ificance of it all before he proceeded.

"On the map, Mr. Haguenin, I have indicated a plan which, if we can
gain the consent of the city, will obviate any quarrel as to the great
expense of reconstructing the bridges, and will make use of a piece of
property which is absolutely without value to the city at present, but
which can be made into something of vast convenience to the public. I
am referring, as you see"--he laid an indicative finger on the map in
Mr. Haguenin's hands--"to the old La Salle Street tunnel, which is now
boarded up and absolutely of no use to any one. It was built
apparently under a misapprehension as to the grade the average loaded
wagon could negotiate. When it was found to be unprofitable it was
sold to the city and locked up. If you have ever been through it you
know what condition it is in. My engineers tell me the walls are
leaking, and that there is great danger of a cave-in unless it is very
speedily repaired. I am also told that it will require about four
hundred thousand dollars to put it in suitable condition for use. My
theory is that if the North Chicago Street Railway is willing to go to
this expense for the sake of solving this bridge-crush problem, and
giving the residents of the North Side a sensible and uninterrupted
service into the business heart, the city ought to be willing to make
us a present of this tunnel for the time being, or at least a long
lease at a purely nominal rental."

Cowperwood paused to see what Haguenin would say.

The latter was looking at the map gravely, wondering whether it was
fair for Cowperwood to make this demand, wondering whether the city
should grant it to him without compensation, wondering whether the
bridge-traffic problem was as serious as he pointed out, wondering,
indeed, whether this whole move was not a clever ruse to obtain
something for nothing.

"And what is this?" he asked, laying a finger on the aforementioned
loop.

"That," replied Cowperwood, "is the only method we have been able to
figure out of serving the down-town business section and the North
Side, and of solving this bridge problem. If we obtain the tunnel, as
I hope we shall, all the cars of these North Side lines will emerge
here"--he pointed to La Salle and Randolph--"and swing around--that is,
they will if the city council give us the right of way. I think, of
course, there can be no reasonable objection to that. There is no
reason why the citizens of the N