"You wanted to know," continued the voice, "what would be considered adequate compensation so far as that tunnel matter is concerned.

Can you hear me ?" "Yes," replied Cowperwood.
"Well, I should not care to influence your judgment one way or the other; but if my opinion were asked I should say about fifty thousand dollars' worth of North Chicago Street Railway stock would be satisfactory." The voice was young, clear, steely.
"To whom would you suggest that it might be paid ?" Cowperwood asked, softly, quite genially.
"That, also, I would suggest, might be left to your very sound judgment." The voice ceased.

The receiver was hung up.
"Well, I'll be damned!" Cowperwood said, looking at the floor reflectively.

A smile spread over his face.

"I'm not going to be held up like that.