“And so the mystery is cleared up!” exclaimed the young reporter, when all the explanations had been made. “And I’m glad of it.”
“And I can’t tell you how glad I am!” cried Madame Androletti, as she caressed her son, restored to her after so long. Though he had been treated meanly, Lorenzo soon recovered his health. He had been drugged a good part of the time, to prevent him from calling for help as his captors took him about the country in their frantic efforts to hide.
“And now to telegraph in the big story!” cried Larry, a little later on that night of excitement. “I guess it will be a ‘beat’ all right.”
And it was. The next day newsboys called through the streets of New York:
“Extra! Extra! Full account ob de findin’ ob de lost boy! Stolen boy recovered! Extra! Extra!”
“Say, I’m going to get out of the business,” complained Peter Manton, when he saw Larry’s exclusive story. “There’s no use bucking against such luck as Larry has.”
But we know that Larry’s luck consisted of a good deal of hard work.
In order to hasten the recovery of the lad Mr. Potter took him and his mother for a cruise on the Great Lakes. Larry went along, for his city editor decided that he was entitled to a vacation. And Larry very much enjoyed the trip. I might add that Miss Grace Potter was also on the Elizabeth.
In due time Madame Androletti resumed her farewell concert tour, and her son was well looked after, so there was no further danger of him being taken away. For that matter, those who had an interest in kidnapping him were serving long terms in prison.
“Oh, Larry, you don’t know how good it seems to have you back!” exclaimed his mother, as the young reporter came home after his vacation cruise on the lakes. “It seemed almost as if you were my stolen boy. You’re not going away again, are you?”