The Mystery at Mead's Mountain

at home before going back to school again. I’d go with you, but Mrs. Wheeler and I will be leaving that morning for business in Alaska.”
    “This would all sound terrific if we could get Moms and Dad to agree,” said Brian excitedly. “Do you think we can, Mart?”
    “Don’t ask me,” said Mart, his eyes closing. “I’m already whizzing across the countryside in the gelid mountain air, stimulating my appetite for a nourishing cup of hot chocolate sipped before a roaring fire....”
    “Oh, I have a feeling your parents will agree,” Miss Trask answered Brian confidently. “Why don’t we tell them the history of Mead’s Mountain?” she suggested, turning to Mr. Wheeler. “I’m sure they’d be interested, especially Trixie.”
    “Uh-oh.” Mart snapped to attention. “You did say Mead’s Mountain, not Mystery Mountain, correct?” Mr. Wheeler grinned. “Yes, the mountain is named after Thomas L. Mead, one of the first trappers in that area. He was a cranky character who wasn’t very friendly. When other people started to settle in that territory, he tried to drive them out by burning their cabins and crops. In spite of his efforts, the town of Groverville was established. Eventually he was caught and hanged in the town square. From that time on, whenever something unexplained would occur, the townspeople would blame it on the ghost of Thomas Mead, later known as the ghost of Mead’s Mountain. In fact, some people even claimed to have seen a ghostly man with long white hair wandering around the mountain.”
    Despite Mart’s sarcastic query, Trixie felt a small shiver of excitement and fear go down her spine.
    “For example,” Mr. Wheeler continued, “when problems cropped up with the plans to build the downhill ski resort on the mountain, some people said the lodge must be haunted.”
    “What type of things went wrong, Mr. Wheeler?” asked Dan.
    “Oh, normal things that can plague any large business venture,” he replied. “They had trouble getting enough financing, and trouble with the unions, and on top of that, some equipment breakdowns. But the resort is finally operating on a limited scale now. A young couple, Pat and Katie O’Brien, are the new caretakers. I told them I’d let them know tomorrow if you’re coming. I hope you can all let me know tonight. Of course, all your expenses will be paid, and then there’s the matter of salary...
    “Oh, you don’t have to pay us!” cried Trixie. “Why, this is really a super vacation for us!”
    “Trixie’s absolutely right,” Brian agreed. “You’ve always done so much for the Bob-Whites, sir. We’d love the opportunity to repay you a little.”
    Honey’s mother smiled. “You knew they’d feel that way, didn’t you, Matthew?”
    “Yes, I did,” said Mr. Wheeler, “but I also know that that team of professionals simply won’t be able to give me the young person’s opinion I need.”
    “You really need us?” Di asked, her violet eyes widening with disbelief.
    “I certainly do,” Mr. Wheeler insisted. “But I’ve thought of an alternative proposal to paying you a salary. Honey and Jim have told me you’ve been thinking of selling the Bob-Whites’ car because of the high insurance payment. I would be happy to make this year’s payment for you if you’ll only do this favor for me.”
    “Mr. Wheeler, you’re sensational!” squealed Di.
    “I just knew things would work out!” Trixie said triumphantly.
    “But, Dad,” Jim said hesitantly, “you know we hate to take money unless we earn it.”
    “You’ll earn it—don’t worry about that,” said Mr. Wheeler heartily. “Wait till you see my lists of questions and points to look for. And I expect a detailed, typed report within the week after you get back. So, is it a deal, pending parental approval, of course?” he asked, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
    “It’s a deal!” chorused the Bob-Whites.
    “Come on, let’s go see what our folks say,” urged Trixie.
    Then Dan, who had been unusually silent for a while, spoke up. “I can give you my answer now,” he said sadly. “I’m afraid I can’t go. I promised Judge Harding I’d spend the vacation working with the young kids from the juvenile home.”
    Someday Dan hoped to be a policeman so he could work full time with kids in trouble. He spent as much time as he could, between studying and helping out on the game preserve, working with children and their problems. He had come a long way since