�You know,� Honey said as she brushed her hair so it looked neat again, �I think I was awful silly to think that Jim was going away. Nobody even told me that. I was just probably jumping to conclusions.�

�Oh don�t worry about it Honey.� Trixie admired Honey�s hair for always falling into place while her curls did whatever they pleased. �I knew that Jim was going to the University of New York, but as soon as you said he was going away, I began to get all, well, worried too.�

�I can understand why you�d be worried, though, Trix.� Honey stopped her brushing. �I�m worried about Brian the same way. Are they really going to wait two years for us to haul ourselves out of high school?�

�That depends on if we can get through high school first.� Trixie bent down to tie her sandals. She hated to think about it. Jim, surrounded by pretty girls his age while she�s stuck being a kid for two more years.

Honey went over to straighten Trixie�s corsage. �Oh this flower is simply divine, Trix. He sure is good to you. Come on, I think I hear guests arriving.� Both girls took one last look in the mirror and hurried down stairs to meet guests. There were neighbors, teachers, and students from Sleepyside Junior-Senior High mingling with each other, and a band playing out in the gardens. Pretty decorations and flower arrangements sat upon each table.

�Gleeps, Honey,� Trixie said as she looked around the garden, �when your mother puts on a party, she�s not kidding!� There were three punch bowls and coffee urns set up on a couple tables and two beautiful cakes set up on another table.

�I know,� Honey nodded. �She has a talent for social gatherings and parties. To me they�re extremely elaborate affairs, but I�ve been to so many. This one just seems different. There�s a different atmosphere here. Let�s get some punch and find our table. The Bob-Whites all have a table of their own!�

Trixie and Honey made their way to the punch table and helped themselves. �You�d think that your parents were hosting the school dance, there�s so many of the seniors here,� Trixie added as they strolled around looking for their table.

�Well, there is another party later at the school,� Honey explained. �Jim told me about it. He said that he�s not going. He�d much rather spend his time here. So, basically, everyone�s killing time until the dance tonight at the school.�

�Who�s the band?� Trixie inquired taking a sip of the punch.

�Actually, they are the University Jazz Band from New York City. Aren�t they groovin�?� Honey said stopping in front of the band and bounced her hair in time to the music.

�Oh Honey,� Trixie laughed. �You look like a duck when you do that!�

She stuck her tongue out at Trixie. �Let�s go find our table.� It didn�t take long to find as Mart, Di, and Dan were already there.

�Great band, huh?� Trixie asked setting her punch down on the paper tablecloth.

�Yeah, can�t you dig?� Mart exclaimed looking at the band. �I can�t wait until they move into the ballroom tonight. That�ll be fun.�

�Oooh, a dance!� Trixie exclaimed. �Honey, I think this will be the most fun I�ve ever had!�

Honey took a sip of her punch. �Just wait until you and I graduate! Mother and Daddy said they have something special planned for us!�

�I can see it now!� Mart exclaimed. �Trixie and Honey get sent to the moon for graduation gift! At least there�ll be no mysteries for you to solve there, dear sister!�

Everyone at the table laughed wholeheartedly at Mart�s joke at Trixie. They all had to admit that Mart was just as adventurous as Trixie. He was quick to make fun of her and her spirit, but he was also the first to join in when she found a mystery. He had often teased her about opening a detective agency called �Schoolgirl Shamuses, Incorporated� but she knew he�d be their number one supporter.

�You know, Mart,� Di added, �There are plenty of mysteries to be solved in outer space. For example,� she counted the possibilities on her fingers, �you have aliens, UFO�s, space exploration, new planets, things like that. Maybe we should send them to the moon!� They all started laughing again.

�Just watch it,� Trixie pointed a warning finger at the Bob-Whites. �After Honey and I land on the moon and start our space exploration project, I�ll find a new planet and it�ll be named after me, kind of like how the planets of our solar system are named after Greek and Roman gods and goddesses.�

�We�ll have to name it Planet Beatrix or something like that,� Mart added with a grin.

�And they�ll fly to it in their space ship, The US Shamuses Incorporated,� Dan added on to Mart�s comment.

By now Trixie and Honey were laughing uncontrollably. Brian and Jim showed up at the table and sat down.

�What�s all the ruckus here?� Brian smiled at the group enjoying themselves.

�Oh we were just planning on taking the Belden-Wheeler Detective agency to a new level, that�s all.� Trixie said whipping her eye a bit. �We�re going to be out of this world someday!�

The table erupted with laughter once more as Brian looked at Jim and shrugged. �Well I happen to think the two of you are already out of this world.�

�We were discussing the possibilities of interplanetary careers involving lunar masses and celestial orbs and investigations therein.� Mart let Brian in on the discussion. �We decided that there is more to be �splored� in the outer limits of space than there is here on Earth, so we�re going to ship them away to Planet Beatrix, named for the Greek goddess of adventure and mystery.�

�Did you hear that, guys?� Trixie exploded. �He called me a goddess!� The whole table laughed again as Mart stammered and stuttered to get out of his comment, but he finally gave in to the laughter. The Bob-Whites chattered happily as the party went on and various students and teachers came up to congratulate Brian and Jim. Mrs. Vanderpoel came over to the table with Old Brom, her hired hand and neighborly friend. She was huffing and puffing with excitement as she congratulated her boys. She had once declared that, since they were the only kids who came around to her house anymore, they were now her adopted children. The Bob-Whites laughed and joked until Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Belden strolled up to the table.

