The Mystery at Mead's Mountain

up to the airport, Bob Murphy, Mr. Wheeler’s congenial pilot, came out to greet them. “I’m glad to see the famous Bob-Whites again,” he said, winking at Miss Trask.
    “I’m going along with them to make sure they don’t become notorious, Bob,” bantered Miss Trask, who looked as trim as ever in her sturdy winter coat and sensible boots.
    Bob asked them to sign in on the plane’s log, and Trixie dutifully filled in her name and address. “What shall I write under ‘purpose of trip’?” she wondered.
    “Investigative team to analyze ski resort in order to facilitate business negotiations,” Mart suggested.
    “Don’t be silly, Mart,” Trixie giggled. “I could never spell all those ridiculous words.”
    “I knew we should have given you a dictionary for Christmas instead of ski pants,” he muttered.
    “You probably can’t spell it any better than I can,” Trixie retorted hotly. “Brian, will you fill this in?” Brian took the pencil and said, “Mart, I’ll guarantee our sister will get far more use out of the ski pants than she would from a dictionary. Hey, next it asks for ‘name of company.’ ”
    “The Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency,” Trixie told him pertly.
    Jim and Mart hooted. “Better make that ‘Schoolgirl Shamuses and Company,’ ” Mart scoffed.
    “I’ll just write in ‘Bob-White Investigators,’ ” said Brian diplomatically.
    When they all crowded into the small airplane, Trixie asked Bob if she could sit next to him for a while. She was curious to see what the pilot’s view would be during takeoff, especially at night.
    Bob seemed to appreciate her interest and waved her toward the large, comfortable seat next to him in the cockpit. In front of their seats were the small control wheel and instrument panel. There were so many dials and gauges on the panel that it almost made Trixie dizzy to look at it.
    Over the radio came a voice from the control tower, giving them clearance for takeoff. As the little plane surged down the runway, gaining speed with every foot, Trixie felt as though the plane were melting away and she were flying all by herself. Then she realized that it was the ground that was melting away.
    They were airborne without her being aware that they had even left the ground.
    Trixie listened to the roaring of the engines in front of her and the hum of the Bob-Whites’ voices behind her. Except for the blue runway lights reflecting a path in the white snow, the entire world was black. Slowly the blue lights, too, faded from sight, and the blackness completely enfolded Trixie.
    Jeepers, she thought. It’s so peaceful and lovely up here. There’s a kind of warmth and safeness about everything being so completely dark.
    Bob broke into her thoughts. “We’re about leveled off, Trixie. Would you like to fly for a while?”
    “What? Me fly? Really? But I don’t know how!” Trixie fluttered.
    “At this point, there’s nothing to it,” Bob said reassuringly. “You just hold the control wheel and keep the plane going straight ahead. You pull back to ascend and push forward to descend. Turn the wheel to the left for a left bank, to the right for a right bank. It’s a lot like driving a car, except there’s no reverse and the streets aren’t as crowded.”
    “I can’t drive a car either,” Trixie told the pilot truthfully.
    “No problem,” insisted Bob. “Flying a plane can be easier. We have to stay at this level and on this course, unless we get permission to change or there’s an emergency. That’s required by safety regulations and sky courtesy.”
    Under Bob’s guidance, Trixie tried each of the basic maneuvers. Abruptly he said, “Just keep it on course, Trixie. I’m going to get a cup of coffee from Miss Trask.”
    Trixie forced a laugh. “You’re joking.”
    “Nope—you’re doing great! Don’t worry, though, I’m not going to leave my seat. Do you want anything?”
    Trixie shook her head, and Bob turned around in his seat to talk to Miss Trask. Then it dawned on Trixie that she was flying all by herself. She alone was steering the plane into the endless stretch of darkness ahead.
    Maybe I should add learning to fly to my list of things I’m going to do someday, she thought.
    Then, with no warning, the plane started to drop out of the sky!
    Trixie stifled a scream. Now, don’t panic, she told herself as she slowly pulled back on the controls.
    Nothing happened.
    Okay, now you can panic, she decided, opening her mouth to