A Franchise Obtained The money requisite for the construction of elevated roads having been thus pyrotechnically obtained, the acquisition of franchises remained no easy matter.

It involved, among other problems, the taming of Chaffee Thayer Sluss, who, quite unconscious of the evidence stored up against him, had begun to fulminate the moment it was suggested in various secret political quarters that a new ordinance was about to be introduced, and that Cowperwood was to be the beneficiary.

"Don't you let them do that, Mr.Sluss," observed Mr.Hand, who for purposes of conference had courteously but firmly bidden his hireling, the mayor, to lunch.

"Don't you let them pass that if you can help it." (As chairman or president of the city council Mr.Sluss held considerable manipulative power over the machinery of procedure.) "Raise such a row that they won't try to pass it over your head.

Your political future really depends on it--your standing with the people of Chicago.