Nearly all the boats and barges on the River that was “home” to Skippy belonged to old Flint. A grasping and merciless man, Flint also controlled the lives of most of the people who tried to earn their living on the River. For many years Skippy’s father had worked for him; loading and unloading illicit merchandise—aware that he was involved in crooked business but reaping little benefit beyond a meager living therefrom.
Honest, courageous young Skippy finally persuades his father to leave Flint’s employ—but it is impossible to escape the evil net in which they are caught. Before they succeed in getting away from the illicit river traffic, they become involved with the police—the boy’s father is accused of murder—Skippy is forced into a crooked game—and the Basin, where the condemned river barges provide homes for the river people is blown up. In one great blast men, women, children and all their worldly goods are destroyed in a sea of lapping flames.
In the end Skippy’s fearless honesty and loyalty bring happy freedom to himself and his best pal—his father.
Hal Keen Mystery Stories
By HUGH LLOYD
Follow Hal Keen on his hunts for clues and criminals. There are plenty of thrills and shivers in these stories of adventure and mystery.
THE HERMIT OF GORDON’S CREEK
The disappearance of two airmail pilots leads to a mystery that centers about an abandoned mine.
KIDNAPPED IN THE JUNGLE
A hint of buried treasure leads Hal deep into the Central American jungle.
THE COPPERHEAD TRAIL MYSTERY
What was the meaning of the baffling and blood curdling events that centered about the ranch where Hal Keen had gone in search of gold?
THE SMUGGLERS’ SECRET
Hal Keen sets out to get to the bottom of a mystery that threatens the safety of a whole community.
THE MYSTERIOUS ARAB
Mystery, excitement, murder in a scientist’s camp in the jungles of Africa.
THE LONESOME SWAMP MYSTERY
The lonely and mysterious swamp gave up its secret only after a series of terrifying events.
THE CLUE AT SKELETON ROCKS
Hal Keen finds mystery and adventure in and about a lonely lighthouse off the Maine coast.
THE DOOM OF STARK HOUSE
A menacing cloud of mystery hangs over the isolated and snow bound Stark house.
THE LOST MINE OF THE AMAZON
Hal’s sympathy for an exiled white family leads him on to solve the tragic mystery that surrounds the lost mine.
Reader with flashlight
Skippy Dare
courageous—honest—loyal
A young “detective” who keeps his head when trouble starts. And Skippy has a way of being in the thick of things
HIS ADVENTURES MAKE TENSE READING
He learns the trickery of crooked men on his father’s river barge; his experience stands him in good stead when he becomes an office boy in a detective agency—and he proves an invaluable aide to Conne, the great detective.... Fearless, fast thinking Skippy is a hero well worth knowing!
Skippy Dare Mystery Stories
by HUGH LLOYD
author of the “Hal Keen Mystery Stories”
- AMONG THE RIVER PIRATES
- PRISONERS IN DEVIL’S BOG
- HELD FOR RANSOM
GROSSET & DUNLAP · Publishers · New York
Endpapers
