It would suit me
as well to have you two 'hammered' as to take your money."
Upon the spur of a sudden thought he drew out his watch.
"In just two minutes' time to a tick, the price will
be thirty."
"Let's be 'hammered' then!" said Aronson to his companion,
with simulated impulsiveness.
Rostocker was the older and stronger man, and when at last
he spoke it was with the decision of one in authority.
"It is your game," he said, with grave imperturbability.
"Eight thousand five hundred at twenty-five. Will you deliver
at the Credit Lyonnais in half an hour?"
Thorpe nodded, impassively. Then a roving idea of genial
impertinence brought a gleam to his eye. "If you should
happen to want more Rubber Consols at any time," he said,
with a tentative chuckle, "I could probably let you have
them at a reduced price."
The two received the pleasantry without a smile,
but to Thorpe's astonishment one of them seemed to discern
something in it beside banter. It was Rostocker who said:
"Perhaps we may make a deal with you," and apparently meant it.
They went out at this, ignoring ceremony upon their
exit as stolidly as they had done upon their entrance,
and a moment later Thorpe called in the Secretary,
and despatched a messenger to bring Semple from Capel Court.
The formalities of this final transfer of shares had been
dictated to the former, and he had gone off on the business,
before the Broker arrived.
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