The Senator waved them all to a seat and then introduced Mr. Conway and Barry to a young man who was present and who proved to be one of the official stenographers of the House of Representatives. "Senator," said Conway, in the voice of an attorney addressing a jury, "my evidence will be brief and to the point. I have to present Mr. Barry Wynn, who is responsible for the report of the speeches made at the meeting in question." Barry, thus introduced, stepped forward and handed his note book to the Senator. "This contains the remarks that I reported at the meeting," he said. "I have enclosed an affidavit which declares that they are the identical shorthand notes taken by me at the meeting." "What now?" asked the Senator, looking at Mr. Conway. "I'd like your stenographer to read these notes." The young man, thus called upon, read from the book in a clear and distinct voice. The transcript that he made from the notes was identical with the report of the speeches that Felix Conway had made in his newspaper. "That is sufficient," said Senator Graves, and rising, and putting one hand on Conway's shoulder and the other on Barry's, he said: "There is nothing further to be said in the matter. You boys know your business. You have the proof conclusive that you were in the right. No one can successfully attack Mr. Conway's report." CHAPTER XXIII WHAT BARRY OVERHEARD John Carlton was very much concerned with the current political developments and felt a particular interest in the storm which had been aroused by Jesse Hudson's ill advised meeting. He was discussing the situation with a fellow member of the House when he was joined by Felix Conway, his Celtic face aglow with enthusiasm. "We've got 'em going, Mr. Carlton!" he exclaimed. The Congressman nodded soberly. "Yes, you've got 'em going, all right," he assented. The journalist was quick to catch the note of doubt in his friend's voice. "I hope you're not afraid of a battle," he said, somewhat nettled. Carlton looked at him a moment before replying. Then he spoke rather deliberately. "No, Felix; I am not afraid of a battle. I am not afraid of war either. I went through one war, as you know, and I've got some scars on me to show for it. But there is one thing you must not forget. There is hardly ever a battle or a war without a list of killed and wounded." Conway was disposed to be argumentative. "That's true," he admitted, "but you will have to admit that it's a glorious thing to die in a good cause." "It's a glorious thing for the survivors," assented the Congressman, "but I don't know how the killed and wounded feel about it." "Your bill comes up tomorrow, I believe," he said. "Yes," responded Mr. Carlton, "and that's what I have been thinking about all the time." "Don't you feel sure about it?"