The Mystery on the Mississippi

think there’s someone up there, does it? Well, let me tell you this. That old steamboat’s been there for almost a hundred years, I guess. A body can hear more creakin’ an’ groanin’ in it than you’d hear in a graveyard. What if you did find a key? I’ve got a collection of junk at home I’ve picked up that people dropped or threw away here, there, an’ everywhere. I’m goin’ to fish. You boys go right ahead an’ do as you please. If I was you, I’d drop the key in the bushes on your way to the highway. Course, if you want to spend the price of a stamp, you can mail it back to the motel. I wouldn’t bother. Now, go on outa here. I don’t want any noise disturbin’ my fishin’.
    I don’t think the ghosts up there in the pilothouse are goin’ to bother me any.”
    Hopelessly Trixie heard the boys obey the man’s command to run on. The sound of their feet splashing through the swamp grew fainter and fainter, then disappeared.
    For a while she heard the man’s movements as he cast for bass and reeled in. He sang a folk song of the Mississippi River to himself, in a low, coarse voice. Time went on, and eventually he gathered up his catch and sloshed off down the river’s edge.
    Trixie bumped her body over close to Honey again. She couldn’t bear to look into her friend’s eyes. There was nothing left to do but wait... wait... wait.
    The morning sun now shone brightly through the pilothouse windows. Trixie’s dry throat longed for a sip of water. Her aching body protested against the strain she had put on it by bumping across the floor... a long, futile journey.
    It could not be long now till Lontard and his accomplices would return.
    Numbly, Trixie and Honey waited, unwanted tears running down their cheeks. There was nothing else they could do.

Bob-White! ● 17

    DESPONDENTLY TRIXIE thought, Why in the world did I ever get my hopes up over that key? The only thing that would help us would be for the boys to take it to the police. I'm sure they never even thought of that. Dave and Mike didn’t even tell that man who was fishing that the door to the pilothouse is locked. If they had , he might have investigated. He’ll be just as sorry as the boys when he finds out he could have saved our lives.
    As Trixie was thinking, she became aware that Honey was trying to attract her attention. She raised her head and saw Honey motion with her eyes toward the shore. The sound of mumbling voices came to her. A coarse laugh. A woman’s voice. Someone swore. Lontard was coming back!
    Trixie looked hopelessly into Honey’s eyes. It may be the last time I’ll ever see her, she thought. It just may be the last time I’ll ever see anyone I love ....
    Mrs. Aguilera was speaking. “You’re making a big mistake if you plan to hurt those girls now.”
    Her husband answered, “They’ve gotta be bumped off. There’s no other way. We’re in so deep now that we’ve gotta get rid of them. Don’t you agree, Frenchy?”
    “Keep your mouths shut. I’m the boss of what’s going on, and don’t you forget it. When I want any opinions, I’ll ask for them. Maybe the kids are goners by now. That’d solve some of our problems. Maybe not. I had another plan in mind.”
    “Like what?” Juan Aguilera asked.
    “Like I’ll tell you when I get good and ready. Get out of my way. I’ll soon know what I’ve got to do. Let me up those stairs!”
    Heavy feet mounted the steps... nearer... nearer... nearer. Then Lontard strode across the space between steps and pilothouse and inserted the key in the lock. Trixie heard a rusty creak as the door yielded. It opened, and Lontard’s bulk filled it. The strong morning light shone full on his sneering, wicked face. He grinned maliciously.
    “Alive, are you?” He walked across the room and turned the girls over with a prodding foot. “Did you have a pleasant time last night? Did you enjoy a visit from the water rats? They’re nice little companions. Aren’t you glad to see me?”
    Honey hadn’t moved since Lontard’s heavy foot had touched her. She’s fainted now, I know, Trixie thought, terror filling her. Now I’m all alone. Maybe . Honey is dead. What is that man saying?
    “Go ahead, Juan, take the gags off!” Lontard ordered. “It surprises you, does it, Elena? You did not know I could be so compassionate? Well, then, do this, too: Give them a drink of water. Quickly!”
    Mrs. Aguilera filled a glass from a pitcher on the table. She held it to Trixie’s