smiled in an ingratiating way. He hoped really
to placate Butler in part by his generous attitude throughout this
procedure. "I can't make you do that, of course, unless you want to. I
merely bring it up, Mr. Butler, because I am sure that if it hadn't been
for Aileen you would not have taken the course you have taken toward me.
I understood you received an anonymous letter, and that afternoon you
called your loan with me. Since then I have heard from one source and
another that you were strongly against me, and I merely wish to say that
I wish you wouldn't be. I am not guilty of embezzling any sixty thousand
dollars, and you know it. My intentions were of the best. I did not
think I was going to fail at the time I used those certificates, and
if it hadn't been for several other loans that were called I would have
gone on to the end of the month and put them back in time, as I always
had. I have always valued your friendship very highly, and I am very
sorry to lose it. Now I have said all I am going to say."

Butler looked at Cowperwood with shrewd, calculating eyes. The man had
some merit, but much unconscionable evil in him. Butler knew very well
how he had taken the check, and a good many other things in connection
with it. The manner in which he had played his cards to-night was on a
par with the way he had run to him on the night of the fire. He was just
shrewd and calculating and heartless.

"I'll make ye no promise," he said. "Tell me where my daughter is, and
I'll think the matter over. Ye have no claim on me now, and I owe ye no
good turn. But I'll think it over, anyhow."

"That's quite all right," replied Cowperwood. "That's all I can expect.
But what about Aileen? Do you expect her to leave Philadelphia?"

"Not if she settles down and behaves herself: but there must be an end
of this between you and her. She's disgracin' her family and ruinin' her
soul in the bargain. And that's what you are doin' with yours. It'll
be time enough to talk about anything else when you're a free man. More
than that I'll not promise."

Cowperwood, satisfied that this move on Aileen's part had done her a
real service if it had not aided him especially, was convinced that it
would be a good move for her to return to her home at once. He could
not tell how his appeal to the State Supreme Court would eventuate. His
motion for a new trial which was now to be made under the privilege of
the certificate of reasonable doubt might no