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 Dick, and he blushed just a trifle.  “I got a letter in Chicago, as you know.  It was from Dora Stanhope, and she said that she and her mother were traveling again and expected to go either to Santa Barbara or Los Angeles.  Her mother is not well again, and the doctor thought the air on the Pacific coast might benefit her.”

“Oh, my, but won’t Dick have an elegant time, if he falls in with Dora!” cried Sam.  “Tom, we won’t be in it.”

“Now don’t you start to tease me,” returned Dick, his face redder than ever.  “I guess Dora always gave you a good time, too.”

“That’s right, she did,” said Tom.  And then he added:  “Did she say anything about the Lanings?” For the Laning girls, Nellie and Grace, were cousins to Dora Stanhope, and Tom and Sam thought almost as much of them as Dick did of Dora.

“To be sure she did,” replied Dick.  “But I guess it’s—­well, it’s a secret.”

“A secret!” shouted Sam.  “Not much, Dick!  Let us in on it at once!”

“Yes, do!” put in Tom.

“But it may prove a disappointment.”

“We’ll chance it,” returned Tom.

“Well then, Dora wrote that if she and her mother could find a nice cottage at Los Angeles or Santa Barbara they were going to invite Nellie and Grace to come out and keep house with them for six months or so.”

“Hurrah!” cried Sam enthusiastically.  “I hope they come.  If they do, won’t the six of us just have boss times!” And his face glowed with anticipation.