�Kids, I hate to break up your fun, but we have an announcement to make that includes Brian and Jim.� Mr. Wheeler smiled at the group of young adults with pride. �I need you two to follow me to the front of the band. They�ll be done in a minute so I can speak to the crowd.�

�Ladies and gentlemen,� Mr. Wheeler began as soon as the band was done, �I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate Jim and Brian�s futures. These two young men have worked very hard, and they will reap rewards for it. The reason why I am making this announcement is because we have something for our sons. Mr. and Mrs. Belden and Mrs. Wheeler and I have discussed the idea of a graduation present that would include our sons together, since they are practically inseparable anyway.

�So without further ado,� Mr. Wheeler said as both he and Mr. Belden handed their sons each a card, �both the Beldens and Wheelers present our boys with a token of our appreciation for all the hard work they have put into their scholastic careers.� He turned to Jim and shook his hand. Mrs. Wheeler wrapped her arms around her adoptive son and kissed his cheek. Mr. Belden shook Brian�s hand, which ended up as a long tight hug. He patted his wife�s back as she moved in for her congratulatory hug and kiss and then pulled a handkerchief out of her dress pocket and dabbed her eye.

Trixie stole a glance at the other Bob-Whites at the table. Honey dabbed her eye as well and Mart was handing Di his handkerchief. She felt a little emotional too

Brian and Jim shook hands and began to open their cards. Jim pulled four slips of paper out of the card as Brian pulled four out of his. It took a few minutes for it to register what it was.

�Well, boys,� the band leader said into his microphone, �don�t keep us in suspense! What is it?�

�It�s a�� Brian�s voice trailed off as he looked at Jim for support. Jim was equally unable to say anything. ��trip to Honolulu, Hawaii,� was all Brian could manage. He turned to Mr. and Mrs. Belden. �Oh Moms and Dad! You two are the best! Thank you, thank you so much!� Both boys gave their parents hugs and handshakes again while the crowd applauded and cheered.

�That�s not all Brian,� Mr. Wheeler cut in. �Jim, why don�t you explain the rest.�

�Sure, Dad.� Jim was beaming so vividly now. �Not only are Brian and I going to Hawaii, but so are the Bob-Whites!�

�What!� Trixie screamed and stood up. All of the sudden, faces turned to her. Her face reddened with embarrassment as she sat back down. �I�m sorry�� she said as she hid her face. She hadn�t meant to scream like that but it was quite a shock to her. Imagine! Hawaii! She felt Honey give her arm a tight squeeze.

�I�m just as shocked as you are. I had no idea!� Honey was just as thrilled as Trixie.

After Mr. Wheeler gave the attention back to the band they started playing again. Jim and Brian came back over to where the Bob-Whites were sitting followed by their parents.

�See?� Jim said as he handed out the tickets the corresponding Bob-Whites, �you�re all coming this time. Rarely do all the Bob-Whites ever get to go anywhere together because of conflicting schedules. We�re all going to have a swell time. Hey Trix, here�s a ticket for Hallie, too.� Hallie Belden was Trixie�s cousin from Idaho. She had spent some time with the Bob-Whites and had even been in on a few mysteries too. The Bob-Whites had included her in all the meetings and activities, so they saw fit to make her a Bob-White as well, even though she didn�t live there.

Dan took his ticket from Jim and looked sheepishly up to Mr. Wheeler. �I appreciate this, Sir, but I couldn�t possibly accept this. I don�t really know what to say�� His face reddened with embarrassment as he searched for the right words. He couldn�t accept this from his boss. �It is really my job to��

�Now, Dan, I won�t hear of it. You miss out on the fun so often that I practically insisted that you be with these kids on at least one trip.� Mr. Wheeler held up his hand in protest to Dan�s argument. Because Dan had to work on Mr. Wheeler�s game preserve with Mr. Maypenny, he rarely ever got to do anything with the other Bob-Whites.

�Well, Sir, I still don�t know what to say�other than, well, thanks!� He stood up to shake Mr. Wheeler�s hand.

�All you have to say is that you�ll go to Hawaii with these kids. Consider it one of two things,� Mr. Wheeler said still sensing the uneasiness that Dan was feeling. �Either it is an employee bonus or a paid vacation.� Mr. Wheeler believed in his employed staff very much.

Dan laughed and sat down again. The Bob-Whites gave their tickets to Mr. Wheeler for safe keeping, and came alive again as they all chattered about how excited they were.

