
Tom Fairfield is a bright, earnest boy at the bustling Elmwood Hall, where Latin lessons and strict proctors dominate daily life. Alongside his quick‑witted roommate Jack Fitch and a close‑knit group of friends—Bert, George, and the ever‑cautious Georgie—they dream of a night off from study and discipline. When word spreads of a lively musical comedy in town, the quartet hatches a daring plan to slip past the watchful eyes of the school’s patrols and experience a slice of freedom beyond the dormitory walls.
Their secret escape through the basement leads them into the crisp evening air, where the promise of adventure feels as fresh as the spring rain. Little do they know that this fleeting night of rebellion will set them on a course toward the sea, where the famed steamer Silver Star looms on the horizon. The story follows Tom’s steadfast courage and the boys’ camaraderie as they confront the unexpected challenges that await beyond the school’s gates.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (232K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2013-10-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

A familiar name on early 20th-century adventure stories, this was actually a shared pen name used for fast-paced series books aimed at young readers. The name is closely linked with tales of radios, aviation, sports, and outdoor exploits that helped define an era of children's fiction.
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