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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/16397-8.txt b/16397-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9024c6 --- /dev/null +++ b/16397-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7702 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Larry Dexter's Great Search, by Howard R. +Garis + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Larry Dexter's Great Search + or, The Hunt for the Missing Millionaire + + +Author: Howard R. Garis + + + +Release Date: July 30, 2005 [eBook #16397] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH*** + + +E-text prepared by Barbara Tozier, Charles Aldarondo, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH + +Or, The Hunt for the Missing Millionaire + +by + +HOWARD R. GARIS + +Author of "From Office Boy to Reporter," "Larry Dexter, Reporter," +"Dick Hamilton's Fortune," etc. + +Illustrated + +New York +Grosset & Dunlap +Publishers + +1909 + + + + + + + +[Illustration: "HERE IT IS!" CRIED LARRY. (Frontispiece)] + + + + * * * * * * + + +Books For Boys +By Howard R. Garis + + +THE DICK HAMILTON SERIES + + + DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE + Or The Stirring Doings of a Millionaire's Son + + DICK HAMILTON'S CADET DAYS + Or The Handicap of a Millionaire's Son + + DICK HAMILTON'S STEAM YACHT + Or A Young Millionaire and the Kidnappers + + DICK HAMILTON'S FOOTBALL TEAM + Or A Young Millionaire on the Gridiron + + (Other volumes in preparation) + + 12 mo. Cloth. Illustrated. + Price, per volume, 60 cents, postpaid + + + + +THE YOUNG REPORTER SERIES + + + FROM OFFICE BOY TO REPORTER + Or The First Step in Journalism + + LARRY DEXTER, THE YOUNG REPORTER + Or Strange Adventures in a Great City + + LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH + Or The Hunt for a Missing Millionaire + + LARRY DEXTER AND THE BANK MYSTERY + Or A Young Reporter in Wall Street + + LARRY DEXTER AND THE STOLEN BOY + Or A Young Reporter on the Lakes + + 12 mo. Cloth. Illustrated + Price, per volume, 40 cents, postpaid + + +Grosset & Dunlap +Publishers New York + + + + * * * * * * + + + + +PREFACE + + +Dear Boys: + +I hope you will be glad to read of the further adventures of Larry +Dexter. He has made some progress since you first made his +acquaintance in the book "From Office Boy to Reporter." He has also +advanced in his chosen profession from the days when he did his +first news-gathering for the _Leader_. In this volume he is sent on +a "special assignment," as it is called. He has to find a New York +millionaire who has mysteriously disappeared. + +How Larry solved the strange secret, I have woven into a story that +I trust will be liked by all the boys who read it. I have taken many +incidents from real life for this story, using some of my own +experiences while a newspaper reporter as a basis for facts. + +The things that happened to Larry are not at all out of the +ordinary among reporters. The life has many strange surprises in it. +If I have been able to set them down in a way that will please you +boys, and if you enjoy following the further fortunes of Larry +Dexter, I shall feel amply repaid for my efforts on this volume. + +Yours sincerely, + +HOWARD R. GARIS. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER PAGE + +I. THE WRECK 1 + +II. ASHORE ON A RAFT 10 + +III. THE MAN AT THE HUT 17 + +IV. RESCUED FROM THE SEA 26 + +V. LARRY'S SCOOP 33 + +VI. A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE 42 + +VII. LARRY OVERHEARS SOMETHING 49 + +VIII. AN INTERVIEW WITH SULLIVAN 57 + +IX. EVERYTHING BUT THE FACTS 64 + +X. THREATS AGAINST LARRY 73 + +XI. A MISSING MILLIONAIRE 81 + +XII. A BRAVE GIRL 88 + +XIII. WHERE IS HE? 94 + +XIV. IN THE TENEMENT HOUSE 100 + +XV. LARRY'S SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT 109 + +XVI. SULLIVAN'S QUEER ACCUSATION 118 + +XVII. GRACE GETS A LETTER 125 + +XVIII. LARRY IS BAFFLED 138 + +XIX. GRACE ON THE TRAIL 148 + +XX. LARRY GETS A SCARE 156 + +XXI. TRACING RETTO 167 + +XXII. GRACE IS SUSPICIOUS 174 + +XXIII. CAPTAIN TANTRELLA ARRIVES 180 + +XXIV. RETTO IS CAUGHT 186 + +XXV. IN THE HOSPITAL 192 + +XXVI. A NEW CLUE 200 + +XXVII. THE DETECTIVE'S THEORY 208 + +XXVIII. A TERRIBLE MISTAKE 214 + +XXIX. IN HIS ENEMIES' POWER 222 + +XXX. MR. POTTER IS FOUND--CONCLUSION 229 + + + + +LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE WRECK + + +Into the city room of the New York _Leader_ hurried Mr. Whiggen, the +telegraph editor. In his hand was a slip of paper, containing a few +typewritten words. Mr. Whiggen laid it on the desk of Bruce Emberg, +the city editor. + +"Just came in over our special wire," said Mr. Whiggen. "Looks as if +it might be a bad wreck. That's a dangerous coast. I thought you +might like to send one of your men down to cover it." + +"Thanks," replied the city editor. "I will. Let's see," and, while +he read the message, a score of reporters in the room looked up to +see what had caused the telegraph editor to come in with such a +rush. + +This is what Mr. Emberg read from the slip Mr. Whiggen handed him: + +"BULLETIN.--S.S. _Olivia_ ashore off Seven Mile Beach, on sand bar. +Big steerage list, some cabin passengers--fruit cargo. Ship badly +listed, but may get off at high tide. If not, liable to break up in +storm. Passengers safe yet.--ASSOCIATED PRESS." + +There followed a brief description of the vessel, compiled from the +maritime register, giving her tonnage, size, and when built. + +"Um," remarked Mr. Emberg when he had read the short message, which +was what newspaper men call a "flash" or bulletin, intended to +notify the journals of the barest facts of the story. "This looks as +if it would amount to something. I'll send a man down. Have we any +one there?" + +"We've got a man in Ocean City," replied the telegraph editor, "but +I'm afraid I can't reach him. Have to depend on the Associated Press +until we can get some one down." + +"All right, I'll send right away." + +The telegraph editor went back to his sanctum on the run, for it was +near first-edition time and he wanted to get a display head written +for the wreck story. Mr. Emberg looked over the room, in which many +reporters were at work, most of them typewriting stories as fast as +their fingers could fly over the keys. Several of the news-gatherers +who had heard the conversation between the two editors hoped they +might be sent on that assignment, for though it meant hard work it +was a chance to get out of the city for a while. + +"Are you up, Newton?" asked Mr. Emberg of a reporter in the far +corner of the room. + +"No, I've got that political story to write yet." + +"That's so. I can't spare you. How about you, Larry?" + +"I'm up," was the answer, which is the newspaper man's way of saying +his particular task is finished. + +"Here, then, jump out on this," and the city editor handed the +telegram to a tall, good-looking youth, who arose from his desk near +a window. + +Larry Dexter, who had risen from the rank of office boy to reporter, +took in the message at a glance. + +"Shall I start now?" he asked. + +"As soon as you can get a train. Seven Mile Beach is down on the +Jersey coast, near Anglesea. You can't get there in time to wire us +anything for to-day, but rush a good story for to-morrow. If a storm +comes up, and they have to rescue the passengers, it will make a +corker. Don't be afraid of slinging your words if it turns out worth +while. Here's an order on the cashier for some money. Hustle now," +and Mr. Emberg scribbled down something on a slip of paper which he +handed to the young reporter. + +"Leave the message in the telegraph room as you go out," went on +the city editor. "Mr. Whiggen may want it. Hustle now, Larry, and do +your best." + +Many envious eyes followed Larry Dexter as he hurried out of the +city room, putting on his coat and hat as he went, for he had been +working in his shirt sleeves. + +Larry went down the long corridor, stopping in the telegraph room to +leave the message which was destined to be responsible for his part +in a series of strange events. He had little idea, as he left the +_Leader_ office that morning, that his assignment to get the story +of the wreck was the beginning of a singular mystery. + +Larry cashed the order Mr. Emberg had given him, and hurried to the +railroad station. He found there was no train for an hour, and, +telephoning to the city editor to that effect, received permission +to go home and get some extra clothing, as he might have to stay +away several days. + +The young reporter rather startled his mother as he hurried in to +tell her he was going out of town, but Mrs. Dexter had, in a +measure, become used to her son doing all sorts of queer things +since he had started in newspaper life. + +"Will you be gone long, Larry?" she asked, as he kissed her +good-bye, having packed a small valise. + +"Can't say, mother. Probably not more than two days." + +"Bring me some sea shells," begged Larry's brother, Jimmie, a +bright little chap. + +"And I want a lobster and a crab and a starfish," spoke Mary, a +sunny-haired toddler. + +"All right, and I'll bring Lucy some shells to make beads of," +answered Larry, mentioning his older sister, who was not at home. + +Larry found he had not much time left to catch his train, and he was +obliged to hurry to the ferry which took him to Jersey City. There +he boarded a Pennsylvania Railroad train, and was soon being whirled +toward the coast. + +Seven Mile Beach was a rather dangerous stretch of the Jersey shore, +not far from Cape May. There were several lighthouses along it, but +they did not always prevent vessels from running on a long sand bar, +some distance out. More than one gallant ship had struck far up on +it, and, being unable to get off, had been pounded to pieces by the +waves. + +By inquiring Larry found that the wreck of the _Olivia_ was just off +a lonely part of the coast, and that there were no railroad stations +near it. + +"Where had I better get off?" he asked, of the conductor. + +"Well, you can get off at Sea Isle City, or Sackett's Harbor. Both +stations are about five miles from where the ship lies, according to +all accounts. Then you can walk." + +"He can do better than that," interposed a brakeman. + +"How?" asked Larry. + +"There's a station, or rather what remains of it, half way between +those places," the brakeman said. "It used to be called Miller's +Beach. Started to be a summer resort, but it failed. There's nothing +there now but a few fishermen's huts. But I guess that's nearer the +wreck than Sea Isle City or Sackett's Harbor." + +"Is there a place I could stay all night?" asked the young reporter. + +"You might find a place. It's pretty lonesome. Sometimes, in the +summer, there are campers there, but it's too late in the fall now +to expect any of 'em. We'll stop there for water, and you can get +off if you like." + +Larry hardly knew what to do. Still he decided he was sent to get a +story of the wreck, and he felt it would be well to get as near to +it as possible. But there was another thing to think of, and that +was how to get his news back into the _Leader_ office. He must be +near a telegraph station. Inquiry of the trainmen disclosed the fact +that the nearest one was three miles from Miller's Beach. + +"Guess I'll chance it," concluded Larry. + +"We'll be there in an hour," went on the brakeman. "It's the +jumping-off place, so to speak, and it's not going to be very +pleasant there when the storm breaks." + +That a heavy storm was gathering was all too evident from the mass +of dark, rolling clouds in the east. They hung low, and there was a +rising wind. + +"I wouldn't want to be on that vessel," remarked the brakeman as the +train, having stopped at a small station, started off again. "It's +beginning to rain now, and it will blow great guns before morning." + +Several men, their faces bronzed from exposure to the weather, had +boarded the train. They talked quietly in one corner of the car. + +"Who are they?" asked Larry, of the brakeman. + +"Life savers, from the Anglesea station. Going to Tatums, I guess." + +"What for?" + +"Tatums is the life-saving station nearest where the vessel is +ashore. Maybe they are going to help in case she breaks up in the +storm. Tatums is about three miles below where you are going." + +Larry began to see that he would have no easy task in getting news +of the wreck, or in transmitting it after he had it. But he was not +going to worry so early in the undertaking. So, when the brakeman +warned him that the train was nearing the water tank, which was all +that remained of interest to the railroad people at Miller's Beach, +the young reporter prepared to alight. + +As he went out on the platform the wind increased in violence, and +then, with a rush and a roar, the rain began to fall in torrents. + +Larry wished he could stay in the train, as he had no umbrella, but +there was no help for it. He leaped off the platform of the car +almost before it had stopped, and looked for a place of shelter. He +was surprised to see several large buildings in front of him, but +even through the mist of rain he noted that they were dilapidated +and forsaken. He was in the midst of a deserted seaside resort. + +He hurried on, being wet through before he had gone a dozen steps. +Then he heard the train puffing away. It seemed as though he was +left all alone in a very lonesome place. + +"Hi! Where you going?" a voice hailed him. + +Larry looked up, to see a man clad in yellow oilskins and rubber +boots standing in front of him. + +"I came down about the wreck," was the young reporter's reply. + +"Got any folks aboard? If you have I'm sorry. She's broken her +back!" + +"No; I'm a reporter from New York. What do you mean about breaking +her back?" + +"Why, she ran away up on the bar at high tide. When it got low tide +a while ago the bows and stern just sagged down, and she broke in +two. They've got to work hard to save the passengers." + +"That's a good story," was Larry's ejaculation, but it was not as +heartless as it sounds, for he was only speaking professionally. "I +must get down after it." + +"What? With night coming on, the wreck almost half a mile out, and +it coming on to blow like all possessed?" asked the man in oilskins. +"Guess you don't know much about the sea, young man." + +"Very little," answered Larry. + +A sudden gust of wind, which dashed the rain with great force into +his face, nearly carried the reporter off his feet. He looked about +for a place of shelter. + +"Better come with me," suggested the man. "There are no hotel +accommodations here, though there once were. I have a shack down on +the beach, and you're welcome to what I've got. I fish for a living. +Bailey's my name. Bert Bailey." + +"Go ahead. I'll follow," returned Larry. "I'd like to get out of +this rain." + +"Have to tog you out like me," said the old fisherman, as he led the +youth toward his hut. "These are the only things for this weather." + +As they hastened on there came over the water the boom of a signal +gun from the wrecked steamer. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +ASHORE ON A RAFT + + +"What's that?" asked the young reporter, pausing. + +"She's firing for help," replied the fisherman. "Can't last much +longer now." + +"Can't the life savers do anything?" + +"They'll try, as soon as they can. Hard to get a boat off in this +surf. It comes up mighty fast and heavy. Have to use the breeches +buoy, I reckon. But come on, and I'll lend you some dry things to +put on." + +Five minutes later Larry was inside the hut. It was small, +consisting of only two rooms, but it was kept as neatly as though it +was part of a ship. + +In a small stove there was a blazing fire of driftwood, and Larry +drew near to the grateful heat, for, though it was only late in +September, it was much colder at the beach than in the city, and he +was chilly from the drenching. + +"Lucky I happened to see you," Bailey went on. "I went down to the +train to get my paper. One of the brakemen throws me one off each +trip. It's all the news I get. I didn't expect any one down. This +used to be quite a place years ago, but it's petered out. But come +on, get your wet things off, and I'll see what I can do for you." + +Larry was glad enough to do so. Fortunately he had brought some +extra underwear in his valise, and, after a good rub-down before the +stove, he donned the garments, and then put on a pair of the +fisherman's trousers and an old coat, until his own clothes could +dry. + +As he sat before the stove, warm and comfortable after the +drenching, and safe from the storm, which was now raging with +increased fury outside, Larry heard the deep booming of the signal +guns coming to him from across the angry sea. + +"Are they in any danger?" he asked of Bailey, as the fisherman +prepared to get a meal. + +"Danger? There's always danger on the sea, my boy. I wouldn't want +to be on that vessel, and I've been in some pretty tight places and +gotten out again. She went ashore in a fog early this morning, but +it will be a good while before she gets off. Seven Mile Beach hates +to let go of a thing once it gets a hold." + +It was getting dusk, and what little light of the fading day was +left was obscured by the masses of storm clouds. The fisherman's hut +was on the beach, not far from the high-water mark, and the booming +of the surf on the shore came as a sort of melancholy accompaniment +to the firing of the signal gun. + +"Where is the wreck?" asked Larry, going to a window that looked +out on the sea. + +"Notice that black speck, right in line with my boat on the beach?" +asked Bailey, pointing with a stubby forefinger over the young +reporter's shoulder. + +"That thing that looks like a seagull?" + +"That's her. You can't see it very well on account of the rain, but +there she lies, going to pieces fast, I'm afraid." + +"Why didn't they get the people off before this?" + +"Captain wouldn't accept help. Thought the vessel would float off +and he'd save his reputation. The life savers went out when it was +fairly calm, but didn't take anyone ashore. Now it's too late, I +reckon." + +As the fisherman spoke a rocket cleaved the fast-gathering blackness +and shot up into the air. + +"What's that?" asked Larry. + +"She's firing signal lights. Wait and you'll see the coast-guard +send up one in reply." + +Presently a blue glare, up the beach not far from the cottage, shone +amid the storm and darkness. + +"That's George Tucker, burning a Coston light," explained Bailey. +"He patrols this part of the beach to-night. They may try the boat +again, but it's a risk." + +There was an exchange of colored lights between the beach patrol and +those on the steamer. Larry watched them curiously. He tried to +picture the distress of those aboard the ship, waiting for help from +shore; help that was to save them from the hungry waves all about. + +"I wonder how I'm going to get news of this to the paper," Larry +asked himself. He was beginning to feel quite worried, for he +realized a great tragedy might happen at any moment, and he knew the +_Leader_ must have an account of it early the next morning, for it +was an afternoon paper. The managing editor would probably order an +extra. + +"Couldn't I go down to the life-saving station?" asked Larry. "Maybe +I could go out in a boat and get some news." + +"They wouldn't let you, and, if they would, you couldn't send any +news up to your paper from here to-night," replied the fisherman. +"The nearest telegraph office is closed. Better stay here until +morning. Then you can do something. I'll fix you up with oilskins +after supper, if you like, and we'll go out on the beach. But I +don't believe they'll launch the life-boat to-night." + +The storm had now settled down into a fierce, steady wind and +dashing rain. It fairly shook the little hut, and the stove roared +with the draught created. Bailey soon had a hot meal ready, and +Larry did full justice to it. + +"Now we'll go out on the beach," the fisherman said, as he donned +his oilskins, and got out a suit for Larry. The youth looked like +anything but a reporter when he put on the boots and tied the +yellow hat under his chin, for otherwise the wind would have whipped +it off in an instant. + +They closed up the hut, leaving a lantern burning in it, and started +down toward the ocean. Through the darkness Larry could see a line +of foam where the breakers struck the beach. They ran hissing over +the pebbles and broken shells, and then surged back again. As the +two walked along, a figure, carrying a lantern and clad as they +were, in yellow oilskins, loomed up in the darkness. + +"Hello, George!" cried Bailey, above the roar of the wind. "Going to +get the boat out?" + +"Not to-night. I signalled down to the station, but they flashed +back that the surf was too high. We'll try the buoy in the morning, +if the ship lasts that long, which I'm afraid she won't, for she's +being pounded hard." + +"The station where they keep the life-boat is about two miles below +where we are now," Bailey explained to Larry. "We'll go down in the +morning." + +Suddenly a series of lights shot into the air from out at sea. + +"What's that?" cried Larry. + +"It's a signal that she's going to pieces fast!" cried the +coast-guard. "Maybe we'll have to try the breeches buoy to-night. I +must go to the station. They may need my help." + +As the beach patrol hurried up the sandy stretch, Larry had half a +notion to follow him. He wanted to see the operation of setting up +the breeches buoy in order to make a good story, with plenty of +details. He was about to propose to the fisherman that they go, when +Bailey, who had gone down to the water's edge, uttered a cry. + +"What is it?" called the reporter, hastening to the side of the old +man. + +"Looks like a life-raft from the steamer!" exclaimed Bailey. "She +must have broken up. Maybe there's some one on this. Give me a hand. +We'll try to haul it ashore when the next high wave sends it up on +the beach." + +Larry strained his eyes for a sight of the object. He could just +discern something white, rising and falling on the tumultuous +billows. + +"Come on!" cried Bailey, rushing down into the first line of surf, +as a big roller lifted the object and flung it onward. "Grab it and +pull!" + +Larry sprang down the sand. He waded out into the water, surprised +to find how strong it was even in the shallow place. He made a grab +for the dim white object. His hands grasped a rope. At the same time +the fisherman got hold of another rope. + +"Pull!" cried Bailey, and Larry bent his back in an effort to snatch +the raft from the grip of the sea. + +At first the waves shoved the raft toward them, then, as the waters +receded, the current sucked it out again. But the fisherman was +strong and Larry was no weakling. They hauled until they had the +raft out of reach of the rollers. Then, while there came a wilder +burst of the storm, and a dash of spray from the waves, Bailey +leaned over the raft. + +"There's a man lashed to it!" the fisherman cried. "We must get him +to my shack and try to save him! Hurry now!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE MAN AT THE HUT + + +With a few quick strokes of his knife Bailey severed the ropes that +bound the unconscious man to the raft. Then, taking him by the +shoulders, and directing Larry to grasp the stranger's legs, they +started for the hut. + +"Queer there weren't more to come ashore on that raft," the +fisherman remarked as they trudged over the sand. "It would hold a +dozen with safety. Maybe they were all swept off but this one. Poor +souls! there'll be many a one in Davy Jones's locker to-night I'm +afraid." + +"Is he--is he dead?" asked Larry, hesitatingly, for he had never +handled a lifeless person before. + +"I'm afraid so, but you never can tell. I've seen 'em stay under +water a good while and brought back to life. You'd best help me +carry him in, and then run for some of the life guards. I'll be +working over him, and maybe I can bring him around." + +Through the storm the two staggered with their burden. They reached +the hut, and the man was tenderly placed on the floor near the fire. + +"You hurry down the coast, and if you can see any of the guards +tell 'em to come here," Bailey said to Larry. "They can't do +anything for the wreck to-night." + +Larry glanced at the man he had helped save from the sea. The +stranger was of large size, and seemed well-dressed, though his +clothes were anything but presentable now. His face was partly +concealed by the collar of his coat, which was turned up, and Larry +noted that the man had a heavy beard and moustache. + +These details he took in quickly while he was buttoning his oilskin +jacket tighter around his neck for another dash into the storm. +Then, as he opened the door of the hut to go in search of a +coast-guard, Bailey began to strip the wet garments from the +unconscious man. + +Larry was met by a heavy gust of wind and a dash of rain as he went +outside again. He bent his head to the blast and made his way down +the beach, the lantern he carried making fantastic shadows on the +white sand. + +He had not gone far before he saw a figure coming toward him. He +waited, and in a few minutes was joined by George Tucker. + +"Mr. Bailey wants you to come to his place and help him save a man +who just came in on a raft," said Larry. + +"Can't do it, my boy. I was just coming for him to help us launch +the life-boat. We need all the men we can get, though we've got help +from the station below us. Captain Needam sent me after Bailey." + +"I don't believe he'll come," said Larry. "He'll not want to leave +the man he pulled from the ocean." + +"No, I don't s'pose he will," said George. "He may save a life. But +we've got to try for the steamer. She's going to pieces, and there +are many aboard of her, though I'm afraid there'll be fewer by +morning." + +"I'll come and help you," said the reporter. "I don't know much +about life-boats, but I'm strong." + +"Come along, then," said the coast guard. + +They made their way down the beach, Larry accepting, in the manner +newspaper reporters soon become accustomed to, the new rôle he was +suddenly called on to play. + +While he is thus journeying through the storm to aid in saving life, +there will be an opportunity to tell you something about his past, +and how he came to be a reporter on a leading New York newspaper. + +Larry's introduction to a newspaper life was told of in the first +volume of this series, entitled "From Office Boy to Reporter." At +the start the youth lived with his mother, who was a widow, and his +two sisters and a brother, on a farm in New York State. + +The farm was sold for an unpaid mortgage after the death of Larry's +father, and the little family came to New York to visit a sister of +Mrs. Dexter, as Larry thought he could find work in the big city. + +On their arrival they found that Mrs. Dexter's sister had +unexpectedly gone out West to visit relatives, because of the sudden +death of her husband. The Dexter family was befriended by a Mr. +Jackson and his wife, and made the best of the situation. After many +unsuccessful trials elsewhere, Larry got a position as office boy on +the New York _Leader_. + +His devotion to duty had attracted the attention of Harvey Newton, +one of the "star" reporters on the sheet, and Mr. Emberg, the city +editor, took a liking to Larry. In spite of the enmity of Peter +Manton, another office boy on the same paper, Larry prospered. He +was sent with Mr. Newton to report a big flood, and were there when +a large dam broke, endangering many lives. Larry, who was sent to +the telegraph office with an account of the accident, written by Mr. +Newton on the spot, had an exciting race with Peter, who was then +working for a rival newspaper. Larry won, and for his good work was +advanced to be a regular reporter. + +In the second volume of the series, entitled "Larry Dexter, +Reporter," I told of his experiences as a gatherer of news in a +great city. + +In that book was related how Larry, with the aid of Mr. Newton, +waged war against a gang of swindlers who were trying to rob the +city, and, incidentally, Larry himself, for, as it developed, his +mother had a deed to certain valuable property in the Bronx Park +section of New York, and the swindlers desired to get possession of +the land. They wanted to hold it and sell it to the city at a high +price, but Larry got ahead of them. + +To further their ends the bad men took away Jimmie, Larry's little +brother, but the young reporter, and his friend Mr. Newton, traced +the boy and found him. Peter Manton had a hand in the kidnapping +scheme. + +By the sale of the Bronx land Mrs. Dexter became possessed of enough +money to put her beyond the fear of immediate want; Larry decided to +continue on in the newspaper field, and when this story opens he was +regarded as one of the best workers on the staff of the _Leader_. +His assignment to get the story of the wreck was his first big one +since the incidents told of in the second volume. + +At Larry and the coast-guard trudged down the beach the guns from +the doomed steamer were fired more frequently, and the rockets +lighted up the darkness with a weird glare. + +"Not much farther now," remarked George, as he peered ahead through +the blackness, whitened here and there with masses of flying spray. + +A little later they were at the life-saving station. The place was +in seeming confusion, yet every man was at his post. Most of them +were hauling out the long wagon frame, on which the life-boat +rested. They were bringing the craft down to the beach to try to +launch it. + +"Lend a hand!" cried Captain Needam, as Larry and the coast-guard +came in. "We need every man we can get." + +Larry grasped a rope. No one paid any attention to him, and they +seemed to think it was natural that he should be there. Perhaps they +took him for Bailey. + +The boat was taken down to the edge of the surf. An effort was made +to launch it, but, struggle as the men did, they could not get it +beyond the line of breakers. + +"It's no use!" exclaimed the captain. "We'll have to haul her to +Johnson's Cove. Maybe it isn't so rough there." + +The wagon, with the boat on it, was pulled back, and then began a +journey about two miles farther down the coast, to a small inlet, +protected by a curving point of land. There the breakers were likely +to be less high, and the boat might be launched. + +Larry pulled with the rest. He did not see how he was going to get +his story telegraphed to the paper, but he was consoled by the +reflection that there were no other reporters on hand, and that +there was no immediate likelihood of being "beaten." When morning +came he could decide what to do. + +So, for the time being, he became a life saver, and pulled on the +long rope attached to the wagon until his arms ached. It was heavy +hauling through the sand, and his feet seemed like lead. + +It was nearly midnight when the cove was reached, and after a +desperate struggle the life-boat was launched. + +"Some of you go back and get ready to operate the breeches buoy as +soon as it's light enough!" called Captain Needam, as the boat was +pulled away over the heaving billows toward the wreck, which could +be seen in the occasional glare of a rocket or signal light. + +"Might as well come back," said George Tucker to Larry. "Can't do +any more here." + +Back through the wind and rain they walked, with half a score of +others. They reached the life-saving station, tired and spent from +their struggle through the storm. + +"You can go back to Bailey," said George, as Larry sat down inside +the warm and cozy living-room of the station to rest. "He may need +you." + +"I thought I could help here," replied Larry. "Besides, I'd like to +see you work the breeches buoy." + +"You'll see all you want of that in the morning," replied the coast +patrol. "We can't do much until daylight. Are you afraid to go back +alone?" + +"No," replied Larry. + +Back he trudged to Bailey's cabin. It was about three o'clock when +he reached there, and he found the fisherman sitting beside the +table, drinking some hot tea. + +"I thought you'd got lost," spoke the fisherman. + +"I went to help 'em launch the boat. They needed me. George Tucker +was coming for you, but I told him of the man we saved. How is he?" + +"Doing well. He's asleep in the next room. He had been struck on the +head by something, and that was what made him senseless. It wasn't +the water. I soon brought him around. How about the wreck?" + +Larry told all he knew. Bailey insisted on the young reporter +drinking two cups of steaming hot tea, and Larry felt much better +after it. Then he and the fisherman stretched out on the floor to +wait until morning, which would soon break. + +Bailey was up early, and his movements in the hut as he shook down +the fire and made coffee, aroused Larry. + +"We'll get a bit of breakfast and then we'll go down to the +station," said the fisherman. "I guess our man will be all right." + +He went outside to bring in some wood. A moment later the door of +the inner room, where the rescued man was, opened, and a head was +thrust out. + +"If my clothes are dry I'll take them," the man said, and Larry, +glancing at him, saw that the stranger was smooth-shaven. The +reporter was sure that when he was pulled from the water on the +raft the man had had a heavy beard. + +"Why--why--" began the youth--"your whiskers. Did you----?" + +"Whiskers?" replied the man with a laugh. "Oh, you thought that +bunch of seaweed on my face was a beard. I see. No, this is the way +I looked. But are my clothes dry?" + +Larry took them from a chair near the fire, where Bailey had hung +them. He gave them to the stranger. Larry was much puzzled. It +seemed as if he had stumbled upon a secret. The man shut the door of +his room, A moment later the fisherman called from without the hut: + +"Come on! Never mind breakfast! They're going to fire the gun!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +RESCUED FROM THE SEA + + +Larry paused only long enough to don his oilskins, as it was still +raining hard. The coffee was made, but he did not wait for any, +though he wanted it very much. But he knew he ought to be on the +spot to see all the details of the rescue from the sea, and it was +not the first time he, like many other reporters, had gone on duty, +and remained so for long stretches, without a meal. + +Bailey was some distance down the beach. He had on his yellow suit, +which he had donned to go out to the woodshed, some distance from +his hut. Larry caught up to him. He was about to speak of the man at +the hut when the fisherman cried: + +"Something's wrong! They're coming up this way with the apparatus! +Must be they couldn't find a good place down there to rig the +breeches buoy." + +Larry looked down the beach. He saw through the rain and mist a +crowd of yellow-suited figures approaching, dragging something +along the sand. He looked out to sea and beheld the blotch that +represented the doomed vessel. All thought of the man at the hut +was, for the time, driven out of his mind. + +On came the life savers. They halted about a mile from the hut, and +Larry and Bailey ran to join them. + +"Did you save any?" called the fisherman to Captain Needam, who was +busy directing the rescue. + +"Got some in the life-boat early this morning," was the answer. +"They took 'em to the lower station. We couldn't get back with the +boat. All ready now, men. Dig a hole for the anchor, Nate. Sam, you +help plant the mortar. Have to allow a good bit for the wind. My! +but she's blowin' great guns and little pistols!" + +Larry had his first sight of a rescue by means of the breeches buoy. +The apparatus, including a small cannon or mortar, had been brought +from the life-saving station on a wagon, pulled by the men along the +beach. The first act was to dig a deep hole in the sand, some +distance back from the surf. This was to hold the anchor, to which +was attached the shore end of the heavy rope, on which, presently, +persons from the wreck might be hauled ashore. + +Once the anchor was in the hole, and covered with sand, firmly +packed down, arrangements were made to get a line to the vessel. + +"Put in a heavy charge!" cried Captain Needam. "We'll need lots of +powder to get the shot aboard in the teeth of this wind!" + +Several men grouped about the brass cannon and rapidly loaded the +weapon. Then, instead of a cannon ball, they put in a long, solid +piece of iron, shaped like the modern shell, with a pointed nose. To +this projectile was attached a long, thin, but very strong line. + +"Are they going to fire that at the ship?" asked Larry, who was not +very familiar with nautical matters. + +"They hope to have it land right on deck, or carry the line over," +said Bailey, who paused in his work of helping the men to lay out +from the wagon parts of the apparatus. + +Larry watched intently. Now and then he gazed out to the ship, a +speck of black amid white foam, for the seas were breaking over her. + +At the side of the cannon was a box, containing the line, one end of +which was fastened to the projectile. The rope was coiled in a +peculiar cris-cross manner, to prevent it being tangled as it paid +rapidly out when the shot was fired. + +"All ready?" called Captain Needam, as he looked at his men. + +"Ready, sir," answered George Tucker. + +"Put in the primer!" ordered the chief of the life savers. One of +the men inserted a percussion fuse in the touchhole of the mortar. +The captain grasped a lanyard. The men all stood at attention, +waiting to see the effect of the shot. + +Captain Needam sighted over the muzzle of the cannon. It was +pointed so as to clear the stern of the ship, but this was +necessary, as the high wind would carry the projectile to one side. + +The arm of the captain stiffened. The lanyard tauted. There was a +spark at the breach of the mortar, a sharp crackle as the primer +ignited, and then a dull boom as the charge was fired. Through the +mist of rain Larry saw a black object shooting out toward the ship. +After it trailed the long thin line, like a tail to a kite. + +It was scarcely a moment later that there sounded a gun from the +ship. + +"Good!" cried Captain Needam. "The shot went true!" + +"That was the ship signalling that they had the line," explained +Bailey, shouting the words in Larry's ear. + +From the shore to the ship there now stretched out a long thin rope. +Larry had no time to wonder what would happen next. + +"Bend on the cable!" cried the captain, and the men quickly attached +a thick rope to the line which the cannon-shot had carried aboard +the _Olivia_. This soon began to pay out, as it was hauled in by +those on the wrecked vessel. In a short time the heavy cable was all +out, and securely fastened to the ship, high enough up so as to +clear the rail. Directions how to do this were printed on a board +which was hauled in with the rope, and, lest those on a doomed ship +might not understand English, the instructions were given in +several languages. + +"They have it fast! Rig up the shears!" cried the captain. + +Once more his men were busy. They set up on the sand two stout +wooden pieces, exactly like, a pair of enormous shears. The longer +parts, corresponding to the blades, were nearest the ground, while +what answered for the handles were several feet in the air, opened +in "V" shape. + +Through this "V" the heavy cable was passed, the one end being fast +to the anchor buried in the sand, and the other being attached to +the ship. By moving the shears nearer to the anchor the cable was +tightened until it hung taut from shore to ship, a slender bridge on +which to save life. + +The breeches buoy, a canvas arrangement, shaped like a short pair of +trousers, and attached to a frame which ran back and forth on the +cable by means of pulleys, had been adjusted. To it were fastened +ropes, one being retained by the life savers and one by those on the +ship. All was in readiness. + +The breeches buoy was now pulled toward the ship, by those aboard +hauling on the proper line. It moved along, sliding on the heavy +cable, the angry waves below seeming to try to leap up and engulf +it, in revenge for being cheated of their prey. + +"Look sharp now, men!" cried the captain. "Get ready to take care +of the poor souls as they come ashore." + +The storm still kept up, and the waves were so high that a second +attempt to save some by means of the life-boat, even launching it in +the protected cove, had to be given up. But the breeches buoy could +be depended on. + +A signal from the ship told those on shore that the buoy was loaded +with a passenger, and ready to be hauled back. Willing hands pulled +on the rope. On it came through the driving rain; on it came above +the waves, though not so high but what the spray from the crests wet +the rescued one. + +"It's a woman!" cried the captain, as he caught sight of the person +in the buoy. + +"And a baby! Bless my soul!" added Bailey. "She's got a baby in her +arms!" + +And so it proved; for, wrapped in a shawl, which was tied over her +shoulders, so as to keep the water from the tiny form, was an infant +clasped tightly to its mother's breast. + +"Take her to the station!" cried the captain, as he helped the woman +to get out of the canvas holder in which she had ridden safely to +shore. "My wife will look after her. Now for the rest, men. There's +lots of 'em, and the ship can't last much longer! Lively, men. Every +minute means a life!" + +"I'll take her to the station!" volunteered Larry, for there was +nothing he could do to help now, and he thought he could get a good +story of the wreck from the first person rescued. + +"Go ahead!" exclaimed the life savers' captain. + +The woman, in spite of her terrible experience, had not fainted. +Still clasping her baby, she moved through the crowd of men, who +cheered her as they set to work again. + +"Come with me," said Larry. "We will take care of you!" + +"Oh, it is so good to be on land again!" the woman cried. "I am not +a coward--but oh, the cruel waves!" and she shuddered. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +LARRY'S SCOOP + + +"Are there many women aboard?" asked Larry, as he moved off through +the rain toward the life-saving station with the rescued passenger. + +"I was the only one," was the answer the woman made, in a pronounced +Italian accent. "I am the purser's wife. They made me come first. Me +and the baby," and she put her lips down and kissed the little face +nestled in the folds of the shawl. + +"The purser's wife!" exclaimed Larry. "Perhaps your husband will +bring the passenger list with him. I would like to get it. I am a +newspaper reporter," he added. + +The woman, with a rapid movement, held out a bundle of papers to +him. + +"What are they?" Larry asked. + +"The list of passengers! You reporters! I have heard of you in my +country, but they do not such things as this! Go to wrecks to meet +the passengers when they come ashore! You are very brave!" + +"I think you were brave to come first across the waves," replied +Larry. "The rope might break." + +"I had my baby," was the answer, as if that explained it all. + +"Do you think your husband would let me telegraph these names to my +paper?" asked Larry. + +"He gave them to me to bring ashore, in case--in case the ship did +not last," the purser's wife said, with a catch in her voice. "You +may use them, I say so. I will make it right." + +This was just what Larry wanted. The hardest things to get in an +accident or a wreck are the names of the saved, or the dead and +injured. Chance had placed in Larry's hands just what he wanted. + +He hurried on with the woman, who told him her name was Mrs. +Angelino. He did not question her further, as he felt she must be +suffering from the strain she had undergone. In a short time they +were safe at the station, and there Mrs. Needam provided warm and +dry garments for mother and child, and gave Mrs. Angelino hot +drinks. + +"Ah, there is my reporter!" exclaimed the purser's wife, when she +was warm and comfortable, as she saw Larry busy scanning the list of +passengers. "He came quick to the wreck!" + +"Can you lend me some paper?" Larry asked Mrs. Needam. + +"What for?" + +"I want to write an account of the rescue and copy these names. I +must hurry to the telegraph office. I left my paper in the +fisherman's hut." + +"I'll get you some," said Captain Needam's wife, and soon Larry was +writing a short but vivid story of what had taken place, including a +description of the storm, and the saving of the only woman on board, +with her baby, by means of the breeches buoy. Then he copied the +list of names. + +"There's something I almost forgot," said Larry when he had about +finished. "There's that passenger who came ashore on the life-raft. +I wonder who he was? I'll ask Mrs. Angelino." + +But she did not know. She was not aware that any one had come ashore +on a raft, for, in the confusion of the breaking up of the ship in +the storm, she thought only of her husband, her baby and herself. + +"I can find out later," Larry thought. + +He gave the list back to Mrs. Angelino, and then, with a good +preliminary story of the wreck, having obtained many facts from the +purser's wife, Larry set out through the storm for the nearest +telegraph station. + +"Don't you want some hot coffee before you go?" asked Mrs. Needam. +"I've got lots--ready for the poor souls that'll soon be here." + +Larry did want some. He was conscious of a woeful lack of something +in his stomach, and the coffee braced him up in a way he very much +needed. + +It was quite a distance from the life-saving station to the nearest +telegraph office, but Larry knew he must make it if he wanted an +account of the wreck to get to his paper in time for the edition +that day. So he set off for a tiresome trudge over the wet sand. As +he was leaving, several men, who had been brought ashore from the +ship, came to the station. From them Larry learned that part of the +ship was likely to last until all the passengers and crew could be +saved. He then resolved to telegraph the story of the saving of all, +knowing he could make corrections by an additional message later in +case, by some accident, any lives were lost. + +To get to the telegraph office Larry had to go back to a point +nearly opposite where the life savers were working, and then strike +inland. As he was hurrying along he came to a little hummock of +sand, from which elevation he could look down on the beach and see +the crowd gathered about the breeches buoy. Out on the bar he could +make out the wrecked vessel. As he stood there a moment he saw some +one detach himself from the crowd and hurry across the intervening +beach. + +"That figure looks familiar," thought Larry. "I wonder if that's +Bailey the fisherman?" + +He waited a few minutes, and the figure became more distinct. + +"It's Peter Manton!" cried Larry. "He's been sent down here to +report the wreck! I wonder what paper he's on? But I guess I haven't +any time to stand here wondering. I've got to beat him to the +telegraph office if I want to get a scoop, though he can't have been +on hand long enough to get much of an account." + +Still Larry knew that even a brief and poor account of anything, if +it got in first, was enough to discount or "take the edge off" a +better story told later, and he made up his mind he would "scoop" +Peter, his old enemy. + +The representative of the _Leader_ hurried on. Peter caught sight of +Larry, and recognized him in spite of his oilskins. Peter wore a +rain-coat, which was wet through. + +"Hold on, Larry!" he cried. "I'm on the _Scorcher_ again. What have +you got?" + +It was the newspaper man's way of asking his brother-of-the-pencil +for such information as he possessed. But though, as a general +thing, when several reporters are on a general story, they +interchange common news, Larry was in no mind to share what he had +with Peter. His paper had gone to the trouble to send him down in +good season, a piece of forethought which the other journals' +editors had neglected. Therefor Larry felt that he was not violating +the common practice (though it is against the strict office rules) +if he ignored Peter. + +"Haven't time!" he called back. + +"Wait a minute!" cried the rival reporter. "I just came down on the +first train, and I walked about five miles to find the wreck. I'm +going to the telegraph office to send my account in for an extra. +We'll whack up on it." + +"We'll do nothing of the sort!" exclaimed Larry. "I don't want +anything to do with you." He had never forgiven Peter for his part +in the kidnapping of Jimmie. + +"Needn't get huffy about it," remarked Peter. "I want to be +friendly." + +Larry thought it was hardly Peter's place to offer to be "friendly" +after the mean part he had played. + +"I haven't time to stop now," said Larry. "I'm in a hurry. You'll +have to get along the best you can." + +"So that's how you feel, eh?" asked the rival reporter. "Not very +white of you, Larry Dexter. I've only just got back my job on the +_Scorcher_ after they laid me off for getting beaten, and I've got +to make good. But never mind. The beach is free, and I've got as +good a right to the telegraph office as you have. I'd like to see +you beat me." + +Larry himself did not just see how he would, but he made up his mind +to attempt it. Peter was now keeping pace with him. There was +nothing for it but to hurry on. Whoever reached the office first and +"filed his copy" would have the right to the wire. Larry resolved +that he would win in the race, even as he had won in the other, at +the big flood, but he knew there was time enough yet. If he started +to run Peter would run also, and the way was too long for a fast +sprint. + +The two kept on, side by side, neither speaking. The only sound was +the patter of the rain, and the rustle and rattle of Larry's oilskin +suit. + +They passed through the deserted summer resort. It was about a mile +now to the telegraph office. Larry recalled that Bailey had told him +there was a short cut by keeping to the railroad track, and he +turned into that highway, followed by Peter, who, it seemed, had +resolved not to lose sight of his rival. + +It was now about nine o'clock, though his activity since early +morning made it seem much later to Larry. He knew he had a good +story safe in his pocket, and he was pretty sure Peter had only a +garbled account, for he could not have gotten the facts so quickly. +Nor did he, Larry was sure, have the passenger list, which was the +best part of the story. + +On and on the two rivals trudged silently. They must be near the +office now, Larry thought, and he looked ahead through the rain. +They were in the midst of a little settlement of fishermen's +houses--a small village--but it was nearly deserted, as most of the +inhabitants had gone to the wreck. Larry saw a building on which was +a sign informing those who cared to know that it contained a store, +the post-office and a place whence telegrams might be sent and +received. Peter saw it at the same instant. + +"Here's where I beat you!" he cried as he sprang forward on the +run. + +Larry tried to follow, but his legs became entangled in the oilskin +coat and he fell. He was up again in an instant, only to see Peter +entering the office. Larry's heart seemed like lead. Had he worked +so hard only to be beaten at the last? + +Something spurred him on. He stumbled into the office in time to +hear Peter saying: + +"I want to hold a wire for a long despatch to the New York +_Scorcher_. I've got a big account of the wreck." + +"Where's your copy?" asked the young man in charge of the clicking +instruments. + +"I'll have it ready for you in a minute," replied Peter, sitting +down to a table, and beginning to dash off words and sentences as +fast as his pencil could fly. + +"I can't hold any wire for you," said the operator. "If you have any +press stuff to file let me have it. That's the only way you can keep +a wire." + +"I'll have it for you in a second," Peter replied as he looked +anxiously at the door. + +"That will not answer. I must have copy in order to keep the wire +busy." + +"Here it is!" cried Larry, as he entered at that moment and pulled +from his pocket his hastily written account of the wreck, including +the list of passengers. "I'll be obliged to you if you can get this +off to the New York _Leader_ as soon as possible." + +"I was here first!" angrily cried Peter. + +"But I have his copy first," the operator said. "It is the filing of +the despatch first that counts, not who gets here first. I'll get +this off right away for you," he added, turning to Larry. + +And thus it was that Larry got his scoop, for his account took so +long to telegraph that, when the operator began on Peter's, the +_Leader_ had the story in the office, and was preparing to get out +an extra. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE + + +Remaining only long enough to see that the operator got off the +first part of his story, and finding, on inquiry, that the +telegrapher had no difficulty in reading his writing, Larry started +back to the scene of the wreck. He wanted to learn if all the +passengers and crew were saved, and get an interview with the +captain, if he could. + +So he left his old enemy, Peter, there grinding out his story in no +pleasant frame of mind. But it was part of the game, and Larry's +"beat" was a cleanly-scored one, especially as Peter had tried to +win by a trick. + +The young reporter found the work of rescue almost completed. The +life savers had labored to good advantage and had brought nearly all +the passengers ashore in the breeches buoy. They were cared for +temporarily at the beach station, though the small quarters were +hardly adequate. + +With the bringing ashore of the crew and officers, the captain +coming last, the life savers found their work finished. And it was +only just in time, for, not more than an hour after the commander +had staggered up the beach, worn and exhausted by the strain and +exposure, the after part of the vessel slid from the bar and sank in +deep water. + +Larry, who had been introduced to Captain Needam by Bailey, told the +former of his desire for an interview with the commander of the +_Olivia_, and the matter was soon arranged, though Captain Tantrella +was in dire distress over the loss of his ship. + +However, he told Larry what the reporter wished to know, describing +how, in the fog, the vessel had run on the sand bar. He related some +of the scenes during their wait to be rescued, told of the high seas +and terrible winds, and painted a vivid picture of the dangers. +Larry wrote it in his best style and hurried back to the telegraph +office. + +There was only one passenger missing, and the name of this one, +according to the purser's list, was Mah Retto. The name, though +peculiar, Larry thought, was not dissimilar to scores of others, for +the steamer had on board a cosmopolitan lot of passengers. No one +knew how Retto had been lost. + +As Larry was on his way to the telegraph office a sudden thought +came to him. + +"That's it!" he exclaimed. "The man who came ashore on the life-raft +is this missing Mah Retto. I'll just stop on my way to the telegraph +office and see him. That will clear it all up, and make every +passenger accounted for." + +He hurried on, intending to get a hasty interview with the man at +Bailey's hut, and then go telegraph the rest of his story. The +fisherman was still down on the beach, aiding the life savers to +pack their apparatus for transportation back to the station. As +Larry came in sight of the cabin he saw the raft, on which the +stranger had come ashore, lying just beyond high-water mark. + +He entered the hut, expecting to see Retto, as he had come to call +the foreigner, sitting comfortably by the fire. But the rescued man +was not there. Nor was he in the room where he had been put to bed. + +"Maybe he's in the woodshed," thought Larry. "I'll take a look." + +But he was not there. + +"That's strange," Larry mused. "He's disappeared. There is something +queer in this, and I'm going to find it out. But first I must send +the rest of my story." + +Larry found Peter Manton still at the telegraph office grinding +away. Larry's first batch of copy had been sent off, as had most of +Peter's stuff. As the representative of the _Scorcher_ handed in the +last of his copy he turned to Larry and said, sneeringly: + +"I'll bet I've got a better story than you have." + +"Perhaps," was all Larry replied. Then, as Peter went back to the +wreck for more information, Larry wrote, as an addition to his +story, the interview with the captain, finishing with an account of +the missing Mah Retto. He told also of the man who came ashore on +the raft, and who was believed to be the passenger who was +unaccounted for. + +"That's a good day's work done," remarked the young reporter, as he +signed his name to the last sheet of copy. "I wonder if they want me +to stay here?" + +He wrote a brief message asking Mr. Emberg for instructions. Telling +the operator he would call in about two hours for an answer, Larry +decided he would get some breakfast. + +As there was no restaurant in the little hamlet, he thought the best +plan would be to go back to the fisherman's cabin. He wanted to talk +with Bailey about the disappearance of the man they had rescued from +the raft. + +The fisherman was at the hut when Larry arrived, and was busy +preparing a meal. + +"Guess you feel like eating something, don't ye?" he asked. + +"You guessed it right the first time," replied the young reporter, +with a grin. + +"And my other company," went on Bailey. "I expect he's hungry." + +"He's gone." + +"Gone?" + +"Yes; I came back here a while ago and there wasn't a sign of him." + +"Why, that's queer," returned the fisherman. "I've been so busy +frying this bacon and making fresh coffee I didn't notice it. But +that reminds me, I haven't seen or heard anything of him since I +came in. His clothes are gone, too." + +Larry and Bailey made a hasty search through the cabin. There were +few places where a person could conceal himself, and they very soon +found that their late guest was nowhere on the premises. + +"Here's something," remarked Larry, as he looked on a small table in +the room where the rescued man had slept. "It looks like a note." + +It was a note, written on the fly leaf torn from a book. It read: + +"Dear friends. Accept my thanks for saving my life. Please take this +small remembrance for your trouble." + +There was no signature to the note, but folded in the paper was a +hundred-dollar bill, somewhat damp from immersion in the sea. + +"Well, sink my cuttle-fish!" exclaimed Bailey. "That's odd. A +hundred dollars! That's more than I make in a summer season. But +half of it's yours. I'd like to rescue people steady at that rate." + +"It's all yours," said Larry. "I got the story I came down after, +and that's all I want. But I would like to find this Mah Retto, if +that's his name. He doesn't write much like a foreigner, though he +looks like one. May I keep this note?" + +"As long as you don't want a share in the hundred-dollar one, I +reckon you can," Bailey replied, with a laugh. + +Larry folded the scrap of paper to put in his pocket. As he did so +something bright and shining on the floor attracted his attention. +He stooped to pick it up, finding it was a small gold coin, of +curious design, evidently used as a watch charm. + +"I guess our man dropped this," Larry said, holding it out to +Bailey. + +"Well, you can keep that, with the note. Perhaps it will help you +solve the mystery," the fisherman said. "I'm satisfied with what I +got." + +Larry put the charm in his pocket, together with the note, and was +about to leave the room, when the fisherman, who was lifting from +the corner a box, in which to deposit his money, uttered an +exclamation. + +"What is it?" asked Larry. + +"Why, it's a man's beard. Somebody's shaved his off and left it +here. How in the name of a soft-shell clam----" + +"It's that man!" cried Larry. "I knew he had a beard on when we +pulled him ashore!" + +"A beard on?" murmured Bailey, in questioning tones. + +"Yes," went on Larry. "When you were outside, getting some wood, +just before you ran down the beach when the life savers came, I was +in here. The man stuck his head from the bed-room and asked for his +clothes, which I gave him. I noticed he was smooth shaven----" + +"Why, he had a beard on when we pulled him from the water," +interrupted the fisherman. + +"I was sure he did, but when I asked him why he had shaved it off he +said I was mistaken--said it was only a bunch of seaweed I had +thought was a beard. Then you called me to hurry out, and I forgot +all about it until now. But he must have shaved his whiskers off in +here, and then he disappeared. There's something strange about it +all." + +"I rather guess there is," Bailey admitted. "Wonder where he got his +razor? I never use one." + +"He must have had it in that small valise he wore, strapped by a +belt, around his waist," Larry answered. "That's probably where he +carried his money. I'd like to get at the bottom of this mystery." + +"Well, you newspaper fellows are looking for just such things as +this," said the fisherman with a smile. "It's right in your line." + +"So it is," Larry replied. "I'll solve it, too." + +But it was some time later, and Larry had many strange adventures +before he got at the bottom of the queer secret that started down +there on the lonely sea coast. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +LARRY OVERHEARS SOMETHING + + +Larry decided that the disappearance of the fisherman's guest was +not a part of the story of the wreck, though the fact that the +passenger was missing was an item of much interest, and he used it. +He made up his mind to tell Mr. Emberg all about the strange +happening when he got back. + +Arriving at the telegraph office for the third time, he found a +message from the city editor, instructing him to come back to New +York, as the best of the story was now in, and the Associated Press +would attend to the remainder. Some of the representatives of that +news-gathering organization were already at the scene of the +disaster. + +"Your friend got a calling down," volunteered the operator to Larry, +as the young reporter began looking up trains to see when he could +get back. + +"How's that?" + +"He got a message from his city editor a while ago, wanting to know +why he hadn't secured a list of passengers and the crew. The +message said the _Leader_ had it, and had beaten all the other +papers." + +"That's good," spoke Larry. "I worked hard enough for it." + +"The _Scorcher_ man wanted me to give him your list, but I wouldn't +do it," the operator went on. "So he's gone out to get one of his +own. But he's too late, I reckon. I'll have my hands full pretty +soon, for there'll be a lot of reporters here. But you're the first +to send off the complete story." + +Larry felt much elated. Of course he knew it was due, in part, to +the forethought of his city editor in seeing a possible situation, +and rushing a man to the scene ahead of the other papers. That +counts for almost as much in journalism as does getting a good story +or a "scoop." + +Larry received hearty congratulations from Mr. Emberg when he got +back to the _Leader_ office the next day, for, not only had the +young reporter secured a fine "scoop," but he had sent in an +exceptionally good story of the wreck. + +"Larry, you did better than I thought you would. You've got the +right stuff in you!" exclaimed the city editor, while the other +reporters, crowding around the hero of the occasion, expressed, +their pleasure at his success. Not one of them but would have given +much to have been in Larry's place. + +"Have much trouble?" asked Mr. Newton. + +"Well, I had to hustle. Struck something rather queer down there, +too." + +"What was it? Some of the men from other papers try to get the best +of you?" + +"Only my old enemy, Peter Manton, but I put a crimp in him all +right. No, this was something else." And Larry told of the +disappearance of the man at the hut. + +"That is rather odd," agreed the older reporter. "If I were you I'd +tell Mr. Emberg about it, and then you'll be in a position to act on +what information you have, in case anything turns up." + +Larry followed this advice. The city editor puzzled over the matter +a few minutes, and then decided nothing could be done at present. + +"We'll watch developments in regard to the _Olivia_ wreck," said Mr. +Emberg, "and it may be this mystery will fit in somewhere. If it +does we may get a good story." + +But neither Larry nor the city editor realized in what a strange +manner the mystery was to develop. + +It was the beginning of the newspaper day in the _Leader_ office. +Reporters were busy writing accounts of meetings they had covered +the previous night, and others were going out on assignments to +police courts, to look up robberies, murders, suicides, and the +hundred and one things that go to make up the news of the day. + +"How would you like to try your hand at politics?" asked Mr. Emberg +of Larry, when they had finished their talk about the man at the +hut. "I haven't given you much chance at anything in that line, but +if you're going to be an all-'round newspaper man you'll have a lot +to do with politics." + +"I think I'd like it," replied Larry. + +Certainly this life was one of variety, one day at the wild scene of +a rescue from a wreck, and the next peacefully sent to talk to some +political leader. + +"I want you to go up and have a talk with Jack Sullivan, the leader +of one of the Assembly districts," went on Mr. Emberg. "You've +probably read of the trouble in that district. Thomas Kilburn is a +new aspirant for the Assembly and he's fighting against the +re-nomination of William Reilly. Now Jack Sullivan is the leader of +that district, and whoever he decides to support will be elected. +That's the way politics are run in New York. + +"It would be quite an item of news if we could find out whom +Sullivan is going to support. So far he has played foxy and no one +knows, not even the candidates themselves, I believe, though I have +an idea that Sullivan will swing to Reilly." + +"How did Kilburn come to be in the race?" asked Larry. + +"That's what we newspaper editors would like to know, and it's what +you reporters have to find out for us. There's something back of it +all. Sullivan wants something he thinks either Kilburn or Reilly +can give him, and that's why he's holding back. He'll give his +support to the man who, after he's elected, can give him what he +wants. Now if you could discover whom Sullivan is going to support, +and why, it would make a corking story." + +"I'll try," said Larry, a little doubtful of his ability. + +"It isn't at all like going down to a wreck and seeing persons +rescued," went on Mr. Emberg. "You've got to nose out your news this +time. A number of reporters have tried to pump Sullivan, but he +won't give up. Go and try your luck. You'll find him in the district +headquarters," and he gave Larry the address. + +"Where you going?" asked Mr. Newton, as he passed Larry in the +corridor. + +"To interview Sullivan." + +Mr. Newton whistled. + +"I don't envy you," he said. "I'm afraid you'll fall down this time, +Larry" ("falling-down" being a newspaper man's term for failure). +"We've all tried him, but he's as cute as an old fox. He'll be nice +and polite, but he'll not give you a decided answer, one way or the +other." + +"I've got to try," was Larry's reply. + +Larry had one advantage on his side. He was a new reporter in the +political field. That was one reason why Mr. Emberg sent him. Nearly +all the other available men on the _Leader_ were well known to the +politicians, they were familiar with them, and, as soon as they saw +these reporters, the politicians were on their guard. + +Larry, never before having talked with Sullivan and his friends, +might take them off their guard, and they might let fall something +that would make news, the city editor thought. It was a slim chance, +but newspaper editors are accustomed to taking such. + +When Larry entered the headquarters of Sullivan, which were located +in the rear of a large dance hall, he found the place well filled +with men, though it was the middle of the forenoon, when most +persons would have been at work. But the men were politicians of +more or less power, and had plenty of spare time. Besides this was +really their work, though it did not look like very strenuous labor, +for most of them were standing in little groups, talking and +smoking, or sitting in chairs tilted back against the wall. + +Here was where Larry's newness gave him an advantage. No one in the +room knew him to be a reporter, or he would have been greeted by +some of the men as soon as he entered, called by name, and thus all +the others would have been put on their guard. + +Larry sauntered into the big room as though he belonged there. He +hardly knew what to do, but he decided to look about for a few +minutes and size up the situation. No one paid any attention to him, +and he felt it would be a good plan to see if he could pick +Sullivan out from among the throng. + +With this end in view Larry walked from one end of the room to the +other. He did not know that the man he sought was in his private +office, closeted with some of his henchmen. As Larry passed one +group he heard one man in it say: + +"Well, Sullivan's made up his mind at last." + +"He has, eh?" asked another. "Who is it?" + +Larry was all attention at once. This seemed to be the very thing he +had been sent to find out. + +"Don't let it get out," went on the man who had first spoken, "but I +understand Tommy has got to wait a while yet." + +"Then Billy can probably deliver the goods," the second man added. +"I thought he could. Well, it means a good thing for the district +when they build the new line. If only Potter doesn't go back on his +promise. He's so rich you can't touch him with money, and he's as +foxy as they make 'em. If Billy can work him I don't blame Sullivan +for swinging his way. Now----" + +But at that moment one of the men turned and saw Larry. He at once +knew him for a stranger, and quickly inquired: + +"What do you want, young man?" + +"I want to see Mr. Sullivan." + +Larry didn't announce himself as a reporter, for that, he felt, +would have brought him only a polite refusal, on Sullivan's part, to +receive him. + +"What for?" went on the man. + +"I have a message for him," Larry said. + +"You can tell me, I'll see that he gets it." + +"It is for him personally," Larry said, for a bold plan had come +into his mind and he determined to try it. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +AN INTERVIEW WITH SULLIVAN + + +For a moment the man who had questioned Larry stood gazing at him. +Suspicion was in the look, but the reporter never quailed. He was +playing a bold game and he was running a risk, but he was not going +to give up so soon. + +"What's your name?" the man asked him. + +"Larry Dexter." + +That conveyed nothing to his questioner, for Larry had not been long +enough on the _Leader_ to become known in the field of politics. +There were some men in the newspaper business with whom the +politicians were so familiar that they sent for them whenever they +had any news they were desirous of making public. But Larry was not +yet one of these. + +"Sam, tell Mr. Sullivan a young man wants to see him personally," +went on the man who had interrogated Larry. "You can take a seat +over there," he added, pointing to some chairs farthest removed from +the group of which he was a member. + +As Larry moved away he heard one of the men remark: + +"Wonder if he's a newspaper man?" + +"I don't believe so," replied another. "I've never seen him before +and I know most of the reporters in New York. None of the editors +would send a new man to interview Sullivan. He's too tough a bird +for a greenhorn to tackle. I guess he's a messenger from some +broker's office. Maybe Potter sent him." + +"I wonder who this Potter is, and what all that talk meant?" Larry +thought to himself as he took a chair, and watched the messenger +enter a small room at the end of the big apartment. + +In a little while Sam, who appeared to be a sort of janitor around +the place, came back to inform Larry that Sullivan would see him. + +"Now for my game of bluff," said the young reporter to himself as he +entered. + +The political leader was sitting behind a desk, littered with +papers. He was a small man, wearing glasses, and looking like +anything but the chief factor of an important Assembly district. Mr. +Sullivan was bald-headed, and had rather a pleasant face, but there +was a look about him that indicated force of character, of a certain +kind, and a determination to succeed in what he undertook, which is +what makes a good politician. + +"You wanted to see me?" and the question came in a low voice, +totally unlike the loud tones Larry had, somehow, associated with an +important politician. + +Larry felt the eyes of Sullivan gazing sharply at him, as though +they were sizing him up, labeling him, and placing him on a certain +shelf to be kept there until wanted. Sullivan was a good reader of +character, as he showed by his next question. + +"What paper are you from?" + +Larry started. He wondered how the man knew he was from a paper, for +Larry had said nothing about it. Seeing his confusion Sullivan +laughed. + +"Wondering how I took your measure, aren't you?" he asked, and when +Larry nodded he went on: "You have the air of a newspaper man, which +you may consider flattering, as you have acquired it after having +been in the game only a short time. I assume that because it's my +business to know most of the reporters in this city, and I never saw +you before. If you didn't look like a newspaper man I'd size you up +for one, because only a reporter, or some of my political friends, +would come here to see me. You're not the one, so you must be the +other. Now what do you want?" and the politician's voice became +rather sharp. + +"I came here to find out if it's true that you're going to support +Reilly because he can deliver the goods from Mr. Potter," Larry +explained, resolving to chance all at once. + +Sullivan started, and half arose from his chair. Then he seemed to +recover himself. + +"Some one's been talking!" he murmured, and, glancing quickly at +Larry, he asked: + +"Who is Mr. Potter? I'm afraid I don't understand you." + +"He's the financier interested in the new line," went on Larry, +boldly. "It's going to be a good thing for the district, I +understand. Come now, Mr. Sullivan," he went on, assuming a familiar +air he did not feel, "you might as well own up and give me an +interview about deciding to support Reilly." + +For several seconds the leader gazed at Larry, as if seeking to read +his inmost thoughts. Then he spoke: + +"You either know too much or too little, Dexter. I guess you're an +older hand at this business than I took you for. Tell me what you +know." + +"You tell me what I want to know," Larry said with a smile. "You +probably know all that I do and more, too. But I don't know half as +much as you do about this, though I know enough to print something +in the _Leader_. You might as well come out with it." + +Sullivan hesitated. He was wondering how this new young reporter had +discovered information supposed to be a secret among the +politician's closest advisers. Clearly there was a leak somewhere, +and he must play the game warily until he discovered it. Meanwhile, +since part of the truth was known he decided to tell more of it. He +could manage matters to suit his ends if necessary, even after he +gave out the interview for which all the papers in New York were +anxiously waiting. + +"Did Mr. Emberg send you to see me?" asked Sullivan. + +"He did," Larry answered, wondering how intimate was the +politician's acquaintance with the city editor of the _Leader_. + +"Emberg's foxy," went on Sullivan. + +"Do I get the interview?" asked Larry. + +"You do. I like your nerve, and I'd like to find out where you heard +that about Potter." + +Larry did not think it well to say he had merely overheard, in the +politician's own headquarters, a reference to the man, who was a +well-known millionaire and promoter of New York. The truth of the +matter was Larry only used the information that had so unexpectedly +come to him, but he used it in such a way that Sullivan thought he +knew a great deal more than he did. + +"I'm going to support Reilly," went on Sullivan. "I don't know that +I have such great influence as the papers credit me with, but what I +have is for my friend, William Reilly. You can say for me that I +think he served well in the Legislature and is entitled to another +term. As for Mr. Kilburn, who I hear would like the nomination, he +is an excellent young man. I know little about him, but I believe he +would do well. But I believe in rewarding good work, and so I am for +Mr. Reilly." + +"Do you want to say anything about Potter and the new line?" asked +Larry, though if Sullivan had said anything about them the reporter +would have been decidedly in the dark as to what the politician was +driving at. + +"I guess you've got enough out of me for one day," replied Sullivan +with a smile. "It's more talking than I've done in a long while--to +reporters," he added. "Lots of 'em would give a good bit to have +what you've got, and I wouldn't have given it to you, only I think +you're smarter than I gave you credit for. Now you tell me where you +heard about Potter." + +"I can't," answered Larry, truthfully enough, for he did not feel +that he could betray one of Sullivan's own men, because of the talk +he had inadvertently overheard. "Sometime I may." + +"I'll have to cultivate your acquaintance," the district politician +remarked as Larry went out. + +The young reporter hurried to the _Leader_ office, having hastily +jotted down what Sullivan had said. He felt he had secured a piece +of news that would prove a big item that day. + +"What luck?" asked Mr. Emberg, rather indifferently, as Larry came +up to the city editor's desk to report. + +"I've got the interview." + +"I s'pose he gave you a lot of hot air that doesn't mean anything. +See if you can dress it up a bit. We haven't many displays to-day." + +"Sullivan is going to support Reilly," announced Larry, quietly. + +"What?" almost shouted Mr. Emberg. "Did he tell you that?" + +"He did," answered Larry, wondering why Mr. Emberg was so excited. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +EVERYTHING BUT THE FACTS + + +The city room, that had been buzzing and humming with the talk of +several reporters, seemed strangely quiet as Larry gave his answer. +His remarks had been heard by several. The clicking typewriters +stopped, and those operating them looked up. + +"Say that again," spoke Mr. Emberg, as though a great deal depended +on it. + +"Sullivan is going to support Reilly," repeated Larry. "There's what +he says," and he handed out the brief interview which he had written +on some sheets of paper as he came down in the elevated train. The +city editor glanced quickly over it. + +"Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?" he asked. + +"I'm positive that's exactly what he said." + +"This is a big thing," went on Mr. Emberg. "We have news from Albany +directly contrary to this, but if you're sure you are right I'll use +this. It will make a big sensation. Have you got it all alone?" + +"There were no other reporters there that I knew," Larry said. + +"Good for you. How in the world did you do it? I never thought you +would. Sit right down and make as much as you can of it. Describe +how he received you, what you said and what he said and all about +it. This is great." + +"I stumbled on it," said Larry, and he proceeded to relate what he +had heard about Potter and the new line, though he did not in the +least know what the "new line" was. + +"Better and better!" exclaimed Mr. Emberg. "This is what I +suspected. It has to do with the new subway line. If it runs through +the eighth district it will be the making of Sullivan. That's why +he's supporting Reilly, because he thinks Reilly can influence +Potter to run the new subway line in that direction. We must have an +interview with Potter. I'll send some one else out on that. You +write what you have. Here, Mr. Newton, jump out and see if you can +find Potter. It's going to be quite a job, but maybe you can land +him." + +"Hamden Potter's in Europe," said a reporter who "did" Wall Street, +and who knew the movements of most of the financiers. "But he's +expected back soon." + +"Maybe he's back by this time," Mr. Emberg went on. "Get out on the +job, Newton. Hurry, Larry, it's close to edition-time." + +Larry sat down at his typewriter, which he had learned to operate +with considerable speed, and was soon banging away at the keys. + +"Shall I put in that about Mr. Potter and the new line?" he called +to Mr. Emberg. + +"No, I'll have Harvey attend to that part. You just tell of the +interview in regard to supporting Reilly. Make it a good story." + +Larry did his best, and gave a graphic picture of the leader's +headquarters, without touching on how he had come to get the +information which so many other papers and reporters were anxiously +waiting for. + +"Here, Tommy!" called the city editor to one of the copy boys, which +position Larry used to fill, "bring me Mr. Dexter's stuff, page by +page, as fast as he writes it. I'll get it upstairs and fix up a +head for it." + +Larry smiled to hear Mr. Emberg call him "Mr. Dexter," but, no +matter how familiar an editor may become with his reporters, he +gives even the youngest the title of mister when speaking of him to +the copy boys. + +Larry finished the first page of his story, pulled it from the +typewriter and handed it to Tommy, who rushed with it to Mr. +Emberg's desk. The editor glanced over it, made one or two +corrections, changed the wording a bit, and handed it back to Tommy, +who hurried with it to the pneumatic tube, in which it was shot +upstairs to the composing room. + +There it was taken from the metal carrier that dropped from the +tube on the desk of the man in charge of distributing the various +pieces of copy to the compositors. This man put a mysterious-looking +blue mark on the first page of Larry's story. This was to identify +it later, and to make sure that all the succeeding pages would be +kept together. + +Then the sheet was handed to the first of a long line of +compositors, who were standing in front of the desk of the +"copy-cutter," as he is called. It was close to the hour for the +first edition to go to press, and every one was in a hurry. + +The compositor fairly ran to his type-setting machine and began to +operate the keys, which were arranged like those on a very large +typewriter. He did not strike them, as one does who operates a +typewriter, but gently touched them. As he pressed each finger down +the least bit there was a click, and from the rack above the machine +there tumbled down a small piece of brass, called a "matrix." This +contained on one edge a depression that corresponded to a letter. + +In a short while enough matrixes had fallen into place to make a +complete line, just the width of one of the columns of the _Leader_. +The compositor looked at the row of matrixes as they were, arranged +before him, read it (no easy task to the uninitiated), took out a +wrong letter and inserted a right one, and then pressed down a +lever. + +This lever operated the lead-casting machine at the back. A plunger +was shoved down into a pot of melted lead, kept molten by means of +a gas flame. A small quantity of lead was forced up against the line +of matrixes, which automatically moved in a position to receive it. + +The lead was held there an instant to harden, then another lever +automatically removed the solid line of type from its place in front +of the matrixes, a long arm swooped down, took the brass pieces and +returned them to an endless screw arrangement which distributed +them, each one to its proper place, in the series of chutes that +held hundreds of others. + +Everything was done automatically after the compositor had touched +the keys and then the lever, so that he was almost finished with the +second line of the story by the time the matrixes of the first were +being returned to their slots by the machine, which seemed almost +human. + +Thus Larry's story was set up. In all, five men worked at putting it +into type, and finally the five sections were collected together on +a "galley" or long narrow brass pan. A proof was taken and rushed +down to Mr. Emberg so that he might see it was all right, but by +this time, some typographical errors in the story having been +corrected, men were placing it in the "form" or steel frame which +holds enough type to make a page of the paper. This was soon in +readiness for the stereotyping department. + +Larry had not finished the third page of his story before the first +two were in type. He hurried through it, and by the time he had +handed in the last sheet there were men upstairs waiting for it, so +quickly is the mechanical part of newspaper making accomplished. + +Finally the story was all in type, the lead lines were in the form, +and, when the latter was filled it was "locked," or tightly +fastened, and was ready for the men who were to take an impression +of the page in damp papier-mache. + +This papier-mache, which is also called a matrix, was baked hard by +steam, put in a curved cylinder, melted lead was poured on it and +there was a solid metal page of the paper ready for the great press, +which was soon thundering away, printing thousands of papers, each +one containing, on the front page, Larry's account of the interview +with Sullivan. + +Of course many things had been going on meanwhile. Mr. Emberg had +written a "scare head," as they are called, that is a head to be +printed in big letters, and this had been set up by men working by +hand. This was put on the story after it was in the form. + +"Guess Newton is having trouble finding Potter," commented the city +editor, when he had finished with Larry's copy. "If we don't hear +from him in five minutes we'll miss the edition." + +The five minutes passed, and no word came from Harvey Newton. The +building shook as the giant press started, and Mr. Emberg, shutting +up his watch with a snap, remarked: + +"Too late! Well, maybe he'll catch him for the second." + +It is often the case that only part of a story gets in the first +edition of a paper. So many circumstances govern the getting of +news, and the sending of it into the office, that unless a story is +obtained, complete, early in the morning it is necessary to make +additions to it from edition to edition in the case of an afternoon +paper. + +"Mack, maybe you'd better try to find Potter," went on Mr. Emberg +after a pause, turning to another reporter. "You know him. Tell him +we've got an interview with Sullivan, and ask him what the support +of Reilly means." + +Mack, whose name in full was McConnigan, but who was never +designated as anything but "Mack," glanced at the proofs of Larry's +story. + +"I guess I'll find him in Donnegan's place," he said, naming a +resort where men of wealth frequently gathered for lunch. "I'll try +there." + +"Anywhere to find him," returned the city editor. + +"Are you looking for Hamden Potter?" asked an old man, coming into +the city room at that juncture. + +"That's what we are," said the city editor. "Why, do you know where +to find him, Mr. Hogan? Have you got a story for us to-day?" + +Hogan was an old newspaper man, never showing any great talents, and +he had seen his best days. He was not to be relied on any more, +though he frequently took "tips" around to the different papers, +receiving for them, together with what money he could beg or borrow, +enough to live on. + +"I've got a story, yes. I was down at the steamship dock of the Blue +Star line a while ago, and I see Mr. Potter's family come off a +vessel. + +"Was he with them? Have you got the story?" demanded Mr. Emberg, +eagerly. + +"I've got everything, I guess. I've got all but the main facts, +anyhow. I don't know whether Potter was with them or not. I didn't +think it was of any importance." + +"Importance!" exclaimed the city editor. Then he bethought him of +Hogan's character, and knew it was useless to speak. "Everything but +the facts--the most important fact of all," Mr. Emberg murmured. + +"Isn't that tip worth something?" demanded Hogan. + +"Oh, I suppose so," and Mr. Emberg wrote out an order on the cashier +for two dollars. Poor Hogan shuffled from the room. He was but a +type of many who have outlived their usefulness. + +"Jump down to the Blue Star dock, Mack," the city editor said, when +Hogan had gone. "Find out all you can about the Potters--where they +have been and where Mr. Potter went. Hurry now!" + +As Mack was going out the telephone rang. It was a message from Mr. +Newton to the effect that he could not find Mr. Potter, and that at +his office it was said he was still in Europe. + +"Hurry to his house," said Mr. Emberg over the wire. "I have a tip +that his family just got in on the _Messina_ of the Blue Star line. +I've sent Mack to the dock! You go to the house!" + +Thus, like a general directing his forces, did the city editor send +his men out after news. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THREATS AGAINST LARRY + + +Second edition-time was close at hand, but no news regarding Mr. +Hamden Potter had come in from either Newton or Mack. From a +reporter sent to interview representatives of the company +constructing the subway came a message to the effect that none of +the officers would talk for publication. + +"What in the world is the matter with Harvey and Mack?" asked Mr. +Emberg, restlessly pacing the floor. Every one in the city room felt +the strain. Every time the telephone bell rang, the city editor +jumped to answer it, without waiting for one of the boys or a +reporter to get to the instrument. + +Finally, after several false alarms, the bell rang and the city +editor, grabbing up the portable telephone, cried out: + +"Yes? Oh, it's you, Newton. Where in the world have you been? We +only have time for the last edition. Talk fast! What's that? The +Potter family home, and you can't see Mr. Potter? Why not? Tell them +you've got to see him. Send in a message you have something of +importance to tell him. You say you have? And you can't see him? +But you must! Go back and try again. This is the biggest story we've +had in a long while and we can't fall down on it this way!" + +He hung up the receiver on the hook with a bang, and once more began +pacing the floor. + +"That's queer," he murmured. "There's something strange back of all +this. Potter is up to some game, and so is Sullivan. Come here, +Larry." + +Mr. Emberg closely questioned the young reporter as to every detail +of his interview with Sullivan. + +"I'm going to write something myself," the city editor announced. +"We've got to have more of this story. I can guess at part of it, +and I'll make it general enough, and with sufficient 'understoods' +in it to save us in case I'm wrong." + +He began to write, nervously and hurriedly, handing the sheets over +to his assistant to edit as fast as he was done with them. They were +rushed upstairs, one at a time, as Larry's copy had been. + +The last edition went to press without the much-desired interview +with Mr. Potter. The city editor wrote a story, full of glittering +generalities, telling how it was believed that certain forces were +at work in the interest of getting a new line of the subway through +the eighth district, and that Assemblyman Reilly was concerned in +the matter, as was also a certain well-known financier, whose name +was not mentioned, but whom the readers of the _Leader_ would have +little difficulty in recognizing as Mr. Potter. + +To show that it was Mr. Potter to whom he was referring Mr. Emberg +added at the bottom of the story, and under a separate single-line +head, a note to the effect that all efforts were unavailing to get +an interview with Hamden Potter, the financier, who that day had +returned from Europe with his family, as Mr. Potter would see no +reporters. It was added that Mr. Potter's connection with the subway +interests might throw some light on the reason for the declaration +of Sullivan for Reilly. + +In all this there was no direct statement made, but the inferences +were almost as strong as though the paper had come out boldly and +stated as facts what Mr. Emberg believed to be true, but which he +dared not assert boldly. But as long as they were not made direct +and positive there was no chance for a libel suit, which is +something all newspapers dread. + +"There, I guess that will do if Harvey can't get at Potter," spoke +Mr. Emberg when he had finished. "Queer, though, that Potter keeps +himself away from our reporters. He used to be willing enough to +talk." + +A little later another telephone message was received from Mr. +Newton, announcing that it was useless to try to see the +millionaire. + +"Come on in, then," the city editor directed. + +Nor was Mack any more successful. He had learned that the Potter +family had hurried from the dock in a closed carriage and were +driven to their handsome home on the fashionable thoroughfare known +as Central Park, West. No one had seen Mr. Potter, as far as Mack +could learn, and the reporter was not allowed to go aboard the ship, +as the custom officers were engaged in looking over the baggage of +the passengers. + +"Well, we've got a good story," said Mr. Emberg late that afternoon, +when work for the day was over. "It's a beat, too." + +"Did any of 'em make lifts for it?" asked Mr. Hylard, the assistant +city editor. A "lift," it may be explained, is the insertion of a +piece of news in the last edition of a paper. It is made by taking +one plate from the press, removing or "lifting" a comparatively +unimportant item of news from the form, inserting the new item, +which was received too late for the regular edition, making a new +plate, and starting the press again. It is done rather than print an +entire new edition, and is sometimes used when some other paper gets +a beat or piece of news which your paper must have, or in case of an +accident happening after the last edition has gone to press. + +"The _Star_ lifted our story almost word for word," said Mr. Emberg. +"Guess they didn't take the trouble to confirm it. The morning +sheets will probably try to discount it." + +Which was exactly what they did. Some had what purported to be +interviews with Sullivan, denying that he had said he was going to +support Reilly. Others showed, editorially and otherwise, how +nonsensical it would be for Sullivan to throw his influence to any +one but Kilburn. + +"I hope you haven't made any mistake, Larry," said Mr. Emberg the +next day. "If you misquoted Sullivan it means a bad thing for our +paper." + +"I quoted him correctly." + +At that moment the telephone on Mr. Emberg's desk rang and he +answered it. + +"Dexter?" he repeated. "Yes, we have a reporter of that name here." +Larry was all attention at once. "Who wants him? Oh, Mr. Sullivan? +Is this Mr. Sullivan? Well, this is the city editor of the _Leader_. +I see some of the papers are denying our story. Our account is about +correct, eh? Well, I'm glad of it. Yes, I'll send Mr. Dexter to see +you right away. + +"Sullivan wants to see you, Larry," went on Mr. Emberg, hanging up +the telephone receiver. "This may be a big thing. Go slow and be +careful of what he says. Don't let him bluff you." + +"You're getting right into politics," said Mr. Newton to Larry, as +the young reporter prepared to go out. + +"Yes, and I'm afraid I'll get into water where I can't swim." + +"Don't let that worry you. You've got to learn, and in New York +politics is the most important news of all." + +Larry found Sullivan in the same place where he had secured the +momentous interview. The Assembly leader nodded to the boy, and then +picked up a copy of the paper which contained an account of the talk +with Sullivan. + +"You made quite a yarn of this," Sullivan remarked. + +"Yes, it was a good story." + +"A little too good," went on the politician. "You got me into hot +water." + +"Did I misquote you?" + +"No, but you got the information before I was ready to give it out. +I thought you knew more than you did. This last part," pointing to +the generalities written by Mr. Emberg, "this last part shows that +you folks are up a tree. Now I want to know where you heard that +about Potter, and I'm going to have an answer," and Sullivan lost +his calm air and looked angrily at Larry. + +"I can't tell you where I got my tip." + +"You mean you will not?" + +"Well, you can put it that way," replied Larry. + +"I'll make you!" and the politician arose from his chair and stood +threateningly over the young reporter. For a moment Larry's heart +beat rapidly in fear. Then he remembered what Mr. Emberg had said: +"Don't let him bluff you." He was sure Sullivan was bluffing. + +"Are you going to tell?" asked Sullivan again. + +"I am not." + +Sullivan banged his fist down on his desk. He shoved his hat on the +back of his head. Thrusting his face close to Larry's he exclaimed: + +"Then I'll put you out of business! I'll make the city too hot to +hold you! I'll have you fired from the _Leader_, and no other paper +in New York will hire you! I'll show you what it is to have Jack +Sullivan down on you! I was going to play fair with you. But you +sneaked in here and got information I wasn't ready to give out. Now +you can take the consequences!" + +"I didn't sneak in here!" cried Larry. "I came openly. What's more, +you can't scare me! I'm not afraid of you! I know what I did was all +right! Perhaps the _Leader_ knows more than you think. I'm not going +to tell where I got my information, and you can do as you please!" + +Sullivan had cooled down. He was a bit ashamed of having given way +to his anger, for usually he kept his temper. + +"All right," he said. "It's war between us now. Tell your city +editor he needn't send you to get any more news from me, and when +the _Leader_ wants any favors from Jack Sullivan it can whistle for +'em. I'm done with that sheet. I'll show 'em who Sullivan is!" + +Larry turned and went out. It was the first time he had been +browbeaten like this, but he kept his nerve. If he had only known +it, Sullivan was not the first politician to threaten to annihilate +a paper, nor was it Sullivan's initial attempt to scare reporters +into doing what he wanted. + +As Larry left the headquarters he met Peter Manton going in. + +"Making up another fake interview with Sullivan?" asked Peter, with +a sneer. "You've made a nice mess of it!" + +"I didn't make any worse one than you did with that wreck story," +retorted Larry, who could not forego this thrust at his old enemy. + +"I'll get even with you yet," exclaimed the rival reporter, as he +scowled at Larry, and entered Sullivan's private room. + +"I wonder what Sullivan will do about it?" thought Larry, as he went +back to the office. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A MISSING MILLIONAIRE + + +Contrary to Larry's expectations Mr. Emberg was not at all impressed +by Sullivan's threats. + +"I've heard talk like that before," the city editor said. "The +_Leader_ will try to worry along without the aid of Mr. Jack +Sullivan. As for you, Larry, don't give it another thought. If he +ever bothers you, or any of his ward-heelers try to make the least +trouble for you, let me know. I guess we have some influence in this +city. Well, I'll look for wholesale denials of your interview from +now on. Sullivan showed his hand too quickly it seems. We must try +for Potter now. Queer how he hangs back when we've got part of the +story." + +"Haven't any of the boys been able to find him?" asked Larry. + +"Harvey can't get near him, and when he can't no one can. There's +something queer about it. At the house they will give out no +information, except to say that Mr. Potter can't be seen. At his +office the clerks either say that he is engaged or has not come in +yet. I'm beginning to think he's keeping out of the way on purpose." + +Mr. Emberg's surmise about the other papers publishing denials of +the Sullivan interview was correct. Those journals which were on the +same political platform as that of the man whose enmity Larry had +incurred proved, to their own satisfaction at least, that Sullivan +could not support Reilly. As for the _Leader_, which was independent +in politics, that paper did not worry over the accusations of +"faking" made against it. Mr. Emberg knew he was right, and he was +planning for a big disclosure when some of his reporters could find +Hamden Potter. + +For a time the Sullivan matter was dropped, and Larry found his time +busily occupied in a varied lot of assignments. + +One day the young reporter was sent to one of the hotels to +interview a youthful millionaire, who had come to the city from a +distant town in a big touring car, accompanied by a number of +friends. + +"Hump! Seems to me I'm assigned to all the millionaire cases," mused +Larry. + +The young millionaire was named Dick Hamilton, and he was none other +than the youth who has figured in another series of mine, called the +"Dick Hamilton Series," starting with "Dick Hamilton's Fortune." +Dick had come to New York for the purpose of making an investment +and had had an encounter with a sharper, who had tried to sell him +some worthless stocks. + +"Please give me the story," pleaded Larry, and he got the tale in +detail, and what was more, he and Dick Hamilton became so friendly +that the young millionaire promised to keep the story from all other +reporters; so that Larry scored another beat, much to his own +satisfaction and the satisfaction of his friends. + +"Keep on and you'll be at the top," said the city editor, and then +he went on: "Here is something else you might look into, Larry. It +might make a fine thing for the Sunday supplement. You can go up +there, get the yarn, and you needn't come back to-day. Write it up +the first thing in the morning." + +"What sort of story is it?" asked Larry. + +"Why, it's a postal, from an old German, I take it, who says he has +invented a flying machine." + +"I guess he's about the only one in ten thousand who has been +successful then," answered Larry, smiling. + +"Oh, I don't suppose it amounts to anything," went on Mr. Emberg. +"But it may make a good story to let the old gentleman talk, and +describe the machine. The public likes stories about flying machines +and queer inventors, even if the machines don't work. Get a good +yarn, for we need one for the first page of the supplement. I'll +sent Sneed, the photographer, up later to get some pictures of it." + +The city editor handed Larry a postal card, poorly written and +spelled, on which there was a request that a reporter be sent to a +certain address on the East Side, to get a story of a wonderful +invention, destined to revolutionize methods of travel. + +It was not the first time Larry had been sent on this sort of an +assignment. Once he had gone to get a story of a new kind of gas +lamp a man had invented, and the thing had exploded while he was +watching the owner demonstrate it. Luckily neither of them were +hurt. + +Larry found the address given on the postal was in a dilapidated +tenement, seemingly deserted, and standing some distance away from +other buildings. + +When he got there he ran into a reporter named Fritsch, who worked +on a German newspaper. + +"Dot inventor vos mofed avay," said the German reporter. "Some +beoples told me he vos krazy." + +"Is the house vacant?" asked Larry. + +"I dink so. Maype ve walk through him, yah?" + +Larry was willing, and together the pair went into the tenement and +upstairs. + +As they passed through one of the halls Larry looked up and saw a +man peering down at him over a balustrade. He gave a gasp. + +"Vot it is?" questioned the German reporter. + +"That man!" cried Larry. He ran up the stairs and tried to catch +the individual, who was running away. + +The man was the person he had helped to rescue from the ocean--the +one who had given his name as Mah Retto. + +The strange man entered a side room and locked the door. Larry +knocked, but nobody answered his summons. + +"Dot vos not der inventor," said Fritsch. + +"I know it--but I'd like to see him, nevertheless," answered the +young newspaper man. + +A little later the two reporters came down into the street and +separated. Larry went home, but after supper that evening he walked +again in the direction of the lonely tenement. He wanted to see the +policeman, whose post took in that section of the city, and make +some inquiries of him. The officer might be able to throw some light +on the sudden appearance of the strange man. + +Larry found the policeman after some search. The officer, as soon as +he learned Larry was from the _Leader_, was very willing to tell all +he knew, for the _Leader_ was a paper that always spoke well of the +police, and the force appreciated this. + +"It sure is a queer house," said Patrolman Higgins. "I remember the +time it was filled with families, but they all moved away because +the owner didn't make any repairs. The only person there was a crazy +German who's daffy on airships. He got out to-day." + +"I've heard of him," replied Larry. "But is he the only one in +there? I heard there was another man stopping there." + +"Now that you speak of it, I shouldn't wonder but what there was," +answered Higgins. "I saw two lights in there to-night, for the first +time. I've got sort of used to seeing one in the window where the +crazy German is puttering away at his airship, but awhile ago I +noticed a gleam in another part of the house. I took it for a second +lamp the German had lighted, but now that I think of it, seems to me +it was on the other side of the house. I shouldn't wonder but what +you're right." + +"Oh, it doesn't matter much," said Larry, who did not want to arouse +too great interest in the matter. "I just thought you might happen +to know him." + +"I'll make some inquiries in the neighborhood," the officer went on. +"I don't want that shack to get to be a hanging-out place for +tramps. It was bad enough to have the German there, but he paid his +rent to the owner, who's about as crazy as the airship inventor. +I'll look up this other fellow. Drop around to-morrow night and I +may have some news for you." + +"I will," replied Larry, satisfied that he had put his plan into +operation. "It's nothing special, but I had an idea I might get a +story out of the chap." And he went home again. + +Larry reported to Mr. Emberg the next morning all the details of the +visit to the strange house. + +"If some East Indian chooses to hide himself it can't make much +difference to us," said the city editor. "I judge him to be a native +from that name. I've got another story for you to go out on. It's +about----" + +At that instant the telephone on Mr. Emberg's desk rang insistently. +He broke off what he was saying to Larry to grab up the instrument. + +"Hello. Yes, this is Mr. Emberg. Oh, is that you, Harvey? What's +that? Reported to the police as missing? Are you sure it's him? +Great Scott! If that's true that's a corking good story! That +explains some things! You take the police end and I'll send some one +up to the house! Good-bye!" + +The city editor was excited. + +"Here, Larry!" he cried. "Jump right out on this. The police have +just received a report that Hamden Potter, the millionaire +financier, is missing. They tried to keep it quiet, but Harvey got +on to it. Hustle up to Potter's house and get all the particulars +you can. Get a picture of him. Hamden Potter missing!" he went on, +as Larry hurried away on his assignment. "There's something queer in +the wind, that's sure!" + +There was--something more strange than Mr. Emberg suspected, and +Larry's assignment was one destined to last for some time. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A BRAVE GIRL + + +Hamden Potter lived in one of the finest houses in New York. Larry +had often admired it as he walked in the neighborhood of Central +Park, in which vicinity many other New York millionaires have their +residences. + +"Now I've got a chance to see the inside," thought Larry, as he sat +in the elevated train, and was whirled along toward his destination. +"That is if they let me in. Guess I'll have my hands full getting +information up there. Still, if I work it right, I may learn all I +want to know." + +There are only two general classes of persons from whom reporters +can get news. One class is that which is only too ready to impart +it, for their own ends and interests, and this news is seldom the +kind the papers want. The other class consists of persons who are +determined that they will give no information to the representatives +of the press. This class usually has the very news that the papers +want, and the journals strive all the more eagerly to get it, from +the very fact that there is a desire to hold it from them. Both +classes must be approached in ways best suited to them; the one +that they may not take up a reporter's valuable time with a lot of +useless talk, and the other that they may be tricked into giving out +that which they are determined to keep back. It was to the latter +class that Larry was going that morning. On his way up he was +turning over in his mind the best means of getting what he wanted. + +"Some butler or private secretary will come to the door," he +reasoned. "I've got to get in to see a member of the family. There's +only Mrs. Potter and her daughter Grace," for, in common with other +rich men and those in the public eye, Mr. Potter's family affairs +were, in a measure, public property to the New York newspaper world. + +As Larry had surmised, his ring at the door was answered by a +stately butler. + +"I wish to see Mr. Potter," said the reporter, venturing on a bold +stroke. He had learned several tricks of the trade. + +"Mr. Potter is not home," and the door was about to close. + +"Will you take a message to Mrs. Potter?" asked Larry quickly. + +The door was opened a little. + +"What name?" and the butler did not relax his severity. + +"It doesn't matter what name. Tell her I have called in reference to +Mr. Potter's absence." + +"Come in!" the butler exclaimed quickly. + +Larry had gained his first skirmish, in a manner perfectly +legitimate, regarded from a newspaper standpoint. He had called in +reference to Mr. Potter's disappearance--not to give information (as +the butler may have supposed), but to get it. + +"This way," said the man. "Mrs. Potter is in the library." + +Larry entered through the velvet portieres the butler held aside for +him. He saw, reclining on a couch, a handsome woman, whose face +showed traces of tears. Beside her stood the most beautiful girl +Larry had ever seen. She had brown eyes, brown hair, and a face +that, though it was sad, made Larry think of some wonderful +painting. + +"Some one with news of Mr. Potter," the butler announced. + +"Oh! Have you come to tell me of my husband?" the lady exclaimed, +sitting up suddenly. + +Larry's mind was working quickly. If he took the right means he was +liable to get the information he wanted. On the other hand he was in +a fair way to be shown the door indignantly, for he realized that he +had entered under false pretenses, however honorable his motives +might have been. + +"I beg your pardon for intruding," he said, speaking quickly. "I +have come to ask news of Mr. Potter, not to bring it. One moment," +as he saw Mrs. Potter's face assume a look of anger. "His +disappearance has been reported to the police. They tried to keep +it quiet, but it was impossible in the case of a man of Mr. Potter's +standing. Our paper--the _Leader_--knows of it. In a short time it +will be known to every paper in New York. I think it would be wise +for you to meet the situation, and give me whatever information you +can. We will only be too glad to help you locate your husband, and I +believe there is no better way than by newspaper publicity, even the +police will tell you that. If you could give me a description of the +missing man, when he was last seen, what sort of clothing he wore, +and a picture of him we will publish it in the paper. Thousands of +persons will see the account and will be on the lookout for him. +Believe me, it is the best way!" + +Larry paused for breath. He had rattled all that off without giving +Mrs. Potter a chance to stop him, for he wanted to present his case +in the most advantageous light. + +"Mamma, I believe he is right!" exclaimed Grace Potter. "I never +thought of it that way before. I thought the newspaper people were +horrid when any one had trouble." + +"We are human," said Larry with a little laugh, and Grace smiled, +though her eyes had traces of tears. + +"I could not think of discussing your father's affairs with a +reporter," said Mrs. Potter stiffly. + +"I don't want to pry into his affairs," returned Larry. "I only want +to help you find him." + +"But this publicity is so disgraceful!" + +"Not at all, madam. It is a misfortune, perhaps, but other families +have the same trouble. Nothing is thought of it. The newspapers are +the best means of tracing lost persons." + +"That's right, mother," interrupted Grace. "I often read +descriptions of persons who have disappeared, and a few days later I +see that they have been found, principally through an account in the +paper. I am sure this young gentleman will help us." + +"I will do all I can," said Larry. "So will the other papers, I am +sure. Now when did he disappear? Is this a picture of him?" and he +took one from the library table. "Suppose you let me take this to +have a cut made of it. I will return it," and before Mrs. Potter or +Grace could object Larry had it in his pocket. That is the way +reporters get along sometimes, by taking advantage of every +opportunity. Once lost these golden chances seldom can be seized +again. + +Before mother or daughter could answer Larry's question the door +bell rang, and, a moment later, the butler announced: + +"Some newspaper reporters, madam!" + +"Oh, this is dreadful! I can't see them!" exclaimed Mrs. Potter. +"Tell them to go away. Let them see Mr. Potter's lawyer!" + +"Mother, let me attend to this for you," said Grace. "I will see the +reporters. I will tell them all that is necessary. I'm not afraid. +I want to find poor, dear papa!" + +"You are a brave girl," murmured Mrs. Potter, as she wiped her eyes. +"I would not dare face them all in our trouble." + +Larry agreed with Mrs. Potter's characterization of Grace. It was no +easy task for a girl of eighteen to thus assume the responsibility, +but she had the courage, and Larry admired her for it. + +"You had better go to your room, mother," Grace went on. "I will see +the newspaper men in here," she added to the butler who was waiting. +"You may stay," she said, looking at Larry, "and you will learn all +we ourselves know." + +Larry realized there was no opportunity for a beat in this matter of +the disappearance of the millionaire, as the news the police get +they give out indiscriminately to all papers. So he was content to +get what information he needed in common with the other reporters. +But he had a picture, and he doubted if all the others would get +one. + +The butler showed the reporters in. They were nearly all young men, +about Larry's age, though one or two were gray-haired veterans of +the pencil. + +"What is it you wish to inquire about first?" asked Grace, as she +faced the newspaper men, more calmly than could her mother, who had +gone to her room. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +WHERE IS HE? + + +"When did Mr. Potter run away?" asked a voice from the group of +press representatives, and Larry saw it was his old enemy, Peter +Manton, of the _Scorcher_--a sensational sheet--who had made the +inquiry. + +"My father didn't run away!" exclaimed Grace indignantly. "If you +are going on that assumption I shall give you no information at +all." + +"That was a mistake," interposed an elderly reporter. "We are only +anxious to know when you last saw him," and someone whispered a +well-deserved rebuke to Peter. + +"To begin at the beginning," Grace resumed, "father went abroad with +mother and me several months ago. He was not in good health and his +physician recommended a change of air. We traveled in England and on +the continent, and then went to Italy. My father preceded us there, +as he had some business affairs to look after in Rome. + +"When we got to that city we found he had left there, as his +business called him away. He left word that he might have to sail +for this country ahead of us, but would try to meet us in Naples. We +proceeded there, only to find that he had sailed, and he told us to +come over on the next steamer. He promised to meet us in New York. + +"We sailed on the _Messina_, expecting my father would meet us at +the pier." + +"Did he meet you?" asked Larry, for he recalled that day when he had +secured the memorable interview with Sullivan, in which Mr. Potter's +name played an important part. + +"He did not," and there was a catch in the girl's voice. "One of his +clerks did, and said he had received a letter from my father, +stating that he was unavoidably detained, but that he would be with +us soon." + +She paused, and pressed her handkerchief to her eyes. + +"Well?" asked one of the reporters softly. + +"That is all," said Grace. "I have not seen my father since parting +with him at Munich, whence he proceeded to Rome. He has never +communicated directly with us, and we don't know what to think. It +is dreadful!" and she wept softly. + +There was a pause of a few seconds, while the girl recovered her +composure. Then the reporters began to ask questions, sparing Grace +as much as possible. + +In this way they learned that Mr. Potter's family could give no +description as to was dressed when he disappeared, for quite an +interval had elapsed between the time Grace and her mother had last +seen him, and when they learned that he was gone. + +Nor had Mr. Potter communicated with his office or his business +associates, except so far as to send a clerk to meet the steamer. +Before going to Europe he had arranged matters so his affairs could +be conducted in his absence, and his continued failure to come back +worked no harm in that respect. Confidential clerks attended to +everything, and the millionaire's large interests were well looked +after. + +So there was really not much that Grace could tell. She said she and +her mother had waited some time, after getting home, hoping Mr. +Potter would come back or communicate with them, but when he had not +done so they became alarmed. They feared he had met with some +mishap, and, after talking the matter over with his lawyers, they +had decided it would be best to report the matter to the police. + +"We are much obliged to you," said Larry, when it seemed that no +more questions were necessary. + +"We'll do our best, through the papers, to help find your father," +added a gray-haired reporter. + +"Now give us his picture," put in Peter Manton, in a commanding +tone. + +"We have none to give out at present," said Grace coldly. "We are +having a number made, showing him as he looked when he went away, +and they will be ready in a few days. The lawyers will attend to +that, if my father is not found in the meanwhile." + +"We've got to have a picture now!" exclaimed Peter. + +"You shut up!"