[Illustration: Dave Porter and His Double Edward Stratemeyer] [Illustration: THE TEAM LEFT THE ROADWAY, AND THE NEXT INSTANT HAD CRASHED THROUGH A FRAIL RAIL-FENCE.--_Page 24._] Dave Porter Series DAVE PORTER AND HIS DOUBLE OR THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE BASSWOOD FORTUNE BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER Author of "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," "The Old Glory Series," "Colonial Series," "Pan-American Series," "Soldiers of Fortune Series," etc. _ILLUSTRATED BY WALTER S. ROGERS_ BOSTON LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. Published, August, 1916 Copyright, 1916, By Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. _All rights reserved_ DAVE PORTER AND HIS DOUBLE Norwood Press BERWICK & SMITH CO. NORWOOD, MASS. U. S. A. PREFACE "DAVE PORTER AND HIS DOUBLE" is a complete story in itself, but forms the twelfth volume in a line issued under the general title of "Dave Porter Series." This series was begun some years ago by the publication of "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," in which my young readers were introduced to a wide-awake American lad at a typical American boarding-school. The publication of this volume was followed by "Dave Porter in the South Seas," to which portion of our globe the lad journeyed to clear up a question concerning his parentage. Next came "Dave Porter's Return to School," telling of additional happenings at Oak Hall; "Dave Porter in the Far North," where he went on a second journey looking for his father; "Dave Porter and His Classmates," in which our young hero showed what he could do under most trying circumstances; "Dave Porter at Star Ranch," in which he took part in many strenuous adventures in the Wild West; "Dave Porter and His Rivals," in which the youth outwitted some of his old-time enemies; "Dave Porter on Cave Island," giving the details of a remarkable sea voyage and strange doings ashore; "Dave Porter and the Runaways," in which the boy taught some of his school chums a much-needed lesson; "Dave Porter in the Gold Fields," whither he went in search of a lost mine; and finally "Dave Porter at Bear Camp," which was located in the Adirondack Mountains, and where we last left him. In the present volume we find our hero in a new field of activity. Having graduated from school, he has taken up the study of civil engineering, and while engaged in that calling in Texas he becomes mixed up in most unusual happenings, the particulars of which are given in the pages that follow. Once more I wish to thank my young readers, and many of their parents, for all the kind things they have said regarding my stories. I trust that the reading of the present book will not only please but also profit the young folks. EDWARD STRATEMEYER. _March 1, 1916_. CONTENTS