The Girl Detective Megapack: 25 Classic Mystery Novels for Girls

by Mildred A. Wirt

  The motor boat coasted in to a landing and was made fast. Madge thanked Rex and said goodbye to him at the wharf. From his directions, she easily made her way to the telegraph office.

  She sat down at a desk and hastily scribbled a message to her Aunt Maude and Uncle George Brady, assuring them of her safe arrival at Cheltham Bay. She signed her name in full, and as she handed the telegram to the clerk in charge, he looked up in surprise.

  “Just a minute, Miss,” he said, “I believe a message for you just came in. I’ll see if it has left the office.”

  He returned a minute later, handing her a sheet of paper. Madge eagerly scanned the typewritten message which to her astonishment was from Jack French:

  “LEARNED OF BURNETT KIDNAPPING THROUGH NEWSPAPERS. CAN I HELP? VACATION STARTS TWENTY-SEVENTH. FREE TO COME.”

  “If that isn’t just like him!” she thought. “You can always depend on Jack when there’s trouble on hand. I do wish he were here! Well, why not? He said before I left he might come to Cheltham Bay, and surely this is the psychological time.”

  She snatched up a form from the desk and after some difficulty composed a message which satisfied her. She paid for both telegrams, a rather large sum since she had not been sparing of words, and after inquiring the name of a reliable jeweler, left the office.

  She walked slowly up the street and presently came to the firm of Dewitt and Prager, which she had been informed was the highest grade jewelry store in the city. The shop was nearly empty. As she entered, a clerk came at once to wait upon her.

  Madge felt slightly embarrassed as she fished in her pocketbook for the jade pin. Now that she was in the jewelry shop her mission seemed somewhat silly.

  Nevertheless, she placed the pin on the counter before the clerk.

  “I’d like to find out if this has any value,” she said. “I suppose it’s only a cheap pin but I wanted to make sure.”

  The man picked it up, and looked quickly at Madge who felt increasingly uncomfortable. She watched his face as he peered at the stone through a special eye glass.

  “Where did you get this?” he inquired.

  “Why, I—that is, a friend gave it to me,” Madge stammered. “It was found.”

  Again the clerk bestowed upon her a searching glance. She had not counted upon answering questions and realized that her answers were not very satisfactory. It flashed through her mind that the jade pin might have been stolen. In a panic, she pictured herself occupying a jail cell.

  Perhaps her expression reassured the clerk, for he smiled as he returned the pin.

  “I’m sorry I can’t tell you the value of this stone. Our expert, Mr. Dewitt is out of the city today. However, I do know that this pin is an unusual piece of jewelry. The carving is unique.”

  “Is it valuable, do you think?”

  “I would judge so, but for any definite estimate, you must see Mr. Dewitt.”

  “When will he be in?”

  “Tomorrow. Why not leave the pin here until then? Mr. Dewitt has made a special study of jade and I think he may have something interesting to tell you about your stone.”

  Madge debated for a minute and finally decided to leave the pin. It would be safer in the hands of the jeweler than in her pocketbook, she reasoned, and until she had definite information concerning the stone, she did not wish to risk losing it.

  She promised that she would call again the following day and left the shop. Returning to the waterfront she looked about for a boatman to take her to The Flora.

  “I hope I see that same man again,” she thought.

  She passed by several boatmen who offered their services and even idled about the wharf for ten minutes, but caught no glimpse of the person she sought.

  “He seems to have a way of vanishing when I’m looking for him,” she told herself. “Oh, well, if my suspicions concerning that jade pin are correct, I’ll go after him in earnest. I do wonder if he is deliberately avoiding me?”

  For the present, she was forced to abandon the idea of finding him. She engaged another man who agreed to take her to The Flora for a nominal fee.

  As they rowed for the yacht, her thoughts were chiefly concerned with the jade pin.

  “I wonder what Mr. Dewitt will tell me when I go back tomorrow?” she mused. “I hope it will be something that will help Enid.”

  CHAPTER X

  Uninvited Visitors

  Rex did not forget his promise to take Enid to her home at Bay City. Soon after breakfast the following morning, he swooped down out of the sky with his amphibian, landing a short distance from the yacht as the bay was very rough. The girls had one of the sailors take them out to the plane in the motor boat.

  “The old bus is loaded with gas and rarin’ to go,” Rex declared, helping them into the cockpit.

  “What do you think about the weather?” Madge inquired somewhat anxiously.

  “Oh, we’ll make it all right,” he returned without concern. “According to the airport weather report we may run into a storm before we reach Bay City, but it probably won’t amount to much.”

  “You take your storms casually,” Madge smiled. “Remember, we’re not seasoned to it the way you are.”

  “There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he assured her. “We’ll not have any trouble unless it is in taking off. The water is pretty rough this morning.”

  As soon as the girls were comfortably settled in the cockpit, he accelerated the engine and they were off. The amphibian moved slowly at first, then with increasing speed. As it planed over the waves, the bow had a tendency to drop into the following trough and Rex was kept busy trying to prevent it nosing in. Once before flying speed was gained, the waves threw the plane a little way into the air. While the girls caught their breath in fear, Rex acted instinctively. He minimized the stall and as the nose dropped, pulled back the stick to level out.

  Madge and Enid breathed easier when the amphibian finally shook her wings free from the bay and smoothly climbed. They gazed down over the cockpit, distinguishing The Flora which seemed a mere speck on the water.

  It was impossible to talk against the roar of the wind and the motor, so the girls enjoyed the scenery to the fullest measure. Although they followed a water route, seldom were they out of sight of land.

  Before they had been in the air an hour, Madge noticed that they were running into heavy clouds. Rex too, studied the sky a trifle anxiously though he flashed the girls a reassuring smile. Soon the little plane was hemmed in. A sudden gust of wind sent the ship careening to a dizzy angle.

