And Oliver caught his brother by the arm and started for the door with him. “Get to your broker’s,” he said. “And if the stock has stopped moving, sell; and sell in any case before the close.” And then he dashed away to his own headquarters. At about half after three o’clock, Oliver came into Hammond and Streeter’s, breathless, and with his hair and clothing dishevelled. He was half beside himself with exultation; and Montague was scarcely less wrought up—in fact he felt quite limp after the strain he had been through. “What price did you get?” his brother inquired; and he answered, “An average of 78-3/8.” There had been another sharp rise at the end, and he had sold all his stock without checking the advance. “I got five-eighths,” said Oliver. “O ye gods!” There were some unhappy “shorts” in the office; Mr. Streeter was one of them. It was bitterness and gall to them to see the radiant faces of the two lucky ones; but the two did not even see this. They went out, half dancing, and had a drink or two to steady their nerves. They would not actually get their money until the morrow; but Montague figured a profit of a trifle under a quarter of a million for himself. Of this about twenty thousand would go to make up the share of his unknown informant; the balance he considered would be an ample reward for his six hours’ work that day. His brother had won more than twice as much. But as they drove up home, talking over it in awe-stricken whispers, and pledging themselves to absolute secrecy, Oliver suddenly clenched his fist and struck his knee. “By God!” he exclaimed. “If I hadn’t been a fool and tried to save an extra margin, I could have had a million!” CHAPTER XV. After such a victory one felt in a mood for Christmas festivities,—for music and dancing and all beautiful and happy things. Such a thing, for instance, as Mrs. Winnie, when she came to meet him; clad in her best automobile coat, a thing of purest snowy ermine, so truly gorgeous that wherever she went, people turned and stared and caught their breath. Mrs. Winnie was a picture of joyful health, with a glow in her rich complexion, and a sparkle in her black eyes.