This is the original 1927 story of The House on the Cliff: The Hardy Boys Book 2. Frank and Joe Hardy, brothers who are high school students, use their investigation skills to solve the mystery of the vacant house on the cliff that was supposed to be haunted. Then it was suspected of being the abode of criminals. When Mr. Hardy goes to investigate—and disappears—the boys set to work to find their father. Their investigation leads to plenty of excitement and danger with international smugglers to clear up the mystery of the house on the cliff.

Much has changed in America since 1927. The modern reader may be delighted with the warmth and innocence of the characters, but uncomfortable with the racial, social, and sexist terms and stereotypes. As such, this book is a part of our heritage, a window into our real past.