The Mystery of the Phantom Grashopper

you all did a great job,” she said.
    “I just hope someone will be able to collect that reward soon,” Trixie said. “Everyone has been watching for anything suspicious, but Hoppy may already be a long way from Sleepyside.”
    “Maybe your announcement on the radio will help to track him down,” Mrs. Belden said.
    “That reminds me,” Trixie spoke up. “What’s the name of this tune, Moms?” She whistled the tune that Sammy had been whistling in front of Town Hall.
    “You must have picked that up at WSTH,” Mrs. Belden said, shaking her head. “They’ve been playing it all day. It’s ’St. Louis Blues.’ ”

Trixie Finds a Clue • 12

    RIDING THE BUS to school the following morning, Trixie told the others about Bobby’s accident.
    Mart nodded. “He has a fuliginous oculus,” he said with a smirk.
    Di gasped. “That sounds terrible!”
    Brian smiled. “I think Mart’s talking about a black eye,” he said.
    Honey looked relieved. “Bobby was lucky. Being thrown from a horse, even a pony, can sometimes be serious.”
    “Moms is taking him to the doctor this morning for a checkup,” Trixie told her.
    “Speaking of mothers,” Honey said, “my mother s birthday is this week. I’m going to go shopping for her gift after school. Do you and Di want to come with me?” she asked Trixie.
    “Sure,” Trixie agreed at once.
    Di shook her head. “I can’t. I have a piano lesson this afternoon.”
    “That beats chopping firewood,” Dan said with a grin. “I’ll be busy after school for weeks.”
    The bus pulled into the parking lot, and the young people gathered their books and headed for their homerooms.
    Before the bell rang, Trixie opened her notebook to look one last time at her social studies report. “Gleeps!” she yelped. “I forgot my report!”
    “Oh, no,” Honey said. “Are you sure?”
    Trixie searched through an untidy collection of classroom notes. “It’s not here,” she said with a doleful sigh.
    “Miss Craven doesn’t like late reports,” Honey cautioned.
    “Quoth the Craven, ’Nevermore!’ ” Mart chimed in quickly.
    Trixie glared at Mart, then tinned back to Honey. “You’re right, Honey,” she moaned. “I’ll call Moms and ask her to drop my paper off at lunchtime. She’ll be in town with Bobby.”
    Trixie hurried to the pay phone at the end of the hall and called her mother.
    “You’re just lucky I was going to be in town,” her mother scolded gently. “Don’t worry, though. Bobby and I will drop your paper off at lunchtime.”
    “Thanks, Moms!” Trixie said. “See you then.” She hung up and sighed with relief.
    Morning classes passed quickly, and before Trixie knew it, it was time for lunch. Trixie chatted with the other Bob-Whites and munched on her chicken sandwich until she saw Bobby’s curly head poking around the lunchroom doorway.
    “Over here, Bobby,” Trixie called, waving to her little brother.
    “Hi, everybody!” Bobby said after racing across the room ahead of his mother. ’Trixie, I’m not broken anyplace—and I found something new for my coin collection! Look at this!”
    Bobby held out a blackened coin. “I found it when I wasn’t even lookin’,” he said, “and Moms says that makes it a good-luck piece!”
    Brian took the coin and examined it. “This is an old silver dollar,” he said, surprised. “Where did he find this, Moms?”
    “On the common,” Mrs. Belden answered, handing Trixie her social studies report. “We were crossing the green to the parking lot after leaving the doctor’s office.”
    Jim took the coin and rubbed it with his fingers. “I can’t make out the date,” he said, “but this coin looks pretty old to me.”
    Trixie jumped up, excited. “Let’s go show it to Miss Lawler!” she suggested. “She knows all about coins.” Mrs. Belden glanced at her watch. “Do you have time, Trixie?” she asked.
    “Sure,” Trixie said, already crossing the room with Bobby beside her. “We’ve got ten minutes before the bell. And besides, I want you to meet Miss Lawler. You’ll like her.”
    Holding Bobby’s hand, Trixie led the way to the social studies classroom.
    Miss Lawler was sitting alone at her desk, reading as she ate her lunch. The classroom door was open, and Trixie called, “Are you busy, Miss Lawler? I’d like to introduce you to my mother and my brother Bobby.”
    “Come in, Trixie.” With a friendly smile, the teacher’s aide stood to shake hands. “Mrs.