  A flash of jagged lightning cracked across the black void beyond the propeller. Rex put the plane into a steep climb in an attempt to get above the storm.

  For an endless minute it seemed that the clouds were everywhere. Then the plane rose above them into the warm sunlight. The girls looked down, gazing upon a solid floor of clouds. They felt snug in the cockpit and enjoyed watching nature’s fireworks from a safe gallery seat.

  For a time they flew blind. Presently they saw a break in the clouds and plunged down to find themselves beyond the storm center. The air was choppy and now and then the ship made dizzy drops. Fortunately, neither of the girls were troubled with air sickness though Enid was not sorry when Bay City was sighted ahead.

  Approaching the beach, Rex throttled the motor and sent the amphibian into a glide. It rapidly lost speed, “stalled” a few inches above the water and settled upon the surface with scarcely a jolt, skimming slowly toward shore. Rex held the nose high for the water was still rough.

  As the plane came in, two airport attendants waded out and grasped the wings, steadying the ship until Rex brought it to a standstill. Arrangements were made to have the plane refueled, and then the three friends left the field. A taxicab carried them to the Burnett summer home at the edge of the city.

  They dismissed the driver at the huge iron gate which marked the entrance of the grounds, telling him to return for them in an hour.

  “Our caretaker should be around
here somewhere,” Enid said. “I imagine we’re locked out.”

  Rex rattled the gate and to his surprise it opened. They entered the grounds.

  “What a beautiful estate!” Madge exclaimed admiringly.

  Enid did not share her enthusiasm for she was looking at the untrimmed grass, the weedy flower beds, the scraggy hedge.

  “It doesn’t look as though the place has been touched in weeks. Wait until I find that caretaker! He thinks he can shirk just because we’re away.”

  She walked determinedly up the gravel path, Madge and Rex following. Enid rapped firmly on the front door but there was no response.

  “He must be somewhere around the grounds,” she declared. “I’ll use my own key.”

  “Perhaps the door is unlocked,” Madge suggested.

  Enid turned the knob and to her surprise the door opened. She stepped aside to permit the others to enter.

  “Why, look what has happened!” Madge, who was the first to cross the threshold, cried. “The place is all upset!”

  It was obvious that the Burnett living room had been ransacked. Shelves had been emptied of their contents, furniture moved, objects littered over the floor.

  “It looks as though we’ve been robbed,” Enid said quietly, surveying the wreckage. “It’s a foregone conclusion, everything of value is missing, but we may as well look around.”

  They went from one room to the other. While everything appeared to have been disturbed, silverware, valuable paintings and rugs had not been taken. In fact, Enid could not find that anything actually was missing.

  “I’m afraid to go to Father’s room,” she confessed. “He keeps his most treasured art pieces there, and I know they’ll be gone.”

  She led the way upstairs and flung open the door of her father’s chamber.

  “I knew it!” she exclaimed. “Just look at the place!”

  A valuable vase lay upon the floor, smashed into bits. Books had been torn from the wall cases and various articles of curious design were scattered about.

  “At least they didn’t take everything,” Madge commented. “Can you tell what is missing, Enid?”

  “Not without taking a complete inventory. Some of Father’s most valued antiques are here though. I can’t understand it.”

  “Perhaps your trusted caretaker has skipped out with some of the things he most fancied,” Rex suggested.

  Enid’s face tightened.

  “Wait until I find him! He’s responsible for this, although I have no thought that he actually took the things. More than likely he simply went away and left the house unguarded, thinking that we would never know the difference.”

  “Have you employed him long?” Rex asked.

  “No, Father engaged him only the week before we left here.”

  Madge had been moving slowly about the room, examining the many objects scattered about. She saw old clocks, odd pieces of jewelry, grotesque vases, and articles from nearly every country.

  “It’s peculiar that all these things were left,” she mused aloud. “I wonder what the thief was after? Enid, where is the Zudi Drum Bowl?”

  In the excitement, Enid had entirely forgotten the one object of most importance. Her face disclosed her chagrin.

  “Why, I expected to find it here in Father’s room.”

  “Then it must be gone. At least I haven’t seen anything that resembles the description you gave me.”

  “Oh, if it’s been taken, what in the world shall I do?”

  “It may be here,” Madge comforted. “We haven’t thoroughly searched yet.”

  They hastily straightened the room, returning many of the antiques to their shelves. While they looked in every conceivable place, the Zudi Drum Bowl was not found. At length, Enid sank down in a chair, burying her face in her hands.

  “Oh, it’s no use. I know it’s gone! That’s why nothing else was taken. The thieves were after the Zudi Drum.”

  Rex tried to cheer her but with poor success.

  “That drum seems to be in great demand,” Madge commented thoughtfully. “It must be valuable.”

  “Oh, it is,” Enid responded gloomily, “but I doubt if it would bring as high a price as some of the things that weren’t taken. Of course, it had to disappear just when it might have bought Father’s release.”

  Madge remained quiet for a few minutes, then suddenly asked:

  “Are you certain the Zudi Drum was kept in this room?”

  “I don’t see where else it could be.”

  “I should have thought your father would have been afraid of it being stolen. Doesn’t he have any other place where he keeps his valuables?”

  At Madge’s words, a startled expression came into Enid’s eyes. She sprang to her feet.

  “Why didn’t I think of it before? Father may have put that drum in the wall safe!”

  “Do you know the combination?” Madge demanded eagerly.

  “If I haven’t forgotten.”

  “Then let’s have a look.”

  With one accord, the three friends rushed for the stairs.

  “I never once thought of the safe when we were in the library!” Enid cried, leading the way. “I do hope it hasn’t been blown open!”

  CHAPTER XI

  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 t
he 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.”