There’s a lot of selling. GEORGE WINTER. I wish we could corner them. I’d like to give the bears a lesson. BENNETT. If it goes on there’ll be a panic. GEORGE WINTER. You’ve told the brokers to do all they can to prevent its going too far? BENNETT. I’ve told them to buy, but carefully. GEORGE WINTER. You must go up to London, Fred. There’s no one there with a head on his shoulders. BENNETT. I thought that was the best thing myself. I’ve looked out the trains. I can just catch the express. I shall be there soon after one. GEORGE WINTER. Then bolt at once. I give you a free hand. BENNETT. If the slump can be stopped, I’ll stop it. GEORGE WINTER. It’s not a matter of can. It must be stopped. And wire reassuring messages. We must hang on to the telephone for all we’re worth. BENNETT. Good-bye. GEORGE WINTER. And come back when the House closes. We must talk over things. BENNETT. All right. Good luck. [_He goes out._ ETCHINGHAM. Is it all up with us, George? GEORGE WINTER. What the dickens are you talking about? ETCHINGHAM. They’ve found out the truth. It’s there in black and white that the wretched mine’s worthless. GEORGE WINTER. They can’t prove anything. ETCHINGHAM. Ever since I knew I’ve scarcely closed my eyes at night. I wish I’d shot myself when you first told me. GEORGE WINTER. My dear fellow, you’re much more comfortable here than you would be at Kensal Green. ETCHINGHAM. And the worst of it is.... [_He breaks off._] At first I was overcome with the horror of it. But little by little I’ve got used to it, used to your being a thief and a swindler. GEORGE WINTER. [_With a chuckle._] You put things rather bluntly, don’t you? ETCHINGHAM. And Bennett was a convict. It all seems quite natural now. And I can talk and laugh with you. And I eat by your side every day. GEORGE WINTER. One can’t make a fortune without taking risks. ETCHINGHAM. There are always those missing bonds. They’re in my thoughts day and night. GEORGE WINTER. No one can make inquiries for three weeks. By that time we shall have gone to allotment, and the bonds will be safely back in the black box. ETCHINGHAM. But will you be able to go to allotment? GEORGE WINTER. Of course we shall. This article isn’t going to do us any harm. I shall win the seat. That’ll give these Middlepool people confidence. ETCHINGHAM. George, I believe Ford is uneasy. I don’t trust him. Supposing he found out about the bonds? GEORGE WINTER. It might be devilish expensive. ETCHINGHAM. You’ll never buy him. GEORGE WINTER. I never met the man yet who hadn’t his price. Flattery if he’s a fool, hard cash if he’s a wise man. But a price of some sort. There’s always a price. ETCHINGHAM. Take care of Ford, George. GEORGE WINTER. [_With a smile._] I’m not frightened. ETCHINGHAM. Sometimes I’m afraid, you’re so confident. It’s impossible a thing like this can end well. GEORGE WINTER.