CHAPTER XXX
GOOD-BYE TO PUTNAM HALL
Leaving John Pike in charge of the others, the three Rover boys set off after Sobber and Merrick. They followed the trail for awhile with ease, for the fugitives were dripping wet from their involuntary bath.
"We have one advantage," said Dick, as they ran along. "Being wet they will attract attention, and we'll be able to follow them up that way."
About a quarter of a mile was covered when they heard a crashing in the brushwood not far ahead of them. Then came a yell of pain from both Merrick and Tad Sobber.
"Ouch! I'm being stung to death!"
"Get off of me! Oh! oh! oh!"
"They are hornets, Tad! Run, or they'll be after us!"
"I--I can't run! Oh! one stung me in the eye!" screamed Tad Sobber.
Then the Rover boys heard the man and the boy plunge on, Tad screaming with pain at every step.
"Wait! we can't go that way!" cried Tom, who had no desire to tumble into the hornets' nest as the others had probably done. "Let's go around!" And he leaped to the left.
As they progressed they heard Tad Sobber still crying wildly, and they heard Sid Merrick urging him to run faster.
"I'm stung, too--in about a dozen places!" said the bond thief. "But we mustn't be captured."
"Oh, it is awful!" groaned Tad. "I can hardly bear the pain!" And he went on, clutching his uncle by the arm. Both were indeed in a sorry plight.
But coming out on a road, fortune favored them. They met a colored man running a touring car. He was alone and they quickly hired him to take them to the nearest town.
"We fell into the lake by accident," said Sid Merrick. "We want to get where we can change our clothing."
"And get something for these hornet stings," added Tad Sobber. "If I don't get something soon I'll go crazy from pain."
As the three Rover boys ran towards the roadway Dick saw a big, flat pocketbook lying on the ground. He darted for it and picked it up.
"Merrick must have dropped this," he said. "It's wet, and here is a dead hornet stuck fast to it. Guess the hornets made him forget that he had it."
Slipping the pocketbook into his pocket, Dick ran out on the roadway and looked up and down. But Merrick and Sobber were gone, and what had become of them the boys did not learn until the next day, and then it was too late.
"What's in that pocketbook?" asked Sam, after the hunt had come to an end for the time being.
"We'll soon learn," said his big brother, and opened up the still wet leather. Inside were several bank bills and a fat envelope.
"Uncle Randolph's missing traction company bonds!" cried Dick, bringing them forth. "This is the best ever!"
"Are they all there?" asked Tom.
Dick counted them over rapidly.
"Yes--ten for one thousand dollars each."
"Hurrah!" shouted Sam. "Won't Uncle Randolph be glad when he hears of this!"
The boys were highly elated over the find, and now they had the bonds they concluded that a further search for Sid Merrick could wait. They did not care whether Tad Sobber was captured or not, as they did not think the bully was much of a criminal.
When they got back to the sloop they found that the others had bound John Pike's hands behind him. The robber was very meek, and he declared that Sid Merrick was to blame for everything.
"He wanted to sell the bonds many times," said Pike. "But he knew that Mr. Rover had advertised the numbers in the newspapers and he was afraid to do it. He said he would wait until the affair blew over. Then he was going to sell out, divide up, and go to Europe."
Pike added that the boat had belonged to himself. She was an old craft and was allowed to remain on the rocks. It came out later that Pike had formerly lived on the lake shore and had thus become acquainted with Merrick and the Sobbers.
As soon as possible the captured robber was handed over to the authorities, and Dick sent a message home acquainting his uncle with what had occurred. This brought on both Randolph Rover and the boys' father.
"You have certainly done wonderfully well," said Randolph Rover, as he took his bonds. "Were you not so rich already I should want to reward you."
"We don't want any reward," said Dick. "But I am sorry we didn't catch Merrick."
For a long time the authorities tried to catch Sid Merrick and also endeavored to learn the whereabouts of Tad Sobber, but without success. They had disappeared, and that seemed to be the end of it. The old house was visited again, but nothing of value was found there. Later on some tramps set it on fire and it was burnt to the ground. A month later John Pike and one other freight thief who was captured were tried for their misdeeds and sent to prison. The authorities used Bill Dangler as a witness against them, and Dangler, consequently, was let go. Strange to say, Dangler turned over a new leaf and became a hard working man in a railroad stone quarry some miles from Carwell.
