"
"Well," said Winston quietly, "don't buy to-day. There's going to be
an advance that will take folks' breath away, but the time's not quite
ripe yet. You'll see prices knocked back a little the next day or two,
and then you will cover your sales to the last bushel."
"But are you sure?" asked the lad, a trifle hoarsely. "You see, if
you're mistaken, it will mean ruin to me."
Winston laid his hand on his shoulder. "If I am wrong, I'll make your
losses good."
Nothing more was said on that subject, but Alfreton's face grew anxious
once more as they went up and down the city. Everybody was talking
wheat, which was not astonishing, for that city, and the two great
provinces to the west of it, lived by the trade in grain, and before
the afternoon had passed they learned that there had been a persistent
advance. The lad's uneasiness showed itself, but when they went back
to the hotel about the supper hour Winston smiled at him.
"You're feeling sick?" he said. "Still, I don't fancy you need worry."
Then Graham appeared and claimed him, and it was next morning when he
saw Alfreton again. He was breakfasting with Colonel Barrington and
Dane, and Winston noticed that the older man did not appear to have
much appetite. When the meal was finished he drew him aside.
"You have covered your sales, sir?" he asked.
"No, sir," said Barrington. "I have not."
"Then I wonder whether it would be presumption if I asked you a
question?"
Barrington looked at him steadily.
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