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.