Again I thank my former readers, young and old, for the nice things they have said about my stories. I trust the present volume affords you equal pleasure in the reading.
Affectionately and sincerely yours, Arthur M. Winfield.
THE PUTNAM HALL ENCAMPMENT
CHAPTER I
IN THE BELFRY
“I say, Jack!”
“What’s the matter now, Pepper?” demanded Major Jack Ruddy, for the cry was a startling one.
“We are locked in!” answered Pepper Ditmore.
“Locked in?” repeated the young major of the Putnam Hall battalion. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that the trap door is fastened. I can’t budge it.”
“Oh, it must be stuck,” said Jack, as he started to climb down a ladder upon which he stood. “Why, there is nobody in the belfry but ourselves.”