bystanders were beginning to be disgusted. "It was only a fluke after all," they said to each other. Colonel Drew was appealed to urge Monty to save himself, and he was on the point of remonstrance when the message came that the threatened strike was off, and that the men were willing to arbitrate. Almost before one could draw breath this startling news began to make itself felt. The certainty of a great strike was one of the things that had made Brewster sure that the price could not hold. With this danger removed there was nothing to jeopardize the earning power of the stock. The next quotation was a point higher. 

 "You sly dog," said the Colonel, digging Monty in the side. "I had confidence in you all the time." 

 In ten minutes' time Lumber and Fuel was up to 113 and soaring. Brewster, panic-stricken, rushed to the telephone and called up Gardner. 

 The broker, hoarse with excitement, was delighted when he recognized Brewster's voice. 

 "You're a wonder, Monty! I'll see you after the close. How the devil did you do it?" shouted Gardner. 

 "What's the price now?" asked Brewster. 

 "One thirteen and three-fourths, and going up all the time. Hooray!" 

 "Do you think she'll go down again?" demanded Brewster. 

 "Not if I can help it." 

 "Very well, then, go and sell out," roared Brewster. 

 "But she's going up like—" 

 "Sell, damn you! Didn't you hear?" 

 Gardner, dazed and weak, began selling, and finally liquidated the full line at prices ranging from 114 to 112 1/2, but Montgomery Brewster had cleared $58,550, and all because it was he and not the market that got excited. 

 

 

 CHAPTER XI 

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