“Well, now, that isn’t so easy,” he commented at the end.  “You ought to know more about that than I do.  I’m not a financier, as you well know.”  And he grinned apologetically.

“It’s a matter of influence,” went on Cowperwood.  “And favoritism.  That I know.  Drexel & Company and Cooke & Company have connections at Harrisburg.  They have men of their own looking after their interests.  The attorney-general and the State treasurer are hand in glove with them.  Even if I put in a bid, and can demonstrate that I can handle the loan, it won’t help me to get it.  Other people have done that.  I have to have friends—­influence.  You know how it is.”

“Them things,” Butler said, “is easy enough if you know the right parties to approach.  Now there’s Jimmy Oliver—­he ought to know something about that.”  Jimmy Oliver was the whilom district attorney serving at this time, and incidentally free adviser to Mr. Butler in many ways.  He was also, accidentally, a warm personal friend of the State treasurer.

“How much of the loan do you want?”

“Five million.”

“Five million!” Butler sat up.  “Man, what are you talking about?  That’s a good deal of money.  Where are you going to sell all that?”

“I want to bid for five million,” assuaged Cowperwood, softly.  “I only want one million but I want the prestige of putting in a bona fide bid for five million.  It will do me good on the street.”

Butler sank back somewhat relieved.

“Five million!  Prestige!  You want one million.  Well, now, that’s different.  That’s not such a bad idea.  We ought to be able to get that.”

He rubbed his chin some more and stared into the fire.

And Cowperwood felt confident when he left the house that evening that Butler would not fail him but would set the wheels working.  Therefore, he was not surprised, and knew exactly what it meant, when a few days later he was introduced to City Treasurer Julian Bode, who promised to introduce him to State Treasurer Van Nostrand and to see that his claims to consideration were put before the people.  “Of course, you know,” he said to Cowperwood, in the presence of Butler, for it was at the latter’s home that the conference took place, “this banking crowd is very powerful.  You know who they are.  They don’t want any interference in this bond issue business.  I was talking to Terrence Relihan, who represents them up there”—­meaning Harrisburg, the State capital—­“and he says they won’t stand for it at all.  You may have trouble right here in Philadelphia after you get it—­they’re pretty powerful, you know.  Are you sure just where you can place it?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” replied Cowperwood.

“Well, the best thing in my judgment is not to say anything at all.  Just put in your bid.  Van Nostrand, with the governor’s approval, will make the award.  We can fix the governor, I think.  After you get it they may talk to you personally, but that’s your business.”