The Mystery of the Velvet Gown

those eyes, and let’s eat, or you’ll be too weak from hunger to go back to rehearsal.”
    Brian and Mart were already seated at a table and were half-finished with their sandwiches by the time Honey, Di, Trixie, and Jim joined them.
    “What detained thee, thespian friends and sibling?” Mart asked blithely.
    “The costumes from England arrived,” Honey answered, “and we all stayed to see them. There are some beautiful gowns that Di will get to wear.”
    “They are lovely, aren’t they?” Di said, brightening a little.
    It was Trixie’s turn to be quiet. She silently munched her sandwich as her friends chattered on about the play and costumes.
    “Uh-oh,” Mart said. “I get the feeling that this is the lull before the storm. What’s brewing in that cranial cauldron, Trix?”
    “I’m just thinking instead of gabbing, for once,” she answered flippantly, getting up and quickly gathering her books. “And I’ve got to run. Miss Darcy wants to see me before rehearsal.” She left the lunchroom abruptly.
    Mart whistled softly. “What’s with Trixie? That’s the quietest I’ve seen her since birth. She’s not onto some mystery, is she?” he asked Honey.
    “No,” Honey laughed, “not that I know of, anyway.”
    “You’d be the first to hear if she was,” Brian said, “so I guess we can all rest easy for a while.”

    Trixie knocked softly on Miss Darcy’s office door, but there was no answer. She must have gone out to eat, Trixie thought. The door was slightly ajar, so she let herself in.
    Trixie looked around the small office. Many interesting posters advertising London and Broadway plays hung on the walls. One, for a London production of Romeo and Juliet, depicted Juliet standing on a balcony wearing a dress very similar to the velvet gown sent from England. Trixie wondered if Miss Darcy’s friend had designed that one, too.
    She sat down to wait for the drama teacher. She picked up a catalog that she found on a small table next to the chair. Honey and Di would love to see these costumes , Trixie thought, flipping through the catalog, which was entitled The Shakespearean Costume Guide.
    Suddenly the door flew open, and in walked Peter Ashbury. Trixie jumped at the sudden intrusion, nearly dropping the catalog she’d been looking at. A deep scowl creased Ashbury’s forehead.
    “Now what are you doing?” he growled. “Snooping around, I suppose.” He snatched the catalog from her hands. “Someone should teach you some manners!”
    Trixie, momentarily flustered, stumbled through an apology. “I— Miss Darcy wanted to see me. I was just waiting for her. The door was open.”
    “She’ll be here in a minute,” he said sullenly.
    Trixie, completely puzzled by his outburst, was now suddenly angry. “I don’t know why you’re shouting at me,” she said indignantly. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
    Just then Eileen Darcy came into the room. “What’s going on here?” she demanded. “I could hear you all the way down the hall.” Ashbury answered before Trixie could say a word. “I came in here and caught her,” he said, pointing an accusing finger, “going through your things.”
    “Trixie!” Miss Darcy exclaimed.
    “I was just looking through the costume catalog that was set out on your table,” Trixie explained. Her anger was gone, but she was more puzzled than ever. “The door was open. You told me you wanted to see me, Miss Darcy. I was just waiting for you.”
    “That’s true. I did ask you to stop in before rehearsal, didn’t I?” Eileen Darcy ran her fingers through her hair distractedly. Then she said, “Oh! Yes. I spoke to Dr. Samet this morning. He assured me that Reddy would be fine and that he’ll be able to go home tomorrow. It seems that when your mother and Bobby visited him yesterday, your mother paid the veterinarian’s bill. I do want to reimburse her, so would you please give her this check?” she asked, handing Trixie an envelope. “And please tell your family, especially Bobby, how sorry I am.”
    “Of course,” Trixie answered, accepting the envelope.
    “I’ll see you at rehearsal in a few minutes,” Miss Darcy added. As Trixie left, she glanced back and saw the drama teacher give Peter Ashbury a cool look.
    There’s something very strange going on here , Trixie thought as she closed the office door behind her. She was about to start walking toward the auditorium, when she heard Peter Ashbury and Eileen Darcy’s voices rise in