are likely to start talking at any time, unless they are stopped by those who can control them.” (He looked at Mollenhauer in a complimentary way.) “But if I could be kept out of the general proceedings as much as possible, my standing would not be injured, and I would have a better chance of getting on my feet.  It would be better for the city, for then I could certainly pay it what I owe it.”  He smiled his most winsome and engaging smile.  And Mollenhauer seeing him for the first time, was not unimpressed.  Indeed he looked at this young financial David with an interested eye.  If he could have seen a way to accept this proposition of Cowperwood’s, so that the money offered would have been eventually payable to him, and if Cowperwood had had any reasonable prospect of getting on his feet soon, he would have considered carefully what he had to say.  For then Cowperwood could have assigned his recovered property to him.  As it was, there was small likelihood of this situation ever being straightened out.  The Citizens’ Municipal Reform Association, from all he could hear, was already on the move—­investigating, or about to, and once they had set their hands to this, would unquestionably follow it closely to the end.

“The trouble with this situation, Mr. Cowperwood,” he said, affably, “is that it has gone so far that it is practically out of my hands.  I really have very little to do with it.  I don’t suppose, though, really, it is this matter of the five-hundred-thousand-dollar loan that is worrying you so much, as it is this other matter of the sixty-thousand-dollar check you received the other day.  Mr. Stener insists that you secured that illegally, and he is very much wrought up about it.  The mayor and the other city officials know of it now, and they may force some action.  I don’t know.”

Mollenhauer was obviously not frank in his attitude—­a little bit evasive in his sly reference to his official tool, the mayor; and Cowperwood saw it.  It irritated him greatly, but he was tactful enough to be quite suave and respectful.

“I did get a check for sixty thousand dollars, that’s true,” he replied, with apparent frankness, “the day before I assigned.  It was for certificates I had purchased, however, on Mr. Stener’s order, and was due me.  I needed the money, and asked for it.  I don’t see that there is anything illegal in that.”

“Not if the transaction was completed in all its details,” replied Mollenhauer, blandly.  “As I understand it, the certificates were bought for the sinking-fund, and they are not there.  How do you explain that?”

“An oversight, merely,” replied Cowperwood, innocently, and quite as blandly as Mollenhauer.  “They would have been there if I had not been compelled to assign so unexpectedly.  It was not possible for me to attend to everything in person.  It has not been our custom to deposit them at once.  Mr. Stener will tell you that, if you ask him.”

“You don’t say,” replied Mollenhauer.  “He did not give me that impression.  However, they are not there, and I believe that that makes some difference legally.  I have no interest in the matter one way or the other, more than that of any other good Republican.  I don’t see exactly what I can do for you.  What did you think I could do?”