Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/217

 'Can't you see this is a stock-exchange ticker? Ain't I just taught 'em it is heavy with the germs of chance? Now what is this?' And he tore a roll of bark into a narrow ribbon and placed it in the cage. 'Well, young man, this is the tape. It unrolls. B-r-r-r. Click! click! Tiberius Smith closes firm. Big demand for William Campbell common. Total sales—'

"‘You're crazy!' I cried, in horror.

"‘So is every speculator,' he returned, heavily. 'Lemme take your pencil. The chief drew mine as a prize.'

"Then what did that blessed idiot do but begin to kill the scanty minutes by drawing pictures on the bark. 'What's this one look like?' he demanded, indicating a lame duck learning to ride a bicycle. My reply incensed him, and he swore it was a dog.

"‘Poor devil! What of it?' I asked, dully.

"‘It's more'n a dog,' he cried, triumphantly. 'It's a symbol. It's a quotation.'

"I turned away dizzily and bowed my head. I'd tagged Tib around all over the globe from a nursling up, and had stubbed against many mutual and disheartening propositions. But the pitcher goes once too often to the well. While the cat's away the mice will gather no—

"‘Hustle out of that stupor, quick,' cried Tib, 'and make me a sheet.' And he aroused me with