After three days of convulsive advances and speedy falls, the attack again slackened, but this time the whole list rallied with difficulty, receding almost imperceptibly, but slowly yielding under a decided change of public sentiment. When Pittsburgh & New Orleans touched 38, Bojo squared his conscience to the extent of exacting the most solemn promises of undying secrecy from Fred DeLancy before communicating to them the information that had now become a conviction, that he had placed $50,000 in a pool which Drake was engineering to sell the market short and make a killing of Pittsburgh & New Orleans. He imparted the confidence not simply because it had become an almost intolerable secret to carry, but for deeper reasons. Fred DeLancy had sunk half of his former profits in the purchase of an automobile and in free spending, and Marsh was faced with serious losses on the paper from a strike of compositors and a falling of advertising as the result of the new radical policy of the editorial page. CHAPTER XI BOJO BUTTS IN Sunday the four were accustomed to lounge through the morning and saunter down the Avenue for a late luncheon at the Brevoort. On the present date, Granning was stretched on the window-seat re-reading a favorite novel of Dumas, Bojo and Marsh pulling at their pipes in a deep discussion of an important rumor which might considerably affect the downward progress of Pittsburgh & New Orleans--a possible investigation by certain Southern States which was the talk of the office--while Fred at the piano was replaying by ear melodies from last night's comic opera, when the telephone rang. "You answer it, Bojo," said DeLancy, "and hist, be cautious!" Bojo did as commanded, saying almost immediately: "Party for you, Freddie." "Male or female voice?" "Male." DeLancy rose with a look of relief and tripped over to the receiver. But almost immediately he crumpled up with a simulation of despair. Bojo and Marsh exchanged a glance, and Granning ceased reading, at muffled sounds of explanation which reached them from the other room. "Pinched," said DeLancy, returning gloomy and, flopping on the piano stool, he struck an angry chord. The three friends, according to male etiquette, maintained an attitude of correct incomprehension while Fred marched lugubriously up and down the keyboard. "Holy cats, now I am in for it!" "Louise Varney?" said Bojo. "Louise! And I swore on my grandmother's knuckles I was going up country this afternoon. Beautiful--beautiful prospect! I say, Bojo, you got me into this--you've got to stick by me!" "What's that mean?" "Shooting off in the car with us for luncheon. For the love of me, stand by a fellow, will you?" Bojo hesitated. "Go on," said Marsh with a wary look. "If you don't, the infant'll come back married!" "Quite possible," said DeLancy, disconsolately. "I'll go if you'll stand for the lecture," said Bojo severely, for DeLancy had become a matter of serious deliberation.