The Mystery off Old Telegraph Road

Jim’s voice was quiet but firmly reassuring. Trixie guessed that Jim was thinking of his own problems with his stepfather, before Jim had run away and had been adopted by Honey’s parents.
    “Anyway, my delaying put you all through some bad times, with the telephone threats and the tire-slashing and the destruction of Mr. Maypenny’s game cart. I heard those two bragging about doing all of those things, while I was hidden in the truck. They weren’t the least bit sorry for doing them, either—except that they didn’t succeed in getting you to cancel the bikeathon.”
    “Are you sure those men mentioned doing all of those things?” Brian asked. “If so, the whole mystery is cleared up.”
    Trixie nodded her affirmation of what Nick had said. “The little man confessed to doing most of those things, while I was in the cellar. I shouldn’t say he confessed, though, because he didn’t sound a bit sorry, as Nick said.”
    “I’m the one who’s sorry,” Nick said. “I almost ruined everything. Is there something I can do to make up for it?”
    “I’d say you more than made up for everything tonight/’ Trixie said, “when you were there to save my neck.”
    Honey, Jim, and Brian nodded.
    “Not quite,” Mart said severely. The others looked at him in surprise.
    Don’t tell me he’s still suspicious of Nick, Trixie thought in alarm. That would drive Nick right back into that shell of his, which he’s almost shed.
    Then she saw the twinkle in Mart’s eyes, and she felt herself relax.
    “There’s still the little matter of the bikeathon tomorrow,” Mart told Nick. “I’d say the least you could do is to show up tomorrow afternoon and help dish out the hunter’s stew to that hungry mob. There might even be a spare bowlful for you. What do you say?”
    “I say I’d be delighted to help,” Nick said with a smile. “I’m sure I can get time off from work. Just give me directions on how to get there.”
    As the other Bob-Whites rummaged for a scrap of paper and Jim sketched a map for Nick, Trixie suddenly felt very, very tired. She realized that only her curiosity had been keeping her awake for the past few minutes. Now that it was satisfied, she felt positively bone-weary.
    Seeing her yawning broadly, Jim put his arm around her shoulders and led her toward the station wagon. “We’d better get you home, young lady,” he said. “You’ve had a busy day.”
    He settled her in the car, and she was almost asleep, with her head on his shoulder, before the other Bob-Whites got in. I’m so glad Nick’s father is innocent, she thought as she drifted off.

New Friends • 18

    THE NEXT MORNING dawned bright and clear, taking care of the last worry that had lingered in everyone’s mind: that rain might force the bikeathon to be postponed.
    The Beldens awakened early, even earlier than usual for a Saturday morning, and this Saturday there was no moaning or groaning to be heard as they got out of bed.
    Trixie helped her mother fix a breakfast of waffles and sausage, although, she said, “I don’t know if we should eat all day. I want to be plenty hungry when we get to Mr. Maypenny’s place this afternoon!”
    Mrs. Belden smiled indulgently. “That’s a long time from now, dear,” she said. “I trust the fresh air and excitement to reawaken the famous Belden appetite.”
    Trixie laughed. “You’re right, as usual, Moms,” she said. “I guess we need this big breakfast, after all. And thanks for fixing it for us,” she added. “It’s really sweet of you, when were all going to be deserting you on the busiest day of the week around Crabapple Farm.”
    Mrs. Belden poured heated maple syrup from a pan into a cream pitcher as she replied, “This is a good Saturday for you to take off, Trixie. Next weekend is spring planting time, and after that we’ll really get busy around here.”
    “We’ll make it up to you,” Trixie said, giving her mother an excited hug as she thought about the drawing of Crabapple Farm that was hidden in her room, ready to present to her mother the next day, which was Mother’s Day.
    The breakfast was delicious, but Mart, Trixie, and Brian were too excited to linger over it. Long before the station wagon came up the drive, all three were waiting, their jackets on, looking out the front window impatiently.
    “They’re here!” Trixie called, rushing out the door and climbing into the station wagon, where Honey, Jim, Di, and Dan already waited. Brian and Mart