The Mystery at Mead's Mountain

“But there’s no doubt that the tall one is a full-grown man, and one who means business, too.”
    “Our ‘gang’ is called the Bob-Whites,” Trixie announced, “and we’re going to help you catch those criminals.”
    “I don’t want to catch them. I just want to get my daughter back safely,” said Carl.
    “You’re not going to let them get off scot-free?” asked Honey incredulously.
    “Until Ellen’s back, I want the police out of it. The kidnappers made it very clear that the police weren’t to be involved.”
    “Tell us more about the kidnappers,” Trixie requested.
    “Well, they’ve come here a couple of times to see how the money plate is coming along. They never stay more than a few minutes and never say anything beyond a few new instructions. The tall one always does that. Once they saw me talking to Eric at the lodge. Probably the same night you overheard us. They figured out that he was Ellen’s son.” Carl sighed unhappily. “They decided that Eric should be the first to pass the money I made, so that if it wasn’t good enough, he’d be the one to get caught. They came here early one morning and told me he was to pass some money as soon as possible. He wouldn’t know who they were, but they’d be watching him. I gather that was the night he bought everyone dinner at the restaurant. Apparently the money worked okay.”
    Trixie shook her head. “The bank’s discovered it.”
    “Oh, no!” Carl burst out. “I hope the kidnappers
    don’t know that.” Then a surprised look came over his face. “How could they have detected the counterfeiting? It was perfect! The United States Mint couldn’t have done a better job.”
    “The paper feels different,” said Trixie.
    “That explains it,” he said. “The kidnappers brought me the paper.”
    “The police are telling merchants to watch out for twenties,” Trixie said. Suddenly she was very glad she hadn’t told Pat yet.
    “What’s the next move?” asked Honey.
    Carl’s face brightened. “Tonight I give them the plate and the counterfeit money and get my Ellen back.”
    “When? Where?” both girls breathed in unison.
    “Eight o’clock at Porcupine Pond,” he told them.
    “Where’s that?” Trixie asked.
    “About five miles southeast of the ski lodge,” Carl replied. “There’s a trail forking off the road from the highway to the lodge that almost goes right there.”
    “Are you sure you don’t want to let the police handle this?” asked Honey.
    “Absolutely!” Carl insisted.
    “Will Eric be there?” asked Trixie.
    “No, I don’t want him there in case anything goes wrong. If he knew about the meeting, he’d insist on coming, so I’m not going to even tell him about it.”
    “Nothing is going to go wrong, sir,” said Trixie. “The Bob-Whites will see to that. You just be there with your money. After you have Ellen back safely, we’ll take care of the kidnappers.” Trixie wasn’t exactly sure how they were going to accomplish that, but she knew they had to try.
    “I don’t want you to get mixed up in this,” cried Carl. “You’ll get hurt.”
    “Don’t worry,” Honey assured him. “You don’t know Trixie.”
    Carl looked defeated. “Can I really trust you not to say anything to anyone until after the meeting?” he implored. “That’s all I ask. If you give your word, I’ll be happy to let you go.”
    “We’ll only tell the other Bob-Whites,” said Trixie. “We really want to help. You can count on us!”
    Carl unbolted the door, and the two girls hurried outside. He watched anxiously as they ran to the tree where they’d left their skis. After they’d started back up the gully, they heard him call, “Remember—no police! And the kidnappers have guns!”

Suspects ● 16

    THE SKY WAS JUST TURNING purple by the time Trixie and Honey burst into the Bob-Whites’ suite at the lodge. Di was drawing in her sketch pad, and the boys were back working on their notes for Mr. Wheeler.
    “Hi! Where’s Miss Trask?” Trixie asked carefully, trying to control her exuberance at all the news she had for them.
    “She’s in the kitchen helping Katie make dips for the party tonight,” said Brian sternly. “That was some walk you took. You’ve been gone more than three hours.”
    “Is Miss Trask worried?” asked Honey.
    Jim shook his head. “She got back just as we were returning from skiing. She asked about you and we said that you would be along shortly. You know Miss