The Black Jacket Mystery

With distance between themselves and the brush-crasher, they began to feel more relaxed.
    “It was probably Dan Mangan, and he was still sulking at us,” Honey said. “But he certainly didn’t have to hide.”
    “I don’t think it was Dan.” Trixie looked solemn.
    “I just have a feeling it was a poacher.”
    “Well, here we are,” Honey said as they came in sight of the cross trail. “We’ll find my watch and then ride back home as fast as we can. If we meet anyone and he tries to stop us, we’ll ride right past in a hurry. He’ll have to move out of the way if we don’t hesitate!”
    They dismounted hurriedly and tied the horses to a pair of birch saplings beside the trail.
    “Here’s where Starlight was cutting up,” Honey said. “It’s probably among these rocks. Oh, I hope it didn’t get smashed!” She got down on her knees and started to search closely through the dried underbrush, hoping for a glimpse of the watch.
    But Trixie, coming to help her, said suddenly, “Somebody else has been here. Look! Footprints all around on the snow patches!”
    Honey stared at them a moment. “Not the boys’. None of them wears pointed cowboy boots with high heels.”
    “Dan Mangan!” Trixie exclaimed. “He’s been here and probably found your watch. That’s a break!”
    “I hope he found it before the wet snow got into it! Let’s go get it, and tomorrow I’ll take it to the watch repairman in Sleepyside to be checked over. What luck!” Honey was radiant with relief. “What if some stranger had found it!”
    “Or if it had fallen deep in the snow and hadn’t been found till the snow melted!” Trixie added. “It might have rusted so badly it could never be fixed!” They mounted again as quickly as possible and rode on cheerfully toward the Maypenny cabin.
    Mr. Maypenny was busy in his little kitchen, and the smell of hot doughnuts frying in deep fat greeted them as he opened the door at their knock.
    “Bless your hearts!” He chuckled. “I had no idea my visitors would be back again so soon. Will you sit down and have some fresh milk and hot cinnamon doughnuts?”
    “Oh, boy!” Trixie’s grin spread. Mr. Maypenny’s doughnuts were almost as tasty as his venison stew. “I didn’t know how hungry I was! We didn’t have any breakfast.”
    Mr. Maypenny shook his head. “That’s not like Mrs. Belden, letting you two ride out on a cold morning without something warm inside you.”
    “Moms didn’t know we were up, much less riding,” Trixie confided. “We had a special reason for not mentioning it to anyone.” And she told about the missing watch.
    Mr. Maypenny chuckled and shook his head. “Always some excitement around you, Trixie. Did you find the watch?”
    “No, but we know who did. Dan’s footprints were all around where we’re sure it fell.” Honey helped herself from the plate of sugar-and-cinnamon-covered doughnuts and started to nibble, while
    Trixie poured the milk out of the old stoneware pitcher. “Did he mention it?”
    “I haven’t seen the boy all morning. He was up before daylight. Skyhooted out someplace without stopping to wake me. Must be the day when people get up early!” He grinned. “You girls and Dan.”
    “Wonder when he’ll be back.” Honey frowned a little. “Should we wait, Trix, or just have Mr. Maypenny tell Dan to bring the watch to school with him tomorrow?”
    As she spoke, Dan Mangan came in through the kitchen door and tossed his cap expertly toward the peg on the wall.
    “Oh, here you are!” Old Mr. Maypenny dumped another batch of hot doughnuts onto the plate. “The girls have come for Honey’s watch.”
    “For what?” Dan’s neck stiffened, and his eyes were hard as he stared at Honey.
    Honey flushed and looked uncomfortable. “Why, my watch. The one you picked up this morning at the trail crossing.”
    “I haven’t seen your watch. And I haven’t been anywhere near the trail crossing.” Dan spoke angrily and glared at both the girls.
    “But we saw your boot tracks all around,” Trixie retorted, stung by his antagonism. “You must have been there.”
    Dan’s eyes blazed. “First I’m a liar because you think you saw me someplace yesterday where I wasn’t. Now you’re calling me a thief! You two are just looking for trouble, and if you keep on, you’re going to get it!”
    “Daniel!” Mr. Maypenny shouted at him. “That’s enough of that kind of talk. Are you forgetting—” He broke off suddenly, and