Howard R. Garis

“ The address Larry had as that where Peter had lived took him to a poor, though respectable, part of the city. It was pretty well uptown, on the East Side, and the young reporter soon found himself in a thickly-settled tenement district. The streets were filled with children, among whom pushcart peddlers shoved their vehicles laden with everything from fish to calico, and from books to suspenders. After some search Larry located the house where Peter had resided. ”

“ All the fellers I know has something the matter with 'em, or else they can do somethin', I guess the feller you want has moved away.”
But Larry did not want to trust to any chances. He went to the next floor, and made inquiries without success. Then he proceeded to the third floor. At the last apartment where he knocked an old man came to the door.
“Veil, mine friendt?” he inquired, and Larry was beginning to think all the people in the house were German Jews. “Vat can I do for you to-day?”
“Do you know Peter Manton?” asked Larry. ”

“ He had seldom been there, for only the older reporters were sent on stories in that locality. It was not altogether safe in daytime, and at night it must be a bold man who would venture there alone.
At first all the streets seemed made up of groceries and Chinese laundries. ”

“ Right after that I missed him, and made a lot of inquiries.”
“I remember there was quite some stir about a missing boy last night,” remarked Mr. Lynch, “but that happens so often I paid no attention to it. ”

“ I may be able to make friends with someone in the house where the room with the sign of the blue hand on the door is located, and he may be able to tell me where the members of the gang hold out. Once I get a clew the rest will be comparatively easy.”
“Well, I hope you'll succeed,” spoke Larry. “In the meanwhile I'll see if I can locate Peter.”
Arranging to meet again late that night at Mr. Newton's house, Larry and his friend separated. The boy hardly knew where to begin. Without experience in this sort of work, for which Mr. ”

“ I only know peoples vat is in business. Run avay, leedle poy, an' doan bodder mit a business man,” and then, while Larry watched him, the old fellow went back, leaving his door open, and proceeded to resume his slumbers in an easy-chair, whence Larry had aroused him. ”