Gerald Breckenridge
The Radio Boys on Secret Service Duty
"The Radio Boys on Secret Service Duty" by Gerald Breckenridge is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story centers around a group of teenage boys, specifically Frank Merrick, Bob Temple, and Jack Hampton, who become embroiled in an international conspiracy involving smuggling and espionage. With a backdrop of adventure and intrigue, the boys use their skills in radio communication to navigate dangerous situations and battle against criminal forces. The opening of the book introduces the characters aboard a train traveling through California as they engage with a stranger named Ed Harlan. The boys learn about California's history and are drawn into a mystery when Frank overhears a conversation between two men about a smuggling plot targeting Chinese laborers. As they arrive in San Francisco and meet with Mr. Temple's business associates, they decide to report what Frank overheard to Inspector Burton from the Secret Service, setting the stage for the adventure that will ensue. This beginning establishes both the characters' camaraderie and the thrilling plot to follow as they unravel the conspiracy that places them in danger.