The Mystery at Mead's Mountain

shouldn’t have any problems. First we have to go inside to get our survival kits and some snacks for a rest stop. We don’t go anywhere without our kits,” he told Eric.
    “Good policy,” said Eric. “These mountains are rough, you know. Weather can change at any time, putting someone who isn’t prepared in a very dangerous position. And there’s the danger of rockslides and avalanches.”
    “You’re not making these mountains sound very inviting,” Di fretted.
    Eric laughed. “As long as you have your survival kits, you don’t have to worry that much. What do you carry in them?”
    “First aid things like different types of bandages and smelling salts,” Brian answered. “Also windproof blankets, matches, compass, signal mirror, whistle, rope, flashlight... let’s see, what else... oh, a can of Sterno fuel, and some dried soup mixes and tea, too, among other things.”
    Eric looked impressed. “Sounds like you know how to take care of yourselves in the woods. I’ll see you tonight and find out how you managed. Right now, I’d better get back and help Pat. Good luck!”
    The Bob-Whites skied back down the hill to the lodge. “It feels nice to be going downhill for a change,” Honey sighed.
    The girls went to the suite to get the survival kits and to rest for a few minutes. Honey was standing in front of the dresser, looking into the mirror to put on lip balm, when suddenly she gasped.
    “It’s gone! Trixie! Di! My watch is gone! I put it right here on the dresser before we went to bed last night. I know I did. Ohhhh!” She sank onto the bottom bunk.
    “Jeepers, Honey, what are you talking about?” asked Trixie.
    “My good gold watch. The one that belonged to my grandmother. She gave it to my mother when she finished school, and Mother gave it to me when I was so sick, before we came to Manor House. It’s very old and very valuable!”
    “Don’t worry, Honey,” said Di, sitting down on the bunk and putting her arm around her friend. “We’ll find it. We’ll look everywhere. How can we not find it with a super detective like Trixie on the job?”
    Trixie was already down on her hands and knees, looking under the dresser. “Not here,” she said anxiously. “Move your feet, so I can check under the bed.... Not here, either.”
    They looked everywhere. In all the rooms, in all their clothing, in everyone’s shoes. Soon the boys came back with snacks from the restaurant and joined the search. Everyone had just about given up, when Trixie thought of one last place to look. She got a flashlight and a knife to check in the crevice between the mirror and the dresser. No watch.
    Honey’s hopeful look turned to despair. “It’s gone forever! I’ll never see it again,” she wailed, pacing the room.
    “I don’t know why you brought such an expensive watch here in the first place,” scolded Mart.
    “I didn’t mean to, Mart. I wore it to your open house, and then we were in such a hurry to catch the plane, I forgot to take it off. I didn’t even notice I was still wearing it until last night, as we were going to bed.”
    Jim brightened. “Honey, you know how Miss Trask is always reminding you to be more careful with your things and is always picking up after you? She probably has it for safekeeping.”
    “Oh, Jim! Of course you’re right. I’m sure she has it. Oh, I feel so much better.” Honey sat down on the couch and smiled for the first time in what seemed like hours.
    “I’ll go ask her if she has it,” volunteered Di, “just to make sure.”
    “You can’t,” said Trixie, “remember? Rosie was taking her for a walk. They could be anyplace.”
    “Then why don’t we have lunch now?” Brian suggested. “It’s almost time anyway. She may come back by the time we’re done.”
    “A meritorious notion,” cheered Mart. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
    “I’m amazed you didn’t,” Trixie sniffed.
    Minutes later, the Bob-Whites were feasting on homemade split pea soup and brown bread. Bert Mitchell and another man sauntered over to their table. Bert was still dressed as oddly as he had been the previous night, Trixie noticed. The other man’s outfit wasn’t very typical of a ski lodge, either.
    “I want you to meet my friend, Jack Caridiff,” said Bert. “Do you mind if we join you?”
    “Not at all,” said Jim, scooting down the bench to make more room.
    Jack Caridiff was short, and his striped T-shirt revealed that he had broad muscular shoulders and