“I don’t know,” answered Larry slowly. “I can’t imagine what their game is. It’s a deep one, I’m sure. All I know is that they have your boy, and that, in all probability, they are out on Lake Huron with him. And I’m going after him.”
“And I’m going with you!” cried the singer.
“You?”
“Yes; I can’t stand this suspense any longer. I must do something. I will hire the best motorboat that can be had, and together we will cruise about, looking for my boy. Will you take me with you?”
“I will!” cried Larry, holding out his hands, and Mrs. Androletti clasped them as his own mother might have done.
Larry spent many busy hours. It was not so easy as he had imagined hiring a gasolene launch for an indefinite cruise. He telegraphed to Mr. Emberg, at the Leader office, and word came back that he could do whatever he thought best. There was no limit to expense bills, he was told.
Larry was careful about what kind of a boat he selected. And, truth to tell, there was not much choice in craft that were on the market for charter.
“It might be better to buy one,” thought the young reporter. “We could use it as long as we wanted, and then sell it again. I’ll go look for one for sale.”
He went down to the river front, and, as he came near a public dock he saw a boat tied fast there, which at once took his fancy. She was a “beauty,” as he at once characterized her. Of large size, with slanting masts, a raking funnel and her lines were perfect. Between the masts were the wires which indicated that wireless communication could be maintained for some distance, at any rate.
“Oh, if I could only get a boat like that one!” exclaimed Larry, half aloud. “We could go all over Lake Huron in her. But I guess it’s out of the question. She certainly is a ‘beaut,’ though.”