The Mystery of the Emeralds

enjoying every mouthful, finally could control his curiosity no longer. Looking first at Miss Bates and then at Mrs. Lynch, he said, “Excuse me if I ask a personal question, but I can’t figure out how you two managed all this on such short notice.”
    “I’ll let you in on the secret,” Mrs. Lynch chuckled. “At Miss Bates’s suggestion, I phoned a caterer in Washington and arranged to have everything brought down to Mr. Carver’s by truck.”
    “Will wonders never cease!” Mart cried, attacking the roast beef again. “Three cheers for Mrs. Lynch and Miss Bates!”
    “And three cheers for Mr. Carver for inviting us in the first place!” Trixie added.
    As everyone was clapping, Trixie noticed Jim, who was sitting next to Neil, giving her a covert signal. Guessing at once that Neil might want to say something but was too reticent to take the initiative, Trixie said, “Neil, how about you? Have you got a special cheer, too?”
    The boy pushed back his chair and stood up. “Well, I’ve been thinking,” he began, scratching his head self-consciously. “I’m not too good with fancy words, but I think Dr. Brandon, here, ought to get a hand. He’s going to fix it so Mr. Carver gets a chance to walk again. So here’s to Dr. Brandon!”
    “Thank you, Neil,” Alex Brandon said warmly when the room had become quiet again. “And, you know, I’m counting heavily on you to help us.”
    By the time they had finished the ovations, the table had been cleared for dessert. A hush fell over the room as the door to the kitchen opened wide. The maid came in, carrying a huge silver tray. She put it down carefully in front of Diana. On it was a birthday cake unlike any the Bob-Whites or the other guests had ever seen. It looked just like Miss Bates’s rose-trimmed hat, the very one she had sworn to eat if Trixie found the secret passage!
    “Happy birthday to you!” they all sang as Di took a deep breath and blew out the candles that surrounded the crown of the hat. Then, poking an inquiring finger into the masterpiece, she burst out laughing.
    “It’s cake, all right, and all these roses are frosting! Oh, Mummy, Daddy!” she cried. “Thanks for a wonderful surprise!”
    “You have Miss Bates to thank for the cake, my dear,” Mrs. Lynch said. “It was her idea ”
    “Goodness, I had to do something to avoid having to eat that old straw hat!” Miss Bates laughed heartily. “Now cut it, Di, and you can all help me eat it!”
    As the party finally drew to a close and good-byes were being said, Trixie moved to Mr. Carver’s side.
    “You know,” she said, “I’d be really sad to have this trip come to an end, except that we have so much to look forward to: your coming to New York, a visit with Miss Julie to tell her all we’ve discovered, and maybe—” She hesitated.
    “And maybe another mystery?” He finished the sentence for her.
    “Who knows?” Trixie laughed. “It does seem that Honey was right when she said I attract them like a magnet attracts nails!”