etc.; but as for the others, let them
wait until he got out or had to remain permanently. He did think of
writing Aileen, cautioning her to do nothing; but the sheriff now
beckoned, and he quietly followed. Accompanied by his father and Steger,
he ascended to his new room.

It was a simple, white-walled chamber fifteen by twenty feet in size,
rather high-ceiled, supplied with a high-backed, yellow wooden bed,
a yellow bureau, a small imitation-cherry table, three very ordinary
cane-seated chairs with carved hickory-rod backs, cherry-stained also,
and a wash-stand of yellow-stained wood to match the bed, containing
a washbasin, a pitcher, a soap-dish, uncovered, and a small, cheap,
pink-flowered tooth and shaving brush mug, which did not match the
other ware and which probably cost ten cents. The value of this room
to Sheriff Jaspers was what he could get for it in cases like
this--twenty-five to thirty-five dollars a week. Cowperwood would pay
thirty-five.

Cowperwood walked briskly to the window, which gave out on the lawn in
front, now embedded in snow, and said he thought this was all right.
Both his father and Steger were willing and anxious to confer with him
for hours, if he wished; but there was nothing to say. He did not wish
to talk.

"Let Ed bring in some fresh linen in the morning and a couple of suits
of clothes, and I will be all right. George can get my things together."
He was referring to a family servant who acted as valet and in other
capacities. "Tell Lillian not to worry. I'm all right. I'd rather she
would not come here so long as I'm going to be out in five days. If I'm
not, it will be time enough then. Kiss the kids for me." And he smiled
good-naturedly.

After his unfulfilled predictions in regard to the result of this
preliminary trial Steger was almost afraid to suggest confidently
what the State Supreme Court would or would not do; but he had to say
something.

"I don't think you need worry about what the outcome of my appeal will
be, Frank. I'll get a certificate of reasonable doubt, and that's as
good as a stay of two months, perhaps longer. I don't suppose the bail
will be more than thirty thousand dollars at the outside. You'll be out
again in five or six days, whatever happens."

Cowperwood said that he hoped so, and suggested that they drop matters
for the night. After a few fruitless parleys his father and Steger
finally said good night, leaving him to his own private reflection