The sound of loud talking now struck upon Jack's ear. Something
more important than the angle of a parasol or the wearing of out-
of-date spats was engrossing the attention of a group of young men
who had just entered. Jack caught such expressions as--"Might as
well have picked his pocket. ..." "He's flat broke, anyhow. ..."
"Got to sell his house, I hear. ..."
Then came a voice louder than the others.
"There's Breen talking to Minott and Biffy. He's in the Street;
he'll know. ... Say, Breen!"
Jack rose to his feet and met the speaker half way.
"What do you know, Breen, about that scoop in gold stock? Heard
anything about it? Who engineered it? Charley Gilbert's cleaned
out, I hear."
"I don't know anything," said Jack. "I left the office at noon and
came up town. Who did you say was cleaned out?"
"Why, Charley Gilbert. You must know him."
"Yes, I know him. What's happened to him?"
"Flat broke--that's what happened to him. Got caught in that gold
swindle. The stock dropped out of sight this afternoon, I hear--
went down forty points.
Pages:
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142