--thus in a whisper, from another reporter who stood +near the representative of the _Scorcher_. "You don't know when +you've been treated decent. Half the millionaire families in New +York wouldn't even let us inside the door, let alone telling us all +we wanted to know. Dry up!" And Peter desisted after that rebuke. + +Larry managed to be the last one of the reporters to leave the +house. He lingered in the hall, and when he and Grace were there +alone he said: + +"One thing I forgot to ask. When you got back to the house was there +any evidence that your father had been here ahead of you? Was the +house shut up while you were in Europe?" + +"I'm glad you spoke of that," the girl replied. "I had forgotten +about it. Yes, the house was closed all the while we were away, and +opened the day mother and I got back. But, now that you speak of it, +I recollect something that seemed strange at the time. We were a +little worried when father did not meet us at the pier, and I had an +idea that he might have spent some nights in the house, pending our +arrival, though he had said in his letters that if he came over +ahead of us he was going to stop at a hotel. I went to his +room----" + +She broke into tears again, and Larry waited, looking out of the big +front doors, for he was embarrassed. + +"When I looked over his room," continued Grace, going on bravely, "I +saw something was missing, that I knew was on his dresser when we +left for Europe." + +"What was it?" asked Larry. + +"It was a little picture of mother and myself. My father was very +fond of it. He must have come to the house and taken it--one of his +last acts before he disappeared. It made me feel very sad when I +thought of it afterward." + +"Perhaps he took the picture to Europe with him, and you did not +know it," suggested Larry, who was beginning to develop the +instincts of a detective, as all reporters do, more or less. + +"No," said Grace positively. "I remember, I was the last one in +father's room before we sailed for Europe. The carriage was waiting +to take us to the pier, and father went out just ahead of me. He +spoke of the picture then, saying he would leave it to keep guard +over his room until he came back," and once more Grace could not +keep back her tears. + +"Could the picture have been stolen?" asked Larry. + +"The house was in perfect order when we came in," said the girl. +"Nothing else was missing. It seems as if father took that picture +to--to remind him of us--and--and that we would never see him +again." + +"Oh, yes, you will!" exclaimed Larry heartily. "You will find him +all right. Perhaps he has some business matters to attend to out +West, and hasn't time to come home." + +"He could have written." + +"Maybe he is some place where the mails are infrequent." + +Thus Larry tried to comfort Grace, but it was hard work, for the +disappearance of Hamden Potter certainly was strange and difficult +to explain. + +"I will let you know if we hear any news," said Larry as he prepared +to go. + +"Will you? That will be very kind of you. I thank you very much for +your help. I would never have known what to do if it had not been +for your suggestions. Come any time you have any news for us--and I +hope you will come soon--and often," Grace added with a blush. + +Larry's heart beat a little faster than usual, for it was not every +day he received such an invitation to a millionaire's house, nor +from such a pretty girl as Grace. + +"Afraid I'll not have much chance, though," he thought to himself as +he went down the steps. "I'll probably be taken off this case after +to-day, and some other reporter will get it. If I had a little more +experience they might let me work on it. Never mind, I'll get there +some day," and with this Larry comforted himself. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +IN THE TENEMENT HOUSE + + +The story of Hamden Potter's disappearance, as Larry wrote it, made +interesting reading. He used that part about the picture which Grace +had told him, but which the other reporters did not know about. The +photograph of the missing millionaire, which showed a man in the +prime of life, with a large moustache, came out well in the paper, +and as Larry saw the article, on the front page, under a "big head," +he could not but feel he had done well. + +In this he was confirmed by the city editor, who, seeing copies of +the other afternoon papers, as they were brought in to him, +exclaimed: + +"Well, Larry, you did fine!" + +"How's that?" asked the youth. + +"Why you've got 'em all beat on the picture proposition, and none of +'em have that part about his coming back to the house and taking the +miniature of his wife and daughter. That's the best part of the +whole yarn." + +"I got that by luck, almost at the last minute, when the others were +gone," said Larry. + +"That's the kind of luck that makes big stories," commented Mr. +Emberg. "You might take a run up to the house this evening and see +if there's anything new, and then you can pay a visit in the +morning. I'll have the police end looked after by Harvey, and I'll +send a man to Mr. Potter's office. It's barely possible he may turn +up there any minute. I have an idea that he is temporarily insane +because of his heavy business responsibilities, and that he has +wandered off somewhere. He'll come back in a few days. What do you +think about it yourself, Larry?" + +"I hardly know what to think. I never was on a case like this +before. When I first heard about his taking the picture away I +thought maybe he had gone off somewhere to commit suicide, and +wanted it with him." + +"No suicide for Hamden Potter," put in Harvey Newton, with a laugh, +as he stood listening to Larry and Mr. Emberg talking. "He has too +much to live for." + +"Well, I didn't want to think that," Larry went on. "He has a very +fine wife and----" + +"And a beautiful daughter," broke in Harvey. "Look out, Larry, this +is not a love story you're working on." + +Larry blushed like a girl, for several times that day he had caught +himself thinking of Grace and how pretty she was. + +"Let Larry alone for getting all the facts in the case," said Mr. +Emberg. "I suppose Miss Grace gave you some information?" + +"She talked to all the reporters," Larry said. "Mrs. Potter is a +nervous wreck." + +"Well, run up any time this evening," went on the city editor. "You +might stumble on some news. You wrote a very good story to-day. Try +again to-morrow. We've beat the other papers on it as it is." + +Larry got Mr. Potter's picture back from the art department, where a +cut for use in the paper had been made, and decided that he would +have a good excuse for calling at the Potter residence in going back +to return it as he had promised. + +"I wish I had some news to tell her," the young reporter thought as +he went home to supper, "but it's too soon yet. I'd like to be a +detective and see if I couldn't find her father for her. I wonder +where he can be, or why he disappeared? Of course, if he's out of +his mind, as Mr. Emberg believes, that would account for it, but I +don't think he is." + +Telling his mother he did not expect to be out long, Larry left the +house early that evening. He intended to go to Mr. Potter's +residence, leave the picture, have a few minutes' talk with Grace, +and then go home by way of the street on which the tenement was +located, where he had undergone the queer experience with the crazy +inventor. + +"Maybe the policeman has discovered something new about that +strange man from the wreck," thought Larry. + +He found Grace more composed than when he had seen her in the +afternoon. + +"Did you bring me any news?" she asked, as she took the picture. + +"I'm sorry, but I couldn't. I will, though, if there is any to +bring. I'm sure your father will be found." + +"So am I!" exclaimed the girl. "Poor mother is in despair, but I am +not going to give up. If the police can't find him I'm going to make +a search myself. I know a great deal about his business. Father +always said I ought to have been a boy." + +Larry thought it would have been a pity, but he did not say so. + +"I'll search all over until I find him," Grace went on. + +"And I'll help you!" cried Larry, fired to sudden enthusiasm. + +"Will you? Really? That will be fine!" and, before she was aware of +what she was doing, Grace had held out her hand. Larry gave it a +firm grip, and the girl blushed. + +"I suppose I shouldn't have done that!" she said. "I'm always doing +things on impulse. I don't even know your name. I must call you Mr. +Reporter," and she smiled. + +"I'm Larry Dexter," said our hero, blushing a bit himself. "I know +your name, so now I suppose we may consider ourselves introduced." + +"I guess so, though it isn't strictly according to form. But never +mind. This is no time for ceremonies. I hope you will have news for +me--soon." + +"So do I," answered Larry as he took his leave. + +The young reporter was soon in that neighborhood of the city where +was situated the deserted tenement in which he believed there was +some mystery. As he approached the ramshackle old structure he +noticed a figure pacing up and down in front of it. + +"If that's the lunatic inventor of the airship I think I'll pass on +the other side," Larry said to himself. It was dark in that section +of the city, the electric lights being few and far between. However, +as the figure approached, and as Larry continued on, the youth saw +he had nothing to fear, for it was that of his friend, Policeman +Higgins. + +"Well," asked Larry, as he came up. "Anything new?" + +This is the reporter's form of greeting to almost everyone he meets, +and means: "Have you any news for me?" + +"Good-evening," replied Officer Higgins. "I was just thinking about +you." + +"Nothing bad, I hope." + +"No, I was wishing you'd happen along. You remember we were talking +the other night about a strange man that you thought was in here?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, he's in here now, and I'm going to see what he's up to. The +crazy old professor, with his airship, has moved out, and the house +is deserted except for this new bird. I'm going to raid his nest, +for I suspect he's up to no good. I've been watching his light for +some time, and he's moving around in several rooms. Maybe he's going +to set fire to the place." + +"Going to tackle him alone?" asked Larry. + +"No, I've telephoned to the sergeant to send me a man to help me go +through the shack, for though I'm not a coward I've no hankering to +go in that shell after dark, knowing a man may be waiting for me +with a knife or a gun." + +"I'll stay here and see what happens," said Larry. + +"Come along in with us if you like," went on Higgins, for he had +taken a liking to the young reporter. "You may get a story out of +it. Here comes Storg now," he added, as the form of another bluecoat +was seen approaching down the street. + +The two officers held a brief consultation. Higgins showed where a +light was nickering back and forth between two rooms on one side of +the building, about the third story up. + +"It's been going that way for the last hour," said Higgins. "I'm +going in now. Get your gun ready, Storg. You may not need it, but, +if you do, it's best to have it handy." + +Larry followed behind the policemen, his heart beating a little +faster than usual. He was anxious to see the man who was in hiding, +and who, he believed, was the same one he and the fisherman had +rescued from the sea. He believed there was a mystery connected with +the fugitive which would make a good story, even if he was an East +Indian. + +"Easy now," cautioned Higgins, but Larry thought it was needless, as +the heavy shoes of the officers made noise enough to awaken the +soundest sleeper. + +The bluecoats entered the dark hallway of the tenement. The doors +were void of locks and swung to and fro, creaking on rusty hinges, +as the wind blew them. There was a damp and unpleasant smell in the +house, and now and then came queer sounds, that echoed through the +deserted rooms. + +"Nothing but shutters banging," explained Higgins, as his +companion-in-arms started. "They're flapping like a bird's broken +wing, all over the place. Now for our mysterious friend." + +But for the fact that both officers carried small pocket electric +lamps, operated by dry batteries, they would have had difficulty in +making their way through the halls and up the stairs, for there were +many holes, caused by rotting boards. As it was they moved along +with some speed, until they came to the third floor. + +"He'll be about here somewhere," whispered Higgins, a needless +precaution, as their advance had been already heralded by their +heavy foot-falls. + +"There's a light there," said Storg, pointing to the end of a long +hall. Coming from under a door could be seen a faint gleam. + +"That's where he is!" exclaimed Higgins. "Come on!" + +Larry followed the officers. Their steps echoed through the silent +building. Forward they went until they came to the door beneath +which the light showed. Higgins tried the knob. The portal was +locked. + +"Let us in! We're police officers!" he exclaimed. + +There was a rustling within the room, but no attempt was made to +open the door. + +"Open or we'll break it in!" cried Higgins, and, as there was no +answer, but only silence, he put his big shoulder to the frail door. +There was a crackling sound, a splintering of wood and the hinges +gave way. Higgins fairly jumped into the room as the portal fell in. +Storg followed after him, with his hand on his revolver, ready to +use it should occasion arise. But there was no need, for the room +was deserted, though a candle burning on a mantel showed there had +recently been an occupant in it. + +"He's gone!" cried Higgins, looking around. + +At that moment there was a sound in the corridor, and somewhere +along its length a door opened. + +"He's getting away!" yelled Storg, as he jumped back into the +hallway. Larry followed, and the policeman flashed his electric +lamp. + +Then, in the little circle of light cast from the glass bullseye, +Larry saw, running down the stairs, the smooth-shaven man he had +helped pull from the angry sea on the life-raft. + +"There he goes! Catch him!" cried Storg, as he clattered down the +stairs after the fugitive. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +LARRY'S SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT + + +"Hold on! Stop!" yelled Higgins, running from the room. "Halt, or +I'll shoot!" + +It would have done little good had he done so, for by this time the +mysterious man was in the second hallway, and out of reach of any +possible bullets. + +"You stay here and look after things, I'll catch him!" called Storg, +as he raced down the stairs, his light making erratic circles as he +advanced. + +"I guess that's good advice," commented Higgins to Larry, who had +remained in the upper corridor. "I'm too fat to run. Let's see what +he left behind." + +Back into the room, where the candle was burning, went Larry and the +policeman. A quick survey showed nothing unusual. There were some +old chairs and a table, left probably by the departed tenants. + +"He must have had the run of several rooms," Higgins went on. "He +came out of some apartment farther down the hall, and that's how he +fooled us. He was on the watch, and that shows there must be +something queer about him." + +"Let's take a look through the other rooms," suggested Larry. + +Showing his light Higgins led the way. They went through several +other bare and deserted chambers, but saw no indications that the +stranger had been in them. Presently they came to what had been a +bathroom, though most of the plumbing had been torn out by thieves, +for the value of the lead pipes and the faucets. + +"He's been here!" cried Larry, as he pointed to a faint spark in one +corner of the room. + +The policeman flashed his electric on it. It proved to be a candle +that had burned down into the socket, the remainder of a wick +smouldering and glowing. + +"Yes, and he shaved himself here," the officer added, as he pointed +to a razor, some soap, and pieces of paper on which were +unmistakable evidences that the mysterious man had been acting as +his own barber. "I'd like to catch him," the bluecoat went on. "I'm +sure there's something crooked about him." + +"It looks so," agreed Larry. "Maybe Storg will get him." + +"I hope so," and Higgins began to make a more thorough search of the +apartment. + +There was nothing, however, which shed any further light on the +mysterious man. It was evident, though, that he had lived in the +deserted house for several days, since there were remnants of food +scattered here and there. + +"The mystery is getting deeper and deeper," thought Larry. He said +nothing to the policeman about the man being a person who had come +ashore from the _Olivia_. "I'm going to ask Mr. Emberg to let me +work on this case," he resolved, while he followed Higgins from room +to room. "I believe it will be a great story if I can get all the +details." + +How much of a story it was destined to be Larry had no idea of at +that moment, though his newspaper instinct, that led him to suspect +there was a strange mystery connected with Mah Retto, was perfectly +correct, as he learned later. + +"Well, I don't see that we can learn anything more here," remarked +Higgins when he had been in a number of chambers on the third floor. +"He evidently only used a few of these handsome apartments," and he +laughed as he looked around on the dilapidated rooms, with the +plaster peeling from the walls, the windows half broken, and the +doors falling from their hinges. + +"Hark!" exclaimed Larry. "Some one is coming!" + +Footsteps sounded in the lower hall. + +"That's Storg, coming back!" cried Higgins. "I hope he got his man." + +He leaned over the balustrade and called down: + +"Any luck, Storg?" + +"No, he got away," was the reply. "He's a good runner. I couldn't +keep up to him." + +"Never mind," consoled Higgins. "Maybe it's just as well. We'd have +trouble proving anything illegal against him, though I could have +had him held on a charge of vagrancy until I investigated a bit." + +The officers, followed by Larry, left the ramshackle structure, with +the wind whistling mournfully through the broken windows, and the +shutters banging, while the doors creaked on the rusty and broken +hinges. + +"I wouldn't want to stay there all alone at night," thought the +young reporter, as he started toward home. "A man must have a strong +motive to cause him to hide in there. I'd like to find out what it +is. Perhaps I shall, some time." + +Larry spoke of the matter to Mr. Emberg the next day. He said he +thought it might be a good idea to devote some hours to working up +the story, in an endeavor to learn who the queer man was. + +"Still puzzling over your East Indian, eh?" asked the city editor. +"Well, there may be something in it, but just now I have something +else for you to do." + +"Another flying-machine story?" + +"Not exactly. I'm going to give you a special assignment." + +Larry was all attention at once. The best part of the newspaper life +is being given a special assignment--that is, put to work on a +certain case, to the exclusion of everything else. Every reporter +dreams of the time when he shall become a special correspondent or +given a special assignment. It means that your time is your own, to +a great extent; that you may go and come as you please; that your +expense bills are seldom questioned, and that you may travel afar +and see strange sights. The only requirement, and it is not an easy +one, is that you get the news, and get it in time for the paper. Of +course, it need not be said that you must let no other paper beat +you, but this seldom occurs, as when a reporter is on a special +assignment he works alone, and what he gets is his. There are no +other newspaper men to worry him. + +So, when Mr. Emberg told Larry there was a special assignment for +him, the young reporter's heart beat high with hope. He had often +wished for one, but they had never come his way before, though to +many on the _Leader_ they were an old story. + +"What is it?" asked Larry, wondering how far out of town it would +take him. + +"I want you to find Mr. Potter, the missing millionaire, Larry," +said Mr. Emberg. + +"Find Mr. Potter?" + +"That's it. I want you to devote your whole time to that case. Never +mind about anything else. Find Mr. Potter. There's a big story back +of his going away; a bigger story than you have any idea of. I don't +know what it is myself, but I want you to find out. Now I am going +to give you free rein and full swing. Do whatever you think is +necessary. Get us news. We'll have to have a story every day, for +we're going to play this thing up and feature it. You're going to be +on the firing-line, so to speak. Take care of yourself, but don't go +to sleep. Get ahead of the other fellows and get us news. That's +what we want. That's what makes the _Leader_ a success. It's because +we get the news, and generally get it first. + +"I can't tell you where to start, or what to do. You'll have to find +that out for yourself. Get all the information you can from the +family. See some of Mr. Potter's business associates. Have another +interview with Sullivan. Maybe he knows something about it, though I +doubt it. + +"At any rate, whatever you do, find Mr. Potter," and at this closing +instruction Mr. Emberg learned back in his chair and looked sharply +at Larry. + +"Suppose I can't," and the young reporter smiled. + +"'Can't' isn't in the reporter's dictionary," the city editor +replied. "You've got to find him. I don't want to see you fall down. +You've done well, so far, Larry. Now's a chance to distinguish +yourself." + +Larry knew that it was. He also realized that he was going to have +his hardest work since he had become a reporter. It was a special +assignment, such as any newspaper man might wish for, but it was not +one that could be characterized as easy. + +"I've got my work cut out for me," thought the youth, as he turned +away. + +"Here's an order for fifty dollars," went on Mr. Emberg, as he +handed the young reporter a slip of paper. "Take it to the cashier, +and when you want more for expenses let me know. Don't be afraid of +using it if you see a chance to get news, but, of course, don't +waste it. Now go, and find Mr. Potter, but don't forget we must have +some sort of a story every day." + +Larry's first act, after receiving his special assignment, was to go +to Mr. Potter's house. Grace received him, and, in answer to his +inquiry, stated that the family had no more news than they had at +first. + +"I thought you could tell us something," said the girl in +disappointed tones. + +"Perhaps I can, soon," replied Larry. "I'm detailed specially on +this case now," and he told her of his assignment. + +"Does that mean you have nothing to do but to search for my father?" + +"That's what it means." + +"Oh, please find him for me!" exclaimed the girl. "You don't know +how much I have suffered since he has been missing, nor how much my +mother has suffered. It has been terrible! Oh, if you only could +find him for us!" + +"Miss Potter," began Larry, who was deeply touched by her distress, +"a newspaper man could have no greater incentive to work than the +duty to which his assignment calls him. More especially in this +case to which my city editor has told me to devote my whole time. +But aside from that I'm going to find your father for your sake and +your mother's. I'll do all I can. I'll work on this case day and +night. I'll find your father for you!" + +"Oh!" exclaimed Grace, "you don't know how much good it does me to +hear you talk so! It seemed as if no one cared. Of course my +father's business associates want him to come back, and so do his +friends, but--but they don't wish it as much as my mother does and +as I do! I miss him so much!" + +If Larry had not had the injunction laid on him by Mr. Emberg to +urge him on in the search, the appeal by Grace would have been more +than sufficient. Hereafter, he resolved, he would feel somewhat as +did the knights of old when they were commissioned by their ladies +to execute some bold deed. + +"Don't worry," he told Grace, as he saw her distress was getting the +better of her. "I'll find him." + +"Suppose you can't?" + +"There's no such work as 'can't' in my dictionary," replied Larry, +repeating what Mr. Emberg had told him. + +Grace smiled at the young reporter's enthusiasm, but she knew she +could have had no better friend, no one who would devote more time +and energy to her cause, and no one who had so strong a motive for +finding the missing millionaire as had this young newspaper +reporter. + +While the two were discussing various details of the case there was +a ring at the front door, and, presently, the butler entered the +library. + +"Mr. Jack Sullivan to see you, miss," he announced. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +SULLIVAN'S QUEER ACCUSATION + + +"Whom did you say it was?" asked Grace. + +"Mr. Jack Sullivan," repeated the butler. "I asked him for his card, +miss, but he said he hadn't got none. Told me to mention his name, +an' said you'd know him." + +"But I don't know him," protested Grace. "I never heard of him in my +life. There must be some mistake. Are you sure he wants, me, +Peterson?" + +"He said so, miss, but I'll ask again." + +Whereupon the butler, as stiff as a ramrod, went back to the door +where he had left Mr. Sullivan standing. + +"He means you, miss," the functionary remarked, as he came back to +the library. + +"I wonder what he can want," Grace said, half to herself. "I don't +know any such person. I think there's a mistake. I will see him, and +tell him so." + +"Wait a minute," exclaimed Larry. "Perhaps I can explain this. I +think I know Mr. Sullivan." + +"Who is he?" + +"A political leader of the eighth assembly district." + +"What does that mean; I'm dreadfully ignorant of politics," Grace +remarked with a smile. "Poor papa was much interested in them, but I +never could make head or tail out of political matters." + +"I have an idea that Sullivan has called here in reference to the +disappearance of your father." + +"Why do you think that?" and Grace turned pale. "Do you think he +brings bad news?" + +"On the contrary, I think he has come in search of information." + +"But how can he be interested?" + +Thereupon Larry told of his interview with the politician, based on +what he had overheard in reference to Mr. Potter and the extension +of the subway. + +"Wasn't your father interested in building a new line of street +railroad?" he asked of Grace. + +"I'm sure I don't know. I never kept track of papa's business +matters." + +"I see." + +"What ought I to do about this Mr. Sullivan?" Grace asked. + +"I think you had better see him," replied Larry. + +"I'd be afraid to, alone, and mother has such a headache that she +can't come downstairs. Will you stay in the room with me?" and she +looked appealingly at Larry. + +"I'm afraid if I did Sullivan wouldn't talk. He knows me, and +imagines I have done him a wrong, which I have not. I believe he +considers me his enemy. He would probably go away without saying +anything if you met him in my presence." + +"But you don't need to be actually present," said Grace, with sudden +inspiration. "Look here, this is a little alcove," and she pulled +aside a hanging curtain and showed a recess in the library wall. +"You can stand in there, and hear whatever he has to say. I'd feel +safer if you were near. Of course there's Peterson, but he's so +queer, and I don't like the servants to hear too much about poor +father's disappearance. Will you stay here and be at hand in case I +want you?" + +"Of course I will," replied Larry after a moment's hesitation. "I +have no idea that Sullivan will annoy you. He's too much of a +politician for that. And I may be able to get a clue from what he +says, though I don't imagine he knows where Mr. Potter is." + +"Then I'll see him," decided Grace. "Peterson," she called. + +"Yes, miss." + +"You may show Mr. Sullivan in here." + +"In here, miss?" and the butler looked at Larry. + +"I said in here." + +"Very well, miss." + +"Now hide," commanded the girl in a whisper, as soon as Peterson had +gone to the front door, where Mr. Sullivan had been kept waiting, as +the butler evidently thought the caller did not look like a person +to be admitted to the hallway until he had showed his credentials, +or until he had been authorized to come in by some member of the +family. + +Larry got behind the curtain. No sooner had the folds ceased shaking +than Mr. Sullivan entered the library. Larry could see him, though +the young reporter himself was hidden from view. Grace remained +standing. + +"You wished to see me?" she asked in formal tones. + +"Yes, Miss Potter," and Larry noted that Sullivan was ill at ease. +"I called about your father." + +"Do you know where he is?" + +"No, Miss Potter. How should I?" and Sullivan looked quite +surprised. + +"Then why did you come?" + +"I came for some information, miss." + +"We have none to give you. We have told the police and the reporters +all we know." + +"Are you sure?" and at this question Sullivan's bearing became +different. He seemed bolder. + +"What do you mean?" demanded Grace. + +"I mean just this," went on the politician. "I've got a right to +know where Mr. Potter is. A great deal depends on it. I've got to +find him. Reilly wants to find him. He and Reilly had some deal on, +and it's time it was put through. It's going to make trouble if it +isn't. I want to know where Mr. Potter is?" + +"So do we," answered Grace. "If this is all that you came for you +had better leave." + +"It isn't all I came for!" Sullivan's voice had an angry ring. "I +don't believe you have told the police or the newspapers all you +know about this thing. I believe----" + +"Leave this room!" commanded Grace. "Leave it at once, or I shall +ring for the servants to show you the door! What do you mean?" + +"I mean just what I say!" and the politician's voice was angry now. +"I mean that you know where your father is, and that you're only +pretending you don't. It's some game to fool Reilly and me. We'll +not stand for it. I want you to tell me where your father is!" + +He took a step toward Grace. She seemed dazed. + +"Tell me! Do you hear!" and, probably because he was so excited, the +politician made a movement as if he meant to grasp the frightened +girl by the arm. + +"Oh!" she screamed. "Don't touch me! Larry!" + +"Quit that!" cried the young reporter, stepping suddenly from behind +the curtain. "That will do, Mr. Sullivan!" + +Larry spoke more calmly than he had any idea he could under the +circumstances. He seemed master of the situation. + +The very suddenness of Larry's appearance caused Sullivan to recoil +a step. He fairly glared at the young reporter and then looked at +Grace, who was trembling from the words and actions of her rude +visitor. + +"You here!" exclaimed the politician, in a whisper. "So that's the +game, eh? I thought the _Leader_ was in on it." + +"There's no game at all!" cried Larry, indignantly. "I am here in +the interests of the paper to learn all I can about Mr. Potter's +disappearance." + +"Then ask her to tell you the truth!" cried Sullivan, pointing his +finger at Grace. "She knows where he is!" + +"I don't! I wish I did!" and Grace faced her accuser with flashing +eyes. + +"Don't repeat that remark," said Larry, calmly, though there was a +determined air about him. "You know better than that, Mr. Sullivan," +and Larry stood fearlessly before the politician. In the unlikely +event of a physical encounter Larry had no fears, for he was tall +and strong for his age. + +"It's true!" Sullivan repeated, in a sort of a growl, for he was a +little afraid of the tempest he had stirred up. + +"I say it isn't," Larry replied. "I have worked on this case from +the start, and I know as much about it as any one. What's more, I +think you know more than you are willing to admit. I haven't +forgotten the interview you gave me, and which you denied later. I +think there's something under all this that will make interesting +reading when it comes out." + +"You--you don't suspect me, do you?" and Larry noted that Sullivan's +hands were trembling. + +"I don't know what to suspect," the young reporter answered, +determined to take all the advantage he could of the situation. "It +looks very queer. It will read queerer still when it comes out in +the _Leader_--how you came here to threaten Miss Potter." + +"You--you're not going to put that in, are you?" asked the +politician. + +"I certainly am." + +"If you do I'll----" + +"Look here!" exclaimed Larry. "You've made threats enough for one +day. It's time for you to go. There's the door! Peterson!" he +called. "Show this man out!" + +Larry was rather surprised at his own assumption of authority, but +Grace looked pleased. + +"Yes, sir, right away, sir," replied the butler with such promptness +as to indicate that he had not been far away. + +He pulled back the portieres that separated the library from the +hall, and stood waiting the exit of Mr. Sullivan. + +"This way," he said, and a look at his portly form in comparison +with the rather diminutive one of the politician would at once have +prejudiced an impartial observer in favor of Peterson. "This way, if +you please." + +"You'll hear from me again," growled Sullivan, as he sneaked out. +"I'm not done with you, Larry Dexter!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +GRACE GETS A LETTER + + +The door closed after Sullivan. Larry, standing in the library +entrance, watched him leave the house. Then he turned to look at +Grace. + +"Oh, that was terrible!" the girl exclaimed, almost ready to cry, +but bravely keeping back the tears. "What a horrid man! What did he +mean?" + +"I'm sure I don't know," replied Larry. "I doubt if he does himself. +Mr. Potter's disappearance has evidently sent some of his plans +askew, and he is hardly responsible for what he says or does. Don't +let it worry you." + +"I wonder if he knows where my father is?" + +"I don't believe he does. If he did he would hardly come here, +hoping to deceive you or your mother. No; Sullivan wants to find out +where Mr. Potter is just as much as we do. Why, I can't tell yet, +but he has a good reason, a strong reason, or he would not have +acted as he did." + +"What had I better do?" asked the girl. + +"Do nothing. Leave it to me. I will write something for the +_Leader_ that will make Sullivan wish he had stayed away from here." + +"Mother doesn't like this newspaper publicity." + +"I can imagine it is not very pleasant for her," admitted Larry. +"But it has to be borne if we are going to find your father. The +more the papers print of the affair the better chance there is of +finding him. If he is staying away for some reason he will see what +a stir his disappearance has caused, and will be anxious to arrange +matters so he can come back. If he is being detained against his +will, the publicity will cause his captors an alarm which may result +in their releasing him. So, too, if any one sees him wandering about +they will recognize him by his picture, or by the description, and +inform the police." + +"Suppose--suppose he--should be--dead," and Grace whispered the +words. + +"Don't think that for a moment!" + +"It is over two weeks now since he disappeared, and not one word +have we heard from him." + +"Persons have been known to disappear for longer periods than that, +and yet turn up all right," said the young reporter, endeavoring to +find some consolation for the girl. He related several instances of +similar cases that had come to his attention since he had been in +newspaper work. + +"Now don't put too much in the paper about Mr. Sullivan--and me," +said the girl as Larry was going. "There has been sufficient +printed all ready, and some of my friends think I must have a staff +of reporters at my beck and call, to get my name mentioned so +often," and she smiled at Larry. + +"I'll not mention you any more than necessary," he promised, +thinking that Grace was much prettier when a smile brought out a +dimple in each cheek. + +Larry's description of Sullivan's visit to the Potter house proved +to be what Mr. Emberg described as "a corking good scoop." None of +the other papers had a line about it, of course, for Larry was the +only reporter in a position to get inside information, and Sullivan +was not likely to give out any account of his strange call. + +"You seem to be keeping right after all the ends of this story, +Larry," said Mr. Emberg the day after the account of Sullivan's +visit was printed. "That's what we want. Now what sensation are you +going to give us to-day?" + +"I don't know. Not a very good one, I'm afraid. I've been to Mr. +Potter's office. There's nothing new there, and I guess I'll have to +fix up a re-hash of yesterday's stuff unless I can strike another +lead. To-morrow I'm going to work on a new plan." + +"What is it?" asked the city editor. + +"I'm going to the steamship docks and----" + +Before Larry could finish the telephone on Mr. Emberg's desk rang, +and, as this instrument has precedence over everything else in a +newspaper office, Larry broke off in the midst of his remark to wait +until Mr. Emberg had answered the wire. + +"Yes, he's here, standing right close to the 'phone," he heard the +city editor say in response to the unseen questioner. "Some young +lady wants to talk to you," Mr. Emberg went on, handing the portable +instrument to Larry. + +"Young lady to speak to me?" murmured Larry, as he took the +telephone. + +"This is Grace Potter," he heard through the instrument. + +"Oh, how are you?" called Larry, for want of something better to +say. + +"Come right up," Grace said. "I have some news for you." + +"What is it?" + +"I have a letter from my father!" + +"A letter from your father? Where is he? How did it come? Who +brought it? Is he home?" + +Larry fired these questions out rapidly. But there was a click in +the 'phone that told him the connection was cut off. Evidently Grace +had no time to tell more. + +"Hurry up there!" exclaimed Mr. Emberg, as soon as he understood the +import of the message Larry had received. "This will be a feature of +to-day's story! Hurry, Larry!" + +Larry thought the transportation facilities in New York were never +so slow as on that journey to the Potter house. He tried to +imagine, on the way up, what sort of a letter Grace had received +from her father. That it contained good news he judged from the +cheerful note in her voice. + +"Things seem to be happening quite rapidly," the young reporter +mused, as he got off at the elevated station nearest to his +destination. "First thing I know I'll find him, and then I'll not +have a chance to see Grace any more." + +He dwelt on this thought, half-laughing at himself. + +"I guess I'd better stop thinking of her and attend strictly to this +disappearance business," he murmured as he went up the steps of the +Potter mansion. "She's too rich for one thing, and another is I'm +too poor, though I'm earning good wages, and we have some money in +the bank," for the sale of the Bronx land, as related in "Larry +Dexter, Reporter," had netted Mrs. Dexter and her children about ten +thousand dollars. + +Larry's ring at the bell was answered by Grace, who, it would seem, +had been on the watch for him. + +"I thought you would never come," she said. "I telephoned ever so +long ago." + +"I came as fast as I could," Larry responded. "Where is the letter?" + +Grace held out to him a small piece of paper. On it was but a single +line of writing. It read: + +"Am well. Have to stay away for a time. Don't worry. Will write +again." + +It was signed with Mr. Potter's name. + +"Are you sure it's from your father?" asked Larry, thinking some +cruel person might be trying to play a joke, or that some +enterprising reporter had sent the message for the sake of making +news. Such things are sometimes done by New York newspaper men, +though their city editors may know nothing about it. + +"I couldn't mistake father's writing," replied Grace. "Mamma knows +it is from him, and she is much happier. But we can't imagine why he +has to stay away." + +"When did you get this, and how did it come?" asked the reporter. + +"The postman brought it a little while ago." + +"Where is the envelope?" + +Grace handed it to Larry. An inspection of the post-mark showed that +it had been mailed in New York in the vicinity of sub-station Y, +which was on the East Side. It might have been dropped in one of the +many street boxes from which collections were made for that +particular office, or it might have been mailed in the station +itself. + +"Not much to trace him by," said Larry. He looked at the envelope +again and saw that there was a small ink blot on the lower left-hand +corner, and that the corner where the stamp was affixed was smeared +as if with some sticky substance. + +"Any one would think you were a detective," said Grace, as she +watched Larry examining the envelope. "What does it matter now? We +are sure father is alive, for that note was posted yesterday. That +has made mother and me happy. Of course we want to find him, but I +don't see how you can by that letter. I thought you'd like to know +about it to make a little item for the paper, and I wanted to repay +you for your kindness to mother and me." + +"I haven't done anything," Larry replied. "I am only too glad to be +of service to you. But I may be able to find out something by this +envelope." + +"I don't see how." + +"Will you let me take it to the sub-station?" + +"Of course. But what good will that do?" + +"I want to ask the sorters and clerks in charge if they remember +having handled it. I may find the carrier who brought it in from the +box, and he can tell in what locality it was." + +"But how can they remember when they must handle thousands of +letters every day?" + +"Perhaps they cannot, but it is worth trying. You see in that +section of the city are mostly foreigners, who write a peculiar +hand, and use stationery anything but clean or of this quality. This +envelope and paper are of an expensive kind." + +"Yes, they are some father had made to order for his private +correspondence. I did not know he took any to Europe with him, but +he must have." + +"It may be that a letter carrier or mail sorter took enough notice +of the envelope to remember it," Larry went on. "Besides there is a +small blot on it, and the way in which the stamp is put on shows +that some glue or paste was applied to the envelope. Probably he +used an old stamp which had no mucilage on. To make it fast to the +envelope your father, or whoever posted the letter, would have had +to use some sticky substance, and, in doing so, he has put it on a +little too thick. Some spread out from under the stamp and soiled +the envelope. + +"Of course the sorters and carriers don't pay much attention to the +pieces of mail, except to see that they are properly stamped and +addressed, but it's worth trying. This envelope would attract +attention if anything would." + +"And you are going to use that for a clue?" + +"I'm going to try. It may be useless. If we can find in what +particular locality it was mailed we can have the police keep a +watch for your father. He may mail other letters there." + +"But my father is not a criminal. Why should the police watch for +him so particularly. They are keeping a general lookout now, but I +wouldn't like to think they were lying in wait for him." + +"It's the only way to find him," said Larry. "Of course it's +unpleasant, but there is evidently some mystery here, and that's the +best way to clear it up." + +"But he says he has to stay away for a while," argued Grace. "Maybe +he wouldn't like to be found." + +"Of course that point has to be considered," Larry admitted. "But I +take it you and your mother want to find your father, or be in a +position to communicate with him." + +"Oh, we do!" exclaimed Grace. + +"Then we'll have to ask the police to help us. There is no disgrace +in it. Everyone knows your father is honorable, and if he wants to +disappear that's his business. It is also perfectly right for you to +try to find him, for----" and Larry stopped. + +"Well, for what?" asked Grace, seeing the reporter hesitate. + +"I don't want to alarm you," Larry went on, "but I was going to say +that there is no way of telling but what some one may have imitated +his writing and forged his name." + +"I am sure that is my father's writing," the girl said, earnestly. +"Of course I may be mistaken. I hope not. I prefer to believe that +note is from him. It makes me happier." + +"Of course there is only the barest possibility that this note is +not from your father, but we can take no chances. That is why I want +to make a systematic search, beginning at the sub-station." + +"And where will it end?" asked Grace. + +"I don't know. But after that I am going to the steamship piers of +all the lines that ply between here and Italy." + +"What for?" + +"I want to see if the captain of any of the steamers recalls any +man answering your father's description having come over with him. +He must have sailed on some steamer, as he is in this country, if +that note is from him." + +"That's a good idea," commented Grace. "How I wish I could help you. +Couldn't I? Couldn't I go around with you--that is to the steamer +piers? I've crossed the ocean several times, and I know some of the +captains of the Italian lines." + +"Maybe that would be a good idea," said Larry, secretly delighted +with it. "You can come with me to-morrow. I will go to the +sub-station now, and will let you know what I learn. Then we will +make a tour of the piers. You'll be of great assistance to me, for I +know very little about steamers." + +"I'm so glad!" exclaimed Grace. "It has been terrible to sit here +day after day and only wait! I wanted to do something to help find +father. Now there is a way! I wish I was a boy--no, I'd rather be a +reporter; they can do so many things," and Grace laughed more +heartily than at any time since her father had disappeared. + +"I'm afraid you give us too much credit," replied Larry. "We do our +best, but we don't always get results. Are you sure your mother will +let you go?" + +"Of course," Grace replied, in a way that showed she was used to +having her own way. "When will you come for me to-morrow?" + +"In the morning." + +"I can hardly wait. Now don't forget. I'll be your assistant. Maybe +I could learn enough to be a woman reporter some day." + +"I have no doubt you could," Larry responded, as he went out on his +way to the sub-station with the envelope, having telephoned to the +police of the letter and securing a promise that no other reporters +would be informed of it for a while. + +As he walked along, his thoughts were busy in many directions. The +receipt of the letter, the clues the envelope offered, the plans for +a search among the ship captains, and, above all, Grace's offer to +accompany him, made Larry speculate on what the Potter mystery was +coming to. + +"I wonder what the other fellows on the _Leader_ would say if they +knew I was working this assignment in company with the millionaire's +daughter," said Larry to himself. "I guess I'd better not say +anything about it. They'd make fun of me. I know it's all right to +take her, or I wouldn't do it. Besides, if she knows the captains +she can be of considerable aid to me. Queer, though, for Larry +Dexter, who used to rush copy, to be hunting for a missing +millionaire in company with his pretty daughter." + +It was odd, but no other line of activity is so filled with strange +surprises, or brings about such a variety of work, as being a +newspaper reporter of the first class. + +Larry struck several snags when he attempted to get information at +the sub-station. In the first place none of the officials in charge +would give him any news about the envelope unless he got an order +from the New York postmaster himself. The government has very strict +regulations in regard to giving out information about mail matter. +But Larry was not daunted. He telephoned to Mr. Emberg, and the +forces of the newspaper were set to work. Certain political wires +were "pulled," and, as there were on the _Leader_ men to whom the +postmaster was under obligations, that official gave the clerks at +the sub-station permission to tell Larry whatever he wanted to know. + +"Sorry we had to have so much red tape about it," the sub-station +agent said, when Larry came back with the magical paper that opened +the mouths of the subordinates. + +"Oh, that's all right," the reporter said. "I know how it is. Now, +what I want to know is, in what box was that letter posted?" and he +held out the envelope Grace had given him. + +"Rather hard to say," spoke the head clerk. "I'll show it to all the +carriers who are in now, and later to those who come in during the +afternoon. They may recognize it. It's a little out of the run of +ordinary envelopes we get in this section of the city." + +One after another several carriers scanned the envelope. All shook +their heads, until it came to an elderly man. As soon as he saw the +envelope he exclaimed: + +"I brought that in. I remember it very well." "Where did you get +it?" asked Larry, eagerly. "A man gave it to me last night, just as +I was taking the mail from a box down near the river," was the +unexpected reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +LARRY IS BAFFLED + + +This was much better than Larry had expected. To have the envelope +remembered so soon was good, but to have the carrier who brought it +in say he recalled having received it from the person who mailed the +letter, was better yet. + +"What sort of a man was he?" asked Larry, his heart beating high +with hope. + +"Why do you ask?" inquired the carrier. + +"I'm a reporter from the _Leader_, and I'm trying to locate Mr. +Potter, the missing millionaire," said Larry. "This letter was from +him." + +"Then I can't be of much service to you," the postman went on. "This +was given to me by a man who bore no resemblance to Mr. Potter, +whose picture I have lately seen in the papers." + +"But what sort of a looking man gave you this envelope?" asked +Larry. + +"He was a smooth-shaven man, rather poorly dressed. I'll tell you +how it was. This box, at which I was when the man gave me the +letter, is at the foot of a street leading to the river. It is the +last one I collect from at night. I had taken out all the mail in +the box, and was just locking it up again when some one came up the +street in a hurry. I looked around, for the neighborhood is a lonely +one, and, as I did so, I saw a man come to a halt, as if he was +surprised to see me at the box. I could see he had a letter in his +hand. + +"'Come on,' I said, for often people run up to me at the last minute +to have me take letters. 'Come on,' I said, for I was in a hurry. +'I'll take the letter.' + +"At that the man pulled his hat down over his eyes and advanced +slowly. He held the letter out to me, and, as he did so, I caught a +glimpse of his face, as the light from a street lamp flashed on it. +I could see he was smooth shaven. I took the letter and put it in my +bag. As I did so the man seemed to melt away in the shadows. I +thought it rather queer at the time, for it seemed as if the fellow +was afraid I'd recognize him. But I'd never seen him before, so far +as I know, so he needn't have been alarmed. I brought the letter to +the office, and as I sorted my mail, I noted that the stamp had been +stuck on with plenty of mucilage. I also saw the blot, and, as the +envelope was unlike any I had ever seen before, as far as size and +quality of paper went, the thing was impressed on my mind. + +"That's all I know about it," the carrier finished, "but I'm sure +the man who gave me the letter was not the missing millionaire. I've +seen his picture too many times lately to be mistaken." + +"Then who could it have been?" asked Larry. + +"That's a hard question, young man," said the carrier. "It might +have been any one else. I think it was a person who didn't care +about being seen, and didn't want to attract any attention. I guess +he would have been better satisfied to have dropped the letter in +the box when no one was looking, but seeing me there he came up with +it before he knew what he was doing." + +"If the letter was from Mr. Potter, and it wasn't the millionaire +who mailed it, he must have got some one to do it," the chief clerk +of the sub-station suggested, and Larry was forced to adopt this +idea. He inquired as to the location of the box at which the carrier +stood when he received the missive, and asked in what direction the +man came from. Having learned these facts, and deciding he could +gain nothing more by staying longer at the sub-station, Larry +hurried to the _Leader_ office. + +"Well, I've gained something," he said to himself. "I've got a good +story, and I have a slender clue to work on. I must write the story +first, however. Then I'll go back and tell Grace what I learned." + +The account of the letter and the circumstances under which it was +mailed created a new sensation in the Potter mystery, and, as on +several other occasions, the _Leader_ scored a beat. + +As soon as he had finished the story Larry went to see Grace, whom +he found anxiously waiting for him. She asked a score of questions +as to what he had learned, and the reporter told her all about his +trip to the sub-station. + +"What are you going to do next?" she inquired. + +"I think I'll go over on the East Side and make some inquiries. Your +father may be staying there," answered Larry. + +Going downtown in an elevated train, and taking a stroll through +that populous section, known as the "East Side," Larry soon found +himself in the neighborhood of the box at which the carrier had +received the letter written by Mr. Potter. He took a brief survey of +the locality. + +"Not very promising," was his mental comment. + +All about were big tenement houses of a substantial kind. They were +built of brick, and from nearly every window a woman's head +protruded, while the street swarmed with children. It was a +neighborhood teeming with life, for it was the abode of the poor, +and they were quartered together almost like rabbits in a warren. + +For want of something better to do, Larry strolled down one side of +the street, at the end of which was located the letter box which +formed such a slender clue. Then he walked up the other side, +looking about him idly, in vain hopes of stumbling on something that +would put him on the track. + +It was late in the afternoon, and the streets were beginning to +fill with workers hurrying home, for the day's labor was over. As +Larry strolled along, rather careless of his steps, he collided with +a man in front of a big tenement building. + +"Excuse me," murmured the reporter. + +"I beg your pardon," the man said, grabbing hold of Larry to prevent +them both from falling, so forceful had been the impact. "I was +looking to see if my wife was watching for me. She generally looks +out of the window to see me coming down the street, and then she +puts the potatoes on." + +"I guess I wasn't looking where I was going," said Larry, as he +disengaged himself from the man's grip. "I was--why, hello, Mr. +Jackson!" he exclaimed. + +"What! Why, bless my soul if it isn't Larry Dexter!" and the man +held out his hand. "Why, I haven't seen you in a long time. How's +your mother and the children?" + +"Fine. How's Mrs. Jackson?" + +"She's well. There she is looking out of the window, wondering why I +don't come home to supper. You must come in and see her. Come, and +stay to supper." + +The man Larry had thus unexpectedly met was the one in whose flat +Mrs. Dexter and the children had stayed the first night they had +come to New York, and found that the sister of Larry's mother, with +whom they expected to remain, had suddenly moved away. The Dexter +family, sad and discouraged at the loss of their farm, would have +fared badly on their arrival in the big city had not Mrs. Jackson +and her husband befriended them. + +While Larry was getting a start in the newspaper work the Dexter +family had lived in the same tenement with the Jacksons, and they +had become firm friends. Larry and his mother since then had moved +to other quarters, and had, for some time back, lost trace of their +acquaintances. + +"I didn't know you lived here," said Larry when he had recovered +somewhat from his surprise at seeing Mr. Jackson. + +"We haven't lived here long. I got a better position in this part of +the city, and as I like to be near my work I moved here. We like it +quite well, but it's rather crowded. However, almost any place is in +New York. But you must come in to supper. Mrs. Jackson will be +anxious to hear all about your folks. I can see her making signs to +me to hurry up. I suppose the potatoes are all cooked and the tea +made." + +Larry did not require much urging to accept the kind invitation. He +wanted to see his friends again, and he thought they might be able +to give him some information concerning the people of the +neighborhood. + +"Because it's the best place in the world to hide in. If I wanted to +drop out of sight I'd go about two blocks away from here and keep +quiet. No one would ever think of looking for me so near my home." + +"I hope you don't contemplate anything like that," said Larry with a +laugh. + +"No, indeed. But New York is the best hiding place, and you can +depend on it, Mr. Potter is here." + +"You haven't seen him in the neighborhood, have you?" asked the +reporter, glad of the opportunity which gave him a chance for that +question. + +"No, I can't say that I have. If they'd offer a reward I might take +time to hunt for him," and Mr. Jackson laughed. "I can't afford to +turn detective as it is now," he added. "It's too hard to get a +living." + +Larry spent the evening with his friends, keeping the talk as much +as possible, without exciting suspicion, on the Potter case. In this +way he learned considerable about the persons living in the +immediate vicinity of the Jacksons, for Mrs. Jackson was fond of +making new acquaintances. + +But in all this there was no clue such as Larry sought. There were +any number of men, concerning whom there seemed to be some mystery, +but none answered the description of Mr. Potter. + +"There are a queer lot of people in this tenement," said Mr. +Jackson, during the course of the talking. "All of 'em have some +story hidden away, I guess. Especially one man." + +"Who is he?" + +"Nobody knows," replied Mr. Jackson. "He came here one night, and +seemed quite excited. Let's see, it was Thursday night, I remember +now. He acted as though he was afraid some one was after him." + +"Thursday night," thought Larry. "That was the night the man got +away from the deserted tenement." + +"My wife and I were sitting here," continued Mr. Jackson, "when all +at once a knock sounded on the door. I opened it, and there was this +man. He asked if I had any rooms to rent. I hadn't, but I told him I +had a spare bed, for I saw he was respectable. He seemed glad to get +it, and paid me well, though I didn't want to take the money. But he +seemed to have plenty." + +"What was queer about him?" asked Larry, beginning to take an +unusual interest in what his friend was saying. + +"Well, the excitement he seemed to be in, for one thing. And +another, he had just been shaved. I could see the talcum powder on +his cheeks. I thought it strange that a man who had time to shave or +get shaved should be in such a hurry. But it wasn't any of my +affair, so I said nothing." + +"What became of him?" Larry was quite eager now. He seemed to be on +the verge of discovering something; if not of the Potter mystery +then of the other, that cropped up every now and again--that of the +man he had helped save from the wreck. + +"He went away the next morning," Mr. Jackson resumed. "I didn't see +him again until the next night. Then he told me he had a room in +this tenement." + +"Where?" inquired the young reporter. + +"On the floor below--a front room, at the end of the corridor. But +are you going to call on him?" and Mr. Jackson looked somewhat +surprised at Larry's eagerness. + +"Maybe I could get a story out of him," replied the reporter +non-commitally. "Have to be always on the lookout, you know." + +"Well, I guess you'll not get much out of this man," said Mr. +Jackson. "He hardly speaks to me, though he doesn't seem cross or +ugly. Only there's some mystery about him. I'm sure of that." + +"If he's Mah Retto I'm positive there is," thought Larry. "And it +looks as if it might be that fellow." + +Not wishing to seem too keen on the scent of the queer man, the +newspaper youth changed the subject. In a little while he said he +had better be going home, as he had not told his mother he would be +out late. He promised to ask Mrs. Dexter to call on Mrs. Jackson, +and, with many good wishes from his friends, he left. + +"Now for a try at the room on the next floor," said Larry in a +whisper, as he found himself in the corridor. "It's only a slim +chance, but a reporter has to take all that come his way." + +He found the room Mr. Jackson had described, and knocked on the +door. There was a sound from within, as though some one had arisen +from a chair. Then a voice asked: + +"Who's there?" + +"Does Mah Retto live here?" asked Larry, determining on a bold plan. + +Hardly had he spoken the words when the door was quickly opened. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +GRACE ON THE TRAIL + + +Larry saw, standing before him, framed in the doorway from which +streamed the glare from a big reading lamp, the man of mystery--the +fellow who had escaped from the tumble-down tenement--the man he and +Bailey had pulled ashore on the life-raft. + +"Are you Mah Retto?" asked Larry again, rather at a loss for +something to say, when he saw the strange man confronting him. + +The mysterious one looked at Larry for several seconds. He seemed +much excited, and in doubt as to what to do. Then, seeming to arrive +at a sudden decision, he quickly closed the door, and Larry heard +the key turned in the lock. + +"Not much satisfaction in that," muttered the young reporter. "That +was him, though. I wonder what I had better do?" + +Larry stood in the hallway, undecided. He wanted another opportunity +to see and speak to the man he believed was Mah Retto, but he +considered it would not be wise to knock again on the door. The +occupant of the room either would not answer or would order him +away. + +"I'll have to come again," Larry said to himself. "I've learned one +thing, anyhow, and that is where he lives." + +The young reporter went to the office of the _Leader_ early the next +morning. He found Mr. Emberg on hand, and told the city editor the +plans for the day; that of making a tour of the steamship piers. Mr. +Emberg thought this was a good idea, and complimented Larry on his +work thus far. + +"I ran across my old friend, the East Indian, last night," Larry +said, as he was leaving. "I'm going to work him up for a story when +I get through with this Potter case." + +"Don't do it until then," advised Mr. Emberg. "I want you to devote +all your attention to the missing millionaire. The East Indian story +will not amount to much or I'd put another man on it. You may get a +yarn for the Saturday supplement out of it, but even that's +doubtful." + +Larry thought differently, but he did not say so. Nor did he mention +that he was going to take Grace Potter with him on his tour of the +docks. He had an idea that the city editor might object, or laugh at +him, and Larry did not care to have that happen. He felt he was +doing right, and he knew there could be no serious objection to the +daughter of the missing man aiding in a search for her parent. + +Larry found Grace waiting for him. She was quietly dressed, and wore +a heavy veil, so that no one in the street would recognize her, +since her picture had been published in several papers, and there +might be comments from the crowd if the daughter of Mr. Potter was +seen out in company of a newspaper reporter. + +"Anything new?" asked the young lady, for she had taken to greeting +Larry in that newspaper fashion. + +"Not much. I didn't learn anything of consequence by my trip to the +East Side last night. I'm not done there, however. Now we'll try the +piers, and see what sort of a 'pull' you have with the captains of +the vessels." + +"We may not find many captains," Grace said, "unless their ships are +about to sail. Still it is worth trying. Shall we start?" + +"I'm ready any time you are," Larry answered. "What did your mother +say?" + +"She objected a bit at first, but I soon convinced her it was for +the best." + +Larry thought it would not have been hard for Grace to have +convinced him that almost anything was for the best. She looked +quite trim in her dark dress, with her glossy hair held snugly in +place by her veil. + +As they went down the steps of the mansion Larry saw a man, who was +standing on the other side of the street, move rapidly away, as if +he had been watching the house. The young reporter uttered an +exclamation before he was aware of it, and Grace quickly asked: + +"What's the matter?" + +"I--I saw some one," Larry replied. + +"Any one would think it was a ghost from the way you act," the girl +went on, with a little laugh. She was in much better spirits than +any time since her father had disappeared, for the chance of helping +to search for him, and the change, from sitting idly in the house +waiting for news, was a welcome relief. + +"No, it wasn't a ghost. It was a man I'd like to have a chance to +talk to," Larry went on. + +"Would he give you--er--a 'story'? Is that what you call it?" + +"That's right. Yes, I believe he could give me a story," and Larry +looked in the direction the man had gone. He was no longer to be +seen. "A very good story," he added, for the man was the same one he +had surprised in the tenement the night before--the man of the +life-raft. + +However, he could not leave Grace to go in search of the strange +individual, and it was more important, as Mr. Emberg had said, to +stick to the Potter case. The other could wait. + +"All the same I'd like to know what he was doing in this +neighborhood," thought Larry. He puzzled over the matter for several +seconds as he and Grace went along. + +On the way downtown the two discussed their plans. There were not +many Italian steamship lines to visit, but it might take some time +to see the captains of all the boats at present in port. Some of +the commanders would be at their hotels pending the loading of their +vessels. + +"Have you made up your mind what you want to ask them?" inquired +Larry, as they were nearing the station where they intended to get +off. + +"What I want principally to know is if a person answering my +father's description came over with them lately. I want to find out, +in case he did, how he acted, and if he gave any hint of being in +trouble." + +"That may be a good clue to follow," Larry sad. "Now we'll make our +first attempt." + +It ended in failure, for though they found the captain of the +Italian steamer they boarded in the cabin of his vessel, he could +not aid them. He was very polite about it, and seemed quite sorry +that he could be of no service. + +It was the same in a number of other cases. Some of the captains +remembered Grace, for she had crossed with them once or twice, but +none of them recalled a man answering Mr. Potter's description +making the voyage with them recently. + +The last place they visited was the dock of the line to which the +wrecked _Olivia_ belonged. This line Grace had never traveled on, +but she had a letter of introduction to the manager from the captain +of the _Messina_, on which she had made her last trip. The +commanders of two steamers of this company were in port. One of them +was at the dock, for his vessel was about to sail. + +To him Grace made her inquiries, but fruitlessly. She turned away, +rather disappointed. There was but one more chance left. The other +captain was at his hotel, not far away, for seamen like to remain +near the water front. + +"We'll go there," said Larry, "and then I must get back to the +office, and write my story for to-day's paper." + +"I wish you had some better news," spoke Grace. "But I am afraid +Captain Padduci, whom we are now going to see, will prove as +disappointing as the rest." + +"We'll hope for the best," remarked Larry. "I wish----" + +But what he wished he never told, for at that instant his attention +was attracted by a voice. It was that of a man who stood at the +small window of the steamship office. The window was one which he +and Grace had just stepped away from, after inquiring as to where +Captain Padduci's hotel was. + +If the voice attracted Larry the sight of the man himself did more +to rivet his attention. For the first glance showed him the inquirer +was none other than the mysterious individual, Mah Retto. + +"I would like to inquire where I can find Captain Tantrella of the +steamer _Olivia_," the man asked of the clerk. + +"The _Olivia_ is lost," replied the steamship clerk. + +"I know it, but I would like to see the captain. He was saved, I +believe." + +"Yes, he was. He commands a freight ship now. She's due in port in +a few days. The _Turtle_ is her name. You can come around when she +gets in." + +The mysterious man turned away as though disappointed. As he did so +he caught sight of Larry, and instantly he hurried out of the +office. + +Larry was greatly excited. He was convinced, more than ever, that +there was something in this man's actions that made him an object of +suspicion. He felt that he must follow the fellow, but he could not +leave Grace. He looked around for her, but she had gone to the +ladies' dressing room to adjust her veil and hat, which had been +blown about by the high wind. She came back presently, to find Larry +much agitated. + +"What is the matter?" she asked. + +"Nothing much," replied Larry. "I just saw my queer stranger again +and----" + +"You'd like to follow him, and you don't want to leave me," put in +Grace with quick wit. "Now run right along. I can go to that hotel +all by myself and see Captain Padduci. I'm not a bit afraid. I once +traveled from London to Paris alone. You hurry after him, and I'll +see the captain. I'll telephone you the result of my interview. You +can come up and see me this evening, and we'll talk over some more +plans." + +"That will be good," Larry said, "but are you sure you won't mind me +leaving you?" + +"I can get along all right," replied Grace. "Of course I'd like to +have you come along, for I believe you understand this matter better +than I do, but I want you to find that other man and get your +story." + +Larry was inclined both ways, but he knew it would be better to +hurry after Mah Retto, as Grace could make all the necessary +inquiries of Captain Padduci. + +"Until to-night, then," the young reporter said, as he hurried out +of the steamship office, and Grace turned to go to the captain's +hotel. + +Reaching the street Larry saw, some distance ahead of him, the form +of the man whose actions so puzzled him, and who had led him such a +baffling chase. + +"Here is where I get you," thought Larry, as he hurried on. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +LARRY GETS A SCARE + + +Through the crowded street the young reporter ran, bumping into +several persons, and causing them to mutter more or less impolite +exclamations about youths who trod on the toes of innocent +pedestrians. + +Larry could catch occasional glimpses of his man, and he noted that +Retto looked back every now and then to see if he was being +followed. + +"Oh, I'm after you, my East Indian friend," Larry remarked to +himself. "I'm going to have an accounting with you now. There's +something queer about you." + +No sooner had Larry given expression to this last sentence, speaking +somewhat aloud, as was his habit when thinking intently, than he +slipped on a banana pealing and fell down with a force that jarred +him all over. + +"I'll have to be more careful," thought Larry, as he got up and +found that no bones were broken. He started off again after Retto. +"I wasn't looking where I was going, thinking so much of Retto. +Where is he now? He must have got quite a way ahead." + +He had; so far that Larry could no longer see him. The reporter +tried to peer through the ever-shifting crowd, for a glimpse of +Retto, but with no success. + +"He's gone," he murmured. "However, I know where he lives and I'll +go there at once. No! I've got to get a story in for to-day's paper +about Mr. Potter. I haven't much time before the first edition. +Guess I'd better telephone it in, and let Mr. Emberg have one of the +men fix it up." + +In his eagerness to catch Retto, Larry had rather lost sight of his +more important duties, and, as he looked at his watch, he found he +had no time to spare if the _Leader_ was to have a story that day. + +He looked for the blue sign, indicating a public telephone station, +and saw one a few doors down the street. On his way there he ran +over in his mind the points of the story. It would be based on the +search and inquiry among the steamship captains. + +"I've got to say it resulted in nothing," Larry remarked to himself. +"Hold on, though. Suppose Grace gets a clue from Captain Padduci? +I'll be in a pretty mess if she does, and I telephone in that we +found out nothing. Wish I hadn't chased after that East Indian. I +should have stayed with Grace until we got through. + +"No help for it, though. So here goes. I wish I'd done as Mr. Emberg +said and let the Retto matter drop. But it seemed too good to lose +sight of." + +He soon had the _Leader_ office on the wire, and, a few seconds +later, was talking to Mr. Emberg. He was rather surprised at what +the city editor said. + +"What's the matter with you, Larry?" was the inquiry that came +through the telephone. "We've been waiting for you. Have you seen +the _Scorcher_?" + +"No. Why?" asked Larry, an uneasy feeling coming over him. There +seemed an atmosphere of "beat" about him, and he was afraid of Mr. +Emberg's next words. + +"Why, they've got a big story about Mr. Potter being home," went on +the city editor. "They say he is concealed in the house, and has +been ever since the scare." + +"That's not true!" replied Larry. "I was at the house this morning, +and he wasn't home. I've been all around the steamer piers and got +no trace of him. I just left his daughter, and she would know if he +had been home all this while." + +"Well, they've got the story," repeated Mr. Emberg, with the +insistence that city editors sometimes use when they fear their +reporters have been beaten. "I sent Harvey up to the house in a +hurry to make inquiries. The _Scorcher_ got out an extra. Where have +you been?" + +"I just finished the tour of the docks." + +"Well, you'd better go up to the house and make sure. It looks +queer." + +"I'll bet that story came from Sullivan," said Larry. "He's sore on +us, and would do anything to get even. He wants to find Mr. Potter, +you know." + +"I hope you're right," and Mr. Emberg's voice was not as cordial as +it usually was. "Let me hear from you soon again. I'll have one of +the men fix up something for the first edition. You tell him about +the inquiries made of the ship captains." + +Larry's heart was like lead. To have worked so hard, and then to +have another paper come out with a "scare" story about Mr. Potter's +return, was discouraging. + +"That story's a fake," he decided, as he prepared to telephone in +the result of his morning's work. "I'll prove it is, too, and make +them take back-water." + +Larry's story of the trip to the steamship offices was not very +interesting reading, for it was but a record of failure. He realized +that, but there was nothing else to print and the paper had to have +something. It was not Larry's fault, for even a reporter on a +special assignment cannot provide fresh and startling news every +day, though all newspaper men try hard enough for this desirable +end. + +After Larry had telephoned in all the information he had, he hurried +uptown to the Potter house. He found Grace had just come in, and, to +Larry's relief, she had not been successful in getting any news from +Captain Padduci. In a few words the reporter told what the +_Scorcher_ had printed. + +"We must deny that at once!" exclaimed Grace. "I wonder why they +print such untruths!" + +"For one reason, because the _Scorcher_ is trying to live up to its +name and give the public 'hot' news," replied Larry, "and, for +another, because Sullivan has some end to gain. He stands in with +the _Scorcher_ men, and I think my old enemy, Peter Manton, is +responsible for this." + +"What can you do to offset it?" asked Grace. + +"I can have a signed statement from you or your mother in our last +edition." + +"A signed statement?" + +"Yes, a little interview with you, in the form of a communication, +with your name at the foot, denying that your father is at home. +This will take the wind out of the _Scorcher's_ sails." + +"Then I'll give you the interview at once. What shall I say?" + +Larry told her, and in a few minutes the message was being dictated +over the Potter telephone to Mr. Emberg. + +"I'm glad to hear this, Larry," the city editor said. "We had quite +a scare. I thought they had you beaten, even though Harvey came back +and said Mrs. Potter sent down word there was no truth in the +_Scorcher_ yarn. You certainly had us scared." + +"I was frightened myself," admitted Larry, with a laugh. + +"This will make story enough for to-day, unless you find Mr. +Potter," Mr. Emberg went on. "Now lay pipes for something for +to-morrow." + +"I will," Larry replied, though he did not in the least know what +new features he could "play up." + +At that instant the bell rang, and a whistle indicated that the +letter carrier was at the door. Grace answered it. She came back on +the run, a missive in her hand. + +"It's from my father!" she exclaimed, as she tore open the envelope. + +Larry watched Grace while she read the letter. It was short, for she +had quickly finished with it and turned to the reporter. + +"He's written about you!" she exclaimed. + +"About me?" + +"Yes. Listen," and Grace read: + + "'I am well. Still have to remain away. Don't try to find me. Will + be home soon. Tell Larry Dexter to give up. He's chasing me too + close.'" + +"Chasing him too close!" exclaimed Larry in bewilderment. I only +wish I was! I haven't the least clue to his whereabouts. I wonder +what he means? Is that his writing?" + +"I can't be mistaken in that," Grace replied. "It is just the same +as the other letter was." + +"Let me see," and the young reporter examined the envelope. It was +similar to that containing the first note which had come from Mr. +Potter, save there was no blot on it and the stamp showed no excess +of mucilage. + +"I'll take this to the sub-station," Larry went on. "It was probably +mailed in the same place as was the other. I'll see if the carrier +had any such experience as he did with the former note." + +"I think it would be a good plan," Grace answered. "Oh, this is +beginning to wear on my nerves! As for mother, she is almost ill +over it. Her physician says if father is not found soon he cannot +say what will happen to mother." + +"Still she must know your father is safe." + +"That is the worst of it. She will not believe these notes are from +him, or, rather, she believes he is held captive somewhere and is +forced to write them. Nothing I can say will make her think +differently. She is wearing herself to a shadow over it." + +"We must do something!" exclaimed Larry. + +"Yes; but what?" asked the girl. "You are working hard and I am +doing all I can, but our efforts seem to amount to nothing. What +more can we do?" + +"I'm trying to think of a plan," Larry responded. "The search of the +steamship piers gave us no clue; the police here have not been able +to find a trace. We can try one thing more." + +"What is that?" + +"You can hire private detectives. Sometimes, in cases of this kind, +they are better than the police, as they assign one man, who devotes +all his attention to the search, while the police, as a rule, don't +bother much to find missing persons." + +"Then I'll hire the best private detectives to be had!" exclaimed +Grace. "Where ought I to go?" + +Larry named an agency, that he had heard was first-class, and +offered to take Grace to the office. The reporter knew one of the +men on the staff, as he had once written a story in which he +figured, and the officer had been grateful for the mention of his +name. Detectives, even private ones, are prone to vanity in this +respect, as a rule. + +"I don't like to take up so much of your time," objected the girl, +as Larry prepared to go with her to the detective agency. + +"My time is yours in this case. I have nothing to do for the +_Leader_ but to find your father. This is part of the work." + +"I wouldn't think it could pay a newspaper to put one man +exclusively on a case like this." + +"The editors think it does. In the first place it makes some news +every day, and the papers have to have news. Then if I should happen +to find Mr. Potter, it would be a big advertisement for the +_Leader_, and that is what all the New York papers are looking for. +The better advertised they are the better prices they can charge for +the advertisements printed in them, for it's from the advertisements +that a newspaper makes its money. Besides, I've promised to find +your father for you and I'm going to do it!" Larry looked very +determined. + +"My! I never supposed newspaper work was so complicated," said +Grace, with a little sigh. "Now let's go to the detectives. I'm +almost afraid. It sounds so awful to say 'detective.'" + +Larry found the man he knew in the office of the agency, and the +latter introduced him to the chief. The reporter explained the +reason for the visit, and Grace added a plea that they do all in +their power to locate Mr. Potter. + +"I thought you'd come here sooner or later," said the chief with a +smile. "Most folks do when they find the regular police don't give +enough attention to the cases. It's not the fault of the police, +though. They have so much to do they can't give much time to a +single case. But of course we can. Now then, tell me all about it." + +Which Grace, aided by Larry, proceeded to do. The chief listened +intently, and asked several questions. He took the two letters which +Grace had from her father and looked carefully at them. + +"Do you think you'll be able to do anything?" asked the girl +anxiously. The strain was beginning to tell heavily on her. + +"Of course we will!" exclaimed the chief, heartily. "We'll find your +father for you, you can depend on it!" + +Larry did not want to tell her that the chief was thus optimistic +in regard to every case he undertook. It was a habit of his, not a +bad one, perhaps, and it did little harm, for nearly all of his +clients wanted cheering up. + +"What do you think about this, young man?" asked the chief, turning +suddenly to Larry. + +"In regard to what, Mr. Grover?" + +"Where do you think Mr. Potter is? I understand you've been working +on this case. In fact, I have all your stories clipped from the +_Leader_." + +Larry had not forgotten about Retto, and he determined to pay the +fellow another visit. + +With him, to think was to act. He soon found himself going up the +stairs of the tenement house, and presently reached Retto's door. +His knock brought no response, and he stood for a moment, undecided +what to do. Then a bold idea came to him. + +"I'll try the door and see if he's home," he said. "If he isn't, +there's no harm done. If he is, I can explain it somehow." + +Larry, after a moment's hesitation to listen for any possible +movement on the other side of the portal, tried the door. It opened +easily for him, though it needed but a glance to show that the +apartment was empty and vacated. All the furniture was gone. + +"He's skipped!" exclaimed Larry, as he struck a match and looked +around. "I guess he was afraid I'd find him. Well, I am more +determined than ever that I'll land this man. I wonder if he left +any clues behind?" + +He lighted a jet of a wall fixture, for the gas had not been shut +off. In the glare he saw a scrap of paper lying on the floor. He +picked it up. As he glanced at it he gave a cry of astonishment. + +"Who would have thought it!" exclaimed Larry to himself. "Of all the +strange things! I wonder I didn't connect him with the case before! +This explains why he was in front of the house." + +For, the paper he had picked up was part of an envelope like those +which had contained the letters Grace received from her father. And +on the scrap was her name, but the envelope had been spoiled by a +blot of ink in writing the address. It had been torn up and thrown +away, to remain a mute bit of evidence. + +"Mah Retto knows Mr. Potter!" exclaimed Larry. "Retto is the man who +mailed the letters for the missing millionaire. If I find him I can +make him tell me where Mr. Potter is! Now to trace my mysterious +East Indian friend!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +TRACING RETTO + + +Larry took another survey of the apartment to see if there were any +more clues that might aid him. But the one that had so unexpectedly +come to his hand was all he found. The place showed evidences of +having been hastily vacated. + +"I'll see Mr. Jackson," he decided. "Perhaps he can tell me +something. He was interested in this queer man." + +He lost no time in going to the rooms of his friends. They were glad +to see him, and asked a number of questions about his mother, +sisters and brother. But Larry, as soon as he could, turned the +subject to Retto. + +"He's gone," he told Mr. Jackson. + +"I supposed he had. I saw the janitor taking his things from the +room this morning." + +"Do you know where he went to?" asked the young reporter eagerly. "I +want to find him." + +"I haven't the least idea." + +"I wonder if the janitor would know," Larry went on. + +"He might. Perhaps the man left his address with him, in order that +letters might be forwarded. I'll go downstairs with you and +introduce you to the janitor." + +That functionary was unable to throw any light on where Retto had +gone. Evidently, for the time being, the chase had come to an end. + +Larry made his way to the nearest elevated station and rode in the +direction of the Potter home. He had no definite plan in mind, and, +more from a whim than anything else, he decided to walk past the +house. He did not expect it, but he had an idea--a very faint +one--that he might see Grace. Of course, if he saw her at the +window, where she sometimes sat, it would be no more than polite to +go in and tell her what the carrier had said about the second +letter. + +When Larry got in front of the Potter house he was disappointed to +see that it was in darkness. It was about ten o'clock, and he knew +the family was in the habit of retiring early, especially since Mr. +Potter's disappearance. + +As he strolled past on the other side of the street, looking in vain +for a glimmer of light, or the sight of a girlish face against the +window pane, he passed into the deep shadow cast by a big tree on +which shone an electric arc light in front of the Potter house. The +blackness was quite deep, in contrast to the illumination on both +sides of the tree, for electric lamps have the property of casting +dense shadows. If Larry had been looking straight in front of him +perhaps it would not have happened, but he was staring at where +Grace lived, and the first thing he knew he had walked full tilt +into a man who was hiding in the darkness behind the big tree. + +"Oh--ugh!" grunted Larry, for the breath was knocked from his body +by the sudden impact. + +"What's the matter? What are you doing?" inquired the man angrily. +"Why don't you look where you're going?" + +The collision had swung him out of the shadow into the light, where +he stood blinking. Larry recovered his breath, and then, at the +sight of the man, gave a low-voiced cry of astonishment. + +"Mr. Sullivan!" he exclaimed. + +"Oh, it's you, is it, Dexter!" remarked the politician. "Are you +following me? Are you spying on me? If you are I'll have you +arrested!" + +"I'm not following you or spying on you!" retorted Larry. "But you +seem to be hiding here. What do you want? What are you in front of +Mr. Potter's house for?" + +He was determined to follow up his advantage, and to show Sullivan +that he was not in the least intimidated by him. Clearly there was +something in the wind when the district political leader was hiding +behind trees watching the house of the missing millionaire. + +"Look here!" exclaimed Sullivan, and he had moved back until he was +in the shadow. "You go along and mind your own business; do you +hear? Move along now!" + +"I guess I have as good a right as you have to remain on the +street. And this sidewalk is just as public as any in New York, even +if it is in the millionaire section. What are you hiding for? Do you +expect to see Mr. Potter come walking down the steps? If you do I'll +wait, too. I'd like to see him." + +"You think you're very smart because you're a reporter," retorted +Sullivan, becoming more and more angry as he saw he could not +intimidate Larry. "Let me tell you you're making a big mistake. I +have some power in New York, and I warn you that I'll use it if you +don't stop interfering with me. You've made me trouble enough. Now +you be off, or I'll call a policeman and have you arrested." + +"You can't," replied Larry. "I haven't done anything except to run +into you, and that was an accident, caused by you being in the +shadow." + +"I'll show you what I can do. The police of this district know me, +and they'll do anything I say." + +"You might have 'pull' enough to have me arrested," Larry admitted, +"but I wouldn't stay locked up long. A telephone message to the city +editor of the _Leader_, and a word from him to some one higher up +than a policeman, would bring about a change. And I don't think +you'd like to read the story in the paper the next day, Mr. +Sullivan." + +The politician was silent. He knew Larry had the best of the +argument. For, though the Assembly leader had some power in New +York, he was only a "small fry" when it came to an important matter, +such as he knew would result if Larry was taken into custody. He +contented himself, therefore, with growling out threats against +Larry in particular and all newspaper men in general. + +"You'll interfere with me once too often," said Sullivan. "I warn +you, young man. You're making a big mistake. There's more behind +this matter than you have any idea of." + +"I know there is," replied Larry quickly. "That's why I'm working so +hard to clear up the mystery. I want to find out what your part is +in the disappearance of Mr. Potter." + +"My part? What do you mean?" + +"You know well enough what I mean. You are interested in Mr. Potter. +You want him to come back. Now what for? Has it anything to do with +the new line? Does it concern your friends, Kilburn and Reilly? +That's what I want to know and what I'm going to find out. You're +playing a deep game, Mr. Sullivan, but I'll beat you at it!" + +Larry was quite surprised at his own eloquence, and the manner in +which he bid defiance to the leader of the assembly district. + +"Hush!" exclaimed the politician. "If you say another word I'll +knock you down!" and he advanced toward Larry as though he intended +to carry the threat into execution. "Keep quiet, I say!" + +"Are you afraid of having the truth told?" asked Larry speaking a +little louder. It seemed that Sullivan was worried lest some one +might overhear the talk. The streets, however, were deserted at this +time. + +"Never you mind!" retorted Sullivan. "You've said enough, so that +I'll not forget it in a hurry, and Jack Sullivan is a bad man to +have for an enemy, let me tell you." + +"I don't doubt that, but I'm not afraid of you. I believe you know +something of Mr. Potter's disappearance, and I'm going to find out +what it is. You are waiting here with some object in view, and I'm +going to discover it." + +"Get away from here!" ordered Sullivan, hardly able to speak because +of his anger. + +"I'm going to stay as long as I like." + +"Move on!" exclaimed the politician. "Get away or----" + +He emerged from the shadow and approached Larry. The man's face +showed how wrought up he was, and though he was not much taller or +stronger than Larry he had a man's energy, and would prove more than +a match for the lad if it came to a fight. And it looked now as +though he was going to resort to desperate measures in order to +accomplish his ends. + +"I'm going to stay until I see what you're up to!" said Larry +firmly, bracing himself to meet the expected attack. + +Sullivan doubled up his fists and drew nearer to the youth. He +raised his arm, as though to strike. The two were beyond the shadow +of the tree now, and in plain view. + +Sullivan's fist shot out, but Larry was watching and cleverly dodged +it. The politician overreached himself, lost his balance, and, his +fist meeting nothing more solid than air, he pitched forward and +fell on the sidewalk. + +Larry swung around, ready to meet his opponent when he should come +back to the attack. At that instant a window, in a house across the +street, opened, and a voice the young reporter knew was Grace's +called: + +"Larry! Larry! Come here!" + +He started to run across the thoroughfare, but, as he did so, he saw +another man emerge from behind a tree, next to the one where +Sullivan had been concealed. And, as the light from an arc lamp +gleamed on this man's face, Larry saw it was that of Mah Retto. + +The young reporter paused, undecided what to do. Across the street +he could see Grace in the raised window, waiting for him--for what +he did not know. But, even as he looked at her, he saw Retto running +off down the street. In an instant Larry's mind was made up. He took +after Retto as fast as he could run. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +GRACE IS SUSPICIOUS + + +Retto headed for Central Park, and as Larry saw him pass the +entrance he realized that it was going to be as hard to follow the +man as though he had disappeared in the midst of a crowd, especially +since the park was not well lighted. + +"But I've got to follow him," thought Larry. "It's my best chance. I +must find out where he has moved to. I wonder what Grace wanted? And +I wonder what Sullivan's game was? My, but the questions are coming +too thick for me. I'll have to get an assistant." + +By this time he had entered the park. Ahead of him he could hear the +running feet of the man he was pursuing. The big recreation ground +was almost deserted. + +"I don't believe he dare run very fast," reasoned Larry, as he +slackened his pace. "If he does a policeman will be sure to stop him +and ask questions, and I guess Retto will not relish that. I have a +better chance than I thought at first. After all, I don't see why he +is so afraid of me. All I want to do is to ask him where he gets the +letters from Mr. Potter. He must know where the millionaire is +hiding, and it looks as if Mr. Potter had been in Retto's room at +the Jackson tenement, or else how would the envelope get there? +That's it! I'll bet the missing millionaire has been hiding with +this East Indian chap! I never thought of that until now!" + +Having walked for fully a quarter of a mile Retto came to a sudden +stop, and so did Larry, hiding in the shadow of a tree. Retto +listened intently, and, of course, heard no pursuing footsteps. This +apparently satisfied him, for he proceeded more slowly. + +"He thinks I've given up the chase," thought Larry. "I'll let him. +Maybe he'll go home all the quicker, and, after I learn where he is +stopping, I can go back and see what Grace wanted." + +Larry's surmise proved correct, and his wish soon came to pass. The +man, evidently believing that he was safe, emerged from the park to +the street, for the whole pursuit had gone on not far from the +thoroughfare, and just within the boundary of the city's breathing +spot. Larry, keeping in the shadows, watched him. + +He saw Retto give one more cautious look around and then, crossing +the highway, enter a hotel nearby. It was a fashionable one, and +Larry wondered how the man, who had, hitherto, only lived in +tenements, could afford to engage rooms in such a place as this. + +"Maybe he's only doing it to throw me off the track," the reporter +reasoned. "I'll just wait a while and see if he comes out." + +He waited nearly an hour, hiding in the shadows of the park and +keeping close watch on the entrance to the hotel. He did not see +Retto emerge, and then he decided on a new plan. + +"I'll inquire if he is stopping there," he said to himself. "If he +is I'll wait until to-morrow before acting. I'll let him think +everything's all right. It's the best way." + +Sauntering into the hotel lobby he found no one but the night clerk +on duty, though there were a few sleepy bell-boys sprawled on a +bench. As soon as the clerk saw Larry approaching the desk he swung +the registry book around, and, dipping a pen in the ink, extended it +to the reporter. + +"I didn't come to stay," said Larry, with a smile. "I want to +inquire if there is a Mr. Mah Retto stopping here?" + +"There is," replied the clerk. "Would you like to see him? He just +came in a little while ago." + +"No; not to-night," Larry replied, his heart beating high with hope. +He had run down his man. "I wasn't sure of his address, and I +thought I'd inquire. I'll call and see him to-morrow." + +The clerk, having lost all interest as soon as he found Larry was +not to be a guest of the hotel, did not reply. The bell-boys, seeing +their visions of a tip disappearing, resumed their dozes, and Larry +walked out. He was impressed by the clerk's manner. Clearly Retto +was a man of means and not as poor as Larry had supposed. + +"So far so good," he murmured. "Now to go back and see what Grace +wanted--that is if it isn't too late." + +It was nearly eleven o'clock, but Larry had an idea that Grace would +still be up. It was rather an unusual hour to make a call, still all +the circumstances in this case were unusual, and Larry did not think +Grace would mind. + +He saw a light in the Potter house as he approached it. Thinking +perhaps Sullivan might be in the vicinity Larry walked up and down +on the other side of the street, peering in the shadow of the tree +where he had had his encounter with the politician, but Sullivan had +evidently gone away. + +"Why didn't you come when I called you?" asked Grace, as she +admitted Larry to the library. + +"I wanted to," the young reporter replied, "but I had to take after +a person who I believe knows where your father is, and I couldn't +stop without losing sight of him. I have some news for you." + +"And I have some for you," exclaimed Grace, "Let me tell mine +first." + +"All right," agreed Larry, with a smile. "Go ahead." + +"Well, I was sitting in the window to-night, looking out on the +street, and feeling particularly sad and lonely on account of +father, when I saw a man sneaking along on the other side. I saw him +hide behind a tree, and I resolved to keep watch. There have been +some burglaries in this neighborhood recently, and I wasn't sure +whether he was a thief or a detective sent here to watch for +suspicious characters. Well, as I sat there watching I saw you come +along and talk to the man behind the tree." + +"How long had he been there when I came along?" + +"Oh, for some time, but don't interrupt, please. You can ask +questions afterward. When I saw you talking to the man I knew it +must be all right, and I was beginning to think he was a detective. + +"Then I noticed another man sneaking along. He, too, hid behind a +tree, next to the first man. I thought this was queer until I +remembered you told me that detectives usually hunt in couples, and +I thought he was another officer from headquarters. I thought so +until mother, who, it seems had been looking out of her window in +the front room upstairs, called to me. + +"She asked me if I had seen the two men come along, and, when I said +I had, she wanted to know if I didn't think there was something +queer about the second man. I said I didn't notice particularly, but +just then the man stepped out into the light, and I had a good look +at him." + +"Was there anything suspicious about him?" + +"There certainly was!" exclaimed Grace, earnestly. "As soon as I saw +him I thought sure it was my father. He had his back toward me, and +he looked exactly like papa. Mother saw it, too, and she cried out. +Just then the man turned and I saw he was smooth-shaven, and his +face didn't look a bit like my father's. + +"Then I saw you and that other man--Mr. Sullivan, I then knew him to +be--step into the light. I saw he was going to hit you, and I raised +the window and called. I wanted to ask you to see who the second man +was--the one who looked so much like my father. I called, but you +didn't seem to hear." + +"I heard you," replied Larry, "but I couldn't stop. I wanted to take +after the man--the same man you were suspicious of. I traced him +through the park." + +"Did you find him? Who is he? Where is he? Is he--is he? Oh, Larry, +don't keep me in suspense----" + +"I'm sorry to have to tell you he isn't your father," Larry replied, +gently, as he saw the girl's distress. "But I think he knows where +your father is. He goes by the name of Mah Retto, and I helped save +him from the wreck of a vessel on the Jersey coast. See, I found +this in his room, a little while before he disappeared," and he held +out to Grace the torn envelope with her name on it. + +"My father's writing!" she exclaimed. + +Larry heard some one descending the stairs and coming toward the +library. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +CAPTAIN TANTRELLA ARRIVES + + +"Grace! What is the matter?" exclaimed a woman's voice, and looking +up Larry saw Mrs. Potter. + +"Nothing, mother," replied the girl. "This is Mr. Larry Dexter. He +just brought me some news. Oh, mother, that wasn't papa we saw out +in the street!" + +"I knew it, dear, as soon as I saw his face." + +Larry felt rather uncomfortable, for Mrs. Potter and Grace showed +signs of emotion. + +"I was telling your daughter," he said to Mrs. Potter, "that I think +I have located the man who knows where your husband is." + +"Oh, I hope you have," exclaimed Mrs. Potter. "This suspense is +awful. Who is he? Where is he?" + +Larry related the circumstances of his chase after Retto, telling +how he had located the man at the hotel. + +"I'll go and see him to-morrow," he said, "before he has a chance to +get away. He does not suspect that I know where he is." + +"Why not go now?" asked Mrs. Potter. + +"I'm afraid he would see no one to-night. It is very late, and he +would suspect something if any one sent up word they wanted to see +him. He would at once connect it with the chase I had after him. But +I think I fooled him. I am sure he can clear up this matter in a +short time, once I get into conversation with him." + +"I'll go with you," said Grace, with sudden energy. "I will make him +tell where my father is." + +Larry thought he could best deal with Retto alone, but he did not +want to tell Grace so. However, her mother got him out of what might +have been an embarrassing position. + +"I'd rather you wouldn't go, Grace," she said. "There is no telling +what sort of a person this Retto is. His name sounds foreign." + +They talked for some time about the curious circumstances connected +with the disappearance of the millionaire, and when a clock struck +the hour of one, Larry arose with a start. + +"I had no idea it was so late!" he exclaimed. "I must hurry home, or +mother will be worried. I will call to-morrow and let you know what +success I have." + +"Do, please," said Mrs. Potter. + +"And come early," added Grace, as she accompanied Larry to the door. +"Don't let that horrid man stab you with an East Indian poisoned +dagger," she went on with a little laugh, as she got out of hearing +of her mother. + +Larry promised, and then hurried off down the street to the nearest +elevated railway station. He was up early the next morning, and +wrote out the story of the day's events, including the encounter +with Sullivan, and the chase after Retto. He touched as lightly as +possible on his own and Grace's parts in the affair, but there was +enough to make interesting reading, and he knew no other paper would +have it. + +"This is good stuff, Larry," complimented Mr. Emberg, when the +reporter had turned his story in at the desk. "What next?" + +"I'm going to see Retto," was the answer. "I'll make him tell where +Mr. Potter is." + +"You were right about your East Indian friend," admitted the city +editor. "I had no idea there was a story like this connected with +him; least of all that it concerned the missing millionaire. Keep +right after him. Let us hear from you in time for the first edition. +Whatever you learn from Retto will make the leading part of to-day's +account." + +"I'll telephone in," said Larry, as he hurried from the city room. + +Larry anticipated meeting with some difficulty in getting Retto to +talk. He knew the man must have a strong motive for aiding Mr. +Potter. Probably the millionaire was paying him well to serve him, +to mail letters occasionally, and keep him informed as to how the +search for him was progressing. + +"There are lots of ends to this that I don't understand," said Larry +to himself as he was on his way to the hotel where the mysterious +man was stopping. "This mystery seemed to start with the wrecking of +the _Olivia_, yet I don't see how I can connect Mr. Potter with +that. He must have met Retto in New York after the rescued men came +here. Maybe I'm wrong in thinking Mr. Potter is in New York now. He +may be some distance off, and depending on Retto to look after his +interests. If that's so it would explain why the East Indian was +hanging around the house. He wanted to see that Grace and her mother +were well, so he could report to the millionaire. + +"Yet if that was so, I can't see how Mr. Potter could write in the +letter, as he did, that I was getting too close to him? Yes, there's +something very strange in all this, but maybe it will soon be +cleared up." + +Thus Larry hoped, but he was doomed to disappointment. For, when he +inquired at the hotel desk for Mr. Retto, and said he would like to +see him, the clerk replied: + +"Mr. Retto left early this morning. He gave up his room. I don't +know where he went." + +"I've got it all to do over again," the young reporter thought as he +strolled out into the street. "I'll never have such luck again. If +he watches the house after this he'll do it in a way that won't give +me a chance to catch him. Well, I've got to go back and tell Grace I +made a fizzle of it. Too bad, when they're hoping so much on the +result of this visit!" + +Larry purchased a morning paper from a newsboy on the street, and +glanced at it idly, as he strolled along. His eye lighted on the +column devoted to shipping news, and, almost unconsciously, he saw +among the "arrivals," the _Turtle_, of an Italian line. At once a +train of thought was started in his mind. + +"The _Turtle_," he mused. "That's the freight ship that Captain +Tantrella, formerly of the _Olivia_, commands. That's the captain +Retto was inquiring about the day Grace and I made the tour of the +steamer offices. He wanted to meet him. Well, Captain Tantrella is +in now. I wonder if Retto could have left the hotel to go and see +him?" + +Larry puzzled over it for a few minutes. Several ideas came to him, +but they were confused, and he did not know which line to follow. + +"Why should Retto want to see Captain Tantrella?" he asked himself. +"Is it possible that Retto is a criminal and had to escape from the +sinking ship? It looks so. But if he has done something that would +necessitate him keeping out of the way, how can he aid Mr. Potter? +It's too deep for me. But I know what I'll do. I'll go and see +Captain Tantrella. He'll remember me, for I interviewed him about +the wreck. + +"I'll ask him who Retto is. He'll know him, for he was probably one +of the first-cabin passengers. That's what I'll do. I think I'm on +the right track now." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +RETTO IS CAUGHT + + +Larry's slow walk was suddenly changed to a quick one as a plan of +action was unfolded in his mind. He hurried to the elevated station +and was soon on his way downtown to the office of the steamship line +to which the _Turtle_ belonged. + +"Guess I'd better stop and telephone to Mr. Emberg about Retto +skipping out again," thought the young reporter. "He can add it to +the story. Then I can tell him of my present plan." + +The city editor was soon informed of what Larry intended to do, and +said he thought it was a good idea. + +"But keep in touch with us, Larry," cautioned Mr. Emberg. "We want +all the news we can get on this thing. There's a rumor that the +_Scorcher_ is going to spring something to-day on the Potter story." + +"Probably something Sullivan has given out to offset the story he +knows I'll have about him," commented Larry. "But I'll be on the +lookout and let you know what happens." + +Larry was soon at the steamship office, and inquired whether the +_Turtle_ had docked yet. + +"She is making fast now," replied the clerk. + +"May I go aboard her?" + +The clerk hesitated. Then Larry announced who he was, and said he +wanted to have a talk with Captain Tantrella. + +"Oh, you're the reporter who wrote up the wreck of the _Olivia_," +the clerk replied, with a smile. "I've heard about you. Yes, I guess +you can go aboard. I'll write you out a pass." + +With the necessary paper as a passport, Larry walked down the long, +covered dock, alongside of which the freight steamer was being +warped into place. There was no bustling crowd of passengers, eager +to get ashore to welcome and be welcomed by even more eager +relatives and friends. But there was a small army of men ready to +swarm aboard the _Turtle_ and hurry the freight out of her holds, in +order that more might be placed in to be sent abroad. There was a +confusion of wagons and trucks, and the puffing of donkey engines, +seemingly anxious to begin lifting big boxes and bales from the dark +interior of the ship. + +Larry was among the first to go up the gang plank when it was run +ashore. A ship's officer stopped him, but allowed him to proceed +when he saw the pass. + +Larry found Captain Tantrella in his cabin, arranging his papers, +for there is considerable formality about a ship that comes from one +country to another, and much red tape is used. + +"Ah, it is my newspaper friend!" exclaimed the commander when he +saw Larry. "Have you interviewed any more captains who have been +wrecked?" + +Though he spoke with an air of gayety Larry could see the captain +was sad at heart, for, though it was not his fault that the _Olivia_ +had gone ashore, Captain Tantrella had been more or less blamed, and +had been reduced in rank. Passengers do not, as a rule, care to sail +in a ship under the command of one whose vessel has been lost. So +poor Captain Tantrella was now only in charge of a freighter, and he +felt his disgrace keenly. + +"Do you remember a passenger named Mah Retto, who sailed with you on +the _Olivia_?" the reporter asked. + +"I remember him; yes. A queer sort of man. He said but little on the +whole voyage. But was he not lost? I remember we could not find him +when we had all been landed from the wreck." + +"He came ashore first of all," replied Larry. "A fisherman and I +helped save him from a life-raft," and he told the circumstances. + +"Queer," murmured the captain. "I have often thought of that man. He +seemed to have some mystery about him." + +Larry gave a brief account of the case he was working on. + +"What I want to discover," he added, "is whether you know of any +reason why Retto should be anxious to see you?" + +"To see me?" + +"Yes. He was at the steamship office a few days ago inquiring when +your ship would come in, and when he saw me he hurried away. Since +then I have not been able to catch him." + +"Ah! I know!" exclaimed the captain suddenly. "I just thought of it. +I have a package belonging to him." + +"A package?" + +"Yes. He came to me when we were a few days out and said he wanted +me to keep a package for him until we got to New York. I took it and +put it with my papers." + +"Then I suppose it was lost with the _Olivia_?" + +"No; I brought it ashore with me when I saved my documents and a few +valuables from the wreck. I have it at my hotel. That is why he is +anxious to see me. He wants to get his package back. I am glad I +have it." + +"Do you know anything about the man?" asked Larry. + +"Hardly anything. I met him for the first time when he was a +passenger on my ship. But now, if you have no objections, we will go +ashore. I must file my reports. After that I will be glad to see you +at my hotel, and answer any questions you care to ask." + +"Well, I guess you've told me all you can," said Larry, feeling a +little disappointed at the result of his interview. "I'm much +obliged to you." + +"If you want to get into communication with this man, I have a +plan," suggested the captain. + +"What?" asked Larry, eagerly. + +"He will probably call at my hotel to claim his package. When he +comes you could be on hand." + +"But there is no telling when he will come." + +"That is so, but you could take a room at the hotel and be there as +much as possible. I think he will come as soon as he learns that my +ship is in." + +"That's a good idea. I'll do it!" exclaimed Larry. + +"Then let's hurry ashore, and you can make your arrangements while I +finish up the details of the indents, bills of lading, custom lists +and so on," Captain Tantrella said. + +The two walked down the gang plank on to the covered dock. The +tangle of wagons, horses and men was worse than ever. Part of the +cargo was being taken out and carted away. + +"Watch out for yourself that a horse doesn't step on you," cautioned +the captain. + +It was a needful warning, for the animals, drawing big, heavy +trucks, seemed to be every-where. As the two proceeded to thread +their way through the maze there came a hail from somewhere in the +rear and a voice called: + +"Captain Tantrella!" + +The commander turned, and so did Larry. The young reporter saw a +man hurrying along the dock toward where the commander of the +_Turtle_ stood. Evidently he had not seen the captain come to a +halt, for he called again: + +"Wait a minute, Captain Tantrella!" + +Then a curious thing happened. The man caught sight of Larry, +standing beside the ship commander. He halted and turned to run. As +he did so a truck drove up behind him and blocked his retreat. + +"It's Mah Retto!" exclaimed Larry, as he caught sight of the man's +face. + +An instant later there came a warning shout from the driver of the +truck. He reined his horses back sharply, but not in time. Retto had +stepped directly under their heads. The off animal reared. The man +stumbled and fell beneath its hoofs. + +Then, with a cry of terror, which was echoed by a score of men who +saw the accident, Retto appeared to crumple up in a heap. The +forefeet of the big steed seemed to crush him before the driver +could back the animal off. Then came silence, Retto lying without +moving on the planking of the dock. + +"Caught at last," murmured Larry, as he rushed forward. