Leaycraft and the Porteous trio, Fairchild, Paterson, and Goodlock,
shook their heads when the Pit offered ninety-four for parts of
their holdings. The price held firm. Goodlock even began to offer
ninety-four. At every suspicion of a flurry Grossmann, always with
the same gesture as though hurling a javelin, always with the same
lamentable wail of distress, cried out:

"'Sell twenty-five May at ninety-five and a fourth."

He held his five fingers spread to indicate the number of
"contracts," or lots of five thousand bushels, which he wished to
sell, each finger representing one "contract."

And it was at this moment that selling orders began suddenly to pour
in upon the Gretry-Converse traders. Even other houses--Teller and
West, Burbank & Co., Mattieson and Knight--received their share. The
movement was inexplicable, puzzling. With a powerful Bull clique
dominating the trading and every prospect of a strong market, who
was it who ventured to sell short?

Landry among others found himself commissioned to sell. His orders
were to unload three hundred thousand bushels on any advance over
and above ninety-four. He kept his eye on Leaycraft, certain that he
would force up the figure. But, as it happened, it was not Leaycraft
but the Porteous trio who made the advance. Standing in the centre
of the Pit, Patterson suddenly flung up his hand and drew it towards
him, clutching the air--the conventional gesture of the buyer.

"'Give an eighth for May."