He was now in the real-estate business in Lake View.

Old Peter Laughlin knew him.
"He's a smart little cuss," Laughlin told Cowperwood.

"I thort onct he'd make a go of it, but they ketched him where his hair was short, and he had to let go.

There was an explosion in his tank over here near the river onct, an I think he thort them fellers blew him up.
Anyhow, he got out.

I ain't seen ner heard sight of him fer years." Cowperwood sent old Peter to look up Mr.Sippens and find out what he was really doing, and whether he would be interested to get back in the gas business.