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +IN THE HOSPITAL + + +Instantly the confusion that had reigned on the dock became worse. +Men ran to and fro shouting, no one seeming to know what to do. + +"We must help him!" cried Captain Tantrella, shoving his papers into +his pocket. "Come!" + +He and Larry fought their way to the man's side. A crowd surrounded +him, but no one offered to do anything. The truck driver had +dismounted from his high seat and was quieting his frightened +horses. + +"It wasn't my fault," he cried. "He ran right under their feet." + +"One side!" exclaimed a loud voice, and a burly policeman shouldered +his way through. "What's the matter? Give the man some air." + +Retto did not look as though he would ever need air again. He seemed +quite dead. + +"Let me get at him!" called Captain Tantrella. "I know something of +medicine." + +"Shall I call an ambulance?" asked Larry of the police officer. "I +know how to do it." + +The bluecoat nodded, glad to have help in the emergency. Then he +proceeded to keep the crowd back while the captain knelt down beside +the unfortunate man. + +"Bad cut on the head," the commander of the _Turtle_ murmured. +"Fractured, I'm afraid. Leg broken, too. It's a wonder he wasn't +killed." + +The captain accepted several coats which were hastily offered, and +made a pillow for the man's head. He arranged the broken leg so that +the bones would be in a better position for setting, and then, with +a sponge and a basin of water which were brought, proceeded to wipe +away the blood from the cut on Retto's skull. + +The crowd increased and pressed closer, but by this time more +policemen had arrived, and they kept the throng back from the +sufferer, so that he might have air. + +It seemed a long time before the ambulance, which Larry summoned, +made its arrival, but it was only a few minutes ere it clanged up to +the pier, the crowd parting to let it pass. In an instant the +white-suited surgeon had leaped out of the back of the vehicle +before it had stopped, and was kneeling beside Retto. + +With deft fingers he felt of the wound on the man's head. + +"Possible fracture," he said in a low voice. "Double one of the leg, +I'm afraid," as he glanced at that member. "Lend a hand, boys, and +we'll get him on the stretcher." + +There were willing enough helpers, and Retto was soon in the +ambulance and on the way to the hospital, the doctor clinging to the +back of the swaying vehicle as it dashed through the streets, with +the right of way over everything on wheels. + +"Here's news in bunches," thought Larry, as he saw the ambulance +disappearing around a corner. "I must telephone this in, and I guess +it will be a beat. To think that after all that I have Retto where I +want him. I'm sorry, of course, that he's hurt, but I guess he can't +get out of the hospital very soon. I'll have a chance to question +him. Then I'll make him tell me where Mr. Potter is, and that will +end my special assignment. I'll not be sorry, either. It's been a +hard one, though I'm glad I got it, for the experience is fine." + +Thus musing Larry looked for a telephone station and soon the story +of Retto's accident was being sent over the wire to the city editor. + +"This will make a fine lead for our Potter story," said Larry, as he +finished telling of the accident. + +"I've got another plan," said Mr. Emberg. + +"What is it?" + +"Do you think anyone else knows who Retto is? I mean anyone on the +pier who saw him hurt?" + +"I think not. Captain Tantrella might, but other reporters are not +likely to connect him with the case." + +"Then this is what I'm going to do. I'll use the story of the +accident separate from the Potter story. We'll say an unidentified +man was run down on the pier. If he has a fractured skull he'll not +be able to tell who he is, and he has probably taken good care that +there are no papers in his clothes by which his name can be learned. + +"If we state that the injured man is the mysterious Retto, who is +mixed up in the Potter case, we'll have every reporter in New York +camping out at that hospital waiting for a chance to get the +information from him. If we keep quiet we may be able to get it +ourselves without any of the others knowing it. We'll try that way, +Larry. It's a risk, but you've got to take risks in this business." + +The young reporter admired the generalship of his city editor, who +could thus plan a magnificent beat. Larry saw the feasibility of the +plan. If he kept his information to himself no one would know but +what the injured man was a stranger in New York, and that he was +connected with the Potter case would be farthest from the thoughts +of any reporters who were working on the missing millionaire story. + +"You must camp on his trail, Larry," Mr. Emberg went on. "As soon as +you hear from the hospital people that he is in shape to talk, get +in to see him. You can truthfully claim to be a friend and +acquaintance, for you once helped to save his life. If you get a +chance to talk to him, ask where Potter is, and let us know at once. +We'll get out an extra, if need be. Now hurry over to the hospital +and let us hear from you as soon as possible. Get a good story and a +beat." + +"I only hope I can," murmured Larry, as he left the telephone booth +and started for the hospital to which Retto had been taken. + +He had a slight acquaintance with the superintendent of the +institution, and when he explained his errand the official agreed to +let Larry in to see the man as soon as the nurses and surgeons had +finished dressing his injuries. + +"How is he?" asked Larry. + +The superintendent called over a private telephone connected with +the ward where Retto had been taken: + +"How is the patient just brought in from the pier? Comfortable, eh? +That's good." + +Then he turned to Larry: + +"I guess you can go up soon," he added. "Can you give us his name, +and some particulars? He was unconscious when he came in," and the +superintendent prepared to jot down the information on his record +book. + +This was a complication Larry had not foreseen. If he gave the +superintendent the fugitive's name, any other reporters who came to +the hospital to inquire about the injured man would at once connect +Retto with the Potter mystery, and the _Leader's_ chance for a beat +would be small indeed. What was he to do? He decided to take the +superintendent partly into his confidence. + +"I know the name he goes by," he said, as the beginning of his +account, "but I do not believe it is his right one. I think it is an +alias he uses." + +"Never mind then," the superintendent interrupted, much to Larry's +relief. "If it's a false name we don't want it." + +"I believe it is," Larry added, and he was honest in that statement, +for he felt that Retto was playing some deep game, and, in that +case, would not be likely to use his right name. + +"We don't want our records wrong," the head of the hospital resumed. +"We'll wait until he can tell us about himself." + +The telephone bell rang at that juncture, and the superintendent +answering it told Larry the patient was now in bed and could be +seen. + +"Don't get him excited," cautioned the official. "I want to get some +information from him about himself when you are through." + +It is sometimes the custom in New York, in accident cases, to allow +reporters to interview the victims, when their physical condition +admits of it. So it was no new thing for Larry to go into the +hospital ward to speak to Retto. He passed through rows of white +cots, on which reclined men in all stages of disease and accident. +There was a sickish smell of iodoform in the atmosphere, and the +sight of the pale faces on either side made Larry sad at heart. + +"There's your patient," said a nurse who was with him, as she led +Larry to the bed where Retto reclined under the white coverings +that matched the hue of his face. "Now don't excite him. You +newspaper men don't care what you do as long as you get a story, and +sometimes all the work we nurses do goes for nothing." + +"I'll be careful," promised Larry. + +The nurse, who had other duties to keep her busy, left Larry at the +bedside of the mysterious man. He was lying with his eyes shut as +Larry approached. + +"Mr. Retto," called the reporter. + +There was no response. + +"Mr. Retto," spoke Larry, a little louder. + +At that the man opened his eyes. + +"Were you calling me?" he asked. Then he caught sight of Larry, and +a smile came on his face. + +"Well, you've found me, I see," was his greeting. "Only for that +team I'd been far away." + +"I suppose so. But now you're here, for which I'm sorry; I hope you +will answer me a few questions." + +"What are they?" asked the man, and a spasm of pain replaced his +smile. + +"I believe you know the secret of Mr. Potter's disappearance," said +Larry, speaking in a low tone so none of the other patients would +hear him. "I want you to tell me where he is." + +At the mention of Mr. Potter's name Retto raised himself in bed. His +face that had been pale became flushed. + +"He--he--is----" then he stopped. He seemed unable to speak. + +"Yes--yes!" exclaimed Larry, eagerly. "Where is he?" + +"He--is----" + +Then Retto fell back on the bed. + +"He has fainted!" cried the nurse, running to the cot. "The strain +has been too much for him," and she pressed an electric button which +summoned the doctor. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +A NEW CLUE + + +Larry moved to one side. The unexpected outcome of his interview had +startled him. He did not quite know what to do. + +The doctor came up on the run and made a hasty examination of the +patient. Then he sent for another surgeon. Larry heard them talking. + +"What is it?" he asked of his friend the nurse. + +"His skull is fractured," she said in a low voice. "They did not +think so at first, but now the symptoms show it. They are going to +operate at once. It is the only chance of saving his life." + +"There goes my story," thought Larry, regretfully. + +It was not that he was hard-hearted or indifferent to Retto's +sufferings. Simply that his newspaper instinct got ahead of +everything else, as it does in all true reporters, who, if they have +a "nose for news," will make "copy" out of even their closest +friend, though they may dislike the operation very much. + +"You had better go," the nurse advised Larry. "You will not be able +to see him again for some time--no one will be allowed to talk to +him until he is on the road to recovery--if we can save him. He has +a bad fracture." + +Much disappointed, Larry left the hospital. It was hard to be almost +on the verge of getting the story and then to see his chance slip +away. + +"I'm sure he was just going to tell me where Mr. Potter is," thought +the reporter. "Now it means a long wait, if I ever find out at all +from him." + +He told Mr. Emberg what had happened. The city editor decided to +follow out his first plan, of not connecting the accident at the +pier with the Potter mystery. + +"If he has to be operated on for a fractured skull," Mr. Emberg +remarked to Larry over the wire, "he will be in no condition to tell +his name, or give any information for some time. The story is safe +with him. Now you'd better get busy on some other line of the case. +The _Scorcher_ is out, but they only have a scare yarn, without any +foundation, to the effect that Mr. Potter is still in Italy, and +that his family knows where he is." + +"That's all bosh!" exclaimed Larry. + +"That's what I think," the city editor said. "Now get on the job, +Larry, and arrange to give us a good story for to-morrow. Keep watch +of Retto, and as soon as the doctors will let you see him try again, +though of course it may not be for several days." + +Larry was all at sea. He hung up the telephone receiver with a +vague feeling that being a reporter on a special assignment was not +all it was cracked up to be. + +"Easy enough to say get a good story for to-morrow," he remarked to +himself, "but I'd like to know how I'm going to do it? The +story--the only story there is--is safe with Retto, and he can't +tell it." + +"What shall I do?" Larry asked himself. "Let me think. I guess I'd +better go see Captain Tantrella and ask him to keep mum about Retto +until I have another chance at the man. Then I'll--I'll go and tell +Grace. She'll want to know all about it." + +He found Captain Tantrella at his hotel, having finished all the +details connected with the docking of the _Turtle_. The commander +readily agreed to keep quiet concerning Retto's identity, since the +captain had no desire for further newspaper notoriety. + +"I will do more than this," he declared. "I will give you the +package belonging to that queer man. I have to sail again soon, on a +long voyage, and he might need it before I come back. You can give +it to him if he recovers. If he does not--well, the authorities can +open it. It may contain money or something that will tell about the +poor fellow. I leave it with you." + +Larry was glad to get possession of the package that seemed of such +importance to Retto. He wished he could open it, as he thought he +might get a clue to the connection between the millionaire and the +mysterious man, but he knew he would have no right to do that. Also +it would give him a sort of claim on Retto, and, by returning the +package, he could have a good excuse for going to see him. + +"Now to tell Grace," remarked Larry, as he left Captain Tantrella. +"I'm sure she'll be anxious to hear the news." + +The millionaire's daughter was indeed glad to see Larry. She had +read the first edition of the _Leader_, and wanted to know if there +was anything further to tell. + +"I hoped to be able to give you some definite news," replied Larry, +in answer to her questions. Then he related the scene in the +hospital. + +"Poor man!" exclaimed Grace. "I wish I could go and see him." + +"I'm afraid they wouldn't let you," said the reporter. "I called up +the place just before I came here and they said the man was still +under the influence of ether, though the operation was over." + +"Was it a success?" + +"They think so, but it will be some time before he will be able to +talk to anyone about your father. We shall have to be patient." + +"It is so hard," complained Grace, and Larry agreed with her. He did +not yet see how he was going to get a story for the next day's +paper--that is, a story which would have some fresh features in it. + +"I don't suppose you have anything new to tell me?" he asked of +Grace. + +"Not much. I have had another letter from my father. It came a +little while ago." + +"Is it the same as the others?" + +"The contents are, but the envelope is different. He says he will +soon be home, and tells us not to worry." + +She gave the missive to Larry. He looked at the post-mark, and saw +that it had come from a downtown sub-station. + +"This was mailed near the steamer pier!" he exclaimed. "Close to +where Retto was hurt. He must have posted it just previous to the +accident. I wish I had known this before." + +It was too late now, and Larry gazed regretfully at the envelope. +Clearly, Retto had not been far from Mr. Potter at the time of the +accident. Perhaps the missing millionaire was hiding downtown in New +York. + +"I must make some inquiries in that neighborhood," thought Larry, as +he arose to go. + +"Another thing," Grace said. "That man Sullivan was in front of the +house again this morning." + +"I must see him!" exclaimed Larry. "I'll make him tell what his +object is. This thing has got to end!" + +He was fiercely determined that he would force some information +from the politician. Evidently Sullivan had a game on hand which the +reporter had not yet succeeded in fathoming. "I'll hunt him up at +once!" he added, as he bade Grace good-bye. + +"Be careful," she cautioned. "He is a dangerous man." + +"I will," Larry promised. + +But he could not find Sullivan. For once that wily politician denied +himself to reporters, and kept out of their way. He was sought by a +number of newspaper men, for the matter of a candidate for the +eighth assembly district was again to the fore, and the henchmen of +Kilburn and Reilly were making rival claims as to Sullivan's +support. + +"Where is Sullivan?" was the cry that went up, and in the next two +days that became almost as much of a mystery as the disappearance of +Mr. Potter. + +"Get busy, Larry," advised Mr. Emberg, and Larry did his best to +follow the advice. + +Three weeks passed, and Sullivan was not found. His family professed +not to know where he was, and the best newspaper men in New York +could not find him. Larry was working on the case with all the +energy he had thrown into the Potter disappearance. + +Meanwhile the young reporter kept a close watch on the hospital +where Retto was. The operation had been a success, but the patient +was in a fever, during which he was out of his mind. He could not +recognize anyone, much less talk intelligibly. Larry made several +calls at the institution, but it was of no use. + +"You can't see him," said the nurse, when he had paid his usual +visit one day, "but he is much better. I think by the day after +to-morrow you can talk to him. His fever is going down and he has +spells when he talks rationally. There was another man in to see him +to-day." + +"I thought you said no one could visit him." + +"Well, we made an exception in this case. The man was a private +detective, searching for a missing man, and he wanted to see all the +patients. He looked at your friend last, and went off, seemingly +quite excited." + +"What missing man was he looking for?" asked Larry. + +"A Mr. Potter. Seems to me I've read something about him in the +papers. He's very rich." + +"Mr. Potter!" exclaimed Larry. "The detective must be from the +private agency," he added to himself. Then aloud: "Did he recognize +Mr. Ret--er I mean the man with the fractured skull?" and he waited +anxiously for the nurse's answer. + +"He seemed to, but I was called away just then." + +"I know how Mr. Potter looks," Larry went on. "He has a moustache, +and the man here is smooth-shaven." + +"No, the patient has a moustache and a beard now," the nurse +replied with a smile. "They grew since he has been in the hospital." + +A sudden idea came to Larry. An idea so strange that it startled +him. He dared not speak of it. He believed the detective held the +same theory. + +"I'll call again," he said, thanking the nurse for the information +she had given him. "I must see Grace at once," he murmured, as he +left the hospital. "Strange I never thought of that. A beard and a +moustache! The private detective! I wonder if he recognized Retto? I +must hurry. Oh, if this should prove true!" + +He hurried to an elevated station and was soon on his way to Grace's +house. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE DETECTIVE'S THEORY + + +Bounding up the steps three at a time Larry rang the bell of the +Potter residence. He thought the door would never be opened, and, +when the stately butler did swing back the portal the young +reporter, not waiting to ask for anyone, stepped into the hall. + +"No one at home," the servant remarked with a smile, for he had +gotten to be on quite friendly terms with Larry. + +"No one home?" + +"No. Mrs. Potter and Miss Grace have gone to Lakewood, N.J., for a +few days. Mrs. Potter was quite ill, and the doctor advised a change +of air, so she suddenly decided to go." + +"When are they coming back?" + +"I can't rightly say. In a few days, I expect. I was told to tell +you that if anything important occurred you could write to them. +Here is the address," and the butler gave Larry a slip of paper. + +"I wonder whether I ought to telegraph?" thought Larry to himself. +"I think this is very important, yet I am not sure enough of it +myself. I can't see Retto until the day after to-morrow. I had +better wait until then. If my suspicions are confirmed I will send a +message, in case they are not back by that time." + +Larry was about to leave the house when he saw a man coming up the +front steps. He recognized him as a member of the private detective +agency which he and Grace had visited. + +"Is Mrs. Potter home?" asked the man of the butler, who was standing +in the opened front door, while Larry remained in the shadow of the +hall. + +"No, she has gone to Lakewood." + +"Lakewood! That's too bad!" exclaimed the man. + +"Is it anything important?" inquired the butler. + +"I think I have located Mr. Potter," was the answer. "I am a private +detective, hired by Miss Grace Potter. I came to see if she or her +mother would accompany me to try to identify a man I believe is the +missing millionaire." + +"Where is he?" asked the butler. + +"In a hospital, quite badly hurt." + +"Mr. Potter in a hospital! Badly hurt!" cried the servant in alarm. +"What shall I do? Can't they bring him home?" + +"We must be sure it is him," the detective went on. "The description +answers pretty well, but it would take a member of the family to +make sure. So there's no one home, eh? Well, that's too bad. I +wanted to test my theory that the hospital patient is the missing +millionaire." + +"You can telegraph to them," suggested the butler. "I have the +address." + +"That's what I'll do," the detective replied. "I'll tell them what I +have discovered. They can get here to-morrow and we'll see if he's +the right man." + +The officer took the address the servant gave him and hurried away. + +"Did you hear that?" cried the butler to Larry. "Mr. Potter is +found!" + +"I hope it proves true," the reporter replied. "That is just what I +came about, but when I found Mrs. Potter gone I didn't know what to +do. I had rather the detective would take the responsibility of +telegraphing. Perhaps the man in the hospital is not Mr. Potter?" + +"Do you know him?" asked the butler. + +"I have met him several times," replied Larry, "but I did not know +he was Mr. Potter. It just dawned on me that he might be." + +"Well, well, how strange it all is," murmured the butler. "Who would +have thought it? Well, we can't do anything until to-morrow." + +"No, I guess not," answered Larry, as he went down the steps. + +His mind was in a tumult. More and more he was coming to believe +that the mysterious man in the hospital was the missing millionaire. + +"That's what he meant when he said I was following him too close," +mused Larry. "And I never suspected it! How glad Grace will be! What +a story I shall have! I wish I had discovered him myself, without +any help from the detective agency, but it will make good reading, +anyhow. I must arrange it so we can get a scoop out of it." + +His first act was to go to the office of the paper and tell Mr. +Emberg what had occurred. The city editor was much excited by the +news. + +"That will make a great yarn!" he exclaimed. "I hope your friend +Grace soon comes back with her mother and makes the identification +complete. We must do nothing to hasten matters or some other paper +will get on to the game and spoil our story." + +"Even the hospital people don't suspect yet," said Larry. "They +don't know who their patient is--not even his assumed name." + +"I guess things are coming our way. We'll clear up the Potter +mystery and the Sullivan disappearance at the same time. I believe +Sullivan is in with Mr. Potter on some deal. It begins to look +suspicious. The friends of Reilly and Kilburn are all at sea. They'd +give a thousand dollars to know which way Sullivan was going to +jump." + +Larry paid an early visit to the hospital the next day to see how +matters were progressing. His friend, the nurse, greeted him with a +smile. + +"I guess you can have an interview with your mysterious +acquaintance now," she said. "He is much better than we expected, +and, for the first time since the operation, talks rationally. We +have not questioned him yet. We are not as curious as you newspaper +men are." + +"Well, we have to be," responded Larry. "Can I go up now? Has the +man who was here yesterday been back?" + +"Yes to your first question, and no to the second. You can go up. +The superintendent left word to that effect. He is quite friendly to +you." + +Larry started for the ward where Retto was. His heart was beating +strangely. He felt that he was on the verge of solving the secret of +the millionaire's disappearance and restoring to Grace her father. + +As he approached the bed where Retto reclined he was motioned back +by another nurse on duty there. + +"He has just fallen asleep," she said. "When he awakens again you +may speak to him. He has been writing a letter." + +Larry was disappointed. He looked at the man who had played such an +important part in the disappearance of the millionaire, and who, he +believed, was destined to assume a much more important rôle. The +patient's beard and moustache had grown since the accident, and the +smooth-shaven man was no more. Instead, Larry saw before him a +person who, as he recalled the photographs of Mr. Potter, bore a +remarkable resemblance to the millionaire. + +Of course, Mr. Potter had only a moustache and no beard, but aside +from that Larry was positive that, lying on the bed in front of him, +was Grace's father. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +A TERRIBLE MISTAKE + + +How Larry wished the patient would awaken so he could question him! +But the invalid showed no signs of it, and was in a deep slumber. + +"That will do him more good than medicine," said the nurse. "He will +probably sleep for several hours." + +"Several hours," repeated Larry in dismay. + +"Yes, they often do." + +"Then there is no use in me waiting," he said. "I'll come back +again. When I do I may bring his daughter with me." + +"I hope you do," the nurse replied. "I have felt so sorry for the +poor man. He seemed to have no friends ever since he has been here. +Who is he?" + +"I don't want to say for sure, until I get his daughter to identify +him," Larry said, for he did not want the story to get out before +the _Leader_ had a chance to print it. + +He decided he would go to the Potter house and see if Grace had +returned yet in response to the telegram sent by the detective. He +felt sure she would start immediately on receipt of the message. + +In this he was correct, for when he got to the millionaire's home +Grace herself answered his ring. + +"Oh, Larry! Tell me quick!" she exclaimed. "Where is he? Is he badly +hurt? What is the matter? Do you think it is really he?" + +"I hope so," Larry said. "Where is your mother?" + +"She stayed in Lakewood. I didn't tell her anything about it, for +fear it would prove a disappointment. The telegram from the +detective came to me and I made up my mind to come home alone and +clear matters up before I told mother. She needs a rest, as she is +very nervous. + +"But now I am here, you must take me to the hospital at once. The +telegram said he was in a hospital. How did it happen? Is he badly +hurt?" + +"I think he is almost well." + +"But how did they discover him? Who did it? How did it come about?" + +"It will take some time to answer all the questions," replied Larry +with a smile. "I'll tell you all I can on the way to the hospital. +My mysterious friend, Mah Retto, it seems, has turned out to be your +father." + +"Then he was the one I saw in front of the house that night, and I +thought it was father," said Grace. "His smooth-shaven face deceived +me, but I was sure I could not mistake his figure." + +"There have been a good many surprises in this case," Larry +admitted. "I've often been fooled myself." + +"Let's hurry to the hospital," suggested Grace. "I'd rather go with +you than with that detective. He is to be here at eleven o'clock, +and it's only ten now. Let's hurry away." + +Larry agreed, and they left the house. Grace explained that she had +caught the first express out of Lakewood that morning and had been +home only half an hour when Larry called. + +They were so busy talking over all the details of the queer case +that they arrived at the hospital much quicker than they +anticipated. + +"Here we are," said Larry, as he led the way up the broad stone +steps of the institution. + +"I'm almost afraid to go in," remarked Grace, her voice showing a +nervous dread. "It seems so strange. I'm quite frightened, Larry." + +"Don't think of anything but that you're going to see your father," +the reporter replied, reassuringly. "He'll be so glad to see you. I +believe he would have been home long before this if it had not been +for the accident." + +Larry entered the office of the institution. No sooner had he +stepped inside than he was made aware that something unusual had +occurred. Nurses and doctors, with anxious looks, were hastening +here and there. Orderlies and messengers were hurrying to and fro, +and there was a continuous ringing of signal and telephone bells. + +"Must have been an accident and a lot of patients bought in," said +Larry, for he had seen such activity in hospitals before when a +number of injured persons required treatment at once. + +"Oh, how terrible!" exclaimed Grace. "Do you suppose many are +killed?" + +"I hope not. But it looks as if something very unusual had +happened." + +Just then Larry saw the nurse who had been at the bedside of the +patient whom he and Grace had come to see. + +"I've brought his daughter," he said to the uniformed attendant. +"May we go up now?" + +The nurse seemed confused. + +"I don't know--I'll see!" she remarked. "Here is the superintendent. +Perhaps you had better speak to him," and she whispered something to +the official. + +"There's something wrong about Mr. Potter!" was Larry's first +thought. "I wonder if he could have suddenly died?" + +Even Grace, unaccustomed as she was to hospital scenes, was aware +that all was not as it should be. + +"Oh, Larry!" she exclaimed. "What is the matter? Have they taken him +away?" + +"I don't know," the reporter answered in a low tone. "I'll soon find +out." + +The superintendent approached them. + +"You wanted to see that patient who was brought in from the +steamship pier?" he inquired. "We've never been able to obtain his +name." + +"I can tell you what it is," answered Larry. "We have every reason +to believe he is Hamden Potter, the missing millionaire, and this +young lady's father. May we see him?" + +"Hamden Potter!" exclaimed the superintendent. + +"That's who he is," declared Larry. "He went by the name Mah Retto +while he was away. May we go up now?" + +"I am sorry," said the superintendent slowly, "but that patient +escaped from the ward about half an hour ago, and we have not been +able to trace him!" + +"Escaped!" cried Larry. + +"My father gone again!" gasped Grace. + +"Too bad, but that's what has happened," the superintendent +repeated. "The nurse left him sleeping quietly, and went downstairs +to get some medicine. When she came back he was gone." + +"But how could he go out without any clothing?" asked Larry. + +"He got some clothing," the head of the institution replied. "In the +bed next to him was a patient who was to be discharged as cured +to-day. That man's clothes were brought to him and laid out on a +chair beside the bed. While he was in the bathroom Mr. Potter, as +you call him, got possession of the clothes, put them on, and +walked out. Several patients saw him go, but said nothing, as they +thought it was all right. When the nurse got back she missed your +friend and gave the alarm." + +"Can't you tell in what direction he went?" asked Larry. + +"So far we have been unsuccessful. We have made inquiries outside, +but so many persons are passing in the street that it has been +impossible to trace him." + +"Was he able to walk very far?" the reporter asked. + +"He was strong; much stronger than the usual run of patients who are +recovering from such a wound as he had. He must have been more fully +recovered than we thought. He had written a letter, the nurse tells +me, and this is also gone. Probably he was temporarily out of his +mind, and went out to mail the missive. It is a strange occurrence." + +"My poor father!" exclaimed Grace. "I thought I had found him, and +now he is missing again." + +Larry did not know what to do. It was a curious state of affairs. He +had been so sure of uniting Mr. Potter and Grace, but now all his +plans had come to nothing. Then, too, there was the paper to be +considered. Mr. Emberg would expect him to send in the story of the +mysterious disappearance of the hospital patient. Yet Larry did not +like to leave Grace while he went to telephone. He was in a curious +predicament. + +"We will send out a general alarm if we do not find him soon," the +superintendent went on. "Occasionally delirious patients wander from +the wards while the nurses are temporarily absent, but they are +always found hiding in some part of the hospital. We have not yet +completed the search. Only once in a great while do they get outside +the institution. Yet Mr. Potter may have." + +"Then we may never find him again," spoke Grace. + +"Don't worry," Larry advised, as cheerfully as he could. "He'll come +back." + +"I'll never see him again!" and Grace was on the verge of tears. +"Oh, this is terrible!" + +Just then there was heard a confusion of sounds in the corridor +outside of the superintendent's office. The latter went to the door, +and through the opened portal Grace and Larry heard some one +exclaim: + +"He's come back!" + +"Maybe that's him!" cried the reporter. + +The superintendent returned to his office. + +"I have a pleasant surprise for you," he exclaimed. "The patient has +come back. He says he went out to a telephone." + +"Is he--is he all right?" asked Grace. + +"Better than ever. The little trip seemed to do him good. Here he +is." + +He threw open the door he had closed. There, standing in the +corridor, was the man Larry had known as Mah Retto--the man he +believed was Mr. Potter. The patient was smiling at the reporter. + +"There is your father, Grace," said Larry. + +The girl gave one look at the man confronting her. She seemed to +sway forward, and became deathly pale---- + +"That is not my father!" she cried, as she fell in a faint. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +IN HIS ENEMIES' POWER + + +"Quick! Catch her!" cried the hospital superintendent, springing +forward, but it was Larry who put out his arms and kept Grace from +falling to the floor. + +"Here, nurse," called one of several physicians who had gathered in +the corridor when the news spread that the missing patient had +returned. "Look after her, please. Carry her into the receiving +room." + +"Who is she?" asked the patient, who had caused such a stir, and to +whom no one seemed to be paying any attention in the excitement +caused by Grace's swoon. The man had not caught a good look at the +girl. + +"She is Grace Potter," replied Larry, glancing curiously at Mah +Retto. + +"Grace Potter? Hamden Potter's daughter?" The man seemed greatly +excited. + +"Yes. She came here expecting, as I did, to meet her father. I +thought you were Mr. Potter. She says you are not." + +"No, I am not," replied the man. + +"Then who are you? Where is her father? You know! I am sure of it!" +Larry was upset over the mistake he and the detective had made. + +"I did know where Mr. Potter was," and as he made that answer Retto +gave every evidence of being under a great strain. His hands shook +with more than the weakness of his illness. He was paler than the +white hue caused by his confinement in the hospital. + +"Why? Have you lost track of him?" + +"I am afraid so. Listen, young man, perhaps you can help me. Let us +get to some place where we can talk. I have strange news for you." + +"Then you know me?" and the young reporter looked somewhat +surprised. + +"I couldn't very well help it, with the way you have kept after me +lately. But we have no time to lose. Something most unexpected has +happened. Mr. Potter is in the hands of his enemies!" + +"Then he is found?" + +"Yes, in a way, but he might better be lost!" + +"What do you mean?" + +"Come in here and I will tell you." + +Retto led the way to a small room off the main corridor. + +"What does this mean?" asked the hospital superintendent. + +"I will explain later," replied Retto. "Just now it is very +necessary that I have a talk with this young man." + +The superintendent turned away and Retto closed the door. He sat +down in a chair, and Larry could see that he was trembling from +weakness. + +"I must talk quickly," he said, "for I am still very ill. I made a +desperate effort to go out in order to get in communication with Mr. +Potter. I mailed him a letter and then called him up on the +telephone----" + +"Then you know where he was!" burst out Larry. + +"I did, but I do not now. Listen, and don't ask too many questions +yet. All will soon be explained, if it is not too late. I am Mr. +Potter's friend. He took me into his confidence when he found it +necessary, for very strong reasons, to disappear. I agreed to help +him and do exactly as he wanted me to. He has been hiding across the +Hudson River, outside of the legal jurisdiction of New York State. I +was in touch with him by telephone and otherwise up to the time of +my accident on the pier. Since then, of course, I have not been able +to hold any communication with him. As soon as I had the chance, +which came for the first time to-day, I got out and called him on +the telephone. I was told by the man, with whom he had been staying, +that, about an hour ago, some men came and took him away." + +"Some men took him away?" + +"Yes. Men whom I recognized, by the description, as his enemies--as +men who have an interest in getting Mr. Potter into their power. He +has been trying all this while to keep out of their way. Now they +have him!" + +"But what's to be done?" asked the young reporter. + +"I don't know," replied Retto, hopelessly. "Everything was going on +all right until those horses knocked me down." + +Larry was conscious of a strange sensation. It was partly due to his +impetuosity he felt that Retto had been injured. Larry partly blamed +himself for Mr. Potter's present plight, since through the +reporter's instrumentality the millionaire's friend had not been +able to keep in touch with him. + +"I'll find him!" exclaimed Larry. "Tell me what to do! I'll trace +him!" + +"If I was only stronger!" said Retto. "I'm so weak that I couldn't +walk another block. I'd like to get after those scoundrels who have +Mr. Potter!" + +"I'll get after them!" cried the youthful newspaper man, thinking +more of Grace just then than he did of his assignment. "Tell me +where to go!" + +"I can only tell you where Mr. Potter was hiding," went on Retto. +"That was in a little house just outside of Jersey City. The men +must have gone there after him. Possibly you can trace them from the +house." + +"Tell me how to get to the place!" + +Retto gave the necessary instructions. + +"I'm going over there!" exclaimed the young reporter. + +"What are you going to do with Grace?" + +"That's so! I forgot about her. I'll take her along!" and Larry +sprang to his feet in his enthusiasm and started for the door. + +"Can she stand the trip?" + +"She's a brave girl! She'll be glad to go!" + +"Then you'd better hurry. Every minute is precious. Great things +hang on this. If Mr. Potter's enemies force him to do certain +things, which he has been trying to avoid doing, the consequences +will be very bad for many persons. Hurry, Dexter!" + +"I'll start at once. I wonder if Grace is better?" + +The young reporter and Retto left the small room. Larry soon found +that Grace had recovered from her swoon. Rapidly he told her of what +he proposed doing. With her he would go to Jersey City and try to +trace the missing millionaire. + +"And we'll find him!" he added, with vigor. + +He went downstairs to telephone to Mr. Emberg of the new and +unexpected turn the case had taken. + +"Keep right after it, Larry!" said the city editor. "Find Mr. Potter +and get the story!" + +As the _Leader_ reporter turned to go upstairs he saw, entering the +hospital, a young man whom he recognized as Hans Fritsch, the German +newspaper man he had met at the lonely tenement. + +"What are you doing here?" asked Larry, noting that his friend was +attired in an automobile suit. + +"I comes to see how gets along a friend of mine. He is here sick. I +have a day off from mine work and I comes in my new automobile. +After dot I goes me for a nice ride. Come along!" + +"Where are you going?" asked Larry, a sudden idea coming into his +head. + +"Ofer by New Jersey. Dere is goot automobiling roads." + +"Are you going to Jersey City?" + +"Sure. I goes by dot on der ferry. Den I skips out by der Plank +Roat, und maybe I goes me out to der Oranges Mountains. I am just +learning to run my car goot!" + +"I'll go with you!" cried Larry. "Have you room in your car for +two?" + +"Surely! For four, if you likes to bring 'em. My mother, who is in +Germany, und quite vell off, send me der car for a birthday present, +odervise I should not haff him. Reporters here do not get monies +enough to buy automobiles!" + +"I'll be with you in five minutes!" exclaimed Larry, hurrying off to +tell Grace. + +"I am ready as soon as I see how my sick friend is," declared the +German reporter. "Den we go quick like de wind, und haff a goot +time!" + +"Yes, and maybe a hot pursuit!" said Larry under his breath, for he +had determined on a bold plan. He would, in Fritsch's auto, give +chase to the captors of Mr. Potter. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +MR. POTTER IS FOUND--CONCLUSION + + +There was a throbbing of the motor, a grinding and shrieking as the +clutch was thrown in, a trembling to the car as Fritsch advanced the +spark and opened the gasolene throttle still wider and the +automobile, bearing the German reporter, Larry and Grace, was off. + +"Here are some goggles!" said Fritsch, handing back two pairs to his +passengers. "You vill need dem when ve goes like de wind. If I had +known I was to haff a lady I would get a dust coat." + +"It doesn't matter," replied Grace, her eyes shining with the +excitement. "I want to find my father." + +"Your father?" + +Then Larry explained. He could safely do so since the German paper +did not come out until the morning of the next day, and Fritsch +could not "beat" him. + +Faster speeded the auto. They went over the Hudson River on a ferry +boat, and, as soon as Jersey City was reached, the car was sent +along as fast as the law allowed. + +"I wonder if I can get on their trail?" thought Larry, as he +watched the houses skim by, and held himself in his seat, beside +Grace, to avoid the jouncing and swaying caused by the uneven +streets. + +"Do you think ve vill haff a race?" asked the German, as they neared +the house where Mr. Potter had been hiding. + +"Maybe. I hope so, anyhow." + +"I don't." + +"Why? Don't you want to help find Mr. Potter?" + +"Yes, but I am of nervousness yet in my new car. I haff never raced, +und I might do some damage." + +"Let me run her," suggested Larry. "I've had some experience with +autos, and I guess I can manage yours. I ran one like this several +times when I was out with Mr. Emberg." + +"Den take der vheel," went on Fritsch. "I comes back wid Miss Potter +und you can race." + +"Oh, Larry! Can you do it?" and Grace looked a little alarmed. + +"Of course I can," and the young reporter spoke confidently. + +The car was stopped and the change made. Larry soon found he could +manage the various levers all right, and that the car responded +readily to his guiding hand. + +"This must be the place," he said, after they had ridden for half an +hour at as high speed as they dared, considering the fact that +there were policemen on every other block. + +He stopped the car in front of a house that seemed to be +uninhabited. It answered the description Retto had given, and Larry +knocked on the door. After several minutes the portal opened a +crack, showing that it was held by a chain. + +"Is Mr. Potter here?" asked Larry, though he knew the missing +millionaire was not. The man who had opened the door looked +suspiciously at the inquirer. "It's all right," the young reporter +went on. "I come from Mr. Retto. I want to aid Mr. Potter." + +"You're too late," was the answer. "They've got him into their +clutches. They'll work their game before he knows that everything is +all right, and that it is safe for him to show himself. If they had +only waited half an hour all would have been well. I just got +another telephone message from Retto, saying that all matters were +satisfactorily adjusted, and that there was no further need for Mr. +Potter to hide. But he doesn't know this. I have no way of telling +him, and he'll sign the papers before those men will let him go." + +"Tell me in which direction they went and I'll go after them!" cried +Larry. "They can't have gone far, and we can overtake them in the +auto!" + +"They have a car, too," replied the man. "A fast one. They managed, +by a trick, to get Mr. Potter into it. If I could only get word to +him he could laugh at their efforts! If I could only send him a +message!" + +"What is the message?" asked Larry. + +"It is this. 'The money is safe!'" + +"Is that all?" + +"That's all, but how can you get it to him?" + +"Didn't you hear anything that might give you a clue to where the +men were going?" + +"Somewhere out toward the Orange Mountains. That's all I know. They +are going to the home of some lawyer or judge, I believe. There is +some legal matter involved." + +"Then that's where we'll go!" decided the young reporter, as he +hurried back to the auto and told Grace and Fritsch what he had +heard. + +"On to de mountains!" cried the German reporter. "My car is yours! +It will climb de biggest hills on der high gear, und ve will catch +de scoundrels!" + +Once more they were off. They took the Plank Road to Newark, and, on +inquiring in the latter city, learned that a car, answering the +description of the one Mr. Potter had been taken off in, had passed +about half an hour before. + +"That's not so bad!" exclaimed Larry. "We can catch 'em, I guess!" + +"I hope so!" murmured Grace. + +"If my car doesn't beat de oder one I gives up riding," remarked +Fritsch, with proper pride in his machine. + +They passed through Newark, and were soon on the road leading to +Orange, at the foot of the mountains. The highway was conducive to +speed, and Larry "let her out several notches," as he expressed it, +at the same time keeping watch for policemen on motorcycles, who +were alert to nab the unwary auto speeders. + +Every time they saw a car in front of them they were anxious until +they saw it was not the one they wanted. They passed a number of +machines, and when Orange was reached they had not been successful. + +"Now for a mountain climb!" exclaimed Larry, as he slowed down the +engine to give the water a chance to cool off before attempting the +ascent. "Will it do Eagle Rock hill, Fritsch?" + +"I think so," replied the German. "I never tried it, but de circular +says it vill do it." + +Eagle Rock hill is known far and wide as one of the steepest ascents +up which an automobile can be sent. Many cars have to take it on the +low gear, or go as slowly as possible. Even then it is a strain. + +"Suppose we should overtake them there?" suggested Grace. + +"Ve'd catch 'em!" exclaimed the German, with a confidence born of +admiration for his car. + +On and on they chugged. At the foot of the long, steep slope Larry +set the levers on second gear, as he did not want to take any +chances with the auto. Up and up they went, their eyes strained +through the dust for the sight of a green car, for that was the +color of the machine in which rode the men who had taken Mr. Potter +away. + +"Hark!" exclaimed Grace, suddenly. "It sounds like an auto just +ahead of us!" + +"It is," declared Larry, whose quick ear had caught the chug-chug of +a motor. + +An instant later they had rounded a turn. There, in front of them, +climbing the steep hill, was a green car. In it could be seen four +men. + +"That's them!" cried Larry. + +"Open her up! Throw in the high gear!" yelled Fritsch, who was now +as enthusiastic and as interested in the chase as were either of his +companions. "Let her rip!" + +"Will she stand it?" asked Larry, shouting the words over his +shoulder to Grace and Fritsch in the tonneau. + +"Sure!" + +There was a grinding noise as Larry threw in the high-speed gear. +The auto hung back for an instant because of the sudden change. The +motor seemed to groan at the unexpected load thrown on it. Then, +like a gallant horse responding to the call of its rider, the car +leaped ahead. + +"Hurrah!" cried Larry. "She'll do it! We'll catch 'em!" + +The distance between the two cars was lessening. Those in the green +machine seemed unaware of the approach of their pursuers. + +"Can you see your father?" asked the German of Grace. + +"I'm not sure. It looks like him!" + +She stood up in the tonneau, holding to the back of the seat in +front of her to steady herself against the swaying of the car. + +Just then Larry blew a blast on the horn. As the deep tone responded +to his pressure on the big rubber bulb the men in the green machine +looked back. At the sight of one of the faces Grace cried. + +"It's father! It's father!" + +Above the noise made by the two autos the millionaire heard his +daughter's voice. He stood up and, leaning over the back of the +seat, waved his hand to her. Then one of the men sitting beside him +forcibly drew the millionaire down. + +"Oh! We must get to him!" cried Grace. "They may do him some harm! +Hurry, Larry!" + +"Shove her over a few more notches!" cried Fritsch. "She'll take +more gasolene!" + +Larry obeyed the instructions of the German reporter. The car seemed +to feel new life and leaped ahead. The distance from the other car +was steadily growing less. Fritsch's confidence in his machine was +not misplaced. But the men in the green car were making efforts to +escape. The chauffeur had advanced his spark, and the car was taking +the steep grade almost as well as was that of the pursuers. + +"Can't we catch them?" cried Grace, in an agony of doubt and fear. + +Larry narrowly watched the green car. He saw that in spite of the +efforts of the driver it was losing speed. + +"We'll do it," he said, quietly. + +Then Larry tried a trick which had come into his mind almost at the +last moment. Keeping his car going as fast as possible he steered it +so as to pass the other auto. He knew he had speed enough to do it, +and realized that he must act quickly, as they were almost at the +summit of the hill. + +Closer and closer the two cars came together, that driven by the +young reporter gaining. Now the front wheels overlapped the rear +ones of the green machine--now they were at the side door of the +tonneau--now the two tonneaus were even! This was what Larry wanted. + +Slowing down his engine the least bit, so as to keep in pace with +the other machine and not pass it, he called across to Mr. Potter, +as the two autos raced side by side: + +"Mr. Potter, I bring you a message from your friends!" + +"What is it?" + +"It is this! 'The money is safe!'" + +"Good!" cried the millionaire. "Now I don't care what these +scoundrels do!" + +"Father! Father!" cried Grace. + +"Stop that machine!" yelled Larry to the chauffeur of the green +car. + +"You can't make me!" retorted the man. + +"Jump into our car!" cried Fritsch to Mr. Potter. "You can do it!" + +The two machines were close together, and so evenly were they +running that they seemed to be standing still, side by side. The +millionaire arose and endeavored to get out of the tonneau, and into +that of the auto in which sat his daughter. + +"No, you don't!" exclaimed one of the men beside him, and he took +hold of Mr. Potter. + +"Let me go!" called the rich man. "I'm not afraid of you now. +There's no longer any reason for me to remain in hiding!" + +"You can't go until you sign those papers!" cried another of the +men. + +"Stop that car!" shouted Larry again. + +"Let's see you make me!" was the impudent retort of the man at the +wheel. + +"I'll make you!" declared the young reporter. + +He gave a quick motion to the steering wheel. Then he shoved the +levers over, and pressed down the pedal that cut out the muffler and +slightly relieved the strain on the motor. Fritsch's car shot ahead. +Larry steered it directly in front of the green machine, and kept +just far enough in advance to avoid a collision. + +"Get out of the way!" shouted the driver of the emerald car. + +"Now I guess you'll stop!" retorted the young reporter. + +The road suddenly narrowed. Larry gradually slowed up his car. There +was no room to pass, and the other machine had to slacken up also. + +Larry suddenly shut off his power and put on the brakes. His machine +came to a gradual stop. There was a bump behind and the other had +collided with it, but not enough to cause any damage. + +"There! I guess you'll stop now!" exclaimed Larry, as he leaped from +his seat and hurried back to the green car. + +But the men did not await his coming. With a shout to his companions +the chauffeur of the rear auto leaped out. The others followed his +example, leaving Mr. Potter alone in the automobile. + +"Father! Father!" cried Grace. + +"Is this really you, Mr. Potter?" asked the reporter, hardly able to +believe that he had found the missing millionaire. + +"That's who I am!" exclaimed the man whom Larry had sought so long. +Mr. Potter entered the other machine and clasped Grace into his +arms. "I'm back from my enforced exile," he went on. "Now you can +send the story to your paper." + +"I must get to a telephone!" cried Larry, his newspaper instincts to +the fore again, now that he had successfully covered his special +assignment. + +"Get back into my car," suggested Fritsch. "Dere is a telephone at +de top of der hill. I'll drive you now so long as de race is ofer!" + +"And we won!" cried Grace. "Oh, father! How glad I am to have you +back!" + +"How glad I am to get back!" replied Mr. Potter. + +Larry sat beside the German reporter, who took his place at the +steering wheel. The other car was left where the men had abandoned +it. They had disappeared into the woods on either side of the road, +and never troubled Mr. Potter again. + +"Why did you disappear, Mr. Potter?" asked Larry, who had to have +some facts to telephone in, as it was near first edition-time. + +"It's a long story to tell, young man," replied the millionaire, +"and quite complicated. Briefly, I had to disappear in order to save +a number of widows and orphans from losing what little money they +depended on for a living. As you have probably guessed, I am +interested in many financial matters. One was the building of an +extension of the subway. Hundreds of widows, and guardians of +orphans, had bought stock in this enterprise, as it was sold by +popular subscription. + +"While abroad I learned there was a scheme on foot to involve me in +certain legal difficulties, and it might even cause my arrest in +order to get me to do certain things that would force the price of +the subway stock down, and so bankrupt many innocent persons. To +prevent this I determined to disappear, without even the knowledge +of my family. How I managed it I will tell you later. Matters were +going along all right until Retto, whose real name, you might as +well know, is Simonson, suddenly disappeared. I did not know what to +do, nor how matters, with which I had entrusted him, were +progressing. But it wasn't his fault. I wonder what happened to +him?" + +Larry explained about Mr. Simonson's accident, of which Mr. Potter +was ignorant. + +"When these men, my enemies, unexpectedly appeared to-day at the +house where I had been hiding ever since I disappeared, asked me to +appear in a New Jersey court, I had to go with them," went on Mr. +Potter. "It was in the nature of an arrest, and I did not dare +disobey. They wanted to take me before a Supreme Court Justice in +his home on the mountain and make me sign certain papers. + +"But you came along in the nick of time. When you gave me that +message to the effect that the money was all right, I knew that the +affairs of the subway had been so arranged that the stock would not +go down and the widows and orphans would not suffer. I was willing +then to appear in court, as the schemes of the scoundrels, who had +practically kidnapped me, could amount to nothing. But it seems +they didn't wait to see what the outcome would be. I'm much obliged +to you, Larry." + +"So am I," added Grace, with a smile. + +"I'd do it all over again for the sake of getting such a good +story--and--er--of course, finding you and helping your daughter," +Larry finished. "Now to telephone this in." + +Mr. Emberg could hardly believe the news that Larry fairly shouted +over the wire. + +"Found him, you say! Good for you, Larry. It'll be a great beat! +Wait a minute! I'll let Harvey take the story. Talk fast. Give us +enough for the first edition, and then, for the second, get the +whole story from Mr. Potter. This is a corker!" + +What a scene there was in the _Leader_ office then! Mr. Newton +grabbed up paper and pencil and rushed to the telephone booth to +which Larry's wire had been switched so that the story could be +taken with fewer interruptions. Page after page of notes did Mr. +Newton scribble down, as Larry dictated the dramatic finding of the +missing millionaire during the automobile chase. + +"That'll do, Larry!" cried Mr. Newton, when he had the first half of +the story. "I'll get one of the other boys to take the rest while I +grind this out on the machine." + +So the young reporter dictated the remainder of the account to +another person in the _Leader_ office, while Mr. Newton was +pounding away on the typewriter at his section. + +Thus it went on in relays. The first part of the story was in type +before Larry had finished his end of it. Then, as there was no more +time to get anything further in for the first edition, Larry went +back to where he had left Mr. Potter, Grace and Fritsch in the +automobile. Mr. Potter gave the young reporter some additional +particulars. + +He explained that he had learned, while in Europe, of a mix-up in +New York politics that involved his company, which was building the +new subway line. Sullivan, Kilburn and Reilly were factors in the +game, and the control of the assembly district would go to whoever +could bring about the opening of the new subway route through it. + +Mr. Potter repeated, more at detail, how there was likely to be a +big law-suit over the matter, which would tie up operations for a +year, and which would force down the price of the stock so that many +small investors would lose all they owned. + +"I had promised Sullivan to do as he wanted, in case he supported +Reilly," Mr. Potter went on. "Later I found I could not do as I had +agreed without getting tangled up in the legal conflict. They wanted +to serve certain papers on me, and get me into the jurisdiction of +the law courts, so I decided, in order to protect those who were +unable to protect themselves, to disappear. I was aware that a +wrong construction might be placed on it, that it would subject me +to much criticism, that it would be hard and that it would cause +distress to my family and friends. But there was no other way in +which I could aid the helpless, so I decided to do it." + +The millionaire explained how he had sailed from Italy under an +assumed name, after arranging there with his friend, Mr. Simonson, +to precede him to New York, do certain work, and keep him informed +of how matters went. Simonson took the name Mah Retto, which had a +foreign sound, and could be depended upon to deceive Mr. Potter's +enemies. Mr. Simonson was of dark complexion and looked like an East +Indian. The name was formed from some of the letters making up the +millionaire's name. Retto's handwriting was very similar to that of +Mr. Potter's, and easily passed for it, even under the scrutiny of +Grace and her mother. The man himself bore a remarkable resemblance +to the millionaire and nearly deceived Grace once. + +Most unexpectedly, some of Mr. Potter's enemies got on the trail of +Retto, and he learned they would be waiting for him when he landed +in New York. He decided to elude them. + +He was aboard the _Olivia_ when the ship struck on the bar, and +resolved to take a desperate chance and come ashore on a life-raft. +He did, and Larry and Bailey rescued him. Then followed his shaving +off of his moustache in the fisherman's hut to make a good disguise, +and Larry's subsequent chase after him. Once Larry had been close on +Mr. Potter's trail. The millionaire was in Retto's room the night +Larry called on the mysterious man in the Jackson tenement, and this +explained the reference in the letter to the young reporter being so +"close" after Mr. Potter. + +Sullivan, it was explained, had an idea that Grace or her mother +knew where Mr. Potter was hiding, and was much disappointed because +the rich man could not carry out the original plan of political +action. + +"I think Sullivan will show himself, now that he knows I have been +found," said Grace's father. "He has been looking for me on his own +responsibility, I understand. I have straightened matters out so +that he can support Reilly as he promised to do, Larry, in that +interview he gave you. I think that was all he wanted me to come +back for. + +"Sullivan used to go up and watch my house," Mr. Potter went on. "He +thought I was there, I suppose. Retto also watched it, but for a +different purpose. I sent him up to catch glimpses of my wife and +daughter, to see if they were all right, as I did not dare venture +into that neighborhood for fear of being recognized. I had their +miniatures, however. The night I reached New York I went to the +house and got them. I remained in the suburbs of Jersey City most of +the time, as, until to-day, the scoundrels did not have matters so +arranged that they could legally serve papers on me in New Jersey. +They must have taken a last desperate chance this morning, but, +thanks to you, Larry, they were foiled." + +In Fritsch's auto, after Larry had finished telephoning in the +story, the little party returned to New York. They took Mr. +Simonson, or Retto, from the hospital to Mr. Potter's house. There +he explained his part in aiding the millionaire. Larry gave him back +the papers he had secured from Captain Tantrella, and the curious +gold coin Mr. Simonson had lost from his watch chain in the +fisherman's hut. + +Mr. Simonson told his employer how he had tried to run away from +Larry that day on the pier, as matters were then not yet ripe for a +disclosure, and how he had fallen under the horses' feet. + +"When you came to see me in the hospital," he went on to Larry, "I +was about to send for Mr. Potter, for I felt I was in bad shape and +that the mystery might now come to an end. Then I became +unconscious, was delirious for three weeks, and the next I knew was +when the nurse told me this morning that the day after to-morrow you +were coming to see me. I decided I must communicate with Mr. Potter. +But when I called him up, I was startled when I was told by the man +in whose house he was hiding that his enemies had him." + +"But Larry got me away from them," went on Mr. Potter, with a happy +laugh. "This ends the mystery of my disappearance." + +"I must telegraph mother the good news," said Grace. "She is in +Lakewood. I had also better notify the private detective that he +need no longer work on the case." + +"We'll go to Lakewood and surprise your mother," said her father. "I +need a rest after my hard work in keeping away from Larry Dexter. +I'll telephone the detective agency. I suppose the manager will be +disappointed that a newspaper man beat him," which was exactly how +the manager felt. + +The young reporter, bidding Grace and her father good-bye, returned +to the office of the _Leader_, going down in Fritsch's auto. + +"Well, you have given us some news!" exclaimed Mr. Emberg. "Look at +that!" + +He held up the paper, the front page of which was almost all taken +up with the story of the missing millionaire. + +"I suppose that ends my special assignment, then." + +"This one is finished," spoke the city editor, "but I may have +another for you." + +"What kind?" + +"I'll tell you later." + +Those of my readers who want to know what Larry's next assignment +was may learn by reading the fourth volume of this series, to be +called: "Larry Dexter and the Bank Mystery, or, A Young Reporter in +Wall Street." In that story we shall follow the young reporter +through adventures which were exciting in the extreme. + +The _Leader_ beat every other paper in New York on the Potter story, +and Larry was the hero of the occasion. The next day he located +Sullivan and cleared up that end of the case. + +"I suppose you'd like to take a short rest?" said Mr. Emberg to the +young reporter a few days later. "You had quite a strenuous time of +it in that automobile race." + +"I guess I could stand a little vacation." + +"Then you shall have it." + +Larry wondered where he would spend the vacation, but the matter was +settled for him. When he got home that night he found a telegram +awaiting him. It was from Grace Potter, and read: + +"Can't you come down to Lakewood for a few days? Mother and father +would be glad to see you. So would I." + +Larry went. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH*** + + +******* This file should be named 16397-8.txt or 16397-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/3/9/16397 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Larry Dexter's Great Search</p> +<p> or, The Hunt for the Missing Millionaire</p> +<p>Author: Howard R. Garis</p> +<p>Release Date: July 30, 2005 [eBook #16397]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH***</p> +<p> </p> +<h4>E-text prepared by Barbara Tozier, Charles Aldarondo,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (https://www.pgdp.net)</h4> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="./images/front.jpg" alt=""HERE IT IS!" CRIED LARRY." title=""HERE IT IS!" CRIED LARRY." /></div> +<div class='center'><span class="caption">"HERE IT IS!" CRIED LARRY.<br /><br /> + +<i>Larry Dexter's Great Search. Frontispiece (Page 40.)</i></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH<!-- Page -5 --><a name="Page_-5" id="Page_-5"></a></h1> + +<h2>OR</h2> + +<h1>THE HUNT FOR THE MISSING MILLIONAIRE</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>HOWARD R. GARIS</h2> + +<p class="center">AUTHOR OF "FROM OFFICE BOY TO REPORTER," "LARRY DEXTER, REPORTER," +"DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE," ETC.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="center">NEW YORK</p> +<p class="center">GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<p class="center">PUBLISHERS</p> +<p class="center">1909</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><!-- Page -4 --><a name="Page_-4" id="Page_-4"></a>BOOKS FOR BOYS</p> + +<p class="center">BY HOWARD R. GARIS</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE DICK HAMILTON SERIES</h2> + + +<p> +DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE<br /> +Or The Stirring Doings of a Millionaire's Son<br /> +<br /> +DICK HAMILTON'S CADET DAYS<br /> +Or The Handicap of a Millionaire's Son<br /> +<br /> +DICK HAMILTON'S STEAM YACHT<br /> +Or A Young Millionaire and the Kidnappers<br /> +<br /> +DICK HAMILTON'S FOOTBALL TEAM<br /> +Or A Young Millionaire on the Gridiron<br /> +<br /> +(Other volumes in preparation)<br /> +<br /> +<i>12 mo. Cloth. Illustrated.<br /> +Price, per volume, 60 cents, postpaid</i><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_YOUNG_REPORTER_SERIES" id="THE_YOUNG_REPORTER_SERIES"></a>THE YOUNG REPORTER SERIES</h2> + + +<p> +FROM OFFICE BOY TO REPORTER<br /> +Or The First Step in Journalism<br /> +<br /> +LARRY DEXTER, THE YOUNG REPORTER<br /> +Or Strange Adventures in a Great City<br /> +<br /> +LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH<br /> +Or The Hunt for a Missing Millionaire<br /> +<br /> +LARRY DEXTER AND THE BANK MYSTERY<br /> +Or A Young Reporter in Wall Street<br /> +<br /> +LARRY DEXTER AND THE STOLEN BOY<br /> +Or A Young Reporter on the Lakes<br /> +<br /> +<i>12 mo. Cloth. Illustrated<br /> +Price, per volume, 40 cents, postpaid</i><br /> +</p> + + +<p class="center">GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> + +<p class="center">PUBLISHERS NEW YORK</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h1>Larry Dexter's Great Search</h1> + + + +<h2><!-- Page -3 --><a name="Page_-3" id="Page_-3"></a>PREFACE</h2> + + +<p>Dear Boys:</p> + +<p>I hope you will be glad to read of the further adventures of Larry +Dexter. He has made some progress since you first made his +acquaintance in the book "From Office Boy to Reporter." He has also +advanced in his chosen profession from the days when he did his +first news-gathering for the <i>Leader</i>. In this volume he is sent on +a "special assignment," as it is called. He has to find a New York +millionaire who has mysteriously disappeared.</p> + +<p>How Larry solved the strange secret, I have woven into a story that +I trust will be liked by all the boys who read it. I have taken many +incidents from real life for this story, using some of my own +experiences while a newspaper reporter as a basis for facts.</p> + +<p>The things that happened to Larry are not at <!-- Page -2 --><a name="Page_-2" id="Page_-2"></a>all out of the +ordinary among reporters. The life has many strange surprises in it. +If I have been able to set them down in a way that will please you +boys, and if you enjoy following the further fortunes of Larry +Dexter, I shall feel amply repaid for my efforts on this volume.</p> + +<p class="right">Yours sincerely,</p> + +<p class="right">HOWARD R. GARIS.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><!-- Page -1 --><a name="Page_-1" id="Page_-1"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left'>CHAPTER</td><td align='right'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>I. THE WRECK</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>II. ASHORE ON A RAFT</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>III. THE MAN AT THE HUT</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IV. RESCUED FROM THE SEA</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>V. LARRY'S SCOOP</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VI. A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VII. LARRY OVERHEARS SOMETHING</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VIII. AN INTERVIEW WITH SULLIVAN</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IX. EVERYTHING BUT THE FACTS</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>X. THREATS AGAINST LARRY</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XI. A MISSING MILLIONAIRE</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XII. A BRAVE GIRL</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIII. WHERE IS HE?</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIV. IN THE TENEMENT HOUSE</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XV. LARRY'S SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XVI. SULLIVAN'S QUEER ACCUSATION</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XVII. GRACE GETS A LETTER</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XVIII. LARRY IS BAFFLED</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_138">138</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIX. GRACE ON THE TRAIL</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_148">148</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XX. LARRY GETS A SCARE</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXI. TRACING RETTO</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXII. GRACE IS SUSPICIOUS</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_174">174</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXIII. CAPTAIN TANTRELLA ARRIVES</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_180">180</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXIV. RETTO IS CAUGHT</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXV. IN THE HOSPITAL</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_192">192</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXVI. A NEW CLUE</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_200">200</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXVII. THE DETECTIVE'S THEORY</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_208">208</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXVIII. A TERRIBLE MISTAKE</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_214">214</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXIX. IN HIS ENEMIES' POWER</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XXX. MR. POTTER IS FOUND—CONCLUSION</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><!-- Page 1 --><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1"></a><b>LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH</b></h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE WRECK</h3> + + +<p>Into the city room of the New York <i>Leader</i> hurried Mr. Whiggen, the +telegraph editor. In his hand was a slip of paper, containing a few +typewritten words. Mr. Whiggen laid it on the desk of Bruce Emberg, +the city editor.</p> + +<p>"Just came in over our special wire," said Mr. Whiggen. "Looks as if +it might be a bad wreck. That's a dangerous coast. I thought you +might like to send one of your men down to cover it."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," replied the city editor. "I will. Let's see," and, while +he read the message, a score of reporters in the room looked up to +see what had caused the telegraph editor to come in with such a +rush.</p> + +<p>This is what Mr. Emberg read from the slip Mr. Whiggen handed him:</p> + +<p>"BULLETIN.—S.S. <i>Olivia</i> ashore off Seven Mile Beach, on sand bar. +Big steerage list, some <!-- Page 2 --><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2"></a>cabin passengers—fruit cargo. Ship badly +listed, but may get off at high tide. If not, liable to break up in +storm. Passengers safe yet.—ASSOCIATED PRESS."</p> + +<p>There followed a brief description of the vessel, compiled from the +maritime register, giving her tonnage, size, and when built.</p> + +<p>"Um," remarked Mr. Emberg when he had read the short message, which +was what newspaper men call a "flash" or bulletin, intended to +notify the journals of the barest facts of the story. "This looks as +if it would amount to something. I'll send a man down. Have we any +one there?"</p> + +<p>"We've got a man in Ocean City," replied the telegraph editor, "but +I'm afraid I can't reach him. Have to depend on the Associated Press +until we can get some one down."</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll send right away."</p> + +<p>The telegraph editor went back to his sanctum on the run, for it was +near first-edition time and he wanted to get a display head written +for the wreck story. Mr. Emberg looked over the room, in which many +reporters were at work, most of them typewriting stories as fast as +their fingers could fly over the keys. Several of the news-gatherers +who had heard the conversation between the two editors hoped they +might be sent on that assignment, for though it meant hard <!-- Page 3 --><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a>work it +was a chance to get out of the city for a while.</p> + +<p>"Are you up, Newton?" asked Mr. Emberg of a reporter in the far +corner of the room.</p> + +<p>"No, I've got that political story to write yet."</p> + +<p>"That's so. I can't spare you. How about you, Larry?"</p> + +<p>"I'm up," was the answer, which is the newspaper man's way of saying +his particular task is finished.</p> + +<p>"Here, then, jump out on this," and the city editor handed the +telegram to a tall, good-looking youth, who arose from his desk near +a window.</p> + +<p>Larry Dexter, who had risen from the rank of office boy to reporter, +took in the message at a glance.</p> + +<p>"Shall I start now?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"As soon as you can get a train. Seven Mile Beach is down on the +Jersey coast, near Anglesea. You can't get there in time to wire us +anything for to-day, but rush a good story for to-morrow. If a storm +comes up, and they have to rescue the passengers, it will make a +corker. Don't be afraid of slinging your words if it turns out worth +while. Here's an order on the cashier for some money. Hustle now," +and Mr. Emberg scribbled down something on a slip of paper which he +handed to the young reporter.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 4 --><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4"></a>"Leave the message in the telegraph room as you go out," went on +the city editor. "Mr. Whiggen may want it. Hustle now, Larry, and do +your best."</p> + +<p>Many envious eyes followed Larry Dexter as he hurried out of the +city room, putting on his coat and hat as he went, for he had been +working in his shirt sleeves.</p> + +<p>Larry went down the long corridor, stopping in the telegraph room to +leave the message which was destined to be responsible for his part +in a series of strange events. He had little idea, as he left the +<i>Leader</i> office that morning, that his assignment to get the story +of the wreck was the beginning of a singular mystery.</p> + +<p>Larry cashed the order Mr. Emberg had given him, and hurried to the +railroad station. He found there was no train for an hour, and, +telephoning to the city editor to that effect, received permission +to go home and get some extra clothing, as he might have to stay +away several days.</p> + +<p>The young reporter rather startled his mother as he hurried in to +tell her he was going out of town, but Mrs. Dexter had, in a +measure, become used to her son doing all sorts of queer things +since he had started in newspaper life.</p> + +<p>"Will you be gone long, Larry?" she asked, as he kissed her +good-bye, having packed a small valise.</p> + +<p>"Can't say, mother. Probably not more than two days."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 5 --><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a>"Bring me some sea shells," begged Larry's brother, Jimmie, a +bright little chap.</p> + +<p>"And I want a lobster and a crab and a starfish," spoke Mary, a +sunny-haired toddler.</p> + +<p>"All right, and I'll bring Lucy some shells to make beads of," +answered Larry, mentioning his older sister, who was not at home.</p> + +<p>Larry found he had not much time left to catch his train, and he was +obliged to hurry to the ferry which took him to Jersey City. There +he boarded a Pennsylvania Railroad train, and was soon being whirled +toward the coast.</p> + +<p>Seven Mile Beach was a rather dangerous stretch of the Jersey shore, +not far from Cape May. There were several lighthouses along it, but +they did not always prevent vessels from running on a long sand bar, +some distance out. More than one gallant ship had struck far up on +it, and, being unable to get off, had been pounded to pieces by the +waves.</p> + +<p>By inquiring Larry found that the wreck of the <i>Olivia</i> was just off +a lonely part of the coast, and that there were no railroad stations +near it.</p> + +<p>"Where had I better get off?" he asked, of the conductor.</p> + +<p>"Well, you can get off at Sea Isle City, or Sackett's Harbor. Both +stations are about five miles from where the ship lies, according to +all accounts. Then you can walk."</p> + +<p>"He can do better than that," interposed a brakeman.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 6 --><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a>"How?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"There's a station, or rather what remains of it, half way between +those places," the brakeman said. "It used to be called Miller's +Beach. Started to be a summer resort, but it failed. There's nothing +there now but a few fishermen's huts. But I guess that's nearer the +wreck than Sea Isle City or Sackett's Harbor."</p> + +<p>"Is there a place I could stay all night?" asked the young reporter.</p> + +<p>"You might find a place. It's pretty lonesome. Sometimes, in the +summer, there are campers there, but it's too late in the fall now +to expect any of 'em. We'll stop there for water, and you can get +off if you like."</p> + +<p>Larry hardly knew what to do. Still he decided he was sent to get a +story of the wreck, and he felt it would be well to get as near to +it as possible. But there was another thing to think of, and that +was how to get his news back into the <i>Leader</i> office. He must be +near a telegraph station. Inquiry of the trainmen disclosed the fact +that the nearest one was three miles from Miller's Beach.</p> + +<p>"Guess I'll chance it," concluded Larry.</p> + +<p>"We'll be there in an hour," went on the brakeman. "It's the +jumping-off place, so to speak, and it's not going to be very +pleasant there when the storm breaks."</p> + +<p>That a heavy storm was gathering was all too evident from the mass +of dark, rolling clouds in <!-- Page 7 --><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a>the east. They hung low, and there was a +rising wind.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't want to be on that vessel," remarked the brakeman as the +train, having stopped at a small station, started off again. "It's +beginning to rain now, and it will blow great guns before morning."</p> + +<p>Several men, their faces bronzed from exposure to the weather, had +boarded the train. They talked quietly in one corner of the car.</p> + +<p>"Who are they?" asked Larry, of the brakeman.</p> + +<p>"Life savers, from the Anglesea station. Going to Tatums, I guess."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"Tatums is the life-saving station nearest where the vessel is +ashore. Maybe they are going to help in case she breaks up in the +storm. Tatums is about three miles below where you are going."</p> + +<p>Larry began to see that he would have no easy task in getting news +of the wreck, or in transmitting it after he had it. But he was not +going to worry so early in the undertaking. So, when the brakeman +warned him that the train was nearing the water tank, which was all +that remained of interest to the railroad people at Miller's Beach, +the young reporter prepared to alight.</p> + +<p>As he went out on the platform the wind increased in violence, and +then, with a rush and a roar, the rain began to fall in torrents.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 8 --><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a>Larry wished he could stay in the train, as he had no umbrella, but +there was no help for it. He leaped off the platform of the car +almost before it had stopped, and looked for a place of shelter. He +was surprised to see several large buildings in front of him, but +even through the mist of rain he noted that they were dilapidated +and forsaken. He was in the midst of a deserted seaside resort.</p> + +<p>He hurried on, being wet through before he had gone a dozen steps. +Then he heard the train puffing away. It seemed as though he was +left all alone in a very lonesome place.</p> + +<p>"Hi! Where you going?" a voice hailed him.</p> + +<p>Larry looked up, to see a man clad in yellow oilskins and rubber +boots standing in front of him.</p> + +<p>"I came down about the wreck," was the young reporter's reply.</p> + +<p>"Got any folks aboard? If you have I'm sorry. She's broken her +back!"</p> + +<p>"No; I'm a reporter from New York. What do you mean about breaking +her back?"</p> + +<p>"Why, she ran away up on the bar at high tide. When it got low tide +a while ago the bows and stern just sagged down, and she broke in +two. They've got to work hard to save the passengers."</p> + +<p>"That's a good story," was Larry's ejaculation, but it was not as +heartless as it sounds, for he was only speaking professionally. "I +must get down after it."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 9 --><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a>"What? With night coming on, the wreck almost half a mile out, and +it coming on to blow like all possessed?" asked the man in oilskins. +"Guess you don't know much about the sea, young man."</p> + +<p>"Very little," answered Larry.</p> + +<p>A sudden gust of wind, which dashed the rain with great force into +his face, nearly carried the reporter off his feet. He looked about +for a place of shelter.</p> + +<p>"Better come with me," suggested the man. "There are no hotel +accommodations here, though there once were. I have a shack down on +the beach, and you're welcome to what I've got. I fish for a living. +Bailey's my name. Bert Bailey."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead. I'll follow," returned Larry. "I'd like to get out of +this rain."</p> + +<p>"Have to tog you out like me," said the old fisherman, as he led the +youth toward his hut. "These are the only things for this weather."</p> + +<p>As they hastened on there came over the water the boom of a signal +gun from the wrecked steamer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a><!-- Page 10 --><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>ASHORE ON A RAFT</h3> + + +<p>"What's that?" asked the young reporter, pausing.</p> + +<p>"She's firing for help," replied the fisherman. "Can't last much +longer now."</p> + +<p>"Can't the life savers do anything?"</p> + +<p>"They'll try, as soon as they can. Hard to get a boat off in this +surf. It comes up mighty fast and heavy. Have to use the breeches +buoy, I reckon. But come on, and I'll lend you some dry things to +put on."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later Larry was inside the hut. It was small, +consisting of only two rooms, but it was kept as neatly as though it +was part of a ship.</p> + +<p>In a small stove there was a blazing fire of driftwood, and Larry +drew near to the grateful heat, for, though it was only late in +September, it was much colder at the beach than in the city, and he +was chilly from the drenching.</p> + +<p>"Lucky I happened to see you," Bailey went on. "I went down to the +train to get my paper. One of the brakemen throws me one off each +trip. It's all the news I get. I didn't expect any <!-- Page 11 --><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a>one down. This +used to be quite a place years ago, but it's petered out. But come +on, get your wet things off, and I'll see what I can do for you."</p> + +<p>Larry was glad enough to do so. Fortunately he had brought some +extra underwear in his valise, and, after a good rub-down before the +stove, he donned the garments, and then put on a pair of the +fisherman's trousers and an old coat, until his own clothes could +dry.</p> + +<p>As he sat before the stove, warm and comfortable after the +drenching, and safe from the storm, which was now raging with +increased fury outside, Larry heard the deep booming of the signal +guns coming to him from across the angry sea.</p> + +<p>"Are they in any danger?" he asked of Bailey, as the fisherman +prepared to get a meal.</p> + +<p>"Danger? There's always danger on the sea, my boy. I wouldn't want +to be on that vessel, and I've been in some pretty tight places and +gotten out again. She went ashore in a fog early this morning, but +it will be a good while before she gets off. Seven Mile Beach hates +to let go of a thing once it gets a hold."</p> + +<p>It was getting dusk, and what little light of the fading day was +left was obscured by the masses of storm clouds. The fisherman's hut +was on the beach, not far from the high-water mark, and the booming +of the surf on the shore came as a sort of melancholy accompaniment +to the firing of the signal gun.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 12 --><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>"Where is the wreck?" asked Larry, going to a window that looked +out on the sea.</p> + +<p>"Notice that black speck, right in line with my boat on the beach?" +asked Bailey, pointing with a stubby forefinger over the young +reporter's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"That thing that looks like a seagull?"</p> + +<p>"That's her. You can't see it very well on account of the rain, but +there she lies, going to pieces fast, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't they get the people off before this?"</p> + +<p>"Captain wouldn't accept help. Thought the vessel would float off +and he'd save his reputation. The life savers went out when it was +fairly calm, but didn't take anyone ashore. Now it's too late, I +reckon."</p> + +<p>As the fisherman spoke a rocket cleaved the fast-gathering blackness +and shot up into the air.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"She's firing signal lights. Wait and you'll see the coast-guard +send up one in reply."</p> + +<p>Presently a blue glare, up the beach not far from the cottage, shone +amid the storm and darkness.</p> + +<p>"That's George Tucker, burning a Coston light," explained Bailey. +"He patrols this part of the beach to-night. They may try the boat +again, but it's a risk."</p> + +<p>There was an exchange of colored lights between the beach patrol and +those on the steamer. <!-- Page 13 --><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>Larry watched them curiously. He tried to +picture the distress of those aboard the ship, waiting for help from +shore; help that was to save them from the hungry waves all about.</p> + +<p>"I wonder how I'm going to get news of this to the paper," Larry +asked himself. He was beginning to feel quite worried, for he +realized a great tragedy might happen at any moment, and he knew the +<i>Leader</i> must have an account of it early the next morning, for it +was an afternoon paper. The managing editor would probably order an +extra.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't I go down to the life-saving station?" asked Larry. "Maybe +I could go out in a boat and get some news."</p> + +<p>"They wouldn't let you, and, if they would, you couldn't send any +news up to your paper from here to-night," replied the fisherman. +"The nearest telegraph office is closed. Better stay here until +morning. Then you can do something. I'll fix you up with oilskins +after supper, if you like, and we'll go out on the beach. But I +don't believe they'll launch the life-boat to-night."</p> + +<p>The storm had now settled down into a fierce, steady wind and +dashing rain. It fairly shook the little hut, and the stove roared +with the draught created. Bailey soon had a hot meal ready, and +Larry did full justice to it.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll go out on the beach," the fisherman said, as he donned +his oilskins, and got out a suit for Larry. The youth looked like +any<!-- Page 14 --><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a>thing but a reporter when he put on the boots and tied the +yellow hat under his chin, for otherwise the wind would have whipped +it off in an instant.</p> + +<p>They closed up the hut, leaving a lantern burning in it, and started +down toward the ocean. Through the darkness Larry could see a line +of foam where the breakers struck the beach. They ran hissing over +the pebbles and broken shells, and then surged back again. As the +two walked along, a figure, carrying a lantern and clad as they +were, in yellow oilskins, loomed up in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Hello, George!" cried Bailey, above the roar of the wind. "Going to +get the boat out?"</p> + +<p>"Not to-night. I signalled down to the station, but they flashed +back that the surf was too high. We'll try the buoy in the morning, +if the ship lasts that long, which I'm afraid she won't, for she's +being pounded hard."</p> + +<p>"The station where they keep the life-boat is about two miles below +where we are now," Bailey explained to Larry. "We'll go down in the +morning."</p> + +<p>Suddenly a series of lights shot into the air from out at sea.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" cried Larry.</p> + +<p>"It's a signal that she's going to pieces fast!" cried the +coast-guard. "Maybe we'll have to try the breeches buoy to-night. I +must go to the station. They may need my help."</p> + +<p>As the beach patrol hurried up the sandy <!-- Page 15 --><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>stretch, Larry had half a +notion to follow him. He wanted to see the operation of setting up +the breeches buoy in order to make a good story, with plenty of +details. He was about to propose to the fisherman that they go, when +Bailey, who had gone down to the water's edge, uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" called the reporter, hastening to the side of the old +man.</p> + +<p>"Looks like a life-raft from the steamer!" exclaimed Bailey. "She +must have broken up. Maybe there's some one on this. Give me a hand. +We'll try to haul it ashore when the next high wave sends it up on +the beach."</p> + +<p>Larry strained his eyes for a sight of the object. He could just +discern something white, rising and falling on the tumultuous +billows.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Bailey, rushing down into the first line of surf, +as a big roller lifted the object and flung it onward. "Grab it and +pull!"</p> + +<p>Larry sprang down the sand. He waded out into the water, surprised +to find how strong it was even in the shallow place. He made a grab +for the dim white object. His hands grasped a rope. At the same time +the fisherman got hold of another rope.</p> + +<p>"Pull!" cried Bailey, and Larry bent his back in an effort to snatch +the raft from the grip of the sea.</p> + +<p>At first the waves shoved the raft toward them, then, as the waters +receded, the current sucked it out again. But the fisherman was +<!-- Page 16 --><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a>strong and Larry was no weakling. They hauled until they had the +raft out of reach of the rollers. Then, while there came a wilder +burst of the storm, and a dash of spray from the waves, Bailey +leaned over the raft.</p> + +<p>"There's a man lashed to it!" the fisherman cried. "We must get him +to my shack and try to save him! Hurry now!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a><!-- Page 17 --><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>THE MAN AT THE HUT</h3> + + +<p>With a few quick strokes of his knife Bailey severed the ropes that +bound the unconscious man to the raft. Then, taking him by the +shoulders, and directing Larry to grasp the stranger's legs, they +started for the hut.</p> + +<p>"Queer there weren't more to come ashore on that raft," the +fisherman remarked as they trudged over the sand. "It would hold a +dozen with safety. Maybe they were all swept off but this one. Poor +souls! there'll be many a one in Davy Jones's locker to-night I'm +afraid."</p> + +<p>"Is he—is he dead?" asked Larry, hesitatingly, for he had never +handled a lifeless person before.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid so, but you never can tell. I've seen 'em stay under +water a good while and brought back to life. You'd best help me +carry him in, and then run for some of the life guards. I'll be +working over him, and maybe I can bring him around."</p> + +<p>Through the storm the two staggered with their burden. They reached +the hut, and the man was tenderly placed on the floor near the fire.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 18 --><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>"You hurry down the coast, and if you can see any of the guards +tell 'em to come here," Bailey said to Larry. "They can't do +anything for the wreck to-night."</p> + +<p>Larry glanced at the man he had helped save from the sea. The +stranger was of large size, and seemed well-dressed, though his +clothes were anything but presentable now. His face was partly +concealed by the collar of his coat, which was turned up, and Larry +noted that the man had a heavy beard and moustache.</p> + +<p>These details he took in quickly while he was buttoning his oilskin +jacket tighter around his neck for another dash into the storm. +Then, as he opened the door of the hut to go in search of a +coast-guard, Bailey began to strip the wet garments from the +unconscious man.</p> + +<p>Larry was met by a heavy gust of wind and a dash of rain as he went +outside again. He bent his head to the blast and made his way down +the beach, the lantern he carried making fantastic shadows on the +white sand.</p> + +<p>He had not gone far before he saw a figure coming toward him. He +waited, and in a few minutes was joined by George Tucker.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Bailey wants you to come to his place and help him save a man +who just came in on a raft," said Larry.</p> + +<p>"Can't do it, my boy. I was just coming for him to help us launch +the life-boat. We need all the men we can get, though we've got help +from <!-- Page 19 --><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>the station below us. Captain Needam sent me after Bailey."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he'll come," said Larry. "He'll not want to leave +the man he pulled from the ocean."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't s'pose he will," said George. "He may save a life. But +we've got to try for the steamer. She's going to pieces, and there +are many aboard of her, though I'm afraid there'll be fewer by +morning."</p> + +<p>"I'll come and help you," said the reporter. "I don't know much +about life-boats, but I'm strong."</p> + +<p>"Come along, then," said the coast guard.</p> + +<p>They made their way down the beach, Larry accepting, in the manner +newspaper reporters soon become accustomed to, the new rôle he was +suddenly called on to play.</p> + +<p>While he is thus journeying through the storm to aid in saving life, +there will be an opportunity to tell you something about his past, +and how he came to be a reporter on a leading New York newspaper.</p> + +<p>Larry's introduction to a newspaper life was told of in the first +volume of this series, entitled "From Office Boy to Reporter." At +the start the youth lived with his mother, who was a widow, and his +two sisters and a brother, on a farm in New York State.</p> + +<p>The farm was sold for an unpaid mortgage after the death of Larry's +father, and the little <!-- Page 20 --><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>family came to New York to visit a sister of +Mrs. Dexter, as Larry thought he could find work in the big city.</p> + +<p>On their arrival they found that Mrs. Dexter's sister had +unexpectedly gone out West to visit relatives, because of the sudden +death of her husband. The Dexter family was befriended by a Mr. +Jackson and his wife, and made the best of the situation. After many +unsuccessful trials elsewhere, Larry got a position as office boy on +the New York <i>Leader</i>.</p> + +<p>His devotion to duty had attracted the attention of Harvey Newton, +one of the "star" reporters on the sheet, and Mr. Emberg, the city +editor, took a liking to Larry. In spite of the enmity of Peter +Manton, another office boy on the same paper, Larry prospered. He +was sent with Mr. Newton to report a big flood, and were there when +a large dam broke, endangering many lives. Larry, who was sent to +the telegraph office with an account of the accident, written by Mr. +Newton on the spot, had an exciting race with Peter, who was then +working for a rival newspaper. Larry won, and for his good work was +advanced to be a regular reporter.</p> + +<p>In the second volume of the series, entitled "Larry Dexter, +Reporter," I told of his experiences as a gatherer of news in a +great city.</p> + +<p>In that book was related how Larry, with the aid of Mr. Newton, +waged war against a gang of swindlers who were trying to rob the +city, and, <!-- Page 21 --><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a>incidentally, Larry himself, for, as it developed, his +mother had a deed to certain valuable property in the Bronx Park +section of New York, and the swindlers desired to get possession of +the land. They wanted to hold it and sell it to the city at a high +price, but Larry got ahead of them.</p> + +<p>To further their ends the bad men took away Jimmie, Larry's little +brother, but the young reporter, and his friend Mr. Newton, traced +the boy and found him. Peter Manton had a hand in the kidnapping +scheme.</p> + +<p>By the sale of the Bronx land Mrs. Dexter became possessed of enough +money to put her beyond the fear of immediate want; Larry decided to +continue on in the newspaper field, and when this story opens he was +regarded as one of the best workers on the staff of the <i>Leader</i>. +His assignment to get the story of the wreck was his first big one +since the incidents told of in the second volume.</p> + +<p>At Larry and the coast-guard trudged down the beach the guns from +the doomed steamer were fired more frequently, and the rockets +lighted up the darkness with a weird glare.</p> + +<p>"Not much farther now," remarked George, as he peered ahead through +the blackness, whitened here and there with masses of flying spray.</p> + +<p>A little later they were at the life-saving station. The place was +in seeming confusion, yet every man was at his post. Most of them +were hauling out the long wagon frame, on which the <!-- Page 22 --><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a>life-boat +rested. They were bringing the craft down to the beach to try to +launch it.</p> + +<p>"Lend a hand!" cried Captain Needam, as Larry and the coast-guard +came in. "We need every man we can get."</p> + +<p>Larry grasped a rope. No one paid any attention to him, and they +seemed to think it was natural that he should be there. Perhaps they +took him for Bailey.</p> + +<p>The boat was taken down to the edge of the surf. An effort was made +to launch it, but, struggle as the men did, they could not get it +beyond the line of breakers.</p> + +<p>"It's no use!" exclaimed the captain. "We'll have to haul her to +Johnson's Cove. Maybe it isn't so rough there."</p> + +<p>The wagon, with the boat on it, was pulled back, and then began a +journey about two miles farther down the coast, to a small inlet, +protected by a curving point of land. There the breakers were likely +to be less high, and the boat might be launched.</p> + +<p>Larry pulled with the rest. He did not see how he was going to get +his story telegraphed to the paper, but he was consoled by the +reflection that there were no other reporters on hand, and that +there was no immediate likelihood of being "beaten." When morning +came he could decide what to do.</p> + +<p>So, for the time being, he became a life saver, and pulled on the +long rope attached to the <!-- Page 23 --><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>wagon until his arms ached. It was heavy +hauling through the sand, and his feet seemed like lead.</p> + +<p>It was nearly midnight when the cove was reached, and after a +desperate struggle the life-boat was launched.</p> + +<p>"Some of you go back and get ready to operate the breeches buoy as +soon as it's light enough!" called Captain Needam, as the boat was +pulled away over the heaving billows toward the wreck, which could +be seen in the occasional glare of a rocket or signal light.</p> + +<p>"Might as well come back," said George Tucker to Larry. "Can't do +any more here."</p> + +<p>Back through the wind and rain they walked, with half a score of +others. They reached the life-saving station, tired and spent from +their struggle through the storm.</p> + +<p>"You can go back to Bailey," said George, as Larry sat down inside +the warm and cozy living-room of the station to rest. "He may need +you."</p> + +<p>"I thought I could help here," replied Larry. "Besides, I'd like to +see you work the breeches buoy."</p> + +<p>"You'll see all you want of that in the morning," replied the coast +patrol. "We can't do much until daylight. Are you afraid to go back +alone?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Larry.</p> + +<p>Back he trudged to Bailey's cabin. It was about three o'clock when +he reached there, and <!-- Page 24 --><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>he found the fisherman sitting beside the +table, drinking some hot tea.</p> + +<p>"I thought you'd got lost," spoke the fisherman.</p> + +<p>"I went to help 'em launch the boat. They needed me. George Tucker +was coming for you, but I told him of the man we saved. How is he?"</p> + +<p>"Doing well. He's asleep in the next room. He had been struck on the +head by something, and that was what made him senseless. It wasn't +the water. I soon brought him around. How about the wreck?"</p> + +<p>Larry told all he knew. Bailey insisted on the young reporter +drinking two cups of steaming hot tea, and Larry felt much better +after it. Then he and the fisherman stretched out on the floor to +wait until morning, which would soon break.</p> + +<p>Bailey was up early, and his movements in the hut as he shook down +the fire and made coffee, aroused Larry.</p> + +<p>"We'll get a bit of breakfast and then we'll go down to the +station," said the fisherman. "I guess our man will be all right."</p> + +<p>He went outside to bring in some wood. A moment later the door of +the inner room, where the rescued man was, opened, and a head was +thrust out.</p> + +<p>"If my clothes are dry I'll take them," the man said, and Larry, +glancing at him, saw that the stranger was smooth-shaven. The +reporter was <!-- Page 25 --><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a>sure that when he was pulled from the water on the +raft the man had had a heavy beard.</p> + +<p>"Why—why—" began the youth—"your whiskers. Did you——?"</p> + +<p>"Whiskers?" replied the man with a laugh. "Oh, you thought that +bunch of seaweed on my face was a beard. I see. No, this is the way +I looked. But are my clothes dry?"</p> + +<p>Larry took them from a chair near the fire, where Bailey had hung +them. He gave them to the stranger. Larry was much puzzled. It +seemed as if he had stumbled upon a secret. The man shut the door of +his room, A moment later the fisherman called from without the hut:</p> + +<p>"Come on! Never mind breakfast! They're going to fire the gun!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a><!-- Page 26 --><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>RESCUED FROM THE SEA</h3> + + +<p>Larry paused only long enough to don his oilskins, as it was still +raining hard. The coffee was made, but he did not wait for any, +though he wanted it very much. But he knew he ought to be on the +spot to see all the details of the rescue from the sea, and it was +not the first time he, like many other reporters, had gone on duty, +and remained so for long stretches, without a meal.</p> + +<p>Bailey was some distance down the beach. He had on his yellow suit, +which he had donned to go out to the woodshed, some distance from +his hut. Larry caught up to him. He was about to speak of the man at +the hut when the fisherman cried:</p> + +<p>"Something's wrong! They're coming up this way with the apparatus! +Must be they couldn't find a good place down there to rig the +breeches buoy."</p> + +<p>Larry looked down the beach. He saw through the rain and mist a +crowd of yellow-suited figures approaching, dragging something +<!-- Page 27 --><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a>along the sand. He looked out to sea and beheld the blotch that +represented the doomed vessel. All thought of the man at the hut +was, for the time, driven out of his mind.</p> + +<p>On came the life savers. They halted about a mile from the hut, and +Larry and Bailey ran to join them.</p> + +<p>"Did you save any?" called the fisherman to Captain Needam, who was +busy directing the rescue.</p> + +<p>"Got some in the life-boat early this morning," was the answer. +"They took 'em to the lower station. We couldn't get back with the +boat. All ready now, men. Dig a hole for the anchor, Nate. Sam, you +help plant the mortar. Have to allow a good bit for the wind. My! +but she's blowin' great guns and little pistols!"</p> + +<p>Larry had his first sight of a rescue by means of the breeches buoy. +The apparatus, including a small cannon or mortar, had been brought +from the life-saving station on a wagon, pulled by the men along the +beach. The first act was to dig a deep hole in the sand, some +distance back from the surf. This was to hold the anchor, to which +was attached the shore end of the heavy rope, on which, presently, +persons from the wreck might be hauled ashore.</p> + +<p>Once the anchor was in the hole, and covered with sand, firmly +packed down, arrangements were made to get a line to the vessel.</p> + +<p>"Put in a heavy charge!" cried Captain <!-- Page 28 --><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a>Needam. "We'll need lots of +powder to get the shot aboard in the teeth of this wind!"</p> + +<p>Several men grouped about the brass cannon and rapidly loaded the +weapon. Then, instead of a cannon ball, they put in a long, solid +piece of iron, shaped like the modern shell, with a pointed nose. To +this projectile was attached a long, thin, but very strong line.</p> + +<p>"Are they going to fire that at the ship?" asked Larry, who was not +very familiar with nautical matters.</p> + +<p>"They hope to have it land right on deck, or carry the line over," +said Bailey, who paused in his work of helping the men to lay out +from the wagon parts of the apparatus.</p> + +<p>Larry watched intently. Now and then he gazed out to the ship, a +speck of black amid white foam, for the seas were breaking over her.</p> + +<p>At the side of the cannon was a box, containing the line, one end of +which was fastened to the projectile. The rope was coiled in a +peculiar cris-cross manner, to prevent it being tangled as it paid +rapidly out when the shot was fired.</p> + +<p>"All ready?" called Captain Needam, as he looked at his men.</p> + +<p>"Ready, sir," answered George Tucker.</p> + +<p>"Put in the primer!" ordered the chief of the life savers. One of +the men inserted a percussion fuse in the touchhole of the mortar. +The captain grasped a lanyard. The men all stood at attention, +waiting to see the effect of the shot.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 29 --><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a>Captain Needam sighted over the muzzle of the cannon. It was +pointed so as to clear the stern of the ship, but this was +necessary, as the high wind would carry the projectile to one side.</p> + +<p>The arm of the captain stiffened. The lanyard tauted. There was a +spark at the breach of the mortar, a sharp crackle as the primer +ignited, and then a dull boom as the charge was fired. Through the +mist of rain Larry saw a black object shooting out toward the ship. +After it trailed the long thin line, like a tail to a kite.</p> + +<p>It was scarcely a moment later that there sounded a gun from the +ship.</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Captain Needam. "The shot went true!"</p> + +<p>"That was the ship signalling that they had the line," explained +Bailey, shouting the words in Larry's ear.</p> + +<p>From the shore to the ship there now stretched out a long thin rope. +Larry had no time to wonder what would happen next.</p> + +<p>"Bend on the cable!" cried the captain, and the men quickly attached +a thick rope to the line which the cannon-shot had carried aboard +the <i>Olivia</i>. This soon began to pay out, as it was hauled in by +those on the wrecked vessel. In a short time the heavy cable was all +out, and securely fastened to the ship, high enough up so as to +clear the rail. Directions how to do this were printed on a board +which was hauled in with the rope, and, lest those on a doomed ship +might not <!-- Page 30 --><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a>understand English, the instructions were given in +several languages.</p> + +<p>"They have it fast! Rig up the shears!" cried the captain.</p> + +<p>Once more his men were busy. They set up on the sand two stout +wooden pieces, exactly like, a pair of enormous shears. The longer +parts, corresponding to the blades, were nearest the ground, while +what answered for the handles were several feet in the air, opened +in "V" shape.</p> + +<p>Through this "V" the heavy cable was passed, the one end being fast +to the anchor buried in the sand, and the other being attached to +the ship. By moving the shears nearer to the anchor the cable was +tightened until it hung taut from shore to ship, a slender bridge on +which to save life.</p> + +<p>The breeches buoy, a canvas arrangement, shaped like a short pair of +trousers, and attached to a frame which ran back and forth on the +cable by means of pulleys, had been adjusted. To it were fastened +ropes, one being retained by the life savers and one by those on the +ship. All was in readiness.</p> + +<p>The breeches buoy was now pulled toward the ship, by those aboard +hauling on the proper line. It moved along, sliding on the heavy +cable, the angry waves below seeming to try to leap up and engulf +it, in revenge for being cheated of their prey.</p> + +<p>"Look sharp now, men!" cried the captain. <!-- Page 31 --><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a>"Get ready to take care +of the poor souls as they come ashore."</p> + +<p>The storm still kept up, and the waves were so high that a second +attempt to save some by means of the life-boat, even launching it in +the protected cove, had to be given up. But the breeches buoy could +be depended on.</p> + +<p>A signal from the ship told those on shore that the buoy was loaded +with a passenger, and ready to be hauled back. Willing hands pulled +on the rope. On it came through the driving rain; on it came above +the waves, though not so high but what the spray from the crests wet +the rescued one.</p> + +<p>"It's a woman!" cried the captain, as he caught sight of the person +in the buoy.</p> + +<p>"And a baby! Bless my soul!" added Bailey. "She's got a baby in her +arms!"</p> + +<p>And so it proved; for, wrapped in a shawl, which was tied over her +shoulders, so as to keep the water from the tiny form, was an infant +clasped tightly to its mother's breast.</p> + +<p>"Take her to the station!" cried the captain, as he helped the woman +to get out of the canvas holder in which she had ridden safely to +shore. "My wife will look after her. Now for the rest, men. There's +lots of 'em, and the ship can't last much longer! Lively, men. Every +minute means a life!"</p> + +<p>"I'll take her to the station!" volunteered Larry, for there was +nothing he could do to help <!-- Page 32 --><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a>now, and he thought he could get a good +story of the wreck from the first person rescued.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead!" exclaimed the life savers' captain.</p> + +<p>The woman, in spite of her terrible experience, had not fainted. +Still clasping her baby, she moved through the crowd of men, who +cheered her as they set to work again.</p> + +<p>"Come with me," said Larry. "We will take care of you!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is so good to be on land again!" the woman cried. "I am not +a coward—but oh, the cruel waves!" and she shuddered.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a><!-- Page 33 --><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>LARRY'S SCOOP</h3> + + +<p>"Are there many women aboard?" asked Larry, as he moved off through +the rain toward the life-saving station with the rescued passenger.</p> + +<p>"I was the only one," was the answer the woman made, in a pronounced +Italian accent. "I am the purser's wife. They made me come first. Me +and the baby," and she put her lips down and kissed the little face +nestled in the folds of the shawl.</p> + +<p>"The purser's wife!" exclaimed Larry. "Perhaps your husband will +bring the passenger list with him. I would like to get it. I am a +newspaper reporter," he added.</p> + +<p>The woman, with a rapid movement, held out a bundle of papers to +him.</p> + +<p>"What are they?" Larry asked.</p> + +<p>"The list of passengers! You reporters! I have heard of you in my +country, but they do not such things as this! Go to wrecks to meet +the passengers when they come ashore! You are very brave!"</p> + +<p>"I think you were brave to come first across <!-- Page 34 --><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>the waves," replied +Larry. "The rope might break."</p> + +<p>"I had my baby," was the answer, as if that explained it all.</p> + +<p>"Do you think your husband would let me telegraph these names to my +paper?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"He gave them to me to bring ashore, in case—in case the ship did +not last," the purser's wife said, with a catch in her voice. "You +may use them, I say so. I will make it right."</p> + +<p>This was just what Larry wanted. The hardest things to get in an +accident or a wreck are the names of the saved, or the dead and +injured. Chance had placed in Larry's hands just what he wanted.</p> + +<p>He hurried on with the woman, who told him her name was Mrs. +Angelino. He did not question her further, as he felt she must be +suffering from the strain she had undergone. In a short time they +were safe at the station, and there Mrs. Needam provided warm and +dry garments for mother and child, and gave Mrs. Angelino hot +drinks.</p> + +<p>"Ah, there is my reporter!" exclaimed the purser's wife, when she +was warm and comfortable, as she saw Larry busy scanning the list of +passengers. "He came quick to the wreck!"</p> + +<p>"Can you lend me some paper?" Larry asked Mrs. Needam.</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"I want to write an account of the rescue and <!-- Page 35 --><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a>copy these names. I +must hurry to the telegraph office. I left my paper in the +fisherman's hut."</p> + +<p>"I'll get you some," said Captain Needam's wife, and soon Larry was +writing a short but vivid story of what had taken place, including a +description of the storm, and the saving of the only woman on board, +with her baby, by means of the breeches buoy. Then he copied the +list of names.</p> + +<p>"There's something I almost forgot," said Larry when he had about +finished. "There's that passenger who came ashore on the life-raft. +I wonder who he was? I'll ask Mrs. Angelino."</p> + +<p>But she did not know. She was not aware that any one had come ashore +on a raft, for, in the confusion of the breaking up of the ship in +the storm, she thought only of her husband, her baby and herself.</p> + +<p>"I can find out later," Larry thought.</p> + +<p>He gave the list back to Mrs. Angelino, and then, with a good +preliminary story of the wreck, having obtained many facts from the +purser's wife, Larry set out through the storm for the nearest +telegraph station.</p> + +<p>"Don't you want some hot coffee before you go?" asked Mrs. Needam. +"I've got lots—ready for the poor souls that'll soon be here."</p> + +<p>Larry did want some. He was conscious of a woeful lack of something +in his stomach, and the coffee braced him up in a way he very much +needed.