The Mystery of the Missing Heiress

her excitement.
    “Now, Trixie, take it easy. Honey, you’re just as excited. Whatever could have happened? Take your time and tell me what this is all about—slowly, please,” her mother said.
    “I... have to... tell... Janie, too,” Trixie gasped. “Where is she?”
    “I’m here, Trixie. What happened?”
    “I’ve just talked on the telephone to your sister, Janie—I mean, you are really Barbara.”
    She looked expectantly at Janie, who only seemed confused.
    “My sister? I don’t understand.”
    “Your sister Beth—Beth Meredith— Oh, Janie, doesn’t the name Barbara, Barbara Crane, mean a thing to you? Or your sister’s name, Beth, Beth Meredith?”
    Janie shook her head slowly and dropped into a chair. “Should it mean something, Trixie? Am I Barbara?”
    “I think you are. Honey and I both think you are, don’t we, Honey?”
    “We do, Janie. We think you are Barbara and your home is in Lakeside, Illinois. Oh, Janie... think! Lakeside... Lakeside...
    Janie shook her head sadly, tears welling up in her eyes. “I don’t understand anything you’re trying to tell me.”
    “Of course she doesn’t, girls. Look, you even have Bobby whimpering. Say what you have to say, slowly and coherently.” Mrs. Belden took Janie’s hand, “Begin at the beginning, Trixie.”
    So Trixie explained in detail to Janie just what had happened at the library and how sure she and Honey were that they had uncovered the secret of Janie’s real name.
    She had hardly finished when the telephone bell shrilled.
    “That will be Mrs. Meredith, Moms—Janie’s sister-calling her. You’d better answer it,” Trixie begged. “She thinks I’m off my rocker.”
    “She’s sitting right here,” Mrs. Belden said after she had talked to Mrs. Meredith and the woman had quieted down. “I’ll let her talk to you now.” Janie talked. But she didn’t remember—not one single thing.
    “I never heard that voice before in all my life,” she said tearfully as she replaced the receiver. “She seemed certain I am her sister. I did like her voice. But I... don’t... remember. She said she would talk to her husband when he came home and they would call me again later. I don’t remember him either.”
    “Don’t worry about it, Janie,” Honey said, and she put her arms around her. “My dad will be home tonight,” Honey went on. “He has his own plane. I know he’ll fly you to Lakeside, and when you actually see your sister Beth, you’ll remember. Don’t you think that’s a good idea, Mrs. Belden?”
    “It will be perfect, if your father will have time to do it. Bobby, will you please take Reddy outside and stop pulling at my arm? I can’t talk to more than one person at a time.”
    “I only wanted to ask if I can... may... go on the plane with Janie and Honey.”
    “I might have known. It’s a wonder you don’t want Reddy to go, too. I’m pretty sure there won’t be room for you, Bobby. We aren’t even sure Mr. Wheeler will be able to make the trip.”
    “I am,” Honey said. “I’m sure Dad will take the time to fly Janie to Lakeside.” Honey’s voice was confident. “I think Bobby may go, too—but not Reddy,” she added quickly.
    “He’s outside, and he didn’t hear you say I c’d go, so that’s all right,” Bobby shouted. “I’m going home with you, Janie. I’m going home with you!”
    “That’s... good... Bobby. I hope it will be... home!” Janie jumped up, tears streaming down her face, and ran to her room.
    “What’s the matter with Janie, Moms?” Bobby asked.
    “She’s upset. She’s nervous. Bobby, there are times when you are decidedly de trop!”
    “What does that mean?” Bobby asked Trixie as she and Honey and her mother followed Janie.
    “I don’t know, but I think it means get lost,” Trixie said, giving Bobby an affectionate pat and a little shove toward the door.

    “Of course, the whole thing has been a deep shock to Janie,” Mrs. Belden told Trixie later. They were back in the kitchen. “She’s gone for a walk. She loves the woods. Now don’t ask me again if I warned her not to go beyond the signs near the edge of the cliff. I always warn her about that. Anyway, she probably won’t go that far.
    “I’m proud of you, Trixie, proud of you and Honey. What a coincidence that you saw that column in the newspaper. I think I’d better talk to Dr. Gregory and tell him what has happened. He may want me to give Janie some instructions about her medication.