INTRODUCTION
MY DEAR BOYS:
This story is complete in itself, but forms the sixth volume in a lineissued under the general title of "Putnam Hall Series."
As mentioned several times, this line was started because many youngfolks wanted to know what happened at Putnam Hall Military Schoolprevious to the arrival at that institution of the Rover boys, asalready related in my "Rover Boys Series."
To gratify this curiosity I wrote the first volume of this series,called "The Putnam Hall Cadets," showing how Captain Putnam organizedhis famous school, and how it was Jack Ruddy and Pepper Ditmore came tobe among his first pupils.
In the second book, entitled "The Putnam Hall Rivals," I gave theparticulars of several contests on the field of sports, and also toldabout a thrilling balloon ride and of an odd discovery in the woods.
Following the second book came a third, "The Putnam Hall Champions,"with more bitterly-contested games, in one of which young Major Ruddy'senemies played him a foul trick.
From the opening of the school there had been dissatisfaction with oneof the teachers, and when another was engaged who proved to be a man ofpeculiar whims, the boys went into open revolt, as related in anothervolume, called "The Putnam Hall Rebellion." The cadets literally ranaway, and did not return to the Hall until Captain Putnam came upon thescene to straighten matters out.
The rebellion was followed by a grand outing, as related in "The PutnamHall Encampment." The cadets marched far away from the school, to theshore of a beautiful lake, and there our heroes managed to have a goodtime in spite of the mean work of several of their enemies.
In the present volume are related the particulars of a most puzzlingmystery which at one time threatened to bring disaster to the wholeschool. How the mystery was at last solved I leave for the pages whichfollow to explain.
Again I thank both young and old for all the nice things they have saidabout my books. I hope the reading of the volumes affords all bothpleasure and profit.
Affectionately and sincerely yours, EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
THE MYSTERY AT PUTNAM HALL