"The metropolis?" echoed Cobb, with a look of surprise. "Yes." "I do not think that I care about going to New York again; not for the present, anyway," said the other. "Well, did I say anything about going to New York?" returned Hugh, carelessly. "But you spoke of visiting the metropolis." "So I did." "There can be but one metropolis in a country." "True," smiling. "And that must be New York for this country." "And that is not New York for this country." This with a decided emphasis. "I am going to take you to Chicago; to the metropolis of the United States; to the greatest city on earth." He noted the expression of wonder which came over the other's face. "And do you mean to tell me that Chicago is a greater city than New York? Chicago, an inland town, to compete with and excel New York, a sea-port city?" and Cobb shook his head as if he doubted the possibility of the truth of such an assertion. "Why, you have told me that New York has over four million inhabitants; has Chicago more than that number?" "Yes," returned Hugh; "nearly double that number. By the census finished last June, Chicago had, at that date, 7,345,906 souls living within its corporate limits." "Come, Hugh," pettishly exclaimed Cobb, "that's a little too strong. I remember that it was estimated, in 1887, that Chicago would have about 1,500,000 in 1890, and if that estimate was correct, this vast population given by you could never have been obtained through ordinary growth." "Nor was it, Junius. The growth was extraordinary," lightly returned the other. "Humph! So I should say. Why, it is equivalent to a gain of 53,000 persons every year since 1890. Such a rapid growth for so many years is an absurdity."