She looked at me in surprise. “Of course,” she said, simply. “Do you mean it? It may mean complete smash. I am no railroad man, no stock manipulator. I have an idea and if this trouble were mine I should act upon it. But it is not mine. It is your father's--and yours. I may be crazy to risk such a thing--” She stepped forward. “Do it,” she commanded. “I tell you to do it. If it fails I will take the responsibility.” “That you shall not do. But I will take the chance. Phin!” “Yup; here I be.” “Send this message at once: 'Try your hardest to get hold of any shares you can, at almost any figure in reason, before the market opens. When it opens begin buying everything offered.' Got that?” “Yup. I've got it.” “Sign it 'Colton' and send it along. I am using your father's name,” I added, turning to her. “It seems to me the only way to avoid suspicion and get action. No one must know that 'Big Jim' is critically ill; you understand that.” “Yes, I understand. But,” hesitatingly, “to buy may mean paying tremendous prices, may it not? Can we--” “We must. Here is Davis's reply coming. What is it, Phin?” Cahoon read off the message as the receiver clicked. “You are insane. Buying at such prices will be suicide.” “Tell him no. Tell him to let it leak out that Colton is seizing the opportunity to clinch his control of the road. The other crowd will think, if he is willing to buy at any price, that he cannot be so short as they supposed. Send all that, Phin. It is a bluff, Miss Colton, nothing but a bluff, but it may win. God knows I hope it will.” She did not answer. Together we waited for the reply. It came as follows: All right if you say so, of course, but still think it suicide. I am off on the still hunt for those shares but don't believe one to be had, Consolidated bunch too sharp for that. Stay by the wire. Will report when I can. Good luck and good-by. “He's gone, I cal'late,” observed Phineas. “Need me any more, do you think?” “Yes. You must stay here all night, just as I told you.” “Right you be. Send word to the old woman, that's all, if you can. Cal'late she's waitin' at the kitchen door with a rollin' pin, by this time.” “I will send the word, Mr. Cahoon,” replied Miss Colton. “And--don't you think you could go home now, Mr. Paine? I know how exhausted you must be, after last night.” “No home for me,” I answered, with assumed cheerfulness. “Admirals of Finance are expected to stick by the ship. I will lie down here on the couch and Phineas can call me if I am needed. Don't worry, Miss Colton. Go to your father and forget us altogether, if you can. If--if I should be needed for--for any other cause, please speak.” She looked at me in silence for a moment. Then she came toward me and held out her hand. “I shall not forget, whatever else I may do,” she said, brokenly. “And I will speak if I need you, my friend.” She turned hastily and went to the door.