rwood. I come to have a very few words with you. I will
take very little of your time. I do not wish to go over any of the
arguments that have been gone over before. I am satisfied that you
know all about them."

"Yes, I had a talk with Judge Dickensheets yesterday."

"Just so, Governor. Knowing all that you do, permit me to put one more
matter before you. I know that you are, comparatively, a poor
man--that every dollar you have is at present practically tied in this
building. I know of two places where you have applied for a loan of
one hundred thousand dollars and have been refused because you haven't
sufficient security to offer outside of this building, which is
mortgaged up to its limit as it stands. The men, as you must know, who
are fighting you are fighting me. I am a scoundrel because I am
selfish and ambitious--a materialist. You are not a scoundrel, but a
dangerous person because you are an idealist. Whether you veto this
bill or not, you will never again be elected Governor of Illinois if
the people who are fighting me succeed, as they will succeed, in
fighting you."

Swanson's dark eyes burned illuminatively. He nodded his head in
assent.

"Governor, I have come here this morning to bribe you, if I can. I do
not agree with your ideals; in the last analysis I do not believe that
they will work. I am sure I do not believe in most of the things that
you believe in. Life is different at bottom perhaps from what either
you or I may think. Just the same, as compared with other men, I
sympathize with you. I will loan you that one hundred thousand dollars
and two or three or four hundred thousand dollars more besides if you
wish. You need never pay me a dollar--or you can if you wish. Suit
yourself. In that black bag which Judge Dickensheets brought here
yesterday, and which is in your safe, is three hundred thousand dollars
in cash. He did not have the courage to mention it. Sign the bill and
let me beat the men who are trying to beat me. I will support you in
the future with any amount of money or influence that I can bring to
bear in any political contest you may choose to enter, state or
national."

Cowperwood's eyes glowed like a large, genial collie's. There was a
suggestion of sympathetic appeal in them, rich and deep, and, even more
than that, a philosophic perception of ineffable things. Swanson arose.
"You really don't mean to say that you are trying to bribe me openly,
do you