Miss Mabel wished me to say that she could not
leave him an instant. It is the crisis, the doctor thinks."

There were two crises then, one on each floor of the big house. At one
Davis himself 'phoned.

"Still hanging around 700," he announced. "Begins to look as if the top
had been reached. What shall I do now?"

My plan was ready and I gave my orders as if I had been doing such
things for years.

"Sell, in small lots, at intervals," I told him. "Then, if the price
breaks, begin buying through another broker as cautiously as you can."

The answer was in a different tone; there was a new note, almost of
hope, in it.

"By the Lord, I believe you have got it!" he cried. "It may work. I'll
report to you, Mr. Colton, right away."

Plainly he had no doubt that "Big Jim" was directing the fight in
person. Far was it from me to undeceive him!

Another interval. Then he reported a drop of a hundred points.

"The bottom is beginning to fall out, I honestly believe. They think
you've done 'em again. I am spreading the report that you have the
control cinched. As soon as the scramble is really on I'll have a half
dozen brokers buying for us."

It was half-past two when the next message came. It was exultant,
triumphant.

"Down like an avalanche. Am grabbing every share offered. We've got 'em,
sure!"

And, as three o'clock struck, came the final crow.

"Hooray for our side! They're dead and buried! You have two hundred
shares more than fifty per cent, of the common stock. The Louisville
road is in your pocket, Mr. Colton. I congratulate you. Might have
known they couldn't lick the old man. You are a wonder. I'll write full
particulars and then I am going home and to bed. I'm dead. I didn't
believe you could do it! How did you?"

I sat there, staring at the 'phone. Then, all at once, I began to laugh,
weakly and hysterically, but to laugh, nevertheless.

"I--I organized a Development Company," I gasped. "Good night."

I rose from the chair and walked out into the library. I was so
completely fagged out by the strain I had been under that I staggered as
I walked. The library door opened and Johnson came in. He was beaming,
actually beaming with joy.

"He's very much better, sir," he cried. "He's conscious and the doctor
says he considers 'im out of danger now. Miss Mabel sent word she would
be down in a short while. She can't leave the mistress immediate, but
she'll be down soon, sir."

I looked at him in a da