The Mystery of the Headless Horseman

from the Ming dynasty is valuable because, you see, so little of it remains in the world today.” Mart helped himself to more roast potatoes. “Let’s see,” he said. “I had to read up on that period just the other day for my world history class.” He closed his eyes briefly. “ ‘The Ming dynasty ruled China between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries.’ ” He opened his eyes and looked at Trixie. “You’d know that if you would only read your history books.”
    “You only read them because you have to,” Trixie retorted.
    “Maybe yes, and maybe no,” Mart said smugly. “But wait! There’s more.” He closed his eyes once more.
    Bobby looked interested. “Is Mart going to sleep?” he asked.
    “No,” Trixie said in a loud whisper. “He’s only showing off—as usual.”
    Mart ignored her. “ ‘The finest achievement of Chinese ceramics,’ ” he droned, “ ‘is often considered to be the excellent monochromatic porcelain of the Ming period.’ ” He opened his eyes and grinned proudly. “I got that from my history book, too.”
    “I still don’t know what it means,” Trixie said. Peter Belden laughed. “I’m not sure that I do, either,” he said. “But I do know that the insurance company has offered a very large reward for the recovery of the Ming vase.”
    Trixie was quiet for a long time.
    “Dad,” she said at last, “do you think Mr. Crandall stole the vase?”
    Mr. Belden pushed his chair back from the table.
    “I don’t know,” he said slowly. “I really don’t know. Jonathan Crandall always seemed to me to be a fine man—hardworking and honest. I always thought of him, in banking terms, that is, as a good risk. But now—?” He shrugged.
    Trixie was thoughtful as she cleared the table and prepared to wash the dishes. She respected her father’s opinion. Obviously he wasn’t at all sure whether Jonathan Crandall was in fact guilty or innocent.
    If Mr. Crandall was innocent, though, who did steal the Ming vase? And, more important, where was it now?
    Something else was worrying Trixie, too— something she wished she didn’t have to think about. “But I know I’ve got to,” she muttered to herself, “and I’ve got to think about it right now!”
    By the time the dishes were done, she still had not made up her mind what to do about her problem.
    Mart, on the other hand, knew well what to do about his. He stood in the kitchen and stared thoughtfully at Reddy. Reddy stared back and wagged his tail.
    “Now,” Mart said to him firmly, “I need your leash, old boy. I need my book that tells us all about training canines like you. And I need your undivided attention. Good dog, good old boy!” He patted Reddy’s head.
    Reddy looked interested. So did Bobby.
    “Should I go get the book, Mart?” Bobby asked, his eyes shining.
    “Let him go get it himself,” Trixie snapped. “He needs the exercise.”
    “Tut-tut, little sister,” Mart drawled. “Are you
    worried because you think you’re going to lose your bet?”
    So Mart had already sensed that something was worrying her! That was the trouble with having an almost-twin. Often each one knew what the other was thinking.
    Trixie was glad that this time Mart had guessed wrong. “I’m sorry, Mart,” she said. “It’s something else I’ve got on my mind. I’ll go get your book for you. Heaven knows you need all the help you can get. I think Reddy’s got a mischievous look in his eye.”
    She could feel Mart watching her as she left the kitchen. She was glad, though, that she hadn’t told him her problem. He might have thought it was funny.
    She had only just reached the head of the stairs when the phone rang.
    “I’ll get it,” she called and ran along the hall to the extension by the dormer window seat.
    An excited Honey was on the other end of the line. “Trix?” she cried. “Guess what! It’s all set for tomorrow. My parents said Miss Trask could help us, and Mr. Lynch said it was okay with him, too. Isn’t that great? Di called me a few minutes ago. Wow! Is she happy!”
    “I’m glad,” Trixie said quietly, “and I know the boys will be, too. Speaking of the boys, has anyone told Dan what’s been going on?”
    “I told him,” Honey said. “I phoned him first. There’s good news from him, too. He’s got the whole day off tomorrow. He says he doesn’t want to miss out on any more excitement. Isn’t that terrific?”
    “Terrific,” Trixie agreed unenthusiastically. There