The Mystery of the Blinking Eye

things that had happened since they had been in the city.
    “We haven’t seen those men all day,” Trixie concluded, “so we thought that we could forget about them.”
    “If you’d looked at the prophecy again, you’d have known what to expect,” Diana said. “I remember it: ‘Be not misled by evening’s fun; a villain’s work is never done.’ ”
    “You’re right, Di! Then just after that it says: ‘Twin rails of steel, a trembling square, watch close, you’ll see the guilty pair.’ ” Trixie was so excited she could hardly speak. “Doesn’t that mean Dr. Joe’s model railroad, and the ‘trembling square’ surely means the television screen!”
    “Golly!” Tex said, awed. “Golly whiz! Aren’t you scared to death now, Trixie?”
    “No, I’m not. I’m just furious at myself because it all baffles me so.”
    Dr. Reed wore a deep frown. “This thing is serious, Trixie. Of course you’ve reported these things to the police....”
    “We have, but we’ve never had a good enough look at the men before to be able to describe them well.” Trixie sighed. “The police say they can’t do a thing till they have a definite idea of what the men look like.”
    “Of course you’ve reported it to your parents.” Dr.
    Reed looked inquiringly at Jim, Diana, and Trixie.
    “No, we haven’t—” Trixie began.
    “We haven’t been in any real danger—” Honey continued.
    Trixie interrupted. “Miss Trask is staying with us, and we begged her not to tell our families unless something really serious turned up. We didn’t want to have to go right home without showing the rest of the city to Barb and Bob and Ned. Besides—”
    “I know, Trixie, I know. You didn’t want to have to stop in the middle of solving a mystery. Oh, Trixie!” Dr. Joe put his arm around Trixie’s shoulder. “I have every respect in the world for Miss Trask, but serious things have happened. Maybe you haven’t emphasized them enough when you’ve told them to Miss Trask. She’s such a grand person she’d never want to spoil your good time here. I do honestly think that your parents should know, though.”
    Tex protested. “Oh, Daddy, Trixie and Honey have solved worse cases. I want to know the ending.”
    “Trixie’s on the job, for sure,” Mart said. “Her mind’s busy on the, mystery all the time. You know how she is. She’s not afraid of anything. She’d just as soon walk right into a cage with a pair of lions—”
    “Which isn’t wise,” Dr. Joe declared firmly. “Since Miss Trask is your chaperon, the one your family has put in charge of you, I’d never intrude. There’s one thing sure now: When the police see the video tape of the television show, they’ll have a good look at the men who’ve been following you. They won’t have any further reason not to swing into action.”
    “That’s right!” Trixie agreed.
    “Shall I call them now and tell them about it?” Jim asked.
    “I think that’s a good idea. Go into my study and use the telephone.”
    “If everyone would just let Trixie and Honey handle the thing themselves, they’d soon find out who the men are,” Tex said confidently.
    “Thanks, Tex,” Trixie said. “I guess I’d have to have some cooperation from the police to accomplish that. I haven’t quite graduated to detective work in as big a place as New York City.”
    “Gosh, it’d be a breeze for you here, after all the thieves you’ve rounded up!” Tex’s eyes were round with excitement.
    Jim came back from the telephone. “Did you get the police?” Trixie asked eagerly.
    “Yes. They said they’d have to arrange with the Celebrity Broadcasting Company to show the tape in the morning. They told us to forget it tonight, and someone would call for one or two of us tomorrow morning to go with them to see the rerun.”
    “At least that will be a beginning,” Dr. Reed said, apparently more satisfied. “If I can help you in any way, just give me a ring. I still think your parents should know about it.”
    “We’ll know more ourselves after the police see the rerun,” Trixie said. “I can’t see why that little idol could have stirred up all this trouble.”
    “Do you possibly have it with you? Could we possibly see it?” Tex asked. “Please, Trixie!”
    “I did carry it in my purse, but Miss Trask thought I should let her take care of it. She has it now. She’ll give it back to me tonight so I can show it to the police tomorrow. It’s a harmless-looking