The Mystery at Saratoga

Wheeler said, trying to hide her nervousness. “I’m sure the children will all be back any second.”
    As if on cue, the Bob-White station wagon pulled up in front of the hotel, and the five laughing, excited teen-agers piled out and ran into the lobby. Trixie was carrying a large white box in her hands, and Honey had another, smaller box of the same color and shape.
    “Where have you been?” Mr. Wheeler roared. “We’re ready to leave.”
    “So are we, Daddy,” Honey said. “But we couldn’t leave while Regan and Bobby were still missing.”
    “Regan isn’t missing,” Mr. Wheeler said. “He’s right here.”
    “And what’s this about Bobby?” Regan demanded.
    The Bob-Whites exchanged conspiratorial glances. “First of all, Regan,” Trixie began, “you are still missing. You’re missing these.” Taking the top off the box she was holding, Trixie revealed its contents: Regan’s treasured riding boots.
    “And,” Honey continued before anyone could speak, “since Bobby has been missing all of us since we’ve been away, and we promised to bring him a souvenir, we got him these.” She opened the smaller box she was holding. Inside was a pair of childsized riding boots. “Of course, they aren’t handmade and monogrammed, like yours, but we’re sure Bobby will love them.”
    “I’m sure he will, too,” Mr. Wheeler said, his anger completely vanished.
    “I can’t wait to see the look on his face,” Jim said.
    “Then let’s not wait another minute!” Trixie exclaimed. “All aboard the Bob-White express! Next stop: Sleepyside-on-the-Hudson!”
    The Bob-Whites, plus Regan, all piled into the station wagon. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler got into their waiting car. As the two cars pulled away, Joan Stinson, looking sad and happy at the same time, stood at the curb. Regan, leaning out the window, continued to wave to her until the station wagon turned a corner and she was lost from sight.
    Sitting in the front seat next to Jim, Trixie stared, unseeing, at the road ahead. Regan has a girl friend, Carl Stinson has two horses, Johnny has a good job, and Bobby has a pair of riding boots, she thought happily.
    Catching sight of Trixie’s beaming face in the rearview mirror, Jim said, “I don’t know how you can look so pleased with yourself, Trixie, when you’ve been in and out of danger so many times in the past few days.”
    “And when you’re going to be in danger of a stern lecture when we get home,” Brian added.
    “And when a rudimentary perusal of past predicaments predicates similar situations in the ensuing seasons,” Mart concluded.
    “I know, I know,” Trixie said. “I’ve been in danger in the past, and I will be again in the future, more than likely. But right this minute—” She glanced at Honey, who read her thoughts.
    “Everything’s perfectly perfect!” the two girls said together.
    Amid a chorus of laughter, the Bob-Whites settled back for the ride home.