�Oooh, how fun,� Di squealed, �maybe we can visit some volcano sites!�

�You know what I think,� Mart said, �I think that Trixie will uncover a mystery when we get there.�

�Oh I�m sure she will,� Jim said putting his arm around her chair. �That�s ok, though. I don�t really mind it. It will be one last mystery adventure before I go back to school. I think I can handle that.�

�I�ll try not to find a mystery,� Trixie said leaning back in her chair and looking down at her jagged and bitten fingernails. �This is your graduation present so I�ll be a good girl for once and just have fun.� She looked up at the other Bob-Whites with a grin that faded fast as soon as she saw their expressions.

�Trix,� Brian looked at her with understanding brown eyes, �It just wouldn�t be a Bob-White adventure if there were no crooks, kidnappers, international gun smugglers, diamond thieves, pick pockets, ghosts, poachers, imposters, vandals, and arsonists waiting around to be caught. Not that you have to go looking for one, but I think they actually come looking for you.�

�Thanks, Brian,� Trixie said smiling a little. �I guess they do come looking for me, don�t they. Oh alright, but I don�t want to hear about it if one does happen to find me.� The Bob-Whites laughed and promised Trixie that they have her unconditional support.

After Brian and Jim opened their gifts, the party moved inside so the catering company could clean up outside. At one end of the ballroom the jazz band was already setting up as the guests were mingling about. Some had left for the dance at the school, and some were staying for a while longer.

Jim took Trixie by the hand and led her over to a bench under a nice big shady maple tree. He looked handsome with his red hair gleaming in the sunlight. His green eyes were dancing with excitement as he sat down next to Trixie on the bench and put his arm around her.

�Jim this has been a great party. I�m glad our parents were thoughtful enough to have a party for both you and Brian.� Trixie stared down the hill at Glen Road. �But Hawaii? It�s too good to be true!�

�You know,� he said, �its more of a present for me that you are coming along too. Hawaii just wouldn�t be fun without the spirit of Trixie Belden to liven up the colors.�

�It�s been a beautiful day, but the sun is setting and it is getting cool.� Trixie shivered a little. �What do you say we go inside and have a few dances? I hear the band playing so they must be ready.� She started to get up, but Jim stopped her. She looked at him with surprise as she saw his eyes differently for the first time ever. They had always been twinkly light green eyes. Now they were wide and darker green.

�Trix,� he held her hand, �before we go in and dance, can I ask you one thing?� Trixie�s heart began to pound hard. Slowly she nodded her head keeping her eyes locked with his the whole time. �The three years I�ve known you have been the best years of my life. You gave me a home, a life, a sister, friends, a career, and a dream come true. I love your spirit, excitement, and your love of adventure. I love the changes in Honey, and it�s because of you. Since the day I woke up and saw you and Honey staring down at me, I knew you were someone different. Trix,� Jim cleared his throat, �I guess what I�m trying to say is that, well, I would be honored if you would be my girlfriend.�

Trixie looked into his glistening eyes and sincere face. He was serious! She loosened her grip on his hands, stood up, and turned to face the same anxious green eyes that she had seen when he and Brian rescued her from nearly drowning in the sinkhole at Bob-White Cave. �Jim,� she said, taking his hand back again and pulling him to his feet, �I remember the day Honey and I found you again at Mrs. Smith�s farm. I had this feeling then that you would be someone special in my life. That became a reality the day Mr. Wheeler adopted you. I have a sense of adventure because you encourage it. You might be protective of me and my safety, but that�s because I�ve been known to get myself into sticky situations, which I promise that I won�t do anymore.� Jim�s grip tightened on Trixie�s hands as he let a huge smile appear on his face. �I don�t think I can take credit for everything you have since it was your decision to run away from old Jonesy, but I do feel fortunate to have known you for the past three years. Jim,� Trixie put her hands around his waist and a cat-like grin appearing on her face, �I guess what I�m trying to say is that, well, I would be honored if you would be my boyfriend.�

He burst out laughing and pulled her into a hug. The two laughed for a few minutes longer looking at the sunset.

�Jim?�

�Yeah, Trix?�

�Let�s go dance.�

�Okay.� Hand in hand, they headed back to the Manor House.

The ballroom was decorated very fancy and the band was playing lively music. The lights were dimmer and couples were already out on the floor dancing, and the band had gone from wearing white sport coats to silver shiny ones to set the mood. Pretty soon Trixie and Jim spotted the other Bob-Whites and cut across the dance floor to join them.

�Where have you two been?� Mart put his hands on his hips and stared at Jim and Trixie. �We were beginning to get worried that maybe Trixie stumbled across a mystery or something. What gives?�

�Oh Mart,� Di nudged him in the ribs, �Leave them alone and come have this dance with me.� Mart, holding his side, followed Di to the dance floor.

The rest of the Bob-Whites laughed at the scene as Mart crossed his eyes at them. �We were just discussing Hawaii,� Trixie explained. �I guess we just got to talking and forgot what time it was.� Trixie did her best to hide what had really happened but Honey wasn�t buying it. She knew her best friend all too well. Trixie�s eyes made contact with Honey�s as a way of telling her, �I�ll tell you later.� Jim and Brian noticed the silent conversation between the girls.

As the two girls looked on at the dancing couples, Jim and Brian discussed their upcoming year of school while Dan listened intently, adding in a comment or two whenever he could. Dan, as well as Mart, still had a year of high school left.

