he first Tom and his chums ran into a mystery. Near where
they pitched their tents there was an old mill where there was said to
be a treasure hidden. But an old hermit who owned the mill was seeking
for the treasure, and he was not the most pleasant character in the
world. At the very start he threatened the boys and tried to drive
them from the woods.

But they decided to have a hunt for the treasure. It did not add to
their pleasure to learn that Mr. Skeel, who had returned from Honolulu,
was also camping near the mysterious mill, and, most unexpectedly our
friends also learned that Sam Heller and Nick Johnson were also in the
same woods.

Tom and his friends had many experiences in camp, and with the old
hermit. Finally their motorboat was taken, and they were in sore
straits. But still they kept after the treasure.

Then Bert, Jack and Dick mysteriously disappeared from camp. Tom
suspected Mr. Skeel, and the two school bullies, Sam and Nick, of
having had some sort of a hand in the kidnapping of his chums.

How he traced them, recovered his boat, and found the secret passage
into the old mill, you will find told in my third book. Also how Tom
accidentally discovered the hidden room and the place where the
treasure was concealed. Mr. Skeel and the two Elmwood lads, who had
held Jack, Dick and Bert prisoners, fled in alarm, and the old hermit,
restored to his right mind through the finding of his wealth, lived a
peaceful life thereafter.

Once the secret of the mill was discovered, Tom and his chums had an
enjoyable time in camp. They remained until it was almost time for
school to begin, and then returned to their several homes.

And now, once more, they were together in Elmwood Hall, and, most
unexpectedly, had come the news of the return of the two bullies, Sam
and Nick. It was startling news, in a way, for, after the mean fashion
in which the two cronies had treated Tom's chums, when they were held
prisoners in the old mill, Tom scarcely believed that Sam and Nick
would dare show their faces at Elmwood Hall again.

"And yet they're here," said our hero, as he and the others hurried on
across the broad campus.

"And they're going to stay, if what George says is true," added Jack.

"Oh, it's true enough," declared the questioning lad.

"There they are!" suddenly exclaimed Bert Wilson, pointing toward a
small building just outside of the school property. It was a shack
where "Pop" Swab sold s