With the mystery of the traction company bonds cleared up, the Rover boys returned to Putnam Hall to complete their last term at that institution of learning. They applied themselves diligently to their studies, and when the final examinations came off all passed with flying colors.
"Whoop! I'm glad those exams are over!" cried Tom. "I feel as if a hundred-pound weight was taken off my shoulders."
"I am glad, too," answered Sam.
"And I am glad all of us did so well," put in Dick. "Our reports will please father and Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha."
It had been arranged that the commencement exercises should be carried out on rather an elaborate scale, and many people were invited to attend. This brought all the Rovers and also the Stanhopes and the Lanings to Putnam Hall. Dick had been called on to deliver the valedictory and he made such a stirring address that he was vigorously applauded. Sam and Tom appeared in a humor dialogue, with Fred and Larry, and this was received with shouts of laughter. Songbird recited an original poem which was a vast improvement over the most of his doggerel, and Hans and some of the others sang in a quartet which would have done credit to the average college glee club.
"Oh, it was splendid, Dick!" said Dora, after it was over and congratulations were in order. And her eyes shone like stars as she pressed his hand.
"I saw only you, Dora, when I got up to speak," he whispered. "And that's why I did my best."
"You and Sam had better go on the stage," said Nellie to Tom. "That dialogue was too funny for anything!"
"I laughed till the tears came," added Grace. "It was a splendid programme all the way through."
"Well done, my boys, well done," said Anderson Rover, as he took each by the hand. "I was never so proud of you as I am to-day."
"Now that we have finished our studies here what are we to do next?" questioned Dick, earnestly.
"We will settle that question this summer," answered his father. "But in the meantime--" Mr. Rover paused and looked at his oldest son thoughtfully.
"But what, father?"
"I will tell you when we get home, Dick--there is no use of my trying to do so in this excitement. I have something very unusual to propose," answered Anderson Rover, and what that proposal was, and what came of it, will be related in another volume, to be entitled, "The Rover Boys on Treasure Isle; Or, The Strange Cruise of the Steam Yacht." In that volume we shall meet many of our old friends again, and also learn something concerning the disappearance of Sid Merrick and Tad Sobber.
That evening the celebration at Putnam Hall was continued. The cadets lit a huge bonfire on the campus and around this they danced and sang and made speeches. They cheered everybody, from Captain Putnam down to Peleg Snuggers, and the festivities were kept up until midnight. Then the boys went to bed--but not to sleep--for was this not the last night at school? Innumerable tricks were played, including one on Peter Slade that that youth never forgot. This made the bully so angry he declared he was going to quit Putnam Hall for good, and he did, and nobody missed him.
"And now for home!" cried Dick the next morning on dressing.
"And fresh adventures," added Tom.
"But I do hate to leave dear old Putnam Hall," sighed Sam, and then the others sighed, too.
It was not until noon that the three Rover boys were ready to go, having first bid farewell to their numerous friends. Then they shook hands with Captain Putnam.
"We hate awfully to leave you," said Dick, earnestly.
"And I hate to have you go, Richard," was the reply. "You must visit the Hall some time in the future."
"And you must come and see us, Captain Putnam," said Tom.
"Yes, indeed," added Sam.
"I will," answered the master of the Hall.
Then the boys shook hands all over again and ran for the carryall. Some boys left behind set up a shout:
"Good-bye, Dick!"
"Sorry to have you go, Tom!"
"May we meet again, Sam!"
"Good-bye, everybody!" was the answering shout. "Good-bye to dear old Putnam Hall!"
Then the whip cracked, the carryall rolled from the door; and the Rover boys' days at Putnam Hall military school were at an end.
THE END
Other books from GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
* * * * *
_This Isn't All!_
Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in this book?
Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author?
On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this book, you will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same store where you got this book.
