The Zudi Drum
In the library, Enid paused before a large picture which hung from silken
cords on the wall. To the surprise of Madge and Rex, she gave one of the
gold cords a sharp jerk. The picture swung back to disclose a cleverly
hidden 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 to
herself. The safe failed to open and she tried again. This time, a sharp
little click from within told her that she had worked the dials
correctly. 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 a
queer-shaped object, perhaps a foot and a half in diameter at the
opening, the sides of which were decorated with strange symbols. Madge
examined the markings curiously.
“Well, if that’s the Zudi Drum I don’t see why those kidnappers are so
keen 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 lot
to him or he wouldn’t keep it in the safe. I don’t see why he attaches
such value to it.”
“Neither do I unless it’s because there is no other in existence. The
drum was formerly used in religious rites by a tribe of half civilized
Indians now extinct, I believe.”
Madge picked up the drum, studied it a moment and set it down on the
table again.
“Enid,” she said quietly, “why do you suppose your father refused to tell
his 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 that
was their first move, then when he refused to tell, they sent you that
note.”
“That’s possible,” Enid admitted reluctantly. “Father’s stubborn.”
“It’s my guess the persons who entered this house were the same ones who
kidnapped your father.”
Rex nodded to show that he too agreed with Madge. Enid did not look
entirely convinced.
“I know what you’re leading up to,” she said. “You don’t want me to give
up the drum so easily.”
“It’s your concern more than mine,” Madge replied, secretly discouraged
at her friend’s stubborn attitude. “Only if I were you, I’d be extremely
cautious in dealing with those abductors.”
Enid made no response but closed the safe door and picked up the Zudi
Drum.
“Our taxi has been waiting twenty minutes,” Rex informed, glancing at his
watch. “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 taxi
still waiting. They drove into the city, stopping at a hotel for a
belated luncheon. Enid refused to check the Zudi Drum and during the meal
kept it hidden under an overcoat which Rex donated for the purpose. She
was in better spirits than she had been since the kidnapping, and for the
first 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 least
certain 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, she
would change her mind about going through with the affair, but to all
appearances, Enid was more determined than ever. Madge had by no means
given up. She had one trump card which she intended to play at the last
minute, but unless she found it to be absolutely necessary, she did not
wish to alarm Enid. And then too, she was not entirely sure of her
ground. A certain suspicion had been growing in her mind but until she
saw Mr. Dewitt she must make no false move.
They finished their luncheon and taxied to the airport where they found
the amphibian ready for the return trip. The girls took their places and
Rex started the engine. Attendants steadied the wings until the nose
pointed 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 their
own 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 at
the 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 go
to 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 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.”