Sec. 26. The committee shall meet at the time and place fixed. The Master shall, ex-officio, be a member and chairman thereof and the Secretary, or a brother appointed in his place, shall record the proceedings. Any statements made shall be taken down by the Secretary or at the Master’s option by a qualified stenographer who shall be a Master Mason in good standing. The committee may adjourn from time to time, and shall have entire charge of the investigation. It may hear the statements privately or in the presence of the objector and petitioner or either of them and neither shall be allowed any objection to the committee or its methods. It may take the statements of masons and non-masons in such manner as may seem to it proper. It shall report at the next stated meeting stating fully the cause of objection and its conclusion thereon. The statements upon which the report is based shall be read in the Lodge, if required.