�I�d say you�re mom�s party is a success,� Trixie said as she watched the dancing couples. �Everyone�s so happy and they�re all having a good time.�

�Well, I�d say that this one has been a success. I was never really interested in her social gatherings, but attended them anyway.� She turned to Trixie and said, �you know, that is one thing that I admire about the Belden house is that when there is a party, its for a reason or just to have fun, not just for appearance�s sake. At Mother�s garden parties, I usually greet the guests and then make myself scarce, but at your house, I feel welcome and don�t have to greet anyone as they come in.�

Trixie began to feel sympathy in her heart for Honey. She remembered when Honey and her mother had been afraid of each other. Honey had hated being rich because that meant boarding schools, governesses, dainty frocks, and servants constantly hovering around. Now she didn�t mind it because she was able to go to a public school, her governess had taken the job of management over the Manor House, she was allowed to wear sneakers, jeans, and tee-shirts just like Trixie wore, and the servants left her alone and tended to their own chores. In fact, Honey had even taken on some tasks of her own around the Manor House as well. She helped by becoming Mrs. Wheeler�s secretary for her social events and she, along with the other Bob-Whites, helped exercise the horses so Regan would be able to tend to other things that needed to be done.

�Well, Honey,� Trixie added, �you sure wouldn�t be able to fit all these people in our tiny living room anyway. They�d be pouring out the windows and falling up the staircase!� Trixie and Honey laughed at the idea of this many people all crowded into the Belden house.

Mart and Di came back to the table after a while. �Wow! You guys really cut up the floor,� Dan complimented them upon their return. Mart was out of breath but Di looked ravishing. �Mart, since you�re all worn out from a little menial exercise, do you mind if I dance with Di?� Dan got up and stood next to the black haired beauty with his hand stretched out.

Before Mart could answer, Di put her hand in Dan�s and said, �Not at all!� Together they went back out to the dance floor.

�Well!� Mart sat there with his mouth open. �How do you like that!�

�Oh don�t worry about it, old boy,� Brian laughed as he slugged Mart in the arm. �She�s got quite the Indian sign on you, you know.�

Mart blushed as he loosened his tie. �Yeah, I guess she does. But she doesn�t have to give me whiplash while we dance.�

The Bob-Whites laughed as Mart rubbed the back of his neck. �You just don�t like it that she can lead and you can�t,� Trixie jabbed at him.

Mart scowled at her and said, �Yeah, well �leading� in the art of dance does not include spinal injuries, or sore toes.�

Brian with a mock serious face, insisted that he examine Mart�s neck and back. �Well, Mr. Belden, from what I can see from further examination, is a diagnosis of lethargic activities mixed with an irritable approach on exuberant occasions.� By now the Bob-Whites were laughing quite hard. �My recommendations for treatment are as follows: Take two and call me in the morning.� Brian said as he slugged Mart in the arm again.

�Okay, Doc.� Mart laughed good naturedly with the rest. �You�ve made your point. I think I�ll get a second opinion though.�

�Well, I can see that my medical abilities aren�t appreciated here. In that case,� he said as he made a slight bow to Honey and crooked his arm towards her, �Lady Wheeler, would you be so happy as to oblige?�

�Why Sir Belden,� Honey smiled up at him. �I thought you�d never ask!� They laughed and headed out to the dance floor together.

�There goes her knight in shining armor,� Trixie commented to Jim. �I wish I could cut the floor up like those two. They are so graceful, but I�d trip and fall all over the place.�

�Aww Trix,� Jim gave her a gentle shove, �you�re just as graceful as they are. Don�t forget that I�ve danced with you before.�

�So have I, and my feet have never forgiven me since.� Mart sat there smiling at the two. Jim grinned, but Trixie stuck her tongue out at him.

�Well, I don�t know about you, Trix, but I�m not going to sit on the sidelines all night. Either you dance with me, or I�m going to find someone else. They are playing a slower song so if you dance this one, you probably won�t go sprawling all over the dance floor.� He helped Trixie out of her chair and led her onto the dance floor.

They danced this one and the next completely unaware of their surroundings. She had to admit, she wasn�t as frumpy as she said she was and could at least dance to the beat.

�I don�t believe I told you today, Trix,� Jim smiled at her, �that you are the most beautiful girl in the world.�

�Oh poo!� Trixie retorted. �When you�ve got girls like Di around, I look like an old hag.� She tossed her curls, which only made his smile bigger. �You keep smiling at me like that, Jim Frayne, you�ll be sorry!� Trixie couldn�t help but smile at her threat.

�I�m going to keep on smiling, Trixie Belden,� Jim said as he tugged on one of her curls, �because Di might be pretty, but she�s not you.�

�You�re sweet.� Trixie laughed gaily. �I don�t think I deserve you.� Jim just smiled and held onto her for the remainder of the song.

Back at the table the Bob-Whites were all sitting around chatting. Occasionally, a guest would stroll past the table and congratulate Jim or Brian. Even Police Captain Molinson was there at the party and shook the boys� hands.

