“We ought to map out our program very carefully,” continued Senator Simpson, “so that if we are compelled to act we can do so very quickly.  I believe myself that this thing is certain to come to an issue within a week, if not sooner, and we have no time to lose.  If my advice were followed now, I should have the mayor write the treasurer a letter asking for information, and the treasurer write the mayor his answer, and also have the mayor, with the authority of the common council, suspend the treasurer for the time being—­I think we have the authority to do that—­or, at least, take over his principal duties but without for the time being, anyhow, making any of these transactions public—­until we have to, of course.  We ought to be ready with these letters to show to the newspapers at once, in case this action is forced upon us.”

“I could have those letters prepared, if you gentlemen have no objection,” put in Mollenhauer, quietly, but quickly.

“Well, that strikes me as sinsible,” said Butler, easily.  “It’s about the only thing we can do under the circumstances, unless we could find some one else to blame it on, and I have a suggestion to make in that direction.  Maybe we’re not as helpless as we might be, all things considered.”

There was a slight gleam of triumph in his eye as he said this, at the same time that there was a slight shadow of disappointment in Mollenhauer’s.  So Butler knew, and probably Simpson, too.

“Just what do you mean?” asked the Senator, looking at Butler interestedly.  He knew nothing of the sixty-thousand-dollar check transaction.  He had not followed the local treasury dealings very closely, nor had he talked to either of his confreres since the original conference between them.  “There haven’t been any outside parties mixed up with this, have there?” His own shrewd, political mind was working.

“No-o.  I wouldn’t call him an outside party, exactly, Senator,” went on Butler suavely.  “It’s Cowperwood himself I’m thinkin’ of.  There’s somethin’ that has come up since I saw you gentlemen last that makes me think that perhaps that young man isn’t as innocent as he might be.  It looks to me as though he was the ringleader in this business, as though he had been leadin’ Stener on against his will.  I’ve been lookin’ into the matter on me own account, and as far as I can make out this man Stener isn’t as much to blame as I thought.  From all I can learn, Cowperwood’s been threatenin’ Stener with one thing and another if he didn’t give him more money, and only the other day he got a big sum on false pretinses, which might make him equally guilty with Stener.  There’s sixty-thousand dollars of city loan certificates that has been paid for that aren’t in the sinking-fund.  And since the reputation of the party’s in danger this fall, I don’t see that we need to have any particular consideration for him.”  He paused, strong in the conviction that he had sent a most dangerous