_Don't throw away the Wrapper_
_Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete catalog._
* * * * *
THE FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES
By ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
(EDWARD STRATEMEYER)
Beautiful Wrappers in Full Color
No stories for boys ever published have attained the tremendous popularity of this famous series. Since the publication of the first volume, The Rover Boys at School, some years ago, over three million copies of these books have been sold. They are well written stories dealing with the Rover boys in a great many different kinds of
## activities and adventures. Each volume holds something of interest to
every adventure loving boy.
THE ROVER BOYS
THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND THE ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG BEAR LAKE THE ROVER BOYS SHIPWRECKED THE ROVER BOYS ON SUNSET TRAIL THE ROVER BOYS WINNING A FORTUNE
THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES
THE PUTNAM HALL CADETS THE PUTNAM HALL RIVALS THE PUTNAM HALL CHAMPIONS THE PUTNAM HALL REBELLION THE PUTNAM HALL ENCAMPMENT THE PUTNAM HALL MYSTERY
* * * * *
THE TOM SWIFT SERIES By VICTOR APPLETON
Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is a bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make the most interesting kind of reading.
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS TOM SWIFT CIRCLING THE GLOBE TOM SWIFT AND HIS TALKING PICTURES TOM SWIFT AND HIS HOUSE ON WHEELS TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG DIRIGIBLE
* * * * *
THE DON STURDY SERIES By VICTOR APPLETON Author of "The Tom Swift Series"
Every red-blooded boy will enjoy the thrilling adventures of Don Sturdy. In company with his uncles, one a big game hunter, the other a noted scientist, he travels far and wide--into the jungles of South America, across the Sahara, deep into the African jungle, up where the Alaskan volcanoes spout, down among the head hunters of Borneo and many other places where there is danger and excitement. Every boy who has known Tom Swift will at once become the boon companion of daring Don Sturdy.
DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES DON STURDY IN THE PORT OF LOST SHIPS DON STURDY AMONG THE GORILLAS DON STURDY CAPTURED BY HEAD HUNTERS DON STURDY IN LION LAND DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF GIANTS
* * * * *
THE RADIO BOYS SERIES (Trademark Registered) By ALLEN CHAPMAN Author of the "Railroad Series," Etc.
Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Here is a series that gives full details of radio work both in sending and receiving--how large and small sets can be made and operated, and with this real information there are the stories of the radio boys and their adventures. Each story is a record of thrilling adventures--rescues, narrow escapes from death, daring exploits in which the radio plays a main part. Each volume is so thoroughly fascinating, so strictly up-to-date, and accurate that all modern boys will peruse them with delight.
Each volume has a foreword by Jack Binns, the well known radio expert.
THE RADIO BOYS FIRST WIRELESS THE RADIO BOYS AT OCEAN POINT THE RADIO BOYS AT THE SENDING STATION THE RADIO BOYS AT MOUNTAIN PASS THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FOREST RANGERS THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE ICEBERG PATROL THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FLOOD FIGHTERS THE RADIO BOYS ON SIGNAL ISLAND THE RADIO BOYS IN GOLD VALLEY THE RADIO BOYS AIDING THE SNOWBOUND THE RADIO BOYS ON THE PACIFIC THE RADIO BOYS TO THE RESCUE
* * * * *
THE RAILROAD SERIES By ALLEN CHAPMAN Author of the "Radio Boys," Etc.
Uniform Style of Binding. Illustrated.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a great American railroad system. There are adventures in abundance--railroad wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a "wildcat" locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money on board--but there is much more than this--the intense rivalry among railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the getting through "on time" in spite of all obstacles, and the manipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or ruin.
RALPH OF THE ROUND HOUSE; or, Bound to Become a Railroad Man. RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER; or, Clearing the Track. RALPH ON THE ENGINE; or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail. RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS; or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer. RALPH, THE TRAIN DISPATCHER; or, The Mystery of the Pay Car. RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN; or, The Young Railroader's Most Daring Exploit. RALPH ON THE MIDNIGHT FLYER; or, The Wreck at Shadow Valley. RALPH AND THE MISSING MAIL POUCH; or, The Stolen Government Bonds. RALPH ON THE MOUNTAIN DIVISION; or, Fighting Both Flames and Flood. RALPH AND THE TRAIN WRECKERS; or, The Secret of the Blue Freight Cars.
