Enid shook her head and smiled.
“No, that’s something I’ll not ask anyone to do. I must go alone as the note directs.”
Enid was somewhat troubled in regard to a place of safekeeping for the Zudi Drum Bowl since there was no safe aboard the yacht. She finally decided to keep it in the cabin she shared with Madge and gave strict orders to the sailors that they were to maintain a watch the entire night.
Before the trophy was carefully hidden in Enid’s wardrobe trunk, Madge examined it once again. Unknown to her friend, she took a piece of paper and made a rough pencil sketch of the design on the bowl. This she slipped into her purse, and a few minutes later announced that she must go to the city to attend to a matter of business. She invited Enid to accompany her, but the latter declined, saying that the trip to Bay City had tired her.
“I’m a terrible hostess,” she confessed, “but under the circumstance I know you’ll forgive me.”
Madge not only forgave her but was relieved when she decided not to accompany her, for she preferred to go alone to Mr. Dewitt’s jewelry store.
“I hope he tells me what I want to know,” she thought. “If my suspicions are confirmed, I may be able to really help Enid.”
CHAPTER XII
An Unusual History
Upon reaching the mainland in the motor boat, Madge instructed the sailor who had piloted her from the yacht to return for her in an hour. She then made her way toward the Dewitt and Prager Jewelry store, walking hurriedly, for her wrist watch warned her that it was nearly closing time.
As she entered the shop, she observed that already the salesmen were removing trays from the windows and returning expensive jewelry to the vaults.
“Is Mr. Dewitt in?” she questioned anxiously.
“You are the owner of the jade pin?” the clerk inquired, and as she assented, added: “Mr. Dewitt is expecting you. Right this way, please.”
He led her to the rear of the store and opened the door of a private office. Mr. Dewitt, an elderly man with gray hair and keen, alert eyes, arose and politely offered Madge a chair opposite his desk.
“I shouldn’t have taken your time,” Madge began apologetically, “but one of your salesmen said he thought you might be interested in my pin. I don’t suppose it is really jade.”
“Indeed it is,” the jeweler assured her. “A small stone but one of the most perfect I have ever seen. May I ask how it came into your possession?”
Madge explained that the pin had been found but did not mention under what circumstance.
“You have made no attempt to find the owner?”
“I thought I’d come to you first.”
“You did quite right,” he assured her. “In fact, I intended to warn you against advertising in the paper. This pin is valuable and you must be very cautious in seeking its owner. Perhaps you are acquainted with the stone’s history.”
“No,” Madge responded eagerly, “what can you tell me of it?”
“It is the carven symbol upon the stone which makes it so interesting. I believe it to be the mark of a fanatical religious sect which at one time was known to exist in India.”
“Not—Zudi worshipers?” Madge questioned.
“Yes,” the jeweler acknowledged, surprised, “the sect is no longer active, to all accounts. It is odd that the pin which years ago doubtlessly belonged to one of the members, should turn up in this country. If the owner is located I should like very much to question him.”
“You may be sure I’ll not leave a stone unturned in attempting to find the person who lost it,” Madge declared. “I think perhaps I know who it was.”
She opened her purse and took out the paper upon which she had made a rough sketch of the symbol used on the Zudi Drum Bowl. She offered it to the jeweler.
“Would you say that the two symbols are alike?” she asked.
“There is a striking similarity. Yes, in my opinion they are the same.”
Madge nodded in satisfaction. She now had all the information that she required for her case. There no longer was any doubt in her mind as to the owner of the jade pin. She was of the opinion that it belonged either to the boatman who had rowed her to The Flora on the day of her arrival at Cheltham Bay, or else to a fellow member of the fanatical Zudi sect.
In only one particular did she feel that her theory fell short. Mr. Dewitt had said that the sect no longer existed, and Enid held the same opinion.
“They both may be mistaken,” she thought. As soon as she reached the yacht she planned to lay all the facts before her chum, confident that she would then see the folly of trying to deal single handed with her father’s abductors.
