The Mystery of the Antique Doll

shoulder of Glen Road between Mrs. De Keyser’s house and a beautifully restored barn with a brand-new sign hanging over the door, Dark blue letters outlined in gold said THE ANTIQUE BARN.
    “I like the sign,” Trixie said, glancing up appraisingly. “It looks old-fashioned and nice, doesn’t it?”
    “Yes, it does,” Honey agreed. “But Mrs. De Keyser is expecting us, so we’d better go in and see what has to be done.”
    The two girls went up the flagstone walk, and climbed the steps of the wide porch. The front door had a lovely semicircular stained-glass window set near the top. Trixie raised the lion-head knocker and rapped sharply.
    A few moments later, they heard the shuffling noise that slippers make when they’re finally broken in and comfortable. The door swung open, and a rosy-cheeked little woman stood on the other side, smiling at them. Her arm was in a cast and she wore a colorful, Chinese-silk scarf as a sling.
    “Please come in, girls,” she said warmly, brushing a wisp of grey hair out of her eyes. “You’ll have to pardon my appearance—and the appearance of this house, too—but it’s hard to keep things in order when you only have one hand and arm to do it with.”
    She laughed nervously, and ushered Trixie and Honey into a cozy, cluttered living room. All the surfaces were piled high with magazines and books.
    Suddenly, a small black-and-white dog came tearing around the corner, yapping furiously. His stiff brush of wiry fur seemed to be standing on end with anger as he planted his feet firmly in front of Trixie and Honey.
    “Oh, Willy,” Mrs. De Keyser said. “Stop all that noise! These nice girls have come to help me, you silly thing.”
    Willy cocked his head to one side, but was not about to change his mind.
    “Oh, he won’t bite,” Mrs. De Keyser said, patting his head fondly. “He just likes to make a fuss when someone new comes into the house. Poor thing—he gets so bored, especially now that I can’t take him for such long walks.”
    “We’ll take him for you,” said Trixie, smiling and bending down to pat the dog on the head. Willy growled slightly, and then rolled over on his back. He grinned a dog grin at her and begged to have his tummy scratched.
    “There, you see?” Mrs. De Keyser said. “He likes you. I knew he would. He really likes young people a great deal.”
    “Do you want to tell us what chores need to be done?” asked Honey politely, putting down her books and slipping out of her jacket. “We should get started, especially if there are a lot.”
    “Oh, yes, of course,” Mrs. De Keyser said. “Here, hang your coats up in this closet— that is, if you can find a hanger. Oh dear, what a mess. I was planning to straighten out the closets, and then this dreadful thing happened.”
    She waved her cast mournfully at them, but perked right up again.
    “Actually, the first thing you can do is follow me around the house, and move the things that I use a lot into my reach.” She went into the kitchen, and the two girls trailed behind her. “You see, I have difficulty getting at the things I need every day.”
    “Do you want anyone to help you with yard work?” Trixie asked. “I have two older brothers, and they’ll be glad to come and rake the leaves or trim the hedges for you.”
    “Well, isn’t that sweet of them,” the older woman said gratefully. “But the outdoor work can wait. What I really need you for is to help me tidy up, put things away, and make the bed. Perhaps you can also help me prepare a big stew so I can just heat a little up now and then when I get hungry.”
    “We’d love to!” Trixie said briskly. “Where should we start?”
    “I think we should prepare the stew,” said Honey. “Then we can dust and vacuum while it’s cooking.”
    “Aren’t you wonderful,” Mrs. De Keyser said. “Now, I have everything right here in the fridge! Mrs. Vanderpoel did a big shopping for me, and we had it delivered. That’s all very nice, but how can I be expected to slice onions and carrots with one hand, I ask you?”
    Mrs. De Keyser opened the refrigerator door and bent down to get some vegetables. A bag of carrots dropped on the floor. In a flash, Willy zipped over and grabbed the bag.
    “Now, Willy! You come back here with those carrots this instant!” Mrs. De Keyser snapped, straightening up. “That dog just loves to snatch things. I’m always finding the strangest things in the most unexpected places. Willy! Bring