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sustain the market. They could strengthen things generally by organizing a buying ring, and
under cover of their support, if they would, he might sell enough to let him out, and even permit
him to go short and make something--a whole lot. It was a brilliant thought, worthy of a greater
situation, and its only weakness was that it was not absolutely certain of fulfillment.
He decided to go to Butler at once, the only disturbing thought being that he would now be
compelled to reveal his own and Stener's affairs. So reentering his runabout he drove swiftly to
the Butler home.
When he arrived there the famous contractor was at dinner. He had not heard the calling of the
extras, and of course, did not understand as yet the significance of the fire. The servant's
announcement of Cowperwood brought him smiling to the door.
"Won't you come in and join us? We're just havin' a light supper. Have a cup of coffee or tea,
now--do."
"I can't," replied Cowperwood. "Not to-night, I'm in too much of a hurry. I want to see you for just
a few moments, and then I'll be off again. I won't keep you very long."
"Why, if that's the case, I'll come right out." And Butler returned to the dining-room to put down
his napkin. Aileen, who was also dining, had heard Cowperwood's voice, and was on the qui
vive to see him. She wondered what it was that brought him at this time of night to see her
father. She could not leave the table at once, but hoped to before he went. Cowperwood was
thinking of her, even in the face of this impending storm, as he was of his wife, and many other
things. If his affairs came down in a heap it would go hard with those attached to him. In this first
clouding of disaster, he could not tell how things would eventuate. He meditated on this
desperately, but he was not panic-stricken. His naturally even-molded face was set in fine,
classic lines; his eyes were as hard as chilled steel.
"Well, now," exclaimed Butler, returning, his countenance manifesting a decidedly comfortable
relationship with the world as at present constituted. "What's up with you to-night? Nawthin'
wrong, I hope. It's been too fine a day."
"Nothing very serious, I hope myself," replied Cowperwood, "But I want to talk with you a few
minutes, anyhow. Don't you think we had better go up to your room?"
"I was just going to say that," replied Butler--"the cigars are up there."
They started from the reception-room to the stairs, Butler preceding and as the contractor
mounted, Aileen came out from the dining-room in a frou-frou of silk. Her splendid hair was
drawn up from the base of the neck and the line of the forehead into some quaint convolutions
which constituted a reddish-gold crown. Her complexion was glowing, and her bare arms and
shoulders shone white against the dark red of her evening gown. She realized there was
something wrong.
"Oh, Mr. Cowperwood, how do you do?" she exclaimed, coming forward and holding out her
hand as her father went on upstairs. She was delaying him deliberately in order to have a word
with him and this bold acting was for the benefit of the others.
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