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 36 --><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a>It was quite a distance from the life-saving station to the nearest +telegraph office, but Larry knew he must make it if he wanted an +account of the wreck to get to his paper in time for the edition +that day. So he set off for a tiresome trudge over the wet sand. As +he was leaving, several men, who had been brought ashore from the +ship, came to the station. From them Larry learned that part of the +ship was likely to last until all the passengers and crew could be +saved. He then resolved to telegraph the story of the saving of all, +knowing he could make corrections by an additional message later in +case, by some accident, any lives were lost.</p> + +<p>To get to the telegraph office Larry had to go back to a point +nearly opposite where the life savers were working, and then strike +inland. As he was hurrying along he came to a little hummock of +sand, from which elevation he could look down on the beach and see +the crowd gathered about the breeches buoy. Out on the bar he could +make out the wrecked vessel. As he stood there a moment he saw some +one detach himself from the crowd and hurry across the intervening +beach.</p> + +<p>"That figure looks familiar," thought Larry. "I wonder if that's +Bailey the fisherman?"</p> + +<p>He waited a few minutes, and the figure became more distinct.</p> + +<p>"It's Peter Manton!" cried Larry. "He's been sent down here to +report the wreck! I wonder what paper he's on? But I guess I haven't +any <!-- Page 37 --><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a>time to stand here wondering. I've got to beat him to the +telegraph office if I want to get a scoop, though he can't have been +on hand long enough to get much of an account."</p> + +<p>Still Larry knew that even a brief and poor account of anything, if +it got in first, was enough to discount or "take the edge off" a +better story told later, and he made up his mind he would "scoop" +Peter, his old enemy.</p> + +<p>The representative of the <i>Leader</i> hurried on. Peter caught sight of +Larry, and recognized him in spite of his oilskins. Peter wore a +rain-coat, which was wet through.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, Larry!" he cried. "I'm on the <i>Scorcher</i> again. What have +you got?"</p> + +<p>It was the newspaper man's way of asking his brother-of-the-pencil +for such information as he possessed. But though, as a general +thing, when several reporters are on a general story, they +interchange common news, Larry was in no mind to share what he had +with Peter. His paper had gone to the trouble to send him down in +good season, a piece of forethought which the other journals' +editors had neglected. Therefor Larry felt that he was not violating +the common practice (though it is against the strict office rules) +if he ignored Peter.</p> + +<p>"Haven't time!" he called back.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute!" cried the rival reporter. "I just came down on the +first train, and I walked about five miles to find the wreck. I'm +going to <!-- Page 38 --><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>the telegraph office to send my account in for an extra. +We'll whack up on it."</p> + +<p>"We'll do nothing of the sort!" exclaimed Larry. "I don't want +anything to do with you." He had never forgiven Peter for his part +in the kidnapping of Jimmie.</p> + +<p>"Needn't get huffy about it," remarked Peter. "I want to be +friendly."</p> + +<p>Larry thought it was hardly Peter's place to offer to be "friendly" +after the mean part he had played.</p> + +<p>"I haven't time to stop now," said Larry. "I'm in a hurry. You'll +have to get along the best you can."</p> + +<p>"So that's how you feel, eh?" asked the rival reporter. "Not very +white of you, Larry Dexter. I've only just got back my job on the +<i>Scorcher</i> after they laid me off for getting beaten, and I've got +to make good. But never mind. The beach is free, and I've got as +good a right to the telegraph office as you have. I'd like to see +you beat me."</p> + +<p>Larry himself did not just see how he would, but he made up his mind +to attempt it. Peter was now keeping pace with him. There was +nothing for it but to hurry on. Whoever reached the office first and +"filed his copy" would have the right to the wire. Larry resolved +that he would win in the race, even as he had won in the other, at +the big flood, but he knew there was time enough yet. If he started +to run Peter would <!-- Page 39 --><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a>run also, and the way was too long for a fast +sprint.</p> + +<p>The two kept on, side by side, neither speaking. The only sound was +the patter of the rain, and the rustle and rattle of Larry's oilskin +suit.</p> + +<p>They passed through the deserted summer resort. It was about a mile +now to the telegraph office. Larry recalled that Bailey had told him +there was a short cut by keeping to the railroad track, and he +turned into that highway, followed by Peter, who, it seemed, had +resolved not to lose sight of his rival.</p> + +<p>It was now about nine o'clock, though his activity since early +morning made it seem much later to Larry. He knew he had a good +story safe in his pocket, and he was pretty sure Peter had only a +garbled account, for he could not have gotten the facts so quickly. +Nor did he, Larry was sure, have the passenger list, which was the +best part of the story.</p> + +<p>On and on the two rivals trudged silently. They must be near the +office now, Larry thought, and he looked ahead through the rain. +They were in the midst of a little settlement of fishermen's +houses—a small village—but it was nearly deserted, as most of the +inhabitants had gone to the wreck. Larry saw a building on which was +a sign informing those who cared to know that it contained a store, +the post-office and a place whence telegrams might be sent and +received. Peter saw it at the same instant.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 40 --><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>"Here's where I beat you!" he cried as he sprang forward on the +run.</p> + +<p>Larry tried to follow, but his legs became entangled in the oilskin +coat and he fell. He was up again in an instant, only to see Peter +entering the office. Larry's heart seemed like lead. Had he worked +so hard only to be beaten at the last?</p> + +<p>Something spurred him on. He stumbled into the office in time to +hear Peter saying:</p> + +<p>"I want to hold a wire for a long despatch to the New York +<i>Scorcher</i>. I've got a big account of the wreck."</p> + +<p>"Where's your copy?" asked the young man in charge of the clicking +instruments.</p> + +<p>"I'll have it ready for you in a minute," replied Peter, sitting +down to a table, and beginning to dash off words and sentences as +fast as his pencil could fly.</p> + +<p>"I can't hold any wire for you," said the operator. "If you have any +press stuff to file let me have it. That's the only way you can keep +a wire."</p> + +<p>"I'll have it for you in a second," Peter replied as he looked +anxiously at the door.</p> + +<p>"That will not answer. I must have copy in order to keep the wire +busy."</p> + +<p>"Here it is!" cried Larry, as he entered at that moment and pulled +from his pocket his hastily written account of the wreck, including +the list of passengers. "I'll be obliged to you if you can <!-- Page 41 --><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a>get this +off to the New York <i>Leader</i> as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>"I was here first!" angrily cried Peter.</p> + +<p>"But I have his copy first," the operator said. "It is the filing of +the despatch first that counts, not who gets here first. I'll get +this off right away for you," he added, turning to Larry.</p> + +<p>And thus it was that Larry got his scoop, for his account took so +long to telegraph that, when the operator began on Peter's, the +<i>Leader</i> had the story in the office, and was preparing to get out +an extra.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a><!-- Page 42 --><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE</h3> + + +<p>Remaining only long enough to see that the operator got off the +first part of his story, and finding, on inquiry, that the +telegrapher had no difficulty in reading his writing, Larry started +back to the scene of the wreck. He wanted to learn if all the +passengers and crew were saved, and get an interview with the +captain, if he could.</p> + +<p>So he left his old enemy, Peter, there grinding out his story in no +pleasant frame of mind. But it was part of the game, and Larry's +"beat" was a cleanly-scored one, especially as Peter had tried to +win by a trick.</p> + +<p>The young reporter found the work of rescue almost completed. The +life savers had labored to good advantage and had brought nearly all +the passengers ashore in the breeches buoy. They were cared for +temporarily at the beach station, though the small quarters were +hardly adequate.</p> + +<p>With the bringing ashore of the crew and officers, the captain +coming last, the life savers found their work finished. And it was +only just in time, for, not more than an hour after the commander +had staggered up the beach, worn and <!-- Page 43 --><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a>exhausted by the strain and +exposure, the after part of the vessel slid from the bar and sank in +deep water.</p> + +<p>Larry, who had been introduced to Captain Needam by Bailey, told the +former of his desire for an interview with the commander of the +<i>Olivia</i>, and the matter was soon arranged, though Captain Tantrella +was in dire distress over the loss of his ship.</p> + +<p>However, he told Larry what the reporter wished to know, describing +how, in the fog, the vessel had run on the sand bar. He related some +of the scenes during their wait to be rescued, told of the high seas +and terrible winds, and painted a vivid picture of the dangers. +Larry wrote it in his best style and hurried back to the telegraph +office.</p> + +<p>There was only one passenger missing, and the name of this one, +according to the purser's list, was Mah Retto. The name, though +peculiar, Larry thought, was not dissimilar to scores of others, for +the steamer had on board a cosmopolitan lot of passengers. No one +knew how Retto had been lost.</p> + +<p>As Larry was on his way to the telegraph office a sudden thought +came to him.</p> + +<p>"That's it!" he exclaimed. "The man who came ashore on the life-raft +is this missing Mah Retto. I'll just stop on my way to the telegraph +office and see him. That will clear it all up, and make every +passenger accounted for."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 44 --><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a>He hurried on, intending to get a hasty interview with the man at +Bailey's hut, and then go telegraph the rest of his story. The +fisherman was still down on the beach, aiding the life savers to +pack their apparatus for transportation back to the station. As +Larry came in sight of the cabin he saw the raft, on which the +stranger had come ashore, lying just beyond high-water mark.</p> + +<p>He entered the hut, expecting to see Retto, as he had come to call +the foreigner, sitting comfortably by the fire. But the rescued man +was not there. Nor was he in the room where he had been put to bed.</p> + +<p>"Maybe he's in the woodshed," thought Larry. "I'll take a look."</p> + +<p>But he was not there.</p> + +<p>"That's strange," Larry mused. "He's disappeared. There is something +queer in this, and I'm going to find it out. But first I must send +the rest of my story."</p> + +<p>Larry found Peter Manton still at the telegraph office grinding +away. Larry's first batch of copy had been sent off, as had most of +Peter's stuff. As the representative of the <i>Scorcher</i> handed in the +last of his copy he turned to Larry and said, sneeringly:</p> + +<p>"I'll bet I've got a better story than you have."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," was all Larry replied. Then, as Peter went back to the +wreck for more information, Larry wrote, as an addition to his +story, the interview with the captain, finishing with an ac<!-- Page 45 --><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a>count of +the missing Mah Retto. He told also of the man who came ashore on +the raft, and who was believed to be the passenger who was +unaccounted for.</p> + +<p>"That's a good day's work done," remarked the young reporter, as he +signed his name to the last sheet of copy. "I wonder if they want me +to stay here?"</p> + +<p>He wrote a brief message asking Mr. Emberg for instructions. Telling +the operator he would call in about two hours for an answer, Larry +decided he would get some breakfast.</p> + +<p>As there was no restaurant in the little hamlet, he thought the best +plan would be to go back to the fisherman's cabin. He wanted to talk +with Bailey about the disappearance of the man they had rescued from +the raft.</p> + +<p>The fisherman was at the hut when Larry arrived, and was busy +preparing a meal.</p> + +<p>"Guess you feel like eating something, don't ye?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"You guessed it right the first time," replied the young reporter, +with a grin.</p> + +<p>"And my other company," went on Bailey. "I expect he's hungry."</p> + +<p>"He's gone."</p> + +<p>"Gone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I came back here a while ago and there wasn't a sign of him."</p> + +<p>"Why, that's queer," returned the fisherman. "I've been so busy +frying this bacon and making <!-- Page 46 --><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a>fresh coffee I didn't notice it. But +that reminds me, I haven't seen or heard anything of him since I +came in. His clothes are gone, too."</p> + +<p>Larry and Bailey made a hasty search through the cabin. There were +few places where a person could conceal himself, and they very soon +found that their late guest was nowhere on the premises.</p> + +<p>"Here's something," remarked Larry, as he looked on a small table in +the room where the rescued man had slept. "It looks like a note."</p> + +<p>It was a note, written on the fly leaf torn from a book. It read:</p> + +<p>"Dear friends. Accept my thanks for saving my life. Please take this +small remembrance for your trouble."</p> + +<p>There was no signature to the note, but folded in the paper was a +hundred-dollar bill, somewhat damp from immersion in the sea.</p> + +<p>"Well, sink my cuttle-fish!" exclaimed Bailey. "That's odd. A +hundred dollars! That's more than I make in a summer season. But +half of it's yours. I'd like to rescue people steady at that rate."</p> + +<p>"It's all yours," said Larry. "I got the story I came down after, +and that's all I want. But I would like to find this Mah Retto, if +that's his name. He doesn't write much like a foreigner, though he +looks like one. May I keep this note?"</p> + +<p>"As long as you don't want a share in the hun<!-- Page 47 --><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a>dred-dollar one, I +reckon you can," Bailey replied, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>Larry folded the scrap of paper to put in his pocket. As he did so +something bright and shining on the floor attracted his attention. +He stooped to pick it up, finding it was a small gold coin, of +curious design, evidently used as a watch charm.</p> + +<p>"I guess our man dropped this," Larry said, holding it out to +Bailey.</p> + +<p>"Well, you can keep that, with the note. Perhaps it will help you +solve the mystery," the fisherman said. "I'm satisfied with what I +got."</p> + +<p>Larry put the charm in his pocket, together with the note, and was +about to leave the room, when the fisherman, who was lifting from +the corner a box, in which to deposit his money, uttered an +exclamation.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's a man's beard. Somebody's shaved his off and left it +here. How in the name of a soft-shell clam——"</p> + +<p>"It's that man!" cried Larry. "I knew he had a beard on when we +pulled him ashore!"</p> + +<p>"A beard on?" murmured Bailey, in questioning tones.</p> + +<p>"Yes," went on Larry. "When you were outside, getting some wood, +just before you ran down the beach when the life savers came, I was +in here. The man stuck his head from the bed-<!-- Page 48 --><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a>room and asked for his +clothes, which I gave him. I noticed he was smooth shaven——"</p> + +<p>"Why, he had a beard on when we pulled him from the water," +interrupted the fisherman.</p> + +<p>"I was sure he did, but when I asked him why he had shaved it off he +said I was mistaken—said it was only a bunch of seaweed I had +thought was a beard. Then you called me to hurry out, and I forgot +all about it until now. But he must have shaved his whiskers off in +here, and then he disappeared. There's something strange about it +all."</p> + +<p>"I rather guess there is," Bailey admitted. "Wonder where he got his +razor? I never use one."</p> + +<p>"He must have had it in that small valise he wore, strapped by a +belt, around his waist," Larry answered. "That's probably where he +carried his money. I'd like to get at the bottom of this mystery."</p> + +<p>"Well, you newspaper fellows are looking for just such things as +this," said the fisherman with a smile. "It's right in your line."</p> + +<p>"So it is," Larry replied. "I'll solve it, too."</p> + +<p>But it was some time later, and Larry had many strange adventures +before he got at the bottom of the queer secret that started down +there on the lonely sea coast.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a><!-- Page 49 --><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>LARRY OVERHEARS SOMETHING</h3> + + +<p>Larry decided that the disappearance of the fisherman's guest was +not a part of the story of the wreck, though the fact that the +passenger was missing was an item of much interest, and he used it. +He made up his mind to tell Mr. Emberg all about the strange +happening when he got back.</p> + +<p>Arriving at the telegraph office for the third time, he found a +message from the city editor, instructing him to come back to New +York, as the best of the story was now in, and the Associated Press +would attend to the remainder. Some of the representatives of that +news-gathering organization were already at the scene of the +disaster.</p> + +<p>"Your friend got a calling down," volunteered the operator to Larry, +as the young reporter began looking up trains to see when he could +get back.</p> + +<p>"How's that?"</p> + +<p>"He got a message from his city editor a while ago, wanting to know +why he hadn't secured a <!-- Page 50 --><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a>list of passengers and the crew. The +message said the <i>Leader</i> had it, and had beaten all the other +papers."</p> + +<p>"That's good," spoke Larry. "I worked hard enough for it."</p> + +<p>"The <i>Scorcher</i> man wanted me to give him your list, but I wouldn't +do it," the operator went on. "So he's gone out to get one of his +own. But he's too late, I reckon. I'll have my hands full pretty +soon, for there'll be a lot of reporters here. But you're the first +to send off the complete story."</p> + +<p>Larry felt much elated. Of course he knew it was due, in part, to +the forethought of his city editor in seeing a possible situation, +and rushing a man to the scene ahead of the other papers. That +counts for almost as much in journalism as does getting a good story +or a "scoop."</p> + +<p>Larry received hearty congratulations from Mr. Emberg when he got +back to the <i>Leader</i> office the next day, for, not only had the +young reporter secured a fine "scoop," but he had sent in an +exceptionally good story of the wreck.</p> + +<p>"Larry, you did better than I thought you would. You've got the +right stuff in you!" exclaimed the city editor, while the other +reporters, crowding around the hero of the occasion, expressed, +their pleasure at his success. Not one of them but would have given +much to have been in Larry's place.</p> + +<p>"Have much trouble?" asked Mr. Newton.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 51 --><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a>"Well, I had to hustle. Struck something rather queer down there, +too."</p> + +<p>"What was it? Some of the men from other papers try to get the best +of you?"</p> + +<p>"Only my old enemy, Peter Manton, but I put a crimp in him all +right. No, this was something else." And Larry told of the +disappearance of the man at the hut.</p> + +<p>"That is rather odd," agreed the older reporter. "If I were you I'd +tell Mr. Emberg about it, and then you'll be in a position to act on +what information you have, in case anything turns up."</p> + +<p>Larry followed this advice. The city editor puzzled over the matter +a few minutes, and then decided nothing could be done at present.</p> + +<p>"We'll watch developments in regard to the <i>Olivia</i> wreck," said Mr. +Emberg, "and it may be this mystery will fit in somewhere. If it +does we may get a good story."</p> + +<p>But neither Larry nor the city editor realized in what a strange +manner the mystery was to develop.</p> + +<p>It was the beginning of the newspaper day in the <i>Leader</i> office. +Reporters were busy writing accounts of meetings they had covered +the previous night, and others were going out on assignments to +police courts, to look up robberies, murders, suicides, and the +hundred and one things that go to make up the news of the day.</p> + +<p>"How would you like to try your hand at <!-- Page 52 --><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>politics?" asked Mr. Emberg +of Larry, when they had finished their talk about the man at the +hut. "I haven't given you much chance at anything in that line, but +if you're going to be an all-'round newspaper man you'll have a lot +to do with politics."</p> + +<p>"I think I'd like it," replied Larry.</p> + +<p>Certainly this life was one of variety, one day at the wild scene of +a rescue from a wreck, and the next peacefully sent to talk to some +political leader.</p> + +<p>"I want you to go up and have a talk with Jack Sullivan, the leader +of one of the Assembly districts," went on Mr. Emberg. "You've +probably read of the trouble in that district. Thomas Kilburn is a +new aspirant for the Assembly and he's fighting against the +re-nomination of William Reilly. Now Jack Sullivan is the leader of +that district, and whoever he decides to support will be elected. +That's the way politics are run in New York.</p> + +<p>"It would be quite an item of news if we could find out whom +Sullivan is going to support. So far he has played foxy and no one +knows, not even the candidates themselves, I believe, though I have +an idea that Sullivan will swing to Reilly."</p> + +<p>"How did Kilburn come to be in the race?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"That's what we newspaper editors would like to know, and it's what +you reporters have to find out for us. There's something back of it +all. <!-- Page 53 --><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a>Sullivan wants something he thinks either Kilburn or Reilly +can give him, and that's why he's holding back. He'll give his +support to the man who, after he's elected, can give him what he +wants. Now if you could discover whom Sullivan is going to support, +and why, it would make a corking story."</p> + +<p>"I'll try," said Larry, a little doubtful of his ability.</p> + +<p>"It isn't at all like going down to a wreck and seeing persons +rescued," went on Mr. Emberg. "You've got to nose out your news this +time. A number of reporters have tried to pump Sullivan, but he +won't give up. Go and try your luck. You'll find him in the district +headquarters," and he gave Larry the address.</p> + +<p>"Where you going?" asked Mr. Newton, as he passed Larry in the +corridor.</p> + +<p>"To interview Sullivan."</p> + +<p>Mr. Newton whistled.</p> + +<p>"I don't envy you," he said. "I'm afraid you'll fall down this time, +Larry" ("falling-down" being a newspaper man's term for failure). +"We've all tried him, but he's as cute as an old fox. He'll be nice +and polite, but he'll not give you a decided answer, one way or the +other."</p> + +<p>"I've got to try," was Larry's reply.</p> + +<p>Larry had one advantage on his side. He was a new reporter in the +political field. That was one reason why Mr. Emberg sent him. Nearly +all the other available men on the <i>Leader</i> were <!-- Page 54 --><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a>well known to the +politicians, they were familiar with them, and, as soon as they saw +these reporters, the politicians were on their guard.</p> + +<p>Larry, never before having talked with Sullivan and his friends, +might take them off their guard, and they might let fall something +that would make news, the city editor thought. It was a slim chance, +but newspaper editors are accustomed to taking such.</p> + +<p>When Larry entered the headquarters of Sullivan, which were located +in the rear of a large dance hall, he found the place well filled +with men, though it was the middle of the forenoon, when most +persons would have been at work. But the men were politicians of +more or less power, and had plenty of spare time. Besides this was +really their work, though it did not look like very strenuous labor, +for most of them were standing in little groups, talking and +smoking, or sitting in chairs tilted back against the wall.</p> + +<p>Here was where Larry's newness gave him an advantage. No one in the +room knew him to be a reporter, or he would have been greeted by +some of the men as soon as he entered, called by name, and thus all +the others would have been put on their guard.</p> + +<p>Larry sauntered into the big room as though he belonged there. He +hardly knew what to do, but he decided to look about for a few +minutes and size up the situation. No one paid any attention to him, +and he felt it would be a good plan <!-- Page 55 --><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a>to see if he could pick +Sullivan out from among the throng.</p> + +<p>With this end in view Larry walked from one end of the room to the +other. He did not know that the man he sought was in his private +office, closeted with some of his henchmen. As Larry passed one +group he heard one man in it say:</p> + +<p>"Well, Sullivan's made up his mind at last."</p> + +<p>"He has, eh?" asked another. "Who is it?"</p> + +<p>Larry was all attention at once. This seemed to be the very thing he +had been sent to find out.</p> + +<p>"Don't let it get out," went on the man who had first spoken, "but I +understand Tommy has got to wait a while yet."</p> + +<p>"Then Billy can probably deliver the goods," the second man added. +"I thought he could. Well, it means a good thing for the district +when they build the new line. If only Potter doesn't go back on his +promise. He's so rich you can't touch him with money, and he's as +foxy as they make 'em. If Billy can work him I don't blame Sullivan +for swinging his way. Now——"</p> + +<p>But at that moment one of the men turned and saw Larry. He at once +knew him for a stranger, and quickly inquired:</p> + +<p>"What do you want, young man?"</p> + +<p>"I want to see Mr. Sullivan."</p> + +<p>Larry didn't announce himself as a reporter, for that, he felt, +would have brought him only a polite refusal, on Sullivan's part, to +receive him.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 56 --><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>"What for?" went on the man.</p> + +<p>"I have a message for him," Larry said.</p> + +<p>"You can tell me, I'll see that he gets it."</p> + +<p>"It is for him personally," Larry said, for a bold plan had come +into his mind and he determined to try it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a><!-- Page 57 --><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>AN INTERVIEW WITH SULLIVAN</h3> + + +<p>For a moment the man who had questioned Larry stood gazing at him. +Suspicion was in the look, but the reporter never quailed. He was +playing a bold game and he was running a risk, but he was not going +to give up so soon.</p> + +<p>"What's your name?" the man asked him.</p> + +<p>"Larry Dexter."</p> + +<p>That conveyed nothing to his questioner, for Larry had not been long +enough on the <i>Leader</i> to become known in the field of politics. +There were some men in the newspaper business with whom the +politicians were so familiar that they sent for them whenever they +had any news they were desirous of making public. But Larry was not +yet one of these.</p> + +<p>"Sam, tell Mr. Sullivan a young man wants to see him personally," +went on the man who had interrogated Larry. "You can take a seat +over there," he added, pointing to some chairs farthest removed from +the group of which he was a member.</p> + +<p>As Larry moved away he heard one of the men remark:</p> + +<p>"Wonder if he's a newspaper man?"</p> + +<p><!-- Page 58 --><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a>"I don't believe so," replied another. "I've never seen him before +and I know most of the reporters in New York. None of the editors +would send a new man to interview Sullivan. He's too tough a bird +for a greenhorn to tackle. I guess he's a messenger from some +broker's office. Maybe Potter sent him."</p> + +<p>"I wonder who this Potter is, and what all that talk meant?" Larry +thought to himself as he took a chair, and watched the messenger +enter a small room at the end of the big apartment.</p> + +<p>In a little while Sam, who appeared to be a sort of janitor around +the place, came back to inform Larry that Sullivan would see him.</p> + +<p>"Now for my game of bluff," said the young reporter to himself as he +entered.</p> + +<p>The political leader was sitting behind a desk, littered with +papers. He was a small man, wearing glasses, and looking like +anything but the chief factor of an important Assembly district. Mr. +Sullivan was bald-headed, and had rather a pleasant face, but there +was a look about him that indicated force of character, of a certain +kind, and a determination to succeed in what he undertook, which is +what makes a good politician.</p> + +<p>"You wanted to see me?" and the question came in a low voice, +totally unlike the loud tones Larry had, somehow, associated with an +important politician.</p> + +<p>Larry felt the eyes of Sullivan gazing sharply at him, as though +they were sizing him up, label<!-- Page 59 --><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>ing him, and placing him on a certain +shelf to be kept there until wanted. Sullivan was a good reader of +character, as he showed by his next question.</p> + +<p>"What paper are you from?"</p> + +<p>Larry started. He wondered how the man knew he was from a paper, for +Larry had said nothing about it. Seeing his confusion Sullivan +laughed.</p> + +<p>"Wondering how I took your measure, aren't you?" he asked, and when +Larry nodded he went on: "You have the air of a newspaper man, which +you may consider flattering, as you have acquired it after having +been in the game only a short time. I assume that because it's my +business to know most of the reporters in this city, and I never saw +you before. If you didn't look like a newspaper man I'd size you up +for one, because only a reporter, or some of my political friends, +would come here to see me. You're not the one, so you must be the +other. Now what do you want?" and the politician's voice became +rather sharp.</p> + +<p>"I came here to find out if it's true that you're going to support +Reilly because he can deliver the goods from Mr. Potter," Larry +explained, resolving to chance all at once.</p> + +<p>Sullivan started, and half arose from his chair. Then he seemed to +recover himself.</p> + +<p>"Some one's been talking!" he murmured, and, glancing quickly at +Larry, he asked:</p> + +<p><!-- Page 60 --><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a>"Who is Mr. Potter? I'm afraid I don't understand you."</p> + +<p>"He's the financier interested in the new line," went on Larry, +boldly. "It's going to be a good thing for the district, I +understand. Come now, Mr. Sullivan," he went on, assuming a familiar +air he did not feel, "you might as well own up and give me an +interview about deciding to support Reilly."</p> + +<p>For several seconds the leader gazed at Larry, as if seeking to read +his inmost thoughts. Then he spoke:</p> + +<p>"You either know too much or too little, Dexter. I guess you're an +older hand at this business than I took you for. Tell me what you +know."</p> + +<p>"You tell me what I want to know," Larry said with a smile. "You +probably know all that I do and more, too. But I don't know half as +much as you do about this, though I know enough to print something +in the <i>Leader</i>. You might as well come out with it."</p> + +<p>Sullivan hesitated. He was wondering how this new young reporter had +discovered information supposed to be a secret among the +politician's closest advisers. Clearly there was a leak somewhere, +and he must play the game warily until he discovered it. Meanwhile, +since part of the truth was known he decided to tell more of it. He +could manage matters to suit his ends if necessary, even after he +gave out the interview for <!-- Page 61 --><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a>which all the papers in New York were +anxiously waiting.</p> + +<p>"Did Mr. Emberg send you to see me?" asked Sullivan.</p> + +<p>"He did," Larry answered, wondering how intimate was the +politician's acquaintance with the city editor of the <i>Leader</i>.</p> + +<p>"Emberg's foxy," went on Sullivan.</p> + +<p>"Do I get the interview?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"You do. I like your nerve, and I'd like to find out where you heard +that about Potter."</p> + +<p>Larry did not think it well to say he had merely overheard, in the +politician's own headquarters, a reference to the man, who was a +well-known millionaire and promoter of New York. The truth of the +matter was Larry only used the information that had so unexpectedly +come to him, but he used it in such a way that Sullivan thought he +knew a great deal more than he did.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to support Reilly," went on Sullivan. "I don't know that +I have such great influence as the papers credit me with, but what I +have is for my friend, William Reilly. You can say for me that I +think he served well in the Legislature and is entitled to another +term. As for Mr. Kilburn, who I hear would like the nomination, he +is an excellent young man. I know little about him, but I believe he +would do well. But I believe in rewarding good work, and so I am for +Mr. Reilly."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 62 --><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a>"Do you want to say anything about Potter and the new line?" asked +Larry, though if Sullivan had said anything about them the reporter +would have been decidedly in the dark as to what the politician was +driving at.</p> + +<p>"I guess you've got enough out of me for one day," replied Sullivan +with a smile. "It's more talking than I've done in a long while—to +reporters," he added. "Lots of 'em would give a good bit to have +what you've got, and I wouldn't have given it to you, only I think +you're smarter than I gave you credit for. Now you tell me where you +heard about Potter."</p> + +<p>"I can't," answered Larry, truthfully enough, for he did not feel +that he could betray one of Sullivan's own men, because of the talk +he had inadvertently overheard. "Sometime I may."</p> + +<p>"I'll have to cultivate your acquaintance," the district politician +remarked as Larry went out.</p> + +<p>The young reporter hurried to the <i>Leader</i> office, having hastily +jotted down what Sullivan had said. He felt he had secured a piece +of news that would prove a big item that day.</p> + +<p>"What luck?" asked Mr. Emberg, rather indifferently, as Larry came +up to the city editor's desk to report.</p> + +<p>"I've got the interview."</p> + +<p>"I s'pose he gave you a lot of hot air that doesn't mean anything. +See if you can dress it up a bit. We haven't many displays to-day."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 63 --><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a>"Sullivan is going to support Reilly," announced Larry, quietly.</p> + +<p>"What?" almost shouted Mr. Emberg. "Did he tell you that?"</p> + +<p>"He did," answered Larry, wondering why Mr. Emberg was so excited.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a><!-- Page 64 --><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>EVERYTHING BUT THE FACTS</h3> + + +<p>The city room, that had been buzzing and humming with the talk of +several reporters, seemed strangely quiet as Larry gave his answer. +His remarks had been heard by several. The clicking typewriters +stopped, and those operating them looked up.</p> + +<p>"Say that again," spoke Mr. Emberg, as though a great deal depended +on it.</p> + +<p>"Sullivan is going to support Reilly," repeated Larry. "There's what +he says," and he handed out the brief interview which he had written +on some sheets of paper as he came down in the elevated train. The +city editor glanced quickly over it.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I'm positive that's exactly what he said."</p> + +<p>"This is a big thing," went on Mr. Emberg. "We have news from Albany +directly contrary to this, but if you're sure you are right I'll use +this. It will make a big sensation. Have you got it all alone?"</p> + +<p><!-- Page 65 --><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a>"There were no other reporters there that I knew," Larry said.</p> + +<p>"Good for you. How in the world did you do it? I never thought you +would. Sit right down and make as much as you can of it. Describe +how he received you, what you said and what he said and all about +it. This is great."</p> + +<p>"I stumbled on it," said Larry, and he proceeded to relate what he +had heard about Potter and the new line, though he did not in the +least know what the "new line" was.</p> + +<p>"Better and better!" exclaimed Mr. Emberg. "This is what I +suspected. It has to do with the new subway line. If it runs through +the eighth district it will be the making of Sullivan. That's why +he's supporting Reilly, because he thinks Reilly can influence +Potter to run the new subway line in that direction. We must have an +interview with Potter. I'll send some one else out on that. You +write what you have. Here, Mr. Newton, jump out and see if you can +find Potter. It's going to be quite a job, but maybe you can land +him."</p> + +<p>"Hamden Potter's in Europe," said a reporter who "did" Wall Street, +and who knew the movements of most of the financiers. "But he's +expected back soon."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he's back by this time," Mr. Emberg went on. "Get out on the +job, Newton. Hurry, Larry, it's close to edition-time."</p> + +<p>Larry sat down at his typewriter, which he had <!-- Page 66 --><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a>learned to operate +with considerable speed, and was soon banging away at the keys.</p> + +<p>"Shall I put in that about Mr. Potter and the new line?" he called +to Mr. Emberg.</p> + +<p>"No, I'll have Harvey attend to that part. You just tell of the +interview in regard to supporting Reilly. Make it a good story."</p> + +<p>Larry did his best, and gave a graphic picture of the leader's +headquarters, without touching on how he had come to get the +information which so many other papers and reporters were anxiously +waiting for.</p> + +<p>"Here, Tommy!" called the city editor to one of the copy boys, which +position Larry used to fill, "bring me Mr. Dexter's stuff, page by +page, as fast as he writes it. I'll get it upstairs and fix up a +head for it."</p> + +<p>Larry smiled to hear Mr. Emberg call him "Mr. Dexter," but, no +matter how familiar an editor may become with his reporters, he +gives even the youngest the title of mister when speaking of him to +the copy boys.</p> + +<p>Larry finished the first page of his story, pulled it from the +typewriter and handed it to Tommy, who rushed with it to Mr. +Emberg's desk. The editor glanced over it, made one or two +corrections, changed the wording a bit, and handed it back to Tommy, +who hurried with it to the pneumatic tube, in which it was shot +upstairs to the composing room.</p> + +<p>There it was taken from the metal carrier that <!-- Page 67 --><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a>dropped from the +tube on the desk of the man in charge of distributing the various +pieces of copy to the compositors. This man put a mysterious-looking +blue mark on the first page of Larry's story. This was to identify +it later, and to make sure that all the succeeding pages would be +kept together.</p> + +<p>Then the sheet was handed to the first of a long line of +compositors, who were standing in front of the desk of the +"copy-cutter," as he is called. It was close to the hour for the +first edition to go to press, and every one was in a hurry.</p> + +<p>The compositor fairly ran to his type-setting machine and began to +operate the keys, which were arranged like those on a very large +typewriter. He did not strike them, as one does who operates a +typewriter, but gently touched them. As he pressed each finger down +the least bit there was a click, and from the rack above the machine +there tumbled down a small piece of brass, called a "matrix." This +contained on one edge a depression that corresponded to a letter.</p> + +<p>In a short while enough matrixes had fallen into place to make a +complete line, just the width of one of the columns of the <i>Leader</i>. +The compositor looked at the row of matrixes as they were, arranged +before him, read it (no easy task to the uninitiated), took out a +wrong letter and inserted a right one, and then pressed down a +lever.</p> + +<p>This lever operated the lead-casting machine at the back. A plunger +was shoved down into a <!-- Page 68 --><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a>pot of melted lead, kept molten by means of +a gas flame. A small quantity of lead was forced up against the line +of matrixes, which automatically moved in a position to receive it.</p> + +<p>The lead was held there an instant to harden, then another lever +automatically removed the solid line of type from its place in front +of the matrixes, a long arm swooped down, took the brass pieces and +returned them to an endless screw arrangement which distributed +them, each one to its proper place, in the series of chutes that +held hundreds of others.</p> + +<p>Everything was done automatically after the compositor had touched +the keys and then the lever, so that he was almost finished with the +second line of the story by the time the matrixes of the first were +being returned to their slots by the machine, which seemed almost +human.</p> + +<p>Thus Larry's story was set up. In all, five men worked at putting it +into type, and finally the five sections were collected together on +a "galley" or long narrow brass pan. A proof was taken and rushed +down to Mr. Emberg so that he might see it was all right, but by +this time, some typographical errors in the story having been +corrected, men were placing it in the "form" or steel frame which +holds enough type to make a page of the paper. This was soon in +readiness for the stereotyping department.</p> + +<p>Larry had not finished the third page of his story before the first +two were in type. He hur<!-- Page 69 --><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a>ried through it, and by the time he had +handed in the last sheet there were men upstairs waiting for it, so +quickly is the mechanical part of newspaper making accomplished.</p> + +<p>Finally the story was all in type, the lead lines were in the form, +and, when the latter was filled it was "locked," or tightly +fastened, and was ready for the men who were to take an impression +of the page in damp papier-mache.</p> + +<p>This papier-mache, which is also called a matrix, was baked hard by +steam, put in a curved cylinder, melted lead was poured on it and +there was a solid metal page of the paper ready for the great press, +which was soon thundering away, printing thousands of papers, each +one containing, on the front page, Larry's account of the interview +with Sullivan.</p> + +<p>Of course many things had been going on meanwhile. Mr. Emberg had +written a "scare head," as they are called, that is a head to be +printed in big letters, and this had been set up by men working by +hand. This was put on the story after it was in the form.</p> + +<p>"Guess Newton is having trouble finding Potter," commented the city +editor, when he had finished with Larry's copy. "If we don't hear +from him in five minutes we'll miss the edition."</p> + +<p>The five minutes passed, and no word came from Harvey Newton. The +building shook as the giant press started, and Mr. Emberg, shutting +up his watch with a snap, remarked:</p> + +<p><!-- Page 70 --><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a>"Too late! Well, maybe he'll catch him for the second."</p> + +<p>It is often the case that only part of a story gets in the first +edition of a paper. So many circumstances govern the getting of +news, and the sending of it into the office, that unless a story is +obtained, complete, early in the morning it is necessary to make +additions to it from edition to edition in the case of an afternoon +paper.</p> + +<p>"Mack, maybe you'd better try to find Potter," went on Mr. Emberg +after a pause, turning to another reporter. "You know him. Tell him +we've got an interview with Sullivan, and ask him what the support +of Reilly means."</p> + +<p>Mack, whose name in full was McConnigan, but who was never +designated as anything but "Mack," glanced at the proofs of Larry's +story.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'll find him in Donnegan's place," he said, naming a +resort where men of wealth frequently gathered for lunch. "I'll try +there."</p> + +<p>"Anywhere to find him," returned the city editor.</p> + +<p>"Are you looking for Hamden Potter?" asked an old man, coming into +the city room at that juncture.</p> + +<p>"That's what we are," said the city editor. "Why, do you know where +to find him, Mr. Hogan? Have you got a story for us to-day?"</p> + +<p>Hogan was an old newspaper man, never showing any great talents, and +he had seen his best days. He was not to be relied on any more, +<!-- Page 71 --><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a>though he frequently took "tips" around to the different papers, +receiving for them, together with what money he could beg or borrow, +enough to live on.</p> + +<p>"I've got a story, yes. I was down at the steamship dock of the Blue +Star line a while ago, and I see Mr. Potter's family come off a +vessel.</p> + +<p>"Was he with them? Have you got the story?" demanded Mr. Emberg, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I've got everything, I guess. I've got all but the main facts, +anyhow. I don't know whether Potter was with them or not. I didn't +think it was of any importance."</p> + +<p>"Importance!" exclaimed the city editor. Then he bethought him of +Hogan's character, and knew it was useless to speak. "Everything but +the facts—the most important fact of all," Mr. Emberg murmured.</p> + +<p>"Isn't that tip worth something?" demanded Hogan.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I suppose so," and Mr. Emberg wrote out an order on the cashier +for two dollars. Poor Hogan shuffled from the room. He was but a +type of many who have outlived their usefulness.</p> + +<p>"Jump down to the Blue Star dock, Mack," the city editor said, when +Hogan had gone. "Find out all you can about the Potters—where they +have been and where Mr. Potter went. Hurry now!"</p> + +<p>As Mack was going out the telephone rang. It was a message from Mr. +Newton to the effect <!-- Page 72 --><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a>that he could not find Mr. Potter, and that at +his office it was said he was still in Europe.</p> + +<p>"Hurry to his house," said Mr. Emberg over the wire. "I have a tip +that his family just got in on the <i>Messina</i> of the Blue Star line. +I've sent Mack to the dock! You go to the house!"</p> + +<p>Thus, like a general directing his forces, did the city editor send +his men out after news.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a><!-- Page 73 --><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>THREATS AGAINST LARRY</h3> + + +<p>Second edition-time was close at hand, but no news regarding Mr. +Hamden Potter had come in from either Newton or Mack. From a +reporter sent to interview representatives of the company +constructing the subway came a message to the effect that none of +the officers would talk for publication.</p> + +<p>"What in the world is the matter with Harvey and Mack?" asked Mr. +Emberg, restlessly pacing the floor. Every one in the city room felt +the strain. Every time the telephone bell rang, the city editor +jumped to answer it, without waiting for one of the boys or a +reporter to get to the instrument.</p> + +<p>Finally, after several false alarms, the bell rang and the city +editor, grabbing up the portable telephone, cried out:</p> + +<p>"Yes? Oh, it's you, Newton. Where in the world have you been? We +only have time for the last edition. Talk fast! What's that? The +Potter family home, and you can't see Mr. Potter? Why not? Tell them +you've got to see him. Send in a message you have something of +<!-- Page 74 --><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a>importance to tell him. You say you have? And you can't see him? +But you must! Go back and try again. This is the biggest story we've +had in a long while and we can't fall down on it this way!"</p> + +<p>He hung up the receiver on the hook with a bang, and once more began +pacing the floor.</p> + +<p>"That's queer," he murmured. "There's something strange back of all +this. Potter is up to some game, and so is Sullivan. Come here, +Larry."</p> + +<p>Mr. Emberg closely questioned the young reporter as to every detail +of his interview with Sullivan.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to write something myself," the city editor announced. +"We've got to have more of this story. I can guess at part of it, +and I'll make it general enough, and with sufficient 'understoods' +in it to save us in case I'm wrong."</p> + +<p>He began to write, nervously and hurriedly, handing the sheets over +to his assistant to edit as fast as he was done with them. They were +rushed upstairs, one at a time, as Larry's copy had been.</p> + +<p>The last edition went to press without the much-desired interview +with Mr. Potter. The city editor wrote a story, full of glittering +generalities, telling how it was believed that certain forces were +at work in the interest of getting a new line of the subway through +the eighth district, and that Assemblyman Reilly was concerned <!-- Page 75 --><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a>in +the matter, as was also a certain well-known financier, whose name +was not mentioned, but whom the readers of the <i>Leader</i> would have +little difficulty in recognizing as Mr. Potter.</p> + +<p>To show that it was Mr. Potter to whom he was referring Mr. Emberg +added at the bottom of the story, and under a separate single-line +head, a note to the effect that all efforts were unavailing to get +an interview with Hamden Potter, the financier, who that day had +returned from Europe with his family, as Mr. Potter would see no +reporters. It was added that Mr. Potter's connection with the subway +interests might throw some light on the reason for the declaration +of Sullivan for Reilly.</p> + +<p>In all this there was no direct statement made, but the inferences +were almost as strong as though the paper had come out boldly and +stated as facts what Mr. Emberg believed to be true, but which he +dared not assert boldly. But as long as they were not made direct +and positive there was no chance for a libel suit, which is +something all newspapers dread.</p> + +<p>"There, I guess that will do if Harvey can't get at Potter," spoke +Mr. Emberg when he had finished. "Queer, though, that Potter keeps +himself away from our reporters. He used to be willing enough to +talk."</p> + +<p>A little later another telephone message was received from Mr. +Newton, announcing that it was useless to try to see the +millionaire.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 76 --><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76"></a>"Come on in, then," the city editor directed.</p> + +<p>Nor was Mack any more successful. He had learned that the Potter +family had hurried from the dock in a closed carriage and were +driven to their handsome home on the fashionable thoroughfare known +as Central Park, West. No one had seen Mr. Potter, as far as Mack +could learn, and the reporter was not allowed to go aboard the ship, +as the custom officers were engaged in looking over the baggage of +the passengers.</p> + +<p>"Well, we've got a good story," said Mr. Emberg late that afternoon, +when work for the day was over. "It's a beat, too."</p> + +<p>"Did any of 'em make lifts for it?" asked Mr. Hylard, the assistant +city editor. A "lift," it may be explained, is the insertion of a +piece of news in the last edition of a paper. It is made by taking +one plate from the press, removing or "lifting" a comparatively +unimportant item of news from the form, inserting the new item, +which was received too late for the regular edition, making a new +plate, and starting the press again. It is done rather than print an +entire new edition, and is sometimes used when some other paper gets +a beat or piece of news which your paper must have, or in case of an +accident happening after the last edition has gone to press.</p> + +<p>"The <i>Star</i> lifted our story almost word for word," said Mr. Emberg. +"Guess they didn't take the trouble to confirm it. The morning +sheets will probably try to discount it."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 77 --><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a>Which was exactly what they did. Some had what purported to be +interviews with Sullivan, denying that he had said he was going to +support Reilly. Others showed, editorially and otherwise, how +nonsensical it would be for Sullivan to throw his influence to any +one but Kilburn.</p> + +<p>"I hope you haven't made any mistake, Larry," said Mr. Emberg the +next day. "If you misquoted Sullivan it means a bad thing for our +paper."</p> + +<p>"I quoted him correctly."</p> + +<p>At that moment the telephone on Mr. Emberg's desk rang and he +answered it.</p> + +<p>"Dexter?" he repeated. "Yes, we have a reporter of that name here." +Larry was all attention at once. "Who wants him? Oh, Mr. Sullivan? +Is this Mr. Sullivan? Well, this is the city editor of the <i>Leader</i>. +I see some of the papers are denying our story. Our account is about +correct, eh? Well, I'm glad of it. Yes, I'll send Mr. Dexter to see +you right away.</p> + +<p>"Sullivan wants to see you, Larry," went on Mr. Emberg, hanging up +the telephone receiver. "This may be a big thing. Go slow and be +careful of what he says. Don't let him bluff you."</p> + +<p>"You're getting right into politics," said Mr. Newton to Larry, as +the young reporter prepared to go out.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'm afraid I'll get into water where I can't swim."</p> + +<p>"Don't let that worry you. You've got to <!-- Page 78 --><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a>learn, and in New York +politics is the most important news of all."</p> + +<p>Larry found Sullivan in the same place where he had secured the +momentous interview. The Assembly leader nodded to the boy, and then +picked up a copy of the paper which contained an account of the talk +with Sullivan.</p> + +<p>"You made quite a yarn of this," Sullivan remarked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it was a good story."</p> + +<p>"A little too good," went on the politician. "You got me into hot +water."</p> + +<p>"Did I misquote you?"</p> + +<p>"No, but you got the information before I was ready to give it out. +I thought you knew more than you did. This last part," pointing to +the generalities written by Mr. Emberg, "this last part shows that +you folks are up a tree. Now I want to know where you heard that +about Potter, and I'm going to have an answer," and Sullivan lost +his calm air and looked angrily at Larry.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you where I got my tip."</p> + +<p>"You mean you will not?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you can put it that way," replied Larry.</p> + +<p>"I'll make you!" and the politician arose from his chair and stood +threateningly over the young reporter. For a moment Larry's heart +beat rapidly in fear. Then he remembered what Mr. Emberg had said: +"Don't let him bluff you." He was sure Sullivan was bluffing.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 79 --><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79"></a>"Are you going to tell?" asked Sullivan again.</p> + +<p>"I am not."</p> + +<p>Sullivan banged his fist down on his desk. He shoved his hat on the +back of his head. Thrusting his face close to Larry's he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Then I'll put you out of business! I'll make the city too hot to +hold you! I'll have you fired from the <i>Leader</i>, and no other paper +in New York will hire you! I'll show you what it is to have Jack +Sullivan down on you! I was going to play fair with you. But you +sneaked in here and got information I wasn't ready to give out. Now +you can take the consequences!"</p> + +<p>"I didn't sneak in here!" cried Larry. "I came openly. What's more, +you can't scare me! I'm not afraid of you! I know what I did was all +right! Perhaps the <i>Leader</i> knows more than you think. I'm not going +to tell where I got my information, and you can do as you please!"</p> + +<p>Sullivan had cooled down. He was a bit ashamed of having given way +to his anger, for usually he kept his temper.</p> + +<p>"All right," he said. "It's war between us now. Tell your city +editor he needn't send you to get any more news from me, and when +the <i>Leader</i> wants any favors from Jack Sullivan it can whistle for +'em. I'm done with that sheet. I'll show 'em who Sullivan is!"</p> + +<p>Larry turned and went out. It was the first time he had been +browbeaten like this, but he kept his nerve. If he had only known +it, Sullivan was <!-- Page 80 --><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a>not the first politician to threaten to annihilate +a paper, nor was it Sullivan's initial attempt to scare reporters +into doing what he wanted.</p> + +<p>As Larry left the headquarters he met Peter Manton going in.</p> + +<p>"Making up another fake interview with Sullivan?" asked Peter, with +a sneer. "You've made a nice mess of it!"</p> + +<p>"I didn't make any worse one than you did with that wreck story," +retorted Larry, who could not forego this thrust at his old enemy.</p> + +<p>"I'll get even with you yet," exclaimed the rival reporter, as he +scowled at Larry, and entered Sullivan's private room.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what Sullivan will do about it?" thought Larry, as he went +back to the office.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a><!-- Page 81 --><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>A MISSING MILLIONAIRE</h3> + + +<p>Contrary to Larry's expectations Mr. Emberg was not at all impressed +by Sullivan's threats.</p> + +<p>"I've heard talk like that before," the city editor said. "The +<i>Leader</i> will try to worry along without the aid of Mr. Jack +Sullivan. As for you, Larry, don't give it another thought. If he +ever bothers you, or any of his ward-heelers try to make the least +trouble for you, let me know. I guess we have some influence in this +city. Well, I'll look for wholesale denials of your interview from +now on. Sullivan showed his hand too quickly it seems. We must try +for Potter now. Queer how he hangs back when we've got part of the +story."</p> + +<p>"Haven't any of the boys been able to find him?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"Harvey can't get near him, and when he can't no one can. There's +something queer about it. At the house they will give out no +information, except to say that Mr. Potter can't be seen. At his +office the clerks either say that he is engaged or has not come in +yet. I'm beginning to think he's keeping out of the way on purpose."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 82 --><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a>Mr. Emberg's surmise about the other papers publishing denials of +the Sullivan interview was correct. Those journals which were on the +same political platform as that of the man whose enmity Larry had +incurred proved, to their own satisfaction at least, that Sullivan +could not support Reilly. As for the <i>Leader</i>, which was independent +in politics, that paper did not worry over the accusations of +"faking" made against it. Mr. Emberg knew he was right, and he was +planning for a big disclosure when some of his reporters could find +Hamden Potter.</p> + +<p>For a time the Sullivan matter was dropped, and Larry found his time +busily occupied in a varied lot of assignments.</p> + +<p>One day the young reporter was sent to one of the hotels to +interview a youthful millionaire, who had come to the city from a +distant town in a big touring car, accompanied by a number of +friends.</p> + +<p>"Hump! Seems to me I'm assigned to all the millionaire cases," mused +Larry.</p> + +<p>The young millionaire was named Dick Hamilton, and he was none other +than the youth who has figured in another series of mine, called the +"Dick Hamilton Series," starting with "Dick Hamilton's Fortune." +Dick had come to New York for the purpose of making an investment +and had had an encounter with a sharper, who had tried to sell him +some worthless stocks.</p> + +<p>"Please give me the story," pleaded Larry, and <!-- Page 83 --><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a>he got the tale in +detail, and what was more, he and Dick Hamilton became so friendly +that the young millionaire promised to keep the story from all other +reporters; so that Larry scored another beat, much to his own +satisfaction and the satisfaction of his friends.</p> + +<p>"Keep on and you'll be at the top," said the city editor, and then +he went on: "Here is something else you might look into, Larry. It +might make a fine thing for the Sunday supplement. You can go up +there, get the yarn, and you needn't come back to-day. Write it up +the first thing in the morning."</p> + +<p>"What sort of story is it?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's a postal, from an old German, I take it, who says he has +invented a flying machine."</p> + +<p>"I guess he's about the only one in ten thousand who has been +successful then," answered Larry, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't suppose it amounts to anything," went on Mr. Emberg. +"But it may make a good story to let the old gentleman talk, and +describe the machine. The public likes stories about flying machines +and queer inventors, even if the machines don't work. Get a good +yarn, for we need one for the first page of the supplement. I'll +sent Sneed, the photographer, up later to get some pictures of it."</p> + +<p>The city editor handed Larry a postal card, poorly written and +spelled, on which there was a <!-- Page 84 --><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a>request that a reporter be sent to a +certain address on the East Side, to get a story of a wonderful +invention, destined to revolutionize methods of travel.</p> + +<p>It was not the first time Larry had been sent on this sort of an +assignment. Once he had gone to get a story of a new kind of gas +lamp a man had invented, and the thing had exploded while he was +watching the owner demonstrate it. Luckily neither of them were +hurt.</p> + +<p>Larry found the address given on the postal was in a dilapidated +tenement, seemingly deserted, and standing some distance away from +other buildings.</p> + +<p>When he got there he ran into a reporter named Fritsch, who worked +on a German newspaper.</p> + +<p>"Dot inventor vos mofed avay," said the German reporter. "Some +beoples told me he vos krazy."</p> + +<p>"Is the house vacant?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"I dink so. Maype ve walk through him, yah?"</p> + +<p>Larry was willing, and together the pair went into the tenement and +upstairs.</p> + +<p>As they passed through one of the halls Larry looked up and saw a +man peering down at him over a balustrade. He gave a gasp.</p> + +<p>"Vot it is?" questioned the German reporter.</p> + +<p>"That man!" cried Larry. He ran up the <!-- Page 85 --><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85"></a>stairs and tried to catch +the individual, who was running away.</p> + +<p>The man was the person he had helped to rescue from the ocean—the +one who had given his name as Mah Retto.</p> + +<p>The strange man entered a side room and locked the door. Larry +knocked, but nobody answered his summons.</p> + +<p>"Dot vos not der inventor," said Fritsch.</p> + +<p>"I know it—but I'd like to see him, nevertheless," answered the +young newspaper man.</p> + +<p>A little later the two reporters came down into the street and +separated. Larry went home, but after supper that evening he walked +again in the direction of the lonely tenement. He wanted to see the +policeman, whose post took in that section of the city, and make +some inquiries of him. The officer might be able to throw some light +on the sudden appearance of the strange man.</p> + +<p>Larry found the policeman after some search. The officer, as soon as +he learned Larry was from the <i>Leader</i>, was very willing to tell all +he knew, for the <i>Leader</i> was a paper that always spoke well of the +police, and the force appreciated this.</p> + +<p>"It sure is a queer house," said Patrolman Higgins. "I remember the +time it was filled with families, but they all moved away because +the owner didn't make any repairs. The only person there was a crazy +German who's daffy on airships. He got out to-day."</p> + +<p>"I've heard of him," replied Larry. "But is <!-- Page 86 --><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86"></a>he the only one in +there? I heard there was another man stopping there."</p> + +<p>"Now that you speak of it, I shouldn't wonder but what there was," +answered Higgins. "I saw two lights in there to-night, for the first +time. I've got sort of used to seeing one in the window where the +crazy German is puttering away at his airship, but awhile ago I +noticed a gleam in another part of the house. I took it for a second +lamp the German had lighted, but now that I think of it, seems to me +it was on the other side of the house. I shouldn't wonder but what +you're right."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it doesn't matter much," said Larry, who did not want to arouse +too great interest in the matter. "I just thought you might happen +to know him."</p> + +<p>"I'll make some inquiries in the neighborhood," the officer went on. +"I don't want that shack to get to be a hanging-out place for +tramps. It was bad enough to have the German there, but he paid his +rent to the owner, who's about as crazy as the airship inventor. +I'll look up this other fellow. Drop around to-morrow night and I +may have some news for you."</p> + +<p>"I will," replied Larry, satisfied that he had put his plan into +operation. "It's nothing special, but I had an idea I might get a +story out of the chap." And he went home again.</p> + +<p>Larry reported to Mr. Emberg the next morning all the details of the +visit to the strange house.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 87 --><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a>"If some East Indian chooses to hide himself it can't make much +difference to us," said the city editor. "I judge him to be a native +from that name. I've got another story for you to go out on. It's +about——"</p> + +<p>At that instant the telephone on Mr. Emberg's desk rang insistently. +He broke off what he was saying to Larry to grab up the instrument.</p> + +<p>"Hello. Yes, this is Mr. Emberg. Oh, is that you, Harvey? What's +that? Reported to the police as missing? Are you sure it's him? +Great Scott! If that's true that's a corking good story! That +explains some things! You take the police end and I'll send some one +up to the house! Good-bye!"</p> + +<p>The city editor was excited.</p> + +<p>"Here, Larry!" he cried. "Jump right out on this. The police have +just received a report that Hamden Potter, the millionaire +financier, is missing. They tried to keep it quiet, but Harvey got +on to it. Hustle up to Potter's house and get all the particulars +you can. Get a picture of him. Hamden Potter missing!" he went on, +as Larry hurried away on his assignment. "There's something queer in +the wind, that's sure!"</p> + +<p>There was—something more strange than Mr. Emberg suspected, and +Larry's assignment was one destined to last for some time.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a><!-- Page 88 --><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>A BRAVE GIRL</h3> + + +<p>Hamden Potter lived in one of the finest houses in New York. Larry +had often admired it as he walked in the neighborhood of Central +Park, in which vicinity many other New York millionaires have their +residences.</p> + +<p>"Now I've got a chance to see the inside," thought Larry, as he sat +in the elevated train, and was whirled along toward his destination. +"That is if they let me in. Guess I'll have my hands full getting +information up there. Still, if I work it right, I may learn all I +want to know."</p> + +<p>There are only two general classes of persons from whom reporters +can get news. One class is that which is only too ready to impart +it, for their own ends and interests, and this news is seldom the +kind the papers want. The other class consists of persons who are +determined that they will give no information to the representatives +of the press. This class usually has the very news that the papers +want, and the journals strive all the more eagerly to get it, from +the very fact that there is a desire to hold it from them. Both +classes must be approached in ways best suited to <!-- Page 89 --><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a>them; the one +that they may not take up a reporter's valuable time with a lot of +useless talk, and the other that they may be tricked into giving out +that which they are determined to keep back. It was to the latter +class that Larry was going that morning. On his way up he was +turning over in his mind the best means of getting what he wanted.</p> + +<p>"Some butler or private secretary will come to the door," he +reasoned. "I've got to get in to see a member of the family. There's +only Mrs. Potter and her daughter Grace," for, in common with other +rich men and those in the public eye, Mr. Potter's family affairs +were, in a measure, public property to the New York newspaper world.</p> + +<p>As Larry had surmised, his ring at the door was answered by a +stately butler.</p> + +<p>"I wish to see Mr. Potter," said the reporter, venturing on a bold +stroke. He had learned several tricks of the trade.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Potter is not home," and the door was about to close.</p> + +<p>"Will you take a message to Mrs. Potter?" asked Larry quickly.</p> + +<p>The door was opened a little.</p> + +<p>"What name?" and the butler did not relax his severity.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't matter what name. Tell her I have called in reference to +Mr. Potter's absence."</p> + +<p>"Come in!" the butler exclaimed quickly.</p> + +<p>Larry had gained his first skirmish, in a man<!-- Page 90 --><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a>ner perfectly +legitimate, regarded from a newspaper standpoint. He had called in +reference to Mr. Potter's disappearance—not to give information (as +the butler may have supposed), but to get it.</p> + +<p>"This way," said the man. "Mrs. Potter is in the library."</p> + +<p>Larry entered through the velvet portieres the butler held aside for +him. He saw, reclining on a couch, a handsome woman, whose face +showed traces of tears. Beside her stood the most beautiful girl +Larry had ever seen. She had brown eyes, brown hair, and a face +that, though it was sad, made Larry think of some wonderful +painting.</p> + +<p>"Some one with news of Mr. Potter," the butler announced.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Have you come to tell me of my husband?" the lady exclaimed, +sitting up suddenly.</p> + +<p>Larry's mind was working quickly. If he took the right means he was +liable to get the information he wanted. On the other hand he was in +a fair way to be shown the door indignantly, for he realized that he +had entered under false pretenses, however honorable his motives +might have been.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon for intruding," he said, speaking quickly. "I +have come to ask news of Mr. Potter, not to bring it. One moment," +as he saw Mrs. Potter's face assume a look of anger. "His +disappearance has been reported to the <!-- Page 91 --><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a>police. They tried to keep +it quiet, but it was impossible in the case of a man of Mr. Potter's +standing. Our paper—the <i>Leader</i>—knows of it. In a short time it +will be known to every paper in New York. I think it would be wise +for you to meet the situation, and give me whatever information you +can. We will only be too glad to help you locate your husband, and I +believe there is no better way than by newspaper publicity, even the +police will tell you that. If you could give me a description of the +missing man, when he was last seen, what sort of clothing he wore, +and a picture of him we will publish it in the paper. Thousands of +persons will see the account and will be on the lookout for him. +Believe me, it is the best way!"</p> + +<p>Larry paused for breath. He had rattled all that off without giving +Mrs. Potter a chance to stop him, for he wanted to present his case +in the most advantageous light.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, I believe he is right!" exclaimed Grace Potter. "I never +thought of it that way before. I thought the newspaper people were +horrid when any one had trouble."</p> + +<p>"We are human," said Larry with a little laugh, and Grace smiled, +though her eyes had traces of tears.</p> + +<p>"I could not think of discussing your father's affairs with a +reporter," said Mrs. Potter stiffly.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to pry into his affairs," returned Larry. "I only want +to help you find him."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 92 --><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a>"But this publicity is so disgraceful!"</p> + +<p>"Not at all, madam. It is a misfortune, perhaps, but other families +have the same trouble. Nothing is thought of it. The newspapers are +the best means of tracing lost persons."</p> + +<p>"That's right, mother," interrupted Grace. "I often read +descriptions of persons who have disappeared, and a few days later I +see that they have been found, principally through an account in the +paper. I am sure this young gentleman will help us."</p> + +<p>"I will do all I can," said Larry. "So will the other papers, I am +sure. Now when did he disappear? Is this a picture of him?" and he +took one from the library table. "Suppose you let me take this to +have a cut made of it. I will return it," and before Mrs. Potter or +Grace could object Larry had it in his pocket. That is the way +reporters get along sometimes, by taking advantage of every +opportunity. Once lost these golden chances seldom can be seized +again.</p> + +<p>Before mother or daughter could answer Larry's question the door +bell rang, and, a moment later, the butler announced:</p> + +<p>"Some newspaper reporters, madam!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, this is dreadful! I can't see them!" exclaimed Mrs. Potter. +"Tell them to go away. Let them see Mr. Potter's lawyer!"</p> + +<p>"Mother, let me attend to this for you," said Grace. "I will see the +reporters. I will tell them <!-- Page 93 --><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a>all that is necessary. I'm not afraid. +I want to find poor, dear papa!"</p> + +<p>"You are a brave girl," murmured Mrs. Potter, as she wiped her eyes. +"I would not dare face them all in our trouble."</p> + +<p>Larry agreed with Mrs. Potter's characterization of Grace. It was no +easy task for a girl of eighteen to thus assume the responsibility, +but she had the courage, and Larry admired her for it.</p> + +<p>"You had better go to your room, mother," Grace went on. "I will see +the newspaper men in here," she added to the butler who was waiting. +"You may stay," she said, looking at Larry, "and you will learn all +we ourselves know."</p> + +<p>Larry realized there was no opportunity for a beat in this matter of +the disappearance of the millionaire, as the news the police get +they give out indiscriminately to all papers. So he was content to +get what information he needed in common with the other reporters. +But he had a picture, and he doubted if all the others would get +one.</p> + +<p>The butler showed the reporters in. They were nearly all young men, +about Larry's age, though one or two were gray-haired veterans of +the pencil.</p> + +<p>"What is it you wish to inquire about first?" asked Grace, as she +faced the newspaper men, more calmly than could her mother, who had +gone to her room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a><!-- Page 94 --><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>WHERE IS HE?</h3> + + +<p>"When did Mr. Potter run away?" asked a voice from the group of +press representatives, and Larry saw it was his old enemy, Peter +Manton, of the <i>Scorcher</i>—a sensational sheet—who had made the +inquiry.</p> + +<p>"My father didn't run away!" exclaimed Grace indignantly. "If you +are going on that assumption I shall give you no information at +all."</p> + +<p>"That was a mistake," interposed an elderly reporter. "We are only +anxious to know when you last saw him," and someone whispered a +well-deserved rebuke to Peter.</p> + +<p>"To begin at the beginning," Grace resumed, "father went abroad with +mother and me several months ago. He was not in good health and his +physician recommended a change of air. We traveled in England and on +the continent, and then went to Italy. My father preceded us there, +as he had some business affairs to look after in Rome.</p> + +<p>"When we got to that city we found he had left there, as his +business called him away. He <!-- Page 95 --><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a>left word that he might have to sail +for this country ahead of us, but would try to meet us in Naples. We +proceeded there, only to find that he had sailed, and he told us to +come over on the next steamer. He promised to meet us in New York.</p> + +<p>"We sailed on the <i>Messina</i>, expecting my father would meet us at +the pier."</p> + +<p>"Did he meet you?" asked Larry, for he recalled that day when he had +secured the memorable interview with Sullivan, in which Mr. Potter's +name played an important part.</p> + +<p>"He did not," and there was a catch in the girl's voice. "One of his +clerks did, and said he had received a letter from my father, +stating that he was unavoidably detained, but that he would be with +us soon."</p> + +<p>She paused, and pressed her handkerchief to her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked one of the reporters softly.</p> + +<p>"That is all," said Grace. "I have not seen my father since parting +with him at Munich, whence he proceeded to Rome. He has never +communicated directly with us, and we don't know what to think. It +is dreadful!" and she wept softly.</p> + +<p>There was a pause of a few seconds, while the girl recovered her +composure. Then the reporters began to ask questions, sparing Grace +as much as possible.</p> + +<p>In this way they learned that Mr. Potter's family could give no +description as to <!-- Page 96 --><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a>was dressed when he disappeared, for quite an +interval had elapsed between the time Grace and her mother had last +seen him, and when they learned that he was gone.</p> + +<p>Nor had Mr. Potter communicated with his office or his business +associates, except so far as to send a clerk to meet the steamer. +Before going to Europe he had arranged matters so his affairs could +be conducted in his absence, and his continued failure to come back +worked no harm in that respect. Confidential clerks attended to +everything, and the millionaire's large interests were well looked +after.</p> + +<p>So there was really not much that Grace could tell. She said she and +her mother had waited some time, after getting home, hoping Mr. +Potter would come back or communicate with them, but when he had not +done so they became alarmed. They feared he had met with some +mishap, and, after talking the matter over with his lawyers, they +had decided it would be best to report the matter to the police.</p> + +<p>"We are much obliged to you," said Larry, when it seemed that no +more questions were necessary.</p> + +<p>"We'll do our best, through the papers, to help find your father," +added a gray-haired reporter.</p> + +<p>"Now give us his picture," put in Peter Manton, in a commanding +tone.</p> + +<p>"We have none to give out at present," said Grace coldly. "We are +having a number made, <!-- Page 97 --><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a>showing him as he looked when he went away, +and they will be ready in a few days. The lawyers will attend to +that, if my father is not found in the meanwhile."</p> + +<p>"We've got to have a picture now!" exclaimed Peter.</p> + +<p>"You shut up!"—thus in a whisper, from another reporter who stood +near the representative of the <i>Scorcher</i>. "You don't know when +you've been treated decent. Half the millionaire families in New +York wouldn't even let us inside the door, let alone telling us all +we wanted to know. Dry up!" And Peter desisted after that rebuke.</p> + +<p>Larry managed to be the last one of the reporters to leave the +house. He lingered in the hall, and when he and Grace were there +alone he said:</p> + +<p>"One thing I forgot to ask. When you got back to the house was there +any evidence that your father had been here ahead of you? Was the +house shut up while you were in Europe?"</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you spoke of that," the girl replied. "I had forgotten +about it. Yes, the house was closed all the while we were away, and +opened the day mother and I got back. But, now that you speak of it, +I recollect something that seemed strange at the time. We were a +little worried when father did not meet us at the pier, and I had an +idea that he might have spent some nights in the house, pending our +arrival, though he had said in his letters that if he came over +ahead of <!-- Page 98 --><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a>us he was going to stop at a hotel. I went to his +room——"</p> + +<p>She broke into tears again, and Larry waited, looking out of the big +front doors, for he was embarrassed.</p> + +<p>"When I looked over his room," continued Grace, going on bravely, "I +saw something was missing, that I knew was on his dresser when we +left for Europe."</p> + +<p>"What was it?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"It was a little picture of mother and myself. My father was very +fond of it. He must have come to the house and taken it—one of his +last acts before he disappeared. It made me feel very sad when I +thought of it afterward."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he took the picture to Europe with him, and you did not +know it," suggested Larry, who was beginning to develop the +instincts of a detective, as all reporters do, more or less.</p> + +<p>"No," said Grace positively. "I remember, I was the last one in +father's room before we sailed for Europe. The carriage was waiting +to take us to the pier, and father went out just ahead of me. He +spoke of the picture then, saying he would leave it to keep guard +over his room until he came back," and once more Grace could not +keep back her tears.</p> + +<p>"Could the picture have been stolen?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"The house was in perfect order when we came in," said the girl. +"Nothing else was missing. It seems as if father took that picture +to—to re<!-- Page 99 --><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a>mind him of us—and—and that we would never see him +again."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, you will!" exclaimed Larry heartily. "You will find him +all right. Perhaps he has some business matters to attend to out +West, and hasn't time to come home."</p> + +<p>"He could have written."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he is some place where the mails are infrequent."</p> + +<p>Thus Larry tried to comfort Grace, but it was hard work, for the +disappearance of Hamden Potter certainly was strange and difficult +to explain.</p> + +<p>"I will let you know if we hear any news," said Larry as he prepared +to go.</p> + +<p>"Will you? That will be very kind of you. I thank you very much for +your help. I would never have known what to do if it had not been +for your suggestions. Come any time you have any news for us—and I +hope you will come soon—and often," Grace added with a blush.</p> + +<p>Larry's heart beat a little faster than usual, for it was not every +day he received such an invitation to a millionaire's house, nor +from such a pretty girl as Grace.</p> + +<p>"Afraid I'll not have much chance, though," he thought to himself as +he went down the steps. "I'll probably be taken off this case after +to-day, and some other reporter will get it. If I had a little more +experience they might let me work on it. Never mind, I'll get there +some day," and with this Larry comforted himself.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a><!-- Page 100 --><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>IN THE TENEMENT HOUSE</h3> + + +<p>The story of Hamden Potter's disappearance, as Larry wrote it, made +interesting reading. He used that part about the picture which Grace +had told him, but which the other reporters did not know about. The +photograph of the missing millionaire, which showed a man in the +prime of life, with a large moustache, came out well in the paper, +and as Larry saw the article, on the front page, under a "big head," +he could not but feel he had done well.</p> + +<p>In this he was confirmed by the city editor, who, seeing copies of +the other afternoon papers, as they were brought in to him, +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Well, Larry, you did fine!"</p> + +<p>"How's that?" asked the youth.</p> + +<p>"Why you've got 'em all beat on the picture proposition, and none of +'em have that part about his coming back to the house and taking the +miniature of his wife and daughter. That's the best part of the +whole yarn."</p> + +<p>"I got that by luck, almost at the last minute, when the others were +gone," said Larry.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 101 --><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a>"That's the kind of luck that makes big stories," commented Mr. +Emberg. "You might take a run up to the house this evening and see +if there's anything new, and then you can pay a visit in the +morning. I'll have the police end looked after by Harvey, and I'll +send a man to Mr. Potter's office. It's barely possible he may turn +up there any minute. I have an idea that he is temporarily insane +because of his heavy business responsibilities, and that he has +wandered off somewhere. He'll come back in a few days. What do you +think about it yourself, Larry?"</p> + +<p>"I hardly know what to think. I never was on a case like this +before. When I first heard about his taking the picture away I +thought maybe he had gone off somewhere to commit suicide, and +wanted it with him."</p> + +<p>"No suicide for Hamden Potter," put in Harvey Newton, with a laugh, +as he stood listening to Larry and Mr. Emberg talking. "He has too +much to live for."</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't want to think that," Larry went on. "He has a very +fine wife and——"</p> + +<p>"And a beautiful daughter," broke in Harvey. "Look out, Larry, this +is not a love story you're working on."</p> + +<p>Larry blushed like a girl, for several times that day he had caught +himself thinking of Grace and how pretty she was.</p> + +<p>"Let Larry alone for getting all the facts in <!-- Page 102 --><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a>the case," said Mr. +Emberg. "I suppose Miss Grace gave you some information?"</p> + +<p>"She talked to all the reporters," Larry said. "Mrs. Potter is a +nervous wreck."</p> + +<p>"Well, run up any time this evening," went on the city editor. "You +might stumble on some news. You wrote a very good story to-day. Try +again to-morrow. We've beat the other papers on it as it is."</p> + +<p>Larry got Mr. Potter's picture back from the art department, where a +cut for use in the paper had been made, and decided that he would +have a good excuse for calling at the Potter residence in going back +to return it as he had promised.</p> + +<p>"I wish I had some news to tell her," the young reporter thought as +he went home to supper, "but it's too soon yet. I'd like to be a +detective and see if I couldn't find her father for her. I wonder +where he can be, or why he disappeared? Of course, if he's out of +his mind, as Mr. Emberg believes, that would account for it, but I +don't think he is."</p> + +<p>Telling his mother he did not expect to be out long, Larry left the +house early that evening. He intended to go to Mr. Potter's +residence, leave the picture, have a few minutes' talk with Grace, +and then go home by way of the street on which the tenement was +located, where he had undergone the queer experience with the crazy +inventor.</p> + +<p>"Maybe the policeman has discovered some<!-- Page 103 --><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a>thing new about that +strange man from the wreck," thought Larry.</p> + +<p>He found Grace more composed than when he had seen her in the +afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Did you bring me any news?" she asked, as she took the picture.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, but I couldn't. I will, though, if there is any to +bring. I'm sure your father will be found."</p> + +<p>"So am I!" exclaimed the girl. "Poor mother is in despair, but I am +not going to give up. If the police can't find him I'm going to make +a search myself. I know a great deal about his business. Father +always said I ought to have been a boy."</p> + +<p>Larry thought it would have been a pity, but he did not say so.</p> + +<p>"I'll search all over until I find him," Grace went on.</p> + +<p>"And I'll help you!" cried Larry, fired to sudden enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Will you? Really? That will be fine!" and, before she was aware of +what she was doing, Grace had held out her hand. Larry gave it a +firm grip, and the girl blushed.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I shouldn't have done that!" she said. "I'm always doing +things on impulse. I don't even know your name. I must call you Mr. +Reporter," and she smiled.</p> + +<p>"I'm Larry Dexter," said our hero, blushing <!-- Page 104 --><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104"></a>a bit himself. "I know +your name, so now I suppose we may consider ourselves introduced."</p> + +<p>"I guess so, though it isn't strictly according to form. But never +mind. This is no time for ceremonies. I hope you will have news for +me—soon."</p> + +<p>"So do I," answered Larry as he took his leave.</p> + +<p>The young reporter was soon in that neighborhood of the city where +was situated the deserted tenement in which he believed there was +some mystery. As he approached the ramshackle old structure he +noticed a figure pacing up and down in front of it.</p> + +<p>"If that's the lunatic inventor of the airship I think I'll pass on +the other side," Larry said to himself. It was dark in that section +of the city, the electric lights being few and far between. However, +as the figure approached, and as Larry continued on, the youth saw +he had nothing to fear, for it was that of his friend, Policeman +Higgins.</p> + +<p>"Well," asked Larry, as he came up. "Anything new?"</p> + +<p>This is the reporter's form of greeting to almost everyone he meets, +and means: "Have you any news for me?"</p> + +<p>"Good-evening," replied Officer Higgins. "I was just thinking about +you."</p> + +<p>"Nothing bad, I hope."</p> + +<p>"No, I was wishing you'd happen along. You <!-- Page 105 --><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a>remember we were talking +the other night about a strange man that you thought was in here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, he's in here now, and I'm going to see what he's up to. The +crazy old professor, with his airship, has moved out, and the house +is deserted except for this new bird. I'm going to raid his nest, +for I suspect he's up to no good. I've been watching his light for +some time, and he's moving around in several rooms. Maybe he's going +to set fire to the place."</p> + +<p>"Going to tackle him alone?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"No, I've telephoned to the sergeant to send me a man to help me go +through the shack, for though I'm not a coward I've no hankering to +go in that shell after dark, knowing a man may be waiting for me +with a knife or a gun."</p> + +<p>"I'll stay here and see what happens," said Larry.</p> + +<p>"Come along in with us if you like," went on Higgins, for he had +taken a liking to the young reporter. "You may get a story out of +it. Here comes Storg now," he added, as the form of another bluecoat +was seen approaching down the street.</p> + +<p>The two officers held a brief consultation. Higgins showed where a +light was nickering back and forth between two rooms on one side of +the building, about the third story up.</p> + +<p>"It's been going that way for the last hour," <!-- Page 106 --><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a>said Higgins. "I'm +going in now. Get your gun ready, Storg. You may not need it, but, +if you do, it's best to have it handy."</p> + +<p>Larry followed behind the policemen, his heart beating a little +faster than usual. He was anxious to see the man who was in hiding, +and who, he believed, was the same one he and the fisherman had +rescued from the sea. He believed there was a mystery connected with +the fugitive which would make a good story, even if he was an East +Indian.</p> + +<p>"Easy now," cautioned Higgins, but Larry thought it was needless, as +the heavy shoes of the officers made noise enough to awaken the +soundest sleeper.</p> + +<p>The bluecoats entered the dark hallway of the tenement. The doors +were void of locks and swung to and fro, creaking on rusty hinges, +as the wind blew them. There was a damp and unpleasant smell in the +house, and now and then came queer sounds, that echoed through the +deserted rooms.</p> + +<p>"Nothing but shutters banging," explained Higgins, as his +companion-in-arms started. "They're flapping like a bird's broken +wing, all over the place. Now for our mysterious friend."</p> + +<p>But for the fact that both officers carried small pocket electric +lamps, operated by dry batteries, they would have had difficulty in +making their way through the halls and up the stairs, for there were +many holes, caused by rotting boards. As <!-- Page 107 --><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a>it was they moved along +with some speed, until they came to the third floor.</p> + +<p>"He'll be about here somewhere," whispered Higgins, a needless +precaution, as their advance had been already heralded by their +heavy foot-falls.</p> + +<p>"There's a light there," said Storg, pointing to the end of a long +hall. Coming from under a door could be seen a faint gleam.</p> + +<p>"That's where he is!" exclaimed Higgins. "Come on!"</p> + +<p>Larry followed the officers. Their steps echoed through the silent +building. Forward they went until they came to the door beneath +which the light showed. Higgins tried the knob. The portal was +locked.</p> + +<p>"Let us in! We're police officers!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>There was a rustling within the room, but no attempt was made to +open the door.</p> + +<p>"Open or we'll break it in!" cried Higgins, and, as there was no +answer, but only silence, he put his big shoulder to the frail door. +There was a crackling sound, a splintering of wood and the hinges +gave way. Higgins fairly jumped into the room as the portal fell in. +Storg followed after him, with his hand on his revolver, ready to +use it should occasion arise. But there was no need, for the room +was deserted, though a candle burning on a mantel showed there had +recently been an occupant in it.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 108 --><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a>"He's gone!" cried Higgins, looking around.</p> + +<p>At that moment there was a sound in the corridor, and somewhere +along its length a door opened.</p> + +<p>"He's getting away!" yelled Storg, as he jumped back into the +hallway. Larry followed, and the policeman flashed his electric +lamp.</p> + +<p>Then, in the little circle of light cast from the glass bullseye, +Larry saw, running down the stairs, the smooth-shaven man he had +helped pull from the angry sea on the life-raft.</p> + +<p>"There he goes! Catch him!" cried Storg, as he clattered down the +stairs after the fugitive.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a><!-- Page 109 --><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>LARRY'S SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT</h3> + + +<p>"Hold on! Stop!" yelled Higgins, running from the room. "Halt, or +I'll shoot!"</p> + +<p>It would have done little good had he done so, for by this time the +mysterious man was in the second hallway, and out of reach of any +possible bullets.</p> + +<p>"You stay here and look after things, I'll catch him!" called Storg, +as he raced down the stairs, his light making erratic circles as he +advanced.</p> + +<p>"I guess that's good advice," commented Higgins to Larry, who had +remained in the upper corridor. "I'm too fat to run. Let's see what +he left behind."</p> + +<p>Back into the room, where the candle was burning, went Larry and the +policeman. A quick survey showed nothing unusual. There were some +old chairs and a table, left probably by the departed tenants.</p> + +<p>"He must have had the run of several rooms," Higgins went on. "He +came out of some apartment farther down the hall, and that's how he +fooled us. He was on the watch, and that shows there must be +something queer about him."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 110 --><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a>"Let's take a look through the other rooms," suggested Larry.</p> + +<p>Showing his light Higgins led the way. They went through several +other bare and deserted chambers, but saw no indications that the +stranger had been in them. Presently they came to what had been a +bathroom, though most of the plumbing had been torn out by thieves, +for the value of the lead pipes and the faucets.</p> + +<p>"He's been here!" cried Larry, as he pointed to a faint spark in one +corner of the room.</p> + +<p>The policeman flashed his electric on it. It proved to be a candle +that had burned down into the socket, the remainder of a wick +smouldering and glowing.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he shaved himself here," the officer added, as he pointed +to a razor, some soap, and pieces of paper on which were +unmistakable evidences that the mysterious man had been acting as +his own barber. "I'd like to catch him," the bluecoat went on. "I'm +sure there's something crooked about him."</p> + +<p>"It looks so," agreed Larry. "Maybe Storg will get him."</p> + +<p>"I hope so," and Higgins began to make a more thorough search of the +apartment.</p> + +<p>There was nothing, however, which shed any further light on the +mysterious man. It was evident, though, that he had lived in the +deserted house for several days, since there were remnants of food +scattered here and there.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 111 --><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a>"The mystery is getting deeper and deeper," thought Larry. He said +nothing to the policeman about the man being a person who had come +ashore from the <i>Olivia</i>. "I'm going to ask Mr. Emberg to let me +work on this case," he resolved, while he followed Higgins from room +to room. "I believe it will be a great story if I can get all the +details."</p> + +<p>How much of a story it was destined to be Larry had no idea of at +that moment, though his newspaper instinct, that led him to suspect +there was a strange mystery connected with Mah Retto, was perfectly +correct, as he learned later.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't see that we can learn anything more here," remarked +Higgins when he had been in a number of chambers on the third floor. +"He evidently only used a few of these handsome apartments," and he +laughed as he looked around on the dilapidated rooms, with the +plaster peeling from the walls, the windows half broken, and the +doors falling from their hinges.</p> + +<p>"Hark!" exclaimed Larry. "Some one is coming!"</p> + +<p>Footsteps sounded in the lower hall.</p> + +<p>"That's Storg, coming back!" cried Higgins. "I hope he got his man."</p> + +<p>He leaned over the balustrade and called down:</p> + +<p>"Any luck, Storg?"</p> + +<p>"No, he got away," was the reply. "He's a good runner. I couldn't +keep up to him."</p> + +<p>"Never mind," consoled Higgins. "Maybe it's <!-- Page 112 --><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a>just as well. We'd have +trouble proving anything illegal against him, though I could have +had him held on a charge of vagrancy until I investigated a bit."</p> + +<p>The officers, followed by Larry, left the ramshackle structure, with +the wind whistling mournfully through the broken windows, and the +shutters banging, while the doors creaked on the rusty and broken +hinges.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't want to stay there all alone at night," thought the +young reporter, as he started toward home. "A man must have a strong +motive to cause him to hide in there. I'd like to find out what it +is. Perhaps I shall, some time."</p> + +<p>Larry spoke of the matter to Mr. Emberg the next day. He said he +thought it might be a good idea to devote some hours to working up +the story, in an endeavor to learn who the queer man was.</p> + +<p>"Still puzzling over your East Indian, eh?" asked the city editor. +"Well, there may be something in it, but just now I have something +else for you to do."</p> + +<p>"Another flying-machine story?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly. I'm going to give you a special assignment."</p> + +<p>Larry was all attention at once. The best part of the newspaper life +is being given a special assignment—that is, put to work on a +certain case, to the exclusion of everything else. Every reporter +dreams of the time when he shall become <!-- Page 113 --><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a>a special correspondent or +given a special assignment. It means that your time is your own, to +a great extent; that you may go and come as you please; that your +expense bills are seldom questioned, and that you may travel afar +and see strange sights. The only requirement, and it is not an easy +one, is that you get the news, and get it in time for the paper. Of +course, it need not be said that you must let no other paper beat +you, but this seldom occurs, as when a reporter is on a special +assignment he works alone, and what he gets is his. There are no +other newspaper men to worry him.</p> + +<p>So, when Mr. Emberg told Larry there was a special assignment for +him, the young reporter's heart beat high with hope. He had often +wished for one, but they had never come his way before, though to +many on the <i>Leader</i> they were an old story.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Larry, wondering how far out of town it would +take him.</p> + +<p>"I want you to find Mr. Potter, the missing millionaire, Larry," +said Mr. Emberg.</p> + +<p>"Find Mr. Potter?"</p> + +<p>"That's it. I want you to devote your whole time to that case. Never +mind about anything else. Find Mr. Potter. There's a big story back +of his going away; a bigger story than you have any idea of. I don't +know what it is myself, but I want you to find out. Now I am going +to give you free rein and full swing. Do whatever you <!-- Page 114 --><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a>think is +necessary. Get us news. We'll have to have a story every day, for +we're going to play this thing up and feature it. You're going to be +on the firing-line, so to speak. Take care of yourself, but don't go +to sleep. Get ahead of the other fellows and get us news. That's +what we want. That's what makes the <i>Leader</i> a success. It's because +we get the news, and generally get it first.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you where to start, or what to do. You'll have to find +that out for yourself. Get all the information you can from the +family. See some of Mr. Potter's business associates. Have another +interview with Sullivan. Maybe he knows something about it, though I +doubt it.</p> + +<p>"At any rate, whatever you do, find Mr. Potter," and at this closing +instruction Mr. Emberg learned back in his chair and looked sharply +at Larry.</p> + +<p>"Suppose I can't," and the young reporter smiled.</p> + +<p>"'Can't' isn't in the reporter's dictionary," the city editor +replied. "You've got to find him. I don't want to see you fall down. +You've done well, so far, Larry. Now's a chance to distinguish +yourself."</p> + +<p>Larry knew that it was. He also realized that he was going to have +his hardest work since he had become a reporter. It was a special +assignment, such as any newspaper man might wish for, but it was not +one that could be characterized as easy.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 115 --><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a>"I've got my work cut out for me," thought the youth, as he turned +away.</p> + +<p>"Here's an order for fifty dollars," went on Mr. Emberg, as he +handed the young reporter a slip of paper. "Take it to the cashier, +and when you want more for expenses let me know. Don't be afraid of +using it if you see a chance to get news, but, of course, don't +waste it. Now go, and find Mr. Potter, but don't forget we must have +some sort of a story every day."</p> + +<p>Larry's first act, after receiving his special assignment, was to go +to Mr. Potter's house. Grace received him, and, in answer to his +inquiry, stated that the family had no more news than they had at +first.</p> + +<p>"I thought you could tell us something," said the girl in +disappointed tones.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I can, soon," replied Larry. "I'm detailed specially on +this case now," and he told her of his assignment.</p> + +<p>"Does that mean you have nothing to do but to search for my father?"</p> + +<p>"That's what it means."</p> + +<p>"Oh, please find him for me!" exclaimed the girl. "You don't know +how much I have suffered since he has been missing, nor how much my +mother has suffered. It has been terrible! Oh, if you only could +find him for us!"</p> + +<p>"Miss Potter," began Larry, who was deeply touched by her distress, +"a newspaper man could have no greater incentive to work than the +duty <!-- Page 116 --><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a>to which his assignment calls him. More especially in this +case to which my city editor has told me to devote my whole time. +But aside from that I'm going to find your father for your sake and +your mother's. I'll do all I can. I'll work on this case day and +night. I'll find your father for you!"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Grace, "you don't know how much good it does me to +hear you talk so! It seemed as if no one cared. Of course my +father's business associates want him to come back, and so do his +friends, but—but they don't wish it as much as my mother does and +as I do! I miss him so much!"</p> + +<p>If Larry had not had the injunction laid on him by Mr. Emberg to +urge him on in the search, the appeal by Grace would have been more +than sufficient. Hereafter, he resolved, he would feel somewhat as +did the knights of old when they were commissioned by their ladies +to execute some bold deed.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry," he told Grace, as he saw her distress was getting the +better of her. "I'll find him."</p> + +<p>"Suppose you can't?"</p> + +<p>"There's no such work as 'can't' in my dictionary," replied Larry, +repeating what Mr. Emberg had told him.</p> + +<p>Grace smiled at the young reporter's enthusiasm, but she knew she +could have had no better friend, no one who would devote more time +and <!-- Page 117 --><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a>energy to her cause, and no one who had so strong a motive for +finding the missing millionaire as had this young newspaper +reporter.</p> + +<p>While the two were discussing various details of the case there was +a ring at the front door, and, presently, the butler entered the +library.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jack Sullivan to see you, miss," he announced.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a><!-- Page 118 --><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>SULLIVAN'S QUEER ACCUSATION</h3> + + +<p>"Whom did you say it was?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jack Sullivan," repeated the butler. "I asked him for his card, +miss, but he said he hadn't got none. Told me to mention his name, +an' said you'd know him."</p> + +<p>"But I don't know him," protested Grace. "I never heard of him in my +life. There must be some mistake. Are you sure he wants, me, +Peterson?"</p> + +<p>"He said so, miss, but I'll ask again."</p> + +<p>Whereupon the butler, as stiff as a ramrod, went back to the door +where he had left Mr. Sullivan standing.</p> + +<p>"He means you, miss," the functionary remarked, as he came back to +the library.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what he can want," Grace said, half to herself. "I don't +know any such person. I think there's a mistake. I will see him, and +tell him so."</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," exclaimed Larry. "Perhaps I can explain this. I +think I know Mr. Sullivan."</p> + +<p>"Who is he?"</p> + +<p><!-- Page 119 --><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a>"A political leader of the eighth assembly district."</p> + +<p>"What does that mean; I'm dreadfully ignorant of politics," Grace +remarked with a smile. "Poor papa was much interested in them, but I +never could make head or tail out of political matters."</p> + +<p>"I have an idea that Sullivan has called here in reference to the +disappearance of your father."</p> + +<p>"Why do you think that?" and Grace turned pale. "Do you think he +brings bad news?"</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, I think he has come in search of information."</p> + +<p>"But how can he be interested?"</p> + +<p>Thereupon Larry told of his interview with the politician, based on +what he had overheard in reference to Mr. Potter and the extension +of the subway.</p> + +<p>"Wasn't your father interested in building a new line of street +railroad?" he asked of Grace.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I don't know. I never kept track of papa's business +matters."</p> + +<p>"I see."</p> + +<p>"What ought I to do about this Mr. Sullivan?" Grace asked.</p> + +<p>"I think you had better see him," replied Larry.</p> + +<p>"I'd be afraid to, alone, and mother has such a headache that she +can't come downstairs. Will you stay in the room with me?" and she +looked appealingly at Larry.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid if I did Sullivan wouldn't talk. He knows me, and +imagines I have done him a wrong, <!-- Page 120 --><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a>which I have not. I believe he +considers me his enemy. He would probably go away without saying +anything if you met him in my presence."</p> + +<p>"But you don't need to be actually present," said Grace, with sudden +inspiration. "Look here, this is a little alcove," and she pulled +aside a hanging curtain and showed a recess in the library wall. +"You can stand in there, and hear whatever he has to say. I'd feel +safer if you were near. Of course there's Peterson, but he's so +queer, and I don't like the servants to hear too much about poor +father's disappearance. Will you stay here and be at hand in case I +want you?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I will," replied Larry after a moment's hesitation. "I +have no idea that Sullivan will annoy you. He's too much of a +politician for that. And I may be able to get a clue from what he +says, though I don't imagine he knows where Mr. Potter is."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll see him," decided Grace. "Peterson," she called.</p> + +<p>"Yes, miss."</p> + +<p>"You may show Mr. Sullivan in here."</p> + +<p>"In here, miss?" and the butler looked at Larry.</p> + +<p>"I said in here."</p> + +<p>"Very well, miss."</p> + +<p>"Now hide," commanded the girl in a whisper, as soon as Peterson had +gone to the front door, where Mr. Sullivan had been kept waiting, as +the butler evidently thought the caller did not look like a person +to be admitted to the hallway until <!-- Page 121 --><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a>he had showed his credentials, +or until he had been authorized to come in by some member of the +family.</p> + +<p>Larry got behind the curtain. No sooner had the folds ceased shaking +than Mr. Sullivan entered the library. Larry could see him, though +the young reporter himself was hidden from view. Grace remained +standing.</p> + +<p>"You wished to see me?" she asked in formal tones.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Miss Potter," and Larry noted that Sullivan was ill at ease. +"I called about your father."</p> + +<p>"Do you know where he is?"</p> + +<p>"No, Miss Potter. How should I?" and Sullivan looked quite +surprised.</p> + +<p>"Then why did you come?"</p> + +<p>"I came for some information, miss."</p> + +<p>"We have none to give you. We have told the police and the reporters +all we know."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?" and at this question Sullivan's bearing became +different. He seemed bolder.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" demanded Grace.</p> + +<p>"I mean just this," went on the politician. "I've got a right to +know where Mr. Potter is. A great deal depends on it. I've got to +find him. Reilly wants to find him. He and Reilly had some deal on, +and it's time it was put through. It's going to make trouble if it +isn't. I want to know where Mr. Potter is?"</p> + +<p>"So do we," answered Grace. "If this is all that you came for you +had better leave."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 122 --><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a>"It isn't all I came for!" Sullivan's voice had an angry ring. "I +don't believe you have told the police or the newspapers all you +know about this thing. I believe——"</p> + +<p>"Leave this room!" commanded Grace. "Leave it at once, or I shall +ring for the servants to show you the door! What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean just what I say!" and the politician's voice was angry now. +"I mean that you know where your father is, and that you're only +pretending you don't. It's some game to fool Reilly and me. We'll +not stand for it. I want you to tell me where your father is!"</p> + +<p>He took a step toward Grace. She seemed dazed.</p> + +<p>"Tell me! Do you hear!" and, probably because he was so excited, the +politician made a movement as if he meant to grasp the frightened +girl by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" she screamed. "Don't touch me! Larry!"</p> + +<p>"Quit that!" cried the young reporter, stepping suddenly from behind +the curtain. "That will do, Mr. Sullivan!"</p> + +<p>Larry spoke more calmly than he had any idea he could under the +circumstances. He seemed master of the situation.</p> + +<p>The very suddenness of Larry's appearance caused Sullivan to recoil +a step. He fairly glared at the young reporter and then looked at +Grace, who was trembling from the words and actions of her rude +visitor.