The secretary who waited on Cowperwood was a young Polish girl named Antoinette Nowak, reserved, seemingly astute, dark, and very attractive.
"What sort of business is it you handle, Mr.McKibben ?" asked Cowperwood, quite casually, in the course of the conversation.

And after listening to McKibben's explanation he added, idly: "You might come and see me some time next week.

It is just possible that I may have something in your line." In another man McKibben would have resented this remote suggestion of future aid.

Now, instead, he was intensely pleased.

The man before him gripped his imagination.