The Mystery of the Fifteen Sounds

By Van Powell
The Goldsmith Publishing Company CHICAGO
Copyright 1937 by The Goldsmith Publishing Company MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
“ No wonder I’m blue,” Roger told his father, “You’re packing to head a museum expedition into the heart of Borneo. You’ll have thrills .”
“ Probably I will get my sort of excitement in plenty, Roger. It won’t be what you are always dreaming about—the ‘good old days’ of Pirates and Cowboys and Stage-Coach Bandits. ”
“No,” Roger agreed, “the real thrills are all gone. But you can go on an expedition, instead of having school and ——”
“ There will be vacation time—baseball ——”
“ But I want real excitement. I’d like to be a Modern Pioneer. You are one, going off to Borneo for the museum just the way Columbus set out for Queen Isabella. ”
His father looked up.
“ You can be a Modern Pioneer. I will show you a House of Mystery, and once you step into its door you are in a land where there are more exciting activities packed into one day than you could get being a combination cow-hand, bad man, pirate and pony express rider. You may not be able to convoy an ox-team across a prairie, carry a squirrel gun and stand off scalping Sioux; but you will help battle against Pirate Fire, and Bad Man Erosion, and Bandit Microbe. ”
“ You mean—work in cousin Grover’s research lab? ”
That was it, he found. And under the brilliant training of his older cousin, as he came to be the supply clerk and learned more about the work of the active place, Roger saw how truly his father had spoken.