Barry looked at him helplessly.
"Can I do anything?" he asked, finally.
The Congressman was plunged in thought. Finally he looked up at the boy:
"Yes," he replied, "everybody can do something, Barry," he added, "we've got to stir up Cleverly as it has never been stirred up before. We must have a delegation of citizens come here and present their claims to the members of the Committee on Naval Affairs; we must get in touch with everyone that is worth his salt, and we must have telegrams, letters and petitions fairly rain down upon the members from now until the meeting of the Committee."
The shower came and it was helpful. Also, Mr. Smithers sent a telegram, saying that he was organizing a delegation of leading citizens and that they would reach Washington in a few days. Barry, acting under the direction of Mr. Carlton, sent a number of letters to men who would be likely to assist in agitating the superior claims of Cleverly. One day, after a number of these petitions had been presented in the House, Mr. Carlton happened to meet Jesse Hudson.
"Hello," said the rival, who was still smarting over his defeat in the Garner claim, "you seem to be busy."
"This is my busy day," retorted Carlton, with imperturbable good humor.
"What are you trying to do, advertise Cleverly?" persisted Hudson.
"Incidentally," replied Carlton.
"You know that's all you'll ever get out of it," sneered Hudson. "You know you'll never get that Naval Repair Station."