“But my father is not a criminal.  Why should the police watch for him so particularly.  They are keeping a general lookout now, but I wouldn’t like to think they were lying in wait for him.”

“It’s the only way to find him,” said Larry.  “Of course it’s unpleasant, but there is evidently some mystery here, and that’s the best way to clear it up.”

“But he says he has to stay away for a while,” argued Grace.  “Maybe he wouldn’t like to be found.”

“Of course that point has to be considered,” Larry admitted.  “But I take it you and your mother want to find your father, or be in a position to communicate with him.”

“Oh, we do!” exclaimed Grace.

“Then we’ll have to ask the police to help us.  There is no disgrace in it.  Everyone knows your father is honorable, and if he wants to disappear that’s his business.  It is also perfectly right for you to try to find him, for——­” and Larry stopped.

“Well, for what?” asked Grace, seeing the reporter hesitate.

“I don’t want to alarm you,” Larry went on, “but I was going to say that there is no way of telling but what some one may have imitated his writing and forged his name.”

“I am sure that is my father’s writing,” the girl said, earnestly.  “Of course I may be mistaken.  I hope not.  I prefer to believe that note is from him.  It makes me happier.”

“Of course there is only the barest possibility that this note is not from your father, but we can take no chances.  That is why I want to make a systematic search, beginning at the sub-station.”

“And where will it end?” asked Grace.

“I don’t know.  But after that I am going to the steamship piers of all the lines that ply between here and Italy.”

“What for?”

“I want to see if the captain of any of the steamers recalls any man answering your father’s description having come over with him.  He must have sailed on some steamer, as he is in this country, if that note is from him.”

“That’s a good idea,” commented Grace.  “How I wish I could help you.  Couldn’t I?  Couldn’t I go around with you—­that is to the steamer piers?  I’ve crossed the ocean several times, and I know some of the captains of the Italian lines.”

“Maybe that would be a good idea,” said Larry, secretly delighted with it.  “You can come with me to-morrow.  I will go to the sub-station now, and will let you know what I learn.  Then we will make a tour of the piers.  You’ll be of great assistance to me, for I know very little about steamers.”

“I’m so glad!” exclaimed Grace.  “It has been terrible to sit here day after day and only wait!  I wanted to do something to help find father.  Now there is a way!  I wish I was a boy—­no, I’d rather be a reporter; they can do so many things,” and Grace laughed more heartily than at any time since her father had disappeared.

“I’m afraid you give us too much credit,” replied Larry.  “We do our best, but we don’t always get results.  Are you sure your mother will let you go?”