“What’s your hurry?” asked the operator. “Tell me what happened. I’ll have to wait a little while until I get a clear wire.” Then Larry related the story of the race with Peter, and told of the latter’s mean trick. “Well, I’m mighty glad you beat him,” said the operator. “This story will set New York by the ears, and your paper will be the only one to get it. All the wires are down but mine, and it will take me nearly all the morning to get this stuff off. That will make it too late for any of the _Scorcher’s_ copy to get to the office in time for to-day. You’ll score a big beat all right.” And so Larry did. He did not learn of it until some days later, however, as they did not hear from the _Leader_ office until that time, because of the difficulty in getting messages and mail through. That night, in their room at the hotel, Larry told Mr. Newton the story of the race. “You’re too modest,” the reporter declared. “I heard all about it from my friend of the _Porpoise_. If this don’t result in something nice for you when we get back I’ll miss my guess. By the way, there’s a letter for you.” “I hope it’s from mother,” exclaimed Larry. “She hasn’t written in two days.” It was a letter from home, and contained good news, for it said that Lucy was doing finely, and the doctor expected she would soon be well and able to walk. “Hurrah!” cried Larry. “This is better than getting a beat!” “They’re both good,” said Mr. Newton, smiling. CHAPTER XXXVII LARRY’S ADVANCEMENT Almost as rapidly as it had risen the flood went down. The storm ceased and the waters, finding many places to run to, soon disposed of themselves. The day after Larry won the race that was to mean so much to him the part of the town around the hotel was almost free from the flood. “The worst is over,” said Mr. Newton. “We’ll be going back home soon.” “We can’t go any too soon to suit me,” said Larry. “I want to see my mother and Lucy and the others.” “I don’t blame you,” spoke the reporter. “I’ll be glad to get back to New York myself.” They remained in Stoneville two days longer, and each day Mr. Newton sent a graphic story of the flood. The townspeople were returning to the homes they had deserted. Much damage had been done, but help came pouring in from every side. Trains began to run, and the mails, that had been interrupted, resumed their service. Larry and Mr. Newton received several copies of the _Leader_, containing the story which Larry had so successfully raced to get to the telegraph office. Copies of other New York papers, of the same date were also received, but none of them had more than a few lines about the flood and burst dam, while the _Leader’s_ story covered a whole page under big headlines. On the evening of the second day, after the big beat, Mr. Newton received a telegram from Mr. Emberg. It read: “Congratulations to you and Larry. Come home. Associated press will cover remainder of the story.”