“And it won’t either,” grumbled Shriver. “I can’t do anything with it.” “I instigated that story,” said Joe, flicking the ash off his cigarette. Gillett stared. “What the deuce for?” he demanded. “To bring buyers for Mattison’s stock into the market,” said Joe. “We can’t continue to sell the stock short if there are no buyers. The thing was beginning to stagnate.” “But we got all our publicity on that new machine. . . .” “What of it?” said Joe. “They can’t take it away from us now. A new invention is news, but the failure of a new invention isn’t news. We’ll tap new sources of publicity.” “But suppose I gave the order to sell, and Mattison’s stock still rises on Monday?” said Gillett. “An hour or two after the opening she’ll flop,” said Joe casually. “How do you know?” Taking a paper from his pocket, he spread it out on the table. It was the page proof of a Sunday article for the newspapers, embellished with photographs. Joe, grinning, read out the headlines: “Cooper Gillett buys another big factory! The young financier hot-foot on the trail of the trust!” “Me, young?” said Gillett grinning, too. “It endears you to the public,” said Joe. “I didn’t buy the factory. I only have an option on it.” “What’s in a word! It ’ll all be forgotten in a couple of days. . . . This will appear to-morrow in five of the biggest cities in the country. A whole page, see? It recapitulates the story of our other three factories. . . .” “Which have never manufactured anything . . .” put in Shriver. “The public doesn’t know that.” “Good God! how much is this going to cost me?” asked Gillett, rapping the paper. “Not a cent,” said Joe, grinning. “That’s the beauty of it. The magic name of Gillett is always news, see? It’s been accustomed to the front page for four generations. And what’s more, trust-busting is now the latest popular sport, and we got in just right. Mattison is the trust, and we’re the noble champions of the down-trodden common people! We’ve got him in a position where he can’t fight back. This story will send his stock off four or five points. That’ll give you a chance to cover, if you’re scared. As for me, I mean to hold on for a week longer, if I can string the banks along. “Mattison’s not at the end of his rope yet. By straining his credit, he’ll be able to maintain his stock at a decent level for another week. I’ve got another story for next Sunday, and then he’ll be done. The bottom will fall out of the Trust. We’ll make a killing! When that happens, you must not be contented with covering, but buy! buy! buy! Spread your orders through a dozen houses.