�Well, Trixie,� the Captain put his hands on his hips. �So you�re going to Hawaii to dig up a mystery. Don�t get yourself in too deep because I won�t be there to bail you out.�

�That�s ok, Captain,� Trixie replied. �I�m on vacation. I don�t plan on finding a mystery while I�m there.�

�Can I quote you on that?� Captain Molinson retrieved his notebook out of his shirt pocket.

�Here,� Trixie took the notebook and pen from him. �I�ll even put it in my own penmanship.� Trixie opened up the notebook to a clean page and said aloud as she neatly wrote: �I, Trixie Belden of Sleepyside-on-the-Hudson, New York, am on vacation and hereby relinquish any tendencies of adventure, mystery and the like. If I happen to become involved in a mystery or adventure, I promise to eat my words. Signed, Trixie Belden.� and she wrote the date and time and handed it back to Captain Molinson. The Bob-Whites laughed as he reread her words.

�Well, Trixie,� the Captain said as he put his notebook away. �You done good, except for one thing. The boys down at the station will have a fun time watching you choke that one down.� With that he tipped his cap at the kids and walked away.

�That�s why I wrote it down for him.� Trixie explained before anyone could poke fun at her. �They�re easier to eat that way.�

�Okay folks,� The band leader sang out in the microphone. �This is the last one, so grab your true love and make it memorable. Hit it boys!� he called to the band. The floor wasn�t as crowded now since most of the guests had gone home or to the school for the dance and there was plenty of room to move. Brian led Honey out to the center of the floor and the graceful pair danced away. Mart led Di to the floor and the two looked never happier. Jim twirled Trixie once and took her in his arms once again while Dan and a classmate danced close by. Even Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler and Mr. and Mrs. Belden took time out of from the busy preparations to take the last dance. The last dance was always the special one. It�s like putting the frosting on the cake, it makes the evening complete.

Earth angel, earth angel
Will you be mine?
My darling dear
Love you all the time
I'm just a fool
A fool in love with you

Before they knew it the dance was over and it was time to go home. The Beldens thanked the Wheelers for a good time and offered to help clean up. Mr. Wheeler protested and wouldn�t hear of it. He�s had a staff working on that all evening long so everything was done anyway. The Bob-Whites made plans to meet at the clubhouse the next day at ten in the morning so they could make plans for Hawaii. It would only be a week away and they needed to come up with definite travel plans. The Beldens all walked down the trail to their house with Mr. Belden carrying Bobby, who was fast asleep. Trixie had fun but she was extremely tired now.

That night she let out a big yawn and snuggled down in her covers. She had been sure to put the corsage back in the plastic box and put it in the refrigerator. The day�s events had danced around in her head until her eyes couldn�t stay open much longer.

The next morning she awoke to a knock at her bedroom door. �Trixie? You up yet?� It was Honey.

�Sure,� Trixie answered trying to suppress a yawn. Honey came in and sat down on the edge of the bed. �What are you doing here so early?�

�Early?� Honey grinned. �Trix, it�s nine-thirty. I thought you�d have been up by now.�

Trixie looked over to her bedside clock and widened her eyes. �Jeepers! I�d better get up and get ready for the meeting. Good thing you came over or else I�d have slept through it.� Trixie threw the covers off her and started to freshen up.

�I just though you�d like someone to walk you to the clubhouse,� Honey explained. �The party kind of wore us out too. Mother and Daddy sure do appreciate all the help from your parents.� Honey was tired and Trixie�s homemade quilt looked inviting. Mrs. Belden always made such gorgeous quilts and Honey had decided that she would learn how to make quilts so she can make them for her children�someday. Trixie came back into the bedroom to get dressed quickly. �You know, Trix, we never did get to talk last night. I think time just escaped us.� She yawned as Trixie was combing through her curls.

�You want to know what Jim and I were talking about, right?� Trixie looked at her sleepy friend�s reflection in the mirror as she spoke. �As everyone was hurrying into the ballroom, Jim took me aside and, well, we discussed�things. Hawaii was one of them, so I didn�t lie. Honey,� Trixie put her comb down on the dresser, turned around, and leaned on it. Honey looked as if she were to burst any minute. �What are you looking at me like that for?�

�Oh Trix!� Honey grabbed Trixie by the hands and spun her around and around. �I�m thrilled! Did he ask you? Exactly what did you say? What was it like? Did you��

�Honey! What is this? The third degree?� Trixie demanded laughing. �I really don�t remember it. All I remember was my initial reaction to his question and his reaction when I said yes. The first thing I wanted to do was to change the subject, but I decided that this might be the last time he�d ever ask me. Then we came inside for the dance.� Trixie bent down to tie her shoes. �I do recall a certain couple tearing up the dance floor last night, and it wasn�t us. You and Brian looked great together.�

�Thanks, Trix, but you two were the most romantic of us all. Di was killing Mart, I�m not sure how Brian and I were doing, but I don�t even think you and Jim can recall anyone out on the ballroom floor but yourselves.�

�Well, maybe so,� Trixie laughed, �but you two won the �most graceful dancers� award.� Trixie looked at the clock one more time. �Come on, Honey. We�ve got to make it to the clubhouse before ten, and it�s just about ten now.�

Both girls headed downstairs, out the door, and trudged across the Wheeler property to the little gatehouse that was now their clubhouse. The other Bob-Whites, who were already there, looked just as drained as Trixie and Honey did.

