The Happy Hollisters and the Mystery of the Little Mermaid
The children’s attention returned to Miss Petersen who said Since you’ve never seen the Little Mermaid how would you like to look at a miniature of her Oh yes Holly answered eagerly The children left their seats and crowded about Miss Petersen She carefully opened the velvet case on her lap and from it lifted out the daintiest and most beautiful porcelain figurine that the Hollisters had ever seen Oh it’s precious said Pam The tiny mermaid a wistful expression on her deli cate face sat on a rock her fish tail gracefully draped over it May I hold her for a moment Holly asked If you’re very very careful the woman replied She explained that the figurine belonged to the Danish royal family I am a secretary for them and was asked to go to New York where this very fine replica of the Little Mermaid has been on exhibit I am now returning it to the Queen Mrs Hollister spoke up Perhaps the children shouldn’t handle the figurine she cautioned It’s all right Miss Petersen said I’m sure they won’t harm it As she handed the Little Mermaid to Holly the bearded man fixed his gaze intently on it and watched as she held the dainty porcelain piece close to her face Oh you’re beautiful Holly said She giggled I think I’ll put on a fish tail next time I go swimming Pam asked if she too might hold the porcelain mas terpiece After she and Pete and Ricky had handled the little figure Sue begged for a turn 10
She caught it neatly in her chubby hands 11
Oh I’m afraid something may Mrs Hollister said worriedly as Sue took the mermaid Just then the plane circling to approach Copenhagen hit a small air pocket Dipping slightly the aircraft bounced enough to throw Sue off balance and toss the figurine into the air The Hollisters cried out in consternation and Miss Petersen drew in her breath sharply All seemed to be alarmed except Sue As the mermaid fell she caught it neatly in her chubby hands There she didn’t get hurted a bit the little girl said dimpling Ricky laughed She’s a flying mermaid instead of a swimming one Good catch Sue As Sue was about to return the figurine to Miss Petersen the bearded man left his seat and asked in a low husky voice May I see it too Yes Miss Petersen replied but I’d prefer showing her in the case She put the Little Mermaid back into the velvet lined box and handed it to the man who was holding out his left hand His right one was still in his pocket Instead of looking at the figure there he carried the box to his seat and sat down for several seconds Then the others heard the case snap shut The stranger arose came back and handed the box to Miss Petersen Thank you It is very fine workmanship he commented Miss Petersen explained that Copenhagen was noted for its great works of art and especially for its intricate porcelain and silver craftsmanship 12
Hearing this Pete smiled and put his hand into his jacket pocket Miss Petersen would you like to see something keen from America he inquired Why of course Pete pulled out a black ivory penknife and showed it to her On one side was a gold-embossed figure of a run ning collie dog The boy explained that his Uncle Russ a newspaper columnist had given him the knife on his twelfth birthday The collie is just like our dog Zip he said is beautiful the Danish woman The knife remarked I’d like to see it too called the deep voice of the bearded man Pete went forward to show the knife and the man examined it carefully with his left hand before passing it back Pete slipped the knife into his jacket pocket just as the light over the pilot’s cabin signaled for the pas sengers to fasten their seat belts The Hollister children returned to their places and sat quietly as the plane circled lower and lower finally skimming lightly onto the runway of the Copenhagen airport Yikes Ricky exclaimed grinning broadly Here we are We made it all the way across the ocean When the plane finally stopped the Hollisters un fastened their seat belts collected their coats and head ed forward toward the exit Pam in her haste pushed past the bearded man and accidentally bumped into the fat briefcase he was carrying 13
