Mildred A. Wirt

“ The man took the package from her, roughly grasping her arm as she pulled away.
“Not so fast,” he muttered. “Think I’ll let you get away and bring the police down on us? You come with me!”
Enid uttered no cry, but she struggled frantically to free herself. Involuntarily, Madge started forward to aid her friend, then checked herself. Undoubtedly, the kidnapper was armed and likely other companions were hiding nearby. To expose herself might ruin every chance of a rescue. Deliberately, she waited.
“Come along quietly and you’ll not be harmed,” she heard the man tell Enid. ”

“ Enid Burnett had stated very clearly that she would be on hand when the ten-fifteen train arrived.
“It will be more convenient to meet you at Cheltham Bay than any other place,” she had written in a bold scrawl. “From the station we’ll go directly to our yacht, The Flora which will be anchored in the harbor. Father will have everything in readiness for the trip, so the instant you set foot on deck, we’ll sail. Here’s to two glorious weeks on the water!”
Madge folded the letter and laid it away. There was nothing to do but wait. Undoubtedly, Enid had only been delayed. ”

“ Rex advised. “Better let the police deal with those men. You know how your father is too, Enid. He’d never give in an inch.”
“No, I realize Father would never allow himself to be ransomed if he could help it. That’s what may make it so hard. He’ll defy those men and refuse to communicate with me. They may do terrible things to him.”
“Don’t think about it,” Rex admonished, taking her arm and steering her toward the roadside. “I’ll go with you to the police.”
He helped the girls into a taxicab and during the ride to the police headquarters, did his best to cheer Enid. ”

“ 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!” ”

“ If The Flora had arrived at Cheltham Bay, she could think of no reason for Enid’s failure to meet her.
“If you want to get out to the yacht, you likely can find some boatman at the dock who will row you over,” the clerk advised.
Madge thanked him and turned away. She scarcely knew what to do. It would prove embarrassing to go alone to the Burnett yacht, and yet, surely they were expecting her. After traveling so many miles it would be foolish to return home without making an attempt to see her friend. It was barely possible that an accident had delayed Enid. ”

“ Madge had never been one to forego an adventure for the sake of caution. Perhaps her life in the north woods had taught her resourcefulness and courage. At any rate, since the death of her mother and the strange disappearance of her father, she had learned to look out for herself. Since childhood she had made her home with her Uncle George and Aunt Maude Brady, and many pleasant summers had been spent at their fishing lodge on Loon Lake, Canada. There she had made friends with Anne Fairaday, an orphan living at Stewart Island. ”

“ 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.”
[91]
“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.” ”

“ Madge demanded suspiciously. “I don’t believe you’re very anxious to rent your boat.” Without giving him an opportunity to reply, she took a small roll of bills from her pocketbook and handed him three. “Here’s your pay in advance.”
He accepted the money with obvious unwillingness and lifted her suitcase into the boat. She seated herself and he cast off the painter.
“Take me to The Flora,” she directed. “See, it’s that yacht this side of the buoy.”
Madge was unprepared for the effect her words produced upon the man. He turned quickly, his eyes smoldering. ”

“ The taxi halted near the wharf and the driver swung open the car door. Madge alighted and paid her fare.
[15]
“Can you tell me which yacht is The Flora?” she inquired.
“She lies yonder.” The driver indicated a vessel anchored out some distance in the bay.
At sight of the trim little yacht with its gay flags fluttering in the off shore breeze, Madge’s spirits arose. It was good to be near the water again. And a two weeks’ sailing trip would be such glorious fun!
She looked about for someone to row her out to the yacht. The wharf appeared deserted, for the hour approached noon. ”

“ At Loon Lake she had met Jack French, a handsome young forest ranger, who, in taking leave of her on the eve of her trip to Cheltham Bay, had warned her that before the summer ended she might see him again.
[20]
Madge had been elated at the thought of spending a vacation aboard the Burnett yacht. Enid was the daughter of a noted sportsman and collector of antiques, and since the death of her mother had been permitted to grow up much as she pleased. Notwithstanding, she was a cheerful, friendly sort of girl, not in the least spoiled. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Madge tiptoed across the porch and tried to peer inside. The crack between the bottom of the curtain and the window sill was too small to permit even a glimpse. She could hear a faint murmur of voices inside but was unable to distinguish a word.
“It’s possible the men really mean to release Mr. Burnett,” she considered. “If they intend to keep their promise, Enid should be coming out in a minute or so.”
Then she thought of the Zudi Drum Bowl and the substitution she and Rex had made. If the package were opened, Enid would be involved in even more difficulties. ”

“ She longed to take over the oars and show him how to row a boat. Instead, she reconciled herself to a slow trip under the broiling noonday sun and tried to become interested in a small sailboat which was tacking in toward the harbor.
At length, they drew near The Flora, approaching from the port side. Madge scanned the railing for a glimpse of her friends. The decks appeared deserted.
“Where is everyone?” she asked in surprise.
The boatman rowed alongside of the yacht and she grasped a trailing rope. ”

“ A Jade Pin
“You’re welcome to the pin,” Enid declared readily, turning it over to her chum. “It’s a curious piece of work. To whom do you think it belongs?”
“Unless I’m very sadly mistaken, I saw a pin like that the day I arrived at Cheltham Bay,” Madge responded. “The boatman who brought me out here was wearing it.”
Enid could not resist a smile.
“You’re bound to connect that poor man with the kidnapping, aren’t you, Madge? I’m sure the pin couldn’t have been the same. I’m not an expert on stones but this looks expensive to me. What you saw must have been an imitation.” ”