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 123 --><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a>"You here!" exclaimed the politician, in a whisper. "So that's the +game, eh? I thought the <i>Leader</i> was in on it."</p> + +<p>"There's no game at all!" cried Larry, indignantly. "I am here in +the interests of the paper to learn all I can about Mr. Potter's +disappearance."</p> + +<p>"Then ask her to tell you the truth!" cried Sullivan, pointing his +finger at Grace. "She knows where he is!"</p> + +<p>"I don't! I wish I did!" and Grace faced her accuser with flashing +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Don't repeat that remark," said Larry, calmly, though there was a +determined air about him. "You know better than that, Mr. Sullivan," +and Larry stood fearlessly before the politician. In the unlikely +event of a physical encounter Larry had no fears, for he was tall +and strong for his age.</p> + +<p>"It's true!" Sullivan repeated, in a sort of a growl, for he was a +little afraid of the tempest he had stirred up.</p> + +<p>"I say it isn't," Larry replied. "I have worked on this case from +the start, and I know as much about it as any one. What's more, I +think you know more than you are willing to admit. I haven't +forgotten the interview you gave me, and which you denied later. I +think there's something under all this that will make interesting +reading when it comes out."</p> + +<p>"You—you don't suspect me, do you?" and Larry noted that Sullivan's +hands were trembling.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 124 --><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a>"I don't know what to suspect," the young reporter answered, +determined to take all the advantage he could of the situation. "It +looks very queer. It will read queerer still when it comes out in +the <i>Leader</i>—how you came here to threaten Miss Potter."</p> + +<p>"You—you're not going to put that in, are you?" asked the +politician.</p> + +<p>"I certainly am."</p> + +<p>"If you do I'll——"</p> + +<p>"Look here!" exclaimed Larry. "You've made threats enough for one +day. It's time for you to go. There's the door! Peterson!" he +called. "Show this man out!"</p> + +<p>Larry was rather surprised at his own assumption of authority, but +Grace looked pleased.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, right away, sir," replied the butler with such promptness +as to indicate that he had not been far away.</p> + +<p>He pulled back the portieres that separated the library from the +hall, and stood waiting the exit of Mr. Sullivan.</p> + +<p>"This way," he said, and a look at his portly form in comparison +with the rather diminutive one of the politician would at once have +prejudiced an impartial observer in favor of Peterson. "This way, if +you please."</p> + +<p>"You'll hear from me again," growled Sullivan, as he sneaked out. +"I'm not done with you, Larry Dexter!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a><!-- Page 125 --><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>GRACE GETS A LETTER</h3> + + +<p>The door closed after Sullivan. Larry, standing in the library +entrance, watched him leave the house. Then he turned to look at +Grace.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that was terrible!" the girl exclaimed, almost ready to cry, +but bravely keeping back the tears. "What a horrid man! What did he +mean?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I don't know," replied Larry. "I doubt if he does himself. +Mr. Potter's disappearance has evidently sent some of his plans +askew, and he is hardly responsible for what he says or does. Don't +let it worry you."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if he knows where my father is?"</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he does. If he did he would hardly come here, +hoping to deceive you or your mother. No; Sullivan wants to find out +where Mr. Potter is just as much as we do. Why, I can't tell yet, +but he has a good reason, a strong reason, or he would not have +acted as he did."</p> + +<p>"What had I better do?" asked the girl.</p> + +<p>"Do nothing. Leave it to me. I will write <!-- Page 126 --><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></a>something for the +<i>Leader</i> that will make Sullivan wish he had stayed away from here."</p> + +<p>"Mother doesn't like this newspaper publicity."</p> + +<p>"I can imagine it is not very pleasant for her," admitted Larry. +"But it has to be borne if we are going to find your father. The +more the papers print of the affair the better chance there is of +finding him. If he is staying away for some reason he will see what +a stir his disappearance has caused, and will be anxious to arrange +matters so he can come back. If he is being detained against his +will, the publicity will cause his captors an alarm which may result +in their releasing him. So, too, if any one sees him wandering about +they will recognize him by his picture, or by the description, and +inform the police."</p> + +<p>"Suppose—suppose he—should be—dead," and Grace whispered the +words.</p> + +<p>"Don't think that for a moment!"</p> + +<p>"It is over two weeks now since he disappeared, and not one word +have we heard from him."</p> + +<p>"Persons have been known to disappear for longer periods than that, +and yet turn up all right," said the young reporter, endeavoring to +find some consolation for the girl. He related several instances of +similar cases that had come to his attention since he had been in +newspaper work.</p> + +<p>"Now don't put too much in the paper about Mr. Sullivan—and me," +said the girl as Larry <!-- Page 127 --><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a>was going. "There has been sufficient +printed all ready, and some of my friends think I must have a staff +of reporters at my beck and call, to get my name mentioned so +often," and she smiled at Larry.</p> + +<p>"I'll not mention you any more than necessary," he promised, +thinking that Grace was much prettier when a smile brought out a +dimple in each cheek.</p> + +<p>Larry's description of Sullivan's visit to the Potter house proved +to be what Mr. Emberg described as "a corking good scoop." None of +the other papers had a line about it, of course, for Larry was the +only reporter in a position to get inside information, and Sullivan +was not likely to give out any account of his strange call.</p> + +<p>"You seem to be keeping right after all the ends of this story, +Larry," said Mr. Emberg the day after the account of Sullivan's +visit was printed. "That's what we want. Now what sensation are you +going to give us to-day?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Not a very good one, I'm afraid. I've been to Mr. +Potter's office. There's nothing new there, and I guess I'll have to +fix up a re-hash of yesterday's stuff unless I can strike another +lead. To-morrow I'm going to work on a new plan."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked the city editor.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to the steamship docks and——"</p> + +<p>Before Larry could finish the telephone on Mr. Emberg's desk rang, +and, as this instrument has <!-- Page 128 --><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128"></a>precedence over everything else in a +newspaper office, Larry broke off in the midst of his remark to wait +until Mr. Emberg had answered the wire.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's here, standing right close to the 'phone," he heard the +city editor say in response to the unseen questioner. "Some young +lady wants to talk to you," Mr. Emberg went on, handing the portable +instrument to Larry.</p> + +<p>"Young lady to speak to me?" murmured Larry, as he took the +telephone.</p> + +<p>"This is Grace Potter," he heard through the instrument.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how are you?" called Larry, for want of something better to +say.</p> + +<p>"Come right up," Grace said. "I have some news for you."</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"I have a letter from my father!"</p> + +<p>"A letter from your father? Where is he? How did it come? Who +brought it? Is he home?"</p> + +<p>Larry fired these questions out rapidly. But there was a click in +the 'phone that told him the connection was cut off. Evidently Grace +had no time to tell more.</p> + +<p>"Hurry up there!" exclaimed Mr. Emberg, as soon as he understood the +import of the message Larry had received. "This will be a feature of +to-day's story! Hurry, Larry!"</p> + +<p>Larry thought the transportation facilities in New York were never +so slow as on that journey <!-- Page 129 --><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a>to the Potter house. He tried to +imagine, on the way up, what sort of a letter Grace had received +from her father. That it contained good news he judged from the +cheerful note in her voice.</p> + +<p>"Things seem to be happening quite rapidly," the young reporter +mused, as he got off at the elevated station nearest to his +destination. "First thing I know I'll find him, and then I'll not +have a chance to see Grace any more."</p> + +<p>He dwelt on this thought, half-laughing at himself.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'd better stop thinking of her and attend strictly to this +disappearance business," he murmured as he went up the steps of the +Potter mansion. "She's too rich for one thing, and another is I'm +too poor, though I'm earning good wages, and we have some money in +the bank," for the sale of the Bronx land, as related in "Larry +Dexter, Reporter," had netted Mrs. Dexter and her children about ten +thousand dollars.</p> + +<p>Larry's ring at the bell was answered by Grace, who, it would seem, +had been on the watch for him.</p> + +<p>"I thought you would never come," she said. "I telephoned ever so +long ago."</p> + +<p>"I came as fast as I could," Larry responded. "Where is the letter?"</p> + +<p>Grace held out to him a small piece of paper. On it was but a single +line of writing. It read:</p> + +<p>"Am well. Have to stay away for a time. Don't worry. Will write +again."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 130 --><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a>It was signed with Mr. Potter's name.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure it's from your father?" asked Larry, thinking some +cruel person might be trying to play a joke, or that some +enterprising reporter had sent the message for the sake of making +news. Such things are sometimes done by New York newspaper men, +though their city editors may know nothing about it.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't mistake father's writing," replied Grace. "Mamma knows +it is from him, and she is much happier. But we can't imagine why he +has to stay away."</p> + +<p>"When did you get this, and how did it come?" asked the reporter.</p> + +<p>"The postman brought it a little while ago."</p> + +<p>"Where is the envelope?"</p> + +<p>Grace handed it to Larry. An inspection of the post-mark showed that +it had been mailed in New York in the vicinity of sub-station Y, +which was on the East Side. It might have been dropped in one of the +many street boxes from which collections were made for that +particular office, or it might have been mailed in the station +itself.</p> + +<p>"Not much to trace him by," said Larry. He looked at the envelope +again and saw that there was a small ink blot on the lower left-hand +corner, and that the corner where the stamp was affixed was smeared +as if with some sticky substance.</p> + +<p>"Any one would think you were a detective," said Grace, as she +watched Larry examining the envelope. "What does it matter now? We +are <!-- Page 131 --><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></a>sure father is alive, for that note was posted yesterday. That +has made mother and me happy. Of course we want to find him, but I +don't see how you can by that letter. I thought you'd like to know +about it to make a little item for the paper, and I wanted to repay +you for your kindness to mother and me."</p> + +<p>"I haven't done anything," Larry replied. "I am only too glad to be +of service to you. But I may be able to find out something by this +envelope."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how."</p> + +<p>"Will you let me take it to the sub-station?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. But what good will that do?"</p> + +<p>"I want to ask the sorters and clerks in charge if they remember +having handled it. I may find the carrier who brought it in from the +box, and he can tell in what locality it was."</p> + +<p>"But how can they remember when they must handle thousands of +letters every day?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they cannot, but it is worth trying. You see in that +section of the city are mostly foreigners, who write a peculiar +hand, and use stationery anything but clean or of this quality. This +envelope and paper are of an expensive kind."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they are some father had made to order for his private +correspondence. I did not know he took any to Europe with him, but +he must have."</p> + +<p>"It may be that a letter carrier or mail sorter took enough notice +of the envelope to remember <!-- Page 132 --><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a>it," Larry went on. "Besides there is a +small blot on it, and the way in which the stamp is put on shows +that some glue or paste was applied to the envelope. Probably he +used an old stamp which had no mucilage on. To make it fast to the +envelope your father, or whoever posted the letter, would have had +to use some sticky substance, and, in doing so, he has put it on a +little too thick. Some spread out from under the stamp and soiled +the envelope.</p> + +<p>"Of course the sorters and carriers don't pay much attention to the +pieces of mail, except to see that they are properly stamped and +addressed, but it's worth trying. This envelope would attract +attention if anything would."</p> + +<p>"And you are going to use that for a clue?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to try. It may be useless. If we can find in what +particular locality it was mailed we can have the police keep a +watch for your father. He may mail other letters there."</p> + +<p>"But my father is not a criminal. Why should the police watch for +him so particularly. They are keeping a general lookout now, but I +wouldn't like to think they were lying in wait for him."</p> + +<p>"It's the only way to find him," said Larry. "Of course it's +unpleasant, but there is evidently some mystery here, and that's the +best way to clear it up."</p> + +<p>"But he says he has to stay away for a while," argued Grace. "Maybe +he wouldn't like to be found."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 133 --><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a>"Of course that point has to be considered," Larry admitted. "But I +take it you and your mother want to find your father, or be in a +position to communicate with him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we do!" exclaimed Grace.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll have to ask the police to help us. There is no disgrace +in it. Everyone knows your father is honorable, and if he wants to +disappear that's his business. It is also perfectly right for you to +try to find him, for——" and Larry stopped.</p> + +<p>"Well, for what?" asked Grace, seeing the reporter hesitate.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to alarm you," Larry went on, "but I was going to say +that there is no way of telling but what some one may have imitated +his writing and forged his name."</p> + +<p>"I am sure that is my father's writing," the girl said, earnestly. +"Of course I may be mistaken. I hope not. I prefer to believe that +note is from him. It makes me happier."</p> + +<p>"Of course there is only the barest possibility that this note is +not from your father, but we can take no chances. That is why I want +to make a systematic search, beginning at the sub-station."</p> + +<p>"And where will it end?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. But after that I am going to the steamship piers of +all the lines that ply between here and Italy."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p><!-- Page 134 --><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a>"I want to see if the captain of any of the steamers recalls any +man answering your father's description having come over with him. +He must have sailed on some steamer, as he is in this country, if +that note is from him."</p> + +<p>"That's a good idea," commented Grace. "How I wish I could help you. +Couldn't I? Couldn't I go around with you—that is to the steamer +piers? I've crossed the ocean several times, and I know some of the +captains of the Italian lines."</p> + +<p>"Maybe that would be a good idea," said Larry, secretly delighted +with it. "You can come with me to-morrow. I will go to the +sub-station now, and will let you know what I learn. Then we will +make a tour of the piers. You'll be of great assistance to me, for I +know very little about steamers."</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad!" exclaimed Grace. "It has been terrible to sit here +day after day and only wait! I wanted to do something to help find +father. Now there is a way! I wish I was a boy—no, I'd rather be a +reporter; they can do so many things," and Grace laughed more +heartily than at any time since her father had disappeared.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you give us too much credit," replied Larry. "We do our +best, but we don't always get results. Are you sure your mother will +let you go?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," Grace replied, in a way that showed she was used to +having her own way. "When will you come for me to-morrow?"</p> + +<p><!-- Page 135 --><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a>"In the morning."</p> + +<p>"I can hardly wait. Now don't forget. I'll be your assistant. Maybe +I could learn enough to be a woman reporter some day."</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt you could," Larry responded, as he went out on his +way to the sub-station with the envelope, having telephoned to the +police of the letter and securing a promise that no other reporters +would be informed of it for a while.</p> + +<p>As he walked along, his thoughts were busy in many directions. The +receipt of the letter, the clues the envelope offered, the plans for +a search among the ship captains, and, above all, Grace's offer to +accompany him, made Larry speculate on what the Potter mystery was +coming to.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what the other fellows on the <i>Leader</i> would say if they +knew I was working this assignment in company with the millionaire's +daughter," said Larry to himself. "I guess I'd better not say +anything about it. They'd make fun of me. I know it's all right to +take her, or I wouldn't do it. Besides, if she knows the captains +she can be of considerable aid to me. Queer, though, for Larry +Dexter, who used to rush copy, to be hunting for a missing +millionaire in company with his pretty daughter."</p> + +<p>It was odd, but no other line of activity is so filled with strange +surprises, or brings about such a variety of work, as being a +newspaper reporter of the first class.</p> + +<p>Larry struck several snags when he attempted <!-- Page 136 --><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a>to get information at +the sub-station. In the first place none of the officials in charge +would give him any news about the envelope unless he got an order +from the New York postmaster himself. The government has very strict +regulations in regard to giving out information about mail matter. +But Larry was not daunted. He telephoned to Mr. Emberg, and the +forces of the newspaper were set to work. Certain political wires +were "pulled," and, as there were on the <i>Leader</i> men to whom the +postmaster was under obligations, that official gave the clerks at +the sub-station permission to tell Larry whatever he wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Sorry we had to have so much red tape about it," the sub-station +agent said, when Larry came back with the magical paper that opened +the mouths of the subordinates.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's all right," the reporter said. "I know how it is. Now, +what I want to know is, in what box was that letter posted?" and he +held out the envelope Grace had given him.</p> + +<p>"Rather hard to say," spoke the head clerk. "I'll show it to all the +carriers who are in now, and later to those who come in during the +afternoon. They may recognize it. It's a little out of the run of +ordinary envelopes we get in this section of the city."</p> + +<p>One after another several carriers scanned the envelope. All shook +their heads, until it came to an elderly man. As soon as he saw the +envelope he exclaimed:</p> + +<p><!-- Page 137 --><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>"I brought that in. I remember it very well." "Where did you get +it?" asked Larry, eagerly. "A man gave it to me last night, just as +I was taking the mail from a box down near the river," was the +unexpected reply.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a><!-- Page 138 --><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>LARRY IS BAFFLED</h3> + + +<p>This was much better than Larry had expected. To have the envelope +remembered so soon was good, but to have the carrier who brought it +in say he recalled having received it from the person who mailed the +letter, was better yet.</p> + +<p>"What sort of a man was he?" asked Larry, his heart beating high +with hope.</p> + +<p>"Why do you ask?" inquired the carrier.</p> + +<p>"I'm a reporter from the <i>Leader</i>, and I'm trying to locate Mr. +Potter, the missing millionaire," said Larry. "This letter was from +him."</p> + +<p>"Then I can't be of much service to you," the postman went on. "This +was given to me by a man who bore no resemblance to Mr. Potter, +whose picture I have lately seen in the papers."</p> + +<p>"But what sort of a looking man gave you this envelope?" asked +Larry.</p> + +<p>"He was a smooth-shaven man, rather poorly dressed. I'll tell you +how it was. This box, at which I was when the man gave me the +letter, is at the foot of a street leading to the river. It is the +last one I collect from at night. I had taken <!-- Page 139 --><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a>out all the mail in +the box, and was just locking it up again when some one came up the +street in a hurry. I looked around, for the neighborhood is a lonely +one, and, as I did so, I saw a man come to a halt, as if he was +surprised to see me at the box. I could see he had a letter in his +hand.</p> + +<p>"'Come on,' I said, for often people run up to me at the last minute +to have me take letters. 'Come on,' I said, for I was in a hurry. +'I'll take the letter.'</p> + +<p>"At that the man pulled his hat down over his eyes and advanced +slowly. He held the letter out to me, and, as he did so, I caught a +glimpse of his face, as the light from a street lamp flashed on it. +I could see he was smooth shaven. I took the letter and put it in my +bag. As I did so the man seemed to melt away in the shadows. I +thought it rather queer at the time, for it seemed as if the fellow +was afraid I'd recognize him. But I'd never seen him before, so far +as I know, so he needn't have been alarmed. I brought the letter to +the office, and as I sorted my mail, I noted that the stamp had been +stuck on with plenty of mucilage. I also saw the blot, and, as the +envelope was unlike any I had ever seen before, as far as size and +quality of paper went, the thing was impressed on my mind.</p> + +<p>"That's all I know about it," the carrier finished, "but I'm sure +the man who gave me the letter was not the missing millionaire. I've +seen his picture too many times lately to be mistaken."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 140 --><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a>"Then who could it have been?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"That's a hard question, young man," said the carrier. "It might +have been any one else. I think it was a person who didn't care +about being seen, and didn't want to attract any attention. I guess +he would have been better satisfied to have dropped the letter in +the box when no one was looking, but seeing me there he came up with +it before he knew what he was doing."</p> + +<p>"If the letter was from Mr. Potter, and it wasn't the millionaire +who mailed it, he must have got some one to do it," the chief clerk +of the sub-station suggested, and Larry was forced to adopt this +idea. He inquired as to the location of the box at which the carrier +stood when he received the missive, and asked in what direction the +man came from. Having learned these facts, and deciding he could +gain nothing more by staying longer at the sub-station, Larry +hurried to the <i>Leader</i> office.</p> + +<p>"Well, I've gained something," he said to himself. "I've got a good +story, and I have a slender clue to work on. I must write the story +first, however. Then I'll go back and tell Grace what I learned."</p> + +<p>The account of the letter and the circumstances under which it was +mailed created a new sensation in the Potter mystery, and, as on +several other occasions, the <i>Leader</i> scored a beat.</p> + +<p>As soon as he had finished the story Larry went to see Grace, whom +he found anxiously waiting <!-- Page 141 --><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a>for him. She asked a score of questions +as to what he had learned, and the reporter told her all about his +trip to the sub-station.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do next?" she inquired.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go over on the East Side and make some inquiries. Your +father may be staying there," answered Larry.</p> + +<p>Going downtown in an elevated train, and taking a stroll through +that populous section, known as the "East Side," Larry soon found +himself in the neighborhood of the box at which the carrier had +received the letter written by Mr. Potter. He took a brief survey of +the locality.</p> + +<p>"Not very promising," was his mental comment.</p> + +<p>All about were big tenement houses of a substantial kind. They were +built of brick, and from nearly every window a woman's head +protruded, while the street swarmed with children. It was a +neighborhood teeming with life, for it was the abode of the poor, +and they were quartered together almost like rabbits in a warren.</p> + +<p>For want of something better to do, Larry strolled down one side of +the street, at the end of which was located the letter box which +formed such a slender clue. Then he walked up the other side, +looking about him idly, in vain hopes of stumbling on something that +would put him on the track.</p> + +<p>It was late in the afternoon, and the streets <!-- Page 142 --><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a>were beginning to +fill with workers hurrying home, for the day's labor was over. As +Larry strolled along, rather careless of his steps, he collided with +a man in front of a big tenement building.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," murmured the reporter.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," the man said, grabbing hold of Larry to prevent +them both from falling, so forceful had been the impact. "I was +looking to see if my wife was watching for me. She generally looks +out of the window to see me coming down the street, and then she +puts the potatoes on."</p> + +<p>"I guess I wasn't looking where I was going," said Larry, as he +disengaged himself from the man's grip. "I was—why, hello, Mr. +Jackson!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"What! Why, bless my soul if it isn't Larry Dexter!" and the man +held out his hand. "Why, I haven't seen you in a long time. How's +your mother and the children?"</p> + +<p>"Fine. How's Mrs. Jackson?"</p> + +<p>"She's well. There she is looking out of the window, wondering why I +don't come home to supper. You must come in and see her. Come, and +stay to supper."</p> + +<p>The man Larry had thus unexpectedly met was the one in whose flat +Mrs. Dexter and the children had stayed the first night they had +come to New York, and found that the sister of Larry's mother, with +whom they expected to remain, had <!-- Page 143 --><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a>suddenly moved away. The Dexter +family, sad and discouraged at the loss of their farm, would have +fared badly on their arrival in the big city had not Mrs. Jackson +and her husband befriended them.</p> + +<p>While Larry was getting a start in the newspaper work the Dexter +family had lived in the same tenement with the Jacksons, and they +had become firm friends. Larry and his mother since then had moved +to other quarters, and had, for some time back, lost trace of their +acquaintances.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know you lived here," said Larry when he had recovered +somewhat from his surprise at seeing Mr. Jackson.</p> + +<p>"We haven't lived here long. I got a better position in this part of +the city, and as I like to be near my work I moved here. We like it +quite well, but it's rather crowded. However, almost any place is in +New York. But you must come in to supper. Mrs. Jackson will be +anxious to hear all about your folks. I can see her making signs to +me to hurry up. I suppose the potatoes are all cooked and the tea +made."</p> + +<p>Larry did not require much urging to accept the kind invitation. He +wanted to see his friends again, and he thought they might be able +to give him some information concerning the people of the +neighborhood.</p> + +<p>"Because it's the best place in the world to hide in. If I wanted to +drop out of sight I'd go about two blocks away from here and keep +quiet. No <!-- Page 144 --><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a>one would ever think of looking for me so near my home."</p> + +<p>"I hope you don't contemplate anything like that," said Larry with a +laugh.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed. But New York is the best hiding place, and you can +depend on it, Mr. Potter is here."</p> + +<p>"You haven't seen him in the neighborhood, have you?" asked the +reporter, glad of the opportunity which gave him a chance for that +question.</p> + +<p>"No, I can't say that I have. If they'd offer a reward I might take +time to hunt for him," and Mr. Jackson laughed. "I can't afford to +turn detective as it is now," he added. "It's too hard to get a +living."</p> + +<p>Larry spent the evening with his friends, keeping the talk as much +as possible, without exciting suspicion, on the Potter case. In this +way he learned considerable about the persons living in the +immediate vicinity of the Jacksons, for Mrs. Jackson was fond of +making new acquaintances.</p> + +<p>But in all this there was no clue such as Larry sought. There were +any number of men, concerning whom there seemed to be some mystery, +but none answered the description of Mr. Potter.</p> + +<p>"There are a queer lot of people in this tenement," said Mr. +Jackson, during the course of the talking. "All of 'em have some +story hidden away, I guess. Especially one man."</p> + +<p>"Who is he?"</p> + +<p><!-- Page 145 --><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a>"Nobody knows," replied Mr. Jackson. "He came here one night, and +seemed quite excited. Let's see, it was Thursday night, I remember +now. He acted as though he was afraid some one was after him."</p> + +<p>"Thursday night," thought Larry. "That was the night the man got +away from the deserted tenement."</p> + +<p>"My wife and I were sitting here," continued Mr. Jackson, "when all +at once a knock sounded on the door. I opened it, and there was this +man. He asked if I had any rooms to rent. I hadn't, but I told him I +had a spare bed, for I saw he was respectable. He seemed glad to get +it, and paid me well, though I didn't want to take the money. But he +seemed to have plenty."</p> + +<p>"What was queer about him?" asked Larry, beginning to take an +unusual interest in what his friend was saying.</p> + +<p>"Well, the excitement he seemed to be in, for one thing. And +another, he had just been shaved. I could see the talcum powder on +his cheeks. I thought it strange that a man who had time to shave or +get shaved should be in such a hurry. But it wasn't any of my +affair, so I said nothing."</p> + +<p>"What became of him?" Larry was quite eager now. He seemed to be on +the verge of discovering something; if not of the Potter mystery +then of the other, that cropped up every now and again—that of the +man he had helped save from the wreck.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 146 --><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a>"He went away the next morning," Mr. Jackson resumed. "I didn't see +him again until the next night. Then he told me he had a room in +this tenement."</p> + +<p>"Where?" inquired the young reporter.</p> + +<p>"On the floor below—a front room, at the end of the corridor. But +are you going to call on him?" and Mr. Jackson looked somewhat +surprised at Larry's eagerness.</p> + +<p>"Maybe I could get a story out of him," replied the reporter +non-commitally. "Have to be always on the lookout, you know."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess you'll not get much out of this man," said Mr. +Jackson. "He hardly speaks to me, though he doesn't seem cross or +ugly. Only there's some mystery about him. I'm sure of that."</p> + +<p>"If he's Mah Retto I'm positive there is," thought Larry. "And it +looks as if it might be that fellow."</p> + +<p>Not wishing to seem too keen on the scent of the queer man, the +newspaper youth changed the subject. In a little while he said he +had better be going home, as he had not told his mother he would be +out late. He promised to ask Mrs. Dexter to call on Mrs. Jackson, +and, with many good wishes from his friends, he left.</p> + +<p>"Now for a try at the room on the next floor," said Larry in a +whisper, as he found himself in the corridor. "It's only a slim +chance, but a reporter has to take all that come his way."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 147 --><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a>He found the room Mr. Jackson had described, and knocked on the +door. There was a sound from within, as though some one had arisen +from a chair. Then a voice asked:</p> + +<p>"Who's there?"</p> + +<p>"Does Mah Retto live here?" asked Larry, determining on a bold plan.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken the words when the door was quickly opened.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a><!-- Page 148 --><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>GRACE ON THE TRAIL</h3> + + +<p>Larry saw, standing before him, framed in the doorway from which +streamed the glare from a big reading lamp, the man of mystery—the +fellow who had escaped from the tumble-down tenement—the man he and +Bailey had pulled ashore on the life-raft.</p> + +<p>"Are you Mah Retto?" asked Larry again, rather at a loss for +something to say, when he saw the strange man confronting him.</p> + +<p>The mysterious one looked at Larry for several seconds. He seemed +much excited, and in doubt as to what to do. Then, seeming to arrive +at a sudden decision, he quickly closed the door, and Larry heard +the key turned in the lock.</p> + +<p>"Not much satisfaction in that," muttered the young reporter. "That +was him, though. I wonder what I had better do?"</p> + +<p>Larry stood in the hallway, undecided. He wanted another opportunity +to see and speak to the man he believed was Mah Retto, but he +considered it would not be wise to knock again on the door. The +occupant of the room either would not answer or would order him +away.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 149 --><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a>"I'll have to come again," Larry said to himself. "I've learned one +thing, anyhow, and that is where he lives."</p> + +<p>The young reporter went to the office of the <i>Leader</i> early the next +morning. He found Mr. Emberg on hand, and told the city editor the +plans for the day; that of making a tour of the steamship piers. Mr. +Emberg thought this was a good idea, and complimented Larry on his +work thus far.</p> + +<p>"I ran across my old friend, the East Indian, last night," Larry +said, as he was leaving. "I'm going to work him up for a story when +I get through with this Potter case."</p> + +<p>"Don't do it until then," advised Mr. Emberg. "I want you to devote +all your attention to the missing millionaire. The East Indian story +will not amount to much or I'd put another man on it. You may get a +yarn for the Saturday supplement out of it, but even that's +doubtful."</p> + +<p>Larry thought differently, but he did not say so. Nor did he mention +that he was going to take Grace Potter with him on his tour of the +docks. He had an idea that the city editor might object, or laugh at +him, and Larry did not care to have that happen. He felt he was +doing right, and he knew there could be no serious objection to the +daughter of the missing man aiding in a search for her parent.</p> + +<p>Larry found Grace waiting for him. She was quietly dressed, and wore +a heavy veil, so that <!-- Page 150 --><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a>no one in the street would recognize her, +since her picture had been published in several papers, and there +might be comments from the crowd if the daughter of Mr. Potter was +seen out in company of a newspaper reporter.</p> + +<p>"Anything new?" asked the young lady, for she had taken to greeting +Larry in that newspaper fashion.</p> + +<p>"Not much. I didn't learn anything of consequence by my trip to the +East Side last night. I'm not done there, however. Now we'll try the +piers, and see what sort of a 'pull' you have with the captains of +the vessels."</p> + +<p>"We may not find many captains," Grace said, "unless their ships are +about to sail. Still it is worth trying. Shall we start?"</p> + +<p>"I'm ready any time you are," Larry answered. "What did your mother +say?"</p> + +<p>"She objected a bit at first, but I soon convinced her it was for +the best."</p> + +<p>Larry thought it would not have been hard for Grace to have +convinced him that almost anything was for the best. She looked +quite trim in her dark dress, with her glossy hair held snugly in +place by her veil.</p> + +<p>As they went down the steps of the mansion Larry saw a man, who was +standing on the other side of the street, move rapidly away, as if +he had been watching the house. The young reporter uttered an +exclamation before he was aware of it, and Grace quickly asked:</p> + +<p><!-- Page 151 --><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a>"What's the matter?"</p> + +<p>"I—I saw some one," Larry replied.</p> + +<p>"Any one would think it was a ghost from the way you act," the girl +went on, with a little laugh. She was in much better spirits than +any time since her father had disappeared, for the chance of helping +to search for him, and the change, from sitting idly in the house +waiting for news, was a welcome relief.</p> + +<p>"No, it wasn't a ghost. It was a man I'd like to have a chance to +talk to," Larry went on.</p> + +<p>"Would he give you—er—a 'story'? Is that what you call it?"</p> + +<p>"That's right. Yes, I believe he could give me a story," and Larry +looked in the direction the man had gone. He was no longer to be +seen. "A very good story," he added, for the man was the same one he +had surprised in the tenement the night before—the man of the +life-raft.</p> + +<p>However, he could not leave Grace to go in search of the strange +individual, and it was more important, as Mr. Emberg had said, to +stick to the Potter case. The other could wait.</p> + +<p>"All the same I'd like to know what he was doing in this +neighborhood," thought Larry. He puzzled over the matter for several +seconds as he and Grace went along.</p> + +<p>On the way downtown the two discussed their plans. There were not +many Italian steamship lines to visit, but it might take some time +to see the captains of all the boats at present in port. <!-- Page 152 --><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a>Some of +the commanders would be at their hotels pending the loading of their +vessels.</p> + +<p>"Have you made up your mind what you want to ask them?" inquired +Larry, as they were nearing the station where they intended to get +off.</p> + +<p>"What I want principally to know is if a person answering my +father's description came over with them lately. I want to find out, +in case he did, how he acted, and if he gave any hint of being in +trouble."</p> + +<p>"That may be a good clue to follow," Larry sad. "Now we'll make our +first attempt."</p> + +<p>It ended in failure, for though they found the captain of the +Italian steamer they boarded in the cabin of his vessel, he could +not aid them. He was very polite about it, and seemed quite sorry +that he could be of no service.</p> + +<p>It was the same in a number of other cases. Some of the captains +remembered Grace, for she had crossed with them once or twice, but +none of them recalled a man answering Mr. Potter's description +making the voyage with them recently.</p> + +<p>The last place they visited was the dock of the line to which the +wrecked <i>Olivia</i> belonged. This line Grace had never traveled on, +but she had a letter of introduction to the manager from the captain +of the <i>Messina</i>, on which she had made her last trip. The +commanders of two steamers of this company were in port. One of them +was at the dock, for his vessel was about to sail.</p> + +<p>To him Grace made her inquiries, but fruitless<!-- Page 153 --><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a>ly. She turned away, +rather disappointed. There was but one more chance left. The other +captain was at his hotel, not far away, for seamen like to remain +near the water front.</p> + +<p>"We'll go there," said Larry, "and then I must get back to the +office, and write my story for to-day's paper."</p> + +<p>"I wish you had some better news," spoke Grace. "But I am afraid +Captain Padduci, whom we are now going to see, will prove as +disappointing as the rest."</p> + +<p>"We'll hope for the best," remarked Larry. "I wish——"</p> + +<p>But what he wished he never told, for at that instant his attention +was attracted by a voice. It was that of a man who stood at the +small window of the steamship office. The window was one which he +and Grace had just stepped away from, after inquiring as to where +Captain Padduci's hotel was.</p> + +<p>If the voice attracted Larry the sight of the man himself did more +to rivet his attention. For the first glance showed him the inquirer +was none other than the mysterious individual, Mah Retto.</p> + +<p>"I would like to inquire where I can find Captain Tantrella of the +steamer <i>Olivia</i>," the man asked of the clerk.</p> + +<p>"The <i>Olivia</i> is lost," replied the steamship clerk.</p> + +<p>"I know it, but I would like to see the captain. He was saved, I +believe."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 154 --><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a>"Yes, he was. He commands a freight ship now. She's due in port in +a few days. The <i>Turtle</i> is her name. You can come around when she +gets in."</p> + +<p>The mysterious man turned away as though disappointed. As he did so +he caught sight of Larry, and instantly he hurried out of the +office.</p> + +<p>Larry was greatly excited. He was convinced, more than ever, that +there was something in this man's actions that made him an object of +suspicion. He felt that he must follow the fellow, but he could not +leave Grace. He looked around for her, but she had gone to the +ladies' dressing room to adjust her veil and hat, which had been +blown about by the high wind. She came back presently, to find Larry +much agitated.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Nothing much," replied Larry. "I just saw my queer stranger again +and——"</p> + +<p>"You'd like to follow him, and you don't want to leave me," put in +Grace with quick wit. "Now run right along. I can go to that hotel +all by myself and see Captain Padduci. I'm not a bit afraid. I once +traveled from London to Paris alone. You hurry after him, and I'll +see the captain. I'll telephone you the result of my interview. You +can come up and see me this evening, and we'll talk over some more +plans."</p> + +<p>"That will be good," Larry said, "but are you sure you won't mind me +leaving you?"</p> + +<p>"I can get along all right," replied Grace. "Of <!-- Page 155 --><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a>course I'd like to +have you come along, for I believe you understand this matter better +than I do, but I want you to find that other man and get your +story."</p> + +<p>Larry was inclined both ways, but he knew it would be better to +hurry after Mah Retto, as Grace could make all the necessary +inquiries of Captain Padduci.</p> + +<p>"Until to-night, then," the young reporter said, as he hurried out +of the steamship office, and Grace turned to go to the captain's +hotel.</p> + +<p>Reaching the street Larry saw, some distance ahead of him, the form +of the man whose actions so puzzled him, and who had led him such a +baffling chase.</p> + +<p>"Here is where I get you," thought Larry, as he hurried on.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a><!-- Page 156 --><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>LARRY GETS A SCARE</h3> + + +<p>Through the crowded street the young reporter ran, bumping into +several persons, and causing them to mutter more or less impolite +exclamations about youths who trod on the toes of innocent +pedestrians.</p> + +<p>Larry could catch occasional glimpses of his man, and he noted that +Retto looked back every now and then to see if he was being +followed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm after you, my East Indian friend," Larry remarked to +himself. "I'm going to have an accounting with you now. There's +something queer about you."</p> + +<p>No sooner had Larry given expression to this last sentence, speaking +somewhat aloud, as was his habit when thinking intently, than he +slipped on a banana pealing and fell down with a force that jarred +him all over.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to be more careful," thought Larry, as he got up and +found that no bones were broken. He started off again after Retto. +"I wasn't looking where I was going, thinking so much of Retto. +Where is he now? He must have got quite a way ahead."</p> + +<p>He had; so far that Larry could no longer <!-- Page 157 --><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a>see him. The reporter +tried to peer through the ever-shifting crowd, for a glimpse of +Retto, but with no success.</p> + +<p>"He's gone," he murmured. "However, I know where he lives and I'll +go there at once. No! I've got to get a story in for to-day's paper +about Mr. Potter. I haven't much time before the first edition. +Guess I'd better telephone it in, and let Mr. Emberg have one of the +men fix it up."</p> + +<p>In his eagerness to catch Retto, Larry had rather lost sight of his +more important duties, and, as he looked at his watch, he found he +had no time to spare if the <i>Leader</i> was to have a story that day.</p> + +<p>He looked for the blue sign, indicating a public telephone station, +and saw one a few doors down the street. On his way there he ran +over in his mind the points of the story. It would be based on the +search and inquiry among the steamship captains.</p> + +<p>"I've got to say it resulted in nothing," Larry remarked to himself. +"Hold on, though. Suppose Grace gets a clue from Captain Padduci? +I'll be in a pretty mess if she does, and I telephone in that we +found out nothing. Wish I hadn't chased after that East Indian. I +should have stayed with Grace until we got through.</p> + +<p>"No help for it, though. So here goes. I wish I'd done as Mr. Emberg +said and let the Retto matter drop. But it seemed too good to lose +sight of."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 158 --><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></a>He soon had the <i>Leader</i> office on the wire, and, a few seconds +later, was talking to Mr. Emberg. He was rather surprised at what +the city editor said.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you, Larry?" was the inquiry that came +through the telephone. "We've been waiting for you. Have you seen +the <i>Scorcher</i>?"</p> + +<p>"No. Why?" asked Larry, an uneasy feeling coming over him. There +seemed an atmosphere of "beat" about him, and he was afraid of Mr. +Emberg's next words.</p> + +<p>"Why, they've got a big story about Mr. Potter being home," went on +the city editor. "They say he is concealed in the house, and has +been ever since the scare."</p> + +<p>"That's not true!" replied Larry. "I was at the house this morning, +and he wasn't home. I've been all around the steamer piers and got +no trace of him. I just left his daughter, and she would know if he +had been home all this while."</p> + +<p>"Well, they've got the story," repeated Mr. Emberg, with the +insistence that city editors sometimes use when they fear their +reporters have been beaten. "I sent Harvey up to the house in a +hurry to make inquiries. The <i>Scorcher</i> got out an extra. Where have +you been?"</p> + +<p>"I just finished the tour of the docks."</p> + +<p>"Well, you'd better go up to the house and make sure. It looks +queer."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet that story came from Sullivan," said <!-- Page 159 --><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a>Larry. "He's sore on +us, and would do anything to get even. He wants to find Mr. Potter, +you know."</p> + +<p>"I hope you're right," and Mr. Emberg's voice was not as cordial as +it usually was. "Let me hear from you soon again. I'll have one of +the men fix up something for the first edition. You tell him about +the inquiries made of the ship captains."</p> + +<p>Larry's heart was like lead. To have worked so hard, and then to +have another paper come out with a "scare" story about Mr. Potter's +return, was discouraging.</p> + +<p>"That story's a fake," he decided, as he prepared to telephone in +the result of his morning's work. "I'll prove it is, too, and make +them take back-water."</p> + +<p>Larry's story of the trip to the steamship offices was not very +interesting reading, for it was but a record of failure. He realized +that, but there was nothing else to print and the paper had to have +something. It was not Larry's fault, for even a reporter on a +special assignment cannot provide fresh and startling news every +day, though all newspaper men try hard enough for this desirable +end.</p> + +<p>After Larry had telephoned in all the information he had, he hurried +uptown to the Potter house. He found Grace had just come in, and, to +Larry's relief, she had not been successful in getting any news from +Captain Padduci. In a <!-- Page 160 --><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a>few words the reporter told what the +<i>Scorcher</i> had printed.</p> + +<p>"We must deny that at once!" exclaimed Grace. "I wonder why they +print such untruths!"</p> + +<p>"For one reason, because the <i>Scorcher</i> is trying to live up to its +name and give the public 'hot' news," replied Larry, "and, for +another, because Sullivan has some end to gain. He stands in with +the <i>Scorcher</i> men, and I think my old enemy, Peter Manton, is +responsible for this."</p> + +<p>"What can you do to offset it?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"I can have a signed statement from you or your mother in our last +edition."</p> + +<p>"A signed statement?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a little interview with you, in the form of a communication, +with your name at the foot, denying that your father is at home. +This will take the wind out of the <i>Scorcher's</i> sails."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll give you the interview at once. What shall I say?"</p> + +<p>Larry told her, and in a few minutes the message was being dictated +over the Potter telephone to Mr. Emberg.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear this, Larry," the city editor said. "We had quite +a scare. I thought they had you beaten, even though Harvey came back +and said Mrs. Potter sent down word there was no truth in the +<i>Scorcher</i> yarn. You certainly had us scared."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 161 --><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161"></a>"I was frightened myself," admitted Larry, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"This will make story enough for to-day, unless you find Mr. +Potter," Mr. Emberg went on. "Now lay pipes for something for +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"I will," Larry replied, though he did not in the least know what +new features he could "play up."</p> + +<p>At that instant the bell rang, and a whistle indicated that the +letter carrier was at the door. Grace answered it. She came back on +the run, a missive in her hand.</p> + +<p>"It's from my father!" she exclaimed, as she tore open the envelope.</p> + +<p>Larry watched Grace while she read the letter. It was short, for she +had quickly finished with it and turned to the reporter.</p> + +<p>"He's written about you!" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"About me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Listen," and Grace read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"'I am well. Still have to remain away. Don't try to find me. Will + be home soon. Tell Larry Dexter to give up. He's chasing me too + close.'"</p></div> + +<p>"Chasing him too close!" exclaimed Larry in bewilderment. I only +wish I was! I haven't the least clue to his whereabouts. I wonder +what he means? Is that his writing?"</p> + +<p>"I can't be mistaken in that," Grace replied. "It is just the same +as the other letter was."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 162 --><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a>"Let me see," and the young reporter examined the envelope. It was +similar to that containing the first note which had come from Mr. +Potter, save there was no blot on it and the stamp showed no excess +of mucilage.</p> + +<p>"I'll take this to the sub-station," Larry went on. "It was probably +mailed in the same place as was the other. I'll see if the carrier +had any such experience as he did with the former note."</p> + +<p>"I think it would be a good plan," Grace answered. "Oh, this is +beginning to wear on my nerves! As for mother, she is almost ill +over it. Her physician says if father is not found soon he cannot +say what will happen to mother."</p> + +<p>"Still she must know your father is safe."</p> + +<p>"That is the worst of it. She will not believe these notes are from +him, or, rather, she believes he is held captive somewhere and is +forced to write them. Nothing I can say will make her think +differently. She is wearing herself to a shadow over it."</p> + +<p>"We must do something!" exclaimed Larry.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but what?" asked the girl. "You are working hard and I am +doing all I can, but our efforts seem to amount to nothing. What +more can we do?"</p> + +<p>"I'm trying to think of a plan," Larry responded. "The search of the +steamship piers gave us no clue; the police here have not been able +to find a trace. We can try one thing more."</p> + +<p>"What is that?"</p> + +<p><!-- Page 163 --><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a>"You can hire private detectives. Sometimes, in cases of this kind, +they are better than the police, as they assign one man, who devotes +all his attention to the search, while the police, as a rule, don't +bother much to find missing persons."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll hire the best private detectives to be had!" exclaimed +Grace. "Where ought I to go?"</p> + +<p>Larry named an agency, that he had heard was first-class, and +offered to take Grace to the office. The reporter knew one of the +men on the staff, as he had once written a story in which he +figured, and the officer had been grateful for the mention of his +name. Detectives, even private ones, are prone to vanity in this +respect, as a rule.</p> + +<p>"I don't like to take up so much of your time," objected the girl, +as Larry prepared to go with her to the detective agency.</p> + +<p>"My time is yours in this case. I have nothing to do for the +<i>Leader</i> but to find your father. This is part of the work."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't think it could pay a newspaper to put one man +exclusively on a case like this."</p> + +<p>"The editors think it does. In the first place it makes some news +every day, and the papers have to have news. Then if I should happen +to find Mr. Potter, it would be a big advertisement for the +<i>Leader</i>, and that is what all the New York papers are looking for. +The better advertised they are the better prices they can charge for +the advertisements printed in them, for it's from the <!-- Page 164 --><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a>advertisements +that a newspaper makes its money. Besides, I've promised to find +your father for you and I'm going to do it!" Larry looked very +determined.</p> + +<p>"My! I never supposed newspaper work was so complicated," said +Grace, with a little sigh. "Now let's go to the detectives. I'm +almost afraid. It sounds so awful to say 'detective.'"</p> + +<p>Larry found the man he knew in the office of the agency, and the +latter introduced him to the chief. The reporter explained the +reason for the visit, and Grace added a plea that they do all in +their power to locate Mr. Potter.</p> + +<p>"I thought you'd come here sooner or later," said the chief with a +smile. "Most folks do when they find the regular police don't give +enough attention to the cases. It's not the fault of the police, +though. They have so much to do they can't give much time to a +single case. But of course we can. Now then, tell me all about it."</p> + +<p>Which Grace, aided by Larry, proceeded to do. The chief listened +intently, and asked several questions. He took the two letters which +Grace had from her father and looked carefully at them.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you'll be able to do anything?" asked the girl +anxiously. The strain was beginning to tell heavily on her.</p> + +<p>"Of course we will!" exclaimed the chief, heartily. "We'll find your +father for you, you can depend on it!"</p> + +<p>Larry did not want to tell her that the chief <!-- Page 165 --><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a>was thus optimistic +in regard to every case he undertook. It was a habit of his, not a +bad one, perhaps, and it did little harm, for nearly all of his +clients wanted cheering up.</p> + +<p>"What do you think about this, young man?" asked the chief, turning +suddenly to Larry.</p> + +<p>"In regard to what, Mr. Grover?"</p> + +<p>"Where do you think Mr. Potter is? I understand you've been working +on this case. In fact, I have all your stories clipped from the +<i>Leader</i>."</p> + +<p>Larry had not forgotten about Retto, and he determined to pay the +fellow another visit.</p> + +<p>With him, to think was to act. He soon found himself going up the +stairs of the tenement house, and presently reached Retto's door. +His knock brought no response, and he stood for a moment, undecided +what to do. Then a bold idea came to him.</p> + +<p>"I'll try the door and see if he's home," he said. "If he isn't, +there's no harm done. If he is, I can explain it somehow."</p> + +<p>Larry, after a moment's hesitation to listen for any possible +movement on the other side of the portal, tried the door. It opened +easily for him, though it needed but a glance to show that the +apartment was empty and vacated. All the furniture was gone.</p> + +<p>"He's skipped!" exclaimed Larry, as he struck a match and looked +around. "I guess he was afraid I'd find him. Well, I am more +determined <!-- Page 166 --><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166"></a>than ever that I'll land this man. I wonder if he left +any clues behind?"</p> + +<p>He lighted a jet of a wall fixture, for the gas had not been shut +off. In the glare he saw a scrap of paper lying on the floor. He +picked it up. As he glanced at it he gave a cry of astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Who would have thought it!" exclaimed Larry to himself. "Of all the +strange things! I wonder I didn't connect him with the case before! +This explains why he was in front of the house."</p> + +<p>For, the paper he had picked up was part of an envelope like those +which had contained the letters Grace received from her father. And +on the scrap was her name, but the envelope had been spoiled by a +blot of ink in writing the address. It had been torn up and thrown +away, to remain a mute bit of evidence.</p> + +<p>"Mah Retto knows Mr. Potter!" exclaimed Larry. "Retto is the man who +mailed the letters for the missing millionaire. If I find him I can +make him tell me where Mr. Potter is! Now to trace my mysterious +East Indian friend!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a><!-- Page 167 --><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>TRACING RETTO</h3> + + +<p>Larry took another survey of the apartment to see if there were any +more clues that might aid him. But the one that had so unexpectedly +come to his hand was all he found. The place showed evidences of +having been hastily vacated.</p> + +<p>"I'll see Mr. Jackson," he decided. "Perhaps he can tell me +something. He was interested in this queer man."</p> + +<p>He lost no time in going to the rooms of his friends. They were glad +to see him, and asked a number of questions about his mother, +sisters and brother. But Larry, as soon as he could, turned the +subject to Retto.</p> + +<p>"He's gone," he told Mr. Jackson.</p> + +<p>"I supposed he had. I saw the janitor taking his things from the +room this morning."</p> + +<p>"Do you know where he went to?" asked the young reporter eagerly. "I +want to find him."</p> + +<p>"I haven't the least idea."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if the janitor would know," Larry went on.</p> + +<p>"He might. Perhaps the man left his address <!-- Page 168 --><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a>with him, in order that +letters might be forwarded. I'll go downstairs with you and +introduce you to the janitor."</p> + +<p>That functionary was unable to throw any light on where Retto had +gone. Evidently, for the time being, the chase had come to an end.</p> + +<p>Larry made his way to the nearest elevated station and rode in the +direction of the Potter home. He had no definite plan in mind, and, +more from a whim than anything else, he decided to walk past the +house. He did not expect it, but he had an idea—a very faint +one—that he might see Grace. Of course, if he saw her at the +window, where she sometimes sat, it would be no more than polite to +go in and tell her what the carrier had said about the second +letter.</p> + +<p>When Larry got in front of the Potter house he was disappointed to +see that it was in darkness. It was about ten o'clock, and he knew +the family was in the habit of retiring early, especially since Mr. +Potter's disappearance.</p> + +<p>As he strolled past on the other side of the street, looking in vain +for a glimmer of light, or the sight of a girlish face against the +window pane, he passed into the deep shadow cast by a big tree on +which shone an electric arc light in front of the Potter house. The +blackness was quite deep, in contrast to the illumination on both +sides of the tree, for electric lamps have the property of casting +dense shadows. If Larry had been looking straight in front of him +perhaps it <!-- Page 169 --><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a>would not have happened, but he was staring at where +Grace lived, and the first thing he knew he had walked full tilt +into a man who was hiding in the darkness behind the big tree.</p> + +<p>"Oh—ugh!" grunted Larry, for the breath was knocked from his body +by the sudden impact.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? What are you doing?" inquired the man angrily. +"Why don't you look where you're going?"</p> + +<p>The collision had swung him out of the shadow into the light, where +he stood blinking. Larry recovered his breath, and then, at the +sight of the man, gave a low-voiced cry of astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Sullivan!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's you, is it, Dexter!" remarked the politician. "Are you +following me? Are you spying on me? If you are I'll have you +arrested!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not following you or spying on you!" retorted Larry. "But you +seem to be hiding here. What do you want? What are you in front of +Mr. Potter's house for?"</p> + +<p>He was determined to follow up his advantage, and to show Sullivan +that he was not in the least intimidated by him. Clearly there was +something in the wind when the district political leader was hiding +behind trees watching the house of the missing millionaire.</p> + +<p>"Look here!" exclaimed Sullivan, and he had moved back until he was +in the shadow. "You go along and mind your own business; do you +hear? Move along now!"</p> + +<p><!-- Page 170 --><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>"I guess I have as good a right as you have to remain on the +street. And this sidewalk is just as public as any in New York, even +if it is in the millionaire section. What are you hiding for? Do you +expect to see Mr. Potter come walking down the steps? If you do I'll +wait, too. I'd like to see him."</p> + +<p>"You think you're very smart because you're a reporter," retorted +Sullivan, becoming more and more angry as he saw he could not +intimidate Larry. "Let me tell you you're making a big mistake. I +have some power in New York, and I warn you that I'll use it if you +don't stop interfering with me. You've made me trouble enough. Now +you be off, or I'll call a policeman and have you arrested."</p> + +<p>"You can't," replied Larry. "I haven't done anything except to run +into you, and that was an accident, caused by you being in the +shadow."</p> + +<p>"I'll show you what I can do. The police of this district know me, +and they'll do anything I say."</p> + +<p>"You might have 'pull' enough to have me arrested," Larry admitted, +"but I wouldn't stay locked up long. A telephone message to the city +editor of the <i>Leader</i>, and a word from him to some one higher up +than a policeman, would bring about a change. And I don't think +you'd like to read the story in the paper the next day, Mr. +Sullivan."</p> + +<p>The politician was silent. He knew Larry had <!-- Page 171 --><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a>the best of the +argument. For, though the Assembly leader had some power in New +York, he was only a "small fry" when it came to an important matter, +such as he knew would result if Larry was taken into custody. He +contented himself, therefore, with growling out threats against +Larry in particular and all newspaper men in general.</p> + +<p>"You'll interfere with me once too often," said Sullivan. "I warn +you, young man. You're making a big mistake. There's more behind +this matter than you have any idea of."</p> + +<p>"I know there is," replied Larry quickly. "That's why I'm working so +hard to clear up the mystery. I want to find out what your part is +in the disappearance of Mr. Potter."</p> + +<p>"My part? What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"You know well enough what I mean. You are interested in Mr. Potter. +You want him to come back. Now what for? Has it anything to do with +the new line? Does it concern your friends, Kilburn and Reilly? +That's what I want to know and what I'm going to find out. You're +playing a deep game, Mr. Sullivan, but I'll beat you at it!"</p> + +<p>Larry was quite surprised at his own eloquence, and the manner in +which he bid defiance to the leader of the assembly district.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" exclaimed the politician. "If you say another word I'll +knock you down!" and he advanced toward Larry as though he intended +to <!-- Page 172 --><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a>carry the threat into execution. "Keep quiet, I say!"</p> + +<p>"Are you afraid of having the truth told?" asked Larry speaking a +little louder. It seemed that Sullivan was worried lest some one +might overhear the talk. The streets, however, were deserted at this +time.</p> + +<p>"Never you mind!" retorted Sullivan. "You've said enough, so that +I'll not forget it in a hurry, and Jack Sullivan is a bad man to +have for an enemy, let me tell you."</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt that, but I'm not afraid of you. I believe you know +something of Mr. Potter's disappearance, and I'm going to find out +what it is. You are waiting here with some object in view, and I'm +going to discover it."</p> + +<p>"Get away from here!" ordered Sullivan, hardly able to speak because +of his anger.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to stay as long as I like."</p> + +<p>"Move on!" exclaimed the politician. "Get away or——"</p> + +<p>He emerged from the shadow and approached Larry. The man's face +showed how wrought up he was, and though he was not much taller or +stronger than Larry he had a man's energy, and would prove more than +a match for the lad if it came to a fight. And it looked now as +though he was going to resort to desperate measures in order to +accomplish his ends.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to stay until I see what you're up <!-- Page 173 --><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a>to!" said Larry +firmly, bracing himself to meet the expected attack.</p> + +<p>Sullivan doubled up his fists and drew nearer to the youth. He +raised his arm, as though to strike. The two were beyond the shadow +of the tree now, and in plain view.</p> + +<p>Sullivan's fist shot out, but Larry was watching and cleverly dodged +it. The politician overreached himself, lost his balance, and, his +fist meeting nothing more solid than air, he pitched forward and +fell on the sidewalk.</p> + +<p>Larry swung around, ready to meet his opponent when he should come +back to the attack. At that instant a window, in a house across the +street, opened, and a voice the young reporter knew was Grace's +called:</p> + +<p>"Larry! Larry! Come here!"</p> + +<p>He started to run across the thoroughfare, but, as he did so, he saw +another man emerge from behind a tree, next to the one where +Sullivan had been concealed. And, as the light from an arc lamp +gleamed on this man's face, Larry saw it was that of Mah Retto.</p> + +<p>The young reporter paused, undecided what to do. Across the street +he could see Grace in the raised window, waiting for him—for what +he did not know. But, even as he looked at her, he saw Retto running +off down the street. In an instant Larry's mind was made up. He took +after Retto as fast as he could run.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a><!-- Page 174 --><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>GRACE IS SUSPICIOUS</h3> + + +<p>Retto headed for Central Park, and as Larry saw him pass the +entrance he realized that it was going to be as hard to follow the +man as though he had disappeared in the midst of a crowd, especially +since the park was not well lighted.</p> + +<p>"But I've got to follow him," thought Larry. "It's my best chance. I +must find out where he has moved to. I wonder what Grace wanted? And +I wonder what Sullivan's game was? My, but the questions are coming +too thick for me. I'll have to get an assistant."</p> + +<p>By this time he had entered the park. Ahead of him he could hear the +running feet of the man he was pursuing. The big recreation ground +was almost deserted.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he dare run very fast," reasoned Larry, as he +slackened his pace. "If he does a policeman will be sure to stop him +and ask questions, and I guess Retto will not relish that. I have a +better chance than I thought at first. After all, I don't see why he +is so afraid of me. All I want to do is to ask him where he gets the +letters from Mr. Potter. He must know where the millionaire is +hiding, and it looks as if Mr. <!-- Page 175 --><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a>Potter had been in Retto's room at +the Jackson tenement, or else how would the envelope get there? +That's it! I'll bet the missing millionaire has been hiding with +this East Indian chap! I never thought of that until now!"</p> + +<p>Having walked for fully a quarter of a mile Retto came to a sudden +stop, and so did Larry, hiding in the shadow of a tree. Retto +listened intently, and, of course, heard no pursuing footsteps. This +apparently satisfied him, for he proceeded more slowly.</p> + +<p>"He thinks I've given up the chase," thought Larry. "I'll let him. +Maybe he'll go home all the quicker, and, after I learn where he is +stopping, I can go back and see what Grace wanted."</p> + +<p>Larry's surmise proved correct, and his wish soon came to pass. The +man, evidently believing that he was safe, emerged from the park to +the street, for the whole pursuit had gone on not far from the +thoroughfare, and just within the boundary of the city's breathing +spot. Larry, keeping in the shadows, watched him.</p> + +<p>He saw Retto give one more cautious look around and then, crossing +the highway, enter a hotel nearby. It was a fashionable one, and +Larry wondered how the man, who had, hitherto, only lived in +tenements, could afford to engage rooms in such a place as this.</p> + +<p>"Maybe he's only doing it to throw me off the track," the reporter +reasoned. "I'll just wait a while and see if he comes out."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 176 --><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a>He waited nearly an hour, hiding in the shadows of the park and +keeping close watch on the entrance to the hotel. He did not see +Retto emerge, and then he decided on a new plan.</p> + +<p>"I'll inquire if he is stopping there," he said to himself. "If he +is I'll wait until to-morrow before acting. I'll let him think +everything's all right. It's the best way."</p> + +<p>Sauntering into the hotel lobby he found no one but the night clerk +on duty, though there were a few sleepy bell-boys sprawled on a +bench. As soon as the clerk saw Larry approaching the desk he swung +the registry book around, and, dipping a pen in the ink, extended it +to the reporter.</p> + +<p>"I didn't come to stay," said Larry, with a smile. "I want to +inquire if there is a Mr. Mah Retto stopping here?"</p> + +<p>"There is," replied the clerk. "Would you like to see him? He just +came in a little while ago."</p> + +<p>"No; not to-night," Larry replied, his heart beating high with hope. +He had run down his man. "I wasn't sure of his address, and I +thought I'd inquire. I'll call and see him to-morrow."</p> + +<p>The clerk, having lost all interest as soon as he found Larry was +not to be a guest of the hotel, did not reply. The bell-boys, seeing +their visions of a tip disappearing, resumed their dozes, and Larry +walked out. He was impressed by the clerk's manner. Clearly Retto +was a man of means and not as poor as Larry had supposed.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 177 --><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a>"So far so good," he murmured. "Now to go back and see what Grace +wanted—that is if it isn't too late."</p> + +<p>It was nearly eleven o'clock, but Larry had an idea that Grace would +still be up. It was rather an unusual hour to make a call, still all +the circumstances in this case were unusual, and Larry did not think +Grace would mind.</p> + +<p>He saw a light in the Potter house as he approached it. Thinking +perhaps Sullivan might be in the vicinity Larry walked up and down +on the other side of the street, peering in the shadow of the tree +where he had had his encounter with the politician, but Sullivan had +evidently gone away.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you come when I called you?" asked Grace, as she +admitted Larry to the library.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to," the young reporter replied, "but I had to take after +a person who I believe knows where your father is, and I couldn't +stop without losing sight of him. I have some news for you."</p> + +<p>"And I have some for you," exclaimed Grace, "Let me tell mine +first."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Larry, with a smile. "Go ahead."</p> + +<p>"Well, I was sitting in the window to-night, looking out on the +street, and feeling particularly sad and lonely on account of +father, when I saw a man sneaking along on the other side. I saw him +hide behind a tree, and I resolved to keep <!-- Page 178 --><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a>watch. There have been +some burglaries in this neighborhood recently, and I wasn't sure +whether he was a thief or a detective sent here to watch for +suspicious characters. Well, as I sat there watching I saw you come +along and talk to the man behind the tree."</p> + +<p>"How long had he been there when I came along?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, for some time, but don't interrupt, please. You can ask +questions afterward. When I saw you talking to the man I knew it +must be all right, and I was beginning to think he was a detective.</p> + +<p>"Then I noticed another man sneaking along. He, too, hid behind a +tree, next to the first man. I thought this was queer until I +remembered you told me that detectives usually hunt in couples, and +I thought he was another officer from headquarters. I thought so +until mother, who, it seems had been looking out of her window in +the front room upstairs, called to me.</p> + +<p>"She asked me if I had seen the two men come along, and, when I said +I had, she wanted to know if I didn't think there was something +queer about the second man. I said I didn't notice particularly, but +just then the man stepped out into the light, and I had a good look +at him."</p> + +<p>"Was there anything suspicious about him?"</p> + +<p>"There certainly was!" exclaimed Grace, earnestly. "As soon as I saw +him I thought sure it was my father. He had his back toward me, and +<!-- Page 179 --><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a>he looked exactly like papa. Mother saw it, too, and she cried out. +Just then the man turned and I saw he was smooth-shaven, and his +face didn't look a bit like my father's.</p> + +<p>"Then I saw you and that other man—Mr. Sullivan, I then knew him to +be—step into the light. I saw he was going to hit you, and I raised +the window and called. I wanted to ask you to see who the second man +was—the one who looked so much like my father. I called, but you +didn't seem to hear."</p> + +<p>"I heard you," replied Larry, "but I couldn't stop. I wanted to take +after the man—the same man you were suspicious of. I traced him +through the park."</p> + +<p>"Did you find him? Who is he? Where is he? Is he—is he? Oh, Larry, +don't keep me in suspense——"</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to have to tell you he isn't your father," Larry replied, +gently, as he saw the girl's distress. "But I think he knows where +your father is. He goes by the name of Mah Retto, and I helped save +him from the wreck of a vessel on the Jersey coast. See, I found +this in his room, a little while before he disappeared," and he held +out to Grace the torn envelope with her name on it.</p> + +<p>"My father's writing!" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>Larry heard some one descending the stairs and coming toward the +library.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a><!-- Page 180 --><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>CAPTAIN TANTRELLA ARRIVES</h3> + + +<p>"Grace! What is the matter?" exclaimed a woman's voice, and looking +up Larry saw Mrs. Potter.</p> + +<p>"Nothing, mother," replied the girl. "This is Mr. Larry Dexter. He +just brought me some news. Oh, mother, that wasn't papa we saw out +in the street!"</p> + +<p>"I knew it, dear, as soon as I saw his face."</p> + +<p>Larry felt rather uncomfortable, for Mrs. Potter and Grace showed +signs of emotion.</p> + +<p>"I was telling your daughter," he said to Mrs. Potter, "that I think +I have located the man who knows where your husband is."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope you have," exclaimed Mrs. Potter. "This suspense is +awful. Who is he? Where is he?"</p> + +<p>Larry related the circumstances of his chase after Retto, telling +how he had located the man at the hotel.</p> + +<p>"I'll go and see him to-morrow," he said, "before he has a chance to +get away. He does not suspect that I know where he is."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 181 --><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a>"Why not go now?" asked Mrs. Potter.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid he would see no one to-night. It is very late, and he +would suspect something if any one sent up word they wanted to see +him. He would at once connect it with the chase I had after him. But +I think I fooled him. I am sure he can clear up this matter in a +short time, once I get into conversation with him."</p> + +<p>"I'll go with you," said Grace, with sudden energy. "I will make him +tell where my father is."</p> + +<p>Larry thought he could best deal with Retto alone, but he did not +want to tell Grace so. However, her mother got him out of what might +have been an embarrassing position.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather you wouldn't go, Grace," she said. "There is no telling +what sort of a person this Retto is. His name sounds foreign."</p> + +<p>They talked for some time about the curious circumstances connected +with the disappearance of the millionaire, and when a clock struck +the hour of one, Larry arose with a start.</p> + +<p>"I had no idea it was so late!" he exclaimed. "I must hurry home, or +mother will be worried. I will call to-morrow and let you know what +success I have."</p> + +<p>"Do, please," said Mrs. Potter.</p> + +<p>"And come early," added Grace, as she accompanied Larry to the door. +"Don't let that horrid man stab you with an East Indian poisoned +dag<!-- Page 182 --><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a>ger," she went on with a little laugh, as she got out of hearing +of her mother.</p> + +<p>Larry promised, and then hurried off down the street to the nearest +elevated railway station. He was up early the next morning, and +wrote out the story of the day's events, including the encounter +with Sullivan, and the chase after Retto. He touched as lightly as +possible on his own and Grace's parts in the affair, but there was +enough to make interesting reading, and he knew no other paper would +have it.</p> + +<p>"This is good stuff, Larry," complimented Mr. Emberg, when the +reporter had turned his story in at the desk. "What next?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to see Retto," was the answer. "I'll make him tell where +Mr. Potter is."</p> + +<p>"You were right about your East Indian friend," admitted the city +editor. "I had no idea there was a story like this connected with +him; least of all that it concerned the missing millionaire. Keep +right after him. Let us hear from you in time for the first edition. +Whatever you learn from Retto will make the leading part of to-day's +account."</p> + +<p>"I'll telephone in," said Larry, as he hurried from the city room.</p> + +<p>Larry anticipated meeting with some difficulty in getting Retto to +talk. He knew the man must have a strong motive for aiding Mr. +Potter. Probably the millionaire was paying him well to <!-- Page 183 --><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a>serve him, +to mail letters occasionally, and keep him informed as to how the +search for him was progressing.</p> + +<p>"There are lots of ends to this that I don't understand," said Larry +to himself as he was on his way to the hotel where the mysterious +man was stopping. "This mystery seemed to start with the wrecking of +the <i>Olivia</i>, yet I don't see how I can connect Mr. Potter with +that. He must have met Retto in New York after the rescued men came +here. Maybe I'm wrong in thinking Mr. Potter is in New York now. He +may be some distance off, and depending on Retto to look after his +interests. If that's so it would explain why the East Indian was +hanging around the house. He wanted to see that Grace and her mother +were well, so he could report to the millionaire.</p> + +<p>"Yet if that was so, I can't see how Mr. Potter could write in the +letter, as he did, that I was getting too close to him? Yes, there's +something very strange in all this, but maybe it will soon be +cleared up."</p> + +<p>Thus Larry hoped, but he was doomed to disappointment. For, when he +inquired at the hotel desk for Mr. Retto, and said he would like to +see him, the clerk replied:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Retto left early this morning. He gave up his room. I don't +know where he went."</p> + +<p>"I've got it all to do over again," the young reporter thought as he +strolled out into the street. <!-- Page 184 --><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a>"I'll never have such luck again. If +he watches the house after this he'll do it in a way that won't give +me a chance to catch him. Well, I've got to go back and tell Grace I +made a fizzle of it. Too bad, when they're hoping so much on the +result of this visit!"</p> + +<p>Larry purchased a morning paper from a newsboy on the street, and +glanced at it idly, as he strolled along. His eye lighted on the +column devoted to shipping news, and, almost unconsciously, he saw +among the "arrivals," the <i>Turtle</i>, of an Italian line. At once a +train of thought was started in his mind.</p> + +<p>"The <i>Turtle</i>," he mused. "That's the freight ship that Captain +Tantrella, formerly of the <i>Olivia</i>, commands. That's the captain +Retto was inquiring about the day Grace and I made the tour of the +steamer offices. He wanted to meet him. Well, Captain Tantrella is +in now. I wonder if Retto could have left the hotel to go and see +him?"</p> + +<p>Larry puzzled over it for a few minutes. Several ideas came to him, +but they were confused, and he did not know which line to follow.</p> + +<p>"Why should Retto want to see Captain Tantrella?" he asked himself. +"Is it possible that Retto is a criminal and had to escape from the +sinking ship? It looks so. But if he has done something that would +necessitate him keeping out of the way, how can he aid Mr. Potter? +It's too deep for me. But I know what I'll do. I'll go <!-- Page 185 --><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a>and see +Captain Tantrella. He'll remember me, for I interviewed him about +the wreck.</p> + +<p>"I'll ask him who Retto is. He'll know him, for he was probably one +of the first-cabin passengers. That's what I'll do. I think I'm on +the right track now."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a><!-- Page 186 --><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>RETTO IS CAUGHT</h3> + + +<p>Larry's slow walk was suddenly changed to a quick one as a plan of +action was unfolded in his mind. He hurried to the elevated station +and was soon on his way downtown to the office of the steamship line +to which the <i>Turtle</i> belonged.</p> + +<p>"Guess I'd better stop and telephone to Mr. Emberg about Retto +skipping out again," thought the young reporter. "He can add it to +the story. Then I can tell him of my present plan."</p> + +<p>The city editor was soon informed of what Larry intended to do, and +said he thought it was a good idea.</p> + +<p>"But keep in touch with us, Larry," cautioned Mr. Emberg. "We want +all the news we can get on this thing. There's a rumor that the +<i>Scorcher</i> is going to spring something to-day on the Potter story."</p> + +<p>"Probably something Sullivan has given out to offset the story he +knows I'll have about him," commented Larry. "But I'll be on the +lookout and let you know what happens."</p> + +<p>Larry was soon at the steamship office, and inquired whether the +<i>Turtle</i> had docked yet.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 187 --><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187"></a>"She is making fast now," replied the clerk.</p> + +<p>"May I go aboard her?"</p> + +<p>The clerk hesitated. Then Larry announced who he was, and said he +wanted to have a talk with Captain Tantrella.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're the reporter who wrote up the wreck of the <i>Olivia</i>," +the clerk replied, with a smile. "I've heard about you. Yes, I guess +you can go aboard. I'll write you out a pass."</p> + +<p>With the necessary paper as a passport, Larry walked down the long, +covered dock, alongside of which the freight steamer was being +warped into place. There was no bustling crowd of passengers, eager +to get ashore to welcome and be welcomed by even more eager +relatives and friends. But there was a small army of men ready to +swarm aboard the <i>Turtle</i> and hurry the freight out of her holds, in +order that more might be placed in to be sent abroad. There was a +confusion of wagons and trucks, and the puffing of donkey engines, +seemingly anxious to begin lifting big boxes and bales from the dark +interior of the ship.</p> + +<p>Larry was among the first to go up the gang plank when it was run +ashore. A ship's officer stopped him, but allowed him to proceed +when he saw the pass.</p> + +<p>Larry found Captain Tantrella in his cabin, arranging his papers, +for there is considerable formality about a ship that comes from one +country to another, and much red tape is used.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 188 --><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a>"Ah, it is my newspaper friend!" exclaimed the commander when he +saw Larry. "Have you interviewed any more captains who have been +wrecked?"</p> + +<p>Though he spoke with an air of gayety Larry could see the captain +was sad at heart, for, though it was not his fault that the <i>Olivia</i> +had gone ashore, Captain Tantrella had been more or less blamed, and +had been reduced in rank. Passengers do not, as a rule, care to sail +in a ship under the command of one whose vessel has been lost. So +poor Captain Tantrella was now only in charge of a freighter, and he +felt his disgrace keenly.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember a passenger named Mah Retto, who sailed with you on +the <i>Olivia</i>?" the reporter asked.</p> + +<p>"I remember him; yes. A queer sort of man. He said but little on the +whole voyage. But was he not lost? I remember we could not find him +when we had all been landed from the wreck."</p> + +<p>"He came ashore first of all," replied Larry. "A fisherman and I +helped save him from a life-raft," and he told the circumstances.</p> + +<p>"Queer," murmured the captain. "I have often thought of that man. He +seemed to have some mystery about him."</p> + +<p>Larry gave a brief account of the case he was working on.</p> + +<p>"What I want to discover," he added, "is <!-- Page 189 --><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a>whether you know of any +reason why Retto should be anxious to see you?"</p> + +<p>"To see me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He was at the steamship office a few days ago inquiring when +your ship would come in, and when he saw me he hurried away. Since +then I have not been able to catch him."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I know!" exclaimed the captain suddenly. "I just thought of it. +I have a package belonging to him."</p> + +<p>"A package?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He came to me when we were a few days out and said he wanted +me to keep a package for him until we got to New York. I took it and +put it with my papers."</p> + +<p>"Then I suppose it was lost with the <i>Olivia</i>?"</p> + +<p>"No; I brought it ashore with me when I saved my documents and a few +valuables from the wreck. I have it at my hotel. That is why he is +anxious to see me. He wants to get his package back. I am glad I +have it."</p> + +<p>"Do you know anything about the man?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"Hardly anything. I met him for the first time when he was a +passenger on my ship. But now, if you have no objections, we will go +ashore. I must file my reports. After that I will be glad to see you +at my hotel, and answer any questions you care to ask."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess you've told me all you can," <!-- Page 190 --><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a>said Larry, feeling a +little disappointed at the result of his interview. "I'm much +obliged to you."</p> + +<p>"If you want to get into communication with this man, I have a +plan," suggested the captain.</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Larry, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"He will probably call at my hotel to claim his package. When he +comes you could be on hand."</p> + +<p>"But there is no telling when he will come."</p> + +<p>"That is so, but you could take a room at the hotel and be there as +much as possible. I think he will come as soon as he learns that my +ship is in."</p> + +<p>"That's a good idea. I'll do it!" exclaimed Larry.</p> + +<p>"Then let's hurry ashore, and you can make your arrangements while I +finish up the details of the indents, bills of lading, custom lists +and so on," Captain Tantrella said.</p> + +<p>The two walked down the gang plank on to the covered dock. The +tangle of wagons, horses and men was worse than ever. Part of the +cargo was being taken out and carted away.</p> + +<p>"Watch out for yourself that a horse doesn't step on you," cautioned +the captain.</p> + +<p>It was a needful warning, for the animals, drawing big, heavy +trucks, seemed to be every-where. As the two proceeded to thread +their way through the maze there came a hail from somewhere in the +rear and a voice called:</p> + +<p>"Captain Tantrella!"</p> + +<p><!-- Page 191 --><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a>The commander turned, and so did Larry. The young reporter saw a +man hurrying along the dock toward where the commander of the +<i>Turtle</i> stood. Evidently he had not seen the captain come to a +halt, for he called again:</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute, Captain Tantrella!"</p> + +<p>Then a curious thing happened. The man caught sight of Larry, +standing beside the ship commander. He halted and turned to run. As +he did so a truck drove up behind him and blocked his retreat.</p> + +<p>"It's Mah Retto!" exclaimed Larry, as he caught sight of the man's +face.</p> + +<p>An instant later there came a warning shout from the driver of the +truck. He reined his horses back sharply, but not in time. Retto had +stepped directly under their heads. The off animal reared. The man +stumbled and fell beneath its hoofs.</p> + +<p>Then, with a cry of terror, which was echoed by a score of men who +saw the accident, Retto appeared to crumple up in a heap. The +forefeet of the big steed seemed to crush him before the driver +could back the animal off. Then came silence, Retto lying without +moving on the planking of the dock.</p> + +<p>"Caught at last," murmured Larry, as he rushed forward.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a><!-- Page 192 --><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>IN THE HOSPITAL</h3> + + +<p>Instantly the confusion that had reigned on the dock became worse. +Men ran to and fro shouting, no one seeming to know what to do.</p> + +<p>"We must help him!" cried Captain Tantrella, shoving his papers into +his pocket. "Come!"</p> + +<p>He and Larry fought their way to the man's side. A crowd surrounded +him, but no one offered to do anything. The truck driver had +dismounted from his high seat and was quieting his frightened +horses.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't my fault," he cried. "He ran right under their feet."</p> + +<p>"One side!" exclaimed a loud voice, and a burly policeman shouldered +his way through. "What's the matter? Give the man some air."</p> + +<p>Retto did not look as though he would ever need air again. He seemed +quite dead.</p> + +<p>"Let me get at him!" called Captain Tantrella. "I know something of +medicine."</p> + +<p>"Shall I call an ambulance?" asked Larry of the police officer. "I +know how to do it."</p> + +<p>The bluecoat nodded, glad to have help in the <!-- Page 193 --><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a>emergency. Then he +proceeded to keep the crowd back while the captain knelt down beside +the unfortunate man.</p> + +<p>"Bad cut on the head," the commander of the <i>Turtle</i> murmured. +"Fractured, I'm afraid. Leg broken, too. It's a wonder he wasn't +killed."</p> + +<p>The captain accepted several coats which were hastily offered, and +made a pillow for the man's head. He arranged the broken leg so that +the bones would be in a better position for setting, and then, with +a sponge and a basin of water which were brought, proceeded to wipe +away the blood from the cut on Retto's skull.</p> + +<p>The crowd increased and pressed closer, but by this time more +policemen had arrived, and they kept the throng back from the +sufferer, so that he might have air.</p> + +<p>It seemed a long time before the ambulance, which Larry summoned, +made its arrival, but it was only a few minutes ere it clanged up to +the pier, the crowd parting to let it pass. In an instant the +white-suited surgeon had leaped out of the back of the vehicle +before it had stopped, and was kneeling beside Retto.</p> + +<p>With deft fingers he felt of the wound on the man's head.</p> + +<p>"Possible fracture," he said in a low voice. "Double one of the leg, +I'm afraid," as he glanced at that member. "Lend a hand, boys, and +we'll get him on the stretcher."</p> + +<p>There were willing enough helpers, and Retto <!-- Page 194 --><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194"></a>was soon in the +ambulance and on the way to the hospital, the doctor clinging to the +back of the swaying vehicle as it dashed through the streets, with +the right of way over everything on wheels.</p> + +<p>"Here's news in bunches," thought Larry, as he saw the ambulance +disappearing around a corner. "I must telephone this in, and I guess +it will be a beat. To think that after all that I have Retto where I +want him. I'm sorry, of course, that he's hurt, but I guess he can't +get out of the hospital very soon. I'll have a chance to question +him. Then I'll make him tell me where Mr. Potter is, and that will +end my special assignment. I'll not be sorry, either. It's been a +hard one, though I'm glad I got it, for the experience is fine."</p> + +<p>Thus musing Larry looked for a telephone station and soon the story +of Retto's accident was being sent over the wire to the city editor.</p> + +<p>"This will make a fine lead for our Potter story," said Larry, as he +finished telling of the accident.</p> + +<p>"I've got another plan," said Mr. Emberg.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"Do you think anyone else knows who Retto is? I mean anyone on the +pier who saw him hurt?"</p> + +<p>"I think not. Captain Tantrella might, but other reporters are not +likely to connect him with the case."</p> + +<p>"Then this is what I'm going to do. I'll use <!-- Page 195 --><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195"></a>the story of the +accident separate from the Potter story. We'll say an unidentified +man was run down on the pier. If he has a fractured skull he'll not +be able to tell who he is, and he has probably taken good care that +there are no papers in his clothes by which his name can be learned.</p> + +<p>"If we state that the injured man is the mysterious Retto, who is +mixed up in the Potter case, we'll have every reporter in New York +camping out at that hospital waiting for a chance to get the +information from him. If we keep quiet we may be able to get it +ourselves without any of the others knowing it. We'll try that way, +Larry. It's a risk, but you've got to take risks in this business."</p> + +<p>The young reporter admired the generalship of his city editor, who +could thus plan a magnificent beat. Larry saw the feasibility of the +plan. If he kept his information to himself no one would know but +what the injured man was a stranger in New York, and that he was +connected with the Potter case would be farthest from the thoughts +of any reporters who were working on the missing millionaire story.</p> + +<p>"You must camp on his trail, Larry," Mr. Emberg went on. "As soon as +you hear from the hospital people that he is in shape to talk, get +in to see him. You can truthfully claim to be a friend and +acquaintance, for you once helped to save his life. If you get a +chance to talk to him, ask where Potter is, and let us know at once. +<!-- Page 196 --><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a>We'll get out an extra, if need be. Now hurry over to the hospital +and let us hear from you as soon as possible. Get a good story and a +beat."</p> + +<p>"I only hope I can," murmured Larry, as he left the telephone booth +and started for the hospital to which Retto had been taken.</p> + +<p>He had a slight acquaintance with the superintendent of the +institution, and when he explained his errand the official agreed to +let Larry in to see the man as soon as the nurses and surgeons had +finished dressing his injuries.</p> + +<p>"How is he?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>The superintendent called over a private telephone connected with +the ward where Retto had been taken:</p> + +<p>"How is the patient just brought in from the pier? Comfortable, eh? +That's good."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to Larry:</p> + +<p>"I guess you can go up soon," he added. "Can you give us his name, +and some particulars? He was unconscious when he came in," and the +superintendent prepared to jot down the information on his record +book.</p> + +<p>This was a complication Larry had not foreseen. If he gave the +superintendent the fugitive's name, any other reporters who came to +the hospital to inquire about the injured man would at once connect +Retto with the Potter mystery, and the <i>Leader's</i> chance for a beat +would be small indeed. What was he to do? He decided to take the +superintendent partly into his confidence.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 197 --><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197"></a>"I know the name he goes by," he said, as the beginning of his +account, "but I do not believe it is his right one. I think it is an +alias he uses."</p> + +<p>"Never mind then," the superintendent interrupted, much to Larry's +relief. "If it's a false name we don't want it."</p> + +<p>"I believe it is," Larry added, and he was honest in that statement, +for he felt that Retto was playing some deep game, and, in that +case, would not be likely to use his right name.</p> + +<p>"We don't want our records wrong," the head of the hospital resumed. +"We'll wait until he can tell us about himself."</p> + +<p>The telephone bell rang at that juncture, and the superintendent +answering it told Larry the patient was now in bed and could be +seen.</p> + +<p>"Don't get him excited," cautioned the official. "I want to get some +information from him about himself when you are through."</p> + +<p>It is sometimes the custom in New York, in accident cases, to allow +reporters to interview the victims, when their physical condition +admits of it. So it was no new thing for Larry to go into the +hospital ward to speak to Retto. He passed through rows of white +cots, on which reclined men in all stages of disease and accident. +There was a sickish smell of iodoform in the atmosphere, and the +sight of the pale faces on either side made Larry sad at heart.</p> + +<p>"There's your patient," said a nurse who was with him, as she led +Larry to the bed where <!-- Page 198 --><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a>Retto reclined under the white coverings +that matched the hue of his face. "Now don't excite him. You +newspaper men don't care what you do as long as you get a story, and +sometimes all the work we nurses do goes for nothing."</p> + +<p>"I'll be careful," promised Larry.</p> + +<p>The nurse, who had other duties to keep her busy, left Larry at the +bedside of the mysterious man. He was lying with his eyes shut as +Larry approached.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Retto," called the reporter.</p> + +<p>There was no response.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Retto," spoke Larry, a little louder.</p> + +<p>At that the man opened his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Were you calling me?" he asked. Then he caught sight of Larry, and +a smile came on his face.</p> + +<p>"Well, you've found me, I see," was his greeting. "Only for that +team I'd been far away."</p> + +<p>"I suppose so. But now you're here, for which I'm sorry; I hope you +will answer me a few questions."</p> + +<p>"What are they?" asked the man, and a spasm of pain replaced his +smile.</p> + +<p>"I believe you know the secret of Mr. Potter's disappearance," said +Larry, speaking in a low tone so none of the other patients would +hear him. "I want you to tell me where he is."</p> + +<p>At the mention of Mr. Potter's name Retto raised himself in bed. His +face that had been pale became flushed.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 199 --><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a>"He—he—is——" then he stopped. He seemed unable to speak.</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes!" exclaimed Larry, eagerly. "Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"He—is——"</p> + +<p>Then Retto fell back on the bed.</p> + +<p>"He has fainted!" cried the nurse, running to the cot. "The strain +has been too much for him," and she pressed an electric button which +summoned the doctor.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a><!-- Page 200 --><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>A NEW CLUE</h3> + + +<p>Larry moved to one side. The unexpected outcome of his interview had +startled him. He did not quite know what to do.</p> + +<p>The doctor came up on the run and made a hasty examination of the +patient. Then he sent for another surgeon. Larry heard them talking.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked of his friend the nurse.</p> + +<p>"His skull is fractured," she said in a low voice. "They did not +think so at first, but now the symptoms show it. They are going to +operate at once. It is the only chance of saving his life."</p> + +<p>"There goes my story," thought Larry, regretfully.</p> + +<p>It was not that he was hard-hearted or indifferent to Retto's +sufferings. Simply that his newspaper instinct got ahead of +everything else, as it does in all true reporters, who, if they have +a "nose for news," will make "copy" out of even their closest +friend, though they may dislike the operation very much.</p> + +<p>"You had better go," the nurse advised Larry. "You will not be able +to see him again for some <!-- Page 201 --><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201"></a>time—no one will be allowed to talk to +him until he is on the road to recovery—if we can save him. He has +a bad fracture."</p> + +<p>Much disappointed, Larry left the hospital. It was hard to be almost +on the verge of getting the story and then to see his chance slip +away.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure he was just going to tell me where Mr. Potter is," thought +the reporter. "Now it means a long wait, if I ever find out at all +from him."</p> + +<p>He told Mr. Emberg what had happened. The city editor decided to +follow out his first plan, of not connecting the accident at the +pier with the Potter mystery.</p> + +<p>"If he has to be operated on for a fractured skull," Mr. Emberg +remarked to Larry over the wire, "he will be in no condition to tell +his name, or give any information for some time. The story is safe +with him. Now you'd better get busy on some other line of the case. +The <i>Scorcher</i> is out, but they only have a scare yarn, without any +foundation, to the effect that Mr. Potter is still in Italy, and +that his family knows where he is."</p> + +<p>"That's all bosh!" exclaimed Larry.</p> + +<p>"That's what I think," the city editor said. "Now get on the job, +Larry, and arrange to give us a good story for to-morrow. Keep watch +of Retto, and as soon as the doctors will let you see him try again, +though of course it may not be for several days."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 202 --><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202"></a>Larry was all at sea. He hung up the telephone receiver with a +vague feeling that being a reporter on a special assignment was not +all it was cracked up to be.</p> + +<p>"Easy enough to say get a good story for to-morrow," he remarked to +himself, "but I'd like to know how I'm going to do it? The +story—the only story there is—is safe with Retto, and he can't +tell it."</p> + +<p>"What shall I do?" Larry asked himself. "Let me think. I guess I'd +better go see Captain Tantrella and ask him to keep mum about Retto +until I have another chance at the man. Then I'll—I'll go and tell +Grace. She'll want to know all about it."</p> + +<p>He found Captain Tantrella at his hotel, having finished all the +details connected with the docking of the <i>Turtle</i>. The commander +readily agreed to keep quiet concerning Retto's identity, since the +captain had no desire for further newspaper notoriety.</p> + +<p>"I will do more than this," he declared. "I will give you the +package belonging to that queer man. I have to sail again soon, on a +long voyage, and he might need it before I come back. You can give +it to him if he recovers. If he does not—well, the authorities can +open it. It may contain money or something that will tell about the +poor fellow. I leave it with you."</p> + +<p>Larry was glad to get possession of the package that seemed of such +importance to Retto. He <!-- Page 203 --><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203"></a>wished he could open it, as he thought he +might get a clue to the connection between the millionaire and the +mysterious man, but he knew he would have no right to do that. Also +it would give him a sort of claim on Retto, and, by returning the +package, he could have a good excuse for going to see him.</p> + +<p>"Now to tell Grace," remarked Larry, as he left Captain Tantrella. +"I'm sure she'll be anxious to hear the news."</p> + +<p>The millionaire's daughter was indeed glad to see Larry. She had +read the first edition of the <i>Leader</i>, and wanted to know if there +was anything further to tell.</p> + +<p>"I hoped to be able to give you some definite news," replied Larry, +in answer to her questions. Then he related the scene in the +hospital.</p> + +<p>"Poor man!" exclaimed Grace. "I wish I could go and see him."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid they wouldn't let you," said the reporter. "I called up +the place just before I came here and they said the man was still +under the influence of ether, though the operation was over."</p> + +<p>"Was it a success?"</p> + +<p>"They think so, but it will be some time before he will be able to +talk to anyone about your father. We shall have to be patient."</p> + +<p>"It is so hard," complained Grace, and Larry agreed with her. He did +not yet see how he was going to get a story for the next day's +paper—<!-- Page 204 --><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204"></a>that is, a story which would have some fresh features in it.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose you have anything new to tell me?" he asked of +Grace.</p> + +<p>"Not much. I have had another letter from my father. It came a +little while ago."</p> + +<p>"Is it the same as the others?"</p> + +<p>"The contents are, but the envelope is different. He says he will +soon be home, and tells us not to worry."</p> + +<p>She gave the missive to Larry. He looked at the post-mark, and saw +that it had come from a downtown sub-station.</p> + +<p>"This was mailed near the steamer pier!" he exclaimed. "Close to +where Retto was hurt. He must have posted it just previous to the +accident. I wish I had known this before."</p> + +<p>It was too late now, and Larry gazed regretfully at the envelope. +Clearly, Retto had not been far from Mr. Potter at the time of the +accident. Perhaps the missing millionaire was hiding downtown in New +York.</p> + +<p>"I must make some inquiries in that neighborhood," thought Larry, as +he arose to go.</p> + +<p>"Another thing," Grace said. "That man Sullivan was in front of the +house again this morning."</p> + +<p>"I must see him!" exclaimed Larry. "I'll make him tell what his +object is. This thing has got to end!"</p> + +<p>He was fiercely determined that he would <!-- Page 205 --><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205"></a>force some information +from the politician. Evidently Sullivan had a game on hand which the +reporter had not yet succeeded in fathoming. "I'll hunt him up at +once!" he added, as he bade Grace good-bye.</p> + +<p>"Be careful," she cautioned. "He is a dangerous man."</p> + +<p>"I will," Larry promised.</p> + +<p>But he could not find Sullivan. For once that wily politician denied +himself to reporters, and kept out of their way. He was sought by a +number of newspaper men, for the matter of a candidate for the +eighth assembly district was again to the fore, and the henchmen of +Kilburn and Reilly were making rival claims as to Sullivan's +support.</p> + +<p>"Where is Sullivan?" was the cry that went up, and in the next two +days that became almost as much of a mystery as the disappearance of +Mr. Potter.</p> + +<p>"Get busy, Larry," advised Mr. Emberg, and Larry did his best to +follow the advice.</p> + +<p>Three weeks passed, and Sullivan was not found. His family professed +not to know where he was, and the best newspaper men in New York +could not find him. Larry was working on the case with all the +energy he had thrown into the Potter disappearance.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the young reporter kept a close watch on the hospital +where Retto was. The operation had been a success, but the patient +was <!-- Page 206 --><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206"></a>in a fever, during which he was out of his mind. He could not +recognize anyone, much less talk intelligibly. Larry made several +calls at the institution, but it was of no use.</p> + +<p>"You can't see him," said the nurse, when he had paid his usual +visit one day, "but he is much better. I think by the day after +to-morrow you can talk to him. His fever is going down and he has +spells when he talks rationally. There was another man in to see him +to-day."</p> + +<p>"I thought you said no one could visit him."</p> + +<p>"Well, we made an exception in this case. The man was a private +detective, searching for a missing man, and he wanted to see all the +patients. He looked at your friend last, and went off, seemingly +quite excited."</p> + +<p>"What missing man was he looking for?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"A Mr. Potter. Seems to me I've read something about him in the +papers. He's very rich."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Potter!" exclaimed Larry. "The detective must be from the +private agency," he added to himself. Then aloud: "Did he recognize +Mr. Ret—er I mean the man with the fractured skull?" and he waited +anxiously for the nurse's answer.</p> + +<p>"He seemed to, but I was called away just then."</p> + +<p>"I know how Mr. Potter looks," Larry went on. "He has a moustache, +and the man here is smooth-shaven."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 207 --><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207"></a>"No, the patient has a moustache and a beard now," the nurse +replied with a smile. "They grew since he has been in the hospital."</p> + +<p>A sudden idea came to Larry. An idea so strange that it startled +him. He dared not speak of it. He believed the detective held the +same theory.</p> + +<p>"I'll call again," he said, thanking the nurse for the information +she had given him. "I must see Grace at once," he murmured, as he +left the hospital. "Strange I never thought of that. A beard and a +moustache! The private detective! I wonder if he recognized Retto? I +must hurry. Oh, if this should prove true!"</p> + +<p>He hurried to an elevated station and was soon on his way to Grace's +house.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a><!