The secretary who waited on Cowperwood was a young Polish girl
named Antoinette Nowak, reserved, seemingly astute, dark, and very
attractive.

"What sort of business is it you handle, Mr. McKibben?" asked
Cowperwood, quite casually, in the course of the conversation.
And after listening to McKibben's explanation he added, idly: "You
might come and see me some time next week. It is just possible
that I may have something in your line."

In another man McKibben would have resented this remote suggestion
of future aid. Now, instead, he was intensely pleased. The man
before him gripped his imagination. His remote intellectuality
relaxed. When he came again and Cowperwood indicated the nature
of the work he might wish to have done McKibben rose to the bait
like a fish to a fly.

"I wish you would let me undertake that, Mr. Cowperwood," he said,
quite eagerly. "It's something I've never done, but I'm satisfied
I can do it. I live out in Hyde Park and know most of the councilmen.
I can bring considerable influence to bear for you."

Cowperwood smiled pleasantly.

So a second company, officered by dummies of McKibben's selection,
was organized. De Soto Sippens, without old General Van Sickle's
knowledge, was taken in as practical adviser. An application for
a franchise was drawn up, and Kent Barrows McKibben began silent,
polite work on the South Side, coming into the confidence, by
degrees, of the various councilmen.