The news of the order, two orders, in fact, and large ones, came like a
bombshell on the overwrought market. Was the supporting power of Maddox
unlimited? One could feel the air tingle with the question. I saw some
speculators hold a hasty conference. Though I did not know it at the
time, they decided that an interest that could weather such an assault
could weather anything, that some one had been buying all the way down,
to boost back the stock far above the old high mark. They wanted to
share in the upward turn, and were ready to take a gambler’s chance.
Others caught the spirit, for if the Curb is anything it is a driven
herd.
Slowly the stock began to climb. The speculative public were in it now.
Selling orders almost fell off. Up jumped the price.
Kennedy drew a long breath as he pulled a Westport time-table from his
pocket, to cover his revulsion of feeling.
Maddox Munitions was saved!