"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:
