violently. The roar increased, if such a thing were possible.

In a minute Eppner was back, perspiring, and I fancied a trifle
worried.

"They're dropping it on me," he gasped in my ear. "Five hundred at
sixty-two and one thousand at sixty. Small lots coming fast and big
ones on the way."

"Good! Bid fifty-five, and then fifty, but get them."

With a roar he rushed into the midst of a whirling throng. I saw twenty
brokers about him, shouting and threatening. One in his eagerness
jumped upon the shoulders of a fat man in front of him, and shook a
paper under his nose.

I could make out nothing of what was going on, except that the
excitement was tremendous.

Twice Eppner reported to me. The stock was being hammered down stroke
by stroke. There was a rush to sell. Fifty-five--fifty-three--fifty,
came the price--then by leaps to forty-five and forty. It was a panic.
At last the gong sounded, and the scene was over. Men staggered from
the Exchange, white as death, some cursing, some angry and red, some
despairing, some elate. I could see that ten had lost for one who had
gained.

Eppner reported at the end of the call. He had bought for me twelve
thousand five hundred shares, over ten thousand of them below fifty.
The total was frightful. There was half a million dollars to pay when