The Mystery of the Emeralds

concealed in any way,” Trixie said thoughtfully. “We’ve got to examine every inch of it. Do you think the historical society would mind, Mr. Carver?”
    “I’m sure they wouldn’t,” he assured her. “As a matter of fact, the floor plans of the house, which they drew up, might be of some help to you.”
    “Gleeps!” Trixie exclaimed. “Things are suddenly looking up again. Could we see them—the plans, I mean? We’ll be going home in three days, you know, so we can’t waste a minute.”
    “It’s a bit late today,” Mr. Carver reflected, glancing at his watch. “However, I’ll phone Miss Bates—she’s the head of the historical society—and see if she can come over tomorrow. We can tell her you suspect there is a passage between the two houses, but, for the time being, we won’t say anything about the necklace. It seems best to keep that to ourselves until we’ve gone a little further with this investigation.”
    “Jeepers!” Trixie cried. “I don’t think 111 be able to wait until tomorrow to explore the cellar, but you’re right, Mr. Carver; it’s getting late, and Di’s parents will begin to wonder what’s keeping us so long. I’ll try to be patient, for once in my life!”
    “Well, come as early in the morning as you like.” Mr. Carver smiled as they called out their farewells. “I always wake up with the birds.”

    There was no one in sight at Rosewood Hall as the Bob-Whites passed by it on their way back to Williamsburg.
    “I’d sure like to know what goes on in there,” Mart said, looking down the driveway. “I wonder if Neil and Jenkins are doing any more digging in the ruins? You know, it could be they might stumble on the passage before we find it. And if that happened they could just as easily find the X-marked brick.”
    “Don’t think I haven’t thought of that,” Trixie moaned. “I’ll die if we don’t discover it tomorrow!” The Bob-Whites decided they should tell Mr. and Mrs. Lynch something about their search for the passage. “It isn’t fair not to let them know why we are continually running out to Green Trees,” Trixie said.
    “You’re right,” Di agreed. “Daddy and Mummy have been marvelous about letting us go on our own, but I’d feel better, too, if they were in on at least part of the mystery.”
    “The idea of a charmed necklace might seem so preposterous to them,” Jim said, “that I agree with Mr. Carver. We’d better keep that under our hats for a while.”
    That evening at dinner, Trixie told Mr. and Mrs. Lynch about finding the locket in the cemetery, taking it to Edgar Carver, and discovering the reference to a secret passage.
    “So that’s what’s been occupying you young folks!” Mr. Lynch said when she finished. “I must admit I was on the point of asking what you had all been so busy about, but Mother, here, reminded me you were old enough to keep out of trouble, so I didn’t interfere.”
    “You’ve been wonderful, Mr. Lynch,” Trixie said. “It’s really been exciting, and if we can only find the passage, there’s no knowing what it might lead to.”
    “These old houses are often full of surprises,” Mr. Lynch said. “Why, just the other day I heard of one with a secret room that no one knew existed, until a wall was tom out in the process of remodeling.”
    “Did they find anything exciting in it?” Di asked her father.
    “No, not a thing.” He laughed. “It was as empty as the proverbial drum.”
    “Well,” Trixie said, “I hope tomorrow we’ll be able to find the passage without having to tear out any walls.”
    “I wish you luck,” Mr. Lynch said. “Don’t forget, we plan to leave for home day after tomorrow, so you don’t have very much time.”
    “Oh, I know,” Trixie sighed, “but Mr. Carver told us we could come out as early as we like in the morning, so well have the whole day.”
    “We could take lunch with us,” Mart suggested, “and, if the weathers good, eat out in the garden.”
    “Trust Mart to remember the food detail!” Di laughed. “But, actually, it’s a good idea. Mart won’t be the only hungry one in the crowd, I know.”
    “I’ll have some box lunches packed for you here at the restaurant,” Mrs. Lynch volunteered. “You can pick them up after you’ve had breakfast.”
    “Oh, wonderful, Mummy!” Di exclaimed. “And please order an extra one for Mr. Carver. He’s been so kind to us. Then we can all eat together.”

    Trixie awoke almost before dawn