“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.