The Mystery of the Emeralds

say something like that.” Trixie laughed. “Come on, now, in plain English, what does misan-something-or-other mean?”
    “It’s the opposite of philanthropist,” Mart answered loftily. “It’s someone who hates everybody.”
    “From that brilliant explanation, I judge a philanthropist is someone who loves everybody,” Di said. “Go to the head of the class,” Mart teased.
    “Well, to get back to Jenkins,” Trixie continued, “I certainly sense something sinister about him.”
    “Don’t let it worry you, Trix,” Brian assured her. “We can cope with him if we have to.”
    With the prospect of their exploration getting under way, everyone was in a gay mood as they returned to the cottage. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch were already there and suggested they all go on the Lanthorn Tour that evening.
    “Oh, that’ll be fun!” Trixie exclaimed. “It’ll keep our minds off—” She stopped, her face reddening as she realized she had almost divulged their secret.
    “I have a sneaking suspicion you Bob-Whites are on the trail of another mystery,” Mr. Lynch said. “Am I right?”
    “Well, maybe,” Trixie replied evasively. “They say old houses always have ghosts in them, you kaow. So who can tell what we might turn up?”
    “Then I’ll be patient,” Di’s father said with a laugh. “I’ve seen how you all work too often to try to get any information out of you. Just be careful you don’t get into any trouble.”
    “Oh, we won’t!” Jim reassured him. “Nothing could possibly happen to the Bob-Whites.”

    As they were approaching Cliveden the next day, Trixie suggested they stop and see Lizzie.
    “We can buy some stamps or candy or postcards,” she said, “and tell her we saw her old friend.”
    “From what you and Mr. Carver said, I guess she’d welcome any business,” Honey commented, “and besides, I’d love to have a look at her. She sounds a little weird.”
    “Well, I’ll admit that if she had a black cat and a broomstick, she could easily pass for a witch,” Trixie replied, “but she’s really only kind of pathetic.”
    Brian, who today was taking his turn driving the station wagon, pulled up in front of the sagging stoop.
    “All out and make it snappy,” Mart urged them. “I want to get to Green Trees.”
    There was no sign of life around the place, and as Trixie neared the door, she saw a sign that she was quite sure had not been there before. On a large piece of cardboard, in crude letters, were the words: KNOCK ON THE DOOR FOR SERVICE. Trixie tried the door and found it locked tight.
    “Jeepers! That’s funny,” she said. “I just walked in before. I wonder what’s up?”
    “Maybe she’s afraid of shoplifters.” Mart chuckled. “Although, from your description of her merchandise, I can’t imagine who would want to lift anything.”
    “Go ahead and knock, Trix,” Di urged impatiently. “We’ll never get to see Lizzie, just standing here.” Trixie gave a loud rap on the door. There was no response, so she knocked again as hard as she could. Then she pressed her nose against one of the small windows in the top of the door. Finally she made out the figure of Lizzie coming around the counter toward the door. The old woman peered out, and Trixie waved her hand, hoping Lizzie would remember her. She apparently did, for she unlocked the door. Poking her head out, she asked suspiciously, “Are all them friends of yours?”
    “Yes, Miss James, all friends,” Trixie answered. “We need some stamps and postcards and things, and so we thought we’d stop and get them from you. We found the door locked. I hope we didn’t disturb you.” Lizzie didn’t answer, but she opened the door wide, and they all went in. It was then Trixie noticed that the old woman was carrying a short length of lead pipe.
    “Gleeps!” she exclaimed, pretending to draw back in alarm. “What’s the matter, Miss James? You look as though you expected a burglar.”
    “It's worse than that,” the old woman replied, locking the door behind her. “It’s that Jenkins man. He came around here yesterday with fire in his eye, asking me all sorts of questions about Rosewood Hall, and when I couldn’t tell him anything, he got even madder and did this here.” She pushed up the sleeve of her dress and revealed an ugly black and blue mark on her arm, where he had grabbed her.
    “Oh, what a horrid thing to do!” Trixie exclaimed as the others gathered around. "Whatever did he want to