The Happy Valley Mystery

Valley Park.”
    “You don’t know they have one, do you?” Trixie lowered her voice. “Someone has been stealing my uncle’s sheep and lambs regularly. He’s been terribly worried about it, and so have Mr. and Mrs. Gorman. I’m going to find out who’s been doing the stealing.”
    “ You’re going to find out?” Ned asked, amazed. “Now I’ve heard everything. I remember my dad saying someone had been stealing Mr. Belden’s sheep. That’s why we put ours in the barns every night. But then, we have that extra barn down near the river and have plenty of room. I guess the sheriff is the one who’ll find out who the thieves are.”
    “It’s been going on for a long time, and he hasn’t turned up one clue. I’ve only been working on the case for a few days, and now I’ve turned up a real hot clue. Don’t you say one word to anyone, Ned Schulz. Don’t forget, you promised.”
    “Sure I promised. I won’t say anything, at least for now. But, holy cow, a girl detective!”
    “Honey and I are both detectives. At least, we’re going to be really, truly ones when we’re older. We’ve solved some pretty mysterious cases at home... some the sheriff couldn’t solve.”
    “Are you kidding me, Trixie?” Ned asked. “A pretty girl like you a detective?”
    “I’m telling you the truth. I’ll prove it to you before we go back home, or my name isn’t Trixie Belden. Ned, don’t you know anything more about those men who sold you the lambs?”
    “Not a thing except what I’ve told you.”
    “Would you know them if you saw them again?”
    “I think so. Why?”
    “If you even think you see someone who looks like them, tell me, will you?”
    “Sure I will. Look, Trixie, everyone’s left the table but you and me. They want to take this table away so we can dance. Dance with me, will you?”
    “I’d love to, Ned.” Trixie smoothed back her curls and smiled at him. He did say ‘a pretty girl like you,’ she drought. People are always saying Honey and Di are pretty. Imagine me pretty, with my mousy hair and freckles! Sadly her eyes followed die blond girl and Jim.
    Aloud she said, “That sounds like a neat orchestra.”
    “It’s a bunch of Drake University students from Des Moines,” Ned said. “Boy, can they make music!” He put his arm around Trixie’s waist and whirled her out onto the floor.
    On the other side of the room, Jim and the blond ' girl were dancing. They seemed unaware of anyone else on the floor, so animated was their conversation. A strange feeling Trixie had never known before stole over her. Could it be? Yes, it was—jealousy.
    Furious with herself and furious with Jim, she threw back her head to laugh gaily at something Ned was ' saying... something he was saying that she didn’t even hear. “I just don’t care if I ever speak to Jim again j in my life,” she thought.
    Then the music slowed. Jim and the blond girl danced across the room. They stopped suddenly, just in front of Trixie and Ned.
    “Some band!” Jim said, and he introduced the tall blond girl to Trixie. “Best barbecue I ever tasted in my life,” he told Ned.
    The blond girl, Dot, was beautiful. No wonder Jim thinks she’s wonderful. No wonder he can’t seem to see anyone else, Trixie thought.
    “Next dance, Trix?” Jim asked as the music started up and couples moved onto the floor.
    “Yes, Jim,” Trixie said, and she put her hand in his and was happy.
    “It’s you and me, then, Dot,” Ned said.
     

Trixie Gets Teased • 10
     
    AS THE HOUR grew late, Trixie danced again with Jim. “It isn’t the same here as it is at our dances at home,” she said. “I must have danced with a dozen different boys instead of just one.”
    “Yes, I noticed you were having quite a ball. Are you really having a good time? Ned Schulz seems to have the Indian sign on you.”
    “And Dot seems to have the Indian sign on you. You’ve been her slave all evening!”
    “Why, Trixie.” Jim stopped dancing right in the middle of the floor and led Trixie to a bench at the side of the room. “You’re fooling!” he said.
    “I’m not! If you like that glamour type best, you’re just welcome to her. I mean it!”
    “I like both kinds,” Jim said. “Dot is glamorous. She’s really glamorous. She went out of her way to be nice to me, and I appreciate it.”
    “I can see that you do,” Trixie said. Then she added wistfully, “Oh, Jim, I wish I’d been born beautiful!”
    “The other kind of