The Mystery of the Emeralds

look even more deeply purple, and Honey was wearing a flowered print. Their hair was shining, and their discreetly applied light lipstick made them look unusually pretty. It was a gay group that headed for Green Trees.
    They decided to stop and see Lizzie on the way, hoping to find out if Mr. Lynch had offered her the job. As they drove up, they saw the old lady sitting on the store steps in the sun. As soon as she saw them, she got up and hurried toward the station wagon.
    “I was waiting for you to drive past,” she said, a smile lighting up her wrinkled old face. “Mr. Lynch told me you’d be going out to Green Trees about this time, so I figured I’d wait for you. I guess you know why he was here.”
    “Yes, he said he planned to talk to you,” Trixie said, “and from the way you look, I’ll bet I can guess what was decided.”
    The Bob-Whites were amazed at the transformation in Lizzie. She was wearing a fresh housedress, and her hair was neatly combed back in a tight bun. The bright expression on her face made her seem years younger.
    “Bless you, Trixie,” she said. “This was your doin’s, I’ll be bound. I’m going to Green Trees and take care of the place while Edgar is away, and then, when he comes back, I’m going to stay for as long as he needs me.” Then, somewhat hesitantly, she added, “I guess I was wrong about you Northerners. Mr. Lynch is certainly a fine gentleman!”
    She was jubilant, and the Bob-Whites shared her happiness. They finally bade her good-bye, saying they were sorry they couldn’t stay longer. As they drove away, Trixie, looking back, saw her standing in the middle of the road, still waving to them.
    As they approached Mr. Carver s gate, they found Neil waiting for them in the driveway. His face was shining, his hair was slicked down, and he was wearing what looked to be new chinos and a madras jacket. Trixie suspected Mr. Lynch had had something to do with this transformation, but she, like the others, didn’t mention his appearance, lest she embarrass him. They chatted about the horses and Mr. Lynch’s plans for Rosewood as they walked toward the house. Mr. Carver was at the door waiting to greet them, and right behind him stood Miss Bates, looking absolutely resplendent in a bright red brocade gown. Her gray hair, piled high on her head, was secured by two Chinese chopsticks, stuck in at rakish angles. The sensible walking shoes she usually wore had been replaced by high-heeled satin pumps, which caused her to teeter slightly when she walked.
    As they went together into the dining room, where the Lynches and Dr. Brandon had already gathered, all the Bob-Whites gave cries of delight. The room glowed with the light of many candles in the wall sconces and in several large candelabras. A bowl of talisman roses dominated the sideboard, and another low arrangement of flowers graced the center of the dining table. Place cards in silver holders directed the guests to their seats. Trixie found she was on one side of Mr. Carver at the head of the table, and Mrs. Lynch was on his right. Miss Bates sat at the opposite end, with Mr. Lynch and Jim at either side of her.
    When they were all seated, Mr. Carver rang a little crystal bell, and a maid, dressed in black with a crisp white apron and cap, appeared. The first course was icy cold punch served in delicate stemmed glasses. When everyone had been served, Mr. Carver held up his hand to quiet the lively conversation around him.
    “I should like,” he said, raising his glass, “to propose a toast to someone whom, though I have known her only a few days, I consider to be one of the best friends I've ever had. To Trixie!”
    Everyone drank and cheered while Trixie tried to hold back the tears of happiness she felt welling up in her eyes. Then Mr. Carver reached in his pocket and drew something out.
    “And,” he continued, “as a remembrance of your trip to Rosewood Hall, I want you to have this.” He handed her the gold locket. As Trixie slowly opened the little heart and looked once again at the picture of Ruth and her husband, Mr. Carver said, “I’m sure you’ll have a picture to put in the space where the secret message was.”
    Before she thought what she was doing, Trixie raised her head and looked down the table at Jim. No one had to guess whose picture she would choose.
    Soup was followed by roast beef, cooked to just the right degree of pinkness, fluffy mashed potatoes, and peas. Mart, who was obviously