"Agreed!" he cried, his eyes shining like stars. "Now, sir, your instructions. What am I to bear?" "Anglo-American Hotels," I murmured softly. He started upright, and gazed at me like one confounded. "Anglo-Americans," he gasped. "Listen," said I. "To-morrow morning you will sell one hundred thousand shares--cash-on-delivery--to be handed over on Saturday. The market is at present steady at forty shillings. Your first operation will not affect it one iota. In the afternoon you will sell another hundred thousand--same terms. You'll get the same figure, for, although my associates will be nervous, they are too deeply involved to dare let the price fall, till they are sure, and they'll buy at evens, never dreaming that they are bucking-up against a stone wall. Next morning sell two hundred thousand. That will turn the balance. The price will probably drop a bit. In the afternoon sell three hundred thousand. You'll find by then the market in a panic, for my pals will have smelt a big rat, and they'll no longer show fight. Indeed, I expect they will follow my lead, and to save themselves, start selling too. However, keep on selling a hundred thousand each half-day, till the absolute slump. That will arrive on Friday morning at latest. I reckon the shares should by then reach bottom, say from three to seven shillings. You will then buy scrip against deliveries on your former sales and report to me here at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning, with the transfers for signature. By the way, Agar Hume is a good name, and will look fine on the transfers. Stick to it! That is all I need say, I think, except that I advise you to follow my lead as far as your means allow. The transaction will enrich you. Your commission will, of course, be at the ordinary rate." Mr. Sims had fallen back in his chair. His eyes were as round as marbles, and his mouth gaped ajar. "You looked surprised!" I observed, with an indulgent smile. He passed his hand nervously across his brow, and gave himself a little shake. "It's colossal--but immoral!" he gasped. "Colossally immoral! Your associates----" he stopped short, lacking words. "My associates are men of business," I said, coldly. "And they would be the first to tell you that there is no morality involved in business transactions. I propose to treat them as they would treat me, if they were clever enough to perceive a way. But we waste time, sir. The question is, are you the man to handle the affair?" "Yes," he cried. "Indeed, yes." I nodded and stood up. "Then adieu till Saturday. My secretary, Brown, in the meanwhile, will wait upon you every afternoon. Good-day, Mr. Sims!"