"It's almost like giving up your home," Dick had said, several times,
while at the actual parting Sam had had to do his best to keep back
the tears which welled up in his eyes. Even fun-loving Tom had stopped
a good deal of his whistling and had looked unusually sober.

"We'll never have such good times as we've had at Putnam Hall," Sam
had said, but he was mistaken, as later events proved.

The three Rover boys did not wish to part from their many school
chums, yet they were, more than anxious to get home, and for this
there was a very good reason. Their father had told them that he had a
very important communication to make to them one regarding how the
summer was to be spent. So far no arrangements had been made for the
vacation, and the brothers were anxious to know "what was in the
wind," as Tom expressed it.

"Maybe we are to prepare for college," said Dick.

"Perhaps we are to go on another trip to Africa?" added Sam.

"Or start on a hunt for the North Pole," put in Tom. "That would be
just the thing for this hot weather."

"I can tell you one thing," went on Dick. "Whatever father has on his
mind is of a serious nature. It is no mere outing for pleasure."

"I know that," answered Sam, "I could see it by the look on his face."

"Well, we'll know all about it by this time tomorrow," said Tom. "I