36

OF COURSE, NOT ONE of the Baums knew about the emergency meeting of the council. Only Frankie knew that Mr. Price had whatever it was of Daddy’s and would do something bad with it, but when, what, and exactly how remained a mystery to even her most imaginative mind.

Something else that was occupying her imagination? Exactly what was inside the package Daddy had left at Aunt Dottie’s. Joan’s letter had arrived the day before, and Frankie could think of nothing else. Frankie had never before seen a parcel that was carried all the way to Maryland by airplane across the Atlantic. How important it must be, but what was it, and who sent it? The woman in the photograph? Was this the box that Daddy told Fritz he had taken out of town to be safe?

And what was wrong with Joan, anyway? For goodness’ sakes, how could she resist opening that package when there were enough mysteries already to drive Frankie mad?