A Find of Importance—Conclusion 281 INTRODUCTION My Dear Boys: This story is complete in itself but forms the fifth volume in a line issued under the general title of “Putnam Hall Series.” As I have mentioned several times, this series was started at the solicitation of those who had read some of my “Rover Boys” books and who wanted to know something about what took place at Putnam Hall military academy before the Rovers went there. In my first volume, called, “The Putnam Hall Cadets,” I told how Captain Putnam happened to organize that famous school, and how Jack Ruddy and Pepper Ditmore came to be among his first pupils. The boys made a host of friends and also some enemies, and proved their worth on more than one occasion. In the second volume, “The Putnam Hall Rivals,” I related the outcome of several contests on the field of sports, and also gave the particulars of a thrilling balloon ride and of a strange discovery in the woods. Then came “The Putnam Hall Champions,” with more contests, in one of which Jack Ruddy’s enemies played him a foul trick. Ever since the opening of the school there had been trouble with an overbearing teacher named Crabtree. When Crabtree and another teacher were left in sole charge of the school during the master’s absence, this trouble reached its climax, as related in “The Putnam Hall Rebellion.” The boys ran away and would not go back to school until Captain Putnam appeared to smooth matters out. In the present volume are related the things that occurred during a long encampment, when the cadets marched from the academy to a beautiful spot on the shore of a lake. Not far away was an old mill, and at this place some of the lads fell in with a most unusual mystery. What that mystery was, and what it led to, I leave the pages which follow to explain. Again I thank my former readers, young and old, for the nice things they have said about my stories. I trust the present volume affords you equal pleasure in the reading. Affectionately and sincerely yours, Arthur M. Winfield. THE PUTNAM HALL ENCAMPMENT CHAPTER I IN THE BELFRY “I say, Jack!” “What’s the matter now, Pepper?” demanded Major Jack Ruddy, for the cry was a startling one. “We are locked in!” answered Pepper Ditmore. “Locked in?” repeated the young major of the Putnam Hall battalion. “What do you mean?” “I mean that the trap door is fastened. I can’t budge it.” “Oh, it must be stuck,” said Jack, as he started to climb down a ladder upon which he stood. “Why, there is nobody in the belfry but ourselves.”