The Mystery of the Blinking Eye

more, till finally she paid the price and tucked the idol into her purse.
    “Heavens, that’s about the last thing in the world I’d want to spend any money for,” Honey said.
    “I don’t care. I love it. Moms gave me some money to buy something I’d like while we’re in the city, and this is it. I’d rather have it than a new sweater.”
    “Imagine that! What will you do with it?”
    “Carry it in my purse for a good-luck piece.” Trixie stopped short where she stood. “That reminds me. That Mexican woman told me to use the purse she gave me immediately. She was deadly serious about it. I wonder why.”
    “Everyone likes to think a gift will be used. That’s all there was to it, probably. Jeepers, Trixie, look at the time!”
    The girls hurried back to the apartment. Even then, Mart exploded when they got off the elevator. “For pete’s sake, Trixie, where have you been? We were just about ready to call the police.”
    Trixie, mumbling an apology, went past Mart into the apartment. “I suppose Miss Trask is upset with me.”
    “She had to go to the hospital. She left right after you did. It’s a good thing you told her, at least, you were going for a walk. And some walk! Did you go down to Battery Park?”
    “Now, Mart, you’re the only one who’s excited.” Barbara smiled. “I wasn’t worried. I just finished unpacking and changing my dress. I’m so excited about being in New York!” Barbara’s eyes were starry.
    “Just look at what I found in the oddest little shop. That’s what took us so long. Look at this!” Trixie held the statue for all of them to see. “Isn’t he adorable?”
    “What in the world is it?” Mart asked.
    “Huh-uh'... don’t touch it! Just look. The man called it some kind of an Incan idol.”
    “I think it put a spell on Trixie,” Honey said. “Did you ever see anything quite like it?”
    “It is a queer one,” Jim agreed. “I’m not surprised it caught Trixie’s eye.”
    “Her pocketbook, you mean,” Brian said. “What did it set you back, Trix?”
    “It was my own money, and I’ll keep the price a secret. You do, too, Honey!” she cautioned and returned the idol to her purse.
    “I don’t care what it cost. In fact, I find myself curiously nonchalant about the whole fugacious performance,” Mart said smugly.
    “But not aphonic... rather ebullient,” Bob said glibly and grinned mischievously.
    “Whoops! He beat you at your own game!” Trixie exclaimed.
    Mart held up his two hands. “I surrender!”
    Given a choice of several restaurants, the Iowans selected a French one near the theater district.
    “Because I can’t wait to see Broadway,” Barbara said.
    “Because it’s near Times Square,” Ned said.
    “Because I’ll finally get to see all those neon signs,” Bob said.
    A haze of light from the late afternoon sun filtered through the trees as the young people rounded Central Park and approached Lincoln Center. Children no longer played in the park. Men and women hurried along the sidewalks, pushing one another in their haste and calling out quick apologies.
    “Everybody hurries here,” Ned said. “Gosh, how can they, when there’s so much to see?” His eyes were wide and shining. His own steps quickened to the tempo of those around him. Barbara, flanked by Brian and Mart, was speechless as a galaxy of neon lights came into view and the bustle and noise of the great city closed around them.
    “One of those places is where we’ll go to the movie after dinner,” Jim said. “Dan, stay on the other side of Trixie, and, Bob, keep your eye on Di. Where’s Honey?”
    “Right here behind you. I’m trying to keep up with Ned.”
    “Gosh, I’m sorry,” Ned said, and took Honey’s arm. “I’m sort of dizzy with all the lights. There seem to be millions of places to eat. Which one is ours?”
    “Up these stairs,” Jim answered and led the way. They went into a darkened world. Candles flickered on rough wood tables. Across the room, a huge fireplace burned real logs. There was a fragrance of roasting meat and tangy salad dressings. From an alcove came the muted sound of violin strings.
    When they had been seated, Jim explained, “If we were a little later, the trio would be playing dance music, and we could dance.”
    Ned raised his eyes from the huge menu. “Where?” Jim pointed to a small cleared space in the center of the room. “Right there,” he said.
    “That?” Bob asked. “I thought it was a worn place in