Madge divined that Mr. Dewitt intended to ask questions concerning her knowledge of the strange Zudi symbols. Since she was not ready to answer them, she hastily arose.
“If you wish, we will keep the stone here in our vaults until you claim it,” the jeweler offered.
Madge was glad to accept the offer for she had no immediate use for the jade pin, and hesitated to be responsible for its safety. She thanked the jeweler for his kindness and left the store.
As she walked slowly toward the waterfront she considered the information gleaned from the interview. Had she felt free to do so, she would have gone directly to the police with her findings.
“I promised I wouldn’t bring them into it again,” she thought, “so before doing anything I must consult Enid. I’m sure she’ll see my viewpoint now.”
Aboard The Flora an hour later, she reported in detail her talk with Mr. Dewitt. And to her deep chagrin, she encountered stubborn resistance from Enid.
“No, I don’t feel that it’s a case for the police,” she insisted. “What have they done so far? Nothing at all.”
“But the situation is different now,” Madge explained patiently. “Do you realize that you’re not dealing with an ordinary band of kidnappers? You’re negotiating with a group of fanatics—or at least that’s my opinion. You can’t trust them.”
“You may be right,” Enid admitted wearily, “but at any rate they’re only after the Zudi Drum. When I turn it over to them, they’ll be satisfied.”
Madge realized that her arguments were making not the slightest impression upon her chum. In her intense desire to aid her father, Enid had lost sight of everything save the main objective.
“If you won’t give up the idea of going to Cedar Point, then at least permit Rex or me to go with you,” Madge pleaded.
Enid grasped her friend’s hand and squeezed it gratefully.
“It’s noble of you to offer, but of course I shan’t accept.”
Madge gave up. Until now she had hoped that she could find some means of convincing Enid of the mistake she was making. She considered ignoring her promise and taking the matter to the police, but loyalty would scarcely permit that. She told herself she must find some other way.
“I wish Jack French would hurry and arrive if he’s actually decided to come,” she thought. “He would know what to do.”
Since she had sent off her telegram to Loon Lake, she had received no reply and she knew that in the present situation she must depend upon her own ingenuity. In vain she cudgeled her brain for some scheme which would secure Mr. Burnett’s release and at the same time not endanger Enid.
“It’s a shame to hand over the Zudi Drum Bowl without making the slightest attempt to save it,” she mused. “Mr. Burnett must value it highly or he would have given it to the kidnappers of his own accord.”
Supper time found her still turning the matter over in her mind. She was unusually quiet during the meal, but Enid did not notice. Neither ate a great deal although Jose had made a special effort to serve appetizing dishes. After they had finished, they sat out on the deck, watching the sunset.
Later in the evening, Rex drew alongside the yacht in his motor boat and was invited to come aboard. He had no news to report, and after Madge had talked with him a few minutes, she left him alone with Enid and went back to her deck c
hair.
For some time she sat there, staring intently toward the city, and yet completely unaware of the twinkling lights or the orchestra music which came faintly over the water from a beach front hotel. Then suddenly she straightened.
“Why didn’t I think of it before?” she asked herself jubilantly. “Rex will help me I’m sure! If only I can manage to talk with him when Enid isn’t around!”
She immediately sought her two friends, but the opportunity she awaited did not come. Madge had begun to fear that she would never have a chance to speak privately with Rex when Enid announced that she was cold. Excusing herself, she went to her cabin for a coat.
In a few brief sentences, Madge explained the situation to Rex but there was no time to tell him of her plan, for they could hear Enid returning.
“I’ll tell you more tomorrow!” Madge whispered. “There’s just one thing you must do. Get another bowl the same size as the Zudi Drum and smuggle it aboard before nightfall. Remember how much is at stake, and don’t fail!”
