days at four or five per cent. I'll pay it all back to
you. I need it very badly. If I don't get it I'm likely to fail. You know what that means, George. It
will tie up every dollar I have. Those street-car holdings of yours will be tied up with me. I won't
be able to let you realize on them, and that will put those loans of mine from the treasury in bad
shape. You won't be able to put the money back, and you know what that means. We're in this
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