uch
good will it do ye if we do support the market?"

"A great deal," returned Cowperwood, "although of course I have to raise
money in other ways. I have that one hundred thousand dollars of yours
on deposit. Is it likely that you'll want that right away?"

"It may be," said Butler.

"It's just as likely that I'll need it so badly that I can't give it up
without seriously injuring myself," added Cowperwood. "That's just one
of a lot of things. If you and Senator Simpson and Mr. Mollenhauer
were to get together--you're the largest holders of street-railway
stocks--and were to see Mr. Drexel and Mr. Cooke, you could fix things
so that matters would be considerably easier. I will be all right if my
loans are not called, and my loans will not be called if the market does
not slump too heavily. If it does, all my securities are depreciated,
and I can't hold out."

Old Butler got up. "This is serious business," he said. "I wish you'd
never gone in with Stener in that way. It don't look quite right and it
can't be made to. It's bad, bad business," he added dourly. "Still, I'll
do what I can. I can't promise much, but I've always liked ye and I'll
not be turning on ye now unless I have to. But I'm sorry--very. And I'm
not the only one that has a hand in things in this town." At the same
time he was thinking it was right decent of Cowperwood to forewarn him
this way in regard to his own affairs and the city election, even though
he was saving his own neck by so doing. He meant to do what he could.

"I don't suppose you could keep this matter of Stener and the city
treasury quiet for a day or two until I see how I come out?" suggested
Cowperwood warily.

"I can't promise that," replied Butler. "I'll have to do the best I can.
I won't lave it go any further than I can help--you can depend on that."
He was thinking how the effect of Stener's crime could be overcome if
Cowperwood failed.

"Owen!"

He stepped to the door, and, opening it, called down over the banister.

"Yes, father."

"Have Dan hitch up the light buggy and bring it around to the door. And
you get your hat and coat. I want you to go along with me."

"Yes, father."

He came back.

"Sure that's a nice little storm in a teapot, now, isn't it? Chicago
begins to burn, and I have to worry here in Philadelphia. Well, well--"
Cowperwood was up now and moving to the door. "And where are you going?"

"Back to the house. I have several people coming there to