"
When the two squeezed back through the throng again into the
board-room, even the staircase was packed. McGaw pulled off his
fur cap and struggled past the rail, bowing to the president. The
justice's brother stood outside, within reach of McGaw's hand.
McGaw glanced at the clock and winked complacently at his
prospective partner--not a single bid had been handed in. Then he
thrust out his long arm, took from Rowan's brother the big
envelope containing the higher bid, and dropped it on the table.
Just then there was a commotion at the door. Somebody was trying
to force a passage in. The president rose from his chair, and
looked over the crowd. McGaw started from his chair, looked
anxiously at the clock, then at his partner. The body of a boy
struggling like an eel worked its way through the mass, dodged
under the wooden bar, and threw an envelope on the table.
"Dat's Tom Grogan's bid," he said, looking at the president.
"Hully gee! but dat was a close shave! She telled me not ter
dump it till one minute o' nine, an' de bloke at de door come near
sp'ilin' de game till I give him one in de mug."
At this instant the clock struck nine, and the president's gavel
fell.
"Time's up," said the Scotchman.
XI
A TWO-DOLLAR BILL
The excitement over the outcome of the bidding was intense.
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