Luke opened the door to his office to find the room warm and well lit. Theodore Sedgwick glanced up from his desk, then got up to help Luke with his coat and hat.

“I was told it’s minus ten degrees Fahrenheit today,” Theodore declared. “Hard on man and beast alike.”

“How cold can it get here?” Luke unwound the knitted scarf he wore.

“I believe the record is around minus forty,” Theodore answered as he went to hang up Luke’s coat on the coat tree.

“Grief, but that’s cold. We were never that cold in Philadelphia.”

“No, the weather was milder,” Theodore replied.

Luke stopped and looked at him. He had a vague recollection that Gloriana had said something about Theodore living in Pennsylvania. “When did you live in Philadelphia?”

“Many years ago. Before the war. I wasn’t there long. I was there again just before coming here. It’s a lovely town. I very much enjoy the history of our Founding Fathers and how Philadelphia was once the center of our government. It still holds great interest in our country’s finances.”

Luke nodded and handed his hat and gloves to Theodore as well. “It’s a nice town, but while my father desires it for his home, I’m mixed. I have seen a lot of the world and have to admit there are other places that intrigue me more. Duluth being one of them.”

“I heard you’re building a new house. Does that mean you intend to stay on?”

“Mr. Cooke has asked me to, and I see no reason not to,” Luke admitted. “I have quite a few interests here, and investing in this town appeals to me. What do you think? Is it a good place to invest in?”

Theodore seemed taken aback by his question. “I . . . well, I think it is. Obviously, there is reason to believe it might very well be the next Chicago.” He smiled. “I would invest heavily had I the means to do so.”

Luke chuckled. “That was my thinking too. The lake alone makes it valuable.”

Theodore took his seat. “Undoubtedly.”

Luke made his way to his office and thought of the various opportunities he’d already heard about. This morning he was set to have a meeting with Roger Munger regarding the canal he wanted to see built. Luke was more than a little interested in hearing all of the details. He had a feeling, given the kind of money being invested in the city by Jay Cooke, it would behoove him to have a working knowledge of other projects that might also benefit his boss. However, he was also looking for personal investments, and the canal sounded like a good one.

“Mr. Rowland is here to see you,” Theodore said from the open door to his office.