"The _Olivia_ is lost," replied the steamship clerk.
"I know it, but I would like to see the captain. He was saved, I believe."
"Yes, he was. He commands a freight ship now. She's due in port in a few days. The _Turtle_ is her name. You can come around when she gets in."
The mysterious man turned away as though disappointed. As he did so he caught sight of Larry, and instantly he hurried out of the office.
Larry was greatly excited. He was convinced, more than ever, that there was something in this man's actions that made him an object of suspicion. He felt that he must follow the fellow, but he could not leave Grace. He looked around for her, but she had gone to the ladies' dressing room to adjust her veil and hat, which had been blown about by the high wind. She came back presently, to find Larry much agitated.
"Nothing much," replied Larry. "I just saw my queer stranger again and----"
"You'd like to follow him, and you don't want to leave me," put in Grace with quick wit. "Now run right along. I can go to that hotel all by myself and see Captain Padduci. I'm not a bit afraid. I once traveled from London to Paris alone. You hurry after him, and I'll see the captain. I'll telephone you the result of my interview. You can come up and see me this evening, and we'll talk over some more plans."
"That will be good," Larry said, "but are you sure you won't mind me leaving you?"
"I can get along all right," replied Grace. "Of course I'd like to have you come along, for I believe you understand this matter better than I do, but I want you to find that other man and get your story."
Larry was inclined both ways, but he knew it would be better to hurry after Mah Retto, as Grace could make all the necessary inquiries of Captain Padduci.
"Until to-night, then," the young reporter said, as he hurried out of the steamship office, and Grace turned to go to the captain's hotel.
Reaching the street Larry saw, some distance ahead of him, the form of the man whose actions so puzzled him, and who had led him such a baffling chase.
"Here is where I get you," thought Larry, as he hurried on.
Through the crowded street the young reporter ran, bumping into several persons, and causing them to mutter more or less impolite exclamations about youths who trod on the toes of innocent pedestrians.