the second fortune did not reflect on
Gilmartin's ability as a speculator, but on his luck. As a matter
of fact, he had been too careful and had sinned from over-timidity at
first, only to plunge later and lose all.

As the result of much thought about his losses Gilmartin became a
professional tipster. To let others speculate for him seemed the only
sure way of winning. He began by advising ten victims--he learned in
time to call them clients--to sell Steel Rod preferred, each man 100
shares; and to a second ten he urged the purchase of the same quantity
of the same stock. To all he advised taking four points' profit. Not all
followed his advice, but the seven clients who sold it made between them
nearly $3,000 overnight. His percentage amounted to $287.50. Six bought,
and when they lost he told them confidentially how the treachery of a
leading member of the pool had obliged the pool managers to withdraw
their support from the stock temporarily, whence the decline. They
grumbled; but he assured them that he himself had lost nearly $1,600 of
his own on account of the traitor.

For some months Gilmartin made a fair living, but business became very
dull. People learned to fight shy of his tips. The persuasiveness was
gone from his inside news and from his confidential advice from Sharpe
and from his beholding with his own eyes the signing of epoch-making
documents. Had he been able to make his customers alternate their
winnings and losses he might have kept his trade. But, for example,
"Dave" Rossiter, in Stuart & Stern's office, stupidly received the
wrong tip six times in succession. It wasn't Gilmartin's fault, but
Rossiter's bad luck.

At length, failing to get enough clients in the ticker district itself,
Gilmartin was forced to advertise in an afternoon paper, six times a
week, and in the Sunday edition of one of the leading morning dailies.
They ran like this:

WE MAKE MONEY

for our Investors by the best system ever devised. Deal with
genuine experts. Two methods of operating; one speculative,
the other ensures absolute safety.

NOW

is the time to invest in a certain stock for ten points sure
profit Three points margin will carry it. Remember how
correct we have been on other stocks. Take advantage of
this move.

IOWA MIDLAND.

Big movement coming in this stock. If s very near at hand.
Am waiting daily for word. Will get it in time. S