These, blind and frenzied, would rush plungingly into the flames like horses at a fire.

The old gray buccaneer felt sure that while he was selling four hundred thousand shares, full two hundred thousand, mayhap three hundred thousand, shares in addition would be offered.

What stock could support itself against such a flood as that?
When the bottom was reached, and the time was ripe, the pool would gather in the harvest.

It was a beautiful plan; the more beautiful because of its simplicity! Instantly on the morning of that black Wednesday the sale of Northern Consolidated began.

Thousands of shares in two thousand, five thousand, and even ten thousand lots were thrown upon the market by the old gray buccaneer.