"Yes," she replied, "my boy, Danny Lewis. He is head of the local messenger boys in the district telegraph office. He was taken sick two weeks ago and the doctor said it was typhoid fever. Someone had to take his place at the office, and when Joe Hart heard of it he volunteered to act as substitute. For more than a week he has been acting as page in the House during the day and chief of the telegraph boys at night. He did it to keep Danny from losing his position. You know these things are mighty uncertain. Now the week for Danny's night shifts is passed and everything is safe, but Joe didn't stop at that. He knew we were poor, and he has been buying food and fruit almost every night." The strange lump that came into Barry's throat prevented him from making any reply. But his hand was perfectly free, and when he put it into Mrs. Lewis' she found that he had left another five-dollar bill in her palm. Half an hour later, as he turned into the street where Mrs. Johnson's boarding house was located, he almost collided with Joe Hart, who was coming in another direction. He looked at him very fixedly and said in a stern voice: "Where have you been?" "I've been out." "That don't answer my question," said Barry, severely. "I want to know where you've been spending your nights." "Oh, nowhere in particular," said Joe, hastily, and then, in an endeavor to turn the subject, he said: "How do you like your work at the Capitol?" "It's none of your business how I like my work," laughed Barry, "but it is my business to tell you that you've been discovered!" "Discovered!" echoed Joe. "Yes. Caught, captured, found out! Don't you know the meaning of the English language?" "Yes, but I don't know what you're talking about." "I'm talking about the way you've been spending your time the last two weeks. I know all about you." "How do you know?" "Well, I saw you tonight and know all that you did." For an instant Joe threatened to become belligerent. He doubled up his fists and came towards Barry in a menacing way. Then he reconsidered himself and his hands dropped listlessly to his sides. He spoke in a reproachful way: "I think that was mighty mean of you, Barry Wynn." "I think so, too," confessed Barry. "I'm ashamed of myself all right, but Mrs. Johnson was worried, and Joe--Joe, I'm mighty proud of you." Barry, as he spoke, put his arm around Joe's shoulder, but the boy pushed it away. His face was flushed and he looked embarrassed. "Say, Barry," he said finally, "I want you to make a solemn promise to me." [Illustration: "I want you to make a solemn promise to me" _See page 126_] "What is it?" "Never mind what it is. I want you to say that you will do as I say." "All right," said Barry, finally; "I'll promise. What is it?" Joe looked the picture of humiliation. His eyes were on the ground and he spoke pleadingly: "Barry, it's just this. I want you to promise me that you'll never mention this business to the other boys at the Capitol."