The Mystery of the Velvet Gown

complete mystery to her. How about this for your next case, Sherlock: ‘The Puzzling Predicament of Paraffined Paper’?”
    “Mart, how does waxed paper get into a predicament?” Trixie asked, still laughing as Di got into the car.
    “Sorry I’m late,” Di apologized, “but I forgot my script, and I had to run back and get it.“
    “How are rehearsals going?” Brian asked.
    Di groaned. “Only five weeks left, and there’s still so much to do! I’m never quite sure if I’m supposed to enter stage left and exit stage right—or versa vice—from one scene to the next.”
    “I can understand why,” Jim chuckled, “especially since it’s vice versa."
    “See?” Di wailed. “That’s another problem. I keep getting my words mixed up.”
    “Don’t worry,” Honey reassured her. “I’ve been watching you, and you’re doing fine. In another few weeks, you’ll be ready for Broadway—or Hollywood.”
    “No, thanks!” Di cried. “I’ll settle for just being ready for the stage at Sleepyside High.” Brian had maneuvered the car out of the parking lot and was headed toward the veterinarian’s office. “I can hardly wait to see Bobby’s face when we bring Reddy home,” he said.
    “We’ve all been anxious to get him back,” Trixie added. “I’ve missed that crazy dog.” Honey, who was sitting next to Trixie, nudged her gently in the side. She was dying to know what Trixie had found out from Bill Morgan about the pictures. Trixie gave Honey an I-can’t-wait-to-talk-to-you-either look as Brian pulled into Dr. Samet’s driveway.
    Brian, Trixie, and Mart got out of the car. The old veterinarian met them at the doorway. “Come in, come in,” he said, “I have one very anxious Irish setter here who will be very glad to see you three.”
    Dr. Samet was right. As the Belden trio entered the room, Reddy gave a happy bark, and as fast as he could with the cast still on his front leg, he hobbled over and gave them each a slurpy kiss as they bent down to hug him.
    “Old Reddy certainly has a mind of his own,” Dr. Samet chuckled as he gave the Irish setter a playful rub on the neck.
    “That is the understatement of the year,” Mart said. “He’s totally untrainable for anything, I’m afraid.”
    “A true free spirit,” Dr. Samet agreed.
    “Well, I think he behaves terribly!” a voice from the other side of the room interjected.
    “Jane!” the veterinarian exclaimed.
    Trixie, Brian, and Mart turned to meet Jane’s cool gaze.
    “Well, he does,” she went on, “and I think it’s disgraceful when people don’t train their pets properly.”
    Trixie felt the heat of outrage as her cheeks flushed a bright scarlet. She wanted to say something, but the anger seemed to bottle up her words, and she could only stare at Jane in shocked disbelief.
    “He is well fed and well treated, Jane,” Dr. Samet said firmly. “It is not necessary to train a dog to sit and retrieve. It is only necessary to love him, and Reddy certainly gets plenty of affection. You owe the Beldens an apology; there was no need for such rudeness.”
    It was Jane’s turn to feel uncomfortable, and she glanced guiltily at her uncle. “Sorry, Uncle David. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh, and... and I’m sorry I was rude,” she added quickly to the three Beldens. Then she turned and left the room.
    Dr. Samet turned to face the trio, a deep furrow creasing his brow. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her lately,” he apologized. “She’s usually so good with the animals—and with their owners. She’s been talking about going to vet school—Jane’s very good in math and science—” He rambled on for several more minutes, obviously troubled by his niece’s outburst. “I’m sorry. I’m keeping you,” he said finally, “and I apologize again for Jane’s behavior.“
    “That’s okay.” Trixie shrugged, although she was still seething. “Actually, when you said ‘math and science,’ it reminded me that I have an algebra quiz on Monday morning, and I forgot my book.”
    “As you can see,” Mart volunteered, “Reddy isn’t the only irresponsible member of the Belden household.”
    “Well, we’d better swing by school and pick up your book,” Brian sighed. He thanked Dr. Samet for all his help, then gently picked Reddy up in his arms.
    Trixie and Mart added their thanks as they helped Brian get Reddy out the door and down the front steps.
    “What took so long?” Jim asked as they all