The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-26
CHAPTER xxx

Helped tremendously by the mora
tdrium. the sagging market had
ceased sagging. and some stocks
were even beginning 10 recover.
This was true for practically every
line save those lines In which Fran
els owned and which Rcgan was
bearing. He continued bearing and
making them reluctantly fan. and he
noted with JOY the huge blocks OF
TampIco Petroleum which were be-
ing dumped obviously BY no other
person than Francis.
q aNow's the time Regain informed
his bear conSplrators. Play her
coming and going. It's double run.
Remember the list ! gave your Sell
these. and sell short. For them there
Is no bottom. As for all the rest,
buy now. and deliver all that you
eold- You can't lose. you see. and BY
continuing to hammer the list you'll
make a double killing"
a How about yourselfg" one OF his
bear crowd qucried.
Il "rve nothing to buy" came the
answer That will show you how
square I have been In my tip. and
how confident am ! haven't sold a
ehare outside the list. so have moth
5nx TO deliver. ! am stili short and
hammering down the list. and the
list only. There's my killing. and you
can share in II by as much as you
continue to sell short"
"A There you areF' Bascom. In de
'opair In his private Office. cried 10
lFrancis at 1890. Here's the whole
market rising except your lines. Re.
cams out for blood. I never
dreamed he could show such
strength. We can't stand this. Were
finished We're smashed now-you.
me--ali Of us--everythingr'
Never had Francis been cooler
Gtnce all was lost why worry was
his attitude; and. a mere layman in
the game. he caught glimpse OF
possibilities that were yelled to Bas-
com, who too thoroly knew too much
about the game.
Take 1t easy Francis counseled.
his new vision assuming form and
substance with each tick OF a second.
'1.et's have a smoke and talk II oSsr
for few minutes"
Bascom made a gesture OF infinite
lmpatience.
But waltz Francis urged. stop,
Look Listen. I'm finished. you
oay?"
His broker nodded.
! You're finlshed?"
: Again the nod.
which means that we're busted
Hat busted" Francis went on TO the
exposition OF his new idea Now.
It is perfectly clear. then. 10 your
mind and mine. that a man can never
be worse than a complete. perfect.
100 per cent. entire. total bust?''
Were wasting valuable timer
Bascom protested. as he nodded af-
flfmation.
A WEIRD EXPERIENCE
Not II we're busted as completely
rs you're agreed we are" smiled
Francis. Being thoroly busted. time.
sales. purchases. nothing can be OF
any value to ". Values have ceased
don't you s<k?"
Go on. what Is it," Bascom said,
with the momentarily assumed pa,
tience OF abject despair. I'm busted
higher than kite now. and. as you
say. they can't put me any higher
Now you get the idear' Francis
jubilated. You're member Of the
Exchange. Then go ahead. sell or
buy. do anything your and my merry
.,earts decide. We can't lose. ANY.
thing from zero always leaves zero.
We're shot all we've got, and more.
Let's shoot what we haven't gotr'
Bascom still struggled feebly TO
A.'rotest, but Francis beat him down
with a final:
Remember, anything from zero
caves zeror'
And for the next hour as In a
nightmare. no longer free agent
f,ascom yielded to Francis VIII In
ne maddest stock adventure OF his
re.
"Oh, wellv' Francis laughed at half
rast eleven, I'VE might as we'll quit
row. But. remember, we're. no worse
- than we were an hour ago. We
ere zero then. We're zero now
sou can hang up the auctoneer's
z any time now"
Bascom. heavily and YEARLY TAX
~ down the receiver, was about tc
tnsnif the orders that would stor
battle by acknowledgment of un
nditionaI defeat, when the door
,ened. and thru II came the familiar
ing Of pirate staye mat mah'
lvancis fash his hand oot In per
e.nptory stoppags u his broker