Disclaimer: I do not own Trixie or the Bob-Whites. No profit is being made from their use.

Chapter Eleven

Trixie was tired when she arrived home, tired and excited. She came bouncing noisily into the kitchen where Mrs. Belden was preparing dinner. At her daughter's boisterous entrance, she cocked her head and gave her an expectant look.

"Goodness, Trixie," her mother said, "if you were anymore excited you'd be jumping from the ceiling."

"Oh, Moms," she cried, "you'll never believe it."

"I'm sure you'll tell me," Mrs. Belden smiled, accustomed to Trixie's outbursts. "Wash up while you talk, then you can set the table."

Trixie began washing her hands at the sink. "It's the most amazing thing. Even Mrs. Vanderpoel couldn't believe it."

Mrs. Belden handed Trixie a towel and said, "Believe what, Trixie?"

"We found the cross," she exclaimed, "but it wasn't at Mrs. Vanderpoel's. It was at Brom's house, on account of it being the first Vanderpoel home."

Mr. Belden and her brothers came into the kitchen at that point and Trixie had to explain everything again. "You should see it. It's so beautiful. It must be worth a fortune."

"I'm not sure it's such a good idea for her to keep it," Mr. Belden frowned.

"No one knows about it, Daddy," Trixie said, "except for us, and we're not going to tell anyone."

"Can I see it?" Bobby asked eagerly.

Trixie frowned at him. She had forgotten how difficult it was for her little brother to keep a secret.

"If you can go all week without telling anyone," she bargained, "I'll take you there on Friday, unless someone from the museum comes for it sooner."

"The museum?" Mr. Belden inquired.

"Oh, yes," Trixie told him, "Mrs. Vanderpoel doesn't want to keep or sell it. She insists on donating it to the Dutch museum."

"I suppose she'll be okay for a few days," her father agreed. "However, I do agree that it would be best to not mention this while the cross is at Mrs. Vanderpoel's."

"I'm with Bobby," Mart grinned. "I can't wait to see it. Was it true about the dagger?"

"Yes," Trixie said eagerly, knowing that Mart was intrigued just as much as she was. "I opened it and it slid out."

"A dagger," Mrs. Belden frowned.

"You remember, Moms," Trixie explained, "Juliana said Princess Marianne used it for protection."

Mrs. Belden shuddered. "I'm not sure I like the thoughts of you discovering a dagger."

"And one that is rumored to have actually been used in a murder," Mart grinned evilly while running his index finger across his throat.

"Mart, I think that's enough of that," Mr. Belden frowned.

"Moms, would it be alright if I called Juliana," Trixie asked, "and Jim, too?"

"And Jim, too," Mart mimicked, teasing her. "What about the other Bob-Whites? Don't you want to call them, too?"

Trixie flushed under her brother's taunting stare as he grinned knowingly at her. "Jim has class tomorrow," Trixie explained. "I can tell the others then."

"You could just call Brian," Mart chuckled. "I'm sure he'd be delighted to tell Jim."

"Mart, don't tease your sister," Mrs. Belden admonished. "Trixie, why don't you call Juliana first?"

"Thanks, Moms," she smiled gratefully.

"Not unless you wish to wake Juliana from her beauty sleep," Mart informed her, "although unlike you, she doesn't need it."

"Maybe in the morning then?" Trixie asked, giving Mart a glare.

"That would be fine," her mother agreed. "I hope the museum takes the cross soon. I would hate for anything to happen to Mrs. Vanderpoel."

Trixie couldn't quell the rush of excitement that ran through her. With everything that had happened, surely there wouldn't be anything else. Perhaps there was more of the mystery to be solved. Stranger things had happened to the Bob-Whites.

When she called Jim, she couldn't keep the anticipation out of her voice. "I wish you could see it. Even I thought it was gorgeous and you know how I feel about jewelry."

"It must be something," Jim laughed. "Maybe you can take a picture and send it to me."

"I forget sometimes that you're not able to be here to see our mysteries in person," she said wistfully.

"Just don't forget me," he teased.

"Never," she promised, "and I'll email you a picture this week."

"Have you told Juliana yet?" he asked.

