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 plan consisted of substituting for the Zudi Drum an inexpensive bowl of the same size.

Enid had carefully laid her plans. She intended to take the motor boat to Cedar Point, leaving in ample time to arrive at the designated meeting place by midnight.

Yet, as the actual day arrived, her courage began to fail. It was not difficult for Madge to persuade her that it would do no harm for someone to accompany her at least a portion of the way.

“If you come, you must stay in the boat,” Enid insisted. “I must go alone to meet the kidnappers.”

Madge did not press the point for she had gained her main object. Another detail remained to be arranged to her satisfaction. She pointed out that it would be wise to wrap the Zudi Drum.

Enid did not clearly follow this line of thought, but she offered no objection when Madge made a neat package of the trophy. In fact, she was so excited and nervous that she scarcely noticed what went on about her.

The day dragged slowly. 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.

He held up a package wrapped in brown paper.

“I had one heck of a time finding what you wanted, Madge. I scoured the city.”

“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 agreed that I may go to Cedar Point with her. This afternoon I induced her to wrap the Zudi Drum—rather I did it myself. I intend to substitute this package for it, and you must keep her out here on deck while I make the exchange.”

“And after that?”

“I think Enid plans to leave here about nine or ten o’clock. What I want you 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. If the kidnappers release her father as they promised, all well and good. If things go wrong as I suspect they may, I’ll race back to shore and send up a rocket which will be the signal for you to go for help as quickly as you 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 amphibian around here she may guess what is up.”

“Why not lie in toward shore? If you’re watching closely you will be able to 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 the police there in two jerks.”

There was no time for further discussion of the plan, for the sound of footsteps warned them that Enid was approaching. Madge hastily ducked into a companionway with her package. Rex maneuvered Enid to another part of 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 the exchange. For a minute she was puzzled to think of another hiding place for the Zudi Drum.

“Enid never goes near her father’s cabin if she can avoid it,” she told herself. “I’ll take it there.”

Making certain that the coast was clear, she ducked into Mr. Burnett’s room 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 had accomplished her purpose. Soon after her return, he made an excuse for departing.

“I’d feel a lot better if you girls would let me go along tonight,” he said to Enid. “Or at least follow in my motor boat——”

“Oh, no! The kidnappers would be suspicious right away. Promise you won’t do 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 word boat.

After Rex had gone, she wandered aimlessly about the decks, watching the clock. Several times she suggested that they start for Cedar Point, but Madge convinced her that it was still too early.

“We might have engine trouble or something,” Enid argued. “I’d rather get there ahead of time.”

At last Madge gave in to her wishes although she was a little afraid that Rex had not had sufficient time to return home for his amphibian. They went to the cabin for the Zudi Drum. She held her breath as Enid picked it up. However, she appeared to notice nothing amiss and stowed it away in 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 darker than she had anticipated. She wondered if Rex could see their pilot light.

Enid started the motor and they swung slowly away from The Flora. For a time the little boat plowed steadily through the water, keeping close to shore. Then Enid headed out toward a group of small islands. After she had passed them she was less sure of the course, and slackened her speed that she might watch for buoys.

“We must keep an eye out for Clingman’s Rock,” she warned. “It’s submerged except at low tide.”

The channel was narrow and intricate. Few boats ventured near Cedar Point and Enid had never made the trip at night. She became somewhat troubled as 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 very confident of my bearings.”

Both girls were now alert and anxious. They strained eyes and ears for a warning 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. And just to the right, not a stone’s throw away, she saw water break over a flat, ugly expanse of rock.

“That was a narrow squeak,” Enid laughed nervously. “Lucky you have good ears, 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 it hadn’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 at speed. Several times she caught her friend glancing back over the route they had traversed.

“Why do you do that?” she questioned. “Are you afraid some one is following us?”

Caught off her guard, Madge stammered a denial. After that, she took care not to watch for Rex, but once she thought she heard the faint muffled roar of an airplane engine.

It was only a little after eleven o’clock when they slipped quietly into a secluded cove near Cedar Point. Enid snapped off the motor. Now that the fatal hour approached, she found it difficult to keep from showing fright.

“I’ll stay here with you until nearly time to meet the kidnappers,” she chattered.

“Are you sure you know where to meet them?”

“Yes, the note said on the point by the large white birch. I know the spot well. There’s no other tree like it in this locality.”

Madge’s nerves were calm but she too felt strangely uneasy. The night was dark with only a sprinkling of stars showing between the threatening clouds which banked the sky. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees along shore. Now and then the mournful cry of a bird broke the stillness.

“I feel exactly as if we’re being watched,” Enid whispered nervously.

“So do I,” Madge acknowledged. “It’s probably just a feeling. Still, I don’t like this layout a little bit. It’s the most desolate place I ever saw. 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 her wrist 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 her conscience troubled her. Was it possible that the substitution had been a mistake? If the abductors were honest in their intentions, then her act might actually hinder the rescue of Mr. Burnett.

“I must go now,” Enid declared resolutely. “It will take me at least ten minutes to walk to the point.”

She picked up the package which she believed to be the Zudi Drum. Madge resisted the temptation to confess everything. More keenly than before, she realized that Enid was walking straight into danger—perhaps into a trap.

“I wish you the best of luck,” she said quietly. “Be on your guard every instant, 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 light nor was there any sign to indicate Rex was near.

“It looks as though I may get to handle this job alone,” she thought uncomfortably.

Enid’s footsteps were rapidly dying away. Madge no longer dared delay. Moving with extreme caution, she left the boat, and noiselessly followed her friend.