y."

"I know," put in Mr. McKenty. "I have heard something of it."

"Quite so," replied Cowperwood. "Because of their opposition I made
them an offer to combine these three companies and the three new ones
into one, take out a new charter, and give the city a uniform gas
service. They would not do that--largely because I was an outsider, I
think. Since then another person, Mr. Schryhart"--McKenty nodded--"who
has never had anything to do with the gas business here, has stepped in
and offered to combine them. His plan is to do exactly what I wanted to
do; only his further proposition is, once he has the three old
companies united, to invade this new gas field of ours and hold us up,
or force us to sell by obtaining rival franchises in these outlying
places. There is talk of combining these suburbs with Chicago, as you
know, which would allow these three down-town franchises to become
mutually operative with our own. This makes it essential for us to do
one of several things, as you may see--either to sell out on the best
terms we can now, or to continue the fight at a rather heavy expense
without making any attempt to strike back, or to get into the city
council and ask for a franchise to do business in the down-town
section--a general blanket franchise to sell gas in Chicago alongside
of the old companies--with the sole intention of protecting ourselves,
as one of my officers is fond of saying," added Cowperwood, humorously.

McKenty smiled again. "I see," he said. "Isn't that a rather large
order, though, Mr. Cowperwood, seeking a new franchise? Do you suppose
the general public would agree that the city needs an extra gas
company? It's true the old companies haven't been any too generous. My
own gas isn't of the best." He smiled vaguely, prepared to listen
further.

"Now, Mr. McKenty, I know that you are a practical man," went on
Cowperwood, ignoring this interruption, "and so am I. I am not coming
to you with any vague story concerning my troubles and expecting you to
be interested as a matter of sympathy. I realize that to go into the
city council of Chicago with a legitimate proposition is one thing. To
get it passed and approved by the city authorities is another. I need
advice and assistance, and I am not begging it. If I could get a
general franchise, such as I have described, it would be worth a very
great deal of money to me. It would help me to close up and realize on
these new companies wh