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.”