The Rover boys had expected to return to Putnam Hall and their studies
immediately after the winter outing in the Adirondacks, but an
unexpected happening at the institution of learning made them change
their plans. Three pupils were taken down with scarlet fever, and
rather than run the risk of having more taken sick, Captain Victor
Putnam had closed up the Academy for the time being, and sent the
pupils to their homes.

"The boys will have to go to some other school," their Aunt Martha
had said, but one and another had murmured at this, for they loved
Captain Putnam too well to desert him so quickly.

"Let us wait a few months," had been Dick's suggestion.

"Let us study at home," had come from Sam.

"Let us travel," Tom had put in. "Travel broadens the mind." He loved
to be "on the go" all the time.

The matter was talked over for several days, and Tom begged that they
might take a trip across the continent and back, using some of the
money derived from the old treasure. At last Anderson Rover consented;
and two days later the three boys were off, going by way of New York
City, on the Chicago Limited. They had spent two days in the great
city by the lakes, and then come direct to the Golden Gate city.

"I wonder if we will meet anybody we know while we are out here,"
said Tom, as the carriage continued on its way.

"If we get down to Santa Barbara I think we'll meet somebody," answered