The Hudson River Mystery

well as you do....”
    The warning bell rang. Trixie was almost glad of the excuse to back down the hall toward her locker.
    ”Well, thanks, anyway,” she said brightly. ”And good luck on your next test!”
    All during her morning classes, Trixie’s thoughts kept returning to Brian. She managed to pay just enough attention in class to avoid making a fool of herself, although her history teacher gave her a knowing look when she handed back the results of Monday’s surprise quiz.
    ”Oh, Trixie,” the teacher sighed. ”If only you’d put your mind to it, you’d be one of my top students.”
    For a full second, Trixie felt guilty, but immediately her mind went back to Brian. My teachers sure know me well , she thought ruefully. I wonder... if maybe Brian’s teachers have him figured out, too. Hmmm, he didn’t say I couldn’t talk to his teachers. His chemistry teacher might be a good one to start with....
    The minute Trixie finished her peanut butter sandwich at lunch, she excused herself from the Bob-White table and went to find Mrs. Cowles. She located the young, white-coated teacher in the lab, preparing for her next class.
    Trixie knocked on the door and rushed inside.
    ”Hi, I’m Trixie Belden, Brian Belden’s brother, and—”
    ”Oh, really?”
    ”I mean, his sister! I can’t seem to talk right today! Anyway, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Brian seems to be having problems lately. Well, you must have noticed, since failing chemistry class is one of his most major problems!” Trixie stopped to catch her breath. ”Anyway, what’s even worse than that is how he’s forgetting about becoming a doctor, and my brother has always been positive about becoming a doctor!”
    Mrs. Cowles stared at her for a moment, then spoke kindly but firmly. ”I’m afraid I have a policy against discussing students with other students, Miss Belden. However, since you’re Brian’s bro—sister, I will go so far as to recommend that he talk to the school’s guidance counselor. I’d be glad to talk to him, myself. Doubts about careers, especially one that demands as much hard work as medicine, are common at this age. It sounds as though he’d find it reassuring to talk to a counselor.”
    ”I hadn’t thought of that,” Trixie said gratefully.
    ”Oh, and don’t worry about Brian failing chemistry. Despite what he did on the test the other day, he’s still close to being the best student
    I have. I’m sure he’ll sail through the rest of the semester with flying colors.”
    ”Gleeps, I hope so. It was really nice of you to talk to me,” said Trixie, turning to hurry to her next class.
    ”One more thing,” Mrs. Cowles called after her. ”I look forward to having you in one of my classes a few years from now, Miss Belden.”
    ”Twenty years from now, at the rate I’m going,” Trixie said, a grin lighting her freckled face. ”Thanks again!”
    Trixie couldn’t wait to tell Brian of his teacher’s suggestion and encouragement, but it wasn’t until the bus ride home that afternoon that she had the chance. She swung into the seat next to him and spoke in low tones. She hadn’t got more than a few sentences into her story before he twisted toward her, his handsome face a sickly white.
    ”Trixie, I told you to leave me alone, and I meant it! Can’t you see all the trouble you’re causing me?”
    ”No,” Trixie answered honestly.
    ”I know you’re just trying to help,” he went on, ”but you’re only making me feel more conspicuous. Look, Moms is making a special birthday dinner for me tonight, so I’ll be getting enough attention as it is. I still feel like I’m in the doghouse over that accident, and I don’t want to cause any more stress to Moms and Dad right now. Let’s just have a nice, peaceful evening, okay?”
    ”But you’re not in the doghouse at all,” Trixie began. Then she noticed that he was clutching his stomach. ”Oh, Brian, you really are sick,” she wailed.
    ”Don’t worry,” he said weakly. ”I—I made an appointment with Dr. Ferris for a complete check-up after school tomorrow. So there’s no need for you to get excited or do anything on my behalf.”
    Trixie’s relief at the thought that he was finally seeking help was so great that she dropped the subject and tried to act as carefree as possible throughout the evening.
    It was easy enough to enjoy Mrs. Belden’s dinner of baked ham, scalloped potatoes, buttered carrots, and spinach salad with hot