The Mystery of the Velvet Gown

we’d better hurry. The bank is open only for another half hour.” He backed out of the room, using Miss Darcy as a shield. “If any of you should decide to call the police anytime within the next two hours, I’m afraid Mr. Darcy won’t be found in very good health. I’ll okay his release when I’m safely out of the country, but not a second before.”
    “Wait!” Trixie cried, stalling for time, hoping that her brothers and Jim would arrive soon with the police. “Why don’t you take me along, too? Who’s going to be your hostage while Miss Darcy’s in the bank?”
    “No, Trixie!” Eileen Darcy cried.
    “Not a bad idea, kid,” Ashbury said. “A little extra insurance never hurt. Come on, then. Let’s go. Remember,” he called back to Honey, Jane, and Miss Trask. “Two hours.”
    Trixie felt a strange calmness settle over her as she walked through the kitchen with Miss Darcy beside her and Peter Ashbury behind her. I wonder why Fm not frightened ? she thought curiously.
    As she stepped out the back door into the frosty winter dusk, Trixie caught the flicker of a shadow at the corner of the house. “Run!” she hissed to Miss Darcy, and they took off through the snow. Immediately Brian, Mart, Jim, and Regan closed in on Ashbury. They quickly overpowered him, and Regan knocked the gun from Ashbury’s hand.
    “Okay, boys, hold him tight until the nice policemen get here.” Regan smirked as he picked up the revolver.
    Just then they heard the welcome wail of a siren.
    “Right on cue,” Mart said.
    Trixie felt as if her whole body had been reduced to a jellied mass. “I have never been so happy to see all of you in my life!” she cried.
    Miss Trask, Honey, and Jane appeared at the back door. “Thank goodness you’re all safe!” Miss Trask sighed.
    Peter Ashbury stood silent, glowering at all of them as two police cars pulled up into the driveway.
    Sergeant Molinson stepped out of the lead car. “I should have known.” He shook his head. “Another Belden case.”
    “But, Sergeant Molinson—” Trixie began. Accustomed to his scolding about her sleuthing adventures, she was always quick to defend herself and her methods.
    “First, the prisoner,” Molinson interrupted, stopping her with a don’t-push-me-too-far look. Trixie nodded as the sergeant snapped a pair of handcuffs on Ashbury and informed him of his rights.
    “Now,” the policeman continued, turning to Miss Darcy, “I presume you are Eileen Darcy.” The young drama teacher nodded. “You’ll be happy to know that your father is alive and well. About half an hour ago, we received a call from the British Embassy. Apparently, Scotland Yard has been working on a case involving a ring of jewel smugglers. They finally broke the ring this afternoon and arrested two suspects—friends of Ashbury’s, here. Finding your father was a bonus. Ashbury’s partners obligingly informed the detectives of Mr. Darcy’s whereabouts. We were asked to contact you. Your father is in a London hospital for a few days’ rest. We have information about where you may reach him.”
    “Thank God,” Miss Darcy sobbed. Miss Trask stepped forward quietly and put her arms around the young woman.
    “Now, Trixie.” Molinson turned a stern eye on her. “With all this international espionage, how did you get involved? I’m not quite sure I want to know, but some kind of morbid curiosity compels me to ask.”
    “It’s a little chilly out here,” Miss Trask broke in smoothly. “Why don’t we all go inside and have a cup of coffee? I still feel a little weak-kneed from this whole experience.. We can listen to Trixie’s story inside.”
    “Good idea,” Molinson said. “You go in. There are some officers coming up from New York City, and they should be here soon. We contacted them, and they offered to come right out and pick up Ashbury. They’re very interested in what he has to say.”
    The rest of the group filed into the Wheelers’ living room. Miss Darcy sat down and sighed deeply. “I don’t even know where to begin!” she said softly. “I’m so happy that my father is safe, and Trixie, I don’t know how to begin to thank you.”
    “Well, I know where Trixie can begin,” Sergeant Molinson said as he entered the room and took a seat. “She can begin her story at the beginning.”
    Trixie told them the whole story, with additions from Honey and Jane about the evening’s encounter with Ashbury.
    “Trixie was wonderful!” Jane said