So long had he been stirring about in a lesser region, paving the way by hours and hours of private thought and conference and scheming, that now when he actually had achieved his end he could scarcely believe for the time being that it was true.

Chicago was such a splendid city.

It was growing so fast.
Its opportunities were so wonderful.

These men who had thus foolishly parted with an indefinite lease of their holdings had not really considered what they were doing.

This matter of Chicago street-railways, once he had them well in hand, could be made to yield such splendid profits! He could incorporate and overcapitalize.