So long as the stock maintained the very high price to which it had now advanced, all was well; but the time must come, when it would not, and then, there was danger that Spriggins, and his compatriots in the speculation, would not be able to fulfill their engagements. Mr. Friendly, therefore, as a stimulant to the action of Spriggins, and to prepare for the denouement, hinted to him that, as the stock had now so much increased in value, probably Nicholas the 1st would loan money liberally upon it; and, as the stock must rise still more, such an accommodation would be very desirable, to enable one to hold it. He dropped this hint in such a way, as led Spriggins to believe that he intended to make the application for himself. He had really, however, no intention of asking such a favor, for such a purpose, but he knew well what the effect of such a suggestion would be with Spriggins, and—as he expected—the dapper gentleman immediately started, post haste, for Philadelphia, and succeeded in obtaining from Nicholas, the promise of a loan of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, on stock of the Morrison, which, six weeks before, was not worth, in the market, one-fourth of that amount: that is, provided Mr. Spriggins would negotiate half a million of dollars of the bonds of the U. S. B., payable in twelve months from date; by which means, Nicholas cunningly foresaw, that, instead of lending Spriggins, he should himself be the borrower of no less a sum than three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. But those were palmy days of credit: the bonds were all negotiated with ease, and the Morrison stock transferred to Nicholas, as security for the _loan_, as fast as the greedy purchases of Mr. Spriggins could command the large amount necessary. FRIENDLY’S PLAN CONSUMMATED. Mr. Friendly now saw all his hopes about to be realized. By obtaining the control of a very large amount of the stock at 20 to 25 per cent. on the par, and stimulating the cupidity and self conceit of Spriggins, he constantly went on buying ten shares at an increased price, and always selling, through some one else, twenty shares to every ten that he bought, until he succeeded in throwing the whole stock upon Spriggins, and his associates, who, as we have seen, were supported by Nicholas, in their mad speculation. And, in less than four months from his first purchase, Mr. Friendly retired, with a clear profit of one hundred thousand dollars, and the eternal gratitude of the directors of the Morrison, whom he had assisted and relieved. THE DIRECTORS STUCK FAST.