* * * * *
THE HARDY BOY'S SERIES By FRANKLIN W. DIXON
Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
THE HARDY BOYS are sons of a celebrated American detective, and during vacations and their off time from school they help their father by hunting down clues themselves.
THE TOWER TREASURE
A dying criminal confessed that his loot had been secreted "in the tower." It remained for the Hardy Boys to make an astonishing discovery that cleared up the mystery.
THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF
The house had been vacant and was supposed to be haunted. Mr. Hardy started to investigate--and disappeared! An odd tale, with plenty of excitement.
THE SECRET OF THE OLD MILL
Counterfeit money was in circulation, and the limit was reached when Mrs. Hardy took some from a stranger. A tale full of thrills.
THE MISSING CHUMS
Two of the Hardy Boys' chums take a motor trip down the coast. They disappear and are almost rescued by their friends when all are captured. A thrilling story of adventure.
HUNTING FOR HIDDEN GOLD
Mr. Hardy is injured in tracing some stolen gold. A hunt by the boys leads to an abandoned mine, and there things start to happen. A western story all boys will enjoy.
THE SHORE ROAD MYSTERY
Automobiles were disappearing most mysteriously from the Shore Road. It remained for the Hardy Boys to solve the mystery.
THE SECRET OF THE CAVES
When the boys reached the caves they came unexpectedly upon a queer old hermit.
THE MYSTERY OF CABIN ISLAND
A story of queer adventures on a rockbound island.
THE GREAT AIRPORT MYSTERY
The Hardy Boys solve the mystery of the disappearance of some valuable mail.
* * * * *
THE TED SCOTT FLYING STORIES By FRANKLIN W. DIXON
Illustrated. Each Volume Complete in Itself.
No subject has so thoroughly caught the imagination of young America as aviation. This series has been inspired by recent daring feats of the air, and is dedicated to Lindberg, Byrd, Chamberlin and other heroes of the skies.
OVER THE OCEAN TO PARIS; _or Ted Scott's daring long distance flight_. RESCUED IN THE CLOUDS; _or, Ted Scott, Hero of the Air_. OVER THE ROCKIES WITH THE AIR MAIL; _or, Ted Scott, Lost in the Wilderness_. FIRST STOP HONOLULU; _or, Ted Scott, over the Pacific_. THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST FLYERS; _or, Ted Scott, Over the West Indies_. SOUTH OF THE RIO GRANDE; _or, Ted Scott, On a Secret Mission_. ACROSS THE PACIFIC; _or, Ted Scott's Hop to Australia_. THE LONE EAGLE OF THE BORDER; _or, Ted Scott and the Diamond Smugglers_. FLYING AGAINST TIME; _or, Breaking the Ocean to Ocean Record_. OVER THE JUNGLE TRAILS; _or, Ted Scott and the Missing Explorers_. LOST AT THE SOUTH POLE; _or, Ted Scott in Blizzard Land_. THROUGH THE AIR TO ALASKA; _or, Ted Scott's Search in Nugget Valley_.
* * * * *
WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS By JAMES CODY FERRIS
Individual Colored Wrappers and Illustrations by WALTER S. ROGERS
Each Volume Complete in Itself.
Thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for boys but which will be read by all who love mystery, rapid action, and adventures in the great open spaces.
The Manly Boys, Roy and Teddy, are the sons of an old ranchman, the owner of many thousands of heads of cattle. The lads know how to ride, how to shoot, and how to take care of themselves under any and all circumstances.
The cowboys of the X Bar X Ranch are real cowboys, on the job when required but full of fun and daring--a bunch any reader will be delighted to know.
THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP THE X BAR X BOYS AT NUGGET CAMP THE X BAR X BOYS AT RUSTLER'S GAP THE X BAR X BOYS AT GRIZZLY PASS THE X BAR X BOYS LOST IN THE ROCKIES
* * * * *
Football and Baseball Stories
Durably Bound. Illustrated. Coloured Wrappers.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
The Ralph Henry Barbour Books For Boys
In these up-to the minute, spirited genuine stories of boy life there is something which will appeal to every boy with the love of manliness, cleanness and sportsmanship in his heart.
