INTRODUCTION
My Dear Boys: This bookis a complete story in itself, but forms the nineteenth volume in a lineissued under the general title of "The Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."
As I have mentioned in several other volumes, this serieswas started a number of years ago with the publication of "The Rover Boysat School," "On the Ocean," and "In the Jungle." I am happy to say the bookswere so well liked that they were followed, year after year, by the publicationof "The Rover Boys Out West," "On the Great Lakes," "In Camp," "On Land andSea," "On the River," "On the Plains," "In Southern Waters," "On the Farm,""On Treasure Isle," "At College," "Down East," "In the Air," "In New York,"and finally "In Alaska," where we last met the lads.
During all these adventures the Rover boys have been growingolder. Dick is now married and conducting his father's business in New YorkCity and elsewhere. 'The fun-loving Tom and his sturdy younger brother, Sam,are at Brill College. The particulars are given of a great baseball game;and then Tom and Sam return home, to be startled by a most unusual messagefrom Dick, calling them to New York immediately. Some bonds of great valuehave mysteriously disappeared, and unless these are recovered the Rover fortunemay be seriously impaired. What the boys did under these circumstances, Iwill leave the pages which follow to disclose.
Once more thanking my host of young readers for the interestthey have taken in my books, I remain,
Affectionately and sincerely yours,
Arthur M. Winfield.
"Sam!"
No answer.
"I say, Sam, can't you listen for just a moment?"
"Oh, Tom, please don't bother me now!" and Sam Rover,with a look of worry on his face, glanced up for a moment from his writing-table."I've got to finish this theme before to-morrow morning."
"Oh, I know! But listen!" And Tom Rover's face showedhis earnestness. "Last night it was full moonlight, and to-night it is goingto be equally clear. Why can't we get out the auto and pay a visit to Hope?You know we promised the girls that we would be up some afternoon or eveningthis week."
"Sounds good, Tom, but even if we went after, supper,could we get there in time? You know all visitors have to leave before nineo'clock."
"We can get there if we start as soon as we finish eating.Can't you finish the theme after we get back? Maybe I can help you."
"Help me? On this theme!" Sam grinned broadly. "Tom, youdon't know what you are talking about. Do you know what this theme is on?"
"No, but I can help you if I have to."
"This is on 'The Theory Concerning the Evolution of——'"
"That's enough, Sam; don't give me any of it now. Timeenough for that when we have to get at it. There goes the supper bell. Now,downstairs with you! and let us get through as soon as possible and be onour way."
"All right, just as you say!" and gathering up a numberof sheets of paper, Sam thrust them in the drawer of the writing-table.
"By the way, it's queer we didn't get any letter to-dayfrom Dick," the youngest Rover observed.
At the mention of their brother's name, Tom's face cloudeda little.
"It is queer, Sam, and I must say I don't like it. I thinkthis is a case where no news is bad news. I think if everything was goingalong all right in New York, Dick would surely let us know. I am afraid heis having a good deal of trouble in straightening out Dad's business."
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