Tom Fairfield in Camp; or, The Secret of the Old Mill

r. Fairfield, as Tom stood expectantly waiting. "It's quite some

hear the story of the secret of the old mill, I will take the opportunity to tell yo

ated how our hero came to go to Elmwood Hall. It was because his parents had

aroo with his folks they decided to send hi

same day, the friend being Jack Fitch, with whom Tom roomed, and whom I have already ment

hold up his end. It was harder work, however, in regard to Professor Skeel, who was a most

om headed the revolt against him. This took Doctor Pliny Meredith, the head master of the school, and all the faculty by surprise. They did not know what to do until

ring a forged note that Mr. Skeel held over the head of Bennington, threatening to expose the student and ru

life at Elmwood Hall, and matters were more to their

look after some property. When Spring came they started for home

led. This at once plunged Tom into the depths of despair, but he did not give up hope. He at once decided to go to Australia himself, and if necessary charter a sma

lver Star, on which he was proceeding to Sydney, was wrecked in a storm, and Tom was tossed overboard. He managed to grab a life belt, and floa

y one of the sailors, and found to contain Professor Skeel, who, it seems, had, by accident, taken passage

he lifeboat they set out in that. But it was some time before they were picked up, and they had nea

some survivors of a wreck were on an island in the Friendly group, though which island it was could not be learned. Tom searched on several and

try. All the details of the wreck, and how Tom brought his quest to a successful close, will be found in the second volum

ming a Sophomore. He had come home, ready for the long summer vacation, when he

nd that our hero had sufficient spending money for hi

rent had sufficiently collected his thoughts. "Le

lden, where, as I told you, I spent some years when a lad. No one seems to know when the mill was built, but it is

t, and it was this lake I was thinking of when I suggested that you g

What's the secret of it, a

early settlers, and, ever since I can remember, there has been a

, dad? Wh

hen small village of Wilden, fled one day, after warning had been given them of a raid by the redmen. Before fleeing, however, it was said that they had hidden all their money, gold and silver ornamen

ow, if we're going camping," remarked Tom, "though

r it, but I never found any, though one of my chums, Tommy Gardner, did find a dime once, and right away there was a wild story

time for gold and silver in the mill. In fact while it was pretty much of a ruin as long as

t the wild

settlers of Wilden. Naturally he heard the story of the treasure supposed to be in the mill, and he was one of the most persistent s

room there and goes about through the woods at times, looking in all sorts of places for the t

ngerous cha

you crossed him, or if he thought you we

ugh. "But all this sounds interesting, and I d

; won't you, Tom?"

I went through in the shipwreck I'm not afraid of a wi

said Mr. Fairfield. "I wouldn't lose

e in camp that we won't go near the old mill, except maybe to t

our mother's friend, Mrs. Henderson, when you get to Wilden,

the woods, yelling at the top of his voice, and whenever he meets people he imagines they are after the treasure in the mill.

ng, and the fellows will think it's the best ever, I know. I'm

ged Mrs. Fairfield, who s

take care of himself I guess. Why, he even

the woods, with that crazy creature roaming abo

r to a village. We want to rough it. I'm going to find Dick.