It was their belief, if the market were properly undermined, that Northern Consolidated could be sold down below twenty, possibly as low as fifteen.

When it had reached lowest levels they would make their swoop.

The pool would have enough profit from the "bear" movement to pay for the road.

If they succeeded in selling Northern Consolidated off twenty points--and they believed, by going cautiously and intelligently to work, the feat was easy--the profits would equal the purchase sum required.
In "bearing" the stock and breaking it down to a point where the pool might seize upon the road without risk or outlay on its own intriguing part, the potent Senator Hanway would come in.

At the beginning of Congress he must offer a Senate resolution for a special committee of three to investigate certain claims and charges against Northern Consolidated.