ord against Cowperwood as the first victim, in case of
any public disturbance or demonstration against the party. All that was
now necessary was for that disturbance to manifest itself; and, from
what he could see of local conditions, it was not far off. There was now
the matter of Cowperwood's disgruntled creditors to look into; and if
by buying in these he should succeed in preventing the financier from
resuming business, he would have him in a very precarious condition
indeed. It was a sad day for Cowperwood, Butler thought--the day he had
first tried to lead Aileen astray--and the time was not far off when he
could prove it to him.

Chapter XXXIII

In the meantime Cowperwood, from what he could see and hear, was
becoming more and more certain that the politicians would try to make
a scapegoat of him, and that shortly. For one thing, Stires had called
only a few days after he closed his doors and imparted a significant bit
of information. Albert was still connected with the city treasury, as
was Stener, and engaged with Sengstack and another personal appointee of
Mollenhauer's in going over the treasurer's books and explaining their
financial significance. Stires had come to Cowperwood primarily to get
additional advice in regard to the sixty-thousand-dollar check and his
personal connection with it. Stener, it seemed, was now threatening to
have his chief clerk prosecuted, saying that he was responsible for
the loss of the money and that his bondsmen could be held responsible.
Cowperwood had merely laughed and assured Stires that there was nothing
to this.

"Albert," he had said, smilingly, "I tell you positively, there's
nothing in it. You're not responsible for delivering that check to me.
I'll tell you what you do, now. Go and consult my lawyer--Steger. It
won't cost you a cent, and he'll tell you exactly what to do. Now go on
back and don't worry any more about it. I am sorry this move of mine has
caused you so much trouble, but it's a hundred to one you couldn't have
kept your place with a new city treasurer, anyhow, and if I see any
place where you can possibly fit in later, I'll let you know."

Another thing that made Cowperwood pause and consider at this time was
a letter from Aileen, detailing a conversation which had taken place at
the Butler dinner table one evening when Butler, the elder, was not
at home. She related how her brother Owen in effect had stated that
they--the politicians--her