-- Page 208 --><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>THE DETECTIVE'S THEORY</h3> + + +<p>Bounding up the steps three at a time Larry rang the bell of the +Potter residence. He thought the door would never be opened, and, +when the stately butler did swing back the portal the young +reporter, not waiting to ask for anyone, stepped into the hall.</p> + +<p>"No one at home," the servant remarked with a smile, for he had +gotten to be on quite friendly terms with Larry.</p> + +<p>"No one home?"</p> + +<p>"No. Mrs. Potter and Miss Grace have gone to Lakewood, N.J., for a +few days. Mrs. Potter was quite ill, and the doctor advised a change +of air, so she suddenly decided to go."</p> + +<p>"When are they coming back?"</p> + +<p>"I can't rightly say. In a few days, I expect. I was told to tell +you that if anything important occurred you could write to them. +Here is the address," and the butler gave Larry a slip of paper.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether I ought to telegraph?" thought Larry to himself. +"I think this is very <!-- Page 209 --><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209"></a>important, yet I am not sure enough of it +myself. I can't see Retto until the day after to-morrow. I had +better wait until then. If my suspicions are confirmed I will send a +message, in case they are not back by that time."</p> + +<p>Larry was about to leave the house when he saw a man coming up the +front steps. He recognized him as a member of the private detective +agency which he and Grace had visited.</p> + +<p>"Is Mrs. Potter home?" asked the man of the butler, who was standing +in the opened front door, while Larry remained in the shadow of the +hall.</p> + +<p>"No, she has gone to Lakewood."</p> + +<p>"Lakewood! That's too bad!" exclaimed the man.</p> + +<p>"Is it anything important?" inquired the butler.</p> + +<p>"I think I have located Mr. Potter," was the answer. "I am a private +detective, hired by Miss Grace Potter. I came to see if she or her +mother would accompany me to try to identify a man I believe is the +missing millionaire."</p> + +<p>"Where is he?" asked the butler.</p> + +<p>"In a hospital, quite badly hurt."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Potter in a hospital! Badly hurt!" cried the servant in alarm. +"What shall I do? Can't they bring him home?"</p> + +<p>"We must be sure it is him," the detective went on. "The description +answers pretty well, but it would take a member of the family to +make sure. So there's no one home, eh? Well, that's too <!-- Page 210 --><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210"></a>bad. I +wanted to test my theory that the hospital patient is the missing +millionaire."</p> + +<p>"You can telegraph to them," suggested the butler. "I have the +address."</p> + +<p>"That's what I'll do," the detective replied. "I'll tell them what I +have discovered. They can get here to-morrow and we'll see if he's +the right man."</p> + +<p>The officer took the address the servant gave him and hurried away.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear that?" cried the butler to Larry. "Mr. Potter is +found!"</p> + +<p>"I hope it proves true," the reporter replied. "That is just what I +came about, but when I found Mrs. Potter gone I didn't know what to +do. I had rather the detective would take the responsibility of +telegraphing. Perhaps the man in the hospital is not Mr. Potter?"</p> + +<p>"Do you know him?" asked the butler.</p> + +<p>"I have met him several times," replied Larry, "but I did not know +he was Mr. Potter. It just dawned on me that he might be."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, how strange it all is," murmured the butler. "Who would +have thought it? Well, we can't do anything until to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"No, I guess not," answered Larry, as he went down the steps.</p> + +<p>His mind was in a tumult. More and more he was coming to believe +that the mysterious man in the hospital was the missing millionaire.</p> + +<p>"That's what he meant when he said I was <!-- Page 211 --><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211"></a>following him too close," +mused Larry. "And I never suspected it! How glad Grace will be! What +a story I shall have! I wish I had discovered him myself, without +any help from the detective agency, but it will make good reading, +anyhow. I must arrange it so we can get a scoop out of it."</p> + +<p>His first act was to go to the office of the paper and tell Mr. +Emberg what had occurred. The city editor was much excited by the +news.</p> + +<p>"That will make a great yarn!" he exclaimed. "I hope your friend +Grace soon comes back with her mother and makes the identification +complete. We must do nothing to hasten matters or some other paper +will get on to the game and spoil our story."</p> + +<p>"Even the hospital people don't suspect yet," said Larry. "They +don't know who their patient is—not even his assumed name."</p> + +<p>"I guess things are coming our way. We'll clear up the Potter +mystery and the Sullivan disappearance at the same time. I believe +Sullivan is in with Mr. Potter on some deal. It begins to look +suspicious. The friends of Reilly and Kilburn are all at sea. They'd +give a thousand dollars to know which way Sullivan was going to +jump."</p> + +<p>Larry paid an early visit to the hospital the next day to see how +matters were progressing. His friend, the nurse, greeted him with a +smile.</p> + +<p>"I guess you can have an interview with your <!-- Page 212 --><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212"></a>mysterious +acquaintance now," she said. "He is much better than we expected, +and, for the first time since the operation, talks rationally. We +have not questioned him yet. We are not as curious as you newspaper +men are."</p> + +<p>"Well, we have to be," responded Larry. "Can I go up now? Has the +man who was here yesterday been back?"</p> + +<p>"Yes to your first question, and no to the second. You can go up. +The superintendent left word to that effect. He is quite friendly to +you."</p> + +<p>Larry started for the ward where Retto was. His heart was beating +strangely. He felt that he was on the verge of solving the secret of +the millionaire's disappearance and restoring to Grace her father.</p> + +<p>As he approached the bed where Retto reclined he was motioned back +by another nurse on duty there.</p> + +<p>"He has just fallen asleep," she said. "When he awakens again you +may speak to him. He has been writing a letter."</p> + +<p>Larry was disappointed. He looked at the man who had played such an +important part in the disappearance of the millionaire, and who, he +believed, was destined to assume a much more important rôle. The +patient's beard and moustache had grown since the accident, and the +smooth-shaven man was no more. Instead, Larry saw before him a +person who, as he recalled the <!-- Page 213 --><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213"></a>photographs of Mr. Potter, bore a +remarkable resemblance to the millionaire.</p> + +<p>Of course, Mr. Potter had only a moustache and no beard, but aside +from that Larry was positive that, lying on the bed in front of him, +was Grace's father.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a><!-- Page 214 --><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>A TERRIBLE MISTAKE</h3> + + +<p>How Larry wished the patient would awaken so he could question him! +But the invalid showed no signs of it, and was in a deep slumber.</p> + +<p>"That will do him more good than medicine," said the nurse. "He will +probably sleep for several hours."</p> + +<p>"Several hours," repeated Larry in dismay.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they often do."</p> + +<p>"Then there is no use in me waiting," he said. "I'll come back +again. When I do I may bring his daughter with me."</p> + +<p>"I hope you do," the nurse replied. "I have felt so sorry for the +poor man. He seemed to have no friends ever since he has been here. +Who is he?"</p> + +<p>"I don't want to say for sure, until I get his daughter to identify +him," Larry said, for he did not want the story to get out before +the <i>Leader</i> had a chance to print it.</p> + +<p>He decided he would go to the Potter house and see if Grace had +returned yet in response to the telegram sent by the detective. He +felt <!-- Page 215 --><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215"></a>sure she would start immediately on receipt of the message.</p> + +<p>In this he was correct, for when he got to the millionaire's home +Grace herself answered his ring.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Larry! Tell me quick!" she exclaimed. "Where is he? Is he badly +hurt? What is the matter? Do you think it is really he?"</p> + +<p>"I hope so," Larry said. "Where is your mother?"</p> + +<p>"She stayed in Lakewood. I didn't tell her anything about it, for +fear it would prove a disappointment. The telegram from the +detective came to me and I made up my mind to come home alone and +clear matters up before I told mother. She needs a rest, as she is +very nervous.</p> + +<p>"But now I am here, you must take me to the hospital at once. The +telegram said he was in a hospital. How did it happen? Is he badly +hurt?"</p> + +<p>"I think he is almost well."</p> + +<p>"But how did they discover him? Who did it? How did it come about?"</p> + +<p>"It will take some time to answer all the questions," replied Larry +with a smile. "I'll tell you all I can on the way to the hospital. +My mysterious friend, Mah Retto, it seems, has turned out to be your +father."</p> + +<p>"Then he was the one I saw in front of the house that night, and I +thought it was father," said Grace. "His smooth-shaven face deceived +<!-- Page 216 --><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216"></a>me, but I was sure I could not mistake his figure."</p> + +<p>"There have been a good many surprises in this case," Larry +admitted. "I've often been fooled myself."</p> + +<p>"Let's hurry to the hospital," suggested Grace. "I'd rather go with +you than with that detective. He is to be here at eleven o'clock, +and it's only ten now. Let's hurry away."</p> + +<p>Larry agreed, and they left the house. Grace explained that she had +caught the first express out of Lakewood that morning and had been +home only half an hour when Larry called.</p> + +<p>They were so busy talking over all the details of the queer case +that they arrived at the hospital much quicker than they +anticipated.</p> + +<p>"Here we are," said Larry, as he led the way up the broad stone +steps of the institution.</p> + +<p>"I'm almost afraid to go in," remarked Grace, her voice showing a +nervous dread. "It seems so strange. I'm quite frightened, Larry."</p> + +<p>"Don't think of anything but that you're going to see your father," +the reporter replied, reassuringly. "He'll be so glad to see you. I +believe he would have been home long before this if it had not been +for the accident."</p> + +<p>Larry entered the office of the institution. No sooner had he +stepped inside than he was made aware that something unusual had +occurred. Nurses and doctors, with anxious looks, were hastening +here and there. Orderlies and messen<!-- Page 217 --><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217"></a>gers were hurrying to and fro, +and there was a continuous ringing of signal and telephone bells.</p> + +<p>"Must have been an accident and a lot of patients bought in," said +Larry, for he had seen such activity in hospitals before when a +number of injured persons required treatment at once.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how terrible!" exclaimed Grace. "Do you suppose many are +killed?"</p> + +<p>"I hope not. But it looks as if something very unusual had +happened."</p> + +<p>Just then Larry saw the nurse who had been at the bedside of the +patient whom he and Grace had come to see.</p> + +<p>"I've brought his daughter," he said to the uniformed attendant. +"May we go up now?"</p> + +<p>The nurse seemed confused.</p> + +<p>"I don't know—I'll see!" she remarked. "Here is the superintendent. +Perhaps you had better speak to him," and she whispered something to +the official.</p> + +<p>"There's something wrong about Mr. Potter!" was Larry's first +thought. "I wonder if he could have suddenly died?"</p> + +<p>Even Grace, unaccustomed as she was to hospital scenes, was aware +that all was not as it should be.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Larry!" she exclaimed. "What is the matter? Have they taken him +away?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," the reporter answered in a low tone. "I'll soon find +out."</p> + +<p>The superintendent approached them.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 218 --><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218"></a>"You wanted to see that patient who was brought in from the +steamship pier?" he inquired. "We've never been able to obtain his +name."</p> + +<p>"I can tell you what it is," answered Larry. "We have every reason +to believe he is Hamden Potter, the missing millionaire, and this +young lady's father. May we see him?"</p> + +<p>"Hamden Potter!" exclaimed the superintendent.</p> + +<p>"That's who he is," declared Larry. "He went by the name Mah Retto +while he was away. May we go up now?"</p> + +<p>"I am sorry," said the superintendent slowly, "but that patient +escaped from the ward about half an hour ago, and we have not been +able to trace him!"</p> + +<p>"Escaped!" cried Larry.</p> + +<p>"My father gone again!" gasped Grace.</p> + +<p>"Too bad, but that's what has happened," the superintendent +repeated. "The nurse left him sleeping quietly, and went downstairs +to get some medicine. When she came back he was gone."</p> + +<p>"But how could he go out without any clothing?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"He got some clothing," the head of the institution replied. "In the +bed next to him was a patient who was to be discharged as cured +to-day. That man's clothes were brought to him and laid out on a +chair beside the bed. While he was in the bathroom Mr. Potter, as +you call him, got <!-- Page 219 --><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219"></a>possession of the clothes, put them on, and +walked out. Several patients saw him go, but said nothing, as they +thought it was all right. When the nurse got back she missed your +friend and gave the alarm."</p> + +<p>"Can't you tell in what direction he went?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"So far we have been unsuccessful. We have made inquiries outside, +but so many persons are passing in the street that it has been +impossible to trace him."</p> + +<p>"Was he able to walk very far?" the reporter asked.</p> + +<p>"He was strong; much stronger than the usual run of patients who are +recovering from such a wound as he had. He must have been more fully +recovered than we thought. He had written a letter, the nurse tells +me, and this is also gone. Probably he was temporarily out of his +mind, and went out to mail the missive. It is a strange occurrence."</p> + +<p>"My poor father!" exclaimed Grace. "I thought I had found him, and +now he is missing again."</p> + +<p>Larry did not know what to do. It was a curious state of affairs. He +had been so sure of uniting Mr. Potter and Grace, but now all his +plans had come to nothing. Then, too, there was the paper to be +considered. Mr. Emberg would expect him to send in the story of the +mysterious disappearance of the hospital patient. Yet Larry <!-- Page 220 --><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220"></a>did not +like to leave Grace while he went to telephone. He was in a curious +predicament.</p> + +<p>"We will send out a general alarm if we do not find him soon," the +superintendent went on. "Occasionally delirious patients wander from +the wards while the nurses are temporarily absent, but they are +always found hiding in some part of the hospital. We have not yet +completed the search. Only once in a great while do they get outside +the institution. Yet Mr. Potter may have."</p> + +<p>"Then we may never find him again," spoke Grace.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry," Larry advised, as cheerfully as he could. "He'll come +back."</p> + +<p>"I'll never see him again!" and Grace was on the verge of tears. +"Oh, this is terrible!"</p> + +<p>Just then there was heard a confusion of sounds in the corridor +outside of the superintendent's office. The latter went to the door, +and through the opened portal Grace and Larry heard some one +exclaim:</p> + +<p>"He's come back!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe that's him!" cried the reporter.</p> + +<p>The superintendent returned to his office.</p> + +<p>"I have a pleasant surprise for you," he exclaimed. "The patient has +come back. He says he went out to a telephone."</p> + +<p>"Is he—is he all right?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Better than ever. The little trip seemed to do him good. Here he +is."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 221 --><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221"></a>He threw open the door he had closed. There, standing in the +corridor, was the man Larry had known as Mah Retto—the man he +believed was Mr. Potter. The patient was smiling at the reporter.</p> + +<p>"There is your father, Grace," said Larry.</p> + +<p>The girl gave one look at the man confronting her. She seemed to +sway forward, and became deathly pale——</p> + +<p>"That is not my father!" she cried, as she fell in a faint.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a><!-- Page 222 --><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h3>IN HIS ENEMIES' POWER</h3> + + +<p>"Quick! Catch her!" cried the hospital superintendent, springing +forward, but it was Larry who put out his arms and kept Grace from +falling to the floor.</p> + +<p>"Here, nurse," called one of several physicians who had gathered in +the corridor when the news spread that the missing patient had +returned. "Look after her, please. Carry her into the receiving +room."</p> + +<p>"Who is she?" asked the patient, who had caused such a stir, and to +whom no one seemed to be paying any attention in the excitement +caused by Grace's swoon. The man had not caught a good look at the +girl.</p> + +<p>"She is Grace Potter," replied Larry, glancing curiously at Mah +Retto.</p> + +<p>"Grace Potter? Hamden Potter's daughter?" The man seemed greatly +excited.</p> + +<p>"Yes. She came here expecting, as I did, to meet her father. I +thought you were Mr. Potter. She says you are not."</p> + +<p>"No, I am not," replied the man.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 223 --><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223"></a>"Then who are you? Where is her father? You know! I am sure of it!" +Larry was upset over the mistake he and the detective had made.</p> + +<p>"I did know where Mr. Potter was," and as he made that answer Retto +gave every evidence of being under a great strain. His hands shook +with more than the weakness of his illness. He was paler than the +white hue caused by his confinement in the hospital.</p> + +<p>"Why? Have you lost track of him?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid so. Listen, young man, perhaps you can help me. Let us +get to some place where we can talk. I have strange news for you."</p> + +<p>"Then you know me?" and the young reporter looked somewhat +surprised.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't very well help it, with the way you have kept after me +lately. But we have no time to lose. Something most unexpected has +happened. Mr. Potter is in the hands of his enemies!"</p> + +<p>"Then he is found?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, in a way, but he might better be lost!"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Come in here and I will tell you."</p> + +<p>Retto led the way to a small room off the main corridor.</p> + +<p>"What does this mean?" asked the hospital superintendent.</p> + +<p>"I will explain later," replied Retto. "Just <!-- Page 224 --><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224"></a>now it is very +necessary that I have a talk with this young man."</p> + +<p>The superintendent turned away and Retto closed the door. He sat +down in a chair, and Larry could see that he was trembling from +weakness.</p> + +<p>"I must talk quickly," he said, "for I am still very ill. I made a +desperate effort to go out in order to get in communication with Mr. +Potter. I mailed him a letter and then called him up on the +telephone——"</p> + +<p>"Then you know where he was!" burst out Larry.</p> + +<p>"I did, but I do not now. Listen, and don't ask too many questions +yet. All will soon be explained, if it is not too late. I am Mr. +Potter's friend. He took me into his confidence when he found it +necessary, for very strong reasons, to disappear. I agreed to help +him and do exactly as he wanted me to. He has been hiding across the +Hudson River, outside of the legal jurisdiction of New York State. I +was in touch with him by telephone and otherwise up to the time of +my accident on the pier. Since then, of course, I have not been able +to hold any communication with him. As soon as I had the chance, +which came for the first time to-day, I got out and called him on +the telephone. I was told by the man, with whom he had been staying, +that, about an hour ago, some men came and took him away."</p> + +<p>"Some men took him away?"</p> + +<p><!-- Page 225 --><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225"></a>"Yes. Men whom I recognized, by the description, as his enemies—as +men who have an interest in getting Mr. Potter into their power. He +has been trying all this while to keep out of their way. Now they +have him!"</p> + +<p>"But what's to be done?" asked the young reporter.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Retto, hopelessly. "Everything was going on +all right until those horses knocked me down."</p> + +<p>Larry was conscious of a strange sensation. It was partly due to his +impetuosity he felt that Retto had been injured. Larry partly blamed +himself for Mr. Potter's present plight, since through the +reporter's instrumentality the millionaire's friend had not been +able to keep in touch with him.</p> + +<p>"I'll find him!" exclaimed Larry. "Tell me what to do! I'll trace +him!"</p> + +<p>"If I was only stronger!" said Retto. "I'm so weak that I couldn't +walk another block. I'd like to get after those scoundrels who have +Mr. Potter!"</p> + +<p>"I'll get after them!" cried the youthful newspaper man, thinking +more of Grace just then than he did of his assignment. "Tell me +where to go!"</p> + +<p>"I can only tell you where Mr. Potter was hiding," went on Retto. +"That was in a little house just outside of Jersey City. The men +must have gone there after him. Possibly you can trace them from the +house."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 226 --><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226"></a>"Tell me how to get to the place!"</p> + +<p>Retto gave the necessary instructions.</p> + +<p>"I'm going over there!" exclaimed the young reporter.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with Grace?"</p> + +<p>"That's so! I forgot about her. I'll take her along!" and Larry +sprang to his feet in his enthusiasm and started for the door.</p> + +<p>"Can she stand the trip?"</p> + +<p>"She's a brave girl! She'll be glad to go!"</p> + +<p>"Then you'd better hurry. Every minute is precious. Great things +hang on this. If Mr. Potter's enemies force him to do certain +things, which he has been trying to avoid doing, the consequences +will be very bad for many persons. Hurry, Dexter!"</p> + +<p>"I'll start at once. I wonder if Grace is better?"</p> + +<p>The young reporter and Retto left the small room. Larry soon found +that Grace had recovered from her swoon. Rapidly he told her of what +he proposed doing. With her he would go to Jersey City and try to +trace the missing millionaire.</p> + +<p>"And we'll find him!" he added, with vigor.</p> + +<p>He went downstairs to telephone to Mr. Emberg of the new and +unexpected turn the case had taken.</p> + +<p>"Keep right after it, Larry!" said the city editor. "Find Mr. Potter +and get the story!"</p> + +<p>As the <i>Leader</i> reporter turned to go upstairs <!-- Page 227 --><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227"></a>he saw, entering the +hospital, a young man whom he recognized as Hans Fritsch, the German +newspaper man he had met at the lonely tenement.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing here?" asked Larry, noting that his friend was +attired in an automobile suit.</p> + +<p>"I comes to see how gets along a friend of mine. He is here sick. I +have a day off from mine work and I comes in my new automobile. +After dot I goes me for a nice ride. Come along!"</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" asked Larry, a sudden idea coming into his +head.</p> + +<p>"Ofer by New Jersey. Dere is goot automobiling roads."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to Jersey City?"</p> + +<p>"Sure. I goes by dot on der ferry. Den I skips out by der Plank +Roat, und maybe I goes me out to der Oranges Mountains. I am just +learning to run my car goot!"</p> + +<p>"I'll go with you!" cried Larry. "Have you room in your car for +two?"</p> + +<p>"Surely! For four, if you likes to bring 'em. My mother, who is in +Germany, und quite vell off, send me der car for a birthday present, +odervise I should not haff him. Reporters here do not get monies +enough to buy automobiles!"</p> + +<p>"I'll be with you in five minutes!" exclaimed Larry, hurrying off to +tell Grace.</p> + +<p>"I am ready as soon as I see how my sick friend <!-- Page 228 --><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228"></a>is," declared the +German reporter. "Den we go quick like de wind, und haff a goot +time!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and maybe a hot pursuit!" said Larry under his breath, for he +had determined on a bold plan. He would, in Fritsch's auto, give +chase to the captors of Mr. Potter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a><!-- Page 229 --><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + +<h3>MR. POTTER IS FOUND—CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>There was a throbbing of the motor, a grinding and shrieking as the +clutch was thrown in, a trembling to the car as Fritsch advanced the +spark and opened the gasolene throttle still wider and the +automobile, bearing the German reporter, Larry and Grace, was off.</p> + +<p>"Here are some goggles!" said Fritsch, handing back two pairs to his +passengers. "You vill need dem when ve goes like de wind. If I had +known I was to haff a lady I would get a dust coat."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't matter," replied Grace, her eyes shining with the +excitement. "I want to find my father."</p> + +<p>"Your father?"</p> + +<p>Then Larry explained. He could safely do so since the German paper +did not come out until the morning of the next day, and Fritsch +could not "beat" him.</p> + +<p>Faster speeded the auto. They went over the Hudson River on a ferry +boat, and, as soon as Jersey City was reached, the car was sent +along as fast as the law allowed.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 230 --><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230"></a>"I wonder if I can get on their trail?" thought Larry, as he +watched the houses skim by, and held himself in his seat, beside +Grace, to avoid the jouncing and swaying caused by the uneven +streets.</p> + +<p>"Do you think ve vill haff a race?" asked the German, as they neared +the house where Mr. Potter had been hiding.</p> + +<p>"Maybe. I hope so, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"I don't."</p> + +<p>"Why? Don't you want to help find Mr. Potter?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I am of nervousness yet in my new car. I haff never raced, +und I might do some damage."</p> + +<p>"Let me run her," suggested Larry. "I've had some experience with +autos, and I guess I can manage yours. I ran one like this several +times when I was out with Mr. Emberg."</p> + +<p>"Den take der vheel," went on Fritsch. "I comes back wid Miss Potter +und you can race."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Larry! Can you do it?" and Grace looked a little alarmed.</p> + +<p>"Of course I can," and the young reporter spoke confidently.</p> + +<p>The car was stopped and the change made. Larry soon found he could +manage the various levers all right, and that the car responded +readily to his guiding hand.</p> + +<p>"This must be the place," he said, after they had ridden for half an +hour at as high speed as <!-- Page 231 --><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231"></a>they dared, considering the fact that +there were policemen on every other block.</p> + +<p>He stopped the car in front of a house that seemed to be +uninhabited. It answered the description Retto had given, and Larry +knocked on the door. After several minutes the portal opened a +crack, showing that it was held by a chain.</p> + +<p>"Is Mr. Potter here?" asked Larry, though he knew the missing +millionaire was not. The man who had opened the door looked +suspiciously at the inquirer. "It's all right," the young reporter +went on. "I come from Mr. Retto. I want to aid Mr. Potter."</p> + +<p>"You're too late," was the answer. "They've got him into their +clutches. They'll work their game before he knows that everything is +all right, and that it is safe for him to show himself. If they had +only waited half an hour all would have been well. I just got +another telephone message from Retto, saying that all matters were +satisfactorily adjusted, and that there was no further need for Mr. +Potter to hide. But he doesn't know this. I have no way of telling +him, and he'll sign the papers before those men will let him go."</p> + +<p>"Tell me in which direction they went and I'll go after them!" cried +Larry. "They can't have gone far, and we can overtake them in the +auto!"</p> + +<p>"They have a car, too," replied the man. "A fast one. They managed, +by a trick, to get Mr. <!-- Page 232 --><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232"></a>Potter into it. If I could only get word to +him he could laugh at their efforts! If I could only send him a +message!"</p> + +<p>"What is the message?" asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"It is this. 'The money is safe!'"</p> + +<p>"Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"That's all, but how can you get it to him?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't you hear anything that might give you a clue to where the +men were going?"</p> + +<p>"Somewhere out toward the Orange Mountains. That's all I know. They +are going to the home of some lawyer or judge, I believe. There is +some legal matter involved."</p> + +<p>"Then that's where we'll go!" decided the young reporter, as he +hurried back to the auto and told Grace and Fritsch what he had +heard.</p> + +<p>"On to de mountains!" cried the German reporter. "My car is yours! +It will climb de biggest hills on der high gear, und ve will catch +de scoundrels!"</p> + +<p>Once more they were off. They took the Plank Road to Newark, and, on +inquiring in the latter city, learned that a car, answering the +description of the one Mr. Potter had been taken off in, had passed +about half an hour before.</p> + +<p>"That's not so bad!" exclaimed Larry. "We can catch 'em, I guess!"</p> + +<p>"I hope so!" murmured Grace.</p> + +<p>"If my car doesn't beat de oder one I gives up riding," remarked +Fritsch, with proper pride in his machine.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 233 --><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233"></a>They passed through Newark, and were soon on the road leading to +Orange, at the foot of the mountains. The highway was conducive to +speed, and Larry "let her out several notches," as he expressed it, +at the same time keeping watch for policemen on motorcycles, who +were alert to nab the unwary auto speeders.</p> + +<p>Every time they saw a car in front of them they were anxious until +they saw it was not the one they wanted. They passed a number of +machines, and when Orange was reached they had not been successful.</p> + +<p>"Now for a mountain climb!" exclaimed Larry, as he slowed down the +engine to give the water a chance to cool off before attempting the +ascent. "Will it do Eagle Rock hill, Fritsch?"</p> + +<p>"I think so," replied the German. "I never tried it, but de circular +says it vill do it."</p> + +<p>Eagle Rock hill is known far and wide as one of the steepest ascents +up which an automobile can be sent. Many cars have to take it on the +low gear, or go as slowly as possible. Even then it is a strain.</p> + +<p>"Suppose we should overtake them there?" suggested Grace.</p> + +<p>"Ve'd catch 'em!" exclaimed the German, with a confidence born of +admiration for his car.</p> + +<p>On and on they chugged. At the foot of the long, steep slope Larry +set the levers on second gear, as he did not want to take any +chances with the auto. Up and up they went, their eyes <!-- Page 234 --><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234"></a>strained +through the dust for the sight of a green car, for that was the +color of the machine in which rode the men who had taken Mr. Potter +away.</p> + +<p>"Hark!" exclaimed Grace, suddenly. "It sounds like an auto just +ahead of us!"</p> + +<p>"It is," declared Larry, whose quick ear had caught the chug-chug of +a motor.</p> + +<p>An instant later they had rounded a turn. There, in front of them, +climbing the steep hill, was a green car. In it could be seen four +men.</p> + +<p>"That's them!" cried Larry.</p> + +<p>"Open her up! Throw in the high gear!" yelled Fritsch, who was now +as enthusiastic and as interested in the chase as were either of his +companions. "Let her rip!"</p> + +<p>"Will she stand it?" asked Larry, shouting the words over his +shoulder to Grace and Fritsch in the tonneau.</p> + +<p>"Sure!"</p> + +<p>There was a grinding noise as Larry threw in the high-speed gear. +The auto hung back for an instant because of the sudden change. The +motor seemed to groan at the unexpected load thrown on it. Then, +like a gallant horse responding to the call of its rider, the car +leaped ahead.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Larry. "She'll do it! We'll catch 'em!"</p> + +<p>The distance between the two cars was lessening. Those in the green +machine seemed unaware of the approach of their pursuers.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 235 --><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235"></a>"Can you see your father?" asked the German of Grace.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure. It looks like him!"</p> + +<p>She stood up in the tonneau, holding to the back of the seat in +front of her to steady herself against the swaying of the car.</p> + +<p>Just then Larry blew a blast on the horn. As the deep tone responded +to his pressure on the big rubber bulb the men in the green machine +looked back. At the sight of one of the faces Grace cried.</p> + +<p>"It's father! It's father!"</p> + +<p>Above the noise made by the two autos the millionaire heard his +daughter's voice. He stood up and, leaning over the back of the +seat, waved his hand to her. Then one of the men sitting beside him +forcibly drew the millionaire down.</p> + +<p>"Oh! We must get to him!" cried Grace. "They may do him some harm! +Hurry, Larry!"</p> + +<p>"Shove her over a few more notches!" cried Fritsch. "She'll take +more gasolene!"</p> + +<p>Larry obeyed the instructions of the German reporter. The car seemed +to feel new life and leaped ahead. The distance from the other car +was steadily growing less. Fritsch's confidence in his machine was +not misplaced. But the men in the green car were making efforts to +escape. The chauffeur had advanced his spark, and the car was taking +the steep grade almost as well as was that of the pursuers.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 236 --><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236"></a>"Can't we catch them?" cried Grace, in an agony of doubt and fear.</p> + +<p>Larry narrowly watched the green car. He saw that in spite of the +efforts of the driver it was losing speed.</p> + +<p>"We'll do it," he said, quietly.</p> + +<p>Then Larry tried a trick which had come into his mind almost at the +last moment. Keeping his car going as fast as possible he steered it +so as to pass the other auto. He knew he had speed enough to do it, +and realized that he must act quickly, as they were almost at the +summit of the hill.</p> + +<p>Closer and closer the two cars came together, that driven by the +young reporter gaining. Now the front wheels overlapped the rear +ones of the green machine—now they were at the side door of the +tonneau—now the two tonneaus were even! This was what Larry wanted.</p> + +<p>Slowing down his engine the least bit, so as to keep in pace with +the other machine and not pass it, he called across to Mr. Potter, +as the two autos raced side by side:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Potter, I bring you a message from your friends!"</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"It is this! 'The money is safe!'"</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried the millionaire. "Now I don't care what these +scoundrels do!"</p> + +<p>"Father! Father!" cried Grace.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 237 --><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237"></a>"Stop that machine!" yelled Larry to the chauffeur of the green +car.</p> + +<p>"You can't make me!" retorted the man.</p> + +<p>"Jump into our car!" cried Fritsch to Mr. Potter. "You can do it!"</p> + +<p>The two machines were close together, and so evenly were they +running that they seemed to be standing still, side by side. The +millionaire arose and endeavored to get out of the tonneau, and into +that of the auto in which sat his daughter.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" exclaimed one of the men beside him, and he took +hold of Mr. Potter.</p> + +<p>"Let me go!" called the rich man. "I'm not afraid of you now. +There's no longer any reason for me to remain in hiding!"</p> + +<p>"You can't go until you sign those papers!" cried another of the +men.</p> + +<p>"Stop that car!" shouted Larry again.</p> + +<p>"Let's see you make me!" was the impudent retort of the man at the +wheel.</p> + +<p>"I'll make you!" declared the young reporter.</p> + +<p>He gave a quick motion to the steering wheel. Then he shoved the +levers over, and pressed down the pedal that cut out the muffler and +slightly relieved the strain on the motor. Fritsch's car shot ahead. +Larry steered it directly in front of the green machine, and kept +just far enough in advance to avoid a collision.</p> + +<p>"Get out of the way!" shouted the driver of the emerald car.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 238 --><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238"></a>"Now I guess you'll stop!" retorted the young reporter.</p> + +<p>The road suddenly narrowed. Larry gradually slowed up his car. There +was no room to pass, and the other machine had to slacken up also.</p> + +<p>Larry suddenly shut off his power and put on the brakes. His machine +came to a gradual stop. There was a bump behind and the other had +collided with it, but not enough to cause any damage.</p> + +<p>"There! I guess you'll stop now!" exclaimed Larry, as he leaped from +his seat and hurried back to the green car.</p> + +<p>But the men did not await his coming. With a shout to his companions +the chauffeur of the rear auto leaped out. The others followed his +example, leaving Mr. Potter alone in the automobile.</p> + +<p>"Father! Father!" cried Grace.</p> + +<p>"Is this really you, Mr. Potter?" asked the reporter, hardly able to +believe that he had found the missing millionaire.</p> + +<p>"That's who I am!" exclaimed the man whom Larry had sought so long. +Mr. Potter entered the other machine and clasped Grace into his +arms. "I'm back from my enforced exile," he went on. "Now you can +send the story to your paper."</p> + +<p>"I must get to a telephone!" cried Larry, his newspaper instincts to +the fore again, now that <!-- Page 239 --><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239"></a>he had successfully covered his special +assignment.</p> + +<p>"Get back into my car," suggested Fritsch. "Dere is a telephone at +de top of der hill. I'll drive you now so long as de race is ofer!"</p> + +<p>"And we won!" cried Grace. "Oh, father! How glad I am to have you +back!"</p> + +<p>"How glad I am to get back!" replied Mr. Potter.</p> + +<p>Larry sat beside the German reporter, who took his place at the +steering wheel. The other car was left where the men had abandoned +it. They had disappeared into the woods on either side of the road, +and never troubled Mr. Potter again.</p> + +<p>"Why did you disappear, Mr. Potter?" asked Larry, who had to have +some facts to telephone in, as it was near first edition-time.</p> + +<p>"It's a long story to tell, young man," replied the millionaire, +"and quite complicated. Briefly, I had to disappear in order to save +a number of widows and orphans from losing what little money they +depended on for a living. As you have probably guessed, I am +interested in many financial matters. One was the building of an +extension of the subway. Hundreds of widows, and guardians of +orphans, had bought stock in this enterprise, as it was sold by +popular subscription.</p> + +<p>"While abroad I learned there was a scheme on foot to involve me in +certain legal difficulties, <!-- Page 240 --><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240"></a>and it might even cause my arrest in +order to get me to do certain things that would force the price of +the subway stock down, and so bankrupt many innocent persons. To +prevent this I determined to disappear, without even the knowledge +of my family. How I managed it I will tell you later. Matters were +going along all right until Retto, whose real name, you might as +well know, is Simonson, suddenly disappeared. I did not know what to +do, nor how matters, with which I had entrusted him, were +progressing. But it wasn't his fault. I wonder what happened to +him?"</p> + +<p>Larry explained about Mr. Simonson's accident, of which Mr. Potter +was ignorant.</p> + +<p>"When these men, my enemies, unexpectedly appeared to-day at the +house where I had been hiding ever since I disappeared, asked me to +appear in a New Jersey court, I had to go with them," went on Mr. +Potter. "It was in the nature of an arrest, and I did not dare +disobey. They wanted to take me before a Supreme Court Justice in +his home on the mountain and make me sign certain papers.</p> + +<p>"But you came along in the nick of time. When you gave me that +message to the effect that the money was all right, I knew that the +affairs of the subway had been so arranged that the stock would not +go down and the widows and orphans would not suffer. I was willing +then to appear in court, as the schemes of the scoundrels, who had +practically kidnapped me, could amount to <!-- Page 241 --><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241"></a>nothing. But it seems +they didn't wait to see what the outcome would be. I'm much obliged +to you, Larry."</p> + +<p>"So am I," added Grace, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I'd do it all over again for the sake of getting such a good +story—and—er—of course, finding you and helping your daughter," +Larry finished. "Now to telephone this in."</p> + +<p>Mr. Emberg could hardly believe the news that Larry fairly shouted +over the wire.</p> + +<p>"Found him, you say! Good for you, Larry. It'll be a great beat! +Wait a minute! I'll let Harvey take the story. Talk fast. Give us +enough for the first edition, and then, for the second, get the +whole story from Mr. Potter. This is a corker!"</p> + +<p>What a scene there was in the <i>Leader</i> office then! Mr. Newton +grabbed up paper and pencil and rushed to the telephone booth to +which Larry's wire had been switched so that the story could be +taken with fewer interruptions. Page after page of notes did Mr. +Newton scribble down, as Larry dictated the dramatic finding of the +missing millionaire during the automobile chase.</p> + +<p>"That'll do, Larry!" cried Mr. Newton, when he had the first half of +the story. "I'll get one of the other boys to take the rest while I +grind this out on the machine."</p> + +<p>So the young reporter dictated the remainder of the account to +another person in the <i>Leader</i> <!-- Page 242 --><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242"></a>office, while Mr. Newton was +pounding away on the typewriter at his section.</p> + +<p>Thus it went on in relays. The first part of the story was in type +before Larry had finished his end of it. Then, as there was no more +time to get anything further in for the first edition, Larry went +back to where he had left Mr. Potter, Grace and Fritsch in the +automobile. Mr. Potter gave the young reporter some additional +particulars.</p> + +<p>He explained that he had learned, while in Europe, of a mix-up in +New York politics that involved his company, which was building the +new subway line. Sullivan, Kilburn and Reilly were factors in the +game, and the control of the assembly district would go to whoever +could bring about the opening of the new subway route through it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Potter repeated, more at detail, how there was likely to be a +big law-suit over the matter, which would tie up operations for a +year, and which would force down the price of the stock so that many +small investors would lose all they owned.</p> + +<p>"I had promised Sullivan to do as he wanted, in case he supported +Reilly," Mr. Potter went on. "Later I found I could not do as I had +agreed without getting tangled up in the legal conflict. They wanted +to serve certain papers on me, and get me into the jurisdiction of +the law courts, so I decided, in order to protect those who were +un<!-- Page 243 --><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243"></a>able to protect themselves, to disappear. I was aware that a +wrong construction might be placed on it, that it would subject me +to much criticism, that it would be hard and that it would cause +distress to my family and friends. But there was no other way in +which I could aid the helpless, so I decided to do it."</p> + +<p>The millionaire explained how he had sailed from Italy under an +assumed name, after arranging there with his friend, Mr. Simonson, +to precede him to New York, do certain work, and keep him informed +of how matters went. Simonson took the name Mah Retto, which had a +foreign sound, and could be depended upon to deceive Mr. Potter's +enemies. Mr. Simonson was of dark complexion and looked like an East +Indian. The name was formed from some of the letters making up the +millionaire's name. Retto's handwriting was very similar to that of +Mr. Potter's, and easily passed for it, even under the scrutiny of +Grace and her mother. The man himself bore a remarkable resemblance +to the millionaire and nearly deceived Grace once.</p> + +<p>Most unexpectedly, some of Mr. Potter's enemies got on the trail of +Retto, and he learned they would be waiting for him when he landed +in New York. He decided to elude them.</p> + +<p>He was aboard the <i>Olivia</i> when the ship struck on the bar, and +resolved to take a desperate chance and come ashore on a life-raft. +He did, and Larry and Bailey rescued him. Then fol<!-- Page 244 --><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244"></a>lowed his shaving +off of his moustache in the fisherman's hut to make a good disguise, +and Larry's subsequent chase after him. Once Larry had been close on +Mr. Potter's trail. The millionaire was in Retto's room the night +Larry called on the mysterious man in the Jackson tenement, and this +explained the reference in the letter to the young reporter being so +"close" after Mr. Potter.</p> + +<p>Sullivan, it was explained, had an idea that Grace or her mother +knew where Mr. Potter was hiding, and was much disappointed because +the rich man could not carry out the original plan of political +action.</p> + +<p>"I think Sullivan will show himself, now that he knows I have been +found," said Grace's father. "He has been looking for me on his own +responsibility, I understand. I have straightened matters out so +that he can support Reilly as he promised to do, Larry, in that +interview he gave you. I think that was all he wanted me to come +back for.</p> + +<p>"Sullivan used to go up and watch my house," Mr. Potter went on. "He +thought I was there, I suppose. Retto also watched it, but for a +different purpose. I sent him up to catch glimpses of my wife and +daughter, to see if they were all right, as I did not dare venture +into that neighborhood for fear of being recognized. I had their +miniatures, however. The night I reached New York I went to the +house and got them. I remained in the suburbs of Jersey City most of +<!-- Page 245 --><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245"></a>the time, as, until to-day, the scoundrels did not have matters so +arranged that they could legally serve papers on me in New Jersey. +They must have taken a last desperate chance this morning, but, +thanks to you, Larry, they were foiled."</p> + +<p>In Fritsch's auto, after Larry had finished telephoning in the +story, the little party returned to New York. They took Mr. +Simonson, or Retto, from the hospital to Mr. Potter's house. There +he explained his part in aiding the millionaire. Larry gave him back +the papers he had secured from Captain Tantrella, and the curious +gold coin Mr. Simonson had lost from his watch chain in the +fisherman's hut.</p> + +<p>Mr. Simonson told his employer how he had tried to run away from +Larry that day on the pier, as matters were then not yet ripe for a +disclosure, and how he had fallen under the horses' feet.</p> + +<p>"When you came to see me in the hospital," he went on to Larry, "I +was about to send for Mr. Potter, for I felt I was in bad shape and +that the mystery might now come to an end. Then I became +unconscious, was delirious for three weeks, and the next I knew was +when the nurse told me this morning that the day after to-morrow you +were coming to see me. I decided I must communicate with Mr. Potter. +But when I called him up, I was startled when I was told by the man +in whose house he was hiding that his enemies had him."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 246 --><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246"></a>"But Larry got me away from them," went on Mr. Potter, with a happy +laugh. "This ends the mystery of my disappearance."</p> + +<p>"I must telegraph mother the good news," said Grace. "She is in +Lakewood. I had also better notify the private detective that he +need no longer work on the case."</p> + +<p>"We'll go to Lakewood and surprise your mother," said her father. "I +need a rest after my hard work in keeping away from Larry Dexter. +I'll telephone the detective agency. I suppose the manager will be +disappointed that a newspaper man beat him," which was exactly how +the manager felt.</p> + +<p>The young reporter, bidding Grace and her father good-bye, returned +to the office of the <i>Leader</i>, going down in Fritsch's auto.</p> + +<p>"Well, you have given us some news!" exclaimed Mr. Emberg. "Look at +that!"</p> + +<p>He held up the paper, the front page of which was almost all taken +up with the story of the missing millionaire.</p> + +<p>"I suppose that ends my special assignment, then."</p> + +<p>"This one is finished," spoke the city editor, "but I may have +another for you."</p> + +<p>"What kind?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you later."</p> + +<p>Those of my readers who want to know what Larry's next assignment +was may learn by reading the fourth volume of this series, to be +called: <!-- Page 247 --><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247"></a>"Larry Dexter and the Bank Mystery, or, A Young Reporter in +Wall Street." In that story we shall follow the young reporter +through adventures which were exciting in the extreme.</p> + +<p>The <i>Leader</i> beat every other paper in New York on the Potter story, +and Larry was the hero of the occasion. The next day he located +Sullivan and cleared up that end of the case.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you'd like to take a short rest?" said Mr. Emberg to the +young reporter a few days later. "You had quite a strenuous time of +it in that automobile race."</p> + +<p>"I guess I could stand a little vacation."</p> + +<p>"Then you shall have it."</p> + +<p>Larry wondered where he would spend the vacation, but the matter was +settled for him. When he got home that night he found a telegram +awaiting him. It was from Grace Potter, and read:</p> + +<p>"Can't you come down to Lakewood for a few days? Mother and father +would be glad to see you. So would I."</p> + +<p>Larry went.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 16397-h.txt or 16397-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/3/9/16397">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/3/9/16397</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/16397-h/images/front.jpg b/16397-h/images/front.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a224e4b --- /dev/null +++ b/16397-h/images/front.jpg diff --git a/16397.txt b/16397.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a909f80 --- /dev/null +++ b/16397.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7702 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Larry Dexter's Great Search, by Howard R. +Garis + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Larry Dexter's Great Search + or, The Hunt for the Missing Millionaire + + +Author: Howard R. Garis + + + +Release Date: July 30, 2005 [eBook #16397] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH*** + + +E-text prepared by Barbara Tozier, Charles Aldarondo, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH + +Or, The Hunt for the Missing Millionaire + +by + +HOWARD R. GARIS + +Author of "From Office Boy to Reporter," "Larry Dexter, Reporter," +"Dick Hamilton's Fortune," etc. + +Illustrated + +New York +Grosset & Dunlap +Publishers + +1909 + + + + + + + +[Illustration: "HERE IT IS!" CRIED LARRY. (Frontispiece)] + + + + * * * * * * + + +Books For Boys +By Howard R. Garis + + +THE DICK HAMILTON SERIES + + + DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE + Or The Stirring Doings of a Millionaire's Son + + DICK HAMILTON'S CADET DAYS + Or The Handicap of a Millionaire's Son + + DICK HAMILTON'S STEAM YACHT + Or A Young Millionaire and the Kidnappers + + DICK HAMILTON'S FOOTBALL TEAM + Or A Young Millionaire on the Gridiron + + (Other volumes in preparation) + + 12 mo. Cloth. Illustrated. + Price, per volume, 60 cents, postpaid + + + + +THE YOUNG REPORTER SERIES + + + FROM OFFICE BOY TO REPORTER + Or The First Step in Journalism + + LARRY DEXTER, THE YOUNG REPORTER + Or Strange Adventures in a Great City + + LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH + Or The Hunt for a Missing Millionaire + + LARRY DEXTER AND THE BANK MYSTERY + Or A Young Reporter in Wall Street + + LARRY DEXTER AND THE STOLEN BOY + Or A Young Reporter on the Lakes + + 12 mo. Cloth. Illustrated + Price, per volume, 40 cents, postpaid + + +Grosset & Dunlap +Publishers New York + + + + * * * * * * + + + + +PREFACE + + +Dear Boys: + +I hope you will be glad to read of the further adventures of Larry +Dexter. He has made some progress since you first made his +acquaintance in the book "From Office Boy to Reporter." He has also +advanced in his chosen profession from the days when he did his +first news-gathering for the _Leader_. In this volume he is sent on +a "special assignment," as it is called. He has to find a New York +millionaire who has mysteriously disappeared. + +How Larry solved the strange secret, I have woven into a story that +I trust will be liked by all the boys who read it. I have taken many +incidents from real life for this story, using some of my own +experiences while a newspaper reporter as a basis for facts. + +The things that happened to Larry are not at all out of the +ordinary among reporters. The life has many strange surprises in it. +If I have been able to set them down in a way that will please you +boys, and if you enjoy following the further fortunes of Larry +Dexter, I shall feel amply repaid for my efforts on this volume. + +Yours sincerely, + +HOWARD R. GARIS. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER PAGE + +I. THE WRECK 1 + +II. ASHORE ON A RAFT 10 + +III. THE MAN AT THE HUT 17 + +IV. RESCUED FROM THE SEA 26 + +V. LARRY'S SCOOP 33 + +VI. A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE 42 + +VII. LARRY OVERHEARS SOMETHING 49 + +VIII. AN INTERVIEW WITH SULLIVAN 57 + +IX. EVERYTHING BUT THE FACTS 64 + +X. THREATS AGAINST LARRY 73 + +XI. A MISSING MILLIONAIRE 81 + +XII. A BRAVE GIRL 88 + +XIII. WHERE IS HE? 94 + +XIV. IN THE TENEMENT HOUSE 100 + +XV. LARRY'S SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT 109 + +XVI. SULLIVAN'S QUEER ACCUSATION 118 + +XVII. GRACE GETS A LETTER 125 + +XVIII. LARRY IS BAFFLED 138 + +XIX. GRACE ON THE TRAIL 148 + +XX. LARRY GETS A SCARE 156 + +XXI. TRACING RETTO 167 + +XXII. GRACE IS SUSPICIOUS 174 + +XXIII. CAPTAIN TANTRELLA ARRIVES 180 + +XXIV. RETTO IS CAUGHT 186 + +XXV. IN THE HOSPITAL 192 + +XXVI. A NEW CLUE 200 + +XXVII. THE DETECTIVE'S THEORY 208 + +XXVIII. A TERRIBLE MISTAKE 214 + +XXIX. IN HIS ENEMIES' POWER 222 + +XXX. MR. POTTER IS FOUND--CONCLUSION 229 + + + + +LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE WRECK + + +Into the city room of the New York _Leader_ hurried Mr. Whiggen, the +telegraph editor. In his hand was a slip of paper, containing a few +typewritten words. Mr. Whiggen laid it on the desk of Bruce Emberg, +the city editor. + +"Just came in over our special wire," said Mr. Whiggen. "Looks as if +it might be a bad wreck. That's a dangerous coast. I thought you +might like to send one of your men down to cover it." + +"Thanks," replied the city editor. "I will. Let's see," and, while +he read the message, a score of reporters in the room looked up to +see what had caused the telegraph editor to come in with such a +rush. + +This is what Mr. Emberg read from the slip Mr. Whiggen handed him: + +"BULLETIN.--S.S. _Olivia_ ashore off Seven Mile Beach, on sand bar. +Big steerage list, some cabin passengers--fruit cargo. Ship badly +listed, but may get off at high tide. If not, liable to break up in +storm. Passengers safe yet.--ASSOCIATED PRESS." + +There followed a brief description of the vessel, compiled from the +maritime register, giving her tonnage, size, and when built. + +"Um," remarked Mr. Emberg when he had read the short message, which +was what newspaper men call a "flash" or bulletin, intended to +notify the journals of the barest facts of the story. "This looks as +if it would amount to something. I'll send a man down. Have we any +one there?" + +"We've got a man in Ocean City," replied the telegraph editor, "but +I'm afraid I can't reach him. Have to depend on the Associated Press +until we can get some one down." + +"All right, I'll send right away." + +The telegraph editor went back to his sanctum on the run, for it was +near first-edition time and he wanted to get a display head written +for the wreck story. Mr. Emberg looked over the room, in which many +reporters were at work, most of them typewriting stories as fast as +their fingers could fly over the keys. Several of the news-gatherers +who had heard the conversation between the two editors hoped they +might be sent on that assignment, for though it meant hard work it +was a chance to get out of the city for a while. + +"Are you up, Newton?" asked Mr. Emberg of a reporter in the far +corner of the room. + +"No, I've got that political story to write yet." + +"That's so. I can't spare you. How about you, Larry?" + +"I'm up," was the answer, which is the newspaper man's way of saying +his particular task is finished. + +"Here, then, jump out on this," and the city editor handed the +telegram to a tall, good-looking youth, who arose from his desk near +a window. + +Larry Dexter, who had risen from the rank of office boy to reporter, +took in the message at a glance. + +"Shall I start now?" he asked. + +"As soon as you can get a train. Seven Mile Beach is down on the +Jersey coast, near Anglesea. You can't get there in time to wire us +anything for to-day, but rush a good story for to-morrow. If a storm +comes up, and they have to rescue the passengers, it will make a +corker. Don't be afraid of slinging your words if it turns out worth +while. Here's an order on the cashier for some money. Hustle now," +and Mr. Emberg scribbled down something on a slip of paper which he +handed to the young reporter. + +"Leave the message in the telegraph room as you go out," went on +the city editor. "Mr. Whiggen may want it. Hustle now, Larry, and do +your best." + +Many envious eyes followed Larry Dexter as he hurried out of the +city room, putting on his coat and hat as he went, for he had been +working in his shirt sleeves. + +Larry went down the long corridor, stopping in the telegraph room to +leave the message which was destined to be responsible for his part +in a series of strange events. He had little idea, as he left the +_Leader_ office that morning, that his assignment to get the story +of the wreck was the beginning of a singular mystery. + +Larry cashed the order Mr. Emberg had given him, and hurried to the +railroad station. He found there was no train for an hour, and, +telephoning to the city editor to that effect, received permission +to go home and get some extra clothing, as he might have to stay +away several days. + +The young reporter rather startled his mother as he hurried in to +tell her he was going out of town, but Mrs. Dexter had, in a +measure, become used to her son doing all sorts of queer things +since he had started in newspaper life. + +"Will you be gone long, Larry?" she asked, as he kissed her +good-bye, having packed a small valise. + +"Can't say, mother. Probably not more than two days." + +"Bring me some sea shells," begged Larry's brother, Jimmie, a +bright little chap. + +"And I want a lobster and a crab and a starfish," spoke Mary, a +sunny-haired toddler. + +"All right, and I'll bring Lucy some shells to make beads of," +answered Larry, mentioning his older sister, who was not at home. + +Larry found he had not much time left to catch his train, and he was +obliged to hurry to the ferry which took him to Jersey City. There +he boarded a Pennsylvania Railroad train, and was soon being whirled +toward the coast. + +Seven Mile Beach was a rather dangerous stretch of the Jersey shore, +not far from Cape May. There were several lighthouses along it, but +they did not always prevent vessels from running on a long sand bar, +some distance out. More than one gallant ship had struck far up on +it, and, being unable to get off, had been pounded to pieces by the +waves. + +By inquiring Larry found that the wreck of the _Olivia_ was just off +a lonely part of the coast, and that there were no railroad stations +near it. + +"Where had I better get off?" he asked, of the conductor. + +"Well, you can get off at Sea Isle City, or Sackett's Harbor. Both +stations are about five miles from where the ship lies, according to +all accounts. Then you can walk." + +"He can do better than that," interposed a brakeman. + +"How?" asked Larry. + +"There's a station, or rather what remains of it, half way between +those places," the brakeman said. "It used to be called Miller's +Beach. Started to be a summer resort, but it failed. There's nothing +there now but a few fishermen's huts. But I guess that's nearer the +wreck than Sea Isle City or Sackett's Harbor." + +"Is there a place I could stay all night?" asked the young reporter. + +"You might find a place. It's pretty lonesome. Sometimes, in the +summer, there are campers there, but it's too late in the fall now +to expect any of 'em. We'll stop there for water, and you can get +off if you like." + +Larry hardly knew what to do. Still he decided he was sent to get a +story of the wreck, and he felt it would be well to get as near to +it as possible. But there was another thing to think of, and that +was how to get his news back into the _Leader_ office. He must be +near a telegraph station. Inquiry of the trainmen disclosed the fact +that the nearest one was three miles from Miller's Beach. + +"Guess I'll chance it," concluded Larry. + +"We'll be there in an hour," went on the brakeman. "It's the +jumping-off place, so to speak, and it's not going to be very +pleasant there when the storm breaks." + +That a heavy storm was gathering was all too evident from the mass +of dark, rolling clouds in the east. They hung low, and there was a +rising wind. + +"I wouldn't want to be on that vessel," remarked the brakeman as the +train, having stopped at a small station, started off again. "It's +beginning to rain now, and it will blow great guns before morning." + +Several men, their faces bronzed from exposure to the weather, had +boarded the train. They talked quietly in one corner of the car. + +"Who are they?" asked Larry, of the brakeman. + +"Life savers, from the Anglesea station. Going to Tatums, I guess." + +"What for?" + +"Tatums is the life-saving station nearest where the vessel is +ashore. Maybe they are going to help in case she breaks up in the +storm. Tatums is about three miles below where you are going." + +Larry began to see that he would have no easy task in getting news +of the wreck, or in transmitting it after he had it. But he was not +going to worry so early in the undertaking. So, when the brakeman +warned him that the train was nearing the water tank, which was all +that remained of interest to the railroad people at Miller's Beach, +the young reporter prepared to alight. + +As he went out on the platform the wind increased in violence, and +then, with a rush and a roar, the rain began to fall in torrents. + +Larry wished he could stay in the train, as he had no umbrella, but +there was no help for it. He leaped off the platform of the car +almost before it had stopped, and looked for a place of shelter. He +was surprised to see several large buildings in front of him, but +even through the mist of rain he noted that they were dilapidated +and forsaken. He was in the midst of a deserted seaside resort. + +He hurried on, being wet through before he had gone a dozen steps. +Then he heard the train puffing away. It seemed as though he was +left all alone in a very lonesome place. + +"Hi! Where you going?" a voice hailed him. + +Larry looked up, to see a man clad in yellow oilskins and rubber +boots standing in front of him. + +"I came down about the wreck," was the young reporter's reply. + +"Got any folks aboard? If you have I'm sorry. She's broken her +back!" + +"No; I'm a reporter from New York. What do you mean about breaking +her back?" + +"Why, she ran away up on the bar at high tide. When it got low tide +a while ago the bows and stern just sagged down, and she broke in +two. They've got to work hard to save the passengers." + +"That's a good story," was Larry's ejaculation, but it was not as +heartless as it sounds, for he was only speaking professionally. "I +must get down after it." + +"What? With night coming on, the wreck almost half a mile out, and +it coming on to blow like all possessed?" asked the man in oilskins. +"Guess you don't know much about the sea, young man." + +"Very little," answered Larry. + +A sudden gust of wind, which dashed the rain with great force into +his face, nearly carried the reporter off his feet. He looked about +for a place of shelter. + +"Better come with me," suggested the man. "There are no hotel +accommodations here, though there once were. I have a shack down on +the beach, and you're welcome to what I've got. I fish for a living. +Bailey's my name. Bert Bailey." + +"Go ahead. I'll follow," returned Larry. "I'd like to get out of +this rain." + +"Have to tog you out like me," said the old fisherman, as he led the +youth toward his hut. "These are the only things for this weather." + +As they hastened on there came over the water the boom of a signal +gun from the wrecked steamer. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +ASHORE ON A RAFT + + +"What's that?" asked the young reporter, pausing. + +"She's firing for help," replied the fisherman. "Can't last much +longer now." + +"Can't the life savers do anything?" + +"They'll try, as soon as they can. Hard to get a boat off in this +surf. It comes up mighty fast and heavy. Have to use the breeches +buoy, I reckon. But come on, and I'll lend you some dry things to +put on." + +Five minutes later Larry was inside the hut. It was small, +consisting of only two rooms, but it was kept as neatly as though it +was part of a ship. + +In a small stove there was a blazing fire of driftwood, and Larry +drew near to the grateful heat, for, though it was only late in +September, it was much colder at the beach than in the city, and he +was chilly from the drenching. + +"Lucky I happened to see you," Bailey went on. "I went down to the +train to get my paper. One of the brakemen throws me one off each +trip. It's all the news I get. I didn't expect any one down. This +used to be quite a place years ago, but it's petered out. But come +on, get your wet things off, and I'll see what I can do for you." + +Larry was glad enough to do so. Fortunately he had brought some +extra underwear in his valise, and, after a good rub-down before the +stove, he donned the garments, and then put on a pair of the +fisherman's trousers and an old coat, until his own clothes could +dry. + +As he sat before the stove, warm and comfortable after the +drenching, and safe from the storm, which was now raging with +increased fury outside, Larry heard the deep booming of the signal +guns coming to him from across the angry sea. + +"Are they in any danger?" he asked of Bailey, as the fisherman +prepared to get a meal. + +"Danger? There's always danger on the sea, my boy. I wouldn't want +to be on that vessel, and I've been in some pretty tight places and +gotten out again. She went ashore in a fog early this morning, but +it will be a good while before she gets off. Seven Mile Beach hates +to let go of a thing once it gets a hold." + +It was getting dusk, and what little light of the fading day was +left was obscured by the masses of storm clouds. The fisherman's hut +was on the beach, not far from the high-water mark, and the booming +of the surf on the shore came as a sort of melancholy accompaniment +to the firing of the signal gun. + +"Where is the wreck?" asked Larry, going to a window that looked +out on the sea. + +"Notice that black speck, right in line with my boat on the beach?" +asked Bailey, pointing with a stubby forefinger over the young +reporter's shoulder. + +"That thing that looks like a seagull?" + +"That's her. You can't see it very well on account of the rain, but +there she lies, going to pieces fast, I'm afraid." + +"Why didn't they get the people off before this?" + +"Captain wouldn't accept help. Thought the vessel would float off +and he'd save his reputation. The life savers went out when it was +fairly calm, but didn't take anyone ashore. Now it's too late, I +reckon." + +As the fisherman spoke a rocket cleaved the fast-gathering blackness +and shot up into the air. + +"What's that?" asked Larry. + +"She's firing signal lights. Wait and you'll see the coast-guard +send up one in reply." + +Presently a blue glare, up the beach not far from the cottage, shone +amid the storm and darkness. + +"That's George Tucker, burning a Coston light," explained Bailey. +"He patrols this part of the beach to-night. They may try the boat +again, but it's a risk." + +There was an exchange of colored lights between the beach patrol and +those on the steamer. Larry watched them curiously. He tried to +picture the distress of those aboard the ship, waiting for help from +shore; help that was to save them from the hungry waves all about. + +"I wonder how I'm going to get news of this to the paper," Larry +asked himself. He was beginning to feel quite worried, for he +realized a great tragedy might happen at any moment, and he knew the +_Leader_ must have an account of it early the next morning, for it +was an afternoon paper. The managing editor would probably order an +extra. + +"Couldn't I go down to the life-saving station?" asked Larry. "Maybe +I could go out in a boat and get some news." + +"They wouldn't let you, and, if they would, you couldn't send any +news up to your paper from here to-night," replied the fisherman. +"The nearest telegraph office is closed. Better stay here until +morning. Then you can do something. I'll fix you up with oilskins +after supper, if you like, and we'll go out on the beach. But I +don't believe they'll launch the life-boat to-night." + +The storm had now settled down into a fierce, steady wind and +dashing rain. It fairly shook the little hut, and the stove roared +with the draught created. Bailey soon had a hot meal ready, and +Larry did full justice to it. + +"Now we'll go out on the beach," the fisherman said, as he donned +his oilskins, and got out a suit for Larry. The youth looked like +anything but a reporter when he put on the boots and tied the +yellow hat under his chin, for otherwise the wind would have whipped +it off in an instant. + +They closed up the hut, leaving a lantern burning in it, and started +down toward the ocean. Through the darkness Larry could see a line +of foam where the breakers struck the beach. They ran hissing over +the pebbles and broken shells, and then surged back again. As the +two walked along, a figure, carrying a lantern and clad as they +were, in yellow oilskins, loomed up in the darkness. + +"Hello, George!" cried Bailey, above the roar of the wind. "Going to +get the boat out?" + +"Not to-night. I signalled down to the station, but they flashed +back that the surf was too high. We'll try the buoy in the morning, +if the ship lasts that long, which I'm afraid she won't, for she's +being pounded hard." + +"The station where they keep the life-boat is about two miles below +where we are now," Bailey explained to Larry. "We'll go down in the +morning." + +Suddenly a series of lights shot into the air from out at sea. + +"What's that?" cried Larry. + +"It's a signal that she's going to pieces fast!" cried the +coast-guard. "Maybe we'll have to try the breeches buoy to-night. I +must go to the station. They may need my help." + +As the beach patrol hurried up the sandy stretch, Larry had half a +notion to follow him. He wanted to see the operation of setting up +the breeches buoy in order to make a good story, with plenty of +details. He was about to propose to the fisherman that they go, when +Bailey, who had gone down to the water's edge, uttered a cry. + +"What is it?" called the reporter, hastening to the side of the old +man. + +"Looks like a life-raft from the steamer!" exclaimed Bailey. "She +must have broken up. Maybe there's some one on this. Give me a hand. +We'll try to haul it ashore when the next high wave sends it up on +the beach." + +Larry strained his eyes for a sight of the object. He could just +discern something white, rising and falling on the tumultuous +billows. + +"Come on!" cried Bailey, rushing down into the first line of surf, +as a big roller lifted the object and flung it onward. "Grab it and +pull!" + +Larry sprang down the sand. He waded out into the water, surprised +to find how strong it was even in the shallow place. He made a grab +for the dim white object. His hands grasped a rope. At the same time +the fisherman got hold of another rope. + +"Pull!" cried Bailey, and Larry bent his back in an effort to snatch +the raft from the grip of the sea. + +At first the waves shoved the raft toward them, then, as the waters +receded, the current sucked it out again. But the fisherman was +strong and Larry was no weakling. They hauled until they had the +raft out of reach of the rollers. Then, while there came a wilder +burst of the storm, and a dash of spray from the waves, Bailey +leaned over the raft. + +"There's a man lashed to it!" the fisherman cried. "We must get him +to my shack and try to save him! Hurry now!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE MAN AT THE HUT + + +With a few quick strokes of his knife Bailey severed the ropes that +bound the unconscious man to the raft. Then, taking him by the +shoulders, and directing Larry to grasp the stranger's legs, they +started for the hut. + +"Queer there weren't more to come ashore on that raft," the +fisherman remarked as they trudged over the sand. "It would hold a +dozen with safety. Maybe they were all swept off but this one. Poor +souls! there'll be many a one in Davy Jones's locker to-night I'm +afraid." + +"Is he--is he dead?" asked Larry, hesitatingly, for he had never +handled a lifeless person before. + +"I'm afraid so, but you never can tell. I've seen 'em stay under +water a good while and brought back to life. You'd best help me +carry him in, and then run for some of the life guards. I'll be +working over him, and maybe I can bring him around." + +Through the storm the two staggered with their burden. They reached +the hut, and the man was tenderly placed on the floor near the fire. + +"You hurry down the coast, and if you can see any of the guards +tell 'em to come here," Bailey said to Larry. "They can't do +anything for the wreck to-night." + +Larry glanced at the man he had helped save from the sea. The +stranger was of large size, and seemed well-dressed, though his +clothes were anything but presentable now. His face was partly +concealed by the collar of his coat, which was turned up, and Larry +noted that the man had a heavy beard and moustache. + +These details he took in quickly while he was buttoning his oilskin +jacket tighter around his neck for another dash into the storm. +Then, as he opened the door of the hut to go in search of a +coast-guard, Bailey began to strip the wet garments from the +unconscious man. + +Larry was met by a heavy gust of wind and a dash of rain as he went +outside again. He bent his head to the blast and made his way down +the beach, the lantern he carried making fantastic shadows on the +white sand. + +He had not gone far before he saw a figure coming toward him. He +waited, and in a few minutes was joined by George Tucker. + +"Mr. Bailey wants you to come to his place and help him save a man +who just came in on a raft," said Larry. + +"Can't do it, my boy. I was just coming for him to help us launch +the life-boat. We need all the men we can get, though we've got help +from the station below us. Captain Needam sent me after Bailey." + +"I don't believe he'll come," said Larry. "He'll not want to leave +the man he pulled from the ocean." + +"No, I don't s'pose he will," said George. "He may save a life. But +we've got to try for the steamer. She's going to pieces, and there +are many aboard of her, though I'm afraid there'll be fewer by +morning." + +"I'll come and help you," said the reporter. "I don't know much +about life-boats, but I'm strong." + +"Come along, then," said the coast guard. + +They made their way down the beach, Larry accepting, in the manner +newspaper reporters soon become accustomed to, the new role he was +suddenly called on to play. + +While he is thus journeying through the storm to aid in saving life, +there will be an opportunity to tell you something about his past, +and how he came to be a reporter on a leading New York newspaper. + +Larry's introduction to a newspaper life was told of in the first +volume of this series, entitled "From Office Boy to Reporter." At +the start the youth lived with his mother, who was a widow, and his +two sisters and a brother, on a farm in New York State. + +The farm was sold for an unpaid mortgage after the death of Larry's +father, and the little family came to New York to visit a sister of +Mrs. Dexter, as Larry thought he could find work in the big city. + +On their arrival they found that Mrs. Dexter's sister had +unexpectedly gone out West to visit relatives, because of the sudden +death of her husband. The Dexter family was befriended by a Mr. +Jackson and his wife, and made the best of the situation. After many +unsuccessful trials elsewhere, Larry got a position as office boy on +the New York _Leader_. + +His devotion to duty had attracted the attention of Harvey Newton, +one of the "star" reporters on the sheet, and Mr. Emberg, the city +editor, took a liking to Larry. In spite of the enmity of Peter +Manton, another office boy on the same paper, Larry prospered. He +was sent with Mr. Newton to report a big flood, and were there when +a large dam broke, endangering many lives. Larry, who was sent to +the telegraph office with an account of the accident, written by Mr. +Newton on the spot, had an exciting race with Peter, who was then +working for a rival newspaper. Larry won, and for his good work was +advanced to be a regular reporter. + +In the second volume of the series, entitled "Larry Dexter, +Reporter," I told of his experiences as a gatherer of news in a +great city. + +In that book was related how Larry, with the aid of Mr. Newton, +waged war against a gang of swindlers who were trying to rob the +city, and, incidentally, Larry himself, for, as it developed, his +mother had a deed to certain valuable property in the Bronx Park +section of New York, and the swindlers desired to get possession of +the land. They wanted to hold it and sell it to the city at a high +price, but Larry got ahead of them. + +To further their ends the bad men took away Jimmie, Larry's little +brother, but the young reporter, and his friend Mr. Newton, traced +the boy and found him. Peter Manton had a hand in the kidnapping +scheme. + +By the sale of the Bronx land Mrs. Dexter became possessed of enough +money to put her beyond the fear of immediate want; Larry decided to +continue on in the newspaper field, and when this story opens he was +regarded as one of the best workers on the staff of the _Leader_. +His assignment to get the story of the wreck was his first big one +since the incidents told of in the second volume. + +At Larry and the coast-guard trudged down the beach the guns from +the doomed steamer were fired more frequently, and the rockets +lighted up the darkness with a weird glare. + +"Not much farther now," remarked George, as he peered ahead through +the blackness, whitened here and there with masses of flying spray. + +A little later they were at the life-saving station. The place was +in seeming confusion, yet every man was at his post. Most of them +were hauling out the long wagon frame, on which the life-boat +rested. They were bringing the craft down to the beach to try to +launch it. + +"Lend a hand!" cried Captain Needam, as Larry and the coast-guard +came in. "We need every man we can get." + +Larry grasped a rope. No one paid any attention to him, and they +seemed to think it was natural that he should be there. Perhaps they +took him for Bailey. + +The boat was taken down to the edge of the surf. An effort was made +to launch it, but, struggle as the men did, they could not get it +beyond the line of breakers. + +"It's no use!" exclaimed the captain. "We'll have to haul her to +Johnson's Cove. Maybe it isn't so rough there." + +The wagon, with the boat on it, was pulled back, and then began a +journey about two miles farther down the coast, to a small inlet, +protected by a curving point of land. There the breakers were likely +to be less high, and the boat might be launched. + +Larry pulled with the rest. He did not see how he was going to get +his story telegraphed to the paper, but he was consoled by the +reflection that there were no other reporters on hand, and that +there was no immediate likelihood of being "beaten." When morning +came he could decide what to do. + +So, for the time being, he became a life saver, and pulled on the +long rope attached to the wagon until his arms ached. It was heavy +hauling through the sand, and his feet seemed like lead. + +It was nearly midnight when the cove was reached, and after a +desperate struggle the life-boat was launched. + +"Some of you go back and get ready to operate the breeches buoy as +soon as it's light enough!" called Captain Needam, as the boat was +pulled away over the heaving billows toward the wreck, which could +be seen in the occasional glare of a rocket or signal light. + +"Might as well come back," said George Tucker to Larry. "Can't do +any more here." + +Back through the wind and rain they walked, with half a score of +others. They reached the life-saving station, tired and spent from +their struggle through the storm. + +"You can go back to Bailey," said George, as Larry sat down inside +the warm and cozy living-room of the station to rest. "He may need +you." + +"I thought I could help here," replied Larry. "Besides, I'd like to +see you work the breeches buoy." + +"You'll see all you want of that in the morning," replied the coast +patrol. "We can't do much until daylight. Are you afraid to go back +alone?" + +"No," replied Larry. + +Back he trudged to Bailey's cabin. It was about three o'clock when +he reached there, and he found the fisherman sitting beside the +table, drinking some hot tea. + +"I thought you'd got lost," spoke the fisherman. + +"I went to help 'em launch the boat. They needed me. George Tucker +was coming for you, but I told him of the man we saved. How is he?" + +"Doing well. He's asleep in the next room. He had been struck on the +head by something, and that was what made him senseless. It wasn't +the water. I soon brought him around. How about the wreck?" + +Larry told all he knew. Bailey insisted on the young reporter +drinking two cups of steaming hot tea, and Larry felt much better +after it. Then he and the fisherman stretched out on the floor to +wait until morning, which would soon break. + +Bailey was up early, and his movements in the hut as he shook down +the fire and made coffee, aroused Larry. + +"We'll get a bit of breakfast and then we'll go down to the +station," said the fisherman. "I guess our man will be all right." + +He went outside to bring in some wood. A moment later the door of +the inner room, where the rescued man was, opened, and a head was +thrust out. + +"If my clothes are dry I'll take them," the man said, and Larry, +glancing at him, saw that the stranger was smooth-shaven. The +reporter was sure that when he was pulled from the water on the +raft the man had had a heavy beard. + +"Why--why--" began the youth--"your whiskers. Did you----?" + +"Whiskers?" replied the man with a laugh. "Oh, you thought that +bunch of seaweed on my face was a beard. I see. No, this is the way +I looked. But are my clothes dry?" + +Larry took them from a chair near the fire, where Bailey had hung +them. He gave them to the stranger. Larry was much puzzled. It +seemed as if he had stumbled upon a secret. The man shut the door of +his room, A moment later the fisherman called from without the hut: + +"Come on! Never mind breakfast! They're going to fire the gun!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +RESCUED FROM THE SEA + + +Larry paused only long enough to don his oilskins, as it was still +raining hard. The coffee was made, but he did not wait for any, +though he wanted it very much. But he knew he ought to be on the +spot to see all the details of the rescue from the sea, and it was +not the first time he, like many other reporters, had gone on duty, +and remained so for long stretches, without a meal. + +Bailey was some distance down the beach. He had on his yellow suit, +which he had donned to go out to the woodshed, some distance from +his hut. Larry caught up to him. He was about to speak of the man at +the hut when the fisherman cried: + +"Something's wrong! They're coming up this way with the apparatus! +Must be they couldn't find a good place down there to rig the +breeches buoy." + +Larry looked down the beach. He saw through the rain and mist a +crowd of yellow-suited figures approaching, dragging something +along the sand. He looked out to sea and beheld the blotch that +represented the doomed vessel. All thought of the man at the hut +was, for the time, driven out of his mind. + +On came the life savers. They halted about a mile from the hut, and +Larry and Bailey ran to join them. + +"Did you save any?" called the fisherman to Captain Needam, who was +busy directing the rescue. + +"Got some in the life-boat early this morning," was the answer. +"They took 'em to the lower station. We couldn't get back with the +boat. All ready now, men. Dig a hole for the anchor, Nate. Sam, you +help plant the mortar. Have to allow a good bit for the wind. My! +but she's blowin' great guns and little pistols!" + +Larry had his first sight of a rescue by means of the breeches buoy. +The apparatus, including a small cannon or mortar, had been brought +from the life-saving station on a wagon, pulled by the men along the +beach. The first act was to dig a deep hole in the sand, some +distance back from the surf. This was to hold the anchor, to which +was attached the shore end of the heavy rope, on which, presently, +persons from the wreck might be hauled ashore. + +Once the anchor was in the hole, and covered with sand, firmly +packed down, arrangements were made to get a line to the vessel. + +"Put in a heavy charge!" cried Captain Needam. "We'll need lots of +powder to get the shot aboard in the teeth of this wind!" + +Several men grouped about the brass cannon and rapidly loaded the +weapon. Then, instead of a cannon ball, they put in a long, solid +piece of iron, shaped like the modern shell, with a pointed nose. To +this projectile was attached a long, thin, but very strong line. + +"Are they going to fire that at the ship?" asked Larry, who was not +very familiar with nautical matters. + +"They hope to have it land right on deck, or carry the line over," +said Bailey, who paused in his work of helping the men to lay out +from the wagon parts of the apparatus. + +Larry watched intently. Now and then he gazed out to the ship, a +speck of black amid white foam, for the seas were breaking over her. + +At the side of the cannon was a box, containing the line, one end of +which was fastened to the projectile. The rope was coiled in a +peculiar cris-cross manner, to prevent it being tangled as it paid +rapidly out when the shot was fired. + +"All ready?" called Captain Needam, as he looked at his men. + +"Ready, sir," answered George Tucker. + +"Put in the primer!" ordered the chief of the life savers. One of +the men inserted a percussion fuse in the touchhole of the mortar. +The captain grasped a lanyard. The men all stood at attention, +waiting to see the effect of the shot. + +Captain Needam sighted over the muzzle of the cannon. It was +pointed so as to clear the stern of the ship, but this was +necessary, as the high wind would carry the projectile to one side. + +The arm of the captain stiffened. The lanyard tauted. There was a +spark at the breach of the mortar, a sharp crackle as the primer +ignited, and then a dull boom as the charge was fired. Through the +mist of rain Larry saw a black object shooting out toward the ship. +After it trailed the long thin line, like a tail to a kite. + +It was scarcely a moment later that there sounded a gun from the +ship. + +"Good!" cried Captain Needam. "The shot went true!" + +"That was the ship signalling that they had the line," explained +Bailey, shouting the words in Larry's ear. + +From the shore to the ship there now stretched out a long thin rope. +Larry had no time to wonder what would happen next. + +"Bend on the cable!" cried the captain, and the men quickly attached +a thick rope to the line which the cannon-shot had carried aboard +the _Olivia_. This soon began to pay out, as it was hauled in by +those on the wrecked vessel. In a short time the heavy cable was all +out, and securely fastened to the ship, high enough up so as to +clear the rail. Directions how to do this were printed on a board +which was hauled in with the rope, and, lest those on a doomed ship +might not understand English, the instructions were given in +several languages. + +"They have it fast! Rig up the shears!" cried the captain. + +Once more his men were busy. They set up on the sand two stout +wooden pieces, exactly like, a pair of enormous shears. The longer +parts, corresponding to the blades, were nearest the ground, while +what answered for the handles were several feet in the air, opened +in "V" shape. + +Through this "V" the heavy cable was passed, the one end being fast +to the anchor buried in the sand, and the other being attached to +the ship. By moving the shears nearer to the anchor the cable was +tightened until it hung taut from shore to ship, a slender bridge on +which to save life. + +The breeches buoy, a canvas arrangement, shaped like a short pair of +trousers, and attached to a frame which ran back and forth on the +cable by means of pulleys, had been adjusted. To it were fastened +ropes, one being retained by the life savers and one by those on the +ship. All was in readiness. + +The breeches buoy was now pulled toward the ship, by those aboard +hauling on the proper line. It moved along, sliding on the heavy +cable, the angry waves below seeming to try to leap up and engulf +it, in revenge for being cheated of their prey. + +"Look sharp now, men!" cried the captain. "Get ready to take care +of the poor souls as they come ashore." + +The storm still kept up, and the waves were so high that a second +attempt to save some by means of the life-boat, even launching it in +the protected cove, had to be given up. But the breeches buoy could +be depended on. + +A signal from the ship told those on shore that the buoy was loaded +with a passenger, and ready to be hauled back. Willing hands pulled +on the rope. On it came through the driving rain; on it came above +the waves, though not so high but what the spray from the crests wet +the rescued one. + +"It's a woman!" cried the captain, as he caught sight of the person +in the buoy. + +"And a baby! Bless my soul!" added Bailey. "She's got a baby in her +arms!" + +And so it proved; for, wrapped in a shawl, which was tied over her +shoulders, so as to keep the water from the tiny form, was an infant +clasped tightly to its mother's breast. + +"Take her to the station!" cried the captain, as he helped the woman +to get out of the canvas holder in which she had ridden safely to +shore. "My wife will look after her. Now for the rest, men. There's +lots of 'em, and the ship can't last much longer! Lively, men. Every +minute means a life!" + +"I'll take her to the station!" volunteered Larry, for there was +nothing he could do to help now, and he thought he could get a good +story of the wreck from the first person rescued. + +"Go ahead!" exclaimed the life savers' captain. + +The woman, in spite of her terrible experience, had not fainted. +Still clasping her baby, she moved through the crowd of men, who +cheered her as they set to work again. + +"Come with me," said Larry. "We will take care of you!" + +"Oh, it is so good to be on land again!" the woman cried. "I am not +a coward--but oh, the cruel waves!" and she shuddered. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +LARRY'S SCOOP + + +"Are there many women aboard?" asked Larry, as he moved off through +the rain toward the life-saving station with the rescued passenger. + +"I was the only one," was the answer the woman made, in a pronounced +Italian accent. "I am the purser's wife. They made me come first. Me +and the baby," and she put her lips down and kissed the little face +nestled in the folds of the shawl. + +"The purser's wife!" exclaimed Larry. "Perhaps your husband will +bring the passenger list with him. I would like to get it. I am a +newspaper reporter," he added. + +The woman, with a rapid movement, held out a bundle of papers to +him. + +"What are they?" Larry asked. + +"The list of passengers! You reporters! I have heard of you in my +country, but they do not such things as this! Go to wrecks to meet +the passengers when they come ashore! You are very brave!" + +"I think you were brave to come first across the waves," replied +Larry. "The rope might break." + +"I had my baby," was the answer, as if that explained it all. + +"Do you think your husband would let me telegraph these names to my +paper?" asked Larry. + +"He gave them to me to bring ashore, in case--in case the ship did +not last," the purser's wife said, with a catch in her voice. "You +may use them, I say so. I will make it right." + +This was just what Larry wanted. The hardest things to get in an +accident or a wreck are the names of the saved, or the dead and +injured. Chance had placed in Larry's hands just what he wanted. + +He hurried on with the woman, who told him her name was Mrs. +Angelino. He did not question her further, as he felt she must be +suffering from the strain she had undergone. In a short time they +were safe at the station, and there Mrs. Needam provided warm and +dry garments for mother and child, and gave Mrs. Angelino hot +drinks. + +"Ah, there is my reporter!" exclaimed the purser's wife, when she +was warm and comfortable, as she saw Larry busy scanning the list of +passengers. "He came quick to the wreck!" + +"Can you lend me some paper?" Larry asked Mrs. Needam. + +"What for?" + +"I want to write an account of the rescue and copy these names. I +must hurry to the telegraph office. I left my paper in the +fisherman's hut." + +"I'll get you some," said Captain Needam's wife, and soon Larry was +writing a short but vivid story of what had taken place, including a +description of the storm, and the saving of the only woman on board, +with her baby, by means of the breeches buoy. Then he copied the +list of names. + +"There's something I almost forgot," said Larry when he had about +finished. "There's that passenger who came ashore on the life-raft. +I wonder who he was? I'll ask Mrs. Angelino." + +But she did not know. She was not aware that any one had come ashore +on a raft, for, in the confusion of the breaking up of the ship in +the storm, she thought only of her husband, her baby and herself. + +"I can find out later," Larry thought. + +He gave the list back to Mrs. Angelino, and then, with a good +preliminary story of the wreck, having obtained many facts from the +purser's wife, Larry set out through the storm for the nearest +telegraph station. + +"Don't you want some hot coffee before you go?" asked Mrs. Needam. +"I've got lots--ready for the poor souls that'll soon be here." + +Larry did want some. He was conscious of a woeful lack of something +in his stomach, and the coffee braced him up in a way he very much +needed. + +It was quite a distance from the life-saving station to the nearest +telegraph office, but Larry knew he must make it if he wanted an +account of the wreck to get to his paper in time for the edition +that day. So he set off for a tiresome trudge over the wet sand. As +he was leaving, several men, who had been brought ashore from the +ship, came to the station. From them Larry learned that part of the +ship was likely to last until all the passengers and crew could be +saved. He then resolved to telegraph the story of the saving of all, +knowing he could make corrections by an additional message later in +case, by some accident, any lives were lost. + +To get to the telegraph office Larry had to go back to a point +nearly opposite where the life savers were working, and then strike +inland. As he was hurrying along he came to a little hummock of +sand, from which elevation he could look down on the beach and see +the crowd gathered about the breeches buoy. Out on the bar he could +make out the wrecked vessel. As he stood there a moment he saw some +one detach himself from the crowd and hurry across the intervening +beach. + +"That figure looks familiar," thought Larry. "I wonder if that's +Bailey the fisherman?" + +He waited a few minutes, and the figure became more distinct. + +"It's Peter Manton!" cried Larry. "He's been sent down here to +report the wreck! I wonder what paper he's on? But I guess I haven't +any time to stand here wondering. I've got to beat him to the +telegraph office if I want to get a scoop, though he can't have been +on hand long enough to get much of an account." + +Still Larry knew that even a brief and poor account of anything, if +it got in first, was enough to discount or "take the edge off" a +better story told later, and he made up his mind he would "scoop" +Peter, his old enemy. + +The representative of the _Leader_ hurried on. Peter caught sight of +Larry, and recognized him in spite of his oilskins. Peter wore a +rain-coat, which was wet through. + +"Hold on, Larry!" he cried. "I'm on the _Scorcher_ again. What have +you got?" + +It was the newspaper man's way of asking his brother-of-the-pencil +for such information as he possessed. But though, as a general +thing, when several reporters are on a general story, they +interchange common news, Larry was in no mind to share what he had +with Peter. His paper had gone to the trouble to send him down in +good season, a piece of forethought which the other journals' +editors had neglected. Therefor Larry felt that he was not violating +the common practice (though it is against the strict office rules) +if he ignored Peter. + +"Haven't time!" he called back. + +"Wait a minute!" cried the rival reporter. "I just came down on the +first train, and I walked about five miles to find the wreck. I'm +going to the telegraph office to send my account in for an extra. +We'll whack up on it." + +"We'll do nothing of the sort!" exclaimed Larry. "I don't want +anything to do with you." He had never forgiven Peter for his part +in the kidnapping of Jimmie. + +"Needn't get huffy about it," remarked Peter. "I want to be +friendly." + +Larry thought it was hardly Peter's place to offer to be "friendly" +after the mean part he had played. + +"I haven't time to stop now," said Larry. "I'm in a hurry. You'll +have to get along the best you can." + +"So that's how you feel, eh?" asked the rival reporter. "Not very +white of you, Larry Dexter. I've only just got back my job on the +_Scorcher_ after they laid me off for getting beaten, and I've got +to make good. But never mind. The beach is free, and I've got as +good a right to the telegraph office as you have. I'd like to see +you beat me." + +Larry himself did not just see how he would, but he made up his mind +to attempt it. Peter was now keeping pace with him. There was +nothing for it but to hurry on. Whoever reached the office first and +"filed his copy" would have the right to the wire. Larry resolved +that he would win in the race, even as he had won in the other, at +the big flood, but he knew there was time enough yet. If he started +to run Peter would run also, and the way was too long for a fast +sprint. + +The two kept on, side by side, neither speaking. The only sound was +the patter of the rain, and the rustle and rattle of Larry's oilskin +suit. + +They passed through the deserted summer resort. It was about a mile +now to the telegraph office. Larry recalled that Bailey had told him +there was a short cut by keeping to the railroad track, and he +turned into that highway, followed by Peter, who, it seemed, had +resolved not to lose sight of his rival. + +It was now about nine o'clock, though his activity since early +morning made it seem much later to Larry. He knew he had a good +story safe in his pocket, and he was pretty sure Peter had only a +garbled account, for he could not have gotten the facts so quickly. +Nor did he, Larry was sure, have the passenger list, which was the +best part of the story. + +On and on the two rivals trudged silently. They must be near the +office now, Larry thought, and he looked ahead through the rain. +They were in the midst of a little settlement of fishermen's +houses--a small village--but it was nearly deserted, as most of the +inhabitants had gone to the wreck. Larry saw a building on which was +a sign informing those who cared to know that it contained a store, +the post-office and a place whence telegrams might be sent and +received. Peter saw it at the same instant. + +"Here's where I beat you!" he cried as he sprang forward on the +run. + +Larry tried to follow, but his legs became entangled in the oilskin +coat and he fell. He was up again in an instant, only to see Peter +entering the office. Larry's heart seemed like lead. Had he worked +so hard only to be beaten at the last? + +Something spurred him on. He stumbled into the office in time to +hear Peter saying: + +"I want to hold a wire for a long despatch to the New York +_Scorcher_. I've got a big account of the wreck." + +"Where's your copy?" asked the young man in charge of the clicking +instruments. + +"I'll have it ready for you in a minute," replied Peter, sitting +down to a table, and beginning to dash off words and sentences as +fast as his pencil could fly. + +"I can't hold any wire for you," said the operator. "If you have any +press stuff to file let me have it. That's the only way you can keep +a wire." + +"I'll have it for you in a second," Peter replied as he looked +anxiously at the door. + +"That will not answer. I must have copy in order to keep the wire +busy." + +"Here it is!" cried Larry, as he entered at that moment and pulled +from his pocket his hastily written account of the wreck, including +the list of passengers. "I'll be obliged to you if you can get this +off to the New York _Leader_ as soon as possible." + +"I was here first!" angrily cried Peter. + +"But I have his copy first," the operator said. "It is the filing of +the despatch first that counts, not who gets here first. I'll get +this off right away for you," he added, turning to Larry. + +And thus it was that Larry got his scoop, for his account took so +long to telegraph that, when the operator began on Peter's, the +_Leader_ had the story in the office, and was preparing to get out +an extra. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE + + +Remaining only long enough to see that the operator got off the +first part of his story, and finding, on inquiry, that the +telegrapher had no difficulty in reading his writing, Larry started +back to the scene of the wreck. He wanted to learn if all the +passengers and crew were saved, and get an interview with the +captain, if he could. + +So he left his old enemy, Peter, there grinding out his story in no +pleasant frame of mind. But it was part of the game, and Larry's +"beat" was a cleanly-scored one, especially as Peter had tried to +win by a trick. + +The young reporter found the work of rescue almost completed. The +life savers had labored to good advantage and had brought nearly all +the passengers ashore in the breeches buoy. They were cared for +temporarily at the beach station, though the small quarters were +hardly adequate. + +With the bringing ashore of the crew and officers, the captain +coming last, the life savers found their work finished. And it was +only just in time, for, not more than an hour after the commander +had staggered up the beach, worn and exhausted by the strain and +exposure, the after part of the vessel slid from the bar and sank in +deep water. + +Larry, who had been introduced to Captain Needam by Bailey, told the +former of his desire for an interview with the commander of the +_Olivia_, and the matter was soon arranged, though Captain Tantrella +was in dire distress over the loss of his ship. + +However, he told Larry what the reporter wished to know, describing +how, in the fog, the vessel had run on the sand bar. He related some +of the scenes during their wait to be rescued, told of the high seas +and terrible winds, and painted a vivid picture of the dangers. +Larry wrote it in his best style and hurried back to the telegraph +office. + +There was only one passenger missing, and the name of this one, +according to the purser's list, was Mah Retto. The name, though +peculiar, Larry thought, was not dissimilar to scores of others, for +the steamer had on board a cosmopolitan lot of passengers. No one +knew how Retto had been lost. + +As Larry was on his way to the telegraph office a sudden thought +came to him. + +"That's it!" he exclaimed. "The man who came ashore on the life-raft +is this missing Mah Retto. I'll just stop on my way to the telegraph +office and see him. That will clear it all up, and make every +passenger accounted for." + +He hurried on, intending to get a hasty interview with the man at +Bailey's hut, and then go telegraph the rest of his story. The +fisherman was still down on the beach, aiding the life savers to +pack their apparatus for transportation back to the station. As +Larry came in sight of the cabin he saw the raft, on which the +stranger had come ashore, lying just beyond high-water mark. + +He entered the hut, expecting to see Retto, as he had come to call +the foreigner, sitting comfortably by the fire. But the rescued man +was not there. Nor was he in the room where he had been put to bed. + +"Maybe he's in the woodshed," thought Larry. "I'll take a look." + +But he was not there. + +"That's strange," Larry mused. "He's disappeared. There is something +queer in this, and I'm going to find it out. But first I must send +the rest of my story." + +Larry found Peter Manton still at the telegraph office grinding +away. Larry's first batch of copy had been sent off, as had most of +Peter's stuff. As the representative of the _Scorcher_ handed in the +last of his copy he turned to Larry and said, sneeringly: + +"I'll bet I've got a better story than you have." + +"Perhaps," was all Larry replied. Then, as Peter went back to the +wreck for more information, Larry wrote, as an addition to his +story, the interview with the captain, finishing with an account of +the missing Mah Retto. He told also of the man who came ashore on +the raft, and who was believed to be the passenger who was +unaccounted for. + +"That's a good day's work done," remarked the young reporter, as he +signed his name to the last sheet of copy. "I wonder if they want me +to stay here?" + +He wrote a brief message asking Mr. Emberg for instructions. Telling +the operator he would call in about two hours for an answer, Larry +decided he would get some breakfast. + +As there was no restaurant in the little hamlet, he thought the best +plan would be to go back to the fisherman's cabin. He wanted to talk +with Bailey about the disappearance of the man they had rescued from +the raft. + +The fisherman was at the hut when Larry arrived, and was busy +preparing a meal. + +"Guess you feel like eating something, don't ye?" he asked. + +"You guessed it right the first time," replied the young reporter, +with a grin. + +"And my other company," went on Bailey. "I expect he's hungry." + +"He's gone." + +"Gone?" + +"Yes; I came back here a while ago and there wasn't a sign of him." + +"Why, that's queer," returned the fisherman. "I've been so busy +frying this bacon and making fresh coffee I didn't notice it. But +that reminds me, I haven't seen or heard anything of him since I +came in. His clothes are gone, too." + +Larry and Bailey made a hasty search through the cabin. There were +few places where a person could conceal himself, and they very soon +found that their late guest was nowhere on the premises. + +"Here's something," remarked Larry, as he looked on a small table in +the room where the rescued man had slept. "It looks like a note." + +It was a note, written on the fly leaf torn from a book. It read: + +"Dear friends. Accept my thanks for saving my life. Please take this +small remembrance for your trouble." + +There was no signature to the note, but folded in the paper was a +hundred-dollar bill, somewhat damp from immersion in the sea. + +"Well, sink my cuttle-fish!" exclaimed Bailey. "That's odd. A +hundred dollars! That's more than I make in a summer season. But +half of it's yours. I'd like to rescue people steady at that rate." + +"It's all yours," said Larry. "I got the story I came down after, +and that's all I want. But I would like to find this Mah Retto, if +that's his name. He doesn't write much like a foreigner, though he +looks like one. May I keep this note?" + +"As long as you don't want a share in the hundred-dollar one, I +reckon you can," Bailey replied, with a laugh. + +Larry folded the scrap of paper to put in his pocket. As he did so +something bright and shining on the floor attracted his attention. +He stooped to pick it up, finding it was a small gold coin, of +curious design, evidently used as a watch charm. + +"I guess our man dropped this," Larry said, holding it out to +Bailey. + +"Well, you can keep that, with the note. Perhaps it will help you +solve the mystery," the fisherman said. "I'm satisfied with what I +got." + +Larry put the charm in his pocket, together with the note, and was +about to leave the room, when the fisherman, who was lifting from +the corner a box, in which to deposit his money, uttered an +exclamation. + +"What is it?" asked Larry. + +"Why, it's a man's beard. Somebody's shaved his off and left it +here. How in the name of a soft-shell clam----" + +"It's that man!" cried Larry. "I knew he had a beard on when we +pulled him ashore!" + +"A beard on?" murmured Bailey, in questioning tones. + +"Yes," went on Larry. "When you were outside, getting some wood, +just before you ran down the beach when the life savers came, I was +in here. The man stuck his head from the bed-room and asked for his +clothes, which I gave him. I noticed he was smooth shaven----" + +"Why, he had a beard on when we pulled him from the water," +interrupted the fisherman. + +"I was sure he did, but when I asked him why he had shaved it off he +said I was mistaken--said it was only a bunch of seaweed I had +thought was a beard. Then you called me to hurry out, and I forgot +all about it until now. But he must have shaved his whiskers off in +here, and then he disappeared. There's something strange about it +all." + +"I rather guess there is," Bailey admitted. "Wonder where he got his +razor? I never use one." + +"He must have had it in that small valise he wore, strapped by a +belt, around his waist," Larry answered. "That's probably where he +carried his money. I'd like to get at the bottom of this mystery." + +"Well, you newspaper fellows are looking for just such things as +this," said the fisherman with a smile. "It's right in your line." + +"So it is," Larry replied. "I'll solve it, too." + +But it was some time later, and Larry had many strange adventures +before he got at the bottom of the queer secret that started down +there on the lonely sea coast. