The Deserted Yacht Part 14

"The rock wasn't directly in our path."

"The bell is slightly to the right, anch.o.r.ed 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 m.u.f.fled 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 sh.o.r.e. 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 subst.i.tution 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.

CHAPTER XIV A Call for Aid

The trail leading to the promontory was overgrown with weeds and brush.

For a minute after she plunged into the forest Madge feared that she had lost her chum. She could not see Enid and only a faint crackling of sticks far ahead convinced her that she had taken the right path. At the risk of being heard, she hurried faster.

Soon she caught a glimpse of Enid's white dress through the trees and slackened her pace. Apparently, Enid had sensed that she was being followed, for unexpectedly, she wheeled about and looked intently toward the very spot where Madge stood.

She observed nothing amiss and went on again, walking faster, as though eager to be finished with an unpleasant ordeal. Madge exercised more caution in trailing her, for she did not wish to ruin her carefully laid plans by being detected.

Enid walked directly to a large white birch tree. She glanced sharply about but there was no other person within sight.

Madge approached within fifty yards and secreted herself in the bushes.

It was too dark to see her watch but she knew it must be midnight. Would the kidnappers fail to keep the appointment?

Enid was obviously ill at ease. She moved about, looking first in one direction, then another, and clutched her package tightly in her arms.

Madge felt none too secure in her own hiding place. She could well imagine what might happen to her should she be discovered. The very silence was disturbing. She could almost feel that hostile eyes were watching her every move.

She waited five minutes, ten, and then from among the trees a tall figure suddenly emerged. Enid was so startled that she uttered a smothered scream and nearly dropped her package.

Madge could not see the man's face but she noted that he wore a turban on his head and knew that he must be a native of India.

"Did you bring the Zudi Drum?" she heard him demand in a guttural voice.

"I will give it to you when you a.s.sure me that my father is safe and will be released," Enid responded.

Madge failed to catch the man's reply, but from the tone of his voice, she inferred he was threatening Enid. He advanced a step as though to take the package by force. Enid retreated. Then, apparently realizing that resistance was useless, she halted.

"I'll give you the drum but you must promise to release my father immediately."

The man took the package from her, roughly grasping her arm as she pulled away.

"Not so fast," he muttered. "Think I'll let you get away and bring the police down on us? You come with me!"

Enid uttered no cry, but she struggled frantically to free herself.

Involuntarily, Madge started forward to aid her friend, then checked herself. Undoubtedly, the kidnapper was armed and likely other companions were hiding nearby. To expose herself might ruin every chance of a rescue. Deliberately, she waited.

"Come along quietly and you'll not be harmed," she heard the man tell Enid. "Resist and it will be the worse for you."