oftly. "I only
want one million but I want the prestige of putting in a bona fide bid
for five million. It will do me good on the street."

Butler sank back somewhat relieved.

"Five million! Prestige! You want one million. Well, now, that's
different. That's not such a bad idea. We ought to be able to get that."

He rubbed his chin some more and stared into the fire.

And Cowperwood felt confident when he left the house that evening that
Butler would not fail him but would set the wheels working. Therefore,
he was not surprised, and knew exactly what it meant, when a few days
later he was introduced to City Treasurer Julian Bode, who promised to
introduce him to State Treasurer Van Nostrand and to see that his claims
to consideration were put before the people. "Of course, you know,"
he said to Cowperwood, in the presence of Butler, for it was at the
latter's home that the conference took place, "this banking crowd is
very powerful. You know who they are. They don't want any interference
in this bond issue business. I was talking to Terrence Relihan, who
represents them up there"--meaning Harrisburg, the State capital--"and
he says they won't stand for it at all. You may have trouble right here
in Philadelphia after you get it--they're pretty powerful, you know. Are
you sure just where you can place it?"

"Yes, I'm sure," replied Cowperwood.

"Well, the best thing in my judgment is not to say anything at all. Just
put in your bid. Van Nostrand, with the governor's approval, will make
the award. We can fix the governor, I think. After you get it they may
talk to you personally, but that's your business."

Cowperwood smiled his inscrutable smile. There were so many ins and outs
to this financial life. It was an endless network of underground holes,
along which all sorts of influences were moving. A little wit, a little
nimbleness, a little luck-time and opportunity--these sometimes availed.
Here he was, through his ambition to get on, and nothing else, coming
into contact with the State treasurer and the governor. They were
going to consider his case personally, because he demanded that it be
considered--nothing more. Others more influential than himself had
quite as much right to a share, but they didn't take it. Nerve, ideas,
aggressiveness, how these counted when one had luck!

He went away thinking how surprised Drexel & Co. and Cooke & Co. would
be to see him appearing in the field as a competitor. In his ho