Larry went home to supper, and then prepared to attend night school. His mind was in such a whirl over the events of the day that he did what seldom happened to him; he missed in his lessons. The teacher, who had taken quite a notion to Larry, was much surprised, but Larry did not think it wise to tell what made him so careless. He promised to do better the next night. When Larry reached the _Leader_ office a few mornings later he found considerable confusion evident. A number of reporters were talking in one corner, and Mr. Newton was conversing with someone over the telephone in the enclosed booth. “What’s the matter?” asked Larry of Bud. “Big robbery in some millionaire’s house,” replied Bud. “They just discovered it. None of the morning papers have it. Lot of gold, silver, and diamonds taken.” “That’ll be a good story,” commented Larry. A few minutes later Mr. Emberg came in. In a little while Mr. Newton had acquainted the city editor with the robbery, a “tip” concerning which had been received from police headquarters a short time before. “It’s Mr. Reynolds’s house,” said Mr. Newton. “The family slept late. Police think chloroform was used. They found the place ransacked, a small safe forced, and about twenty-five thousand dollars’ worth of stuff taken, including the famous Reynolds diamonds.” “You’d better jump out on the story,” said the city editor to Mr. Newton. “Do you want any help?” “I don’t know. I guess I can handle it alone. But I might take Larry along,” he added in a lower tone. “There may be something he can do.” “All right,” responded Mr. Emberg. “Get the story in early, and interview the people. Might get a picture of Mrs. Reynolds, and I’ll send a photographer to take a snap of the house. Hurry up, now.” “Come along, Larry,” said Mr. Newton. “We’ll see if we can solve this mystery and recover the diamonds.” The two started off, followed by the rather envious eyes of some of the other reporters. It was considered an honor to be assigned to cover a big story, though professional etiquette forbade any reporter from saying anything. At the Reynolds house they found a number of policemen on guard, to keep away the curious persons that had gathered as soon as the robbery became known in the neighborhood. One of the bluecoats attempted to bar the progress of Larry and Mr. Newton. “From the _Leader_,” announced the reporter, as he nodded to another policeman whom he knew. “It’s all right, Jim,” said the latter to the officer who had stopped Mr. Newton, whereat the reporter and Larry were allowed to enter the house. Inside they found a number of “plain clothes men,” as detectives are sometimes called, from the fact that they wear no uniform. “Hello, Patsy!” called Mr. Newton familiarly to a short, stout, bald-headed detective, “what sort of a job have you been letting ’em pull off on you now.” “Looks like a second-story one,” replied the detective.