The boy was silent. The Congressman was so absorbed in his work that he did not notice the long pause in the conversation. When he looked up the second time he was startled at the sight that met his gaze. Barry's face was the color of chalk. He appeared to have shrivelled so much that his clothes hung from his body. "Are you ill?" asked the statesman, with real concern in his voice. "No," said Barry, huskily; "I've found the bill!" "Well," laughing and surprised in the same breath, "I'm glad to hear that, but you needn't be so solemn about it." The boy was tongue-tied. He stood on one foot and then on the other. "Where was it found?" finally asked the Congressman. "Where it was not lost," blurted out Barry. "I found it in my coat pocket!" Carlton's face clouded. "You come here to tell me this?" he said, sternly. "Yes," nodded Barry, his eyes on the floor. "It's been an awful struggle, but I had to tell you." John Carlton was silent for a long, long while. His eyes were never removed from the boy's face for a moment. His own jaws were set in an ugly fashion. But presently it dawned upon him that Barry was very worn and haggard. At once he relented. He spoke mildly: [Illustration: His eyes were never removed from the boy's face for a moment. _See page 264_] "You know all the trouble you have caused?" "Only too well," exclaimed the boy. "It was utter carelessness on my part. I would not have had it happen for the world! I--" "You never returned the bill," interrupted Carlton. "No; I forgot it. I changed my coat. The bill was in the inside pocket. I found it there tonight. I'm ready to pay the penalty. I'll resign my position if--" "Barry--" began the Congressman. "Yes, sir; yes, sir," cried the young page in his agitation, breaking into the other's remarks. "Barry," resumed Carlton, in a voice that was singularly gentle, "you've already paid the penalty." "Already paid it?" "Yes--you've suffered, and you've done the manly thing by coming right to me and telling the truth." Barry looked at him with gratitude beaming from his eyes. "You think so?" "I know it. We all have to pay for our sins of omission and our sins of commission. You've done the only thing that mortal can do. You're sorry; you've confessed--and, I'm sure it will be the lesson of a lifetime." "I'm positive of that," was the fervent response. "Well," said Carlton, rising and putting his arm about the boy's shoulder, "you can go home now and go to sleep with a good conscience." CHAPTER XX HUDSON PLAYS POLITICS At ten o'clock the next morning Barry Wynn walked into the rooms of the Committee on Public Buildings, and coolly handed Joel Phipps the missing bill. "Here is a document that belongs to the Committee," he said. Phipps looked at the bill and gasped. "What? The Cleverly bill?"