”Not so fast,” said Sergeant Molinson, coming back to join the group. ”It looks like you’re going to be a very rich man, Mr. Bunker.”
”Eh?”
The burly officer waved toward his car, its red light still flashing. ”That was a call from the station. Several state policemen have picked up a Thea Van Loon and two male companions. They were found driving a stolen car just outside of Poughkeepsie. In the backseat were several sacks of what’s already been identified as Etruscan gold jewelry at least two thousand years old. If Lawrence Krull’s will holds up in court, well, you can take a rest from fishing!”
In her excitement, Trixie jumped up and down. ”Imagine—all that treasure, practically in our backyard!” she squealed. Then she remembered another backyard—that of the retired couple in Poughkeepsie—and she realized why Thea had been heading for that particular town. Before she could say anything, she noticed the
look of consternation on Bunker’s face.
”But fishing’s my life,” Bunker was saying slowly. ”And that gold’s going to bring a lot of changes. I don’t know how this’ll sound, but I’m pretty well satisfied with my life now....”
Trixie was hit with a sudden brainstorm. ”Why don’t you donate half of the money you get to the Sleepyside Conservation Committee?” she suggested brashly.
The others gazed open-mouthed at her boldness, but Bunker looked thoughtful.
”That committee you were telling me about?” he asked. ”That doesn’t sound like a bad idea. That way, well, my money would continue to do good for this river long after this particular river-lover is gone. Yes, little lady, I think that’s just what I’m going to do!”
Brian looked overjoyed. ”The money for the floating lab!” he breathed.
Trixie clapped her hands. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Mart mouthing ”little lady” to himself, a devilish gleam in his eye.
”Jeepers, Sergeant,” she said hastily, ”I’ve heard so much about what a busy night Halloween is for you!” She smiled sweetly. ”So why don’t Honey, Bunker, and I come down to the police station tomorrow and then fill you in on the rest of the story?”
”Tomorrow it is,” the sergeant said gruffly. ”Well, now that that’s all taken care of,” Brian said briskly, ”I would recommend that we get these two girls home before they catch pneumonia! How they escaped from that car I’ll never know, but they surely need to get some rest.”
”We just followed your instructions,” Trixie told him. Then she gave him a hug and exclaimed, ”Oh, Brian, if you don’t sound exactly like a doctor!”
”And you,” he replied, ”sound just like a—”
”Don’t say it,” warned Mart. ”We’re in mixed company, remember?”
Brian stared quizzically. ”All I was going to say was ’Trixie Belden.’ ”
Trixie and Honey took one look at each other and shouted in one voice, ”That’s Whixie Helden!”
A WORD TO OUR READERS
Although it is true that apple seeds do contain the poison cyanide, you needn’t worry about getting poisoned from eating apples. First, the poison is only in the seeds, not in the fruit. Second, the seeds must be chewed in order for the poison to be released, and the seeds have a highly unpleasant taste. (Whole seeds pass readily through the digestive system without harm.) Lastly, the amount of cyanide in one apple seed is very tiny. You would have to chew many, many seeds before noticing any ill effects.
It is also true that many common plants and the pits of other fruits are poisonous, some much more so than apple seeds. A wise rule is never to eat something you are not absolutely sure is safe.
A Strange Presence • 1
Disturbed Dreams ● 2
Brian in Trouble ● 3
A Shocking Confession ● 4
Brian’s Surprise Party • 5
Still More Surprises • 6
Trapped! ● 7
”Honey, Help!” ● 8
A Serious Mistake 9
Sharks Again! • 10
More Laughter at Trixie’s Expense • 11
Unexpected Clues • 12
A Recurring Nightmare ● 13
Growing Suspicions • 14
Halloween Terror ● 15
Danger on the Hudson ● 16
River Reward • 17
A WORD TO OUR READERS
Table of Contents
A Strange Presence • 1
Disturbed Dreams ● 2
Brian in Trouble ● 3
A Shocking Confession ● 4
Brian’s Surprise Party • 5
Still More Surprises • 6
Trapped! ● 7
”Honey, Help!” ● 8
A Serious Mistake 9
Sharks Again! • 10
More Laughter at Trixie’s Expense • 11
Unexpected Clues • 12
A Recurring Nightmare ● 13
Growing Suspicions • 14
Halloween Terror ● 15
Danger on the Hudson ● 16
River Reward • 17
A WORD TO OUR READERS
The Hudson River Mystery Page 13
