21.   A higher bid from Norfolk Southern could touch off another round of bidding for Conrail.

22.   A negotiator told the kidnappers that the companies were preparing a higher bid.

23.   A Wascana spokesman said in March then that it would not open its books until Talisman made a higher bid, noting that such behavior is standard practice.

24.   Allied Colloids rejected the bid, and analysts said they expected higher bids later.

25.   Burlington Northern had to answer with a series of successively higher bids until UP abandoned its quest in late January.

26.   Bre-X officials petitioned the government to allow other bidders for a stake in the gold field, hoping to attract higher bids than Barrick would make.

27.   But it appears it is now up to MGM Grand, which is controlled by the billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, to make a higher bid.

28.   CBI said it was considering higher bids from other companies, which it never named.

29.   Comcast has said it will not offer a higher bid for the operation unless a higher bid was submitted by another concern.

30.   Committee members almost certainly hope that the rejection will inspire a higher bid from Poon.