“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.