The Mysterious Visitor

which will get us all the proof we need without endangering our lives in any way whatsoever."
    "What is it?" Trixie demanded sourly. "Something simple, I’ll bet. Such as, kidnapping him and torturing him until he confesses. Our clubhouse is just the place. No one will hear his screams." She got up and bowed. "Allow me to be the first to congratulate you, Mastermind. I knew you’d think of something."
    Mart returned the bow. "Thank you, Genius. How did you read my mind? That’s exactly what I plan to do: force a confession from him."
    "I give up," Brian said with disgust. "If you two are going to clown around, we won’t accomplish anything. I move that this meeting be closed." "I second the motion," said Jim. "Come on, kids, let’s go. Brian and I will think of something that makes sense."
    "All right, Brains," Mart said, leading the way out of the terrace, "but let me get my bike out of the station wagon before you depart. Don’t expect me again until you see me."
    "You’d better be home for dinner," Brian said. "Not so," Mart returned. "I have parental permission to partake of nourishment in the village this evening and to spend the night with a classmate who really is a brain and who is coaching me in that most difficult of all subjects, math."
    Trixie and Di followed them out to the garage, where Brian had parked the station wagon beside the red trailer. Mart took his bicycle from the back, and then the others drove off. He stared at the Robin with a curious expression on his freckled face.
    "What’s the matter with you?" Trixie demanded. "One would think you’d never seen a trailer before."
    "I’ve never been inside that one," Mart said. "And I’d like to, since if it had not been for it, you and Honey might never have found Jim." He turned to Di. "I suppose it’s locked?"
    "Oh, no," Di said, opening the nearest door. She reached inside and turned on the overhead lights. "Go on in, Mart. Look around as long as you like."
    He went in and came out again in a few minutes. "A veritable palace on wheels," he said. "Does the TV set work?"
    "It had better," Di told him. "Two of Monty’s favorite programs are on this evening. One at nine and one at eleven. Two of Dad’s favorites are on at the same time, but they’re not the same ones."
    "Such luxury," Mart said, sighing. "Such luxury. So cozy. I imagine Monty stays out here in between programs."
    "No," Di said. "He and Mother sandwich canasta in between. They’re both fiends."
    Mart grinned. "Monty is a fiend, but your mother is an angel." He got on his bike and pedaled off down the driveway.
    Trixie stared after him thoughtfully. "Mart is up to something," she said to Di as they started back toward the terrace. "I wish I knew what it was. If only I hadn’t kidded him about his plan! If I hadn’t, he might have told me what it wasl"

Just One Chance! • 16
    JUST THEN a brand-new sedan appeared on the driveway. "Here comes Monty now," Di said to Trixie. "Oh, Dad’s with him. I guess they must have met somewhere in New York and decided to come out together."
    They watched as Monty parked the car near the steps to the terrace. Both men got out, waved to the girls, and went inside the house.
    "That’s queer," Trixie said. "I thought your father hated the sight of Monty."
    "He does," Di said. "Why else do you suppose he had a TV set installed in the Robin ?"
    "Then why didn’t he come home by train as he usually does?" Trixie asked. "I shouldn’t think he would have enjoyed driving from New York with someone he despises that much."
    Di frowned. "Dad looked awfully cheerful, too, didn’t he? He usually looks as though he had a tummyache when he’s in the same room with Monty—let alone in the same car."
    "There can be only one answer," Trixie moaned. "Your father’s happy about the whole thing because he knows Monty is leaving soon. And that means Monty must have the check in his wallet right now."
    "That suits me fine," Di said as they strolled toward the terrace steps. "I hope he leaves right after we’re finished eating dinner."
    "I don’t think he’ll leave tonight," Trixie said thoughtfully. "But if he has got the check, he’ll leave first thing in the morning. It’s not much fun driving at night in a brand-new tow car with a trailer."
    Trixie’s theory proved to be correct. Hardly were they all seated at the dining-room table when Mr. Lynch said to Di with undisguised joy, "Your uncle is driving back to the far, far West tomorrow