The Mystery of the Ghostly Galeon

think you’re going to have to get someone to help. Oh, please hurry!”
    There was a long silence, while Trixie strained her ears to hear what was going on.
    At last she heard Honey’s voice cry frantically, “Trix? I can’t find anyone—not even in the kitchen. You’re not going to believe this, but everyone seems to have disappeared, even that funny little man who was sitting at the captain’s table.”
    “But—but that’s impossible!” Trixie exclaimed. “Oh, Honey! What are we going to do?”
    There was another long silence as Honey rushed away for another search. Trixie tried hard not to think about what would happen if it was unsuccessful. Where could everyone have gone?
    The air inside the shaft seemed fresh enough, although Trixie couldn’t be sure. Too, one leg was tucked firmly beneath her, and it was horribly cramped. Trixie tried to move it, but it was wedged in tightly.
    Mart was right, Trixie thought miserably. I’m nothing but a pea-brain, after all!
    Suddenly, from somewhere far above her, a door banged, and a woman’s voice said, “I don’t know what to believe anymore, Frank. All I know is that you’ve had wild ideas before, and they haven’t worked. I—I almost couldn’t bear to come home this time—”
    “But this time it’s different, Marge,” a man insisted. “This idea has worked. And from now on, things are going to be a lot better, you mark my words.”
    Trixie felt almost faint with relief as she realized that the two people were Miss Trask and her brother. She guessed they must be standing on the second floor landing. She also guessed they had to be close to the shaft where she was trapped. She opened her mouth to call to them.
    Before she could call, however, Miss Trask said sharply, “I’ve marked your words before, Frank. The last time I was here, we quarreled because you had some wild idea of turning the inn into a fast-food outlet. It was going to have jukeboxes and neon signs and heaven knows what else besides. I don’t know what would have happened if the historical society hadn’t stepped in and prevented it.”
    Trixie heard Mr. Trask chuckle. “Ah, you’ve got me there. That one was a bad idea. But I tell you, Marge, this time I’ve found the magic formula, and I haven’t upset the historical society a bit. I’m giving the people what they want, too. And they’re eating it up. All I had to do was to
    borrow some money and spruce the old place up a bit—”
    “You borrowed money?” Miss Trask sounded shocked.
    “Which I am about to pay back this very weekend.” Her brother’s voice was triumphant. “My note’s due tomorrow night at seven o’clock. That’s why I asked you here. I wanted to prove to you that your brother could do it. And I wanted to see the look on your face when I hand over the cash to our old friend, Nicholas Morgan.”
    Miss Trask gasped. “You borrowed from Nick ?“
    “And why not?” her brother answered. “He’s as rich as Croesus, and he owns a lot of the property around here. He was real friendly when I asked him for a loan.”
    “I’ll just bet he was.” Miss Trask’s voice sounded bitter. “And if the money isn’t paid back? What happens then?”
    “Then the place is his,” Frank Trask said, “lock, stock, and vanishing pirate. I had to put up the inn as collateral, y’see. But it won’t happen, I promise you. I’ve got the money in a safe place, never fear.”
    “You haven’t got it in cash!”
    “Of course it’s in cash,” her brother answered. “You know how I feel about banks, Marge. Don’t approve of ’em—never have—never will.”
    Trixie put her hands over her ears and tried to stop listening. She didn’t quite know what to do. Should she clear her throat loudly to let them know that someone was listening, however reluctantly, to their private conversation? Should she yell for help at the top of her lungs?
    At that moment, a sudden jerk on the rope beside her solved her problem.
    Slowly but surely, Trixie felt herself being pulled up and up. Gradually, the bricked-up hatchway slid downward. She saw floor joists and wooden beams. Then the dining room’s dark paneling appeared once more.
    Now that she was on the point of being rescued, she could feel the hot tears gathering behind her eyelids, and she realized how frightened she had been.
    She twisted her head upward to catch the first sight of her gallant rescuer—and she found herself gazing into the villainous-looking face