The Mystery at Mead's Mountain

does sound as if we are guilty!” exclaimed Katie.
    “Didn’t you know what I was talking about when I said that we had to leave the lodge?” asked Pat.
    The Bob-Whites shook their heads.
    “I never would have mentioned it if I’d known that,” said Pat apologetically. “My contract as caretaker for the lodge is with the corporation that owns it now,” he explained. “That contract terminates as soon as someone else buys the lodge, putting me out of work and out of a home.”
    “I’m sure that Daddy will want to keep you on,” Honey insisted.
    “No, one of the consultants for your father has already told me that professional lodge directors will be brought in to run the lodge. Your father’s plans really put me in a bind. As much as I’d love to keep this job, I still want to see Mead’s Mountain turned into a natural recreation area.”
    Trixie jumped up. “Jeepers! You and Katie are what make this lodge so special. It’s not like going to a big professionally run ski resort. It’s like—like visiting someone else’s home for a few days!”
    “You’ve got to stay,” Di wailed. “You and Katie are number one on my like list.”
    The other Bob-Whites all agreed enthusiastically that the O’Briens’ creation of a homey atmosphere was a tremendous part of the lodge’s appeal.
    Miss Trask spoke up. “Don’t forget that Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Kimball are going to take your report into careful consideration, although heaven knows what they’re going to make of all your adventures here! Perhaps you could recommend that Pat and Katie be made the lodge directors, with some assistants to help them.”
    “Fantastic idea!” whooped Trixie. “This lodge is going to need lots of people. Maybe even some architectural help,” she added, throwing a sly glance at Eric.
    “And people like Linda and Wanda,” Honey put in. “Why, the lodge would be a perfect place to sell Jenny’s puzzles!”
    By this time, everyone in the room was beaming at the Bob-Whites, and Pat was leaping up to hug Katie.
    “You’re going to recommend that Mr. Wheeler buy the lodge and keep us on as managers?” asked Pat incredulously.
    “This is too good to be true!” Katie exclaimed.
    “What a week this has been,” said Mart lightly. “Ghosts, Trixie Belden, counterfeiting, Trixie Belden, kidnapping, Trixie Belden....”
    “Don’t forget the avalanche, ‘twin,’ ” teased Trixie, giving him a poke.
    “Trixie Belden and the Bob-Whites have been solving everyone’s problems today,” Carl mused. “I’ve decided to make you a special, one-of-a-kind print of a Bob-White as my special thanks.”
    The Bob-Whites all gasped with pleasure.
    “Wow!” Di breathed. “Our very own Carl Stevenson print!”
    “Gleeps, you’re terrific, sir!” cheered Trixie. “We’ll give it a place of honor in our clubhouse!”
    Suddenly the door to the suite flew open, and Rosie burst into the room.
    “Rosie,” Katie scolded. “We’ve taught you better manners than that. Now, go back outside and knock.”
    “But, Mama, it’s almost midnight. Listen!”
    Sure enough, the people in the lobby were counting down the seconds till midnight. “Five... four... three... two... one...”
    In one voice, the Bob-Whites and their friends shouted, “Happy New Year!” and then they all were hugging each other. As Pat and Katie left to get champagne for everyone to toast in the new year, Trixie slipped into her bedroom and out onto the balcony.
    Above the dark woods was the peak of Mead’s Mountain, gleaming in the moonlight. What a wonderful place to finish off a great year, she thought. I wonder what new places and mysteries this year will bring. If it’s anything like last year, what a very happy new year it will be, indeed!