CHAPTER VI A Midnight Visitor
Rex soon took leave of the girls, saying that he intended to return tothe police station for another talk with the authorities, and then go insearch of the Burnett motor boat which had been cut loose from The Flora.
"I can't thank you enough for all the trouble you're taking," Enid toldhim gratefully.
"Don't thank me until I really help you," he returned. "I probably won'tfind the boat for those men may have stolen it instead of cutting itadrift."
After Rex had gone there was little for the girls to do. Madge thought itbest that they leave Mr. Burnett's room untouched lest the police wish toexamine it again and Enid had no desire to put the cabin to rights. Shepaced nervously up and down deck, avoiding that section of the yacht.Madge begged her to lie down for a few hours and she reluctantly went toher own cabin. After a time she fell into a troubled sleep and did notawaken until her chum shook her gently.
"Wake up, Enid. Rex is here and he's found the motor boat."
Enid hastily straightened her rumpled hair and hurried out upon deck. Rexalready had come aboard after tying up the recovered boat.
"Where did you find it?" Enid questioned eagerly.
"Out near Culver's Island. I figured that if it had been left to drift,the current would carry it that way. I cruised around in my amphibianuntil I sighted it and then notified the Coast Guard. By the time I hadgone home for my own motor boat they had recovered it, so I merely towedit out here."
"Did you examine it, for possible clues?" Madge inquired.
"Yes, I looked it over. If those kidnappers used the boat they were smartenough not to leave any thing behind that would identify them. However,it's my guess they made their get-away in their own boat and merely cutthis one adrift as an additional precaution against being followed."
"I don't see how they figured I could follow them when I was tied handand foot and locked in that stifling closet," Enid said bitterly, "and toknow that Father is in their power! They may mistreat him!"
"Not if they are after a large ransom," Rex suggested, in an effort tocheer her. "You may be sure of that."
"The police said probably we would receive some communication withintwenty-four hours," Enid declared, more hopefully. "I wonder how muchthey'll want?"
Rex met Madge's eyes and he read the thought that had flashed through hermind. She had begun to wonder if a communication ever would be received.From the first, it had seemed unlikely to her that the kidnapping hadbeen committed for the sole purpose of securing ransom. She felt theremight be a more sinister motive behind the crime.
Before the conversation could be resumed, the sound of a boat gratingagainst the side of the yacht, drew the trio to the railing. Unobservedby them, a craft had made fast to the yacht, and now they saw they wereto entertain representatives of the press. The reporters swarmed aboardwithout waiting for an invitation, bombarding the girls with tersequestions. A photographer insisted upon taking their pictures. Likewise,he photographed the yacht and Mr. Burnett's cabin. Only the arrival of asecond boat, containing Mr. Randall and two other detectives, brought theordeal to an end.
"Have you learned anything new?" Enid inquired hopefully of Mr. Randall,after the reporters had gone.
"We're making progress," he informed. "Your father's description has beenbroadcast over the radio and the police teletypes. I've brought somepictures from the Rogues Gallery that I want you to try to identify."
For the next fifteen minutes Enid studied photographs of noted criminalsknown to have records for kidnapping, but as each was presented to her,she only shook her head.
"I'm afraid I can't be of much help. You see, I caught such a fleetingglance of the two men."
After the detective had returned to shore somewhat disappointed at herfailure to identify any of the photographs, Rex said that he too mustleave.
"Surely, you girls aren't intending to stay here alone tonight?" heinquired.
Enid and Madge had made no plans but now that they considered it, theywere reluctant to leave the yacht. Rex suggested that his mother would bepleased to have them stay at the Stewart home, but the girls felt theycould not accept.
"We might possibly get word from Father during the night," Enidexplained, "and anyway, the cook and our sailors will be coming backearly in the morning. I must be here to tell them what has happened."
"I wish you had asked for a police guard," Rex returned with a troubledfrown. "I don't like the idea of you staying here alone."
"We're not cut off from the mainland now that we have the motor boat,"Madge pointed out. "Honestly, we're not a bit afraid."
In the end they persuaded him to their way of thinking, but as he left,he announced that he intended to keep watch of the yacht during the earlypart of the night.
As it grew dusk, Madge prepared supper. Enid tried to help but could notkeep her mind on what she was doing. After wiping the dishes, theywrapped themselves in steamer rugs and sat out on deck. For a long timethey watched the twinkling shore lights. Once they heard the drone of anairplane overhead and imagined that it might be Rex.
In spite of their declaration to the contrary, the girls were notentirely easy in their minds. The very quiet of the yacht was disturbing.The night had closed in dark and threatening; black shadows lurkedeverywhere.
At ten o'clock they decided to turn in. Enid was so tired and worn outthat she dropped asleep almost at once. Madge rolled and tossed for thebetter part of an hour. At last, she too dozed off.
She had no way of knowing how long she slept, but suddenly she foundherself sitting upright in bed. What had awakened her? She glanced at hercompanion. Enid was sleeping peacefully.
After a moment, she sank back against the pillows, but scarcely had hereyes closed than she was startled by a peculiar sound. A boat wasscraping against the side of the yacht!
Cold shivers ran over her body and she resisted the temptation to burrowdown beneath the blankets.
"Enid, wake up!" she whispered, shaking her chum roughly by the arm.
Enid stirred and as she was shaken again, opened her eyes.
"What's the matter?" she murmured drowsily.
"Hush!" Madge warned in an undertone. There was no need to say more forby this time Enid had fully awakened.
Both girls listened intently. Footsteps could be heard plainly on thedeck. Someone had boarded the boat!
"Perhaps it's one of the sailors," Enid whispered, but her voicequavered.
"We must see!" Madge returned. "Come on!"
Enid gripped her hand and tried to hold her back. "Oh, I'm afraid!"
"Then I'll go alone."
But Enid would not stay behind. As Madge quietly slipped out of bed, shewas close beside her. Clinging together, they crept to the door andlistened. They could hear the footsteps more distinctly now.
Madge opened the cabin door a crack and peered out. At first she sawnothing, then as her eyes became more accustomed to the dark, she beheldthe figure of a man. She saw him pause, look searchingly about and thenswiftly enter Mr. Burnett's cabin.
For an instant she was too startled to move. Then she whispered into herchum's ear.
"Now is our chance! We must steal out there and lock him in!"