Our readers are already familiar with every one of these lads, having first been introduced to them in the "_Grammar School Boys Series_," with its four volumes, "_The Grammar School Boys of Gridley_," "_The Grammar School Boys Snowbound_," "_The Grammar School Boys in the Woods_" and "_The Grammar School Boys in Summer Athletics_." The varied and stirring exploits of Dick & Co., as told in these books, stamped the six chums as American boys of the best sort. Then, in "_The High School Freshmen_," the first volume of the "_High School Boys Series_," our readers went further into the history of Dick & Co., and saw how even freshmen may impress their personalities on the life and sports of a high school. The pranks, the fights, the victories and achievements of that first year in high school had done much to shape the characters and mould the minds of all six of our boys. The present narrative deals with all that happened in the vacation after Dick Prescott and his friends had finished their freshman year. The summer now lay before them for whatever might come to them in the way of work and pleasure. Though none of the six yet knew it, the summer was destined to bring to them the fullest measure of wonder and excitement. And now let us get back to Dick & Co., that we may see just what befell them. "Pshaw! There comes Fred Ripley," exclaimed Harry Hazelton. "And he probably has a few ten dollar bills in his pockets," remarked Greg Holmes, rather enviously. "He will buy something." Fred Ripley, as readers of "The High School Freshmen" remember, was the son of a wealthy local lawyer, and a bitter enemy to Dick Prescott and his friends. "Fred just came here to buy something and then look at us with his superior smile," grunted Hazelton. "What do you say if we all walk away before the bidding begins?" "Then Rip would grin," returned Tom Reade. "He'd know just why we went away. I came here to see what's going to happen, and I won't be chased away from here by Fred Ripley." "Let's see if Fred can have any real fun with us," proposed Dick, with a quiet smile. "He can have fun enough with us, if he guesses why we are really here," Dave Darrin uttered resentfully. "Ripley seems to think that money is made and supplied to him just in order that he may rub gall and wormwood into those whom he doesn't like!" Fred kept well away from Dick & Co., though the six boys saw that he occasionally sent a covert look in their direction. "Time to begin," said the deputy sheriff, after glancing at his watch. Up to the platform jumped the auctioneer, bell in hand. Holding it with both hands he again rang vigorously for a full minute. The net result was to bring one shabby-looking man, two grammar school boys without a cent of money, and three children of not over four years of age into the lot.