And Margaret murmured, without looking up: “Oh, yes, yes! I can be ready to-morrow.” As time went by the wisdom of Halloran's method of buying lumber became apparent. If the orders had not gone in almost simultaneously to the offices of the different companies the directors would probably have put their heads together and declined meeting such an unusually heavy demand. As it fell out, however, when the heads did finally go together, it was discovered that the mischief had been done, that nearly six million feet of lumber had been sold, in thirty or forty different lots, and for about $50,000 less than it would have brought at the normal rates. The possibility of speculators buying in the lumber had been discussed from the first; but the directors had not dreamed that such a movement could be actually completed before they could know it was going on. And then they found that each of the twenty odd companies had been pledged to these orders through its own authorized agents. Even now, after the door had been closed on an empty stable, it was not plain what per cent, of the sales had gone to speculators; for nearly every order had come from a regular dealer in one of a score of different cities and towns. Halloran soon found it difficult to buy, except in occasional small lots. His instructions to his agents still held good, however; and he hoped to increase his stock until he should have enough on hand to make good all the losses resulting from the fight. That was his idea--to make Bigelow pay the bills. Once this point was reached he would show his hand by bringing all the lumber to Wauchung. At this stage of the fight there was a pause. On one hand Halloran's countermove was practically ended; on the other, the Bigelow forces appeared as determined as ever to keep down prices and force Higginson out of business. Rumours were floating now and then, to be sure, that there was trouble in Kentucky Coal, but there was nothing at all definite. . One morning in the office--a nearly idle morning, as came about frequently now--Crosman remarked casually over his paper: “There's a big fight on in corn on the Board of Trade.” “Something new, eh?” “Yes. It seems the secret has just leaked out. A man named Le Duc------” “Le Duc!” “Yes--Appleton Le Duc--sounds like a Frenchman, doesn't it?” Halloran left his chair and came over to Cros-man's side. “Excuse me,” he said. “May I see it?” “Certainly; take it, if you like. I'm through with it. It's a queer story.” He went on talking while Halloran was reading. “It seems he's a new man at the business, but they're calling him the new Com King already. They say he shows a regular genius for it. It looks as if he was going to corner the market. The paper says he used to be an actor.” Halloran laid down the paper and perched himself on the corner of Crosman's flat-top desk. “That's queer business,” he observed. “The last time I heard of Apples he was playing at a third-class variety house.”