by.

Page took advantage of the interval to tell Laura about Jadwin. He
was very rich, but a bachelor, and had made his money in Chicago
real estate. Some of his holdings in the business quarter of the
city were enormous; Landry Court had told her about him. Jadwin,
unlike Mr. Cressler, was not opposed to speculation. Though not a
member of the Board of Trade, he nevertheless at very long intervals
took part in a "deal" in wheat, or corn, or provisions. He believed
that all corners were doomed to failure, however, and had predicted
Helmick's collapse six months ago. He had influence, was well known
to all Chicago people, what he said carried weight, financiers
consulted him, promoters sought his friendship, his name on the
board of directors of a company was an all-sufficing endorsement; in
a word, a "strong" man.

"I can't understand," exclaimed Laura distrait, referring to the
delay on the part of the Cresslers. "This was the night, and this
was the place, and it is long past the time. We could telephone to
the house, you know," she said, struck with an idea, "and see if
they've started, or what has happened."

"I don't know--I don't know," murmured Mrs. Wessels vaguely. No one
seemed ready to act upon Laura's suggestion, and again the minutes
passed.

"I'm going," declared Laura again, looking at the other two, as if
to demand what they had to say against the idea.

"I just couldn't," declared Page flatly.