With Joe still acting as mentor, he cashed the check, and on reporting for duty to the Sergeant-at-Arms, was gratified to learn that he had been given leave of absence for the day. Joe also, by some occult influence, managed to be excused. Barry's first move was to call on Congressman Carlton and to inform him of the amount of money he had received. Mr. Carlton was delighted, but somewhat taken aback when Barry handed him a ten-dollar note. "What's this for?" he asked, somewhat stiffly. "It's the money you advanced for my railroad fare to Washington." The good-natured man burst into a hearty laugh. He clapped his big palm on Barry's shoulder and said jovially: "Just put that away. You'll have lots of use for it. The money I sent you was a present." "But, Mr. Carlton," insisted Barry, "mother made me promise that the first money I received should be used to pay you back the ten dollars you sent me for my ticket." "Nonsense! I don't want it." "But, I must give it to you," persisted Barry. "If I don't my mother will never forgive me." Mr. Carlton accepted the note somewhat reluctantly. "By the way," he said, reaching into his pocket, "here's an old wallet that I have no more use for. Now that you have become a man of wealth it may be a convenient thing for holding your money." Barry took the gift and thanked Mr. Carlton. "Now, Barry," said the statesman, "I don't want to overburden you with advice, but if I were in your place my first move would be to pay your landlady for the board that is due her, and then give her a week or so in advance. After that lay some money aside for your personal use, and then skedaddle to the postoffice and make out a money order for the balance in favor of your mother. She will appreciate it more than words can tell." "I'll do it," was the fervent response. "All right. Good-bye, and good luck to you." As Barry left the Capitol building he came in contact with Joe Hart, who had also cashed his warrant. The two boys proceeded to their boarding house and both of them paid Mrs. Johnson the money that was due her, together with an advance payment towards the coming month. "Now, what are you going to do?" asked Joe. "I'm going up stairs and write a letter to my mother," said Barry. "I want to enclose a money order to her and get it off in the mail as soon as possible." "All right," said Joe. "I'll wait for you, and then we'll go down town together. Or, if you want to," he added, as an after consideration, "you can walk right over to the postoffice building and write your letter there." Barry adopted the suggestion and the two boys left the house together. As they turned the corner of the Treasury building, the clock in the neighborhood struck the hour of twelve. "Jiminy!" exclaimed Joe, "it's time to eat." The remark put an idea into Barry's head. "Joe," he said, "this is pay-day; let's celebrate!" "Celebrate?" echoed the other. "Yes. I want you to take dinner with me today."