
A trio of spirited Boy Scouts—Rob, the confident patrol leader, Tubby, the good‑natured big‑hearted friend, and Merritt, the determined seeker—find themselves stepping off a steamer onto war‑torn Antwerp. Dressed in their familiar khaki, they quickly discover that the familiar comforts of home are replaced by the sounds of distant gunfire and a landscape scarred by conflict. Their mission is part adventure, part family business: uncover a mysterious man whose fate could restore a grandfather’s lost fortune.
As they navigate the bustling streets and cramped hotels of the Belgian city, the boys must balance their youthful optimism with the stark realities of a country under siege. Their camaraderie is tested by the unfamiliar terrain, the looming presence of German forces, and the urgent need to move toward Brussels. Listeners will be drawn into their lively banter, the vivid wartime backdrop, and the promise of a daring quest that blends bravery with a touch of youthful mischief.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (299K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards, Rose Acquavella and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2009-09-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1879–1917
Best known for fast-paced boys' adventure series about aviators, scouts, and wireless operators, this prolific writer helped shape early 20th-century popular fiction. He also worked as a journalist and used several pen names, leaving behind a surprisingly varied career in a short life.
View all books