"No," Trixie answered, "I was going to but then Mart made some wisecrack about the time. I'm going to call her in the morning."

"Don't worry about Mart, Shamus," Jim said. "I'm sure he's secretly thrilled that you found the cross and the dagger."

"I suppose," she agreed reluctantly, "but he has a strange way of showing it."

"That's what brothers are for," he replied. Then, in a lower voice, he added, "You always have me to tell you how great you are."

"And that's what boyfriends are for," Trixie said shyly.

"That's one of the things we're useful for," Jim chuckled. "I hope that's not all."

"Of course not, Jim," Trixie rushed to reassure him, "that's not what I meant."

"I know, sweetie," Jim laughed, "I couldn't resist teasing you."

Trixie giggled at the endearment and said, "I guess that's another thing boyfriends are good at. At least, you don't make me mad the way Mart does."

"I'll let you in on a secret, Trix," Jim told her, "one that Mart doesn't want you to know. He sounds like a proud big brother whenever he tells people about your adventures."

"Really?"

"Absolutely," Jim said. "We're all proud of you."

"Thanks, Jim," Trixie blushed as she spoke. She heard her mother rapping on the door. "I guess I better go. Moms just gave me a warning."

"I miss you, Trix," he said. "I can't wait to see you."

"I miss you, too," she replied. "Good night."

Even if Trixie had needed beauty sleep, it didn't come easily that night. She tossed and turned with excitement until finally giving up the effort near dawn. With everyone still asleep, she dialed Juliana's number.

"Trixie," Juliana said, pleasantly surprised when she heard her voice, "have you good news?"

"Oh, Juliana," Trixie cried, "we found the cross and Mrs. Vanderpoel wants to donate it to the Dutch museum."

"How wonderful!" Juliana exclaimed. "I must contact them right away."

"It's beautiful," Trixie told her, "much more than I ever imagined."

"Tell me about it," Juliana urged.

"First of all, it's very heavy," Trixie described the cross. "It might even be real gold, and it's so detailed. There are gems that look like rubies, emeralds, and other ones I'm not too familiar with. If you want, I could email you a picture. "

"That's a wonderful idea. I'll tell the curator today," Juliana told her. "He'll probably want to talk to you."

"Gleeps," laughed Trixie, "if he calls today, he'll have to talk to Moms. I'd better warn her."

"Yes, you had," Juliana agreed, laughing, "she might be a bit surprised."

Trixie quickly filled Juliana in on just how they found the cross and old Brom's surprise when they found it. "You should have seen the look on his face," Trixie added, "I'm not sure he quite believed us."

"It sounds exciting," she said. "I'm sure the museum will send someone out to look at it, especially since Mrs. Vanderpoel is donating it."

"Gosh, just imagine," Trixie said in awe, "after all this time."

"I know," agreed Juliana, "it is amazing, but the most amazing things always happen to you."

Mrs. Belden came downstairs just as Trixie hung up the phone. "Was that Juliana, dear?"

"Yes," Trixie answered, "she was so excited. She's going to talk to the curator today. He might call here."

"Goodness," Mrs. Belden looked a little flustered, "I can see this is going to cause some excitement for a long time."

The excitement lasted all day. When the Bob-Whites met for lunch, they exchanged whispered details about the cross to each other. Dan and Mart even made plans to inspect it for themselves, more interested in the dagger than the jewels.

Mrs. Belden had good news when Trixie arrived home from school, as well. "Juliana and the curator called today. The museum is sending someone on Saturday, a Mr. Hans Verkuilen."

"Saturday?" Trixie questioned. "Why so long?"

"It seems the museum is having a special exhibition this week," Mrs. Belden explained. "Saturday is the soonest they can send someone."

"That's good for Bobby," Trixie grinned. "I can show him the cross, although I'm sure he's much more interested in the dagger."

"I wish you would forget that part," her mother insisted. "I just don't feel comfortable about it."

"Well, it was lucky for Princess Marianne that she didn't worry about it," Trixie laughed, "or else."

Mrs. Belden shook her head at her daughter. All four of her children had developed an adventurous streak, although Trixie seemed to enjoy it the most. Hopefully, that trait wouldn't lead to trouble this time.