CHAPTER XIII
A Clever Substitute
Although Madge depended upon Rex to help her carry through her scheme, she knew that luck must favor them or they would fail. In part, her plan consisted of substituting for the Zudi Drum an inexpensive bowl of the same size.
Enid had carefully laid her plans. She intended to take the motor boat to Cedar Point, leaving in ample time to arrive at the designated meeting place by midnight.
Yet, as the actual day arrived, her courage began to fail. It was not difficult for Madge to persuade her that it would do no harm for someone to accompany her at least a portion of the way.
“If you come, you must stay in the boat,” Enid insisted. “I must go alone to meet the kidnappers.”
Madge did not press the point for she had gained her main object. Another detail remained to be arranged to her satisfaction. She pointed out that it would be wise to wrap the Zudi Drum.
Enid did not clearly follow this line of thought, but she offered no objection when Madge made a neat package of the trophy. In fact, she was so excited and nervous that she scarcely noticed what went on about her.
The day dragged slowly. Several times Madge went to the railing to scan the bay for a glimpse of Rex. She wondered what could have detained him.
Jose served an early supper which the girls scarcely touched. By this time, Madge was thoroughly alarmed lest Rex fail to appear.
“Everything depends on him,” she thought. “I can do nothing unless he gets here before Enid leaves.”
And then, as she was ready to give him up, she saw his motor boat racing toward The Flora. Madge glanced quickly about and was relieved that Enid was not on deck.
“Did you get it?” she called softly, watching Rex make fast to the yacht.
He held up a package wrapped in brown paper.
“I had one heck of a time finding what you wanted, Madge. I scoured the city.”
“Sh!” she warned, “not so loud or Enid will hear you. If she suspects, our game is off!”
He came quietly aboard, handing Madge the mysterious package.
“What’s the line up?” he asked. “Remember, I’m still in the dark.”
“Everything is working out beautifully,” she informed, “Enid has agreed that I may go to Cedar Point with her. This afternoon I induced her to wrap the Zudi Drum—rather I did it myself. I intend to substitute this package for it, and you must keep her out here on deck while I make the exchange.”
“And after that?”
“I think Enid plans to leave here about nine or ten o’clock. What I want you to do is to follow in your amphibian. Take care she doesn’t suspect, of course. When she leaves the boat at Cedar Point, I’ll trail her. If the kidnappers release her father as they promised, all well and good. If things go wrong as I suspect they may, I’ll race back to shore and send up a rocket which will be the signal for you to go for help as quickly as you can.”
“Sounds OK if it works out as planned.”
“We must trust to luck.”
“How am I to follow without Enid suspecting? If she sees my amphibian around here she may guess what is up.”
“Why not lie in toward shore? If you’re watching closely you will be able to see our boat start away. I’ll make sure that the lights are burning. Keep far enough back so the kidnappers won’t be alarmed.”
“Trust me,” Rex promised, “if I see your rocket go up, I’ll have the police there in two jerks.”
There was no time for further discussion of the plan, for the sound of footsteps warned them that Enid was approaching. Madge hastily ducked into a companionway with her package. Rex maneuvered Enid to another part of the vessel, giving her an opportunity to slip from her hiding place. She hurried to the cabin where the Zudi Drum was secreted and made the exchange. For a minute she was puzzled to think of another hiding place for the Zudi Drum.
“Enid never goes near her father’s cabin if she can avoid it,” she told herself. “I’ll take it there.”
Making certain that the coast was clear, she ducked into Mr. Burnett’s room and hid the drum under his bed.
“Now if only Enid doesn’t detect the substitution!” she thought.
She rejoined Rex, informing him by a significant glance that she had accomplished her purpose. Soon after her return, he made an excuse for departing.
“I’d feel a lot better if you girls would let me go along tonight,” he said to Enid. “Or at least follow in my motor boat—”
“Oh, no! The kidnappers would be suspicious right away. Promise you won’t do it.”
“I’ll promise not to follow in my boat,” Rex returned reluctantly.
