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.