The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Tale of the Summer Holidays, by G. Mockler

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Title: A Tale of the Summer Holidays

Author: G. Mockler

Release Date: November 13, 2009 [EBook #30469]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TALE OF THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS ***

Produced by Al Haines

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[Frontispiece: Fort]

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A Tale of the Summer Holidays

by

G. Mockler

Thomas Nelson and Sons.

1899

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CONTENTS

I. THE SECRET MEETING
II. A FRIEND IN NEED
III. HAL FINDS A FRIEND
IV. DISAPPOINTED HOPES
V. THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS

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[Illustration: Drusie with balls]

ILLUSTRATIONS

"_Jim scribbled the word 'yes' on his piece of paper._"

"_Jumbo began to wash his face and ears._"

"_I suppose you will own that you really are out this time?_"

"_The boy had thrown his lasso with deadly aim._"

[Illustration: "_Jim scribbled the word 'yes' on his piece of paper._"]

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CHAPTER I.

THE SECRET MEETING.

Two days after the holidays began, the four younger members of the
Danvers family received a note summoning them to a secret meeting at
half-past seven the next morning in the summer-house. Drusie, who had
written and delivered the notes, including one to herself, was the
first to reach the appointed place; and when, a few minutes later, the
other three arrived, they found her seated at the rustic table with a
sheet of paper and a pencil before her, and a glass of water at her
elbow.

"Good-morning," she said, rising and shaking hands with them all round.
"Helen, will you sit facing me, and Jim and Tommy at either side?"

In a solemn silence they obeyed; and then seating herself again, she
took a sip of water. Not that she was thirsty, but she was rather
nervous.

It was so long since the last meeting, and hitherto Hal had always been
the chairman. She stifled a sigh; it seemed so strange to hold a
secret meeting without him