Enid failed to notice the particular stress he had placed upon the word boat.
After Rex had gone, she wandered aimlessly about the decks, watching the clock. Several times she suggested that they start for Cedar Point, but Madge convinced her that it was still too early.
“We might have engine trouble or something,” Enid argued. “I’d rather get there ahead of time.”
At last Madge gave in to her wishes although she was a little afraid that Rex had not had sufficient time to return home for his amphibian. They went to the cabin for the Zudi Drum. She held her breath as Enid picked it up. However, she appeared to notice nothing amiss and stowed it away in the motor boat.
“Are you sure you know the way, Enid?”
“Yes, it’s a treacherous channel but I’m confident I’ll have no trouble. All set?”
Madge nodded and glanced anxiously toward shore. The night was darker than she had anticipated. She wondered if Rex could see their pilot light.
Enid started the motor and they swung slowly away from The Flora. For a time the little boat plowed steadily through the water, keeping close to shore. Then Enid headed out toward a group of small islands. After she had passed them she was less sure of the course, and slackened her speed that she might watch for buoys.
“We must keep an eye out for Clingman’s Rock,” she warned. “It’s submerged except at low tide.”
The channel was narrow and intricate. Few boats ventured near Cedar Point and Enid had never made the trip at night. She became somewhat troubled as they failed to pass a marker she had anticipated.
“I’m sure we haven’t passed the rock yet,” she said, “but I’m not very confident of my bearings.”
Both girls were now alert and anxious. They strained eyes and ears for a warning of the danger that lay before them. Suddenly, Madge straightened.
“I hear something, Enid. It’s a bell.”
“Where?”
“To the right.”
Enid swung the wheel so sharply that Madge nearly fell overboard. And just to the right, not a stone’s throw away, she saw water break over a flat, ugly expanse of rock.
“That was a narrow squeak,” Enid laughed nervously. “Lucky you have good ears, Madge.”
“The rock wasn’t directly in our path.”
�
��The bell is slightly to the right, anchored on a buoy,” Enid explained, “but the rock extends a considerable distance under the water. If it hadn’t been for you, we’d have struck it sure.”
With Clingman’s Rock left behind, the channel was easy to follow. However, it was only a little past ten-thirty so Enid made no attempt at speed. Several times she caught her friend glancing back over the route they had traversed.
“Why do you do that?” she questioned. “Are you afraid some one is following us?”
Caught off her guard, Madge stammered a denial. After that, she took care not to watch for Rex, but once she thought she heard the faint muffled roar of an airplane engine.
It was only a little after eleven o’clock when they slipped quietly into a secluded cove near Cedar Point. Enid snapped off the motor. Now that the fatal hour approached, she found it difficult to keep from showing fright.
“I’ll stay here with you until nearly time to meet the kidnappers,” she chattered.
“Are you sure you know where to meet them?”
“Yes, the note said on the point by the large white birch. I know the spot well. There’s no other tree like it in this locality.”
Madge’s nerves were calm but she too felt strangely uneasy. The night was dark with only a sprinkling of stars showing between the threatening clouds which banked the sky. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees along shore. Now and then the mournful cry of a bird broke the stillness.
“I feel exactly as if we’re being watched,” Enid whispered nervously.
“So do I,” Madge acknowledged. “It’s probably just a feeling. Still, I don’t like this layout a little bit. It’s the most desolate place I ever saw. Are there any houses around?”
“Not to my knowledge. There may be a few cabins.”
The minutes dragged like an eternity. Several times Enid looked at her wrist watch.
“It’s—almost—time,” she murmured at last. “I’m afraid to go.”
“Then let me.”
Enid shook her head and abruptly arose.
“No, I’ll see this thing through. Those men are only after the Zudi Drum. When I turn it over to them they’ll be glad to let Father go.”
The Girl Detective Megapack: 25 Classic Mystery Novels for Girls Page 253
