Chapter I: Introduction

My Dear Boys: This is a complete story in itself, but forms the fifteenth volume of the “Rover Boys Series for Young Americans.”

Twelve years ago the line was started with the publication of the first three stories, “The Rover Boys at School,” “On the Ocean,” and “In the Jungle.” I earnestly hoped that the young people would like the tales, but never did I anticipate the tremendously enthusiastic welcome which was given to the volumes from the start, nor the steady sale, ever increasing, which has been accorded the series up to the present time. The publication of the first three books immediately called for a fourth, “The Rover Boys Out West,” and then followed yearly “On the Great Lakes,” “In Camp,” “On Land and Sea,” “On the River,” “On the Plains,” “In Southern Waters,” “On the Farm,” “On Treasure Isle,” and then “At College,” where we last left our heroes.

Dick, Tom and Sam are older than when we first made their acquaintance and told how they went to Putnam Hall. They are now college boys, attending a well-known institution of learning in the middle-west. But though older, they are as lively as ever, and Tom, at least, is just as full of fun. They have a great struggle to save the Stanhope fortune, and have to work hard to get the best of several enemies. They take a long journey Down East, and their adventures are both mysterious and exciting.

Again I take this opportunity to thank my friends, both young and old, for all the nice things they have said about my books. I am more than sorry that I cannot answer all the letters that pour in upon me from everywhere praising the stories. I earnestly hope the present volume will please all my readers and do them some good.

Affectionately and sincerely yours,

Edward Stratemeyer

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I. A Game of Baseball 1
II. The Fire on the Steamer 13
III. College Boys to the Rescue 23
IV. What Flockley Had to Tell 33
V. A Celebration on the Campus 43
VI. Good-Bye to Brill 53
VII. Dreams of Youth 63
VIII. Home Once More 73
IX. Preparations for the Fourth of July 84
X. When the Cannon Went Off 94
XI. A Day to Remember 105
XII. Off for Camp 115
XIII. Hans Mueller’s Queer Catch 125
XIV. The Happenings of a Night 135
XV. Strange News 145
XVI. Something of a Clue 155
XVII. Dan Baxter’s Revelation 165
XVIII. A Fortune and a Lady Disappear 175
XIX. On the Way to Boston 185
XX. An Adventure in Boston 195
XXI. From One Clue to Another 205
XXII. A Chase up the Coast 215
XXIII. Aboard the “Mary Delaway” 223
XXIV. Out on Casco Bay 231
XXV. On Chesoque Island 238
XXVI. A Talk of Importance 246
XXVII. What Happened in the Cave 254
XXVIII. At the Bottom of the Pool 262
XXIX. A Minute too Late 270
XXX. Back Home—Conclusion 278

THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST