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 planconsisted of substituting for the Zudi Drum an inexpensive bowl of thesame size.
Enid had carefully laid her plans. She intended to take the motor boat toCedar Point, leaving in ample time to arrive at the designated meetingplace by midnight.
Yet, as the actual day arrived, her courage began to fail. It was notdifficult for Madge to persuade her that it would do no harm for someoneto accompany her at least a portion of the way.
"If you come, you must stay in the boat," Enid insisted. "I must go aloneto meet the kidnappers."
Madge did not press the point for she had gained her main object. Anotherdetail remained to be arranged to her satisfaction. She pointed out thatit would be wise to wrap the Zudi Drum.
Enid did not clearly follow this line of thought, but she offered noobjection when Madge made a neat package of the trophy. In fact, she wasso excited and nervous that she scarcely noticed what went on about her.
The day dragged slowly. Several times Madge went to the railing to scanthe bay for a glimpse of Rex. She wondered what could have detained him.
Jose served an early supper which the girls scarcely touched. By thistime, Madge was thoroughly alarmed lest Rex fail to appear.
"Everything depends on him," she thought. "I can do nothing unless hegets here before Enid leaves."
And then, as she was ready to give him up, she saw his motor boat racingtoward The Flora. Madge glanced quickly about and was relieved that Enidwas 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 thecity."
"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 agreedthat I may go to Cedar Point with her. This afternoon I induced her towrap the Zudi Drum--rather I did it myself. I intend to substitute thispackage for it, and you must keep her out here on deck while I make theexchange."
"And after that?"
"I think Enid plans to leave here about nine or ten o'clock. What I wantyou 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. Ifthe kidnappers release her father as they promised, all well and good. Ifthings go wrong as I suspect they may, I'll race back to shore and sendup a rocket which will be the signal for you to go for help as quickly asyou 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 amphibianaround here she may guess what is up."
"Why not lie in toward shore? If you're watching closely you will be ableto 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 thepolice there in two jerks."
There was no time for further discussion of the plan, for the sound offootsteps warned them that Enid was approaching. Madge hastily duckedinto a companionway with her package. Rex maneuvered Enid to another partof 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 theexchange. For a minute she was puzzled to think of another hiding placefor the Zudi Drum.
"Enid never goes near her father's cabin if she can avoid it," she toldherself. "I'll take it there."
Making certain that the coast was clear, she ducked into Mr. Burnett'sroom 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 hadaccomplished her purpose. Soon after her return, he made an excuse fordeparting.
"I'd feel a lot better if you girls would let me go along tonight," hesaid to Enid. "Or at least follow in my motor boat----"
"Oh, no! The kidnappers would be suspicious right away. Promise you won'tdo 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 wordboat.
After Rex had gone, she wandered aimlessly about the decks, watching theclock. Several times she suggested that they start for Cedar Point, butMadge convinced her that it was still too early.
"We might have engine trouble or something," Enid argued. "I'd rather getthere ahead of time."
At last Madge gave in to her wishes although she was a little afraid thatRex had not had sufficient time to return home for his amphibian. Theywent to the cabin for the Zudi Drum. She held her breath as Enid pickedit up. However, she appeared to notice nothing amiss and stowed it awayin 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 darkerthan she had anticipated. She wondered if Rex could see their pilotlight.
Enid started the motor and they swung slowly away from The Flora. For atime the little boat plowed steadily through the water, keeping close toshore. Then Enid headed out toward a group of small islands. After shehad passed them she was less sure of the course, and slackened her speedthat she might watch for buoys.
"We must keep an eye out for Clingman's Rock," she warned. "It'ssubmerged except at low tide."
The channel was narrow and intricate. Few boats ventured near Cedar Pointand Enid had never made the trip at night. She became somewhat troubledas 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 veryconfident of my bearings."
Both girls were now alert and anxious. They strained eyes and ears for awarning 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. Andjust to the right, not a stone's throw away, she saw water break over aflat, ugly expanse of rock.
"That was a narrow squeak," Enid laughed nervously. "Lucky you have goodears, 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 ithadn'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 atspeed. Several times she caught her friend glancing back over the routethey had traversed.
"Why do you do that?" she questioned. "Are you afraid some one isfollowing us?"
Caught off her guard, Madge stammered a denial. After that, she took carenot to watch for Rex, but once she thought she heard the faint muffledroar of an airplane engine.
It was only a little after eleven o'clock when they slipped quietly intoa secluded cove near Cedar Point. Enid snapped off the motor. Now thatthe fatal hour approached, she found it difficult to keep from showingfright.
"I'll stay here with you until nearly time to meet the kidnappers," shechattered.
"Are you sure you know where to meet them?"
"Yes, the note said on the point by the large white birch. I know thespot well. There's no other tree like it in this locality."
Madge's nerves were calm but she too felt strangely uneasy. The night wasdark with only a sprinkling of s
tars showing between the threateningclouds which banked the sky. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of thetrees along shore. Now and then the mournful cry of a bird broke thestillness.
"I feel exactly as if we're being watched," Enid whispered nervously.
"So do I," Madge acknowledged. "It's probably just a feeling. Still, Idon't like this layout a little bit. It's the most desolate place I eversaw. 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 herwrist 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."
Madge thought of what she and Rex had done, and for a moment herconscience troubled her. Was it possible that the substitution had been amistake? If the abductors were honest in their intentions, then her actmight actually hinder the rescue of Mr. Burnett.
"I must go now," Enid declared resolutely. "It will take me at least tenminutes to walk to the point."
She picked up the package which she believed to be the Zudi Drum. Madgeresisted the temptation to confess everything. More keenly than before,she realized that Enid was walking straight into danger--perhaps into atrap.
"I wish you the best of luck," she said quietly. "Be on your guard everyinstant, and if anything goes wrong, scream for help."
"I shall."
They clasped hands and Enid turned away. She walked a few steps,hesitated, and looked back. Then she plunged into the forest.
Madge cast an anxious glance out across the water. She could see no lightnor was there any sign to indicate Rex was near.
"It looks as though I may get to handle this job alone," she thoughtuncomfortably.
Enid's footsteps were rapidly dying away. Madge no longer dared delay.Moving with extreme caution, she left the boat, and noiselessly followedher friend.