The Mystery of Cabin Island facts for kids
Original edition
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| Author | Franklin W. Dixon |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Hardy Boys |
| Genre | Detective, mystery |
| Publisher | Grosset & Dunlap |
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Publication date
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September 1, 1929 revised edition 1966 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | original edition 214, revised edition 178 |
| ISBN | 978-0-448-08908-9 |
| Preceded by | The Secret of the Caves |
| Followed by | The Great Airport Mystery |
The Mystery Of Cabin Island is the eighth book in The Hardy Boys mystery series. It was first published in 1929. Interestingly, this book has two different versions of the story! The original book was rewritten in 1966. This means you can read two exciting mysteries with the same title.
Contents
What Happens in the Revised Story?
A Christmas Mystery Begins
The Hardy Boys, Frank and Joe, along with their friends Chet and Biff, are invited to Cabin Island. Mr. Jefferson, the island's owner, invited them for Christmas vacation. This was a thank-you gift for finding his car in an earlier adventure, The Shore Road Mystery.
Before they leave, they meet Mr. Hanleigh, who wants to buy the island. Mr. Jefferson also asks the boys for help. His grandson, Johnny, has gone missing!
Strange Things on Cabin Island
The boys try to enjoy their vacation, but someone keeps causing trouble. First, two older boys damage their ice boat, the Sea Gull. This delays their trip to Cabin Island.
Once on the island, weird things continue to happen. A spooky hooting sound turns out to be nothing scary. Then, all their food disappears! Frank and Joe go to the coast for more supplies. Soon after, they find their original groceries buried in the snow. Chet even sees a "ghost" walking in the woods. Mr. Hanleigh and the two high school boys are also seen sneaking around. They seem to be looking for something.
Finding the Hidden Secret
After some close calls with the Sea Gull, the Hardy Boys learn more about Mr. Hanleigh. He is the nephew of Mr. Jefferson's old helper. Mr. Hanleigh is searching for something hidden in the fireplace.
Later, a person in white robes appears. The boys thought he was a ghost! But he is a foreign visitor looking for a special medal. This medal was given to his country's ruler's grandfather. Mr. Hanleigh had tricked him, pretending to work for Mr. Jefferson.
The Hardy Boys finally find the missing medals hidden in the chimney. They also find Johnny, Mr. Jefferson's missing grandson. Mr. Jefferson is very happy and gives Frank and Joe a medal each as a reward!
What Happens in the Original Story?
Iceboats and Island Secrets
Frank and Joe Hardy, with Chet Morton, are riding their homemade iceboat on Barmet Bay. They plan to rent the cabin on Cabin Island for Christmas. But a strange person chases them off the island! On their way back, they almost crash into an iceboat driven by Ted Carson and Ike Nash, two reckless teens.
Later, the boys visit Elroy Jefferson, whose car they found in The Shore Road Mystery. They hear Mr. Jefferson arguing with Mr. Hanleigh. Mr. Hanleigh keeps trying to buy the cabin for a lot of money. Mr. Jefferson offers the boys money, but they ask to use his cabin for the holidays instead. He agrees!
The Mystery of the Missing Stamps
On the island, strange things happen, like their supplies disappearing. Frank and Joe go to a village for more food. There, they talk to a storekeeper named Amos Grice.
Grice tells them a story about Mr. Jefferson. Years ago, Mr. Jefferson married a woman who would inherit a valuable stamp collection. Rumor said he married her for the stamps. The stamps vanished along with their servant, John Sparewell. Mrs. Jefferson died soon after.
It turns out that John Sparewell tried to return the stamps secretly. He hid them in a gap in the chimney on Cabin Island. He planned to get them the next day, but the gap was sealed up! Before Sparewell died, he left the stamps to his nephew, Mr. Hanleigh. He told Hanleigh to return them to Mr. Jefferson. But Hanleigh wanted to keep them for himself.
Neither Hanleigh nor the boys could find the stamps. But then, a big storm hits the island and tears the cabin apart. Amazingly, the box of stamps is found!
