Men watched him, and followed him into other speculations.

They hung around him, anxious to get indications of his next movement.

They flattered him; they fawned upon him; and to those whom he could in any way use for his own purposes, he breathed little secrets of the market from which they won their rewards.

People talked about what "the General" was doing, and proposed to do, as if he were a well-recognized factor in the financial situation.
Whenever he ran over his line, which he often did for information and amusement, and for the pleasure of exercising his power, he went in a special car, at break-neck speed, by telegraph, always accompanied by a body of friends and toadies, whom he feasted on the way.

Everybody wanted to see him.