A first rate mystery story, with the identity of the boy who is boarding in a doctor‘s family, as the pivot on which the story hangs. The family is well done the relations of parents and children, and the children to each other - and of the problem of the shy stranger is a good build up for his sudden disappearance, foreshadowed by inquiring strangers and midnight escapades. Then the kidnapping- and the search. Well sustained - well written- and good reading for all ages. Set in California setting.