The San Francisco call., 1906-04-01

and was ever ready with clear and con-
else replies for his brokers, confined fol-
the most part to "yes," mo- or "all
right" delivered seemingly without the
slightest doubt or hesitation. Whatever
the outcome Of the struggle, be it said
to his credit that he fought good fight
and in al. ways showed himself to be as
cool under fire as the most intrepid vet
eran of finance.
ANY idee, Mister Bill, who started
that ere slide to workin? some purity
toler'ble rocks pear to be comm down, "
Dave was finally moved to inquire.
DO you remember that night over
on Devils Ridge that we treed the cat
and you brought her DOWN" inquired
Waldron. completing a calculation, be-
fore interrogating the other by way of
reply.
"Sartin. do"
Did you see ner?"
Can't say as how 1 did. Mister Bill,
but l spied couple of green lights.
and lowed the rest or the cat couldn' t
be far of. and I let go-and she drop
ped"
Felt tolerably sure Of bringing her
DOWN."
Fair to middlin', 1 reckon"
We'll, Dave, that is just about the
present state of affairs. 1 followed sew
eral trails and finally succeeded in tree
ing the game. The game, however,
was not aware OF the fact, and is only
now discovering that 1t is up a tree.
Like our cat. 1t cannot come down and
the top of the tree Is the limit in the
other direction. / have let go, and 1
expect something to drop before long"
Moving againi" Jack announced.
They are throwing 1t at you in blocks
-thousand-two thousand-thpee thou
sand-but it's moving steadily up-for-
ty-fiye now, Mister Bill" he cried with
increasing excitement.
They are trying to break our backs
in final effort-it's their only hope"
quietly replied Waldron. IF my cal
culations are correct they have thrown
over all the stock in their possession
and are now selling something they do
not possess-and which they will find
considerable difficulty in delivering" he
added, significantly.
"Forty-seven!" cried Jack. 'They
have stirred up a swarm of bees with
all their racket and brought the dear
public in to enjoy sip of their honey
the lambs are avenging themselves to-
day"
Their assistance has been most
timely-they will be duly rewarded"
Waldron briefly observed.
All, / seer laughed Jack. while
you were quietly cornering the stock
and steadily raising the price you were
creating an interest on the part of the
public that brought it in to take hand
when you began to jump the price up
today-it was the signal for all hands
to go aboard Result-Mr. Burrows
has been caught in his own trap. He
must have been surprised at the raw
enous appetite the public suddenly de-
veloped for Consolidated Properties.
Forty-nine-and still going
Il reckon some feller's tongue may
be hangin' out about now. Mister Bill?"
Joe suggested, as the other concluded
a conversation over the telephone.
None visible here. Joe"
How Is 1t, Mister Bill, If the var
mints get good and cornered, can they
sneak off into any holes where you
can't getat emf" inquired bloodthirsty
Dave Bishop.
We'll, yes, Dave, such possibility
does exist; but the holes into which
they would be compelled to stink are
rather disagreeable and i'll smelling
places of refuge, and they will stand
considerable protding before turning
tail"
stopped short, Mister BiH!' Jack
suddenly cried, closely scanning the
tape fearful lest something had es-
capped him. whats happened?" he de-
manded, quite startled.
They have suddenly discovered
themselves trapped" coolly replied
Waldron, "or," pausing with ominous
suggestiveness, they have scented mis-
chief and stopped short on the very
brink of the pitfan."
That the enemy had been beaten in
the preliminary skirmish was now ap-
parent. The temporary control of the
market had been wrested from him
the sudden Withdrawal of his forces the
acknowledgment. So far all was well,
but unless he had walked well into the
trap laid for him no permanent advan-
tage had been gained and he would be
the same old enemy goaded to greater
fury and desperation In thus being
balked of his prey. For brief interval
no word was spoken. The ticker clat-
tered on spasmodically. Each man was
busy with his own thoughts; each real
ized that for better or worse-for VIC
tory or defeat-the deciding blow had
been struck. But one better than the
others, knew the meaning of that VIC
tory or defeat The sense of his re-
sponsibility came suddenly home to
him; for the moment he was as the
gambler who stakes his money, his
home, his reputation-his all--on the
turn of a card-and that card is with
held from him.
"Shootin' all over, young 'un-or
loadin' up for another scrimmage?"
asked Dave, finally breaking the silence.
She's climbing UP fast on slow sales
how is that for paradox? Guess
they threw fit when they found they
couldn't bulge old Consolidated, and
your men are putting her up where the
dead won't be tempted to rise until you
are ready to take the corpse off the
ice,'' said Jack
Young 'un," laughed Dave, you
know lingo all your own like Joe and
me, and If you say the word we'll take
you out on the range with us and make
a man of YOU
There's a paradox for you, Jack"
said Waldron, considerably amused at
the rather questionable compliment be-
slowed upon the young man.
Joe and me are goin' out to stretch
up bit, Mister Bill. You think as how
we might get nigh squint at that ere
inquired Dave,
I am not quite sure that the corrupt
body is prepared to admit it's defeat.
but If you happen around in the course
of an hour or so the ghost may be
walking-provided that life is really
extinct" said Waldron, with due con-
servatism.
'srThat's right Mister Rill Yo,, ain,+