�Hi everyone,� Trixie groaned as they came inside and shut the door. �Sorry we�re late. I just got up.�

Mart opened his mouth for a retort, but a yawn came out instead. Trixie took her usual seat at the head of the table next to her co-president, Jim. �Our first order of business,� she started, �is to find a map of Island of Oahu, where Honolulu is.

Jim pulled something out of his back pocket and handed it to Trixie. �Here�s your map, Trix. It�s a year old, but I don�t think Hawaii changes that much. Dad and Mom were in Honolulu last year for a few weeks and bought a tour book too, so we�ll know where to eat and what shops are the best.�

With droopy eyes, she took the map and set it aside. �Well, we have a week to prepare for this. Moms needs my help around the house as much as possible since we�re going to be in Hawaii for a while. How long did the tickets say?�

�Two weeks,� answered Brian.

�I need to help Mr. Maypenny get ahead with the game preserve,� Dan added. He helped patrol the preserve and keep the feeding stations full. Mr. Maypenny was over sixty, and even though he insisted that he could take care of all this himself, he sure did appreciate Dan�s help.

�Regan said he�d like us to exercise the horses all week long since he�ll mostly have to do it himself for the time we�re in Hawaii,� Honey informed them. �We have been slacking a little on that what with the graduation and end-of-the-year finals. He�s a pretty understanding guy about all this, but those horses are just as much our responsibility as they are his. He has Bobby to help him since he taught him how to ride, but he still doesn�t like the idea of Bobby going alone so Regan will still have to exercise most of them.�

The Bob-Whites were crazy about the red-headed groom. He was always such a good sport when it came to other obligations the Bob-Whites had to attend to. He would gladly exercise the horses when he knew they couldn�t. Now that he had Bobby�s help he might be able to keep up with some of his work. Regan had taught Bobby how to ride about a year ago and now, he was just as good as the rest. Still being quite young, Bobby wasn�t allowed to ride by himself yet. Regan made that quite clear.

�I have one more thing to add,� Honey said quickly before any of the Bob-Whites could leave. �Leave your jackets with me and I�ll mend and wash them. I�ve noticed that we�ve let them go and I�m doing some mending tomorrow anyway, so I�ll do these while I�m at it.� Mart looked at his jacket hanging on the back of his chair, where it had been for the last few months.

�It is pertinent that we should look halfway decent when we tour the Hawaiian Capitol, if we�re supposed to signify the Bob-Whites of Glen,� Mart said handing his jacket to Honey. �Good thing someone here isn�t afraid of a needle. If a certain sister of mine made these, we�d all look like rag dolls.�

Trixie shrugged as the rest giggled at Mart�s comment. Trixie had to admit it, she hated a needle more than anything. Honey was so good at it, and had suggested that instead of buying jackets, she would make their jackets. They were red jackets that each member of the club wore with the letters �BWG� cross-stitched on the back. The club rule was that they were supposed to keep them clean and tidy. Sometimes they got away with a missing button or two, but sooner or later, Honey would have to mend them again. Even though she had a house full of servants that would do it for her, Honey considered it a pastime and preferred to do it herself.

With Hallie arriving on Friday, the Beldens had quite a bit to do. They were going to pack very minimal clothing as they were determined to come back to Sleepyside with Hawaiian shirts and other things. The days seemed to creep along. Trixie and the others gladly exercised the horses and always made sure to clean the tack and brush the horses very well so Regan wouldn�t be mad at them. That was a very strict rule in the stable.

Pretty soon it was Friday morning and the Belden house was up early. Hallie would be arriving from Idaho around noon and Mr. Belden was to meet her at the airport. Remembering the times Hallie flew out to Sleepyside to visit, Trixie made the final preparations around the house. One of those times was when Jim�s cousin was getting married at the Manor House. Hallie and Trixie were having an awful time getting along with each other at first, but then Hallie took interest in a mystery and helped Trixie and Honey investigate a mastermind thief. He had even kidnapped Hallie and Dan. Since then, the two cousins have been close friends. Hallie had the Belden looks, but Trixie�s spunk. She was taller than Trixie, had long dark hair and tan skin. Her dark brown eyes were inherited from generations of Beldens.

Hearing her father�s car pull up in the driveway, she stood in the middle of her bedroom and decided it was at least presentable. Hallie didn�t really mind it all if things weren�t perfect. Instantly Trixie was down the stairs and leading Hallie to her room when her parents stopped her.

