THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING GOAT

Two boys who live in the country near Puget Sound have an exciting time one summer when the disappearance of their goat leads to an escaped convict's hideout in a deserted farmhouse. Hunting for their goat, Puddin and Sandy notice a big, hairy individual in the old house. The boys' detecting leads to the discovery of tunnels connecting the house to a sea cave. When Sandy is nearly trapped in it, the convict helps him out. The convict is finally killed in a fire and the boys realize there is good in everyone though they know that it cannot replace a man's initial crime. Realistic narrative makes the story into a believable adventure.