The Black Jacket Mystery

of white fight far off in the direction she had gone to the campfire where she had found the two boys.
    Although she knew it was dangerous to have too big a fire in the woods, she had become thoroughly chilled from the biting wind, and she heaped twigs and branches on it. Soon smoke was rising high into the sky in a thick column, and the wind was whipping it toward the flashing white lights that she knew must be electric torches in the hands of a search party.
    Now they seemed to be coming closer. They were probably shouting her name and Bobby’s. She couldn’t hear them with the wind against them, and she was afraid of frightening Bobby if she yelled, “Help!” So all she could do was wait and hope, and feed the high-leaping flames.
    She went into the cave and listened. The chipping sound was still going on. Bobby wasn’t free yet.
    She leaned down into the hole in the cave floor. She couldn’t see Dan’s feet now. He must have had to crawl deeper into the narrower hole.
    Then the chipping sound stopped, and she heard Dan’s voice. “Looks like we’ve got it, bud. Let’s see you make believe you’re a little frog. Wiggle your legs and scrunch along on your tummy!”
    Trixie held her breath. There was a scraping sound and a little giggle from Bobby. “Gunk! Grunk!” he said, in what he hoped was acceptable frog language, and Dan laughed, “Hi, froggy! Come on out!”
    His legs were all right—the rock hadn’t hurt his spine! Trixie was almost dizzy with relief.
    She leaned down into the hole as Dan stood aside and they watched Bobby wriggle out of the narrow opening in the rocky earth. He was grimy and his face, where tears had streaked it, was muddy, but he stood up straight, with Dan’s help, and looked up at Trixie.
    “When are we going home?” he demanded. “I’m hungry!”
    Trixie reached for him as Dan lifted him and handed him up to her.
    “Darling!” She hugged him hard till he managed to break loose.
    “Thanks, so much!” Trixie smiled at Dan as he climbed up out of the hole. She thrust out her hand impulsively. “Friend?”
    Dan hesitated and then took her hand. “Okay, friend.” Then he dropped her hand and stepped back, with a frown. “You’d better keep that fire going outside, so your friends can find you. I think I’ll be going.”
    Trixie regarded him soberly. “I wish you could stick around. Dad will want to say thanks, and so will Moms and the boys.”
    But Dan shook his head firmly. “I don’t belong around here. My uncle’s taking me back to the city at the end of the week. I guess that’s the right place for me.”
    They had reached the mouth of the cave. The leaping flames were high, and the light on their faces showed Dan’s unhappiness and Trixie’s regret.
    “I suppose you know what’s best, but we’d all like you to stay in Sleepyside. We have lots of fun, and I know you would, too.”
    Dan’s face was sober. He nodded. “Yeah, I guess I might. But I don’t think some people would want me around when it gets out about Luke and all.”
    “Nonsense!” It was the old Trixie, spunky and sure of herself. “If they don’t—”
    “Trixie!” Bobby ran up and grabbed her arm. “My shoe! My shoe’s down there! Get it for me!”
     

Thanks to Dan Mangan • 20
     
    I LOSTED MY SHOE an’ my foot’s c-c-cold!” Bobby insisted, clinging to his sister’s sleeve. “Please, Trixie, get it for me. It’s down in the hole.”
    But, Bobby—” Trixie didn’t want to go into the cave again for anything.
    I want my shoe!” Bobby wailed, suddenly bursting into tears.
    Oh, all right!” she agreed. “Here, Dan.” She took off the black leather jacket and held it out to him. “You’d better wear this yourself now.”
    He took it rather reluctantly, and she noticed by light of the leaping flames of her bonfire that the tear in the sleeve was still unmended. “Thanks. Guess I'll be on my way. Maybe I can catch up with Luke and talk him out of going to the Wheelers’. Be seeing you sometime.” He slipped his arms into the jacket and started to go. But he hadn’t gone beyond the circle of firelight before there was an eerie screech from the catamount, somewhere not very far off.
    “Please don’t go! I’m scared!” Trixie called, throwing her arms around Bobby and holding him tight, and turning a pleading look toward Dan.
    Dan hesitated and then came back. “Okay, I’ll stay till we’re sure your search party’s close.” He drew the