The Mystery at Saratoga

visited Saratoga with my parents before, I can’t really say that I know the town or anyone who lives here.” The girls sat silent for a moment, each trying vainly to work out a master plan for finding Regan.
    “I give up,” Trixie said finally. “All we can do is plunge in. We have to see as much of the track behind the scenes as we can and ask as many questions as we can without raising suspicions.”
    Honey giggled. “Between plunging in and getting behind the scenes, I don’t know if we’re here to watch horse races, go swimming, or produce a play. I think that’s what Mart would call a ‘mixed metaphor.’ But I also think you’re right. We’ll just see all we can and hope a clue turns up soon.”
    “Right. Let’s start right now by going for a walk,” Trixie suggested.
    “Oh, Trixie, remember what Tom said?” Honey reminded her.
    “I remember exactly what he said,” Trixie replied. “He said that we shouldn’t go wandering too far. So we’ll just walk around a few blocks from the hotel. Come on!”
    “All right,” Honey agreed. “But remember, let’s not go far. I’ll leave a note at the front desk for my parents saying that we arrived safely and that we’ll be back by four o’clock. That will give us plenty of time to dress for dinner.”
    Trixie groaned. “If we have to dress for dinner, I’d just as soon get lost forever in Saratoga,” she said mournfully.
    Laughing, Honey followed her friend out of the room.

A Startling Discovery • 7

    AS THE TWO GIRLS began to explore Saratoga, Trixie’s dread of dressing for dinner vanished, and even their constant anxiety about Regan retreated to the backs of their minds as they savored the charm and history of the town.
    The girls walked down the street, pausing to look at shop windows that displayed everything from elegant-looking evening dresses to cheap souvenirs.
    “I have to remember to bring something home for Bobby,” Trixie said, “but I certainly don’t want anything like this. All those ashtrays and pillows and T-shirts are the same for every single city in the country, with only the name changed.”
    “That’s right,” Honey said, “and usually, if you look for a label, you discover that your souvenir was actually made in Taiwan or Hong Kong. We’ll find something for Bobby that really represents Saratoga.”
    Trixie giggled. “The only thing I can think of that represents Saratoga to me is a racehorse. I don’t imagine Moms would be too pleased if we brought a horse home for Bobby.”
    Honey giggled, too, at the image of the girls walking up the Belden driveway followed by a Thoroughbred stallion. “A racehorse isn’t the only souvenir of the track, Trixie. Even a copy of the racing program from the track would be a better, and less expensive, souvenir for Bobby than a horse he couldn’t ride. But you’re forgetting that the track isn’t the only thing that Saratoga is famous for. Saratoga was a very famous town long before there were horse races here.”
    “The horses are the only thing I know about,” Trixie admitted. “What else is Saratoga famous for?”
    “Oh, Trixie, don’t you remember studying the Battle of Saratoga in American history class? Actually, there were two Battles of Saratoga. In the second one, the American soldiers were attacked by the British under General Burgoyne. The Americans forced him to retreat to Saratoga, surrounded him, and finally got him to surrender. That battle is known as the turning point of the Revolutionary War. One of the big heroes for the American side was Benedict Arnold, who was a great general with the Continental Army before he became a traitor.”
    The girls had gradually slowed their steps as Honey spoke, and now Trixie stood stock-still, open-mouthed with surprise. “Why, Honey,” she said, “you’re no better in American history than I am. How do you remember so much about the Battle of Saratoga? I mean, I remember studying all those things, now that you mention them, but I certainly wouldn’t have been able to rattle them all off the way you just did.”
    Honey laughed and hugged her friend. “You’re forgetting that I had already visited Saratoga with my parents when we studied ‘all those things’ in class. That makes a big difference. To you, the Battle of Saratoga was just words on the page of a textbook. To me, it was a story about a place I’d visited and enjoyed. That made it as easy to remember as the legends of Rip Van Winkle and