"It hinges on Warrington," said Hudson. "But he's for the bill," whispered the unknown man. "Yes," muttered Hudson, "but he must stay away." "I don't think you can get him to do that." "I think we can." "I doubt it very much." "I don't," was the confident rejoinder. "You know that Warrington loves a good dinner?" In a few moments the three men walked away, leaving the boys alone on the cushioned seat. By this time Senator Graves had arrived at the hotel and Joe Hart was enabled to deliver his message. Barry did not confide the conversation he had overheard to Joe Hart. He wondered what it all meant. He wondered whether he should tell Mr. Carlton about it. After considerable thought he concluded that it was not very important after all and that, in any event, the Congressman was able to take care of himself. But at intervals during the night he kept hearing a familiar voice saying: "You know that Warrington loves a good dinner!" CHAPTER XXIV THE LAST STAND Barry Wynn awoke the following morning with a confused recollection of what he had heard behind the big column in the Cosmopolis Hotel. But in the clear light of day it did not take him long to determine what he should do. He resolved to tell the story to Mr. Carlton for just what it was worth. Immediately after breakfast he hastened to the Capitol, but was disappointed to learn that the Congressman would not be in his office until noon. Barry waited until that hour only to find that it would not be possible for Mr. Carlton to see anyone until later in the day. The boy was in a fever of impatience by this time. He hardly knew what to do. He knew that the Committee on Naval Affairs was to meet at three o'clock and he resolved to stand at the door of the Committee room and intercept Mr. Carlton as he went into the meeting. It was a minute after the appointed time when the familiar form of the Congressman came swinging down the corridor in double-quick time. "Mr. Carlton! Mr. Carlton!" cried the boy. "Hello, Barry," responded the statesman, but without stopping. The young page ran after him and caught him by the sleeve. "There is something I want to tell you--something important," he panted. The Congressman slackened his pace without stopping. "Well, what is it? You must speak quickly. I'm in a mighty big hurry." "I heard--I heard," gasped Barry, trying to talk and keep pace with his friends at the same time, "I heard that Mr. Hudson was going to try and defeat your bill today." John Carlton laughed. "I've heard that myself a dozen times. I can't say it's news." "But they talked it over last night," persisted the boy. "I heard them--while I was at the hotel." "I don't doubt it," retorted the other, wearily, "and if I stay here talking to you any longer they'll cook my goose sure enough." "But I have more I must tell you. I'm sure--" "Not now," interrupted Carlton.