CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE
I.[The New Gun]1
II.[Preparing for a Hunt]8
III.[Off in the Woods]15
IV.[The First Turkey]19
V.[The Blizzard]23
VI.[A Lonely Cabin]30
VII.[Home for Thanksgiving]38
VIII.[Getting Square With Sandy]45
IX.[Santa Claus in School]52
X.[Wreck of the Tower]61
XI.[Ned Gets a Letter]69
XII.[Ned Starts Off]77
XIII.[Startling News]85
XIV.[Ned’s Business Venture]94
XV.[In Trouble]103
XVI.[Adrift in New York]111
XVII.[The Chums Arrive]120
XVIII.[Hunting for Ned]125
XIX.[Down the Rope]132
XX.[In the Lodging House]143
XXI.[Ned Flees Again]149
XXII.[Out in the Storm]159
XXIII.[Ned’s Predicament]168
XXIV.[A Queer Identification]175
XXV.[Ned Shovels Snow]187
XXVI.[Cassidy Catches Ned]197
XXVII.[Baffled Again]216
XXVIII.[Ned a Prisoner]222
XXIX.[Ned is Found—Conclusion]229

NED WILDING’S DISAPPEARANCE

CHAPTER I

THE NEW GUN

The Keene household was suddenly aroused from peacefulness, one quiet afternoon, by a loud thud as if something had fallen. It was followed by a report like an explosion. Then, from Bart’s room, sounded a series of yells.

“Wow! Ouch! Jimminities!”

“He’s hurt!” exclaimed his sister Alice, as she ran toward her brother’s room. As she entered she saw him running about the apartment, which was filled with smoke, holding one hand in the other. Drops of blood were coming from his fingers.