Chapter I: Front Matter

The Mercer Boys’ Mystery Case

BY CAPWELL WYCKOFF

When Cadets Don and Jim Mercer and their friend Terry Mackson were ordered by Colonel Morrell of Woodcrest Military Academy to gather together all the school trophies, they were able to find all except one—the cup awarded to the Class of 1933. What had happened to the cup was a mystery the boys were determined to solve. And little by little Don and Jim uncovered a strange story and unraveled a mystery that had puzzled school authorities for years. The Mercer boys uphold the honor of Woodcrest against a conspiracy of silence and dishonor.

Other titles in _The Mercer Boys’ Series_:
THE MERCER BOYS’ CRUISE IN THE LASSIE
THE MERCER BOYS AT WOODCREST
THE MERCER BOYS ON A TREASURE HUNT

_The Mercer Boys’_
MYSTERY CASE

_by CAPWELL WYCKOFF_

THE WORLD PUBLISHING COMPANY
CLEVELAND AND NEW YORK

Falcon Books
_are published by_ THE WORLD PUBLISHING COMPANY
_2231 West 110th Street · Cleveland 2 · Ohio_

W 2
COPYRIGHT 1948 BY THE WORLD PUBLISHING COMPANY
MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Contents

1. The Glories of the Past 9
2. The Class of 1933 Trophy 20
3. A Mystery Uncovered 28
4. A Visit to Mr. Long 38
5. The Alumni Dinner 48
6. Added Mystery 57
7. The Trustees’ Meeting 65
8. An Old Score Settled 73
9. Terry Engages in an Argument 83
10. The Eagles Disappear 91
11. The Hunt in the Swamp 101
12. The Eagles Are Rescued 109
13. The Call for Help 118
14. Inside Gates’ House 128
15. Arthur Gates’ Letter 136
16. News from Inside 140
17. Mr. Proctor Gets the Bag 146
18. The Published List 150
19. A Conversation in the Dark 158
20. The Digger in the Garden 170
21. The Cup at Last 177
22. Direct Action 185
23. The Mystery Is Solved 195
24. The Alumni Dance 206

THE MERCER BOYS’
MYSTERY CASE