The Mystery on the Mississippi

reported, he was frantic. The driver of the car, sent on from Cairo to Memphis, had failed to make contact. Mr. Wheeler had telephoned authorities in Cairo, who told him of the Bob-Whites’ departure by water. No one could tell him a thing about the boat they had used or the man who owned it. Mr. Brandio, summoned by Mr. Wheeler, had been trying to reach federal authorities for word of the young people when Jim’s call came through.
    “I’ve never known my dad to be so upset over anything,” Jim said. “I guess we’re really in trouble because we didn’t tell him anything about this business before now.”
    Trixie’s face fell. “I wouldn’t have caused him any worry for the whole world,” she said. “I was going to tell him everything just as soon as we saw him. I didn’t have any idea we’d be held here. I was just so glad to get off the Comet that I didn’t think of anything else. Honey, you know I wouldn’t have worried your father if it could have been helped, don’t you?”
    “We all know that,” Honey said, turning indignantly to Jim. “If you’ll remember back a little way, Jim, you’ll quickly realize that everything significant that has happened to us has happened since we embarked on the Catfish Princess. You’ll remember, too, that we tried to get hold of Dad on the telephone at Cairo, and we found out someone—Lontard, we’re certain—said we were going on to Memphis. I can’t see where Trixie is to blame. In fact, I don’t see any good reason why we have to be held here for questioning.”
    “It’s routine,” Dan told her. “The whole thing will clear up as soon as Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Brandio get here. What I can’t understand is how the federal agents knew you had the papers in your purse.”
    “I can,” Mart said quickly. “At least, I have an idea. That sneaky clerk at the motel in Cairo was hanging around listening to us talk, and he was looking right over Trixie’s shoulder when she took the papers out of her purse back there in the lobby. Don’t you remember, Trix, that Honey and Dan warned you to keep your voice down and close your purse?”
    “I do remember now,” Trixie replied. “I suppose the clerk thought we were all working together— Lontard, Bob, and all of us Bob-Whites. Heavens!
    Maybe the investigators don’t even know that Bob is mixed up with Lontard... or that we think he is. Oh, dear, maybe they don’t even know anything about Lontard! I wish your father and Mr. Brandio would hurry!”

Early-Morning Swim • 9

    ITWAS THIRTY or forty minutes longer before Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Brandio entered the small room where the Bob-Whites were waiting. A government agent was with the two men. He was smiling. Trixie, watching, relaxed a little. Then, as she looked at Mr. Wheeler’s serious face, her own sobered again.
    “We’ve talked the matter over,” the federal investigator said. “We’ve checked your stories with these gentlemen. Much is involved. Many people, too, including the skipper of the boat that brought you all here.”
    Then they do know that Bob may be mixed up with Lontard , Trixie thought, and she listened carefully to what the agent went on to say.
    “Mr. Brandio explained how you were drawn into the case. We will want to talk to you further, perhaps several times. Young lady,” he turned to Trixie, “it would be just as well if you worked with us in the future. Mr. Wheeler has explained your uncanny ability to hunt out infractions of the law. It’s not a good business for two young girls.”
    Trixie straightened her back and tried to speak. The investigator held up his hand. “I know, Trixie, that you and Honey have done some wonderful work as amateur detectives. This thing you’re mixed up in now is pretty far over your heads. Why not let us take care of it from now on?”
    “Trixie and I never hunt out cases,” Honey protested loyally. “And we are going to have our own agency someday.”
    “Good! We can use all the talent we can get in this business. I didn’t get into it myself till I finished college and law school. I guess I was about twenty-four years old when I got my first job in intelligence work. That gives you quite a few years to go, doesn’t it?”
    “Then, you think that if Honey and I see something that looks really suspicious, we should wait around till the police notice it?”
    “Of course not! In our complicated society today, with all the projects that are under way—secret projects,