Mrs. Vanderpoel was happy to hear that the curator would be arriving on Saturday. "I'm a little nervous about meeting him," she admitted.

Mart grinned at her as he took a few pictures to send to Jim and Juliana. "When he sees these, he'll be the one who's nervous."

Trixie sat with Honey, Di, Mart, and Dan in Mrs. Vanderpoel's comfortable living room. "I can be here with you," she offered. "Everyone else will be going to the dance, but I think I'd much rather be with you."

"Such a pretty girl," Mrs. Vanderpoel scoffed, "and not going to the dance. What's the matter with those boys?"

Trixie blushed as Honey and Di giggled, but it was Mart, as usual, who provided the answer.

"Alas," Mart teased, "it seems that Sir Jim has gallantly stolen her heart away from the entire male population."

"That Jim is a smart boy," Mrs. Vanderpoel nodded, causing the teenagers to burst into laughter, even Trixie, who remained a bright red.

When the laughter subsided, Trixie told Mrs. Vanderpoel about Bobby and his desire to see the cross. "Is it alright with you if I bring him out here on Friday?"

"That would be delightful," Mrs. Vanderpoel smiled. "You know, Trixie, since you'll already be here. Why don't you just stay over with me? I would love the company and you wouldn't have to leave your house so early Saturday morning. Bobby's welcome to stay, too."

"He has a cub scout meeting that morning," Mart said, "but I can run out here and pick him up." An entire evening free from both his siblings would be a great start to his weekend.

"I'm sure Mom's won't mind," Trixie accepted the offer. "She'll probably enjoy an evening to herself."

Mart had driven them in the Bob-White station wagon after school. He grinned at Trixie when the gang loaded up in the car.

"I like how you always manage to be in on the action, sis," he said.

"Well, meeting a curator won't mean much action," she replied, "but I can ask him more about the cross and the dagger."

Dan snorted loudly. "The poor fellow won't be able to defend himself against you."

"Can I help it if I'm curious?" she shrugged, laughing with the rest.

"You wouldn't be Trixie if you weren't," Dan grinned, a devilish twinkle in his eyes.

When Bobby and Trixie arrived at Mrs. Vanderpoel's, the first thing Bobby wanted to do was inspect the dagger. Grinning at the boy's mischievous ways, Mrs. Vanderpoel led him to the small case. Sitting on the sofa, Bobby looked apprehensively at the dagger which Trixie held in her hand.

"This is not a toy," Trixie warned.

"I know," Bobby grumbled, "Moms already told me so."

"Now, Trixie," Mrs. Vanderpoel smiled, "I've got lots of things to keep a small boy occupied. First, we eat and then there's a whole box of wooden toys that Brom brought over for Bobby to play with."

"Really?" Bobby's eyes lit up.

"I can still remember how boys like to play," she answered with a twinkle in her eyes.

Trixie and Bobby helped Mrs. Vanderpoel serve the delicious Dutch stew that she had made for them. The meal was followed by her, always delicious, windmill cookies. The evening passed quickly and soon Bobby was yawning. Leading the small boy to the bedroom off the kitchen, Mrs. Vanderpoel took great delight in telling him a traditional Dutch bedtime story as he fell asleep.

Trixie was snuggled comfortably under a quilt on the big sofa when Mrs. Vanderpoel returned. "This tea is delicious," she said as she sipped from the large cup.

"Thank you, Trixie," Mrs. Vanderpoel smiled. "Are you sure you'll be comfortable on that old couch?"

"It's perfect," Trixie grinned. "I'm all warm and toasty." Although the autumn days were still warm, the nights were beginning to feel chilly.

"You have a good night then," Mrs. Vanderpoel told her. "In the morning we'll have a traditional Dutch breakfast, ontbijtkoek. It's sort of a Dutch coffee cake. I think Bobby will enjoy that."

"It sounds yummy," Trixie licked her lips in anticipation and bid Mrs. Vanderpoel good night.

Thanks to everyone for their lovely comments. A special thanks to Mylee for her time and effort in editing this story.