p
which chanced to pass that way and see their signal of distress.

After reaching San Francisco once more, the Rover boys had returned to
the East, while Dora Stanhope and the Lanings had gone to Santa
Barbara, where Mrs. Stanhope was stopping for her health. The scare at
Putnam Hall was now over, and in another volume of the series, called
"The Rover Boys in Camp," I related how Dick, Tom, and Sam returned to
the military academy again, and took part in the annual encampment.
Here there had been no end of good times and not a little hazing, the
most of which was taken in good part. The boys had made a new enemy in
the shape of a bully named Lew Flapp, who was finally expelled from the
school for his wrong-doings. Dan Baxter also turned up, but when the
authorities got after him he disappeared as quickly as he had done many
times before, leaving his father to his fate, as already mentioned.

"I don't think we'll be bothered much with Dan Baxter after this," Tom
had said, but he was mistaken, as later events proved.

Rat, tat, tat! Rat, tat, tat! went the drum on the parade ground, and
soon the three companies which comprised the Putnam Hall Battalion were
duly assembled, with Major Larry Colby in command of the whole, and
Dick at the head of Company A, Fred Garrison at the head of Company B,
and Mark Romer leading Company C. In front of all stood Captain Putnam,
the sole owner of the military institution, and George Strong, his
chief assistant.

"The boys certainly make a fine showing, on this last day of our
encampment," said Captain Putnam to his assistant. "And a good deal of
the credit is due to you, Mr. Strong."

"Thank you for saying so, sir," was the answer. "Yes, they look well,
and I am proud of them, Captain Putnam. I believe our military school
will compare favorably with any in the land."

After the drill was over Captain Putnam came forward and made a rather
extended speech, in which he reviewed the work accomplished at the
academy from its first opening, as told by me in another series of
books, entitled "The Putnam Hall Series," starting with "The Putnam
Hall Cadets," down to those later days when the Rover boys appeared on
the scene. He also complimented the cadets on their excellent showing
and trusted they would all have a pleasant vacation during the summer.
This speech was followed by a short address by George Strong, and then
came a surprise when Dick Rover stepped forward.

"Captain Putnam