The Mystery of the Velvet Gown

and down right, and up center and down center, and up left and down left.
    Di leaned over and whispered to Honey. “This all seems so confusing. Not only do I have to memorize all those lines, but now I’ve got to remember where I’m supposed to say them from!”
    “Do you have a question, Miss Lynch?” Eileen Darcy snapped. “If you do, I wish you’d direct it to me. An actress must know all these things.”
    Di blushed a bright red and apologized. Jane Morgan giggled from a seat somewhere behind Di. Trixie, sitting next to Honey on the other side, turned and glared at Jane.
    I’d better keep an eye on her , Trixie thought as she and Honey exchanged knowing looks.
    Miss Darcy’s mood changed suddenly. She rubbed her forehead nervously. “I—I’m sorry,” she began. “I’m a little on edge today. I know this must all look very confusing to you, but it will become much clearer once we start the rehearsals.
    “All right,” she said briskly. “Costume crew over there.” She motioned to her left. “Stagehands next to them, and lighting crew over there.” Students quickly gathered in their assigned places. “All actors and actresses remain— ” Miss Darcy broke off suddenly, then finished her sentence absentmindedly, “— seated.” She paused. “Excuse me, class, I’ll be right back.” She walked quickly to the back of the auditorium, where Peter Ashbury, her fiancé, was standing.
    Trixie poked Honey in the ribs. “There’s ‘dreamboat,’ ” she whispered. “I wonder what he’s doing here during school hours.”
    “Maybe he came to take Miss Darcy to lunch,” Honey suggested.
    “She certainly seems nervous this morning,” Trixie mused, “but it’s perfectly understandable. She must be terribly worried about her father.” Honey giggled. “What’s so funny about that?” Trixie asked.
    “That’s not funny,” Honey answered. “It was your ‘perfectly understandable’ that made me laugh. Everything has to be at least ‘understandable’ with you, if not ‘perfectly understandable.’ ” Trixie giggled, too. “I guess you’re right, Honey. But you know that detectives have to think like that all the time, not just when they’re working on a case!”
    Suddenly Jane Morgan interrupted the whispered conversation.
    “I heard Miss Darcy spent last night at your house, Honey,” Jane said, a stiff smile fixed on her face. “You’re getting pretty chummy with a teacher, inviting her over for a slumber party.” She sniffed. *
    “Miss Darcy came to visit Miss Trask, not Honey,” Trixie answered sharply.
    “Oh, yes, her governess. Well, not everyone has a governess that happens to be friends with one of the teachers,” Jane observed, with a snide smile.
    “It just so happens that—” Trixie began.
    “I know the whole story, Trixie Belden,” Jane interjected, all pretense of a smile gone. “You know, you and your gang aren’t the only ones who are privileged with certain information.” Honey spoke before Trixie could respond again. “That’s true, Jane,” she answered sweetly and then quickly turned away from the girl.
    “She’s just jealous,” Honey said under her breath to Trixie. “Don’t let it get you so upset. I do wonder how she knew about last night, though.”
    Trixie’s face was red with anger. “I forgot to tell you,” she said. “Jane is Dr. Samet’s niece. She helps him with the animals. She probably went to help him before school this morning, and he must have told her what happened last night. She makes me so mad!”
    “I know,” Honey said, “but you’ve got to try to ignore her.”
    The class was beginning to get restless as Miss Darcy returned from talking with her fiancé.
    Trixie turned and saw him waiting at the back v of the auditorium.
    “We only have a couple of minutes left before the bell,” Miss Darcy said loudly. “I want you all to come back here right after lunch, and we’ll discuss your assignments for tomorrow.” Then Miss Darcy dismissed the class.
    As students filed out of the auditorium, Honey, Trixie, and Di passed very near Peter Ashbury. They’d gone only a short distance down the hallway when Honey suddenly stopped.
    “What’s wrong, Honey?” Trixie asked.
    “I think I’ve seen that man somewhere before,” she mused aloud.
    “Of course you have, Honey,” Trixie said, puzzled. “You’ve seen him pick Miss Darcy up after school lots of times!”
    “I know, but I’ve seen him somewhere else,