LEFT END EDWARDS LEFT TACKLE THAYER LEFT GUARD GILBERT CENTER RUSH ROWLAND FULLBACK FOSTER LEFT HALF HARMON RIGHT END EMERSON RIGHT GUARD GRANT QUARTERBACK BATES RIGHT TACKLE TODD RIGHT HALF HOLLINS
* * * * *
The Tod Hale Series
TOD HALE IN CAMP TOD HALE WITH THE CREW TOD HALE ON THE SCRUB
* * * * *
The Christy Mathewson Books For Boys
Every boy wants to know how to play ball in the fairest and squarest way. These books about boys and baseball are full of wholesome and manly interest and information.
PITCHER POLLOCK CATCHER CRAIG FIRST BASE FAULKNER SECOND BASE SLOAN PITCHING IN A PINCH
* * * * *
THIRD BASE THATCHER, By Everett Scott.
* * * * *
FLYING STORIES FOR BOYS
IN THE AIR WITH ANDY LANE By EUSTACE L. ADAMS
Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Mr. Adams, the author of this flying series for boys is an experienced aviator and has had many thrilling adventures in the air--both as a member of the famous Lafayette Escadrille in the World War and in the United States Naval Aviation Service flying with the squadrons patrolling the Atlantic Coast. His stories reveal not only his ability to tell daring and exciting air episodes but also his first hand knowledge of modern aeroplanes and the marvelous technical improvements which have been made in the past few years. Andy Lane flies the latest and most highly developed machines in the field of aviation.
FIFTEEN DAYS IN THE AIR
Andy refuels his ship in the air and sets a new endurance record.
OVER THE POLAR ICE
In a giant flying boat Andy beats his enemy in a dash to the South Pole.
RACING ROUND THE WORLD
In a series of thrilling flights Andy wins an air dash around the globe to win a $100,000 prize.
THE RUNAWAY AIRSHIP
Through foggy skies Andy Lane brings back the world's greatest passenger carrying dirigible, blown away on the wings of a storm.
PIRATES OF THE AIR
Andy Lane pilots the giant passenger plane Apex No. 4 across the Atlantic in the face of almost overwhelming odds.
ON THE WINGS OF FLAME
Andy makes a forced landing in the South American jungle in the dead of night and has thrilling experiences with the natives.
THE FLYING WINDMILL
Andy Lane and his restless crew take off in a monster autogyro in search of pirate treasure.
* * * * *
BUDDY BOOKS FOR BOYS
Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers.
Tales of old Western pioneer days and the California gold fields; tales of mystery, humor, adventure; thrilling stories of sports and aviation. There is a wide range of subjects in this list of titles--all by well-known authors of books for boys.
LEFTY LEIGHTON By Percy Keese Fitzhugh NUMBER 44 By Harold M. Sherman BILL DARROW'S VICTORY By William Heyliger THE STORY OF TERRIBLE TERRY By Percy Keese Fitzhugh BEYOND THE DOG'S NOSE By Harold M. Sherman DING PALMER, AIR DETECTIVE By Harold M. Sherman BEAN-BALL BILL By William Heyliger MARK GILMORE, SCOUT OF THE AIR By Percy Keese Fitzhugh CAMERON MACBAIN, BACKWOODSMAN By Harold M. Sherman FLYING HEELS By Harold M. Sherman FLASHING STEEL By Harold M. Sherman BUFFALO BOY By J. Allan Dunn THE CLOUD PATROL By Irving Crump SPIFFY HENSHAW By Percy Keese Fitzhugh THE PILOT OF THE CLOUD PATROL By Irving Crump DON RAIDER, TRAIL BLAZER By Harold M. Sherman TUCK SIMMS, FORTY-NINER By Edward Leonard WIGWAG WEIGAND By Percy Keese Fitzhugh HERVEY WILLETTS By Percy Keese Fitzhugh SKINNY McCORD By Percy Keese Fitzhugh