The Mystery of the Ghostly Galeon

have stepped straight out of the pages of a history book.
    She wasn’t the only one to think so. Behind her, she heard Mart draw a deep breath. “Gleeps!” he sputtered finally. “He managed to get here from Jamaica, after all. He’s come to welcome us to Pirate’s Inn! It’s the ghost of Captain Trask!”

Ready for Action ● 4

    FOR WHAT SEEMED to be an endless moment, the apparition and the Bob-Whites stood staring at each other. Then the figure moved, and the spell was broken. He hurried toward them with both hands outstretched.
    “Well, well, me hearties!” he boomed. “So you managed to get here, eh? I didn’t recognize the wagon, you see, so I wasn’t sure if it was really you.” He turned to Miss Trask and gripped her hands. “Marge, it’s good to see you. It’s been a long time.”
    The “ghost” was obviously none other than Miss Trask’s brother, Frank.
    Now that he was close to them, and in spite of the beard, Trixie could see the family resemblance. He was only slightly taller than his sister. But as he doffed his three-cornered hat to all of them, Trixie could see that his head was the same shape as Miss Trask’s and that he had the same crisp iron-gray hair. His twinkling blue eyes even had the same laugh lines at their corners.
    Miss Trask had been frowning at her brother in disapproval. “I almost didn’t recognize you in those outlandish clothes, Frank,” she said sharply. “And Mart, here, thought you were a ghost. Honey, Trixie, Di, Jim, Brian, Mart, Dan—-this is my brother.”
    Mr. Trask didn’t seem to mind at all that his sister didn’t like his pirate costume, He chuckled. “So you thought I was a ghost, eh, Mart? Ah, me bucko, and that’s just what you were supposed to think. It gives the old place a bit of atmosphere, you see. And that’s what the tourists pay for.” Trixie chuckled. “I bet Mart was hoping you really were Captain Trask,” she said as Mart turned red with embarrassment.
    “And if I had been, I’ll bet he’d have been planning to ask me how I disappeared,” Frank Trask said, grinning. “Now, that’s what I like! A boy with brains! But come on, now! Shake a leg! Your rooms are ready and waiting. No doubt you’ll be wanting' a wash and a brushup before the galley serves up your afternoon snacks. You’re to order what you want. It’s on the house.”
    Mart’s face brightened at once. “Snacks?”
    “In the dining room?” Trixie asked eagerly.
    Mr. Trask turned to the station wagon and began to unload it rapidly. “Snacks in the dining room now,” he promised, “and dinner later. At eight o’clock, you’re all invited to dine at the captain’s table with Marge and me. Tonight we’re celebrating something special.”
    At once, Jim looked worried. “If it’s a family celebration, sir, I really don’t think we ought to intrude.”
    “Fiddlesticks!” Mr. Trask boomed, striding rapidly toward the inn and carrying most of the luggage. “Now, would I have invited you if I didn’t want you? The fact is, I’ve got a fine surprise to share. Yessirree! A fine surprise!”
    Miss Trask stood for a moment staring after him. Then she sighed and said, “For once I agree with my brother. You wouldn’t have been invited here if you weren’t wanted. And I don’t want to have to repeat that every ten minutes this weekend.” She smiled for the first time since they had arrived. “Is that clear, me hearties?” Jim chuckled. “Aye-aye, ma’am.”
    “But, all the same,” Honey remarked, “we didn’t realize you were celebrating something special tonight.”
    Miss Trask frowned. “Neither did I!” she said.

    Minutes later, Trixie and Honey stood enchanted in the doorway of their bedroom on the second floor. It was as if they were about to step into a ship’s cabin. From the paneled walls, lined with prints of long-ago sailing ships, to the neat bunk beds and blue sailcloth curtains at the windows, the effect was a delightful one.
    When Trixie crossed the room and peeked outside, she saw that it overlooked the.inn’s front entrance. As she watched, red and yellow leaves from a tall maple tree drifted gently to the ground. Beyond, the setting sun turned the Hudson River to gold.
    “Oh, how lovely,” Trixie said softly.
    “Isn’t it perfect?” Honey asked, gently testing the bottom bunk.
    Trixie sighed happily. “It really is.”
    A small bathroom connected their room with Di’s. Soon the three girls were excitedly