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It was that of the two housebreakers whom Cowperwood had been and was still studying with
much curiosity. In all his life before he had never witnessed a sentencing scene of any kind. He
had never been in police or criminal courts of any kind--rarely in any of the civil ones. He was
glad to see the negro go, and gave Payderson credit for having some sense and
sympathy--more than he had expected.
He wondered now whether by any chance Aileen was here. He had objected to her coming, but
she might have done so. She was, as a matter of fact, in the extreme rear, pocketed in a crowd
near the door, heavily veiled, but present. She had not been able to resist the desire to know
quickly and surely her beloved's fate-- to be near him in his hour of real suffering, as she
thought. She was greatly angered at seeing him brought in with a line of ordinary criminals and
made to wait in this, to her, shameful public manner, but she could not help admiring all the
more the dignity and superiority of his presence even here. He was not even pale, as she saw,
just the same firm, calm soul she had always known him to be. If he could only see her now; if
he would only look so she could lift her veil and smile! He didn't, though; he wouldn't. He didn't
want to see her here. But she would tell him all about it when she saw him again just the same.
The two burglars were quickly disposed of by the judge, with a sentence of one year each, and
they were led away, uncertain, and apparently not knowing what to think of their crime or their
future.
When it came to Cowperwood's turn to be called, his honor himself stiffened and straightened
up, for this was a different type of man and could not be handled in the usual manner. He knew
exactly what he was going to say. When one of Mollenhauer's agents, a close friend of Butler's,
had suggested that five years for both Cowperwood and Stener would be about right, he knew
exactly what to do. "Frank Algernon Cowperwood," called the clerk.
Cowperwood stepped briskly forward, sorry for himself, ashamed of his position in a way, but
showing it neither in look nor manner. Payderson eyed him as he had the others.
"Name?" asked the bailiff, for the benefit of the court stenographer.
"Frank Algernon Cowperwood."
"Residence?"
"1937 Girard Avenue."
"Occupation?"
"Banker and broker."
Steger stood close beside him, very dignified, very forceful, ready to make a final statement for
the benefit of the court and the public when the time should come. Aileen, from her position in
the crowd near the door, was for the first time in her life biting her fingers nervously and there
were great beads of perspiration on her brow. Cowperwood's father was tense with excitement
and his two brothers looked quickly away, doing their best to hide their fear and sorrow.
"Ever convicted before?"
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