�Trixie,� Mrs. Belden scolded, �Hallie�s only been here for a few seconds and already you want her all to yourself. Come here and give your old Auntie a hug.�

�Sure, Aunt Helen!� Hallie raced over to greet Mrs. Belden. �Where�s Brian and Mart?�

�Oh they are helping out in the shed cleaning and sorting the junk from the tools,� Mrs. Belden explained. �Why don�t you run out and say hi to them. Trixie, you can take her bags up stairs and then help me make lemonade. Call the Bob-Whites too and let them know that Hallie�s here.�

�Sure Moms!� Trixie raced up stairs and flung Hallie�s bag on the hide-away bed. Excitedly, she raced back down stairs and picked up the phone to call Honey. �Hi Honey?�

�Hi Trix, what�s up? Hallie there yet?�

�Sure is. Moms wants the Bob-Whites to come over and we�ll all have lemonade. Do you want to call Di and I�ll call Dan?�

�Ok. Jim and I�ll go pick her up.�

�Sounds good! Oh, Honey this is perfect!� Trixie cried. �Since Hallie is really a Bob-White too, this means that all the Bob-Whites, without any exceptions, will be there. This doesn�t happen too often.�

�No it doesn�t.� Honey was just as excited as Trixie was. �You know, I�d better go so I can call Di. How about if I call you back to let you know if she�s coming and then you can tell us if you were able to reach Dan. That way we can pick Dan up on the way.�

�Sounds like a plan,� Trixie said and hung up. Immediately she dialed Dan�s phone number. Mr. Maypenny answered.

�No, Dan hasn�t been here all morning,� Mr. Maypenny told her. �The boy left before I woke up�and that�s early, you know.�

�No ideas where he could be?� Trixie started to worry. �No note or anything?�

�Nope. No note. Will you let me know if he shows up over there?�

�Sure Mr. Maypenny.� After Trixie hung up, she called Honey back.

�Honey, don�t bother stopping at Maypenny�s place. Dan�s not there.�

�Well, where is he? We can pick him up where ever he is.�

�Mr. Maypenny doesn�t know. Isn�t this sort of mysterious?�

Honey laughed so loud and hard that Trixie had to pull the phone away from her ear. �Oh Trix, it�s not mysterious,� Honey said between giggles. �He could be out patrolling the preserve, or maybe he�s in town getting a hair cut. Don�t worry about it.�

Honey was right, there was nothing mysterious about it. �Well, I guess I just sort of thought that it was strange that he didn�t leave Mr. Maypenny a note, that�s all. Here it is after noon, and Dan�s been gone since before Mr. Maypenny awoke this morning. It doesn�t take that long to ride around the trails of the preserve.�

�Did you ask if his horse was still there?� Honey chimed in.

She hadn�t asked. That would have been a good clue. �No. I didn�t. Oh well, maybe he�s out on foot then. It would take longer that way, I guess.�

�Ok. Well, we�re running over to get Di. If we see Dan on the way, we�ll pick him up,� Honey finished.

Soon Trixie was helping with the lemonade while Brian, Mart, and Hallie sat at the table. Jim, Honey, and Di arrived but without Dan. They were all happy to see the eighth Bob-White once again.

Honey took Trixie aside. �We even went over to Mr. Maypenny�s to check to see if Dan happened to just be around. He could have gotten home between the time you called and when we got over there.�

�Was his horse there?�

�Yes. Spartan was there and so was his car. So if he�s patrolling the game preserve, he�s doing it on foot.� Honey shook her head. �Although I don�t know why he would. It just seems to take longer to do that.�

Suddenly a voice made Trixie and Honey snap out of their conversation.

�Is Dan coming over?� It was Hallie.

�I wasn�t able to get a hold of him and Mr. Maypenny doesn�t know where he is.�

�I�ll bet I know where he is,� Hallie smiled slightly. She got up from the table and motioned the Bob-Whites to come with her. Pretty soon they were all walking towards the Wheeler�s game preserve.

�But Hallie,� Trixie spoke up as she saw where they were headed to. �Honey and I already figured that he was out here. We just can�t figure out why he�d want to patrol the preserve on foot.�

Hallie just laughed a little and kept walking. Trixie slowed down so that she could walk with Jim who was bringing up the end of the group.

�Hallie doesn�t know her way around this spider�s web,� Trixie told him. �How could she possibly know where Dan is?�

�Watch and learn, Sherlock,� Jim smiled at her. �I have a feeling that she knows at least one particular spot of the preserve very well.�

�Why, she�s headed for that little school house that we spent that night in,� Trixie said under her breath to Jim. �Do you think Dan could be in there?�

�Could be.� Jim said nothing else, but just kept on walking. Hallie turned down one of the many trails that lead to the clearing with the schoolhouse.

�Could you guys stay here?� Hallie said to her closest friends. They all nodded their heads and went back to the clearing. Minutes, which seemed like hours, rolled by and pretty soon Hallie, along with Dan, met up with the Bob-Whites at the schoolhouse.

�Dan,� Trixie asked hastily, �what were you doing down there?�

�It�s just a little thinking spot that I found one day while patrolling the preserve.� Dan looked pretty calm. �I�m sorry if I had anyone worried. I guess I should have left Mr. Maypenny a note. I patrolled this morning, put Spartan away, and then came out here. Mr. Maypenny must not have noticed that I was there grooming Spartan.�

�Well, let�s go back home then.� Trixie suggested. �Moms made lemonade for everyone.�

The rest of the Bob-Whites walked along happily chattering and laughing while Trixie kept silent. Just exactly what was he doing down there? she thought. Thinking spot, my foot. I�ll bet he�s hiding something there. But how did Hallie know about it? She�s never been through this preserve like we have. She knew exactly where he was.

