areful, and so
do you, but that's all right, too. If you want to stay out in that yard
a little longer in the mornings or get out there afternoons or evenings,
from now on, why, go ahead. It's all right. I'll just leave the door
open. If the warden or anybody else should be around, I'll just scratch
on your door with my key, and you come in and shut it. If there's
anything you want from the outside I can get it for you--jelly or eggs
or butter or any little thing like that. You might like to fix up your
meals a little that way."

"I'm certainly most grateful, Mr. Bonhag," returned Cowperwood in his
grandest manner, and with a desire to smile, but he kept a straight
face.

"In regard to that other matter," went on Bonhag, referring to the
matter of extra visitors, "I can fix that any time you want to. I know
the men out at the gate. If you want anybody to come here, just write
'em a note and give it to me, and tell 'em to ask for me when they come.
That'll get 'em in all right. When they get here you can talk to 'em
in your cell. See! Only when I tap they have to come out. You want to
remember that. So just you let me know."

Cowperwood was exceedingly grateful. He said so in direct, choice
language. It occurred to him at once that this was Aileen's opportunity,
and that he could now notify her to come. If she veiled herself
sufficiently she would probably be safe enough. He decided to write her,
and when Wingate came he gave him a letter to mail.

Two days later, at three o'clock in the afternoon--the time appointed
by him--Aileen came to see him. She was dressed in gray broadcloth
with white-velvet trimmings and cut-steel buttons which glistened like
silver, and wore, as additional ornaments, as well as a protection
against the cold, a cap, stole, and muff of snow-white ermine. Over
this rather striking costume she had slipped a long dark circular cloak,
which she meant to lay off immediately upon her arrival. She had made
a very careful toilet as to her shoes, gloves, hair, and the gold
ornaments which she wore. Her face was concealed by a thick green veil,
as Cowperwood had suggested; and she arrived at an hour when, as near as
he had been able to prearrange, he would be alone. Wingate usually came
at four, after business, and Steger in the morning, when he came at all.
She was very nervous over this strange adventure, leaving the street-car
in which she had chosen to travel some distance away and walking up a
s