twenty minutes after 12
exclaimed the secretary . `` That idea , my boy , that idea ! It 's incubated all right , and Peabody and Stevens can come just as soon as they want to . '' At twenty minutes after 12 Senator Langdon and Secretary Haines were still undisturbed by any move on the part of Peabody and Stevens , who maintained a silence that to Haines was distinctly ominous . His experience at the Capitol had taught him that when the Senate machine was quiet it was time for some one to get out from under . Miss Williams , the naval committee 's stenographer , entered . `` Senator Langdon , '' she said , `` Senator Peabody and Senator Stevens are in committee room 6 , and they told me to tell you that they 'd be -- I ca n't say it .