The Mystery on Cobbett's Island

all.”
    “That’s all!” shrieked Mart. “That’s the biggest news since Edison discovered the telephone.”
    “Or since Alexander Graham Bell invented radium,” teased Brian.
    “Well, I guess our princess wants to look her best at Cobbett’s Island,” said Mr. Belden with a smile. “I just hope she gets a blue suit. It’s my favorite color.”

Foul Weather ● 2

    THE DAY BEFORE they were to leave dawned clear and bright, and Trixie could hardly wait until after breakfast to phone Honey to get the latest plans for the trip.
    “We’re leaving early tomorrow morning,” Honey said, “because it’ll take at least three hours to get down there, and we don’t want to waste any time. After all, we only have ten days.”
    “Jeepers, Honey, that’s three days more than a week, and you know how much can happen in seven days! Remember our trip to Iowa?”
    “I’ll never forget that week,” answered Honey. “But don’t be disappointed if we don’t find any mysteries this time to ‘challenge our intuitive powers,’ as Mart would say. Dad says Cobbett’s Island is a very quiet place and hasn’t had any real excitement for years and years. No mysteries there.”
    “Well, honestly, Honey, after the way I’ve been working in school this year, I’ll be glad just to lie on the beach and relax.” Trixie sighed.
    “That’ll really be the day, when you relax! Are you sure you can get ready by tomorrow?” Honey asked.
    “I’m sure I can if I hurry,” answered Trixie. “All I have to pack are my jeans and shirts and pj’s and stuff like that, or should I bring a dress, too?”
    “You just might need one,” Honey replied. “I told Di to bring that pretty lavender one that brings out the purple in her eyes.”
    Diana had always been considered the prettiest girl in her class, with long, dark hair and large eyes that were sometimes deep blue and sometimes almost purple. She had joined the Bob-Whites a short time before Dan. Although she was somewhat quieter than Trixie and Honey, she had fitted easily into the club. She had twin brothers and twin sisters, but since they were much younger, she had welcomed a chance to be with a group her own age.
    “I guess I’ll bring that flowered print,” said Trixie. “It’ll pack easily. Now I’ve got to run. Moms is taking me to White Plains to get a new bathing suit. That old thing I had last summer looks like a rag.”
    “What? You are going shopping? Why, Trixie Belden, what’s happened?” Honey fairly squealed with amazement.
    Oh, nothing much, except I figure if we’re going to the shore, I’d better not turn up looking like a beachcomber.”
    “Well, I never thought I’d live to see the day when you cared what you had on, but if you’re really serious, try that new store on Main Street. I’ve heard that it’s fabulous. We’ll pick you up at seven-thirty. Miss Trask is driving us down in the station wagon. Tom and Celia are leaving today, with the cook, to get everything ready. Call me when you get home from White Plains, Trix.”
    Miss Trask had originally come to the Wheelers as a governess. She was a good-looking, middle-aged woman with crisp gray hair, and her blue eyes were usually smiling. She had been a teacher in a private school Honey had attended, and when the Wheelers decided to buy the Manor House so Honey could live in the country, Miss Trask had been asked to come to live with them. Later, after Honey had persuaded her parents to let her go to public school, Miss Trask, whom everyone adored, stayed on to manage the estate during Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler’s frequent absences.
    When she first met Honey, Trixie had been quite awed by the large staff of Wheeler servants, but she now accepted them as a natural part of Honey’s way of life. Tom Delanoy, a handsome young man, was the chauffeur, and he was always ready to give the Bob-Whites a hand when they needed him. Celia, the maid, a pretty, cheerful young woman, had married Tom a few months before, and they had moved into the Robin , a luxurious red trailer that had once belonged to Mr. Lynch, Diana’s father. They, with the cook, Regan, assorted housemaids, and Mr. Maypenny, made up the staff.

    In White Plains, Trixie and her mother were both delighted when they found a lovely powder blue bathing suit in the store Honey had mentioned. It was very flattering to Trixie, and the cut was perfect for her young figure. “Not bad, is it?” she said as she slowly turned around in