Tbe persons who take part ln the performance of any act, or who are directly Interested in any affair, eontract, or conveyance, or who are actively concerned ln the proseeution and defense of any legal proceeding. U. S. v. Henderlong (C. C.) 102 Fed. 2; Robbins v. Chicago, 4 wall. 672, 18 L. Bd. 427; Green v. Bogue, 158 U. S. 478, 15 Sup. Ct. 975, 39 L. Ed. 1061; Hughes v. Jones, 116 N. Y. 67, 22 N. E. 446, 5 L. R. A. 637, 15 Am. St. Rep. 386. See also Babtt