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +LARRY OVERHEARS SOMETHING + + +Larry decided that the disappearance of the fisherman's guest was +not a part of the story of the wreck, though the fact that the +passenger was missing was an item of much interest, and he used it. +He made up his mind to tell Mr. Emberg all about the strange +happening when he got back. + +Arriving at the telegraph office for the third time, he found a +message from the city editor, instructing him to come back to New +York, as the best of the story was now in, and the Associated Press +would attend to the remainder. Some of the representatives of that +news-gathering organization were already at the scene of the +disaster. + +"Your friend got a calling down," volunteered the operator to Larry, +as the young reporter began looking up trains to see when he could +get back. + +"How's that?" + +"He got a message from his city editor a while ago, wanting to know +why he hadn't secured a list of passengers and the crew. The +message said the _Leader_ had it, and had beaten all the other +papers." + +"That's good," spoke Larry. "I worked hard enough for it." + +"The _Scorcher_ man wanted me to give him your list, but I wouldn't +do it," the operator went on. "So he's gone out to get one of his +own. But he's too late, I reckon. I'll have my hands full pretty +soon, for there'll be a lot of reporters here. But you're the first +to send off the complete story." + +Larry felt much elated. Of course he knew it was due, in part, to +the forethought of his city editor in seeing a possible situation, +and rushing a man to the scene ahead of the other papers. That +counts for almost as much in journalism as does getting a good story +or a "scoop." + +Larry received hearty congratulations from Mr. Emberg when he got +back to the _Leader_ office the next day, for, not only had the +young reporter secured a fine "scoop," but he had sent in an +exceptionally good story of the wreck. + +"Larry, you did better than I thought you would. You've got the +right stuff in you!" exclaimed the city editor, while the other +reporters, crowding around the hero of the occasion, expressed, +their pleasure at his success. Not one of them but would have given +much to have been in Larry's place. + +"Have much trouble?" asked Mr. Newton. + +"Well, I had to hustle. Struck something rather queer down there, +too." + +"What was it? Some of the men from other papers try to get the best +of you?" + +"Only my old enemy, Peter Manton, but I put a crimp in him all +right. No, this was something else." And Larry told of the +disappearance of the man at the hut. + +"That is rather odd," agreed the older reporter. "If I were you I'd +tell Mr. Emberg about it, and then you'll be in a position to act on +what information you have, in case anything turns up." + +Larry followed this advice. The city editor puzzled over the matter +a few minutes, and then decided nothing could be done at present. + +"We'll watch developments in regard to the _Olivia_ wreck," said Mr. +Emberg, "and it may be this mystery will fit in somewhere. If it +does we may get a good story." + +But neither Larry nor the city editor realized in what a strange +manner the mystery was to develop. + +It was the beginning of the newspaper day in the _Leader_ office. +Reporters were busy writing accounts of meetings they had covered +the previous night, and others were going out on assignments to +police courts, to look up robberies, murders, suicides, and the +hundred and one things that go to make up the news of the day. + +"How would you like to try your hand at politics?" asked Mr. Emberg +of Larry, when they had finished their talk about the man at the +hut. "I haven't given you much chance at anything in that line, but +if you're going to be an all-'round newspaper man you'll have a lot +to do with politics." + +"I think I'd like it," replied Larry. + +Certainly this life was one of variety, one day at the wild scene of +a rescue from a wreck, and the next peacefully sent to talk to some +political leader. + +"I want you to go up and have a talk with Jack Sullivan, the leader +of one of the Assembly districts," went on Mr. Emberg. "You've +probably read of the trouble in that district. Thomas Kilburn is a +new aspirant for the Assembly and he's fighting against the +re-nomination of William Reilly. Now Jack Sullivan is the leader of +that district, and whoever he decides to support will be elected. +That's the way politics are run in New York. + +"It would be quite an item of news if we could find out whom +Sullivan is going to support. So far he has played foxy and no one +knows, not even the candidates themselves, I believe, though I have +an idea that Sullivan will swing to Reilly." + +"How did Kilburn come to be in the race?" asked Larry. + +"That's what we newspaper editors would like to know, and it's what +you reporters have to find out for us. There's something back of it +all. Sullivan wants something he thinks either Kilburn or Reilly +can give him, and that's why he's holding back. He'll give his +support to the man who, after he's elected, can give him what he +wants. Now if you could discover whom Sullivan is going to support, +and why, it would make a corking story." + +"I'll try," said Larry, a little doubtful of his ability. + +"It isn't at all like going down to a wreck and seeing persons +rescued," went on Mr. Emberg. "You've got to nose out your news this +time. A number of reporters have tried to pump Sullivan, but he +won't give up. Go and try your luck. You'll find him in the district +headquarters," and he gave Larry the address. + +"Where you going?" asked Mr. Newton, as he passed Larry in the +corridor. + +"To interview Sullivan." + +Mr. Newton whistled. + +"I don't envy you," he said. "I'm afraid you'll fall down this time, +Larry" ("falling-down" being a newspaper man's term for failure). +"We've all tried him, but he's as cute as an old fox. He'll be nice +and polite, but he'll not give you a decided answer, one way or the +other." + +"I've got to try," was Larry's reply. + +Larry had one advantage on his side. He was a new reporter in the +political field. That was one reason why Mr. Emberg sent him. Nearly +all the other available men on the _Leader_ were well known to the +politicians, they were familiar with them, and, as soon as they saw +these reporters, the politicians were on their guard. + +Larry, never before having talked with Sullivan and his friends, +might take them off their guard, and they might let fall something +that would make news, the city editor thought. It was a slim chance, +but newspaper editors are accustomed to taking such. + +When Larry entered the headquarters of Sullivan, which were located +in the rear of a large dance hall, he found the place well filled +with men, though it was the middle of the forenoon, when most +persons would have been at work. But the men were politicians of +more or less power, and had plenty of spare time. Besides this was +really their work, though it did not look like very strenuous labor, +for most of them were standing in little groups, talking and +smoking, or sitting in chairs tilted back against the wall. + +Here was where Larry's newness gave him an advantage. No one in the +room knew him to be a reporter, or he would have been greeted by +some of the men as soon as he entered, called by name, and thus all +the others would have been put on their guard. + +Larry sauntered into the big room as though he belonged there. He +hardly knew what to do, but he decided to look about for a few +minutes and size up the situation. No one paid any attention to him, +and he felt it would be a good plan to see if he could pick +Sullivan out from among the throng. + +With this end in view Larry walked from one end of the room to the +other. He did not know that the man he sought was in his private +office, closeted with some of his henchmen. As Larry passed one +group he heard one man in it say: + +"Well, Sullivan's made up his mind at last." + +"He has, eh?" asked another. "Who is it?" + +Larry was all attention at once. This seemed to be the very thing he +had been sent to find out. + +"Don't let it get out," went on the man who had first spoken, "but I +understand Tommy has got to wait a while yet." + +"Then Billy can probably deliver the goods," the second man added. +"I thought he could. Well, it means a good thing for the district +when they build the new line. If only Potter doesn't go back on his +promise. He's so rich you can't touch him with money, and he's as +foxy as they make 'em. If Billy can work him I don't blame Sullivan +for swinging his way. Now----" + +But at that moment one of the men turned and saw Larry. He at once +knew him for a stranger, and quickly inquired: + +"What do you want, young man?" + +"I want to see Mr. Sullivan." + +Larry didn't announce himself as a reporter, for that, he felt, +would have brought him only a polite refusal, on Sullivan's part, to +receive him. + +"What for?" went on the man. + +"I have a message for him," Larry said. + +"You can tell me, I'll see that he gets it." + +"It is for him personally," Larry said, for a bold plan had come +into his mind and he determined to try it. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +AN INTERVIEW WITH SULLIVAN + + +For a moment the man who had questioned Larry stood gazing at him. +Suspicion was in the look, but the reporter never quailed. He was +playing a bold game and he was running a risk, but he was not going +to give up so soon. + +"What's your name?" the man asked him. + +"Larry Dexter." + +That conveyed nothing to his questioner, for Larry had not been long +enough on the _Leader_ to become known in the field of politics. +There were some men in the newspaper business with whom the +politicians were so familiar that they sent for them whenever they +had any news they were desirous of making public. But Larry was not +yet one of these. + +"Sam, tell Mr. Sullivan a young man wants to see him personally," +went on the man who had interrogated Larry. "You can take a seat +over there," he added, pointing to some chairs farthest removed from +the group of which he was a member. + +As Larry moved away he heard one of the men remark: + +"Wonder if he's a newspaper man?" + +"I don't believe so," replied another. "I've never seen him before +and I know most of the reporters in New York. None of the editors +would send a new man to interview Sullivan. He's too tough a bird +for a greenhorn to tackle. I guess he's a messenger from some +broker's office. Maybe Potter sent him." + +"I wonder who this Potter is, and what all that talk meant?" Larry +thought to himself as he took a chair, and watched the messenger +enter a small room at the end of the big apartment. + +In a little while Sam, who appeared to be a sort of janitor around +the place, came back to inform Larry that Sullivan would see him. + +"Now for my game of bluff," said the young reporter to himself as he +entered. + +The political leader was sitting behind a desk, littered with +papers. He was a small man, wearing glasses, and looking like +anything but the chief factor of an important Assembly district. Mr. +Sullivan was bald-headed, and had rather a pleasant face, but there +was a look about him that indicated force of character, of a certain +kind, and a determination to succeed in what he undertook, which is +what makes a good politician. + +"You wanted to see me?" and the question came in a low voice, +totally unlike the loud tones Larry had, somehow, associated with an +important politician. + +Larry felt the eyes of Sullivan gazing sharply at him, as though +they were sizing him up, labeling him, and placing him on a certain +shelf to be kept there until wanted. Sullivan was a good reader of +character, as he showed by his next question. + +"What paper are you from?" + +Larry started. He wondered how the man knew he was from a paper, for +Larry had said nothing about it. Seeing his confusion Sullivan +laughed. + +"Wondering how I took your measure, aren't you?" he asked, and when +Larry nodded he went on: "You have the air of a newspaper man, which +you may consider flattering, as you have acquired it after having +been in the game only a short time. I assume that because it's my +business to know most of the reporters in this city, and I never saw +you before. If you didn't look like a newspaper man I'd size you up +for one, because only a reporter, or some of my political friends, +would come here to see me. You're not the one, so you must be the +other. Now what do you want?" and the politician's voice became +rather sharp. + +"I came here to find out if it's true that you're going to support +Reilly because he can deliver the goods from Mr. Potter," Larry +explained, resolving to chance all at once. + +Sullivan started, and half arose from his chair. Then he seemed to +recover himself. + +"Some one's been talking!" he murmured, and, glancing quickly at +Larry, he asked: + +"Who is Mr. Potter? I'm afraid I don't understand you." + +"He's the financier interested in the new line," went on Larry, +boldly. "It's going to be a good thing for the district, I +understand. Come now, Mr. Sullivan," he went on, assuming a familiar +air he did not feel, "you might as well own up and give me an +interview about deciding to support Reilly." + +For several seconds the leader gazed at Larry, as if seeking to read +his inmost thoughts. Then he spoke: + +"You either know too much or too little, Dexter. I guess you're an +older hand at this business than I took you for. Tell me what you +know." + +"You tell me what I want to know," Larry said with a smile. "You +probably know all that I do and more, too. But I don't know half as +much as you do about this, though I know enough to print something +in the _Leader_. You might as well come out with it." + +Sullivan hesitated. He was wondering how this new young reporter had +discovered information supposed to be a secret among the +politician's closest advisers. Clearly there was a leak somewhere, +and he must play the game warily until he discovered it. Meanwhile, +since part of the truth was known he decided to tell more of it. He +could manage matters to suit his ends if necessary, even after he +gave out the interview for which all the papers in New York were +anxiously waiting. + +"Did Mr. Emberg send you to see me?" asked Sullivan. + +"He did," Larry answered, wondering how intimate was the +politician's acquaintance with the city editor of the _Leader_. + +"Emberg's foxy," went on Sullivan. + +"Do I get the interview?" asked Larry. + +"You do. I like your nerve, and I'd like to find out where you heard +that about Potter." + +Larry did not think it well to say he had merely overheard, in the +politician's own headquarters, a reference to the man, who was a +well-known millionaire and promoter of New York. The truth of the +matter was Larry only used the information that had so unexpectedly +come to him, but he used it in such a way that Sullivan thought he +knew a great deal more than he did. + +"I'm going to support Reilly," went on Sullivan. "I don't know that +I have such great influence as the papers credit me with, but what I +have is for my friend, William Reilly. You can say for me that I +think he served well in the Legislature and is entitled to another +term. As for Mr. Kilburn, who I hear would like the nomination, he +is an excellent young man. I know little about him, but I believe he +would do well. But I believe in rewarding good work, and so I am for +Mr. Reilly." + +"Do you want to say anything about Potter and the new line?" asked +Larry, though if Sullivan had said anything about them the reporter +would have been decidedly in the dark as to what the politician was +driving at. + +"I guess you've got enough out of me for one day," replied Sullivan +with a smile. "It's more talking than I've done in a long while--to +reporters," he added. "Lots of 'em would give a good bit to have +what you've got, and I wouldn't have given it to you, only I think +you're smarter than I gave you credit for. Now you tell me where you +heard about Potter." + +"I can't," answered Larry, truthfully enough, for he did not feel +that he could betray one of Sullivan's own men, because of the talk +he had inadvertently overheard. "Sometime I may." + +"I'll have to cultivate your acquaintance," the district politician +remarked as Larry went out. + +The young reporter hurried to the _Leader_ office, having hastily +jotted down what Sullivan had said. He felt he had secured a piece +of news that would prove a big item that day. + +"What luck?" asked Mr. Emberg, rather indifferently, as Larry came +up to the city editor's desk to report. + +"I've got the interview." + +"I s'pose he gave you a lot of hot air that doesn't mean anything. +See if you can dress it up a bit. We haven't many displays to-day." + +"Sullivan is going to support Reilly," announced Larry, quietly. + +"What?" almost shouted Mr. Emberg. "Did he tell you that?" + +"He did," answered Larry, wondering why Mr. Emberg was so excited. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +EVERYTHING BUT THE FACTS + + +The city room, that had been buzzing and humming with the talk of +several reporters, seemed strangely quiet as Larry gave his answer. +His remarks had been heard by several. The clicking typewriters +stopped, and those operating them looked up. + +"Say that again," spoke Mr. Emberg, as though a great deal depended +on it. + +"Sullivan is going to support Reilly," repeated Larry. "There's what +he says," and he handed out the brief interview which he had written +on some sheets of paper as he came down in the elevated train. The +city editor glanced quickly over it. + +"Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?" he asked. + +"I'm positive that's exactly what he said." + +"This is a big thing," went on Mr. Emberg. "We have news from Albany +directly contrary to this, but if you're sure you are right I'll use +this. It will make a big sensation. Have you got it all alone?" + +"There were no other reporters there that I knew," Larry said. + +"Good for you. How in the world did you do it? I never thought you +would. Sit right down and make as much as you can of it. Describe +how he received you, what you said and what he said and all about +it. This is great." + +"I stumbled on it," said Larry, and he proceeded to relate what he +had heard about Potter and the new line, though he did not in the +least know what the "new line" was. + +"Better and better!" exclaimed Mr. Emberg. "This is what I +suspected. It has to do with the new subway line. If it runs through +the eighth district it will be the making of Sullivan. That's why +he's supporting Reilly, because he thinks Reilly can influence +Potter to run the new subway line in that direction. We must have an +interview with Potter. I'll send some one else out on that. You +write what you have. Here, Mr. Newton, jump out and see if you can +find Potter. It's going to be quite a job, but maybe you can land +him." + +"Hamden Potter's in Europe," said a reporter who "did" Wall Street, +and who knew the movements of most of the financiers. "But he's +expected back soon." + +"Maybe he's back by this time," Mr. Emberg went on. "Get out on the +job, Newton. Hurry, Larry, it's close to edition-time." + +Larry sat down at his typewriter, which he had learned to operate +with considerable speed, and was soon banging away at the keys. + +"Shall I put in that about Mr. Potter and the new line?" he called +to Mr. Emberg. + +"No, I'll have Harvey attend to that part. You just tell of the +interview in regard to supporting Reilly. Make it a good story." + +Larry did his best, and gave a graphic picture of the leader's +headquarters, without touching on how he had come to get the +information which so many other papers and reporters were anxiously +waiting for. + +"Here, Tommy!" called the city editor to one of the copy boys, which +position Larry used to fill, "bring me Mr. Dexter's stuff, page by +page, as fast as he writes it. I'll get it upstairs and fix up a +head for it." + +Larry smiled to hear Mr. Emberg call him "Mr. Dexter," but, no +matter how familiar an editor may become with his reporters, he +gives even the youngest the title of mister when speaking of him to +the copy boys. + +Larry finished the first page of his story, pulled it from the +typewriter and handed it to Tommy, who rushed with it to Mr. +Emberg's desk. The editor glanced over it, made one or two +corrections, changed the wording a bit, and handed it back to Tommy, +who hurried with it to the pneumatic tube, in which it was shot +upstairs to the composing room. + +There it was taken from the metal carrier that dropped from the +tube on the desk of the man in charge of distributing the various +pieces of copy to the compositors. This man put a mysterious-looking +blue mark on the first page of Larry's story. This was to identify +it later, and to make sure that all the succeeding pages would be +kept together. + +Then the sheet was handed to the first of a long line of +compositors, who were standing in front of the desk of the +"copy-cutter," as he is called. It was close to the hour for the +first edition to go to press, and every one was in a hurry. + +The compositor fairly ran to his type-setting machine and began to +operate the keys, which were arranged like those on a very large +typewriter. He did not strike them, as one does who operates a +typewriter, but gently touched them. As he pressed each finger down +the least bit there was a click, and from the rack above the machine +there tumbled down a small piece of brass, called a "matrix." This +contained on one edge a depression that corresponded to a letter. + +In a short while enough matrixes had fallen into place to make a +complete line, just the width of one of the columns of the _Leader_. +The compositor looked at the row of matrixes as they were, arranged +before him, read it (no easy task to the uninitiated), took out a +wrong letter and inserted a right one, and then pressed down a +lever. + +This lever operated the lead-casting machine at the back. A plunger +was shoved down into a pot of melted lead, kept molten by means of +a gas flame. A small quantity of lead was forced up against the line +of matrixes, which automatically moved in a position to receive it. + +The lead was held there an instant to harden, then another lever +automatically removed the solid line of type from its place in front +of the matrixes, a long arm swooped down, took the brass pieces and +returned them to an endless screw arrangement which distributed +them, each one to its proper place, in the series of chutes that +held hundreds of others. + +Everything was done automatically after the compositor had touched +the keys and then the lever, so that he was almost finished with the +second line of the story by the time the matrixes of the first were +being returned to their slots by the machine, which seemed almost +human. + +Thus Larry's story was set up. In all, five men worked at putting it +into type, and finally the five sections were collected together on +a "galley" or long narrow brass pan. A proof was taken and rushed +down to Mr. Emberg so that he might see it was all right, but by +this time, some typographical errors in the story having been +corrected, men were placing it in the "form" or steel frame which +holds enough type to make a page of the paper. This was soon in +readiness for the stereotyping department. + +Larry had not finished the third page of his story before the first +two were in type. He hurried through it, and by the time he had +handed in the last sheet there were men upstairs waiting for it, so +quickly is the mechanical part of newspaper making accomplished. + +Finally the story was all in type, the lead lines were in the form, +and, when the latter was filled it was "locked," or tightly +fastened, and was ready for the men who were to take an impression +of the page in damp papier-mache. + +This papier-mache, which is also called a matrix, was baked hard by +steam, put in a curved cylinder, melted lead was poured on it and +there was a solid metal page of the paper ready for the great press, +which was soon thundering away, printing thousands of papers, each +one containing, on the front page, Larry's account of the interview +with Sullivan. + +Of course many things had been going on meanwhile. Mr. Emberg had +written a "scare head," as they are called, that is a head to be +printed in big letters, and this had been set up by men working by +hand. This was put on the story after it was in the form. + +"Guess Newton is having trouble finding Potter," commented the city +editor, when he had finished with Larry's copy. "If we don't hear +from him in five minutes we'll miss the edition." + +The five minutes passed, and no word came from Harvey Newton. The +building shook as the giant press started, and Mr. Emberg, shutting +up his watch with a snap, remarked: + +"Too late! Well, maybe he'll catch him for the second." + +It is often the case that only part of a story gets in the first +edition of a paper. So many circumstances govern the getting of +news, and the sending of it into the office, that unless a story is +obtained, complete, early in the morning it is necessary to make +additions to it from edition to edition in the case of an afternoon +paper. + +"Mack, maybe you'd better try to find Potter," went on Mr. Emberg +after a pause, turning to another reporter. "You know him. Tell him +we've got an interview with Sullivan, and ask him what the support +of Reilly means." + +Mack, whose name in full was McConnigan, but who was never +designated as anything but "Mack," glanced at the proofs of Larry's +story. + +"I guess I'll find him in Donnegan's place," he said, naming a +resort where men of wealth frequently gathered for lunch. "I'll try +there." + +"Anywhere to find him," returned the city editor. + +"Are you looking for Hamden Potter?" asked an old man, coming into +the city room at that juncture. + +"That's what we are," said the city editor. "Why, do you know where +to find him, Mr. Hogan? Have you got a story for us to-day?" + +Hogan was an old newspaper man, never showing any great talents, and +he had seen his best days. He was not to be relied on any more, +though he frequently took "tips" around to the different papers, +receiving for them, together with what money he could beg or borrow, +enough to live on. + +"I've got a story, yes. I was down at the steamship dock of the Blue +Star line a while ago, and I see Mr. Potter's family come off a +vessel. + +"Was he with them? Have you got the story?" demanded Mr. Emberg, +eagerly. + +"I've got everything, I guess. I've got all but the main facts, +anyhow. I don't know whether Potter was with them or not. I didn't +think it was of any importance." + +"Importance!" exclaimed the city editor. Then he bethought him of +Hogan's character, and knew it was useless to speak. "Everything but +the facts--the most important fact of all," Mr. Emberg murmured. + +"Isn't that tip worth something?" demanded Hogan. + +"Oh, I suppose so," and Mr. Emberg wrote out an order on the cashier +for two dollars. Poor Hogan shuffled from the room. He was but a +type of many who have outlived their usefulness. + +"Jump down to the Blue Star dock, Mack," the city editor said, when +Hogan had gone. "Find out all you can about the Potters--where they +have been and where Mr. Potter went. Hurry now!" + +As Mack was going out the telephone rang. It was a message from Mr. +Newton to the effect that he could not find Mr. Potter, and that at +his office it was said he was still in Europe. + +"Hurry to his house," said Mr. Emberg over the wire. "I have a tip +that his family just got in on the _Messina_ of the Blue Star line. +I've sent Mack to the dock! You go to the house!" + +Thus, like a general directing his forces, did the city editor send +his men out after news. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THREATS AGAINST LARRY + + +Second edition-time was close at hand, but no news regarding Mr. +Hamden Potter had come in from either Newton or Mack. From a +reporter sent to interview representatives of the company +constructing the subway came a message to the effect that none of +the officers would talk for publication. + +"What in the world is the matter with Harvey and Mack?" asked Mr. +Emberg, restlessly pacing the floor. Every one in the city room felt +the strain. Every time the telephone bell rang, the city editor +jumped to answer it, without waiting for one of the boys or a +reporter to get to the instrument. + +Finally, after several false alarms, the bell rang and the city +editor, grabbing up the portable telephone, cried out: + +"Yes? Oh, it's you, Newton. Where in the world have you been? We +only have time for the last edition. Talk fast! What's that? The +Potter family home, and you can't see Mr. Potter? Why not? Tell them +you've got to see him. Send in a message you have something of +importance to tell him. You say you have? And you can't see him? +But you must! Go back and try again. This is the biggest story we've +had in a long while and we can't fall down on it this way!" + +He hung up the receiver on the hook with a bang, and once more began +pacing the floor. + +"That's queer," he murmured. "There's something strange back of all +this. Potter is up to some game, and so is Sullivan. Come here, +Larry." + +Mr. Emberg closely questioned the young reporter as to every detail +of his interview with Sullivan. + +"I'm going to write something myself," the city editor announced. +"We've got to have more of this story. I can guess at part of it, +and I'll make it general enough, and with sufficient 'understoods' +in it to save us in case I'm wrong." + +He began to write, nervously and hurriedly, handing the sheets over +to his assistant to edit as fast as he was done with them. They were +rushed upstairs, one at a time, as Larry's copy had been. + +The last edition went to press without the much-desired interview +with Mr. Potter. The city editor wrote a story, full of glittering +generalities, telling how it was believed that certain forces were +at work in the interest of getting a new line of the subway through +the eighth district, and that Assemblyman Reilly was concerned in +the matter, as was also a certain well-known financier, whose name +was not mentioned, but whom the readers of the _Leader_ would have +little difficulty in recognizing as Mr. Potter. + +To show that it was Mr. Potter to whom he was referring Mr. Emberg +added at the bottom of the story, and under a separate single-line +head, a note to the effect that all efforts were unavailing to get +an interview with Hamden Potter, the financier, who that day had +returned from Europe with his family, as Mr. Potter would see no +reporters. It was added that Mr. Potter's connection with the subway +interests might throw some light on the reason for the declaration +of Sullivan for Reilly. + +In all this there was no direct statement made, but the inferences +were almost as strong as though the paper had come out boldly and +stated as facts what Mr. Emberg believed to be true, but which he +dared not assert boldly. But as long as they were not made direct +and positive there was no chance for a libel suit, which is +something all newspapers dread. + +"There, I guess that will do if Harvey can't get at Potter," spoke +Mr. Emberg when he had finished. "Queer, though, that Potter keeps +himself away from our reporters. He used to be willing enough to +talk." + +A little later another telephone message was received from Mr. +Newton, announcing that it was useless to try to see the +millionaire. + +"Come on in, then," the city editor directed. + +Nor was Mack any more successful. He had learned that the Potter +family had hurried from the dock in a closed carriage and were +driven to their handsome home on the fashionable thoroughfare known +as Central Park, West. No one had seen Mr. Potter, as far as Mack +could learn, and the reporter was not allowed to go aboard the ship, +as the custom officers were engaged in looking over the baggage of +the passengers. + +"Well, we've got a good story," said Mr. Emberg late that afternoon, +when work for the day was over. "It's a beat, too." + +"Did any of 'em make lifts for it?" asked Mr. Hylard, the assistant +city editor. A "lift," it may be explained, is the insertion of a +piece of news in the last edition of a paper. It is made by taking +one plate from the press, removing or "lifting" a comparatively +unimportant item of news from the form, inserting the new item, +which was received too late for the regular edition, making a new +plate, and starting the press again. It is done rather than print an +entire new edition, and is sometimes used when some other paper gets +a beat or piece of news which your paper must have, or in case of an +accident happening after the last edition has gone to press. + +"The _Star_ lifted our story almost word for word," said Mr. Emberg. +"Guess they didn't take the trouble to confirm it. The morning +sheets will probably try to discount it." + +Which was exactly what they did. Some had what purported to be +interviews with Sullivan, denying that he had said he was going to +support Reilly. Others showed, editorially and otherwise, how +nonsensical it would be for Sullivan to throw his influence to any +one but Kilburn. + +"I hope you haven't made any mistake, Larry," said Mr. Emberg the +next day. "If you misquoted Sullivan it means a bad thing for our +paper." + +"I quoted him correctly." + +At that moment the telephone on Mr. Emberg's desk rang and he +answered it. + +"Dexter?" he repeated. "Yes, we have a reporter of that name here." +Larry was all attention at once. "Who wants him? Oh, Mr. Sullivan? +Is this Mr. Sullivan? Well, this is the city editor of the _Leader_. +I see some of the papers are denying our story. Our account is about +correct, eh? Well, I'm glad of it. Yes, I'll send Mr. Dexter to see +you right away. + +"Sullivan wants to see you, Larry," went on Mr. Emberg, hanging up +the telephone receiver. "This may be a big thing. Go slow and be +careful of what he says. Don't let him bluff you." + +"You're getting right into politics," said Mr. Newton to Larry, as +the young reporter prepared to go out. + +"Yes, and I'm afraid I'll get into water where I can't swim." + +"Don't let that worry you. You've got to learn, and in New York +politics is the most important news of all." + +Larry found Sullivan in the same place where he had secured the +momentous interview. The Assembly leader nodded to the boy, and then +picked up a copy of the paper which contained an account of the talk +with Sullivan. + +"You made quite a yarn of this," Sullivan remarked. + +"Yes, it was a good story." + +"A little too good," went on the politician. "You got me into hot +water." + +"Did I misquote you?" + +"No, but you got the information before I was ready to give it out. +I thought you knew more than you did. This last part," pointing to +the generalities written by Mr. Emberg, "this last part shows that +you folks are up a tree. Now I want to know where you heard that +about Potter, and I'm going to have an answer," and Sullivan lost +his calm air and looked angrily at Larry. + +"I can't tell you where I got my tip." + +"You mean you will not?" + +"Well, you can put it that way," replied Larry. + +"I'll make you!" and the politician arose from his chair and stood +threateningly over the young reporter. For a moment Larry's heart +beat rapidly in fear. Then he remembered what Mr. Emberg had said: +"Don't let him bluff you." He was sure Sullivan was bluffing. + +"Are you going to tell?" asked Sullivan again. + +"I am not." + +Sullivan banged his fist down on his desk. He shoved his hat on the +back of his head. Thrusting his face close to Larry's he exclaimed: + +"Then I'll put you out of business! I'll make the city too hot to +hold you! I'll have you fired from the _Leader_, and no other paper +in New York will hire you! I'll show you what it is to have Jack +Sullivan down on you! I was going to play fair with you. But you +sneaked in here and got information I wasn't ready to give out. Now +you can take the consequences!" + +"I didn't sneak in here!" cried Larry. "I came openly. What's more, +you can't scare me! I'm not afraid of you! I know what I did was all +right! Perhaps the _Leader_ knows more than you think. I'm not going +to tell where I got my information, and you can do as you please!" + +Sullivan had cooled down. He was a bit ashamed of having given way +to his anger, for usually he kept his temper. + +"All right," he said. "It's war between us now. Tell your city +editor he needn't send you to get any more news from me, and when +the _Leader_ wants any favors from Jack Sullivan it can whistle for +'em. I'm done with that sheet. I'll show 'em who Sullivan is!" + +Larry turned and went out. It was the first time he had been +browbeaten like this, but he kept his nerve. If he had only known +it, Sullivan was not the first politician to threaten to annihilate +a paper, nor was it Sullivan's initial attempt to scare reporters +into doing what he wanted. + +As Larry left the headquarters he met Peter Manton going in. + +"Making up another fake interview with Sullivan?" asked Peter, with +a sneer. "You've made a nice mess of it!" + +"I didn't make any worse one than you did with that wreck story," +retorted Larry, who could not forego this thrust at his old enemy. + +"I'll get even with you yet," exclaimed the rival reporter, as he +scowled at Larry, and entered Sullivan's private room. + +"I wonder what Sullivan will do about it?" thought Larry, as he went +back to the office. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A MISSING MILLIONAIRE + + +Contrary to Larry's expectations Mr. Emberg was not at all impressed +by Sullivan's threats. + +"I've heard talk like that before," the city editor said. "The +_Leader_ will try to worry along without the aid of Mr. Jack +Sullivan. As for you, Larry, don't give it another thought. If he +ever bothers you, or any of his ward-heelers try to make the least +trouble for you, let me know. I guess we have some influence in this +city. Well, I'll look for wholesale denials of your interview from +now on. Sullivan showed his hand too quickly it seems. We must try +for Potter now. Queer how he hangs back when we've got part of the +story." + +"Haven't any of the boys been able to find him?" asked Larry. + +"Harvey can't get near him, and when he can't no one can. There's +something queer about it. At the house they will give out no +information, except to say that Mr. Potter can't be seen. At his +office the clerks either say that he is engaged or has not come in +yet. I'm beginning to think he's keeping out of the way on purpose." + +Mr. Emberg's surmise about the other papers publishing denials of +the Sullivan interview was correct. Those journals which were on the +same political platform as that of the man whose enmity Larry had +incurred proved, to their own satisfaction at least, that Sullivan +could not support Reilly. As for the _Leader_, which was independent +in politics, that paper did not worry over the accusations of +"faking" made against it. Mr. Emberg knew he was right, and he was +planning for a big disclosure when some of his reporters could find +Hamden Potter. + +For a time the Sullivan matter was dropped, and Larry found his time +busily occupied in a varied lot of assignments. + +One day the young reporter was sent to one of the hotels to +interview a youthful millionaire, who had come to the city from a +distant town in a big touring car, accompanied by a number of +friends. + +"Hump! Seems to me I'm assigned to all the millionaire cases," mused +Larry. + +The young millionaire was named Dick Hamilton, and he was none other +than the youth who has figured in another series of mine, called the +"Dick Hamilton Series," starting with "Dick Hamilton's Fortune." +Dick had come to New York for the purpose of making an investment +and had had an encounter with a sharper, who had tried to sell him +some worthless stocks. + +"Please give me the story," pleaded Larry, and he got the tale in +detail, and what was more, he and Dick Hamilton became so friendly +that the young millionaire promised to keep the story from all other +reporters; so that Larry scored another beat, much to his own +satisfaction and the satisfaction of his friends. + +"Keep on and you'll be at the top," said the city editor, and then +he went on: "Here is something else you might look into, Larry. It +might make a fine thing for the Sunday supplement. You can go up +there, get the yarn, and you needn't come back to-day. Write it up +the first thing in the morning." + +"What sort of story is it?" asked Larry. + +"Why, it's a postal, from an old German, I take it, who says he has +invented a flying machine." + +"I guess he's about the only one in ten thousand who has been +successful then," answered Larry, smiling. + +"Oh, I don't suppose it amounts to anything," went on Mr. Emberg. +"But it may make a good story to let the old gentleman talk, and +describe the machine. The public likes stories about flying machines +and queer inventors, even if the machines don't work. Get a good +yarn, for we need one for the first page of the supplement. I'll +sent Sneed, the photographer, up later to get some pictures of it." + +The city editor handed Larry a postal card, poorly written and +spelled, on which there was a request that a reporter be sent to a +certain address on the East Side, to get a story of a wonderful +invention, destined to revolutionize methods of travel. + +It was not the first time Larry had been sent on this sort of an +assignment. Once he had gone to get a story of a new kind of gas +lamp a man had invented, and the thing had exploded while he was +watching the owner demonstrate it. Luckily neither of them were +hurt. + +Larry found the address given on the postal was in a dilapidated +tenement, seemingly deserted, and standing some distance away from +other buildings. + +When he got there he ran into a reporter named Fritsch, who worked +on a German newspaper. + +"Dot inventor vos mofed avay," said the German reporter. "Some +beoples told me he vos krazy." + +"Is the house vacant?" asked Larry. + +"I dink so. Maype ve walk through him, yah?" + +Larry was willing, and together the pair went into the tenement and +upstairs. + +As they passed through one of the halls Larry looked up and saw a +man peering down at him over a balustrade. He gave a gasp. + +"Vot it is?" questioned the German reporter. + +"That man!" cried Larry. He ran up the stairs and tried to catch +the individual, who was running away. + +The man was the person he had helped to rescue from the ocean--the +one who had given his name as Mah Retto. + +The strange man entered a side room and locked the door. Larry +knocked, but nobody answered his summons. + +"Dot vos not der inventor," said Fritsch. + +"I know it--but I'd like to see him, nevertheless," answered the +young newspaper man. + +A little later the two reporters came down into the street and +separated. Larry went home, but after supper that evening he walked +again in the direction of the lonely tenement. He wanted to see the +policeman, whose post took in that section of the city, and make +some inquiries of him. The officer might be able to throw some light +on the sudden appearance of the strange man. + +Larry found the policeman after some search. The officer, as soon as +he learned Larry was from the _Leader_, was very willing to tell all +he knew, for the _Leader_ was a paper that always spoke well of the +police, and the force appreciated this. + +"It sure is a queer house," said Patrolman Higgins. "I remember the +time it was filled with families, but they all moved away because +the owner didn't make any repairs. The only person there was a crazy +German who's daffy on airships. He got out to-day." + +"I've heard of him," replied Larry. "But is he the only one in +there? I heard there was another man stopping there." + +"Now that you speak of it, I shouldn't wonder but what there was," +answered Higgins. "I saw two lights in there to-night, for the first +time. I've got sort of used to seeing one in the window where the +crazy German is puttering away at his airship, but awhile ago I +noticed a gleam in another part of the house. I took it for a second +lamp the German had lighted, but now that I think of it, seems to me +it was on the other side of the house. I shouldn't wonder but what +you're right." + +"Oh, it doesn't matter much," said Larry, who did not want to arouse +too great interest in the matter. "I just thought you might happen +to know him." + +"I'll make some inquiries in the neighborhood," the officer went on. +"I don't want that shack to get to be a hanging-out place for +tramps. It was bad enough to have the German there, but he paid his +rent to the owner, who's about as crazy as the airship inventor. +I'll look up this other fellow. Drop around to-morrow night and I +may have some news for you." + +"I will," replied Larry, satisfied that he had put his plan into +operation. "It's nothing special, but I had an idea I might get a +story out of the chap." And he went home again. + +Larry reported to Mr. Emberg the next morning all the details of the +visit to the strange house. + +"If some East Indian chooses to hide himself it can't make much +difference to us," said the city editor. "I judge him to be a native +from that name. I've got another story for you to go out on. It's +about----" + +At that instant the telephone on Mr. Emberg's desk rang insistently. +He broke off what he was saying to Larry to grab up the instrument. + +"Hello. Yes, this is Mr. Emberg. Oh, is that you, Harvey? What's +that? Reported to the police as missing? Are you sure it's him? +Great Scott! If that's true that's a corking good story! That +explains some things! You take the police end and I'll send some one +up to the house! Good-bye!" + +The city editor was excited. + +"Here, Larry!" he cried. "Jump right out on this. The police have +just received a report that Hamden Potter, the millionaire +financier, is missing. They tried to keep it quiet, but Harvey got +on to it. Hustle up to Potter's house and get all the particulars +you can. Get a picture of him. Hamden Potter missing!" he went on, +as Larry hurried away on his assignment. "There's something queer in +the wind, that's sure!" + +There was--something more strange than Mr. Emberg suspected, and +Larry's assignment was one destined to last for some time. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A BRAVE GIRL + + +Hamden Potter lived in one of the finest houses in New York. Larry +had often admired it as he walked in the neighborhood of Central +Park, in which vicinity many other New York millionaires have their +residences. + +"Now I've got a chance to see the inside," thought Larry, as he sat +in the elevated train, and was whirled along toward his destination. +"That is if they let me in. Guess I'll have my hands full getting +information up there. Still, if I work it right, I may learn all I +want to know." + +There are only two general classes of persons from whom reporters +can get news. One class is that which is only too ready to impart +it, for their own ends and interests, and this news is seldom the +kind the papers want. The other class consists of persons who are +determined that they will give no information to the representatives +of the press. This class usually has the very news that the papers +want, and the journals strive all the more eagerly to get it, from +the very fact that there is a desire to hold it from them. Both +classes must be approached in ways best suited to them; the one +that they may not take up a reporter's valuable time with a lot of +useless talk, and the other that they may be tricked into giving out +that which they are determined to keep back. It was to the latter +class that Larry was going that morning. On his way up he was +turning over in his mind the best means of getting what he wanted. + +"Some butler or private secretary will come to the door," he +reasoned. "I've got to get in to see a member of the family. There's +only Mrs. Potter and her daughter Grace," for, in common with other +rich men and those in the public eye, Mr. Potter's family affairs +were, in a measure, public property to the New York newspaper world. + +As Larry had surmised, his ring at the door was answered by a +stately butler. + +"I wish to see Mr. Potter," said the reporter, venturing on a bold +stroke. He had learned several tricks of the trade. + +"Mr. Potter is not home," and the door was about to close. + +"Will you take a message to Mrs. Potter?" asked Larry quickly. + +The door was opened a little. + +"What name?" and the butler did not relax his severity. + +"It doesn't matter what name. Tell her I have called in reference to +Mr. Potter's absence." + +"Come in!" the butler exclaimed quickly. + +Larry had gained his first skirmish, in a manner perfectly +legitimate, regarded from a newspaper standpoint. He had called in +reference to Mr. Potter's disappearance--not to give information (as +the butler may have supposed), but to get it. + +"This way," said the man. "Mrs. Potter is in the library." + +Larry entered through the velvet portieres the butler held aside for +him. He saw, reclining on a couch, a handsome woman, whose face +showed traces of tears. Beside her stood the most beautiful girl +Larry had ever seen. She had brown eyes, brown hair, and a face +that, though it was sad, made Larry think of some wonderful +painting. + +"Some one with news of Mr. Potter," the butler announced. + +"Oh! Have you come to tell me of my husband?" the lady exclaimed, +sitting up suddenly. + +Larry's mind was working quickly. If he took the right means he was +liable to get the information he wanted. On the other hand he was in +a fair way to be shown the door indignantly, for he realized that he +had entered under false pretenses, however honorable his motives +might have been. + +"I beg your pardon for intruding," he said, speaking quickly. "I +have come to ask news of Mr. Potter, not to bring it. One moment," +as he saw Mrs. Potter's face assume a look of anger. "His +disappearance has been reported to the police. They tried to keep +it quiet, but it was impossible in the case of a man of Mr. Potter's +standing. Our paper--the _Leader_--knows of it. In a short time it +will be known to every paper in New York. I think it would be wise +for you to meet the situation, and give me whatever information you +can. We will only be too glad to help you locate your husband, and I +believe there is no better way than by newspaper publicity, even the +police will tell you that. If you could give me a description of the +missing man, when he was last seen, what sort of clothing he wore, +and a picture of him we will publish it in the paper. Thousands of +persons will see the account and will be on the lookout for him. +Believe me, it is the best way!" + +Larry paused for breath. He had rattled all that off without giving +Mrs. Potter a chance to stop him, for he wanted to present his case +in the most advantageous light. + +"Mamma, I believe he is right!" exclaimed Grace Potter. "I never +thought of it that way before. I thought the newspaper people were +horrid when any one had trouble." + +"We are human," said Larry with a little laugh, and Grace smiled, +though her eyes had traces of tears. + +"I could not think of discussing your father's affairs with a +reporter," said Mrs. Potter stiffly. + +"I don't want to pry into his affairs," returned Larry. "I only want +to help you find him." + +"But this publicity is so disgraceful!" + +"Not at all, madam. It is a misfortune, perhaps, but other families +have the same trouble. Nothing is thought of it. The newspapers are +the best means of tracing lost persons." + +"That's right, mother," interrupted Grace. "I often read +descriptions of persons who have disappeared, and a few days later I +see that they have been found, principally through an account in the +paper. I am sure this young gentleman will help us." + +"I will do all I can," said Larry. "So will the other papers, I am +sure. Now when did he disappear? Is this a picture of him?" and he +took one from the library table. "Suppose you let me take this to +have a cut made of it. I will return it," and before Mrs. Potter or +Grace could object Larry had it in his pocket. That is the way +reporters get along sometimes, by taking advantage of every +opportunity. Once lost these golden chances seldom can be seized +again. + +Before mother or daughter could answer Larry's question the door +bell rang, and, a moment later, the butler announced: + +"Some newspaper reporters, madam!" + +"Oh, this is dreadful! I can't see them!" exclaimed Mrs. Potter. +"Tell them to go away. Let them see Mr. Potter's lawyer!" + +"Mother, let me attend to this for you," said Grace. "I will see the +reporters. I will tell them all that is necessary. I'm not afraid. +I want to find poor, dear papa!" + +"You are a brave girl," murmured Mrs. Potter, as she wiped her eyes. +"I would not dare face them all in our trouble." + +Larry agreed with Mrs. Potter's characterization of Grace. It was no +easy task for a girl of eighteen to thus assume the responsibility, +but she had the courage, and Larry admired her for it. + +"You had better go to your room, mother," Grace went on. "I will see +the newspaper men in here," she added to the butler who was waiting. +"You may stay," she said, looking at Larry, "and you will learn all +we ourselves know." + +Larry realized there was no opportunity for a beat in this matter of +the disappearance of the millionaire, as the news the police get +they give out indiscriminately to all papers. So he was content to +get what information he needed in common with the other reporters. +But he had a picture, and he doubted if all the others would get +one. + +The butler showed the reporters in. They were nearly all young men, +about Larry's age, though one or two were gray-haired veterans of +the pencil. + +"What is it you wish to inquire about first?" asked Grace, as she +faced the newspaper men, more calmly than could her mother, who had +gone to her room. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +WHERE IS HE? + + +"When did Mr. Potter run away?" asked a voice from the group of +press representatives, and Larry saw it was his old enemy, Peter +Manton, of the _Scorcher_--a sensational sheet--who had made the +inquiry. + +"My father didn't run away!" exclaimed Grace indignantly. "If you +are going on that assumption I shall give you no information at +all." + +"That was a mistake," interposed an elderly reporter. "We are only +anxious to know when you last saw him," and someone whispered a +well-deserved rebuke to Peter. + +"To begin at the beginning," Grace resumed, "father went abroad with +mother and me several months ago. He was not in good health and his +physician recommended a change of air. We traveled in England and on +the continent, and then went to Italy. My father preceded us there, +as he had some business affairs to look after in Rome. + +"When we got to that city we found he had left there, as his +business called him away. He left word that he might have to sail +for this country ahead of us, but would try to meet us in Naples. We +proceeded there, only to find that he had sailed, and he told us to +come over on the next steamer. He promised to meet us in New York. + +"We sailed on the _Messina_, expecting my father would meet us at +the pier." + +"Did he meet you?" asked Larry, for he recalled that day when he had +secured the memorable interview with Sullivan, in which Mr. Potter's +name played an important part. + +"He did not," and there was a catch in the girl's voice. "One of his +clerks did, and said he had received a letter from my father, +stating that he was unavoidably detained, but that he would be with +us soon." + +She paused, and pressed her handkerchief to her eyes. + +"Well?" asked one of the reporters softly. + +"That is all," said Grace. "I have not seen my father since parting +with him at Munich, whence he proceeded to Rome. He has never +communicated directly with us, and we don't know what to think. It +is dreadful!" and she wept softly. + +There was a pause of a few seconds, while the girl recovered her +composure. Then the reporters began to ask questions, sparing Grace +as much as possible. + +In this way they learned that Mr. Potter's family could give no +description as to was dressed when he disappeared, for quite an +interval had elapsed between the time Grace and her mother had last +seen him, and when they learned that he was gone. + +Nor had Mr. Potter communicated with his office or his business +associates, except so far as to send a clerk to meet the steamer. +Before going to Europe he had arranged matters so his affairs could +be conducted in his absence, and his continued failure to come back +worked no harm in that respect. Confidential clerks attended to +everything, and the millionaire's large interests were well looked +after. + +So there was really not much that Grace could tell. She said she and +her mother had waited some time, after getting home, hoping Mr. +Potter would come back or communicate with them, but when he had not +done so they became alarmed. They feared he had met with some +mishap, and, after talking the matter over with his lawyers, they +had decided it would be best to report the matter to the police. + +"We are much obliged to you," said Larry, when it seemed that no +more questions were necessary. + +"We'll do our best, through the papers, to help find your father," +added a gray-haired reporter. + +"Now give us his picture," put in Peter Manton, in a commanding +tone. + +"We have none to give out at present," said Grace coldly. "We are +having a number made, showing him as he looked when he went away, +and they will be ready in a few days. The lawyers will attend to +that, if my father is not found in the meanwhile." + +"We've got to have a picture now!" exclaimed Peter. + +"You shut up!"--thus in a whisper, from another reporter who stood +near the representative of the _Scorcher_. "You don't know when +you've been treated decent. Half the millionaire families in New +York wouldn't even let us inside the door, let alone telling us all +we wanted to know. Dry up!" And Peter desisted after that rebuke. + +Larry managed to be the last one of the reporters to leave the +house. He lingered in the hall, and when he and Grace were there +alone he said: + +"One thing I forgot to ask. When you got back to the house was there +any evidence that your father had been here ahead of you? Was the +house shut up while you were in Europe?" + +"I'm glad you spoke of that," the girl replied. "I had forgotten +about it. Yes, the house was closed all the while we were away, and +opened the day mother and I got back. But, now that you speak of it, +I recollect something that seemed strange at the time. We were a +little worried when father did not meet us at the pier, and I had an +idea that he might have spent some nights in the house, pending our +arrival, though he had said in his letters that if he came over +ahead of us he was going to stop at a hotel. I went to his +room----" + +She broke into tears again, and Larry waited, looking out of the big +front doors, for he was embarrassed. + +"When I looked over his room," continued Grace, going on bravely, "I +saw something was missing, that I knew was on his dresser when we +left for Europe." + +"What was it?" asked Larry. + +"It was a little picture of mother and myself. My father was very +fond of it. He must have come to the house and taken it--one of his +last acts before he disappeared. It made me feel very sad when I +thought of it afterward." + +"Perhaps he took the picture to Europe with him, and you did not +know it," suggested Larry, who was beginning to develop the +instincts of a detective, as all reporters do, more or less. + +"No," said Grace positively. "I remember, I was the last one in +father's room before we sailed for Europe. The carriage was waiting +to take us to the pier, and father went out just ahead of me. He +spoke of the picture then, saying he would leave it to keep guard +over his room until he came back," and once more Grace could not +keep back her tears. + +"Could the picture have been stolen?" asked Larry. + +"The house was in perfect order when we came in," said the girl. +"Nothing else was missing. It seems as if father took that picture +to--to remind him of us--and--and that we would never see him +again." + +"Oh, yes, you will!" exclaimed Larry heartily. "You will find him +all right. Perhaps he has some business matters to attend to out +West, and hasn't time to come home." + +"He could have written." + +"Maybe he is some place where the mails are infrequent." + +Thus Larry tried to comfort Grace, but it was hard work, for the +disappearance of Hamden Potter certainly was strange and difficult +to explain. + +"I will let you know if we hear any news," said Larry as he prepared +to go. + +"Will you? That will be very kind of you. I thank you very much for +your help. I would never have known what to do if it had not been +for your suggestions. Come any time you have any news for us--and I +hope you will come soon--and often," Grace added with a blush. + +Larry's heart beat a little faster than usual, for it was not every +day he received such an invitation to a millionaire's house, nor +from such a pretty girl as Grace. + +"Afraid I'll not have much chance, though," he thought to himself as +he went down the steps. "I'll probably be taken off this case after +to-day, and some other reporter will get it. If I had a little more +experience they might let me work on it. Never mind, I'll get there +some day," and with this Larry comforted himself. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +IN THE TENEMENT HOUSE + + +The story of Hamden Potter's disappearance, as Larry wrote it, made +interesting reading. He used that part about the picture which Grace +had told him, but which the other reporters did not know about. The +photograph of the missing millionaire, which showed a man in the +prime of life, with a large moustache, came out well in the paper, +and as Larry saw the article, on the front page, under a "big head," +he could not but feel he had done well. + +In this he was confirmed by the city editor, who, seeing copies of +the other afternoon papers, as they were brought in to him, +exclaimed: + +"Well, Larry, you did fine!" + +"How's that?" asked the youth. + +"Why you've got 'em all beat on the picture proposition, and none of +'em have that part about his coming back to the house and taking the +miniature of his wife and daughter. That's the best part of the +whole yarn." + +"I got that by luck, almost at the last minute, when the others were +gone," said Larry. + +"That's the kind of luck that makes big stories," commented Mr. +Emberg. "You might take a run up to the house this evening and see +if there's anything new, and then you can pay a visit in the +morning. I'll have the police end looked after by Harvey, and I'll +send a man to Mr. Potter's office. It's barely possible he may turn +up there any minute. I have an idea that he is temporarily insane +because of his heavy business responsibilities, and that he has +wandered off somewhere. He'll come back in a few days. What do you +think about it yourself, Larry?" + +"I hardly know what to think. I never was on a case like this +before. When I first heard about his taking the picture away I +thought maybe he had gone off somewhere to commit suicide, and +wanted it with him." + +"No suicide for Hamden Potter," put in Harvey Newton, with a laugh, +as he stood listening to Larry and Mr. Emberg talking. "He has too +much to live for." + +"Well, I didn't want to think that," Larry went on. "He has a very +fine wife and----" + +"And a beautiful daughter," broke in Harvey. "Look out, Larry, this +is not a love story you're working on." + +Larry blushed like a girl, for several times that day he had caught +himself thinking of Grace and how pretty she was. + +"Let Larry alone for getting all the facts in the case," said Mr. +Emberg. "I suppose Miss Grace gave you some information?" + +"She talked to all the reporters," Larry said. "Mrs. Potter is a +nervous wreck." + +"Well, run up any time this evening," went on the city editor. "You +might stumble on some news. You wrote a very good story to-day. Try +again to-morrow. We've beat the other papers on it as it is." + +Larry got Mr. Potter's picture back from the art department, where a +cut for use in the paper had been made, and decided that he would +have a good excuse for calling at the Potter residence in going back +to return it as he had promised. + +"I wish I had some news to tell her," the young reporter thought as +he went home to supper, "but it's too soon yet. I'd like to be a +detective and see if I couldn't find her father for her. I wonder +where he can be, or why he disappeared? Of course, if he's out of +his mind, as Mr. Emberg believes, that would account for it, but I +don't think he is." + +Telling his mother he did not expect to be out long, Larry left the +house early that evening. He intended to go to Mr. Potter's +residence, leave the picture, have a few minutes' talk with Grace, +and then go home by way of the street on which the tenement was +located, where he had undergone the queer experience with the crazy +inventor. + +"Maybe the policeman has discovered something new about that +strange man from the wreck," thought Larry. + +He found Grace more composed than when he had seen her in the +afternoon. + +"Did you bring me any news?" she asked, as she took the picture. + +"I'm sorry, but I couldn't. I will, though, if there is any to +bring. I'm sure your father will be found." + +"So am I!" exclaimed the girl. "Poor mother is in despair, but I am +not going to give up. If the police can't find him I'm going to make +a search myself. I know a great deal about his business. Father +always said I ought to have been a boy." + +Larry thought it would have been a pity, but he did not say so. + +"I'll search all over until I find him," Grace went on. + +"And I'll help you!" cried Larry, fired to sudden enthusiasm. + +"Will you? Really? That will be fine!" and, before she was aware of +what she was doing, Grace had held out her hand. Larry gave it a +firm grip, and the girl blushed. + +"I suppose I shouldn't have done that!" she said. "I'm always doing +things on impulse. I don't even know your name. I must call you Mr. +Reporter," and she smiled. + +"I'm Larry Dexter," said our hero, blushing a bit himself. "I know +your name, so now I suppose we may consider ourselves introduced." + +"I guess so, though it isn't strictly according to form. But never +mind. This is no time for ceremonies. I hope you will have news for +me--soon." + +"So do I," answered Larry as he took his leave. + +The young reporter was soon in that neighborhood of the city where +was situated the deserted tenement in which he believed there was +some mystery. As he approached the ramshackle old structure he +noticed a figure pacing up and down in front of it. + +"If that's the lunatic inventor of the airship I think I'll pass on +the other side," Larry said to himself. It was dark in that section +of the city, the electric lights being few and far between. However, +as the figure approached, and as Larry continued on, the youth saw +he had nothing to fear, for it was that of his friend, Policeman +Higgins. + +"Well," asked Larry, as he came up. "Anything new?" + +This is the reporter's form of greeting to almost everyone he meets, +and means: "Have you any news for me?" + +"Good-evening," replied Officer Higgins. "I was just thinking about +you." + +"Nothing bad, I hope." + +"No, I was wishing you'd happen along. You remember we were talking +the other night about a strange man that you thought was in here?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, he's in here now, and I'm going to see what he's up to. The +crazy old professor, with his airship, has moved out, and the house +is deserted except for this new bird. I'm going to raid his nest, +for I suspect he's up to no good. I've been watching his light for +some time, and he's moving around in several rooms. Maybe he's going +to set fire to the place." + +"Going to tackle him alone?" asked Larry. + +"No, I've telephoned to the sergeant to send me a man to help me go +through the shack, for though I'm not a coward I've no hankering to +go in that shell after dark, knowing a man may be waiting for me +with a knife or a gun." + +"I'll stay here and see what happens," said Larry. + +"Come along in with us if you like," went on Higgins, for he had +taken a liking to the young reporter. "You may get a story out of +it. Here comes Storg now," he added, as the form of another bluecoat +was seen approaching down the street. + +The two officers held a brief consultation. Higgins showed where a +light was nickering back and forth between two rooms on one side of +the building, about the third story up. + +"It's been going that way for the last hour," said Higgins. "I'm +going in now. Get your gun ready, Storg. You may not need it, but, +if you do, it's best to have it handy." + +Larry followed behind the policemen, his heart beating a little +faster than usual. He was anxious to see the man who was in hiding, +and who, he believed, was the same one he and the fisherman had +rescued from the sea. He believed there was a mystery connected with +the fugitive which would make a good story, even if he was an East +Indian. + +"Easy now," cautioned Higgins, but Larry thought it was needless, as +the heavy shoes of the officers made noise enough to awaken the +soundest sleeper. + +The bluecoats entered the dark hallway of the tenement. The doors +were void of locks and swung to and fro, creaking on rusty hinges, +as the wind blew them. There was a damp and unpleasant smell in the +house, and now and then came queer sounds, that echoed through the +deserted rooms. + +"Nothing but shutters banging," explained Higgins, as his +companion-in-arms started. "They're flapping like a bird's broken +wing, all over the place. Now for our mysterious friend." + +But for the fact that both officers carried small pocket electric +lamps, operated by dry batteries, they would have had difficulty in +making their way through the halls and up the stairs, for there were +many holes, caused by rotting boards. As it was they moved along +with some speed, until they came to the third floor. + +"He'll be about here somewhere," whispered Higgins, a needless +precaution, as their advance had been already heralded by their +heavy foot-falls. + +"There's a light there," said Storg, pointing to the end of a long +hall. Coming from under a door could be seen a faint gleam. + +"That's where he is!" exclaimed Higgins. "Come on!" + +Larry followed the officers. Their steps echoed through the silent +building. Forward they went until they came to the door beneath +which the light showed. Higgins tried the knob. The portal was +locked. + +"Let us in! We're police officers!" he exclaimed. + +There was a rustling within the room, but no attempt was made to +open the door. + +"Open or we'll break it in!" cried Higgins, and, as there was no +answer, but only silence, he put his big shoulder to the frail door. +There was a crackling sound, a splintering of wood and the hinges +gave way. Higgins fairly jumped into the room as the portal fell in. +Storg followed after him, with his hand on his revolver, ready to +use it should occasion arise. But there was no need, for the room +was deserted, though a candle burning on a mantel showed there had +recently been an occupant in it. + +"He's gone!" cried Higgins, looking around. + +At that moment there was a sound in the corridor, and somewhere +along its length a door opened. + +"He's getting away!" yelled Storg, as he jumped back into the +hallway. Larry followed, and the policeman flashed his electric +lamp. + +Then, in the little circle of light cast from the glass bullseye, +Larry saw, running down the stairs, the smooth-shaven man he had +helped pull from the angry sea on the life-raft. + +"There he goes! Catch him!" cried Storg, as he clattered down the +stairs after the fugitive. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +LARRY'S SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT + + +"Hold on! Stop!" yelled Higgins, running from the room. "Halt, or +I'll shoot!" + +It would have done little good had he done so, for by this time the +mysterious man was in the second hallway, and out of reach of any +possible bullets. + +"You stay here and look after things, I'll catch him!" called Storg, +as he raced down the stairs, his light making erratic circles as he +advanced. + +"I guess that's good advice," commented Higgins to Larry, who had +remained in the upper corridor. "I'm too fat to run. Let's see what +he left behind." + +Back into the room, where the candle was burning, went Larry and the +policeman. A quick survey showed nothing unusual. There were some +old chairs and a table, left probably by the departed tenants. + +"He must have had the run of several rooms," Higgins went on. "He +came out of some apartment farther down the hall, and that's how he +fooled us. He was on the watch, and that shows there must be +something queer about him." + +"Let's take a look through the other rooms," suggested Larry. + +Showing his light Higgins led the way. They went through several +other bare and deserted chambers, but saw no indications that the +stranger had been in them. Presently they came to what had been a +bathroom, though most of the plumbing had been torn out by thieves, +for the value of the lead pipes and the faucets. + +"He's been here!" cried Larry, as he pointed to a faint spark in one +corner of the room. + +The policeman flashed his electric on it. It proved to be a candle +that had burned down into the socket, the remainder of a wick +smouldering and glowing. + +"Yes, and he shaved himself here," the officer added, as he pointed +to a razor, some soap, and pieces of paper on which were +unmistakable evidences that the mysterious man had been acting as +his own barber. "I'd like to catch him," the bluecoat went on. "I'm +sure there's something crooked about him." + +"It looks so," agreed Larry. "Maybe Storg will get him." + +"I hope so," and Higgins began to make a more thorough search of the +apartment. + +There was nothing, however, which shed any further light on the +mysterious man. It was evident, though, that he had lived in the +deserted house for several days, since there were remnants of food +scattered here and there. + +"The mystery is getting deeper and deeper," thought Larry. He said +nothing to the policeman about the man being a person who had come +ashore from the _Olivia_. "I'm going to ask Mr. Emberg to let me +work on this case," he resolved, while he followed Higgins from room +to room. "I believe it will be a great story if I can get all the +details." + +How much of a story it was destined to be Larry had no idea of at +that moment, though his newspaper instinct, that led him to suspect +there was a strange mystery connected with Mah Retto, was perfectly +correct, as he learned later. + +"Well, I don't see that we can learn anything more here," remarked +Higgins when he had been in a number of chambers on the third floor. +"He evidently only used a few of these handsome apartments," and he +laughed as he looked around on the dilapidated rooms, with the +plaster peeling from the walls, the windows half broken, and the +doors falling from their hinges. + +"Hark!" exclaimed Larry. "Some one is coming!" + +Footsteps sounded in the lower hall. + +"That's Storg, coming back!" cried Higgins. "I hope he got his man." + +He leaned over the balustrade and called down: + +"Any luck, Storg?" + +"No, he got away," was the reply. "He's a good runner. I couldn't +keep up to him." + +"Never mind," consoled Higgins. "Maybe it's just as well. We'd have +trouble proving anything illegal against him, though I could have +had him held on a charge of vagrancy until I investigated a bit." + +The officers, followed by Larry, left the ramshackle structure, with +the wind whistling mournfully through the broken windows, and the +shutters banging, while the doors creaked on the rusty and broken +hinges. + +"I wouldn't want to stay there all alone at night," thought the +young reporter, as he started toward home. "A man must have a strong +motive to cause him to hide in there. I'd like to find out what it +is. Perhaps I shall, some time." + +Larry spoke of the matter to Mr. Emberg the next day. He said he +thought it might be a good idea to devote some hours to working up +the story, in an endeavor to learn who the queer man was. + +"Still puzzling over your East Indian, eh?" asked the city editor. +"Well, there may be something in it, but just now I have something +else for you to do." + +"Another flying-machine story?" + +"Not exactly. I'm going to give you a special assignment." + +Larry was all attention at once. The best part of the newspaper life +is being given a special assignment--that is, put to work on a +certain case, to the exclusion of everything else. Every reporter +dreams of the time when he shall become a special correspondent or +given a special assignment. It means that your time is your own, to +a great extent; that you may go and come as you please; that your +expense bills are seldom questioned, and that you may travel afar +and see strange sights. The only requirement, and it is not an easy +one, is that you get the news, and get it in time for the paper. Of +course, it need not be said that you must let no other paper beat +you, but this seldom occurs, as when a reporter is on a special +assignment he works alone, and what he gets is his. There are no +other newspaper men to worry him. + +So, when Mr. Emberg told Larry there was a special assignment for +him, the young reporter's heart beat high with hope. He had often +wished for one, but they had never come his way before, though to +many on the _Leader_ they were an old story. + +"What is it?" asked Larry, wondering how far out of town it would +take him. + +"I want you to find Mr. Potter, the missing millionaire, Larry," +said Mr. Emberg. + +"Find Mr. Potter?" + +"That's it. I want you to devote your whole time to that case. Never +mind about anything else. Find Mr. Potter. There's a big story back +of his going away; a bigger story than you have any idea of. I don't +know what it is myself, but I want you to find out. Now I am going +to give you free rein and full swing. Do whatever you think is +necessary. Get us news. We'll have to have a story every day, for +we're going to play this thing up and feature it. You're going to be +on the firing-line, so to speak. Take care of yourself, but don't go +to sleep. Get ahead of the other fellows and get us news. That's +what we want. That's what makes the _Leader_ a success. It's because +we get the news, and generally get it first. + +"I can't tell you where to start, or what to do. You'll have to find +that out for yourself. Get all the information you can from the +family. See some of Mr. Potter's business associates. Have another +interview with Sullivan. Maybe he knows something about it, though I +doubt it. + +"At any rate, whatever you do, find Mr. Potter," and at this closing +instruction Mr. Emberg learned back in his chair and looked sharply +at Larry. + +"Suppose I can't," and the young reporter smiled. + +"'Can't' isn't in the reporter's dictionary," the city editor +replied. "You've got to find him. I don't want to see you fall down. +You've done well, so far, Larry. Now's a chance to distinguish +yourself." + +Larry knew that it was. He also realized that he was going to have +his hardest work since he had become a reporter. It was a special +assignment, such as any newspaper man might wish for, but it was not +one that could be characterized as easy. + +"I've got my work cut out for me," thought the youth, as he turned +away. + +"Here's an order for fifty dollars," went on Mr. Emberg, as he +handed the young reporter a slip of paper. "Take it to the cashier, +and when you want more for expenses let me know. Don't be afraid of +using it if you see a chance to get news, but, of course, don't +waste it. Now go, and find Mr. Potter, but don't forget we must have +some sort of a story every day." + +Larry's first act, after receiving his special assignment, was to go +to Mr. Potter's house. Grace received him, and, in answer to his +inquiry, stated that the family had no more news than they had at +first. + +"I thought you could tell us something," said the girl in +disappointed tones. + +"Perhaps I can, soon," replied Larry. "I'm detailed specially on +this case now," and he told her of his assignment. + +"Does that mean you have nothing to do but to search for my father?" + +"That's what it means." + +"Oh, please find him for me!" exclaimed the girl. "You don't know +how much I have suffered since he has been missing, nor how much my +mother has suffered. It has been terrible! Oh, if you only could +find him for us!" + +"Miss Potter," began Larry, who was deeply touched by her distress, +"a newspaper man could have no greater incentive to work than the +duty to which his assignment calls him. More especially in this +case to which my city editor has told me to devote my whole time. +But aside from that I'm going to find your father for your sake and +your mother's. I'll do all I can. I'll work on this case day and +night. I'll find your father for you!" + +"Oh!" exclaimed Grace, "you don't know how much good it does me to +hear you talk so! It seemed as if no one cared. Of course my +father's business associates want him to come back, and so do his +friends, but--but they don't wish it as much as my mother does and +as I do! I miss him so much!" + +If Larry had not had the injunction laid on him by Mr. Emberg to +urge him on in the search, the appeal by Grace would have been more +than sufficient. Hereafter, he resolved, he would feel somewhat as +did the knights of old when they were commissioned by their ladies +to execute some bold deed. + +"Don't worry," he told Grace, as he saw her distress was getting the +better of her. "I'll find him." + +"Suppose you can't?" + +"There's no such work as 'can't' in my dictionary," replied Larry, +repeating what Mr. Emberg had told him. + +Grace smiled at the young reporter's enthusiasm, but she knew she +could have had no better friend, no one who would devote more time +and energy to her cause, and no one who had so strong a motive for +finding the missing millionaire as had this young newspaper +reporter. + +While the two were discussing various details of the case there was +a ring at the front door, and, presently, the butler entered the +library. + +"Mr. Jack Sullivan to see you, miss," he announced. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +SULLIVAN'S QUEER ACCUSATION + + +"Whom did you say it was?" asked Grace. + +"Mr. Jack Sullivan," repeated the butler. "I asked him for his card, +miss, but he said he hadn't got none. Told me to mention his name, +an' said you'd know him." + +"But I don't know him," protested Grace. "I never heard of him in my +life. There must be some mistake. Are you sure he wants, me, +Peterson?" + +"He said so, miss, but I'll ask again." + +Whereupon the butler, as stiff as a ramrod, went back to the door +where he had left Mr. Sullivan standing. + +"He means you, miss," the functionary remarked, as he came back to +the library. + +"I wonder what he can want," Grace said, half to herself. "I don't +know any such person. I think there's a mistake. I will see him, and +tell him so." + +"Wait a minute," exclaimed Larry. "Perhaps I can explain this. I +think I know Mr. Sullivan." + +"Who is he?" + +"A political leader of the eighth assembly district." + +"What does that mean; I'm dreadfully ignorant of politics," Grace +remarked with a smile. "Poor papa was much interested in them, but I +never could make head or tail out of political matters." + +"I have an idea that Sullivan has called here in reference to the +disappearance of your father." + +"Why do you think that?" and Grace turned pale. "Do you think he +brings bad news?" + +"On the contrary, I think he has come in search of information." + +"But how can he be interested?" + +Thereupon Larry told of his interview with the politician, based on +what he had overheard in reference to Mr. Potter and the extension +of the subway. + +"Wasn't your father interested in building a new line of street +railroad?" he asked of Grace. + +"I'm sure I don't know. I never kept track of papa's business +matters." + +"I see." + +"What ought I to do about this Mr. Sullivan?" Grace asked. + +"I think you had better see him," replied Larry. + +"I'd be afraid to, alone, and mother has such a headache that she +can't come downstairs. Will you stay in the room with me?" and she +looked appealingly at Larry. + +"I'm afraid if I did Sullivan wouldn't talk. He knows me, and +imagines I have done him a wrong, which I have not. I believe he +considers me his enemy. He would probably go away without saying +anything if you met him in my presence." + +"But you don't need to be actually present," said Grace, with sudden +inspiration. "Look here, this is a little alcove," and she pulled +aside a hanging curtain and showed a recess in the library wall. +"You can stand in there, and hear whatever he has to say. I'd feel +safer if you were near. Of course there's Peterson, but he's so +queer, and I don't like the servants to hear too much about poor +father's disappearance. Will you stay here and be at hand in case I +want you?" + +"Of course I will," replied Larry after a moment's hesitation. "I +have no idea that Sullivan will annoy you. He's too much of a +politician for that. And I may be able to get a clue from what he +says, though I don't imagine he knows where Mr. Potter is." + +"Then I'll see him," decided Grace. "Peterson," she called. + +"Yes, miss." + +"You may show Mr. Sullivan in here." + +"In here, miss?" and the butler looked at Larry. + +"I said in here." + +"Very well, miss." + +"Now hide," commanded the girl in a whisper, as soon as Peterson had +gone to the front door, where Mr. Sullivan had been kept waiting, as +the butler evidently thought the caller did not look like a person +to be admitted to the hallway until he had showed his credentials, +or until he had been authorized to come in by some member of the +family. + +Larry got behind the curtain. No sooner had the folds ceased shaking +than Mr. Sullivan entered the library. Larry could see him, though +the young reporter himself was hidden from view. Grace remained +standing. + +"You wished to see me?" she asked in formal tones. + +"Yes, Miss Potter," and Larry noted that Sullivan was ill at ease. +"I called about your father." + +"Do you know where he is?" + +"No, Miss Potter. How should I?" and Sullivan looked quite +surprised. + +"Then why did you come?" + +"I came for some information, miss." + +"We have none to give you. We have told the police and the reporters +all we know." + +"Are you sure?" and at this question Sullivan's bearing became +different. He seemed bolder. + +"What do you mean?" demanded Grace. + +"I mean just this," went on the politician. "I've got a right to +know where Mr. Potter is. A great deal depends on it. I've got to +find him. Reilly wants to find him. He and Reilly had some deal on, +and it's time it was put through. It's going to make trouble if it +isn't. I want to know where Mr. Potter is?" + +"So do we," answered Grace. "If this is all that you came for you +had better leave." + +"It isn't all I came for!" Sullivan's voice had an angry ring. "I +don't believe you have told the police or the newspapers all you +know about this thing. I believe----" + +"Leave this room!" commanded Grace. "Leave it at once, or I shall +ring for the servants to show you the door! What do you mean?" + +"I mean just what I say!" and the politician's voice was angry now. +"I mean that you know where your father is, and that you're only +pretending you don't. It's some game to fool Reilly and me. We'll +not stand for it. I want you to tell me where your father is!" + +He took a step toward Grace. She seemed dazed. + +"Tell me! Do you hear!" and, probably because he was so excited, the +politician made a movement as if he meant to grasp the frightened +girl by the arm. + +"Oh!" she screamed. "Don't touch me! Larry!" + +"Quit that!" cried the young reporter, stepping suddenly from behind +the curtain. "That will do, Mr. Sullivan!" + +Larry spoke more calmly than he had any idea he could under the +circumstances. He seemed master of the situation. + +The very suddenness of Larry's appearance caused Sullivan to recoil +a step. He fairly glared at the young reporter and then looked at +Grace, who was trembling from the words and actions of her rude +visitor. + +"You here!" exclaimed the politician, in a whisper. "So that's the +game, eh? I thought the _Leader_ was in on it." + +"There's no game at all!" cried Larry, indignantly. "I am here in +the interests of the paper to learn all I can about Mr. Potter's +disappearance." + +"Then ask her to tell you the truth!" cried Sullivan, pointing his +finger at Grace. "She knows where he is!" + +"I don't! I wish I did!" and Grace faced her accuser with flashing +eyes. + +"Don't repeat that remark," said Larry, calmly, though there was a +determined air about him. "You know better than that, Mr. Sullivan," +and Larry stood fearlessly before the politician. In the unlikely +event of a physical encounter Larry had no fears, for he was tall +and strong for his age. + +"It's true!" Sullivan repeated, in a sort of a growl, for he was a +little afraid of the tempest he had stirred up. + +"I say it isn't," Larry replied. "I have worked on this case from +the start, and I know as much about it as any one. What's more, I +think you know more than you are willing to admit. I haven't +forgotten the interview you gave me, and which you denied later. I +think there's something under all this that will make interesting +reading when it comes out." + +"You--you don't suspect me, do you?" and Larry noted that Sullivan's +hands were trembling. + +"I don't know what to suspect," the young reporter answered, +determined to take all the advantage he could of the situation. "It +looks very queer. It will read queerer still when it comes out in +the _Leader_--how you came here to threaten Miss Potter." + +"You--you're not going to put that in, are you?" asked the +politician. + +"I certainly am." + +"If you do I'll----" + +"Look here!" exclaimed Larry. "You've made threats enough for one +day. It's time for you to go. There's the door! Peterson!" he +called. "Show this man out!" + +Larry was rather surprised at his own assumption of authority, but +Grace looked pleased. + +"Yes, sir, right away, sir," replied the butler with such promptness +as to indicate that he had not been far away. + +He pulled back the portieres that separated the library from the +hall, and stood waiting the exit of Mr. Sullivan. + +"This way," he said, and a look at his portly form in comparison +with the rather diminutive one of the politician would at once have +prejudiced an impartial observer in favor of Peterson. "This way, if +you please." + +"You'll hear from me again," growled Sullivan, as he sneaked out. +"I'm not done with you, Larry Dexter!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +GRACE GETS A LETTER + + +The door closed after Sullivan. Larry, standing in the library +entrance, watched him leave the house. Then he turned to look at +Grace. + +"Oh, that was terrible!" the girl exclaimed, almost ready to cry, +but bravely keeping back the tears. "What a horrid man! What did he +mean?" + +"I'm sure I don't know," replied Larry. "I doubt if he does himself. +Mr. Potter's disappearance has evidently sent some of his plans +askew, and he is hardly responsible for what he says or does. Don't +let it worry you." + +"I wonder if he knows where my father is?" + +"I don't believe he does. If he did he would hardly come here, +hoping to deceive you or your mother. No; Sullivan wants to find out +where Mr. Potter is just as much as we do. Why, I can't tell yet, +but he has a good reason, a strong reason, or he would not have +acted as he did." + +"What had I better do?" asked the girl. + +"Do nothing. Leave it to me. I will write something for the +_Leader_ that will make Sullivan wish he had stayed away from here." + +"Mother doesn't like this newspaper publicity." + +"I can imagine it is not very pleasant for her," admitted Larry. +"But it has to be borne if we are going to find your father. The +more the papers print of the affair the better chance there is of +finding him. If he is staying away for some reason he will see what +a stir his disappearance has caused, and will be anxious to arrange +matters so he can come back. If he is being detained against his +will, the publicity will cause his captors an alarm which may result +in their releasing him. So, too, if any one sees him wandering about +they will recognize him by his picture, or by the description, and +inform the police." + +"Suppose--suppose he--should be--dead," and Grace whispered the +words. + +"Don't think that for a moment!" + +"It is over two weeks now since he disappeared, and not one word +have we heard from him." + +"Persons have been known to disappear for longer periods than that, +and yet turn up all right," said the young reporter, endeavoring to +find some consolation for the girl. He related several instances of +similar cases that had come to his attention since he had been in +newspaper work. + +"Now don't put too much in the paper about Mr. Sullivan--and me," +said the girl as Larry was going. "There has been sufficient +printed all ready, and some of my friends think I must have a staff +of reporters at my beck and call, to get my name mentioned so +often," and she smiled at Larry. + +"I'll not mention you any more than necessary," he promised, +thinking that Grace was much prettier when a smile brought out a +dimple in each cheek. + +Larry's description of Sullivan's visit to the Potter house proved +to be what Mr. Emberg described as "a corking good scoop." None of +the other papers had a line about it, of course, for Larry was the +only reporter in a position to get inside information, and Sullivan +was not likely to give out any account of his strange call. + +"You seem to be keeping right after all the ends of this story, +Larry," said Mr. Emberg the day after the account of Sullivan's +visit was printed. "That's what we want. Now what sensation are you +going to give us to-day?" + +"I don't know. Not a very good one, I'm afraid. I've been to Mr. +Potter's office. There's nothing new there, and I guess I'll have to +fix up a re-hash of yesterday's stuff unless I can strike another +lead. To-morrow I'm going to work on a new plan." + +"What is it?" asked the city editor. + +"I'm going to the steamship docks and----" + +Before Larry could finish the telephone on Mr. Emberg's desk rang, +and, as this instrument has precedence over everything else in a +newspaper office, Larry broke off in the midst of his remark to wait +until Mr. Emberg had answered the wire. + +"Yes, he's here, standing right close to the 'phone," he heard the +city editor say in response to the unseen questioner. "Some young +lady wants to talk to you," Mr. Emberg went on, handing the portable +instrument to Larry. + +"Young lady to speak to me?" murmured Larry, as he took the +telephone. + +"This is Grace Potter," he heard through the instrument. + +"Oh, how are you?" called Larry, for want of something better to +say. + +"Come right up," Grace said. "I have some news for you." + +"What is it?" + +"I have a letter from my father!" + +"A letter from your father? Where is he? How did it come? Who +brought it? Is he home?" + +Larry fired these questions out rapidly. But there was a click in +the 'phone that told him the connection was cut off. Evidently Grace +had no time to tell more. + +"Hurry up there!" exclaimed Mr. Emberg, as soon as he understood the +import of the message Larry had received. "This will be a feature of +to-day's story! Hurry, Larry!" + +Larry thought the transportation facilities in New York were never +so slow as on that journey to the Potter house. He tried to +imagine, on the way up, what sort of a letter Grace had received +from her father. That it contained good news he judged from the +cheerful note in her voice. + +"Things seem to be happening quite rapidly," the young reporter +mused, as he got off at the elevated station nearest to his +destination. "First thing I know I'll find him, and then I'll not +have a chance to see Grace any more." + +He dwelt on this thought, half-laughing at himself. + +"I guess I'd better stop thinking of her and attend strictly to this +disappearance business," he murmured as he went up the steps of the +Potter mansion. "She's too rich for one thing, and another is I'm +too poor, though I'm earning good wages, and we have some money in +the bank," for the sale of the Bronx land, as related in "Larry +Dexter, Reporter," had netted Mrs. Dexter and her children about ten +thousand dollars. + +Larry's ring at the bell was answered by Grace, who, it would seem, +had been on the watch for him. + +"I thought you would never come," she said. "I telephoned ever so +long ago." + +"I came as fast as I could," Larry responded. "Where is the letter?" + +Grace held out to him a small piece of paper. On it was but a single +line of writing. It read: + +"Am well. Have to stay away for a time. Don't worry. Will write +again." + +It was signed with Mr. Potter's name. + +"Are you sure it's from your father?" asked Larry, thinking some +cruel person might be trying to play a joke, or that some +enterprising reporter had sent the message for the sake of making +news. Such things are sometimes done by New York newspaper men, +though their city editors may know nothing about it. + +"I couldn't mistake father's writing," replied Grace. "Mamma knows +it is from him, and she is much happier. But we can't imagine why he +has to stay away." + +"When did you get this, and how did it come?" asked the reporter. + +"The postman brought it a little while ago." + +"Where is the envelope?" + +Grace handed it to Larry. An inspection of the post-mark showed that +it had been mailed in New York in the vicinity of sub-station Y, +which was on the East Side. It might have been dropped in one of the +many street boxes from which collections were made for that +particular office, or it might have been mailed in the station +itself. + +"Not much to trace him by," said Larry. He looked at the envelope +again and saw that there was a small ink blot on the lower left-hand +corner, and that the corner where the stamp was affixed was smeared +as if with some sticky substance. + +"Any one would think you were a detective," said Grace, as she +watched Larry examining the envelope. "What does it matter now? We +are sure father is alive, for that note was posted yesterday. That +has made mother and me happy. Of course we want to find him, but I +don't see how you can by that letter. I thought you'd like to know +about it to make a little item for the paper, and I wanted to repay +you for your kindness to mother and me." + +"I haven't done anything," Larry replied. "I am only too glad to be +of service to you. But I may be able to find out something by this +envelope." + +"I don't see how." + +"Will you let me take it to the sub-station?" + +"Of course. But what good will that do?" + +"I want to ask the sorters and clerks in charge if they remember +having handled it. I may find the carrier who brought it in from the +box, and he can tell in what locality it was." + +"But how can they remember when they must handle thousands of +letters every day?" + +"Perhaps they cannot, but it is worth trying. You see in that +section of the city are mostly foreigners, who write a peculiar +hand, and use stationery anything but clean or of this quality. This +envelope and paper are of an expensive kind." + +"Yes, they are some father had made to order for his private +correspondence. I did not know he took any to Europe with him, but +he must have." + +"It may be that a letter carrier or mail sorter took enough notice +of the envelope to remember it," Larry went on. "Besides there is a +small blot on it, and the way in which the stamp is put on shows +that some glue or paste was applied to the envelope. Probably he +used an old stamp which had no mucilage on. To make it fast to the +envelope your father, or whoever posted the letter, would have had +to use some sticky substance, and, in doing so, he has put it on a +little too thick. Some spread out from under the stamp and soiled +the envelope. + +"Of course the sorters and carriers don't pay much attention to the +pieces of mail, except to see that they are properly stamped and +addressed, but it's worth trying. This envelope would attract +attention if anything would." + +"And you are going to use that for a clue?" + +"I'm going to try. It may be useless. If we can find in what +particular locality it was mailed we can have the police keep a +watch for your father. He may mail other letters there." + +"But my father is not a criminal. Why should the police watch for +him so particularly. They are keeping a general lookout now, but I +wouldn't like to think they were lying in wait for him." + +"It's the only way to find him," said Larry. "Of course it's +unpleasant, but there is evidently some mystery here, and that's the +best way to clear it up." + +"But he says he has to stay away for a while," argued Grace. "Maybe +he wouldn't like to be found." + +"Of course that point has to be considered," Larry admitted. "But I +take it you and your mother want to find your father, or be in a +position to communicate with him." + +"Oh, we do!" exclaimed Grace. + +"Then we'll have to ask the police to help us. There is no disgrace +in it. Everyone knows your father is honorable, and if he wants to +disappear that's his business. It is also perfectly right for you to +try to find him, for----" and Larry stopped. + +"Well, for what?" asked Grace, seeing the reporter hesitate. + +"I don't want to alarm you," Larry went on, "but I was going to say +that there is no way of telling but what some one may have imitated +his writing and forged his name." + +"I am sure that is my father's writing," the girl said, earnestly. +"Of course I may be mistaken. I hope not. I prefer to believe that +note is from him. It makes me happier." + +"Of course there is only the barest possibility that this note is +not from your father, but we can take no chances. That is why I want +to make a systematic search, beginning at the sub-station." + +"And where will it end?" asked Grace. + +"I don't know. But after that I am going to the steamship piers of +all the lines that ply between here and Italy." + +"What for?" + +"I want to see if the captain of any of the steamers recalls any +man answering your father's description having come over with him. +He must have sailed on some steamer, as he is in this country, if +that note is from him." + +"That's a good idea," commented Grace. "How I wish I could help you. +Couldn't I? Couldn't I go around with you--that is to the steamer +piers? I've crossed the ocean several times, and I know some of the +captains of the Italian lines." + +"Maybe that would be a good idea," said Larry, secretly delighted +with it. "You can come with me to-morrow. I will go to the +sub-station now, and will let you know what I learn. Then we will +make a tour of the piers. You'll be of great assistance to me, for I +know very little about steamers." + +"I'm so glad!" exclaimed Grace. "It has been terrible to sit here +day after day and only wait! I wanted to do something to help find +father. Now there is a way! I wish I was a boy--no, I'd rather be a +reporter; they can do so many things," and Grace laughed more +heartily than at any time since her father had disappeared. + +"I'm afraid you give us too much credit," replied Larry. "We do our +best, but we don't always get results. Are you sure your mother will +let you go?" + +"Of course," Grace replied, in a way that showed she was used to +having her own way. "When will you come for me to-morrow?" + +"In the morning." + +"I can hardly wait. Now don't forget. I'll be your assistant. Maybe +I could learn enough to be a woman reporter some day." + +"I have no doubt you could," Larry responded, as he went out on his +way to the sub-station with the envelope, having telephoned to the +police of the letter and securing a promise that no other reporters +would be informed of it for a while. + +As he walked along, his thoughts were busy in many directions. The +receipt of the letter, the clues the envelope offered, the plans for +a search among the ship captains, and, above all, Grace's offer to +accompany him, made Larry speculate on what the Potter mystery was +coming to. + +"I wonder what the other fellows on the _Leader_ would say if they +knew I was working this assignment in company with the millionaire's +daughter," said Larry to himself. "I guess I'd better not say +anything about it. They'd make fun of me. I know it's all right to +take her, or I wouldn't do it. Besides, if she knows the captains +she can be of considerable aid to me. Queer, though, for Larry +Dexter, who used to rush copy, to be hunting for a missing +millionaire in company with his pretty daughter." + +It was odd, but no other line of activity is so filled with strange +surprises, or brings about such a variety of work, as being a +newspaper reporter of the first class. + +Larry struck several snags when he attempted to get information at +the sub-station. In the first place none of the officials in charge +would give him any news about the envelope unless he got an order +from the New York postmaster himself. The government has very strict +regulations in regard to giving out information about mail matter. +But Larry was not daunted. He telephoned to Mr. Emberg, and the +forces of the newspaper were set to work. Certain political wires +were "pulled," and, as there were on the _Leader_ men to whom the +postmaster was under obligations, that official gave the clerks at +the sub-station permission to tell Larry whatever he wanted to know. + +"Sorry we had to have so much red tape about it," the sub-station +agent said, when Larry came back with the magical paper that opened +the mouths of the subordinates. + +"Oh, that's all right," the reporter said. "I know how it is. Now, +what I want to know is, in what box was that letter posted?" and he +held out the envelope Grace had given him. + +"Rather hard to say," spoke the head clerk. "I'll show it to all the +carriers who are in now, and later to those who come in during the +afternoon. They may recognize it. It's a little out of the run of +ordinary envelopes we get in this section of the city." + +One after another several carriers scanned the envelope. All shook +their heads, until it came to an elderly man. As soon as he saw the +envelope he exclaimed: + +"I brought that in. I remember it very well." "Where did you get +it?" asked Larry, eagerly. "A man gave it to me last night, just as +I was taking the mail from a box down near the river," was the +unexpected reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +LARRY IS BAFFLED + + +This was much better than Larry had expected. To have the envelope +remembered so soon was good, but to have the carrier who brought it +in say he recalled having received it from the person who mailed the +letter, was better yet. + +"What sort of a man was he?" asked Larry, his heart beating high +with hope. + +"Why do you ask?" inquired the carrier. + +"I'm a reporter from the _Leader_, and I'm trying to locate Mr. +Potter, the missing millionaire," said Larry. "This letter was from +him." + +"Then I can't be of much service to you," the postman went on. "This +was given to me by a man who bore no resemblance to Mr. Potter, +whose picture I have lately seen in the papers." + +"But what sort of a looking man gave you this envelope?" asked +Larry. + +"He was a smooth-shaven man, rather poorly dressed. I'll tell you +how it was. This box, at which I was when the man gave me the +letter, is at the foot of a street leading to the river. It is the +last one I collect from at night. I had taken out all the mail in +the box, and was just locking it up again when some one came up the +street in a hurry. I looked around, for the neighborhood is a lonely +one, and, as I did so, I saw a man come to a halt, as if he was +surprised to see me at the box. I could see he had a letter in his +hand. + +"'Come on,' I said, for often people run up to me at the last minute +to have me take letters. 'Come on,' I said, for I was in a hurry. +'I'll take the letter.' + +"At that the man pulled his hat down over his eyes and advanced +slowly. He held the letter out to me, and, as he did so, I caught a +glimpse of his face, as the light from a street lamp flashed on it. +I could see he was smooth shaven. I took the letter and put it in my +bag. As I did so the man seemed to melt away in the shadows. I +thought it rather queer at the time, for it seemed as if the fellow +was afraid I'd recognize him. But I'd never seen him before, so far +as I know, so he needn't have been alarmed. I brought the letter to +the office, and as I sorted my mail, I noted that the stamp had been +stuck on with plenty of mucilage. I also saw the blot, and, as the +envelope was unlike any I had ever seen before, as far as size and +quality of paper went, the thing was impressed on my mind. + +"That's all I know about it," the carrier finished, "but I'm sure +the man who gave me the letter was not the missing millionaire. I've +seen his picture too many times lately to be mistaken." + +"Then who could it have been?" asked Larry. + +"That's a hard question, young man," said the carrier. "It might +have been any one else. I think it was a person who didn't care +about being seen, and didn't want to attract any attention. I guess +he would have been better satisfied to have dropped the letter in +the box when no one was looking, but seeing me there he came up with +it before he knew what he was doing." + +"If the letter was from Mr. Potter, and it wasn't the millionaire +who mailed it, he must have got some one to do it," the chief clerk +of the sub-station suggested, and Larry was forced to adopt this +idea. He inquired as to the location of the box at which the carrier +stood when he received the missive, and asked in what direction the +man came from. Having learned these facts, and deciding he could +gain nothing more by staying longer at the sub-station, Larry +hurried to the _Leader_ office. + +"Well, I've gained something," he said to himself. "I've got a good +story, and I have a slender clue to work on. I must write the story +first, however. Then I'll go back and tell Grace what I learned." + +The account of the letter and the circumstances under which it was +mailed created a new sensation in the Potter mystery, and, as on +several other occasions, the _Leader_ scored a beat. + +As soon as he had finished the story Larry went to see Grace, whom +he found anxiously waiting for him. She asked a score of questions +as to what he had learned, and the reporter told her all about his +trip to the sub-station. + +"What are you going to do next?" she inquired. + +"I think I'll go over on the East Side and make some inquiries. Your +father may be staying there," answered Larry. + +Going downtown in an elevated train, and taking a stroll through +that populous section, known as the "East Side," Larry soon found +himself in the neighborhood of the box at which the carrier had +received the letter written by Mr. Potter. He took a brief survey of +the locality. + +"Not very promising," was his mental comment. + +All about were big tenement houses of a substantial kind. They were +built of brick, and from nearly every window a woman's head +protruded, while the street swarmed with children. It was a +neighborhood teeming with life, for it was the abode of the poor, +and they were quartered together almost like rabbits in a warren. + +For want of something better to do, Larry strolled down one side of +the street, at the end of which was located the letter box which +formed such a slender clue. Then he walked up the other side, +looking about him idly, in vain hopes of stumbling on something that +would put him on the track. + +It was late in the afternoon, and the streets were beginning to +fill with workers hurrying home, for the day's labor was over. As +Larry strolled along, rather careless of his steps, he collided with +a man in front of a big tenement building. + +"Excuse me," murmured the reporter. + +"I beg your pardon," the man said, grabbing hold of Larry to prevent +them both from falling, so forceful had been the impact. "I was +looking to see if my wife was watching for me. She generally looks +out of the window to see me coming down the street, and then she +puts the potatoes on." + +"I guess I wasn't looking where I was going," said Larry, as he +disengaged himself from the man's grip. "I was--why, hello, Mr. +Jackson!" he exclaimed. + +"What! Why, bless my soul if it isn't Larry Dexter!" and the man +held out his hand. "Why, I haven't seen you in a long time. How's +your mother and the children?" + +"Fine. How's Mrs. Jackson?" + +"She's well. There she is looking out of the window, wondering why I +don't come home to supper. You must come in and see her. Come, and +stay to supper." + +The man Larry had thus unexpectedly met was the one in whose flat +Mrs. Dexter and the children had stayed the first night they had +come to New York, and found that the sister of Larry's mother, with +whom they expected to remain, had suddenly moved away. The Dexter +family, sad and discouraged at the loss of their farm, would have +fared badly on their arrival in the big city had not Mrs. Jackson +and her husband befriended them. + +While Larry was getting a start in the newspaper work the Dexter +family had lived in the same tenement with the Jacksons, and they +had become firm friends. Larry and his mother since then had moved +to other quarters, and had, for some time back, lost trace of their +acquaintances. + +"I didn't know you lived here," said Larry when he had recovered +somewhat from his surprise at seeing Mr. Jackson. + +"We haven't lived here long. I got a better position in this part of +the city, and as I like to be near my work I moved here. We like it +quite well, but it's rather crowded. However, almost any place is in +New York. But you must come in to supper. Mrs. Jackson will be +anxious to hear all about your folks. I can see her making signs to +me to hurry up. I suppose the potatoes are all cooked and the tea +made." + +Larry did not require much urging to accept the kind invitation. He +wanted to see his friends again, and he thought they might be able +to give him some information concerning the people of the +neighborhood. + +"Because it's the best place in the world to hide in. If I wanted to +drop out of sight I'd go about two blocks away from here and keep +quiet. No one would ever think of looking for me so near my home." + +"I hope you don't contemplate anything like that," said Larry with a +laugh. + +"No, indeed. But New York is the best hiding place, and you can +depend on it, Mr. Potter is here." + +"You haven't seen him in the neighborhood, have you?" asked the +reporter, glad of the opportunity which gave him a chance for that +question. + +"No, I can't say that I have. If they'd offer a reward I might take +time to hunt for him," and Mr. Jackson laughed. "I can't afford to +turn detective as it is now," he added. "It's too hard to get a +living." + +Larry spent the evening with his friends, keeping the talk as much +as possible, without exciting suspicion, on the Potter case. In this +way he learned considerable about the persons living in the +immediate vicinity of the Jacksons, for Mrs. Jackson was fond of +making new acquaintances. + +But in all this there was no clue such as Larry sought. There were +any number of men, concerning whom there seemed to be some mystery, +but none answered the description of Mr. Potter. + +"There are a queer lot of people in this tenement," said Mr. +Jackson, during the course of the talking. "All of 'em have some +story hidden away, I guess. Especially one man." + +"Who is he?" + +"Nobody knows," replied Mr. Jackson. "He came here one night, and +seemed quite excited. Let's see, it was Thursday night, I remember +now. He acted as though he was afraid some one was after him." + +"Thursday night," thought Larry. "That was the night the man got +away from the deserted tenement." + +"My wife and I were sitting here," continued Mr. Jackson, "when all +at once a knock sounded on the door. I opened it, and there was this +man. He asked if I had any rooms to rent. I hadn't, but I told him I +had a spare bed, for I saw he was respectable. He seemed glad to get +it, and paid me well, though I didn't want to take the money. But he +seemed to have plenty." + +"What was queer about him?" asked Larry, beginning to take an +unusual interest in what his friend was saying. + +"Well, the excitement he seemed to be in, for one thing. And +another, he had just been shaved. I could see the talcum powder on +his cheeks. I thought it strange that a man who had time to shave or +get shaved should be in such a hurry. But it wasn't any of my +affair, so I said nothing." + +"What became of him?" Larry was quite eager now. He seemed to be on +the verge of discovering something; if not of the Potter mystery +then of the other, that cropped up every now and again--that of the +man he had helped save from the wreck. + +"He went away the next morning," Mr. Jackson resumed. "I didn't see +him again until the next night. Then he told me he had a room in +this tenement." + +"Where?" inquired the young reporter. + +"On the floor below--a front room, at the end of the corridor. But +are you going to call on him?" and Mr. Jackson looked somewhat +surprised at Larry's eagerness. + +"Maybe I could get a story out of him," replied the reporter +non-commitally. "Have to be always on the lookout, you know." + +"Well, I guess you'll not get much out of this man," said Mr. +Jackson. "He hardly speaks to me, though he doesn't seem cross or +ugly. Only there's some mystery about him. I'm sure of that." + +"If he's Mah Retto I'm positive there is," thought Larry. "And it +looks as if it might be that fellow." + +Not wishing to seem too keen on the scent of the queer man, the +newspaper youth changed the subject. In a little while he said he +had better be going home, as he had not told his mother he would be +out late. He promised to ask Mrs. Dexter to call on Mrs. Jackson, +and, with many good wishes from his friends, he left. + +"Now for a try at the room on the next floor," said Larry in a +whisper, as he found himself in the corridor. "It's only a slim +chance, but a reporter has to take all that come his way." + +He found the room Mr. Jackson had described, and knocked on the +door. There was a sound from within, as though some one had arisen +from a chair. Then a voice asked: + +"Who's there?" + +"Does Mah Retto live here?" asked Larry, determining on a bold plan. + +Hardly had he spoken the words when the door was quickly opened. