CHAPTER V

LARRY'S SCOOP


"Are there many women aboard?" asked Larry, as he moved off through
the rain toward the life-saving station with the rescued passenger.

"I was the only one," was the answer the woman made, in a pronounced
Italian accent. "I am the purser's wife. They made me come first. Me
and the baby," and she put her lips down and kissed the little face
nestled in the folds of the shawl.

"The purser's wife!" exclaimed Larry. "Perhaps your husband will
bring the passenger list with him. I would like to get it. I am a
newspaper reporter," he added.

The woman, with a rapid movement, held out a bundle of papers to
him.

"What are they?" Larry asked.

"The list of passengers! You reporters! I have heard of you in my
country, but they do not such things as this! Go to wrecks to meet
the passengers when they come ashore! You are very brave!"