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.”