In the case of Hand, though the latter was ostensibly of the enemies' camp--the Schryhart-Union-Gas-Douglas-Trust-Company crowd--nevertheless Cowperwood had no hesitation in going to him.

He wished to overcome or forestall any unfavorable impression.

Though Hand, a solemn man of shrewd but honest nature, had heard a number of unfavorable rumors, he was inclined to be fair and think the best.
Perhaps Cowperwood was merely the victim of envious rivals.
When the latter first called on him at his office in the Rookery Building, he was most cordial.

"Come in, Mr.Cowperwood," he said.

"I have heard a great deal about you from one person and another--mostly from the newspapers.