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +GRACE ON THE TRAIL + + +Larry saw, standing before him, framed in the doorway from which +streamed the glare from a big reading lamp, the man of mystery--the +fellow who had escaped from the tumble-down tenement--the man he and +Bailey had pulled ashore on the life-raft. + +"Are you Mah Retto?" asked Larry again, rather at a loss for +something to say, when he saw the strange man confronting him. + +The mysterious one looked at Larry for several seconds. He seemed +much excited, and in doubt as to what to do. Then, seeming to arrive +at a sudden decision, he quickly closed the door, and Larry heard +the key turned in the lock. + +"Not much satisfaction in that," muttered the young reporter. "That +was him, though. I wonder what I had better do?" + +Larry stood in the hallway, undecided. He wanted another opportunity +to see and speak to the man he believed was Mah Retto, but he +considered it would not be wise to knock again on the door. The +occupant of the room either would not answer or would order him +away. + +"I'll have to come again," Larry said to himself. "I've learned one +thing, anyhow, and that is where he lives." + +The young reporter went to the office of the _Leader_ early the next +morning. He found Mr. Emberg on hand, and told the city editor the +plans for the day; that of making a tour of the steamship piers. Mr. +Emberg thought this was a good idea, and complimented Larry on his +work thus far. + +"I ran across my old friend, the East Indian, last night," Larry +said, as he was leaving. "I'm going to work him up for a story when +I get through with this Potter case." + +"Don't do it until then," advised Mr. Emberg. "I want you to devote +all your attention to the missing millionaire. The East Indian story +will not amount to much or I'd put another man on it. You may get a +yarn for the Saturday supplement out of it, but even that's +doubtful." + +Larry thought differently, but he did not say so. Nor did he mention +that he was going to take Grace Potter with him on his tour of the +docks. He had an idea that the city editor might object, or laugh at +him, and Larry did not care to have that happen. He felt he was +doing right, and he knew there could be no serious objection to the +daughter of the missing man aiding in a search for her parent. + +Larry found Grace waiting for him. She was quietly dressed, and wore +a heavy veil, so that no one in the street would recognize her, +since her picture had been published in several papers, and there +might be comments from the crowd if the daughter of Mr. Potter was +seen out in company of a newspaper reporter. + +"Anything new?" asked the young lady, for she had taken to greeting +Larry in that newspaper fashion. + +"Not much. I didn't learn anything of consequence by my trip to the +East Side last night. I'm not done there, however. Now we'll try the +piers, and see what sort of a 'pull' you have with the captains of +the vessels." + +"We may not find many captains," Grace said, "unless their ships are +about to sail. Still it is worth trying. Shall we start?" + +"I'm ready any time you are," Larry answered. "What did your mother +say?" + +"She objected a bit at first, but I soon convinced her it was for +the best." + +Larry thought it would not have been hard for Grace to have +convinced him that almost anything was for the best. She looked +quite trim in her dark dress, with her glossy hair held snugly in +place by her veil. + +As they went down the steps of the mansion Larry saw a man, who was +standing on the other side of the street, move rapidly away, as if +he had been watching the house. The young reporter uttered an +exclamation before he was aware of it, and Grace quickly asked: + +"What's the matter?" + +"I--I saw some one," Larry replied. + +"Any one would think it was a ghost from the way you act," the girl +went on, with a little laugh. She was in much better spirits than +any time since her father had disappeared, for the chance of helping +to search for him, and the change, from sitting idly in the house +waiting for news, was a welcome relief. + +"No, it wasn't a ghost. It was a man I'd like to have a chance to +talk to," Larry went on. + +"Would he give you--er--a 'story'? Is that what you call it?" + +"That's right. Yes, I believe he could give me a story," and Larry +looked in the direction the man had gone. He was no longer to be +seen. "A very good story," he added, for the man was the same one he +had surprised in the tenement the night before--the man of the +life-raft. + +However, he could not leave Grace to go in search of the strange +individual, and it was more important, as Mr. Emberg had said, to +stick to the Potter case. The other could wait. + +"All the same I'd like to know what he was doing in this +neighborhood," thought Larry. He puzzled over the matter for several +seconds as he and Grace went along. + +On the way downtown the two discussed their plans. There were not +many Italian steamship lines to visit, but it might take some time +to see the captains of all the boats at present in port. Some of +the commanders would be at their hotels pending the loading of their +vessels. + +"Have you made up your mind what you want to ask them?" inquired +Larry, as they were nearing the station where they intended to get +off. + +"What I want principally to know is if a person answering my +father's description came over with them lately. I want to find out, +in case he did, how he acted, and if he gave any hint of being in +trouble." + +"That may be a good clue to follow," Larry sad. "Now we'll make our +first attempt." + +It ended in failure, for though they found the captain of the +Italian steamer they boarded in the cabin of his vessel, he could +not aid them. He was very polite about it, and seemed quite sorry +that he could be of no service. + +It was the same in a number of other cases. Some of the captains +remembered Grace, for she had crossed with them once or twice, but +none of them recalled a man answering Mr. Potter's description +making the voyage with them recently. + +The last place they visited was the dock of the line to which the +wrecked _Olivia_ belonged. This line Grace had never traveled on, +but she had a letter of introduction to the manager from the captain +of the _Messina_, on which she had made her last trip. The +commanders of two steamers of this company were in port. One of them +was at the dock, for his vessel was about to sail. + +To him Grace made her inquiries, but fruitlessly. She turned away, +rather disappointed. There was but one more chance left. The other +captain was at his hotel, not far away, for seamen like to remain +near the water front. + +"We'll go there," said Larry, "and then I must get back to the +office, and write my story for to-day's paper." + +"I wish you had some better news," spoke Grace. "But I am afraid +Captain Padduci, whom we are now going to see, will prove as +disappointing as the rest." + +"We'll hope for the best," remarked Larry. "I wish----" + +But what he wished he never told, for at that instant his attention +was attracted by a voice. It was that of a man who stood at the +small window of the steamship office. The window was one which he +and Grace had just stepped away from, after inquiring as to where +Captain Padduci's hotel was. + +If the voice attracted Larry the sight of the man himself did more +to rivet his attention. For the first glance showed him the inquirer +was none other than the mysterious individual, Mah Retto. + +"I would like to inquire where I can find Captain Tantrella of the +steamer _Olivia_," the man asked of the clerk. + +"The _Olivia_ is lost," replied the steamship clerk. + +"I know it, but I would like to see the captain. He was saved, I +believe." + +"Yes, he was. He commands a freight ship now. She's due in port in +a few days. The _Turtle_ is her name. You can come around when she +gets in." + +The mysterious man turned away as though disappointed. As he did so +he caught sight of Larry, and instantly he hurried out of the +office. + +Larry was greatly excited. He was convinced, more than ever, that +there was something in this man's actions that made him an object of +suspicion. He felt that he must follow the fellow, but he could not +leave Grace. He looked around for her, but she had gone to the +ladies' dressing room to adjust her veil and hat, which had been +blown about by the high wind. She came back presently, to find Larry +much agitated. + +"What is the matter?" she asked. + +"Nothing much," replied Larry. "I just saw my queer stranger again +and----" + +"You'd like to follow him, and you don't want to leave me," put in +Grace with quick wit. "Now run right along. I can go to that hotel +all by myself and see Captain Padduci. I'm not a bit afraid. I once +traveled from London to Paris alone. You hurry after him, and I'll +see the captain. I'll telephone you the result of my interview. You +can come up and see me this evening, and we'll talk over some more +plans." + +"That will be good," Larry said, "but are you sure you won't mind me +leaving you?" + +"I can get along all right," replied Grace. "Of course I'd like to +have you come along, for I believe you understand this matter better +than I do, but I want you to find that other man and get your +story." + +Larry was inclined both ways, but he knew it would be better to +hurry after Mah Retto, as Grace could make all the necessary +inquiries of Captain Padduci. + +"Until to-night, then," the young reporter said, as he hurried out +of the steamship office, and Grace turned to go to the captain's +hotel. + +Reaching the street Larry saw, some distance ahead of him, the form +of the man whose actions so puzzled him, and who had led him such a +baffling chase. + +"Here is where I get you," thought Larry, as he hurried on. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +LARRY GETS A SCARE + + +Through the crowded street the young reporter ran, bumping into +several persons, and causing them to mutter more or less impolite +exclamations about youths who trod on the toes of innocent +pedestrians. + +Larry could catch occasional glimpses of his man, and he noted that +Retto looked back every now and then to see if he was being +followed. + +"Oh, I'm after you, my East Indian friend," Larry remarked to +himself. "I'm going to have an accounting with you now. There's +something queer about you." + +No sooner had Larry given expression to this last sentence, speaking +somewhat aloud, as was his habit when thinking intently, than he +slipped on a banana pealing and fell down with a force that jarred +him all over. + +"I'll have to be more careful," thought Larry, as he got up and +found that no bones were broken. He started off again after Retto. +"I wasn't looking where I was going, thinking so much of Retto. +Where is he now? He must have got quite a way ahead." + +He had; so far that Larry could no longer see him. The reporter +tried to peer through the ever-shifting crowd, for a glimpse of +Retto, but with no success. + +"He's gone," he murmured. "However, I know where he lives and I'll +go there at once. No! I've got to get a story in for to-day's paper +about Mr. Potter. I haven't much time before the first edition. +Guess I'd better telephone it in, and let Mr. Emberg have one of the +men fix it up." + +In his eagerness to catch Retto, Larry had rather lost sight of his +more important duties, and, as he looked at his watch, he found he +had no time to spare if the _Leader_ was to have a story that day. + +He looked for the blue sign, indicating a public telephone station, +and saw one a few doors down the street. On his way there he ran +over in his mind the points of the story. It would be based on the +search and inquiry among the steamship captains. + +"I've got to say it resulted in nothing," Larry remarked to himself. +"Hold on, though. Suppose Grace gets a clue from Captain Padduci? +I'll be in a pretty mess if she does, and I telephone in that we +found out nothing. Wish I hadn't chased after that East Indian. I +should have stayed with Grace until we got through. + +"No help for it, though. So here goes. I wish I'd done as Mr. Emberg +said and let the Retto matter drop. But it seemed too good to lose +sight of." + +He soon had the _Leader_ office on the wire, and, a few seconds +later, was talking to Mr. Emberg. He was rather surprised at what +the city editor said. + +"What's the matter with you, Larry?" was the inquiry that came +through the telephone. "We've been waiting for you. Have you seen +the _Scorcher_?" + +"No. Why?" asked Larry, an uneasy feeling coming over him. There +seemed an atmosphere of "beat" about him, and he was afraid of Mr. +Emberg's next words. + +"Why, they've got a big story about Mr. Potter being home," went on +the city editor. "They say he is concealed in the house, and has +been ever since the scare." + +"That's not true!" replied Larry. "I was at the house this morning, +and he wasn't home. I've been all around the steamer piers and got +no trace of him. I just left his daughter, and she would know if he +had been home all this while." + +"Well, they've got the story," repeated Mr. Emberg, with the +insistence that city editors sometimes use when they fear their +reporters have been beaten. "I sent Harvey up to the house in a +hurry to make inquiries. The _Scorcher_ got out an extra. Where have +you been?" + +"I just finished the tour of the docks." + +"Well, you'd better go up to the house and make sure. It looks +queer." + +"I'll bet that story came from Sullivan," said Larry. "He's sore on +us, and would do anything to get even. He wants to find Mr. Potter, +you know." + +"I hope you're right," and Mr. Emberg's voice was not as cordial as +it usually was. "Let me hear from you soon again. I'll have one of +the men fix up something for the first edition. You tell him about +the inquiries made of the ship captains." + +Larry's heart was like lead. To have worked so hard, and then to +have another paper come out with a "scare" story about Mr. Potter's +return, was discouraging. + +"That story's a fake," he decided, as he prepared to telephone in +the result of his morning's work. "I'll prove it is, too, and make +them take back-water." + +Larry's story of the trip to the steamship offices was not very +interesting reading, for it was but a record of failure. He realized +that, but there was nothing else to print and the paper had to have +something. It was not Larry's fault, for even a reporter on a +special assignment cannot provide fresh and startling news every +day, though all newspaper men try hard enough for this desirable +end. + +After Larry had telephoned in all the information he had, he hurried +uptown to the Potter house. He found Grace had just come in, and, to +Larry's relief, she had not been successful in getting any news from +Captain Padduci. In a few words the reporter told what the +_Scorcher_ had printed. + +"We must deny that at once!" exclaimed Grace. "I wonder why they +print such untruths!" + +"For one reason, because the _Scorcher_ is trying to live up to its +name and give the public 'hot' news," replied Larry, "and, for +another, because Sullivan has some end to gain. He stands in with +the _Scorcher_ men, and I think my old enemy, Peter Manton, is +responsible for this." + +"What can you do to offset it?" asked Grace. + +"I can have a signed statement from you or your mother in our last +edition." + +"A signed statement?" + +"Yes, a little interview with you, in the form of a communication, +with your name at the foot, denying that your father is at home. +This will take the wind out of the _Scorcher's_ sails." + +"Then I'll give you the interview at once. What shall I say?" + +Larry told her, and in a few minutes the message was being dictated +over the Potter telephone to Mr. Emberg. + +"I'm glad to hear this, Larry," the city editor said. "We had quite +a scare. I thought they had you beaten, even though Harvey came back +and said Mrs. Potter sent down word there was no truth in the +_Scorcher_ yarn. You certainly had us scared." + +"I was frightened myself," admitted Larry, with a laugh. + +"This will make story enough for to-day, unless you find Mr. +Potter," Mr. Emberg went on. "Now lay pipes for something for +to-morrow." + +"I will," Larry replied, though he did not in the least know what +new features he could "play up." + +At that instant the bell rang, and a whistle indicated that the +letter carrier was at the door. Grace answered it. She came back on +the run, a missive in her hand. + +"It's from my father!" she exclaimed, as she tore open the envelope. + +Larry watched Grace while she read the letter. It was short, for she +had quickly finished with it and turned to the reporter. + +"He's written about you!" she exclaimed. + +"About me?" + +"Yes. Listen," and Grace read: + + "'I am well. Still have to remain away. Don't try to find me. Will + be home soon. Tell Larry Dexter to give up. He's chasing me too + close.'" + +"Chasing him too close!" exclaimed Larry in bewilderment. I only +wish I was! I haven't the least clue to his whereabouts. I wonder +what he means? Is that his writing?" + +"I can't be mistaken in that," Grace replied. "It is just the same +as the other letter was." + +"Let me see," and the young reporter examined the envelope. It was +similar to that containing the first note which had come from Mr. +Potter, save there was no blot on it and the stamp showed no excess +of mucilage. + +"I'll take this to the sub-station," Larry went on. "It was probably +mailed in the same place as was the other. I'll see if the carrier +had any such experience as he did with the former note." + +"I think it would be a good plan," Grace answered. "Oh, this is +beginning to wear on my nerves! As for mother, she is almost ill +over it. Her physician says if father is not found soon he cannot +say what will happen to mother." + +"Still she must know your father is safe." + +"That is the worst of it. She will not believe these notes are from +him, or, rather, she believes he is held captive somewhere and is +forced to write them. Nothing I can say will make her think +differently. She is wearing herself to a shadow over it." + +"We must do something!" exclaimed Larry. + +"Yes; but what?" asked the girl. "You are working hard and I am +doing all I can, but our efforts seem to amount to nothing. What +more can we do?" + +"I'm trying to think of a plan," Larry responded. "The search of the +steamship piers gave us no clue; the police here have not been able +to find a trace. We can try one thing more." + +"What is that?" + +"You can hire private detectives. Sometimes, in cases of this kind, +they are better than the police, as they assign one man, who devotes +all his attention to the search, while the police, as a rule, don't +bother much to find missing persons." + +"Then I'll hire the best private detectives to be had!" exclaimed +Grace. "Where ought I to go?" + +Larry named an agency, that he had heard was first-class, and +offered to take Grace to the office. The reporter knew one of the +men on the staff, as he had once written a story in which he +figured, and the officer had been grateful for the mention of his +name. Detectives, even private ones, are prone to vanity in this +respect, as a rule. + +"I don't like to take up so much of your time," objected the girl, +as Larry prepared to go with her to the detective agency. + +"My time is yours in this case. I have nothing to do for the +_Leader_ but to find your father. This is part of the work." + +"I wouldn't think it could pay a newspaper to put one man +exclusively on a case like this." + +"The editors think it does. In the first place it makes some news +every day, and the papers have to have news. Then if I should happen +to find Mr. Potter, it would be a big advertisement for the +_Leader_, and that is what all the New York papers are looking for. +The better advertised they are the better prices they can charge for +the advertisements printed in them, for it's from the advertisements +that a newspaper makes its money. Besides, I've promised to find +your father for you and I'm going to do it!" Larry looked very +determined. + +"My! I never supposed newspaper work was so complicated," said +Grace, with a little sigh. "Now let's go to the detectives. I'm +almost afraid. It sounds so awful to say 'detective.'" + +Larry found the man he knew in the office of the agency, and the +latter introduced him to the chief. The reporter explained the +reason for the visit, and Grace added a plea that they do all in +their power to locate Mr. Potter. + +"I thought you'd come here sooner or later," said the chief with a +smile. "Most folks do when they find the regular police don't give +enough attention to the cases. It's not the fault of the police, +though. They have so much to do they can't give much time to a +single case. But of course we can. Now then, tell me all about it." + +Which Grace, aided by Larry, proceeded to do. The chief listened +intently, and asked several questions. He took the two letters which +Grace had from her father and looked carefully at them. + +"Do you think you'll be able to do anything?" asked the girl +anxiously. The strain was beginning to tell heavily on her. + +"Of course we will!" exclaimed the chief, heartily. "We'll find your +father for you, you can depend on it!" + +Larry did not want to tell her that the chief was thus optimistic +in regard to every case he undertook. It was a habit of his, not a +bad one, perhaps, and it did little harm, for nearly all of his +clients wanted cheering up. + +"What do you think about this, young man?" asked the chief, turning +suddenly to Larry. + +"In regard to what, Mr. Grover?" + +"Where do you think Mr. Potter is? I understand you've been working +on this case. In fact, I have all your stories clipped from the +_Leader_." + +Larry had not forgotten about Retto, and he determined to pay the +fellow another visit. + +With him, to think was to act. He soon found himself going up the +stairs of the tenement house, and presently reached Retto's door. +His knock brought no response, and he stood for a moment, undecided +what to do. Then a bold idea came to him. + +"I'll try the door and see if he's home," he said. "If he isn't, +there's no harm done. If he is, I can explain it somehow." + +Larry, after a moment's hesitation to listen for any possible +movement on the other side of the portal, tried the door. It opened +easily for him, though it needed but a glance to show that the +apartment was empty and vacated. All the furniture was gone. + +"He's skipped!" exclaimed Larry, as he struck a match and looked +around. "I guess he was afraid I'd find him. Well, I am more +determined than ever that I'll land this man. I wonder if he left +any clues behind?" + +He lighted a jet of a wall fixture, for the gas had not been shut +off. In the glare he saw a scrap of paper lying on the floor. He +picked it up. As he glanced at it he gave a cry of astonishment. + +"Who would have thought it!" exclaimed Larry to himself. "Of all the +strange things! I wonder I didn't connect him with the case before! +This explains why he was in front of the house." + +For, the paper he had picked up was part of an envelope like those +which had contained the letters Grace received from her father. And +on the scrap was her name, but the envelope had been spoiled by a +blot of ink in writing the address. It had been torn up and thrown +away, to remain a mute bit of evidence. + +"Mah Retto knows Mr. Potter!" exclaimed Larry. "Retto is the man who +mailed the letters for the missing millionaire. If I find him I can +make him tell me where Mr. Potter is! Now to trace my mysterious +East Indian friend!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +TRACING RETTO + + +Larry took another survey of the apartment to see if there were any +more clues that might aid him. But the one that had so unexpectedly +come to his hand was all he found. The place showed evidences of +having been hastily vacated. + +"I'll see Mr. Jackson," he decided. "Perhaps he can tell me +something. He was interested in this queer man." + +He lost no time in going to the rooms of his friends. They were glad +to see him, and asked a number of questions about his mother, +sisters and brother. But Larry, as soon as he could, turned the +subject to Retto. + +"He's gone," he told Mr. Jackson. + +"I supposed he had. I saw the janitor taking his things from the +room this morning." + +"Do you know where he went to?" asked the young reporter eagerly. "I +want to find him." + +"I haven't the least idea." + +"I wonder if the janitor would know," Larry went on. + +"He might. Perhaps the man left his address with him, in order that +letters might be forwarded. I'll go downstairs with you and +introduce you to the janitor." + +That functionary was unable to throw any light on where Retto had +gone. Evidently, for the time being, the chase had come to an end. + +Larry made his way to the nearest elevated station and rode in the +direction of the Potter home. He had no definite plan in mind, and, +more from a whim than anything else, he decided to walk past the +house. He did not expect it, but he had an idea--a very faint +one--that he might see Grace. Of course, if he saw her at the +window, where she sometimes sat, it would be no more than polite to +go in and tell her what the carrier had said about the second +letter. + +When Larry got in front of the Potter house he was disappointed to +see that it was in darkness. It was about ten o'clock, and he knew +the family was in the habit of retiring early, especially since Mr. +Potter's disappearance. + +As he strolled past on the other side of the street, looking in vain +for a glimmer of light, or the sight of a girlish face against the +window pane, he passed into the deep shadow cast by a big tree on +which shone an electric arc light in front of the Potter house. The +blackness was quite deep, in contrast to the illumination on both +sides of the tree, for electric lamps have the property of casting +dense shadows. If Larry had been looking straight in front of him +perhaps it would not have happened, but he was staring at where +Grace lived, and the first thing he knew he had walked full tilt +into a man who was hiding in the darkness behind the big tree. + +"Oh--ugh!" grunted Larry, for the breath was knocked from his body +by the sudden impact. + +"What's the matter? What are you doing?" inquired the man angrily. +"Why don't you look where you're going?" + +The collision had swung him out of the shadow into the light, where +he stood blinking. Larry recovered his breath, and then, at the +sight of the man, gave a low-voiced cry of astonishment. + +"Mr. Sullivan!" he exclaimed. + +"Oh, it's you, is it, Dexter!" remarked the politician. "Are you +following me? Are you spying on me? If you are I'll have you +arrested!" + +"I'm not following you or spying on you!" retorted Larry. "But you +seem to be hiding here. What do you want? What are you in front of +Mr. Potter's house for?" + +He was determined to follow up his advantage, and to show Sullivan +that he was not in the least intimidated by him. Clearly there was +something in the wind when the district political leader was hiding +behind trees watching the house of the missing millionaire. + +"Look here!" exclaimed Sullivan, and he had moved back until he was +in the shadow. "You go along and mind your own business; do you +hear? Move along now!" + +"I guess I have as good a right as you have to remain on the +street. And this sidewalk is just as public as any in New York, even +if it is in the millionaire section. What are you hiding for? Do you +expect to see Mr. Potter come walking down the steps? If you do I'll +wait, too. I'd like to see him." + +"You think you're very smart because you're a reporter," retorted +Sullivan, becoming more and more angry as he saw he could not +intimidate Larry. "Let me tell you you're making a big mistake. I +have some power in New York, and I warn you that I'll use it if you +don't stop interfering with me. You've made me trouble enough. Now +you be off, or I'll call a policeman and have you arrested." + +"You can't," replied Larry. "I haven't done anything except to run +into you, and that was an accident, caused by you being in the +shadow." + +"I'll show you what I can do. The police of this district know me, +and they'll do anything I say." + +"You might have 'pull' enough to have me arrested," Larry admitted, +"but I wouldn't stay locked up long. A telephone message to the city +editor of the _Leader_, and a word from him to some one higher up +than a policeman, would bring about a change. And I don't think +you'd like to read the story in the paper the next day, Mr. +Sullivan." + +The politician was silent. He knew Larry had the best of the +argument. For, though the Assembly leader had some power in New +York, he was only a "small fry" when it came to an important matter, +such as he knew would result if Larry was taken into custody. He +contented himself, therefore, with growling out threats against +Larry in particular and all newspaper men in general. + +"You'll interfere with me once too often," said Sullivan. "I warn +you, young man. You're making a big mistake. There's more behind +this matter than you have any idea of." + +"I know there is," replied Larry quickly. "That's why I'm working so +hard to clear up the mystery. I want to find out what your part is +in the disappearance of Mr. Potter." + +"My part? What do you mean?" + +"You know well enough what I mean. You are interested in Mr. Potter. +You want him to come back. Now what for? Has it anything to do with +the new line? Does it concern your friends, Kilburn and Reilly? +That's what I want to know and what I'm going to find out. You're +playing a deep game, Mr. Sullivan, but I'll beat you at it!" + +Larry was quite surprised at his own eloquence, and the manner in +which he bid defiance to the leader of the assembly district. + +"Hush!" exclaimed the politician. "If you say another word I'll +knock you down!" and he advanced toward Larry as though he intended +to carry the threat into execution. "Keep quiet, I say!" + +"Are you afraid of having the truth told?" asked Larry speaking a +little louder. It seemed that Sullivan was worried lest some one +might overhear the talk. The streets, however, were deserted at this +time. + +"Never you mind!" retorted Sullivan. "You've said enough, so that +I'll not forget it in a hurry, and Jack Sullivan is a bad man to +have for an enemy, let me tell you." + +"I don't doubt that, but I'm not afraid of you. I believe you know +something of Mr. Potter's disappearance, and I'm going to find out +what it is. You are waiting here with some object in view, and I'm +going to discover it." + +"Get away from here!" ordered Sullivan, hardly able to speak because +of his anger. + +"I'm going to stay as long as I like." + +"Move on!" exclaimed the politician. "Get away or----" + +He emerged from the shadow and approached Larry. The man's face +showed how wrought up he was, and though he was not much taller or +stronger than Larry he had a man's energy, and would prove more than +a match for the lad if it came to a fight. And it looked now as +though he was going to resort to desperate measures in order to +accomplish his ends. + +"I'm going to stay until I see what you're up to!" said Larry +firmly, bracing himself to meet the expected attack. + +Sullivan doubled up his fists and drew nearer to the youth. He +raised his arm, as though to strike. The two were beyond the shadow +of the tree now, and in plain view. + +Sullivan's fist shot out, but Larry was watching and cleverly dodged +it. The politician overreached himself, lost his balance, and, his +fist meeting nothing more solid than air, he pitched forward and +fell on the sidewalk. + +Larry swung around, ready to meet his opponent when he should come +back to the attack. At that instant a window, in a house across the +street, opened, and a voice the young reporter knew was Grace's +called: + +"Larry! Larry! Come here!" + +He started to run across the thoroughfare, but, as he did so, he saw +another man emerge from behind a tree, next to the one where +Sullivan had been concealed. And, as the light from an arc lamp +gleamed on this man's face, Larry saw it was that of Mah Retto. + +The young reporter paused, undecided what to do. Across the street +he could see Grace in the raised window, waiting for him--for what +he did not know. But, even as he looked at her, he saw Retto running +off down the street. In an instant Larry's mind was made up. He took +after Retto as fast as he could run. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +GRACE IS SUSPICIOUS + + +Retto headed for Central Park, and as Larry saw him pass the +entrance he realized that it was going to be as hard to follow the +man as though he had disappeared in the midst of a crowd, especially +since the park was not well lighted. + +"But I've got to follow him," thought Larry. "It's my best chance. I +must find out where he has moved to. I wonder what Grace wanted? And +I wonder what Sullivan's game was? My, but the questions are coming +too thick for me. I'll have to get an assistant." + +By this time he had entered the park. Ahead of him he could hear the +running feet of the man he was pursuing. The big recreation ground +was almost deserted. + +"I don't believe he dare run very fast," reasoned Larry, as he +slackened his pace. "If he does a policeman will be sure to stop him +and ask questions, and I guess Retto will not relish that. I have a +better chance than I thought at first. After all, I don't see why he +is so afraid of me. All I want to do is to ask him where he gets the +letters from Mr. Potter. He must know where the millionaire is +hiding, and it looks as if Mr. Potter had been in Retto's room at +the Jackson tenement, or else how would the envelope get there? +That's it! I'll bet the missing millionaire has been hiding with +this East Indian chap! I never thought of that until now!" + +Having walked for fully a quarter of a mile Retto came to a sudden +stop, and so did Larry, hiding in the shadow of a tree. Retto +listened intently, and, of course, heard no pursuing footsteps. This +apparently satisfied him, for he proceeded more slowly. + +"He thinks I've given up the chase," thought Larry. "I'll let him. +Maybe he'll go home all the quicker, and, after I learn where he is +stopping, I can go back and see what Grace wanted." + +Larry's surmise proved correct, and his wish soon came to pass. The +man, evidently believing that he was safe, emerged from the park to +the street, for the whole pursuit had gone on not far from the +thoroughfare, and just within the boundary of the city's breathing +spot. Larry, keeping in the shadows, watched him. + +He saw Retto give one more cautious look around and then, crossing +the highway, enter a hotel nearby. It was a fashionable one, and +Larry wondered how the man, who had, hitherto, only lived in +tenements, could afford to engage rooms in such a place as this. + +"Maybe he's only doing it to throw me off the track," the reporter +reasoned. "I'll just wait a while and see if he comes out." + +He waited nearly an hour, hiding in the shadows of the park and +keeping close watch on the entrance to the hotel. He did not see +Retto emerge, and then he decided on a new plan. + +"I'll inquire if he is stopping there," he said to himself. "If he +is I'll wait until to-morrow before acting. I'll let him think +everything's all right. It's the best way." + +Sauntering into the hotel lobby he found no one but the night clerk +on duty, though there were a few sleepy bell-boys sprawled on a +bench. As soon as the clerk saw Larry approaching the desk he swung +the registry book around, and, dipping a pen in the ink, extended it +to the reporter. + +"I didn't come to stay," said Larry, with a smile. "I want to +inquire if there is a Mr. Mah Retto stopping here?" + +"There is," replied the clerk. "Would you like to see him? He just +came in a little while ago." + +"No; not to-night," Larry replied, his heart beating high with hope. +He had run down his man. "I wasn't sure of his address, and I +thought I'd inquire. I'll call and see him to-morrow." + +The clerk, having lost all interest as soon as he found Larry was +not to be a guest of the hotel, did not reply. The bell-boys, seeing +their visions of a tip disappearing, resumed their dozes, and Larry +walked out. He was impressed by the clerk's manner. Clearly Retto +was a man of means and not as poor as Larry had supposed. + +"So far so good," he murmured. "Now to go back and see what Grace +wanted--that is if it isn't too late." + +It was nearly eleven o'clock, but Larry had an idea that Grace would +still be up. It was rather an unusual hour to make a call, still all +the circumstances in this case were unusual, and Larry did not think +Grace would mind. + +He saw a light in the Potter house as he approached it. Thinking +perhaps Sullivan might be in the vicinity Larry walked up and down +on the other side of the street, peering in the shadow of the tree +where he had had his encounter with the politician, but Sullivan had +evidently gone away. + +"Why didn't you come when I called you?" asked Grace, as she +admitted Larry to the library. + +"I wanted to," the young reporter replied, "but I had to take after +a person who I believe knows where your father is, and I couldn't +stop without losing sight of him. I have some news for you." + +"And I have some for you," exclaimed Grace, "Let me tell mine +first." + +"All right," agreed Larry, with a smile. "Go ahead." + +"Well, I was sitting in the window to-night, looking out on the +street, and feeling particularly sad and lonely on account of +father, when I saw a man sneaking along on the other side. I saw him +hide behind a tree, and I resolved to keep watch. There have been +some burglaries in this neighborhood recently, and I wasn't sure +whether he was a thief or a detective sent here to watch for +suspicious characters. Well, as I sat there watching I saw you come +along and talk to the man behind the tree." + +"How long had he been there when I came along?" + +"Oh, for some time, but don't interrupt, please. You can ask +questions afterward. When I saw you talking to the man I knew it +must be all right, and I was beginning to think he was a detective. + +"Then I noticed another man sneaking along. He, too, hid behind a +tree, next to the first man. I thought this was queer until I +remembered you told me that detectives usually hunt in couples, and +I thought he was another officer from headquarters. I thought so +until mother, who, it seems had been looking out of her window in +the front room upstairs, called to me. + +"She asked me if I had seen the two men come along, and, when I said +I had, she wanted to know if I didn't think there was something +queer about the second man. I said I didn't notice particularly, but +just then the man stepped out into the light, and I had a good look +at him." + +"Was there anything suspicious about him?" + +"There certainly was!" exclaimed Grace, earnestly. "As soon as I saw +him I thought sure it was my father. He had his back toward me, and +he looked exactly like papa. Mother saw it, too, and she cried out. +Just then the man turned and I saw he was smooth-shaven, and his +face didn't look a bit like my father's. + +"Then I saw you and that other man--Mr. Sullivan, I then knew him to +be--step into the light. I saw he was going to hit you, and I raised +the window and called. I wanted to ask you to see who the second man +was--the one who looked so much like my father. I called, but you +didn't seem to hear." + +"I heard you," replied Larry, "but I couldn't stop. I wanted to take +after the man--the same man you were suspicious of. I traced him +through the park." + +"Did you find him? Who is he? Where is he? Is he--is he? Oh, Larry, +don't keep me in suspense----" + +"I'm sorry to have to tell you he isn't your father," Larry replied, +gently, as he saw the girl's distress. "But I think he knows where +your father is. He goes by the name of Mah Retto, and I helped save +him from the wreck of a vessel on the Jersey coast. See, I found +this in his room, a little while before he disappeared," and he held +out to Grace the torn envelope with her name on it. + +"My father's writing!" she exclaimed. + +Larry heard some one descending the stairs and coming toward the +library. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +CAPTAIN TANTRELLA ARRIVES + + +"Grace! What is the matter?" exclaimed a woman's voice, and looking +up Larry saw Mrs. Potter. + +"Nothing, mother," replied the girl. "This is Mr. Larry Dexter. He +just brought me some news. Oh, mother, that wasn't papa we saw out +in the street!" + +"I knew it, dear, as soon as I saw his face." + +Larry felt rather uncomfortable, for Mrs. Potter and Grace showed +signs of emotion. + +"I was telling your daughter," he said to Mrs. Potter, "that I think +I have located the man who knows where your husband is." + +"Oh, I hope you have," exclaimed Mrs. Potter. "This suspense is +awful. Who is he? Where is he?" + +Larry related the circumstances of his chase after Retto, telling +how he had located the man at the hotel. + +"I'll go and see him to-morrow," he said, "before he has a chance to +get away. He does not suspect that I know where he is." + +"Why not go now?" asked Mrs. Potter. + +"I'm afraid he would see no one to-night. It is very late, and he +would suspect something if any one sent up word they wanted to see +him. He would at once connect it with the chase I had after him. But +I think I fooled him. I am sure he can clear up this matter in a +short time, once I get into conversation with him." + +"I'll go with you," said Grace, with sudden energy. "I will make him +tell where my father is." + +Larry thought he could best deal with Retto alone, but he did not +want to tell Grace so. However, her mother got him out of what might +have been an embarrassing position. + +"I'd rather you wouldn't go, Grace," she said. "There is no telling +what sort of a person this Retto is. His name sounds foreign." + +They talked for some time about the curious circumstances connected +with the disappearance of the millionaire, and when a clock struck +the hour of one, Larry arose with a start. + +"I had no idea it was so late!" he exclaimed. "I must hurry home, or +mother will be worried. I will call to-morrow and let you know what +success I have." + +"Do, please," said Mrs. Potter. + +"And come early," added Grace, as she accompanied Larry to the door. +"Don't let that horrid man stab you with an East Indian poisoned +dagger," she went on with a little laugh, as she got out of hearing +of her mother. + +Larry promised, and then hurried off down the street to the nearest +elevated railway station. He was up early the next morning, and +wrote out the story of the day's events, including the encounter +with Sullivan, and the chase after Retto. He touched as lightly as +possible on his own and Grace's parts in the affair, but there was +enough to make interesting reading, and he knew no other paper would +have it. + +"This is good stuff, Larry," complimented Mr. Emberg, when the +reporter had turned his story in at the desk. "What next?" + +"I'm going to see Retto," was the answer. "I'll make him tell where +Mr. Potter is." + +"You were right about your East Indian friend," admitted the city +editor. "I had no idea there was a story like this connected with +him; least of all that it concerned the missing millionaire. Keep +right after him. Let us hear from you in time for the first edition. +Whatever you learn from Retto will make the leading part of to-day's +account." + +"I'll telephone in," said Larry, as he hurried from the city room. + +Larry anticipated meeting with some difficulty in getting Retto to +talk. He knew the man must have a strong motive for aiding Mr. +Potter. Probably the millionaire was paying him well to serve him, +to mail letters occasionally, and keep him informed as to how the +search for him was progressing. + +"There are lots of ends to this that I don't understand," said Larry +to himself as he was on his way to the hotel where the mysterious +man was stopping. "This mystery seemed to start with the wrecking of +the _Olivia_, yet I don't see how I can connect Mr. Potter with +that. He must have met Retto in New York after the rescued men came +here. Maybe I'm wrong in thinking Mr. Potter is in New York now. He +may be some distance off, and depending on Retto to look after his +interests. If that's so it would explain why the East Indian was +hanging around the house. He wanted to see that Grace and her mother +were well, so he could report to the millionaire. + +"Yet if that was so, I can't see how Mr. Potter could write in the +letter, as he did, that I was getting too close to him? Yes, there's +something very strange in all this, but maybe it will soon be +cleared up." + +Thus Larry hoped, but he was doomed to disappointment. For, when he +inquired at the hotel desk for Mr. Retto, and said he would like to +see him, the clerk replied: + +"Mr. Retto left early this morning. He gave up his room. I don't +know where he went." + +"I've got it all to do over again," the young reporter thought as he +strolled out into the street. "I'll never have such luck again. If +he watches the house after this he'll do it in a way that won't give +me a chance to catch him. Well, I've got to go back and tell Grace I +made a fizzle of it. Too bad, when they're hoping so much on the +result of this visit!" + +Larry purchased a morning paper from a newsboy on the street, and +glanced at it idly, as he strolled along. His eye lighted on the +column devoted to shipping news, and, almost unconsciously, he saw +among the "arrivals," the _Turtle_, of an Italian line. At once a +train of thought was started in his mind. + +"The _Turtle_," he mused. "That's the freight ship that Captain +Tantrella, formerly of the _Olivia_, commands. That's the captain +Retto was inquiring about the day Grace and I made the tour of the +steamer offices. He wanted to meet him. Well, Captain Tantrella is +in now. I wonder if Retto could have left the hotel to go and see +him?" + +Larry puzzled over it for a few minutes. Several ideas came to him, +but they were confused, and he did not know which line to follow. + +"Why should Retto want to see Captain Tantrella?" he asked himself. +"Is it possible that Retto is a criminal and had to escape from the +sinking ship? It looks so. But if he has done something that would +necessitate him keeping out of the way, how can he aid Mr. Potter? +It's too deep for me. But I know what I'll do. I'll go and see +Captain Tantrella. He'll remember me, for I interviewed him about +the wreck. + +"I'll ask him who Retto is. He'll know him, for he was probably one +of the first-cabin passengers. That's what I'll do. I think I'm on +the right track now." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +RETTO IS CAUGHT + + +Larry's slow walk was suddenly changed to a quick one as a plan of +action was unfolded in his mind. He hurried to the elevated station +and was soon on his way downtown to the office of the steamship line +to which the _Turtle_ belonged. + +"Guess I'd better stop and telephone to Mr. Emberg about Retto +skipping out again," thought the young reporter. "He can add it to +the story. Then I can tell him of my present plan." + +The city editor was soon informed of what Larry intended to do, and +said he thought it was a good idea. + +"But keep in touch with us, Larry," cautioned Mr. Emberg. "We want +all the news we can get on this thing. There's a rumor that the +_Scorcher_ is going to spring something to-day on the Potter story." + +"Probably something Sullivan has given out to offset the story he +knows I'll have about him," commented Larry. "But I'll be on the +lookout and let you know what happens." + +Larry was soon at the steamship office, and inquired whether the +_Turtle_ had docked yet. + +"She is making fast now," replied the clerk. + +"May I go aboard her?" + +The clerk hesitated. Then Larry announced who he was, and said he +wanted to have a talk with Captain Tantrella. + +"Oh, you're the reporter who wrote up the wreck of the _Olivia_," +the clerk replied, with a smile. "I've heard about you. Yes, I guess +you can go aboard. I'll write you out a pass." + +With the necessary paper as a passport, Larry walked down the long, +covered dock, alongside of which the freight steamer was being +warped into place. There was no bustling crowd of passengers, eager +to get ashore to welcome and be welcomed by even more eager +relatives and friends. But there was a small army of men ready to +swarm aboard the _Turtle_ and hurry the freight out of her holds, in +order that more might be placed in to be sent abroad. There was a +confusion of wagons and trucks, and the puffing of donkey engines, +seemingly anxious to begin lifting big boxes and bales from the dark +interior of the ship. + +Larry was among the first to go up the gang plank when it was run +ashore. A ship's officer stopped him, but allowed him to proceed +when he saw the pass. + +Larry found Captain Tantrella in his cabin, arranging his papers, +for there is considerable formality about a ship that comes from one +country to another, and much red tape is used. + +"Ah, it is my newspaper friend!" exclaimed the commander when he +saw Larry. "Have you interviewed any more captains who have been +wrecked?" + +Though he spoke with an air of gayety Larry could see the captain +was sad at heart, for, though it was not his fault that the _Olivia_ +had gone ashore, Captain Tantrella had been more or less blamed, and +had been reduced in rank. Passengers do not, as a rule, care to sail +in a ship under the command of one whose vessel has been lost. So +poor Captain Tantrella was now only in charge of a freighter, and he +felt his disgrace keenly. + +"Do you remember a passenger named Mah Retto, who sailed with you on +the _Olivia_?" the reporter asked. + +"I remember him; yes. A queer sort of man. He said but little on the +whole voyage. But was he not lost? I remember we could not find him +when we had all been landed from the wreck." + +"He came ashore first of all," replied Larry. "A fisherman and I +helped save him from a life-raft," and he told the circumstances. + +"Queer," murmured the captain. "I have often thought of that man. He +seemed to have some mystery about him." + +Larry gave a brief account of the case he was working on. + +"What I want to discover," he added, "is whether you know of any +reason why Retto should be anxious to see you?" + +"To see me?" + +"Yes. He was at the steamship office a few days ago inquiring when +your ship would come in, and when he saw me he hurried away. Since +then I have not been able to catch him." + +"Ah! I know!" exclaimed the captain suddenly. "I just thought of it. +I have a package belonging to him." + +"A package?" + +"Yes. He came to me when we were a few days out and said he wanted +me to keep a package for him until we got to New York. I took it and +put it with my papers." + +"Then I suppose it was lost with the _Olivia_?" + +"No; I brought it ashore with me when I saved my documents and a few +valuables from the wreck. I have it at my hotel. That is why he is +anxious to see me. He wants to get his package back. I am glad I +have it." + +"Do you know anything about the man?" asked Larry. + +"Hardly anything. I met him for the first time when he was a +passenger on my ship. But now, if you have no objections, we will go +ashore. I must file my reports. After that I will be glad to see you +at my hotel, and answer any questions you care to ask." + +"Well, I guess you've told me all you can," said Larry, feeling a +little disappointed at the result of his interview. "I'm much +obliged to you." + +"If you want to get into communication with this man, I have a +plan," suggested the captain. + +"What?" asked Larry, eagerly. + +"He will probably call at my hotel to claim his package. When he +comes you could be on hand." + +"But there is no telling when he will come." + +"That is so, but you could take a room at the hotel and be there as +much as possible. I think he will come as soon as he learns that my +ship is in." + +"That's a good idea. I'll do it!" exclaimed Larry. + +"Then let's hurry ashore, and you can make your arrangements while I +finish up the details of the indents, bills of lading, custom lists +and so on," Captain Tantrella said. + +The two walked down the gang plank on to the covered dock. The +tangle of wagons, horses and men was worse than ever. Part of the +cargo was being taken out and carted away. + +"Watch out for yourself that a horse doesn't step on you," cautioned +the captain. + +It was a needful warning, for the animals, drawing big, heavy +trucks, seemed to be every-where. As the two proceeded to thread +their way through the maze there came a hail from somewhere in the +rear and a voice called: + +"Captain Tantrella!" + +The commander turned, and so did Larry. The young reporter saw a +man hurrying along the dock toward where the commander of the +_Turtle_ stood. Evidently he had not seen the captain come to a +halt, for he called again: + +"Wait a minute, Captain Tantrella!" + +Then a curious thing happened. The man caught sight of Larry, +standing beside the ship commander. He halted and turned to run. As +he did so a truck drove up behind him and blocked his retreat. + +"It's Mah Retto!" exclaimed Larry, as he caught sight of the man's +face. + +An instant later there came a warning shout from the driver of the +truck. He reined his horses back sharply, but not in time. Retto had +stepped directly under their heads. The off animal reared. The man +stumbled and fell beneath its hoofs. + +Then, with a cry of terror, which was echoed by a score of men who +saw the accident, Retto appeared to crumple up in a heap. The +forefeet of the big steed seemed to crush him before the driver +could back the animal off. Then came silence, Retto lying without +moving on the planking of the dock. + +"Caught at last," murmured Larry, as he rushed forward. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +IN THE HOSPITAL + + +Instantly the confusion that had reigned on the dock became worse. +Men ran to and fro shouting, no one seeming to know what to do. + +"We must help him!" cried Captain Tantrella, shoving his papers into +his pocket. "Come!" + +He and Larry fought their way to the man's side. A crowd surrounded +him, but no one offered to do anything. The truck driver had +dismounted from his high seat and was quieting his frightened +horses. + +"It wasn't my fault," he cried. "He ran right under their feet." + +"One side!" exclaimed a loud voice, and a burly policeman shouldered +his way through. "What's the matter? Give the man some air." + +Retto did not look as though he would ever need air again. He seemed +quite dead. + +"Let me get at him!" called Captain Tantrella. "I know something of +medicine." + +"Shall I call an ambulance?" asked Larry of the police officer. "I +know how to do it." + +The bluecoat nodded, glad to have help in the emergency. Then he +proceeded to keep the crowd back while the captain knelt down beside +the unfortunate man. + +"Bad cut on the head," the commander of the _Turtle_ murmured. +"Fractured, I'm afraid. Leg broken, too. It's a wonder he wasn't +killed." + +The captain accepted several coats which were hastily offered, and +made a pillow for the man's head. He arranged the broken leg so that +the bones would be in a better position for setting, and then, with +a sponge and a basin of water which were brought, proceeded to wipe +away the blood from the cut on Retto's skull. + +The crowd increased and pressed closer, but by this time more +policemen had arrived, and they kept the throng back from the +sufferer, so that he might have air. + +It seemed a long time before the ambulance, which Larry summoned, +made its arrival, but it was only a few minutes ere it clanged up to +the pier, the crowd parting to let it pass. In an instant the +white-suited surgeon had leaped out of the back of the vehicle +before it had stopped, and was kneeling beside Retto. + +With deft fingers he felt of the wound on the man's head. + +"Possible fracture," he said in a low voice. "Double one of the leg, +I'm afraid," as he glanced at that member. "Lend a hand, boys, and +we'll get him on the stretcher." + +There were willing enough helpers, and Retto was soon in the +ambulance and on the way to the hospital, the doctor clinging to the +back of the swaying vehicle as it dashed through the streets, with +the right of way over everything on wheels. + +"Here's news in bunches," thought Larry, as he saw the ambulance +disappearing around a corner. "I must telephone this in, and I guess +it will be a beat. To think that after all that I have Retto where I +want him. I'm sorry, of course, that he's hurt, but I guess he can't +get out of the hospital very soon. I'll have a chance to question +him. Then I'll make him tell me where Mr. Potter is, and that will +end my special assignment. I'll not be sorry, either. It's been a +hard one, though I'm glad I got it, for the experience is fine." + +Thus musing Larry looked for a telephone station and soon the story +of Retto's accident was being sent over the wire to the city editor. + +"This will make a fine lead for our Potter story," said Larry, as he +finished telling of the accident. + +"I've got another plan," said Mr. Emberg. + +"What is it?" + +"Do you think anyone else knows who Retto is? I mean anyone on the +pier who saw him hurt?" + +"I think not. Captain Tantrella might, but other reporters are not +likely to connect him with the case." + +"Then this is what I'm going to do. I'll use the story of the +accident separate from the Potter story. We'll say an unidentified +man was run down on the pier. If he has a fractured skull he'll not +be able to tell who he is, and he has probably taken good care that +there are no papers in his clothes by which his name can be learned. + +"If we state that the injured man is the mysterious Retto, who is +mixed up in the Potter case, we'll have every reporter in New York +camping out at that hospital waiting for a chance to get the +information from him. If we keep quiet we may be able to get it +ourselves without any of the others knowing it. We'll try that way, +Larry. It's a risk, but you've got to take risks in this business." + +The young reporter admired the generalship of his city editor, who +could thus plan a magnificent beat. Larry saw the feasibility of the +plan. If he kept his information to himself no one would know but +what the injured man was a stranger in New York, and that he was +connected with the Potter case would be farthest from the thoughts +of any reporters who were working on the missing millionaire story. + +"You must camp on his trail, Larry," Mr. Emberg went on. "As soon as +you hear from the hospital people that he is in shape to talk, get +in to see him. You can truthfully claim to be a friend and +acquaintance, for you once helped to save his life. If you get a +chance to talk to him, ask where Potter is, and let us know at once. +We'll get out an extra, if need be. Now hurry over to the hospital +and let us hear from you as soon as possible. Get a good story and a +beat." + +"I only hope I can," murmured Larry, as he left the telephone booth +and started for the hospital to which Retto had been taken. + +He had a slight acquaintance with the superintendent of the +institution, and when he explained his errand the official agreed to +let Larry in to see the man as soon as the nurses and surgeons had +finished dressing his injuries. + +"How is he?" asked Larry. + +The superintendent called over a private telephone connected with +the ward where Retto had been taken: + +"How is the patient just brought in from the pier? Comfortable, eh? +That's good." + +Then he turned to Larry: + +"I guess you can go up soon," he added. "Can you give us his name, +and some particulars? He was unconscious when he came in," and the +superintendent prepared to jot down the information on his record +book. + +This was a complication Larry had not foreseen. If he gave the +superintendent the fugitive's name, any other reporters who came to +the hospital to inquire about the injured man would at once connect +Retto with the Potter mystery, and the _Leader's_ chance for a beat +would be small indeed. What was he to do? He decided to take the +superintendent partly into his confidence. + +"I know the name he goes by," he said, as the beginning of his +account, "but I do not believe it is his right one. I think it is an +alias he uses." + +"Never mind then," the superintendent interrupted, much to Larry's +relief. "If it's a false name we don't want it." + +"I believe it is," Larry added, and he was honest in that statement, +for he felt that Retto was playing some deep game, and, in that +case, would not be likely to use his right name. + +"We don't want our records wrong," the head of the hospital resumed. +"We'll wait until he can tell us about himself." + +The telephone bell rang at that juncture, and the superintendent +answering it told Larry the patient was now in bed and could be +seen. + +"Don't get him excited," cautioned the official. "I want to get some +information from him about himself when you are through." + +It is sometimes the custom in New York, in accident cases, to allow +reporters to interview the victims, when their physical condition +admits of it. So it was no new thing for Larry to go into the +hospital ward to speak to Retto. He passed through rows of white +cots, on which reclined men in all stages of disease and accident. +There was a sickish smell of iodoform in the atmosphere, and the +sight of the pale faces on either side made Larry sad at heart. + +"There's your patient," said a nurse who was with him, as she led +Larry to the bed where Retto reclined under the white coverings +that matched the hue of his face. "Now don't excite him. You +newspaper men don't care what you do as long as you get a story, and +sometimes all the work we nurses do goes for nothing." + +"I'll be careful," promised Larry. + +The nurse, who had other duties to keep her busy, left Larry at the +bedside of the mysterious man. He was lying with his eyes shut as +Larry approached. + +"Mr. Retto," called the reporter. + +There was no response. + +"Mr. Retto," spoke Larry, a little louder. + +At that the man opened his eyes. + +"Were you calling me?" he asked. Then he caught sight of Larry, and +a smile came on his face. + +"Well, you've found me, I see," was his greeting. "Only for that +team I'd been far away." + +"I suppose so. But now you're here, for which I'm sorry; I hope you +will answer me a few questions." + +"What are they?" asked the man, and a spasm of pain replaced his +smile. + +"I believe you know the secret of Mr. Potter's disappearance," said +Larry, speaking in a low tone so none of the other patients would +hear him. "I want you to tell me where he is." + +At the mention of Mr. Potter's name Retto raised himself in bed. His +face that had been pale became flushed. + +"He--he--is----" then he stopped. He seemed unable to speak. + +"Yes--yes!" exclaimed Larry, eagerly. "Where is he?" + +"He--is----" + +Then Retto fell back on the bed. + +"He has fainted!" cried the nurse, running to the cot. "The strain +has been too much for him," and she pressed an electric button which +summoned the doctor. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +A NEW CLUE + + +Larry moved to one side. The unexpected outcome of his interview had +startled him. He did not quite know what to do. + +The doctor came up on the run and made a hasty examination of the +patient. Then he sent for another surgeon. Larry heard them talking. + +"What is it?" he asked of his friend the nurse. + +"His skull is fractured," she said in a low voice. "They did not +think so at first, but now the symptoms show it. They are going to +operate at once. It is the only chance of saving his life." + +"There goes my story," thought Larry, regretfully. + +It was not that he was hard-hearted or indifferent to Retto's +sufferings. Simply that his newspaper instinct got ahead of +everything else, as it does in all true reporters, who, if they have +a "nose for news," will make "copy" out of even their closest +friend, though they may dislike the operation very much. + +"You had better go," the nurse advised Larry. "You will not be able +to see him again for some time--no one will be allowed to talk to +him until he is on the road to recovery--if we can save him. He has +a bad fracture." + +Much disappointed, Larry left the hospital. It was hard to be almost +on the verge of getting the story and then to see his chance slip +away. + +"I'm sure he was just going to tell me where Mr. Potter is," thought +the reporter. "Now it means a long wait, if I ever find out at all +from him." + +He told Mr. Emberg what had happened. The city editor decided to +follow out his first plan, of not connecting the accident at the +pier with the Potter mystery. + +"If he has to be operated on for a fractured skull," Mr. Emberg +remarked to Larry over the wire, "he will be in no condition to tell +his name, or give any information for some time. The story is safe +with him. Now you'd better get busy on some other line of the case. +The _Scorcher_ is out, but they only have a scare yarn, without any +foundation, to the effect that Mr. Potter is still in Italy, and +that his family knows where he is." + +"That's all bosh!" exclaimed Larry. + +"That's what I think," the city editor said. "Now get on the job, +Larry, and arrange to give us a good story for to-morrow. Keep watch +of Retto, and as soon as the doctors will let you see him try again, +though of course it may not be for several days." + +Larry was all at sea. He hung up the telephone receiver with a +vague feeling that being a reporter on a special assignment was not +all it was cracked up to be. + +"Easy enough to say get a good story for to-morrow," he remarked to +himself, "but I'd like to know how I'm going to do it? The +story--the only story there is--is safe with Retto, and he can't +tell it." + +"What shall I do?" Larry asked himself. "Let me think. I guess I'd +better go see Captain Tantrella and ask him to keep mum about Retto +until I have another chance at the man. Then I'll--I'll go and tell +Grace. She'll want to know all about it." + +He found Captain Tantrella at his hotel, having finished all the +details connected with the docking of the _Turtle_. The commander +readily agreed to keep quiet concerning Retto's identity, since the +captain had no desire for further newspaper notoriety. + +"I will do more than this," he declared. "I will give you the +package belonging to that queer man. I have to sail again soon, on a +long voyage, and he might need it before I come back. You can give +it to him if he recovers. If he does not--well, the authorities can +open it. It may contain money or something that will tell about the +poor fellow. I leave it with you." + +Larry was glad to get possession of the package that seemed of such +importance to Retto. He wished he could open it, as he thought he +might get a clue to the connection between the millionaire and the +mysterious man, but he knew he would have no right to do that. Also +it would give him a sort of claim on Retto, and, by returning the +package, he could have a good excuse for going to see him. + +"Now to tell Grace," remarked Larry, as he left Captain Tantrella. +"I'm sure she'll be anxious to hear the news." + +The millionaire's daughter was indeed glad to see Larry. She had +read the first edition of the _Leader_, and wanted to know if there +was anything further to tell. + +"I hoped to be able to give you some definite news," replied Larry, +in answer to her questions. Then he related the scene in the +hospital. + +"Poor man!" exclaimed Grace. "I wish I could go and see him." + +"I'm afraid they wouldn't let you," said the reporter. "I called up +the place just before I came here and they said the man was still +under the influence of ether, though the operation was over." + +"Was it a success?" + +"They think so, but it will be some time before he will be able to +talk to anyone about your father. We shall have to be patient." + +"It is so hard," complained Grace, and Larry agreed with her. He did +not yet see how he was going to get a story for the next day's +paper--that is, a story which would have some fresh features in it. + +"I don't suppose you have anything new to tell me?" he asked of +Grace. + +"Not much. I have had another letter from my father. It came a +little while ago." + +"Is it the same as the others?" + +"The contents are, but the envelope is different. He says he will +soon be home, and tells us not to worry." + +She gave the missive to Larry. He looked at the post-mark, and saw +that it had come from a downtown sub-station. + +"This was mailed near the steamer pier!" he exclaimed. "Close to +where Retto was hurt. He must have posted it just previous to the +accident. I wish I had known this before." + +It was too late now, and Larry gazed regretfully at the envelope. +Clearly, Retto had not been far from Mr. Potter at the time of the +accident. Perhaps the missing millionaire was hiding downtown in New +York. + +"I must make some inquiries in that neighborhood," thought Larry, as +he arose to go. + +"Another thing," Grace said. "That man Sullivan was in front of the +house again this morning." + +"I must see him!" exclaimed Larry. "I'll make him tell what his +object is. This thing has got to end!" + +He was fiercely determined that he would force some information +from the politician. Evidently Sullivan had a game on hand which the +reporter had not yet succeeded in fathoming. "I'll hunt him up at +once!" he added, as he bade Grace good-bye. + +"Be careful," she cautioned. "He is a dangerous man." + +"I will," Larry promised. + +But he could not find Sullivan. For once that wily politician denied +himself to reporters, and kept out of their way. He was sought by a +number of newspaper men, for the matter of a candidate for the +eighth assembly district was again to the fore, and the henchmen of +Kilburn and Reilly were making rival claims as to Sullivan's +support. + +"Where is Sullivan?" was the cry that went up, and in the next two +days that became almost as much of a mystery as the disappearance of +Mr. Potter. + +"Get busy, Larry," advised Mr. Emberg, and Larry did his best to +follow the advice. + +Three weeks passed, and Sullivan was not found. His family professed +not to know where he was, and the best newspaper men in New York +could not find him. Larry was working on the case with all the +energy he had thrown into the Potter disappearance. + +Meanwhile the young reporter kept a close watch on the hospital +where Retto was. The operation had been a success, but the patient +was in a fever, during which he was out of his mind. He could not +recognize anyone, much less talk intelligibly. Larry made several +calls at the institution, but it was of no use. + +"You can't see him," said the nurse, when he had paid his usual +visit one day, "but he is much better. I think by the day after +to-morrow you can talk to him. His fever is going down and he has +spells when he talks rationally. There was another man in to see him +to-day." + +"I thought you said no one could visit him." + +"Well, we made an exception in this case. The man was a private +detective, searching for a missing man, and he wanted to see all the +patients. He looked at your friend last, and went off, seemingly +quite excited." + +"What missing man was he looking for?" asked Larry. + +"A Mr. Potter. Seems to me I've read something about him in the +papers. He's very rich." + +"Mr. Potter!" exclaimed Larry. "The detective must be from the +private agency," he added to himself. Then aloud: "Did he recognize +Mr. Ret--er I mean the man with the fractured skull?" and he waited +anxiously for the nurse's answer. + +"He seemed to, but I was called away just then." + +"I know how Mr. Potter looks," Larry went on. "He has a moustache, +and the man here is smooth-shaven." + +"No, the patient has a moustache and a beard now," the nurse +replied with a smile. "They grew since he has been in the hospital." + +A sudden idea came to Larry. An idea so strange that it startled +him. He dared not speak of it. He believed the detective held the +same theory. + +"I'll call again," he said, thanking the nurse for the information +she had given him. "I must see Grace at once," he murmured, as he +left the hospital. "Strange I never thought of that. A beard and a +moustache! The private detective! I wonder if he recognized Retto? I +must hurry. Oh, if this should prove true!" + +He hurried to an elevated station and was soon on his way to Grace's +house. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE DETECTIVE'S THEORY + + +Bounding up the steps three at a time Larry rang the bell of the +Potter residence. He thought the door would never be opened, and, +when the stately butler did swing back the portal the young +reporter, not waiting to ask for anyone, stepped into the hall. + +"No one at home," the servant remarked with a smile, for he had +gotten to be on quite friendly terms with Larry. + +"No one home?" + +"No. Mrs. Potter and Miss Grace have gone to Lakewood, N.J., for a +few days. Mrs. Potter was quite ill, and the doctor advised a change +of air, so she suddenly decided to go." + +"When are they coming back?" + +"I can't rightly say. In a few days, I expect. I was told to tell +you that if anything important occurred you could write to them. +Here is the address," and the butler gave Larry a slip of paper. + +"I wonder whether I ought to telegraph?" thought Larry to himself. +"I think this is very important, yet I am not sure enough of it +myself. I can't see Retto until the day after to-morrow. I had +better wait until then. If my suspicions are confirmed I will send a +message, in case they are not back by that time." + +Larry was about to leave the house when he saw a man coming up the +front steps. He recognized him as a member of the private detective +agency which he and Grace had visited. + +"Is Mrs. Potter home?" asked the man of the butler, who was standing +in the opened front door, while Larry remained in the shadow of the +hall. + +"No, she has gone to Lakewood." + +"Lakewood! That's too bad!" exclaimed the man. + +"Is it anything important?" inquired the butler. + +"I think I have located Mr. Potter," was the answer. "I am a private +detective, hired by Miss Grace Potter. I came to see if she or her +mother would accompany me to try to identify a man I believe is the +missing millionaire." + +"Where is he?" asked the butler. + +"In a hospital, quite badly hurt." + +"Mr. Potter in a hospital! Badly hurt!" cried the servant in alarm. +"What shall I do? Can't they bring him home?" + +"We must be sure it is him," the detective went on. "The description +answers pretty well, but it would take a member of the family to +make sure. So there's no one home, eh? Well, that's too bad. I +wanted to test my theory that the hospital patient is the missing +millionaire." + +"You can telegraph to them," suggested the butler. "I have the +address." + +"That's what I'll do," the detective replied. "I'll tell them what I +have discovered. They can get here to-morrow and we'll see if he's +the right man." + +The officer took the address the servant gave him and hurried away. + +"Did you hear that?" cried the butler to Larry. "Mr. Potter is +found!" + +"I hope it proves true," the reporter replied. "That is just what I +came about, but when I found Mrs. Potter gone I didn't know what to +do. I had rather the detective would take the responsibility of +telegraphing. Perhaps the man in the hospital is not Mr. Potter?" + +"Do you know him?" asked the butler. + +"I have met him several times," replied Larry, "but I did not know +he was Mr. Potter. It just dawned on me that he might be." + +"Well, well, how strange it all is," murmured the butler. "Who would +have thought it? Well, we can't do anything until to-morrow." + +"No, I guess not," answered Larry, as he went down the steps. + +His mind was in a tumult. More and more he was coming to believe +that the mysterious man in the hospital was the missing millionaire. + +"That's what he meant when he said I was following him too close," +mused Larry. "And I never suspected it! How glad Grace will be! What +a story I shall have! I wish I had discovered him myself, without +any help from the detective agency, but it will make good reading, +anyhow. I must arrange it so we can get a scoop out of it." + +His first act was to go to the office of the paper and tell Mr. +Emberg what had occurred. The city editor was much excited by the +news. + +"That will make a great yarn!" he exclaimed. "I hope your friend +Grace soon comes back with her mother and makes the identification +complete. We must do nothing to hasten matters or some other paper +will get on to the game and spoil our story." + +"Even the hospital people don't suspect yet," said Larry. "They +don't know who their patient is--not even his assumed name." + +"I guess things are coming our way. We'll clear up the Potter +mystery and the Sullivan disappearance at the same time. I believe +Sullivan is in with Mr. Potter on some deal. It begins to look +suspicious. The friends of Reilly and Kilburn are all at sea. They'd +give a thousand dollars to know which way Sullivan was going to +jump." + +Larry paid an early visit to the hospital the next day to see how +matters were progressing. His friend, the nurse, greeted him with a +smile. + +"I guess you can have an interview with your mysterious +acquaintance now," she said. "He is much better than we expected, +and, for the first time since the operation, talks rationally. We +have not questioned him yet. We are not as curious as you newspaper +men are." + +"Well, we have to be," responded Larry. "Can I go up now? Has the +man who was here yesterday been back?" + +"Yes to your first question, and no to the second. You can go up. +The superintendent left word to that effect. He is quite friendly to +you." + +Larry started for the ward where Retto was. His heart was beating +strangely. He felt that he was on the verge of solving the secret of +the millionaire's disappearance and restoring to Grace her father. + +As he approached the bed where Retto reclined he was motioned back +by another nurse on duty there. + +"He has just fallen asleep," she said. "When he awakens again you +may speak to him. He has been writing a letter." + +Larry was disappointed. He looked at the man who had played such an +important part in the disappearance of the millionaire, and who, he +believed, was destined to assume a much more important role. The +patient's beard and moustache had grown since the accident, and the +smooth-shaven man was no more. Instead, Larry saw before him a +person who, as he recalled the photographs of Mr. Potter, bore a +remarkable resemblance to the millionaire. + +Of course, Mr. Potter had only a moustache and no beard, but aside +from that Larry was positive that, lying on the bed in front of him, +was Grace's father. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +A TERRIBLE MISTAKE + + +How Larry wished the patient would awaken so he could question him! +But the invalid showed no signs of it, and was in a deep slumber. + +"That will do him more good than medicine," said the nurse. "He will +probably sleep for several hours." + +"Several hours," repeated Larry in dismay. + +"Yes, they often do." + +"Then there is no use in me waiting," he said. "I'll come back +again. When I do I may bring his daughter with me." + +"I hope you do," the nurse replied. "I have felt so sorry for the +poor man. He seemed to have no friends ever since he has been here. +Who is he?" + +"I don't want to say for sure, until I get his daughter to identify +him," Larry said, for he did not want the story to get out before +the _Leader_ had a chance to print it. + +He decided he would go to the Potter house and see if Grace had +returned yet in response to the telegram sent by the detective. He +felt sure she would start immediately on receipt of the message. + +In this he was correct, for when he got to the millionaire's home +Grace herself answered his ring. + +"Oh, Larry! Tell me quick!" she exclaimed. "Where is he? Is he badly +hurt? What is the matter? Do you think it is really he?" + +"I hope so," Larry said. "Where is your mother?" + +"She stayed in Lakewood. I didn't tell her anything about it, for +fear it would prove a disappointment. The telegram from the +detective came to me and I made up my mind to come home alone and +clear matters up before I told mother. She needs a rest, as she is +very nervous. + +"But now I am here, you must take me to the hospital at once. The +telegram said he was in a hospital. How did it happen? Is he badly +hurt?" + +"I think he is almost well." + +"But how did they discover him? Who did it? How did it come about?" + +"It will take some time to answer all the questions," replied Larry +with a smile. "I'll tell you all I can on the way to the hospital. +My mysterious friend, Mah Retto, it seems, has turned out to be your +father." + +"Then he was the one I saw in front of the house that night, and I +thought it was father," said Grace. "His smooth-shaven face deceived +me, but I was sure I could not mistake his figure." + +"There have been a good many surprises in this case," Larry +admitted. "I've often been fooled myself." + +"Let's hurry to the hospital," suggested Grace. "I'd rather go with +you than with that detective. He is to be here at eleven o'clock, +and it's only ten now. Let's hurry away." + +Larry agreed, and they left the house. Grace explained that she had +caught the first express out of Lakewood that morning and had been +home only half an hour when Larry called. + +They were so busy talking over all the details of the queer case +that they arrived at the hospital much quicker than they +anticipated. + +"Here we are," said Larry, as he led the way up the broad stone +steps of the institution. + +"I'm almost afraid to go in," remarked Grace, her voice showing a +nervous dread. "It seems so strange. I'm quite frightened, Larry." + +"Don't think of anything but that you're going to see your father," +the reporter replied, reassuringly. "He'll be so glad to see you. I +believe he would have been home long before this if it had not been +for the accident." + +Larry entered the office of the institution. No sooner had he +stepped inside than he was made aware that something unusual had +occurred. Nurses and doctors, with anxious looks, were hastening +here and there. Orderlies and messengers were hurrying to and fro, +and there was a continuous ringing of signal and telephone bells. + +"Must have been an accident and a lot of patients bought in," said +Larry, for he had seen such activity in hospitals before when a +number of injured persons required treatment at once. + +"Oh, how terrible!" exclaimed Grace. "Do you suppose many are +killed?" + +"I hope not. But it looks as if something very unusual had +happened." + +Just then Larry saw the nurse who had been at the bedside of the +patient whom he and Grace had come to see. + +"I've brought his daughter," he said to the uniformed attendant. +"May we go up now?" + +The nurse seemed confused. + +"I don't know--I'll see!" she remarked. "Here is the superintendent. +Perhaps you had better speak to him," and she whispered something to +the official. + +"There's something wrong about Mr. Potter!" was Larry's first +thought. "I wonder if he could have suddenly died?" + +Even Grace, unaccustomed as she was to hospital scenes, was aware +that all was not as it should be. + +"Oh, Larry!" she exclaimed. "What is the matter? Have they taken him +away?" + +"I don't know," the reporter answered in a low tone. "I'll soon find +out." + +The superintendent approached them. + +"You wanted to see that patient who was brought in from the +steamship pier?" he inquired. "We've never been able to obtain his +name." + +"I can tell you what it is," answered Larry. "We have every reason +to believe he is Hamden Potter, the missing millionaire, and this +young lady's father. May we see him?" + +"Hamden Potter!" exclaimed the superintendent. + +"That's who he is," declared Larry. "He went by the name Mah Retto +while he was away. May we go up now?" + +"I am sorry," said the superintendent slowly, "but that patient +escaped from the ward about half an hour ago, and we have not been +able to trace him!" + +"Escaped!" cried Larry. + +"My father gone again!" gasped Grace. + +"Too bad, but that's what has happened," the superintendent +repeated. "The nurse left him sleeping quietly, and went downstairs +to get some medicine. When she came back he was gone." + +"But how could he go out without any clothing?" asked Larry. + +"He got some clothing," the head of the institution replied. "In the +bed next to him was a patient who was to be discharged as cured +to-day. That man's clothes were brought to him and laid out on a +chair beside the bed. While he was in the bathroom Mr. Potter, as +you call him, got possession of the clothes, put them on, and +walked out. Several patients saw him go, but said nothing, as they +thought it was all right. When the nurse got back she missed your +friend and gave the alarm." + +"Can't you tell in what direction he went?" asked Larry. + +"So far we have been unsuccessful. We have made inquiries outside, +but so many persons are passing in the street that it has been +impossible to trace him." + +"Was he able to walk very far?" the reporter asked. + +"He was strong; much stronger than the usual run of patients who are +recovering from such a wound as he had. He must have been more fully +recovered than we thought. He had written a letter, the nurse tells +me, and this is also gone. Probably he was temporarily out of his +mind, and went out to mail the missive. It is a strange occurrence." + +"My poor father!" exclaimed Grace. "I thought I had found him, and +now he is missing again." + +Larry did not know what to do. It was a curious state of affairs. He +had been so sure of uniting Mr. Potter and Grace, but now all his +plans had come to nothing. Then, too, there was the paper to be +considered. Mr. Emberg would expect him to send in the story of the +mysterious disappearance of the hospital patient. Yet Larry did not +like to leave Grace while he went to telephone. He was in a curious +predicament. + +"We will send out a general alarm if we do not find him soon," the +superintendent went on. "Occasionally delirious patients wander from +the wards while the nurses are temporarily absent, but they are +always found hiding in some part of the hospital. We have not yet +completed the search. Only once in a great while do they get outside +the institution. Yet Mr. Potter may have." + +"Then we may never find him again," spoke Grace. + +"Don't worry," Larry advised, as cheerfully as he could. "He'll come +back." + +"I'll never see him again!" and Grace was on the verge of tears. +"Oh, this is terrible!" + +Just then there was heard a confusion of sounds in the corridor +outside of the superintendent's office. The latter went to the door, +and through the opened portal Grace and Larry heard some one +exclaim: + +"He's come back!" + +"Maybe that's him!" cried the reporter. + +The superintendent returned to his office. + +"I have a pleasant surprise for you," he exclaimed. "The patient has +come back. He says he went out to a telephone." + +"Is he--is he all right?" asked Grace. + +"Better than ever. The little trip seemed to do him good. Here he +is." + +He threw open the door he had closed. There, standing in the +corridor, was the man Larry had known as Mah Retto--the man he +believed was Mr. Potter. The patient was smiling at the reporter. + +"There is your father, Grace," said Larry. + +The girl gave one look at the man confronting her. She seemed to +sway forward, and became deathly pale---- + +"That is not my father!" she cried, as she fell in a faint. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +IN HIS ENEMIES' POWER + + +"Quick! Catch her!" cried the hospital superintendent, springing +forward, but it was Larry who put out his arms and kept Grace from +falling to the floor. + +"Here, nurse," called one of several physicians who had gathered in +the corridor when the news spread that the missing patient had +returned. "Look after her, please. Carry her into the receiving +room." + +"Who is she?" asked the patient, who had caused such a stir, and to +whom no one seemed to be paying any attention in the excitement +caused by Grace's swoon. The man had not caught a good look at the +girl. + +"She is Grace Potter," replied Larry, glancing curiously at Mah +Retto. + +"Grace Potter? Hamden Potter's daughter?" The man seemed greatly +excited. + +"Yes. She came here expecting, as I did, to meet her father. I +thought you were Mr. Potter. She says you are not." + +"No, I am not," replied the man. + +"Then who are you? Where is her father? You know! I am sure of it!" +Larry was upset over the mistake he and the detective had made. + +"I did know where Mr. Potter was," and as he made that answer Retto +gave every evidence of being under a great strain. His hands shook +with more than the weakness of his illness. He was paler than the +white hue caused by his confinement in the hospital. + +"Why? Have you lost track of him?" + +"I am afraid so. Listen, young man, perhaps you can help me. Let us +get to some place where we can talk. I have strange news for you." + +"Then you know me?" and the young reporter looked somewhat +surprised. + +"I couldn't very well help it, with the way you have kept after me +lately. But we have no time to lose. Something most unexpected has +happened. Mr. Potter is in the hands of his enemies!" + +"Then he is found?" + +"Yes, in a way, but he might better be lost!" + +"What do you mean?" + +"Come in here and I will tell you." + +Retto led the way to a small room off the main corridor. + +"What does this mean?" asked the hospital superintendent. + +"I will explain later," replied Retto. "Just now it is very +necessary that I have a talk with this young man." + +The superintendent turned away and Retto closed the door. He sat +down in a chair, and Larry could see that he was trembling from +weakness. + +"I must talk quickly," he said, "for I am still very ill. I made a +desperate effort to go out in order to get in communication with Mr. +Potter. I mailed him a letter and then called him up on the +telephone----" + +"Then you know where he was!" burst out Larry. + +"I did, but I do not now. Listen, and don't ask too many questions +yet. All will soon be explained, if it is not too late. I am Mr. +Potter's friend. He took me into his confidence when he found it +necessary, for very strong reasons, to disappear. I agreed to help +him and do exactly as he wanted me to. He has been hiding across the +Hudson River, outside of the legal jurisdiction of New York State. I +was in touch with him by telephone and otherwise up to the time of +my accident on the pier. Since then, of course, I have not been able +to hold any communication with him. As soon as I had the chance, +which came for the first time to-day, I got out and called him on +the telephone. I was told by the man, with whom he had been staying, +that, about an hour ago, some men came and took him away." + +"Some men took him away?" + +"Yes. Men whom I recognized, by the description, as his enemies--as +men who have an interest in getting Mr. Potter into their power. He +has been trying all this while to keep out of their way. Now they +have him!" + +"But what's to be done?" asked the young reporter. + +"I don't know," replied Retto, hopelessly. "Everything was going on +all right until those horses knocked me down." + +Larry was conscious of a strange sensation. It was partly due to his +impetuosity he felt that Retto had been injured. Larry partly blamed +himself for Mr. Potter's present plight, since through the +reporter's instrumentality the millionaire's friend had not been +able to keep in touch with him. + +"I'll find him!" exclaimed Larry. "Tell me what to do! I'll trace +him!" + +"If I was only stronger!" said Retto. "I'm so weak that I couldn't +walk another block. I'd like to get after those scoundrels who have +Mr. Potter!" + +"I'll get after them!" cried the youthful newspaper man, thinking +more of Grace just then than he did of his assignment. "Tell me +where to go!" + +"I can only tell you where Mr. Potter was hiding," went on Retto. +"That was in a little house just outside of Jersey City. The men +must have gone there after him. Possibly you can trace them from the +house." + +"Tell me how to get to the place!" + +Retto gave the necessary instructions. + +"I'm going over there!" exclaimed the young reporter. + +"What are you going to do with Grace?" + +"That's so! I forgot about her. I'll take her along!" and Larry +sprang to his feet in his enthusiasm and started for the door. + +"Can she stand the trip?" + +"She's a brave girl! She'll be glad to go!" + +"Then you'd better hurry. Every minute is precious. Great things +hang on this. If Mr. Potter's enemies force him to do certain +things, which he has been trying to avoid doing, the consequences +will be very bad for many persons. Hurry, Dexter!" + +"I'll start at once. I wonder if Grace is better?" + +The young reporter and Retto left the small room. Larry soon found +that Grace had recovered from her swoon. Rapidly he told her of what +he proposed doing. With her he would go to Jersey City and try to +trace the missing millionaire. + +"And we'll find him!" he added, with vigor. + +He went downstairs to telephone to Mr. Emberg of the new and +unexpected turn the case had taken. + +"Keep right after it, Larry!" said the city editor. "Find Mr. Potter +and get the story!" + +As the _Leader_ reporter turned to go upstairs he saw, entering the +hospital, a young man whom he recognized as Hans Fritsch, the German +newspaper man he had met at the lonely tenement. + +"What are you doing here?" asked Larry, noting that his friend was +attired in an automobile suit. + +"I comes to see how gets along a friend of mine. He is here sick. I +have a day off from mine work and I comes in my new automobile. +After dot I goes me for a nice ride. Come along!" + +"Where are you going?" asked Larry, a sudden idea coming into his +head. + +"Ofer by New Jersey. Dere is goot automobiling roads." + +"Are you going to Jersey City?" + +"Sure. I goes by dot on der ferry. Den I skips out by der Plank +Roat, und maybe I goes me out to der Oranges Mountains. I am just +learning to run my car goot!" + +"I'll go with you!" cried Larry. "Have you room in your car for +two?" + +"Surely! For four, if you likes to bring 'em. My mother, who is in +Germany, und quite vell off, send me der car for a birthday present, +odervise I should not haff him. Reporters here do not get monies +enough to buy automobiles!" + +"I'll be with you in five minutes!" exclaimed Larry, hurrying off to +tell Grace. + +"I am ready as soon as I see how my sick friend is," declared the +German reporter. "Den we go quick like de wind, und haff a goot +time!" + +"Yes, and maybe a hot pursuit!" said Larry under his breath, for he +had determined on a bold plan. He would, in Fritsch's auto, give +chase to the captors of Mr. Potter. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +MR. POTTER IS FOUND--CONCLUSION + + +There was a throbbing of the motor, a grinding and shrieking as the +clutch was thrown in, a trembling to the car as Fritsch advanced the +spark and opened the gasolene throttle still wider and the +automobile, bearing the German reporter, Larry and Grace, was off. + +"Here are some goggles!" said Fritsch, handing back two pairs to his +passengers. "You vill need dem when ve goes like de wind. If I had +known I was to haff a lady I would get a dust coat." + +"It doesn't matter," replied Grace, her eyes shining with the +excitement. "I want to find my father." + +"Your father?" + +Then Larry explained. He could safely do so since the German paper +did not come out until the morning of the next day, and Fritsch +could not "beat" him. + +Faster speeded the auto. They went over the Hudson River on a ferry +boat, and, as soon as Jersey City was reached, the car was sent +along as fast as the law allowed. + +"I wonder if I can get on their trail?" thought Larry, as he +watched the houses skim by, and held himself in his seat, beside +Grace, to avoid the jouncing and swaying caused by the uneven +streets. + +"Do you think ve vill haff a race?" asked the German, as they neared +the house where Mr. Potter had been hiding. + +"Maybe. I hope so, anyhow." + +"I don't." + +"Why? Don't you want to help find Mr. Potter?" + +"Yes, but I am of nervousness yet in my new car. I haff never raced, +und I might do some damage." + +"Let me run her," suggested Larry. "I've had some experience with +autos, and I guess I can manage yours. I ran one like this several +times when I was out with Mr. Emberg." + +"Den take der vheel," went on Fritsch. "I comes back wid Miss Potter +und you can race." + +"Oh, Larry! Can you do it?" and Grace looked a little alarmed. + +"Of course I can," and the young reporter spoke confidently. + +The car was stopped and the change made. Larry soon found he could +manage the various levers all right, and that the car responded +readily to his guiding hand. + +"This must be the place," he said, after they had ridden for half an +hour at as high speed as they dared, considering the fact that +there were policemen on every other block. + +He stopped the car in front of a house that seemed to be +uninhabited. It answered the description Retto had given, and Larry +knocked on the door. After several minutes the portal opened a +crack, showing that it was held by a chain. + +"Is Mr. Potter here?" asked Larry, though he knew the missing +millionaire was not. The man who had opened the door looked +suspiciously at the inquirer. "It's all right," the young reporter +went on. "I come from Mr. Retto. I want to aid Mr. Potter." + +"You're too late," was the answer. "They've got him into their +clutches. They'll work their game before he knows that everything is +all right, and that it is safe for him to show himself. If they had +only waited half an hour all would have been well. I just got +another telephone message from Retto, saying that all matters were +satisfactorily adjusted, and that there was no further need for Mr. +Potter to hide. But he doesn't know this. I have no way of telling +him, and he'll sign the papers before those men will let him go." + +"Tell me in which direction they went and I'll go after them!" cried +Larry. "They can't have gone far, and we can overtake them in the +auto!" + +"They have a car, too," replied the man. "A fast one. They managed, +by a trick, to get Mr. Potter into it. If I could only get word to +him he could laugh at their efforts! If I could only send him a +message!" + +"What is the message?" asked Larry. + +"It is this. 'The money is safe!'" + +"Is that all?" + +"That's all, but how can you get it to him?" + +"Didn't you hear anything that might give you a clue to where the +men were going?" + +"Somewhere out toward the Orange Mountains. That's all I know. They +are going to the home of some lawyer or judge, I believe. There is +some legal matter involved." + +"Then that's where we'll go!" decided the young reporter, as he +hurried back to the auto and told Grace and Fritsch what he had +heard. + +"On to de mountains!" cried the German reporter. "My car is yours! +It will climb de biggest hills on der high gear, und ve will catch +de scoundrels!" + +Once more they were off. They took the Plank Road to Newark, and, on +inquiring in the latter city, learned that a car, answering the +description of the one Mr. Potter had been taken off in, had passed +about half an hour before. + +"That's not so bad!" exclaimed Larry. "We can catch 'em, I guess!" + +"I hope so!" murmured Grace. + +"If my car doesn't beat de oder one I gives up riding," remarked +Fritsch, with proper pride in his machine. + +They passed through Newark, and were soon on the road leading to +Orange, at the foot of the mountains. The highway was conducive to +speed, and Larry "let her out several notches," as he expressed it, +at the same time keeping watch for policemen on motorcycles, who +were alert to nab the unwary auto speeders. + +Every time they saw a car in front of them they were anxious until +they saw it was not the one they wanted. They passed a number of +machines, and when Orange was reached they had not been successful. + +"Now for a mountain climb!" exclaimed Larry, as he slowed down the +engine to give the water a chance to cool off before attempting the +ascent. "Will it do Eagle Rock hill, Fritsch?" + +"I think so," replied the German. "I never tried it, but de circular +says it vill do it." + +Eagle Rock hill is known far and wide as one of the steepest ascents +up which an automobile can be sent. Many cars have to take it on the +low gear, or go as slowly as possible. Even then it is a strain. + +"Suppose we should overtake them there?" suggested Grace. + +"Ve'd catch 'em!" exclaimed the German, with a confidence born of +admiration for his car. + +On and on they chugged. At the foot of the long, steep slope Larry +set the levers on second gear, as he did not want to take any +chances with the auto. Up and up they went, their eyes strained +through the dust for the sight of a green car, for that was the +color of the machine in which rode the men who had taken Mr. Potter +away. + +"Hark!" exclaimed Grace, suddenly. "It sounds like an auto just +ahead of us!" + +"It is," declared Larry, whose quick ear had caught the chug-chug of +a motor. + +An instant later they had rounded a turn. There, in front of them, +climbing the steep hill, was a green car. In it could be seen four +men. + +"That's them!" cried Larry. + +"Open her up! Throw in the high gear!" yelled Fritsch, who was now +as enthusiastic and as interested in the chase as were either of his +companions. "Let her rip!" + +"Will she stand it?" asked Larry, shouting the words over his +shoulder to Grace and Fritsch in the tonneau. + +"Sure!" + +There was a grinding noise as Larry threw in the high-speed gear. +The auto hung back for an instant because of the sudden change. The +motor seemed to groan at the unexpected load thrown on it. Then, +like a gallant horse responding to the call of its rider, the car +leaped ahead. + +"Hurrah!" cried Larry. "She'll do it! We'll catch 'em!" + +The distance between the two cars was lessening. Those in the green +machine seemed unaware of the approach of their pursuers. + +"Can you see your father?" asked the German of Grace. + +"I'm not sure. It looks like him!" + +She stood up in the tonneau, holding to the back of the seat in +front of her to steady herself against the swaying of the car. + +Just then Larry blew a blast on the horn. As the deep tone responded +to his pressure on the big rubber bulb the men in the green machine +looked back. At the sight of one of the faces Grace cried. + +"It's father! It's father!" + +Above the noise made by the two autos the millionaire heard his +daughter's voice. He stood up and, leaning over the back of the +seat, waved his hand to her. Then one of the men sitting beside him +forcibly drew the millionaire down. + +"Oh! We must get to him!" cried Grace. "They may do him some harm! +Hurry, Larry!" + +"Shove her over a few more notches!" cried Fritsch. "She'll take +more gasolene!" + +Larry obeyed the instructions of the German reporter. The car seemed +to feel new life and leaped ahead. The distance from the other car +was steadily growing less. Fritsch's confidence in his machine was +not misplaced. But the men in the green car were making efforts to +escape. The chauffeur had advanced his spark, and the car was taking +the steep grade almost as well as was that of the pursuers. + +"Can't we catch them?" cried Grace, in an agony of doubt and fear. + +Larry narrowly watched the green car. He saw that in spite of the +efforts of the driver it was losing speed. + +"We'll do it," he said, quietly. + +Then Larry tried a trick which had come into his mind almost at the +last moment. Keeping his car going as fast as possible he steered it +so as to pass the other auto. He knew he had speed enough to do it, +and realized that he must act quickly, as they were almost at the +summit of the hill. + +Closer and closer the two cars came together, that driven by the +young reporter gaining. Now the front wheels overlapped the rear +ones of the green machine--now they were at the side door of the +tonneau--now the two tonneaus were even! This was what Larry wanted. + +Slowing down his engine the least bit, so as to keep in pace with +the other machine and not pass it, he called across to Mr. Potter, +as the two autos raced side by side: + +"Mr. Potter, I bring you a message from your friends!" + +"What is it?" + +"It is this! 'The money is safe!'" + +"Good!" cried the millionaire. "Now I don't care what these +scoundrels do!" + +"Father! Father!" cried Grace. + +"Stop that machine!" yelled Larry to the chauffeur of the green +car. + +"You can't make me!" retorted the man. + +"Jump into our car!" cried Fritsch to Mr. Potter. "You can do it!" + +The two machines were close together, and so evenly were they +running that they seemed to be standing still, side by side. The +millionaire arose and endeavored to get out of the tonneau, and into +that of the auto in which sat his daughter. + +"No, you don't!" exclaimed one of the men beside him, and he took +hold of Mr. Potter. + +"Let me go!" called the rich man. "I'm not afraid of you now. +There's no longer any reason for me to remain in hiding!" + +"You can't go until you sign those papers!" cried another of the +men. + +"Stop that car!" shouted Larry again. + +"Let's see you make me!" was the impudent retort of the man at the +wheel. + +"I'll make you!" declared the young reporter. + +He gave a quick motion to the steering wheel. Then he shoved the +levers over, and pressed down the pedal that cut out the muffler and +slightly relieved the strain on the motor. Fritsch's car shot ahead. +Larry steered it directly in front of the green machine, and kept +just far enough in advance to avoid a collision. + +"Get out of the way!" shouted the driver of the emerald car. + +"Now I guess you'll stop!" retorted the young reporter. + +The road suddenly narrowed. Larry gradually slowed up his car. There +was no room to pass, and the other machine had to slacken up also. + +Larry suddenly shut off his power and put on the brakes. His machine +came to a gradual stop. There was a bump behind and the other had +collided with it, but not enough to cause any damage. + +"There! I guess you'll stop now!" exclaimed Larry, as he leaped from +his seat and hurried back to the green car. + +But the men did not await his coming. With a shout to his companions +the chauffeur of the rear auto leaped out. The others followed his +example, leaving Mr. Potter alone in the automobile. + +"Father! Father!" cried Grace. + +"Is this really you, Mr. Potter?" asked the reporter, hardly able to +believe that he had found the missing millionaire. + +"That's who I am!" exclaimed the man whom Larry had sought so long. +Mr. Potter entered the other machine and clasped Grace into his +arms. "I'm back from my enforced exile," he went on. "Now you can +send the story to your paper." + +"I must get to a telephone!" cried Larry, his newspaper instincts to +the fore again, now that he had successfully covered his special +assignment. + +"Get back into my car," suggested Fritsch. "Dere is a telephone at +de top of der hill. I'll drive you now so long as de race is ofer!" + +"And we won!" cried Grace. "Oh, father! How glad I am to have you +back!" + +"How glad I am to get back!" replied Mr. Potter. + +Larry sat beside the German reporter, who took his place at the +steering wheel. The other car was left where the men had abandoned +it. They had disappeared into the woods on either side of the road, +and never troubled Mr. Potter again. + +"Why did you disappear, Mr. Potter?" asked Larry, who had to have +some facts to telephone in, as it was near first edition-time. + +"It's a long story to tell, young man," replied the millionaire, +"and quite complicated. Briefly, I had to disappear in order to save +a number of widows and orphans from losing what little money they +depended on for a living. As you have probably guessed, I am +interested in many financial matters. One was the building of an +extension of the subway. Hundreds of widows, and guardians of +orphans, had bought stock in this enterprise, as it was sold by +popular subscription. + +"While abroad I learned there was a scheme on foot to involve me in +certain legal difficulties, and it might even cause my arrest in +order to get me to do certain things that would force the price of +the subway stock down, and so bankrupt many innocent persons. To +prevent this I determined to disappear, without even the knowledge +of my family. How I managed it I will tell you later. Matters were +going along all right until Retto, whose real name, you might as +well know, is Simonson, suddenly disappeared. I did not know what to +do, nor how matters, with which I had entrusted him, were +progressing. But it wasn't his fault. I wonder what happened to +him?" + +Larry explained about Mr. Simonson's accident, of which Mr. Potter +was ignorant. + +"When these men, my enemies, unexpectedly appeared to-day at the +house where I had been hiding ever since I disappeared, asked me to +appear in a New Jersey court, I had to go with them," went on Mr. +Potter. "It was in the nature of an arrest, and I did not dare +disobey. They wanted to take me before a Supreme Court Justice in +his home on the mountain and make me sign certain papers. + +"But you came along in the nick of time. When you gave me that +message to the effect that the money was all right, I knew that the +affairs of the subway had been so arranged that the stock would not +go down and the widows and orphans would not suffer. I was willing +then to appear in court, as the schemes of the scoundrels, who had +practically kidnapped me, could amount to nothing. But it seems +they didn't wait to see what the outcome would be. I'm much obliged +to you, Larry." + +"So am I," added Grace, with a smile. + +"I'd do it all over again for the sake of getting such a good +story--and--er--of course, finding you and helping your daughter," +Larry finished. "Now to telephone this in." + +Mr. Emberg could hardly believe the news that Larry fairly shouted +over the wire. + +"Found him, you say! Good for you, Larry. It'll be a great beat! +Wait a minute! I'll let Harvey take the story. Talk fast. Give us +enough for the first edition, and then, for the second, get the +whole story from Mr. Potter. This is a corker!" + +What a scene there was in the _Leader_ office then! Mr. Newton +grabbed up paper and pencil and rushed to the telephone booth to +which Larry's wire had been switched so that the story could be +taken with fewer interruptions. Page after page of notes did Mr. +Newton scribble down, as Larry dictated the dramatic finding of the +missing millionaire during the automobile chase. + +"That'll do, Larry!" cried Mr. Newton, when he had the first half of +the story. "I'll get one of the other boys to take the rest while I +grind this out on the machine." + +So the young reporter dictated the remainder of the account to +another person in the _Leader_ office, while Mr. Newton was +pounding away on the typewriter at his section. + +Thus it went on in relays. The first part of the story was in type +before Larry had finished his end of it. Then, as there was no more +time to get anything further in for the first edition, Larry went +back to where he had left Mr. Potter, Grace and Fritsch in the +automobile. Mr. Potter gave the young reporter some additional +particulars. + +He explained that he had learned, while in Europe, of a mix-up in +New York politics that involved his company, which was building the +new subway line. Sullivan, Kilburn and Reilly were factors in the +game, and the control of the assembly district would go to whoever +could bring about the opening of the new subway route through it. + +Mr. Potter repeated, more at detail, how there was likely to be a +big law-suit over the matter, which would tie up operations for a +year, and which would force down the price of the stock so that many +small investors would lose all they owned. + +"I had promised Sullivan to do as he wanted, in case he supported +Reilly," Mr. Potter went on. "Later I found I could not do as I had +agreed without getting tangled up in the legal conflict. They wanted +to serve certain papers on me, and get me into the jurisdiction of +the law courts, so I decided, in order to protect those who were +unable to protect themselves, to disappear. I was aware that a +wrong construction might be placed on it, that it would subject me +to much criticism, that it would be hard and that it would cause +distress to my family and friends. But there was no other way in +which I could aid the helpless, so I decided to do it." + +The millionaire explained how he had sailed from Italy under an +assumed name, after arranging there with his friend, Mr. Simonson, +to precede him to New York, do certain work, and keep him informed +of how matters went. Simonson took the name Mah Retto, which had a +foreign sound, and could be depended upon to deceive Mr. Potter's +enemies. Mr. Simonson was of dark complexion and looked like an East +Indian. The name was formed from some of the letters making up the +millionaire's name. Retto's handwriting was very similar to that of +Mr. Potter's, and easily passed for it, even under the scrutiny of +Grace and her mother. The man himself bore a remarkable resemblance +to the millionaire and nearly deceived Grace once. + +Most unexpectedly, some of Mr. Potter's enemies got on the trail of +Retto, and he learned they would be waiting for him when he landed +in New York. He decided to elude them. + +He was aboard the _Olivia_ when the ship struck on the bar, and +resolved to take a desperate chance and come ashore on a life-raft. +He did, and Larry and Bailey rescued him. Then followed his shaving +off of his moustache in the fisherman's hut to make a good disguise, +and Larry's subsequent chase after him. Once Larry had been close on +Mr. Potter's trail. The millionaire was in Retto's room the night +Larry called on the mysterious man in the Jackson tenement, and this +explained the reference in the letter to the young reporter being so +"close" after Mr. Potter. + +Sullivan, it was explained, had an idea that Grace or her mother +knew where Mr. Potter was hiding, and was much disappointed because +the rich man could not carry out the original plan of political +action. + +"I think Sullivan will show himself, now that he knows I have been +found," said Grace's father. "He has been looking for me on his own +responsibility, I understand. I have straightened matters out so +that he can support Reilly as he promised to do, Larry, in that +interview he gave you. I think that was all he wanted me to come +back for. + +"Sullivan used to go up and watch my house," Mr. Potter went on. "He +thought I was there, I suppose. Retto also watched it, but for a +different purpose. I sent him up to catch glimpses of my wife and +daughter, to see if they were all right, as I did not dare venture +into that neighborhood for fear of being recognized. I had their +miniatures, however. The night I reached New York I went to the +house and got them. I remained in the suburbs of Jersey City most of +the time, as, until to-day, the scoundrels did not have matters so +arranged that they could legally serve papers on me in New Jersey. +They must have taken a last desperate chance this morning, but, +thanks to you, Larry, they were foiled." + +In Fritsch's auto, after Larry had finished telephoning in the +story, the little party returned to New York. They took Mr. +Simonson, or Retto, from the hospital to Mr. Potter's house. There +he explained his part in aiding the millionaire. Larry gave him back +the papers he had secured from Captain Tantrella, and the curious +gold coin Mr. Simonson had lost from his watch chain in the +fisherman's hut. + +Mr. Simonson told his employer how he had tried to run away from +Larry that day on the pier, as matters were then not yet ripe for a +disclosure, and how he had fallen under the horses' feet. + +"When you came to see me in the hospital," he went on to Larry, "I +was about to send for Mr. Potter, for I felt I was in bad shape and +that the mystery might now come to an end. Then I became +unconscious, was delirious for three weeks, and the next I knew was +when the nurse told me this morning that the day after to-morrow you +were coming to see me. I decided I must communicate with Mr. Potter. +But when I called him up, I was startled when I was told by the man +in whose house he was hiding that his enemies had him." + +"But Larry got me away from them," went on Mr. Potter, with a happy +laugh. "This ends the mystery of my disappearance." + +"I must telegraph mother the good news," said Grace. "She is in +Lakewood. I had also better notify the private detective that he +need no longer work on the case." + +"We'll go to Lakewood and surprise your mother," said her father. "I +need a rest after my hard work in keeping away from Larry Dexter. +I'll telephone the detective agency. I suppose the manager will be +disappointed that a newspaper man beat him," which was exactly how +the manager felt. + +The young reporter, bidding Grace and her father good-bye, returned +to the office of the _Leader_, going down in Fritsch's auto. + +"Well, you have given us some news!" exclaimed Mr. Emberg. "Look at +that!" + +He held up the paper, the front page of which was almost all taken +up with the story of the missing millionaire. + +"I suppose that ends my special assignment, then." + +"This one is finished," spoke the city editor, "but I may have +another for you." + +"What kind?" + +"I'll tell you later." + +Those of my readers who want to know what Larry's next assignment +was may learn by reading the fourth volume of this series, to be +called: "Larry Dexter and the Bank Mystery, or, A Young Reporter in +Wall Street." In that story we shall follow the young reporter +through adventures which were exciting in the extreme. + +The _Leader_ beat every other paper in New York on the Potter story, +and Larry was the hero of the occasion. The next day he located +Sullivan and cleared up that end of the case. + +"I suppose you'd like to take a short rest?" said Mr. Emberg to the +young reporter a few days later. "You had quite a strenuous time of +it in that automobile race." + +"I guess I could stand a little vacation." + +"Then you shall have it." + +Larry wondered where he would spend the vacation, but the matter was +settled for him. When he got home that night he found a telegram +awaiting him. It was from Grace Potter, and read: + +"Can't you come down to Lakewood for a few days? Mother and father +would be glad to see you. So would I." + +Larry went. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LARRY DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH*** + + +******* This file should be named 16397.txt or 16397.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/3/9/16397 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. 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