n. The youth has had trouble
with this man and despises him. He cannot make himself believe that the
surgeon is his parent and he refuses to leave his foster mother, who
thinks the world of him. Many complications arise, but in the end the
truth concerning the youth's identity is uncovered, and all ends happily
for the young son of a soldier.

In its original shape Mr. Alger intended this tale of a soldier's son
for a juvenile drama, and it is, therefore, full of dramatic situations.
But it was not used as a play, and when the gifted author of so many
boys' books had laid aside his pen forever the manuscript was placed in
the hands of the present writer, to be made over into such a book as
would evidently have met with the noted author's approval. The success
of other books by Mr. Alger, and finished by the present writer, has
been such that my one wish is that this story may meet with equal
commendation.

Arthur M. Winfield.

_February 16, 1901._

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE ENCOUNTER ON THE BRIDGE, 1

II. DARCY GILBERT'S STORY, 9

III. A MYSTERY OF THE PAST, 16

IV. ON BOARD THE WRECK, 23

V. OLD BEN HAS A VISITOR, 30

VI. MRS. RUTHVEN'S STORY, 38

VII. A SETBACK FOR ST. JOHN, 47

VIII. THE HOME GUARDS OF OLDVILLE, 54

IX. DR. MACKEY INVESTIGATES, 63

X. THE PAPERS ON THE WRECK, 71

XI. MRS. RUTHVEN SPEAKS HER MIND, 78

XII. THE BOAT RACE ON THE BAY, 86

XIII. DR. MACKEY TELLS HIS STORY, 95

XIV. JACK SPEAKS HIS MIND, 105

XV. CAPTAIN JACK AT THE FRONT, 114

XVI. COLONEL STANTON'S VISIT, 125

XVII. A SCENE IN THE SUMMERHOUSE, 134

XVIII. MEETING OF THE COUSINS, 143

XIX. A SUMMONS FROM THE FRONT, 154

XX. THE STORM OF BATTLE AGAIN, 163

X