Jim noticed her thoughtful silence. �Trix,� he said quietly so no one else could hear. �I know you�re thinking about Dan�s sudden disappearance, but that mystery is over.� Jim took her arm and they stopped walking. His green eyes narrowed. �I know what you�re thinking and the answer is no. Don�t go pry into Dan�s life. Hallie knew where that spot was for a reason, and I�m sure that reason doesn�t need to be broadcasted around Sleepyside.�

�Jim Frayne,� Trixie yanked her arm away from him. �I just didn�t like the fact that he, for no reason, disappeared. You�d think he would be glad to see Hallie.�

�Well, just don�t go asking Dan about that spot. Don�t even ask Hallie. There�s a reason why she didn�t want us to come with her down that trail. She may not know the game preserve like we do, but she�s well acquainted with�� Jim stopped.

�With what?� Trixie asked. �That spot? I wouldn�t dream of prying into their lives. I just didn�t like it that Dan didn�t feel that he could tell us anything.�

�Anything like what?� Jim�s eyes blazed at her. �Anything like his feelings for Hallie?�

�Oh, we all know about that.� Trixie started walking away but Jim reached out and took her arm again.

�Trixie, listen.� Jim tried keeping his voice down so that the others wouldn�t hear. �I�m not mad at you. I don�t want us to be like this. I value you and our friends too much to risk a split between the Bob-Whites. When Dan and Hallie are ready to come forward and tell everyone, they will. If you think about it, there is another couple in the Bob-Whites who hasn�t made it official yet that they are, well, a couple.�

Trixie was ready for defense, but let her breath out anyway. �You�re right as usual, Jim.� They started walking to catch up with the others. �Do you think they all know about us, but are just waiting until we come forward and say something?�

�You couldn�t be more right, Trix.� Jim took her hand and smiled at the blond girl at his side. �Honey and Brian will let us all know later on, too. Mart and Di were just the first of the Bob-Whites to break the news.� They walked along in silence for a while. Soon they caught up with the others and headed back to Crabapple Farm.

Back at the farm they laughed and talked and shared old times. Soon it was late and they all needed to get some sleep. Tomorrow would be an active day. Trixie tossed and turned in her bed while she listened to Hallie�s even breathing. That didn�t help. Trixie wanted to chat about Hawaii and the things they�d see.

Trixie stood there looking out at the expectant audience. �What was I supposed to do?� Instantly she began to panic. �How did I get here? I don�t belong here!� It was quiet in the dark auditorium. The spotlight was blinding her and she lost sight of her best friend, Honey.

�Miss Belden, the word is HIEROGLYPHICS.�

What? Hiero-what? �I can�t even spell that let alone say it! Ok, here goes nothing.�

�Hieroglyphics. H-I-E-R-O-G-L-�� What�s the next letter! Honey help me!

�Trixie, I�m right here.� Honey�s voice rang all around her.

�But I don�t see you!�

�Miss Belden,� that deep voice boomed in her ears. �The word is HIEROGLYPHICS!�

�H-Y-R-O-�NO! Not that! I meant H-E-I-R-O-�GAAA! Why can�t I spell it!

The man stood up and walked up to the shaking Trixie. �Listen, little girl. Your life depends on whether or not you can spell this word!�

�Why can�t I see you, Sir?� The figure that stood in front of her seemed like a shadow. She could see the spotlight shine off his hair but that was it. �Who are you?�

�Don�t ask any more silly questions! HIEROGLYPHICS, Trixie! HIEROGLYPHICS! SPELL IT!�

Trembling, she began to spell it again. �H-I-E-R-O-G-L-...� She stopped as she saw the man make a move. �Who are you, Sir? Why won�t you tell me who you are?�

�Because you don�t need to know. Now come on, spell the word!�

��G-L-I-P-H-I-C-S. HIEROGLYPHICS.�

The man stood up from his table and walked up to her once again. �I�m sorry, Miss Belden,� the man said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette.

�Who are you? Tell me who you are!�

The man said nothing.

�Honey! Honey! Where are you!�

�I�m right here, Trix.�

�I don�t see you! I don�t even see the man anymore! Where is everybody!�

The room went dark. �Hello?� Trixie stood frozen to her spot. �Who�s there?�

She saw an orange glow in the back of the room. It brightened and then she saw white smoke ascend from it. �You know who I am Trixie.�

�HONEY! HONEY! JIM! GET OUT OF HERE!�

�That won�t work. They�re dead. You will be too.� Trixie grew terrified at the man�s remark. �No need to worry, little girl. I�ll be done with you before you know it.�

�I don�t believe you�ve killed Honey and Jim. You�re bluffing.�

Suddenly the lights were back on and the man appeared in front of Trixie. His yellow eyes and tobacco stained teeth grinned slightly. He blew cigarette smoke in her face. �Trixie�Do I look like I�m bluffing?