Chapter I: Introduction

MY DEAR BOYS: This book is a complete story in itself but forms the tenth volume in the line issued under the general title, “The Second Rover Boys Series for Young Americans.”

In the opening volume of the First Series, “The Rover Boys at School,” I introduced my readers to Dick, Tom and Sam Rover and their friends and relatives. That volume and those which followed related the adventures of the three Rover boys at Putnam Hall Military Academy, Brill College, and elsewhere.

Leaving college, the three young men established themselves in business in New York City and became married to their girl sweethearts. Dick Rover became the father of a son and a daughter, as did likewise his brother Sam, while Tom was blessed with a pair of lively twin boys. The four youths were first sent to boarding school, as related in the first volume of the Second Series, entitled “The Rover Boys at Colby Hall,” where the lads made a host of friends. During their outings they went with one of the older Rovers to establish oil wells in Texas and Oklahoma and also went out on Sunset Trail, where we last met them. Their school days had come to an end, and two of the boys were preparing to join their fathers in business when a most disastrous affair occurred. Then the lads went on an ocean trip in an endeavor to aid the family fortunes, and what stirring times their outing led to I leave for the pages which follow to narrate.

Of the twenty-nine volumes issued in this line of “Rover Boys” stories the publishers have already sold _over three and one-half million copies_! To me this is as astonishing as it is pleasing, and I here wish to thank all the young people, as well as the parents, who have stood by me in my efforts to entertain them.

Affectionately and sincerely yours,

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I FRED HAS A SECRET 1
II THE ROVERS AND SOME OTHERS 12
III AN ODD DISAPPEARANCE 22
IV ALECK SEES A GHOST 32
V A GLIMPSE OF ENEMIES 42
VI HOW THE RACE WAS DECIDED 52
VII ABOUT SOME INVESTMENTS 63
VIII OFF ON AN OUTING 73
IX THE CABIN IN THE WOODS 83
X AN UNEXPECTED BLAZE 92
XI WHAT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD 102
XII FRED TELLS HIS STORY 113
XIII STARTLING NEWS 125
XIV A DARING HOLD-UP 136
XV HOW THE ROVER COMPANY WAS HELD UP 147
XVI A GLOOMY OUTLOOK 157
XVII REAL FRIENDS 166
XVIII FOLLOWING KEN GREENE 177
XIX CAPTAIN CORNING’S STORY 188
XX THE DOTS IN A TRIANGLE 197
XXI THE BOYS REACH A DECISION 207
XXII BOUND FOR THE GULF OF MEXICO 217
XXIII CAUGHT IN A STORM 227
XXIV A MESSAGE OF IMPORTANCE 237
XXV SAM MAKES A DISCOVERY 247
XXVI HIDDEN EVIDENCE 257
XXVII THE MAN ON HORSEBACK 267
XXVIII THE MAN IN THE HAMMOCK 276
XXIX THE EXPLOSION 285
XXX HOME AGAIN――CONCLUSION 296

THE ROVER BOYS WINNING A FORTUNE