W. Windelband

"Scientific interest in ancient, especially in Greek, philosophy, is not confined to the value that it possesses as a peculiar subject for historical research and for the study of the growth of civilization. But it is also equally concerned in the permanent significance that the content of ancient thought possesses by reason of its place in the development of the intellectual life of Europe. The emphasis falls primarily upon the lifting of mere knowing to the plane of systematic knowledge, or science. Not content with his storing of practical facts, and with his fantastic speculations born of his religious needs, the Greek sought knowledge for its own sake. Knowledge, like art, was developed as an independent function from its involvement in the other activities of civilization. So, first and foremost, the history of ancient philosophy is an insight into the origin of European science in general."--Introduction (p.1).

Mark and Billy stumble upon a coded message in a bottle that has been washed up on the beach. They decipher the code and learn that Tom, who lives on a nearby island, wants to start a secret club. They form the Secret Three and have many startling adventures together.