By that he knew Callie had got the story right, and that Bryant had escaped the old man's clutches only by paying up the last penny he owed him. He went to the old man and said he wanted to buy futures on P. & K. "How much and how long?" the old man asked. "Five thousand shares for ten days." The trade was made, and Fred then went quietly to work buying up the 7,000 shares that were on the market. He bought at 67, in a few days he met Bryant on the street and said to him: "I want to see you privately if you feel like doing any business with me." Bryant was quite astonished, and asked: "Is there any money in it?" "I think there is." "Then I am at your service." Fred had a confidential talk with him, during which the broker admitted that Bowles had ruined him financially by getting a technical grip on him. "Well, I have got a grip on him, I think," Fred explained, "and if you want your revenge, you can have it." CHAPTER XV.--Conclusion. Fred sold him five hundred shares to give him a starter, the shares being for himself. In two hours the price went up to 70, and Fred saw old Bowles growing fidgety. The next day Fred sold five hundred shares more at 72, they going to himself. Then the brokers began to hustle for the stock, and found they could not get it. It went up to 82 before the day closed. Bowles was desperate. "See here, Halsey," he said to Fred, the day before the ten days were up on his 5,000 shares, "I want to settle that thing now. I can't get the stock at all." "Wait till it is due," Fred suggested. "To tell you the truth, Mr. Bowles, I haven't got that option. I sold it to another man." "To whom did you sell it?" "To Bryant." The next day the stock wont up to 90, and at that figure Bryant called Bowles for 5,000 shares of the stock. It is a rule of the Stock Exchange that where the stock sold cannot be delivered on demand the difference between the purchase and delivery prices shall be paid in cash. At 90, the difference was $23 per share, on 5.000 shares, making $115,000. When the settlement was made, Fred generously allowed Bryant one-half the profits. It put him on his feet again. The day after the settlement was made Mrs. Bryant and Eva Gaines called at the office and asked for Fred. "I have come to pay my note," she said to him. "It is not yet due," he replied. "No, but I have the money and want to pay it," and she laid down a big roll of bills as she spoke. Fred took the money and gave her the note she had signed. "Now, Mr. Halsey," she said, as she tore up the note, "I want to say to you that as long as I live I shall always have a feeling of lively gratitude toward you for your kindness to me in this matter. You are the one in all New York who would have loaned me that money." "I am not sure of that," he replied, shaking his head. "I am glad to know that you and Mr. Bryant are friends again," said Mrs. Bryant. "He said you helped him out in a deal against that odious Mr. Bowles the other day."