“ Madge saw that it was useless to argue with Enid in her present distraught state of mind. However, she did not give up the idea of trying to persuade her chum to her way of thinking at a later time. She believed that they were dealing with a clever band of criminals, a group of men who would stop at nothing to further their own schemes. It seemed to her that if Enid went alone to Cedar Point, she would only invite trouble. Even if the Zudi Drum were turned over to the kidnappers, there was no assurance that Mr. Burnett would be released. ”

“ Madge declared angrily. “Why, you might have suffocated. Or starved to death!”
“I did think I’d die before help came,” Enid confessed with a wry smile. “I really don’t believe those men would have cared. They’re heartless! That’s why I’m so worried about Father. They’ve taken him away somewhere.”
“We must get the police after them instantly. Is there any way we can reach shore?”
“Why, yes, we have a motor boat. If you’ll help me now I think I can walk.”
“Don’t you want something to eat first? You’re not very strong.” ”

“ Hot coffee revived their spirits and strengthened their morale. As the sun beat down upon the deck it was difficult for them to believe that they had spent such a harrowing night.
“We must report to the police immediately,” Madge advised. “They may attach special significance to what happened during the night.”
Soon after breakfast, Mr. Burnett’s cook and three sailors appeared upon the scene, and after she had given them orders for the day, Enid was ready to leave.
“It’s a relief to know someone will be at the yacht while we’re gone,” she said to Madge as they drove away in the motor boat. ”

“ Enid cried. “It’s the only way to save Father. The Zudi Drum is valuable, but I can’t consider the cost.”
“I was thinking of other things besides the value of the trophy,” Madge said slowly. “I was thinking of your own safety. You mustn’t go to Cedar Point alone, Enid. Turn the note over to the police. They’ll know how to deal with the situation.” ”

“ Madge asked a great many questions and in turn related her experience with the boatman. She was a trifle disappointed when the matter was passed off lightly.
“So many longshore-men and waterfront derelicts are like that,” Enid told her. “You can’t trust some of them out of your sight. It’s a wonder he didn’t run off with your suitcase.”
The girls maintained a faithful watch but no ships passed near the yacht. They were about to despair when Madge noticed a black and red amphibian taxiing toward shore. ”

“ Enid and her father are in very grave danger.”
Madge was convinced that she was dealing with a fanatical group of Zudi Drum worshipers who sought retribution for the loss of their trophy. How an organization which was thought no longer to exist, had traced the drum to Mr. Burnett, she had no way of knowing. And matters at hand were too pressing to consider any question save a means of securing the immediate release of her friends. From the cruel faces of the kidnappers she read that the return of the Zudi Drum was not all they wanted. They intended to inflict punishment upon their victims. ”

“ Madge did not inquire as to the identity of the young man mentioned, but from the poppy color which swiftly mounted Enid’s cheeks, she surmised that he was a very special friend.
[37]
Rex Stewart had known and admired Enid for many years. He was the son of a prominent, ultra-conservative Cheltham Bay lawyer but had inherited none of his father’s staid viewpoints. It was the private opinion of the Stewart family that he was too reckless, and far too interested in aviation for his own good. Rex liked fast horses and speedy motorboats; he owned his own amphibian and was an excellent pilot. ”

“ Instantly, the door slammed shut.
“They have her now!” Madge thought in alarm. “She walked straight into their trap.”
For a full minute she stood at the edge of the clearing, trying to decide what was best to do. Should she return to the beach there to await Rex and the authorities or attempt to find out what was transpiring inside the house?
[108]
“Rex may not have seen my signal rocket,” she told herself anxiously. “In that case, help will never come. If it comes to the worst I must make an effort to save Enid myself.” ”

“ Burnett’s cabin. A hasty glance about assured them that nothing had been touched.
“I guess he didn’t have time to do any damage,” Enid declared. “What do you suppose brought him here tonight?”
“I wish I knew.”
“Well, I think Rex was right about staying here alone. It was a terribly foolish thing to do. I’ll not spend another night here without a guard.”
After a time they settled themselves in deck chairs, and there, snuggled down under steamer rugs, they spent the remainder of the night. For some reason they felt safer out in the open where they could see any boat that might approach. ”

“ Madge eagerly scanned the typewritten message which to her astonishment was from Jack French:
“LEARNED OF BURNETT KIDNAPPING THROUGH NEWSPAPERS. CAN I HELP? VACATION STARTS TWENTY-SEVENTH. FREE TO COME.”
[70]
“If that isn’t just like him!” she thought. “You can always depend on Jack when there’s trouble on hand. I do wish he were here! Well, why not? He said before I left he might come to Cheltham Bay, and surely this is the psychological time.” ”

“ Rex helped her into the motor boat and Enid watched until they were well away from the yacht. Before Madge could bring up the subject which was foremost in her mind, Rex spoke.
“I think Enid is making a serious mistake not to tell the police about that note. We can’t let her go to Cedar Point alone. Why, anything might happen to her.”
“We must prevent it if we can,” Madge returned quietly. “But just how can it be managed?” ”