CHAPTER XI The Zudi Drum
In the library, Enid paused before a large picture which hung from silkencords on the wall. To the surprise of Madge and Rex, she gave one of thegold cords a sharp jerk. The picture swung back to disclose a cleverlyhidden safe.
"I guess those thieves weren't so clever after all," she chuckled. "Now,if only I haven't forgotten the combination."
After a moment's thought she whirled the dials, repeating the numbers toherself. The safe failed to open and she tried again. This time, a sharplittle click from within told her that she had worked the dialscorrectly. She turned the handle, and the heavy door swung back.
Rex and Madge crowded closer as Enid peered into the dark recess.
"Oh, it's here! It's here!" she cried jubilantly.
She reached into the opening and drew forth the Zudi Drum Bowl. It was aqueer-shaped object, perhaps a foot and a half in diameter at theopening, the sides of which were decorated with strange symbols. Madgeexamined the markings curiously.
"Well, if that's the Zudi Drum I don't see why those kidnappers are sokeen to get it!" Rex commented. "I'd take the money every time!"
"I'm glad you're not the spokesman for the gang," Enid returned, smiling."I'd rather part with this drum than several thousand dollars."
"Your father may not agree," he responded. "That trophy must mean a lotto him or he wouldn't keep it in the safe. I don't see why he attachessuch value to it."
"Neither do I unless it's because there is no other in existence. Thedrum was formerly used in religious rites by a tribe of half civilizedIndians now extinct, I believe."
Madge picked up the drum, studied it a moment and set it down on thetable again.
"Enid," she said quietly, "why do you suppose your father refused to tellhis abductors where they could find this drum?"
"Why, I don't know that he did," she replied.
"They must have tried to force the information from him. Probably thatwas their first move, then when he refused to tell, they sent you thatnote."
"That's possible," Enid admitted reluctantly. "Father's stubborn."
"It's my guess the persons who entered this house were the same ones whokidnapped your father."
Rex nodded to show that he too agreed with Madge. Enid did not lookentirely convinced.
"I know what you're leading up to," she said. "You don't want me to giveup the drum so easily."
"It's your concern more than mine," Madge replied, secretly discouragedat her friend's stubborn attitude. "Only if I were you, I'd be extremelycautious in dealing with those abductors."
Enid made no response but closed the safe door and picked up the ZudiDrum.
"Our taxi has been waiting twenty minutes," Rex informed, glancing at hiswatch. "Or at least, I hope it's waiting! Otherwise, we'll walk to town."
They hastily let themselves out of the house and Enid locked the door.Hurrying down the path to the gate they were relieved to see the taxistill waiting. They drove into the city, stopping at a hotel for abelated luncheon. Enid refused to check the Zudi Drum and during the mealkept it hidden under an overcoat which Rex donated for the purpose. Shewas in better spirits than she had been since the kidnapping, and for thefirst time seemed to enjoy the food that was set before her.
"Just one more day and it will all be over," she said with a weary sigh."I feel as though I've lived through an eternity these last few days."
Madge's eyes met those of Rex across the table. She was not in the leastcertain that the case would end with Enid's reckless trip to Cedar Point.She had hoped that as her friend had time to think the matter over, shewould change her mind about going through with the affair, but to allappearances, Enid was more determined than ever. Madge had by no meansgiven up. She had one trump card which she intended to play at the lastminute, but unless she found it to be absolutely necessary, she did notwish to alarm Enid. And then too, she was not entirely sure of herground. A certain suspicion had been growing in her mind but until shesaw Mr. Dewitt she must make no false move.
They finished their luncheon and taxied to the airport where they foundthe amphibian ready for the return trip. The girls took their places andRex started the engine. Attendants steadied the wings until the nosepointed into the bay and then stepped back to watch the take-off.
During the uneventful flight back to The Flora, few words were exchanged.Rex was kept busy at the controls and the girls were occupied with theirown thoughts. In slightly less than two hours they were in Cheltham Bay.
"I can't tell you how grateful I am," Enid thanked Rex as they parted atthe yacht. "It was splendid of you to go to so much trouble."
"Shucks, I'd do a lot more if you'd let me," he returned quickly. "I'd goto Cedar Point tomorrow night."
Enid shook her head and smiled.
"No, that's something I'll not ask anyone to do. I must go alone as thenote directs."
Enid was somewhat troubled in regard to a place of safekeeping for theZudi Drum Bowl since there was no safe aboard the yacht. She finallydecided to keep it in the cabin she shared with Madge and gave strictorders to the sailors that they were to maintain a watch the entirenight.
Before the trophy was carefully hidden in Enid's wardrobe trunk, Madgeexamined it once again. Unknown to her friend, she took a piece of paperand made a rough pencil sketch of the design on the bowl. This sheslipped into her purse, and a few minutes later announced that she mustgo to the city to attend to a matter of business. She invited Enid toaccompany her, but the latter declined, saying that the trip to Bay Cityhad tired her.
"I'm a terrible hostess," she confessed, "but under the circumstance Iknow you'll forgive me."
Madge not only forgave her but was relieved when she decided not toaccompany her, for she preferred to go alone to Mr. Dewitt's jewelrystore.
"I hope he tells me what I want to know," she thought. "If my suspicionsare confirmed, I may be able to really help Enid."