“What is it?” Enid demanded, abruptly rising.
“It’s a communication from those men who kidnapped your father. Read it!”
Enid snatched at the paper and eagerly scanned the message. It read:
“Deliver the Zudi Drum Bowl on midnight of the 29th at the white birch on Cedar Point if you wish to save your father. Come alone and communicate with no one. If the police learn of this note, your father’s life will be the forfeit.”
The note was signed with three triangles and a strange symbol, unlike anything the girls had ever seen before.
“How dreadful!” Enid gasped.
“What does it all mean?” Madge demanded. “Did you ever hear of this thing they call the Zudi Drum Bowl?”
Enid nodded soberly. Her face was very white.
“Oh, Madge, I’m afraid we’re dealing with a band of the worst sort of criminals,” she half whispered. “This isn’t an ordinary kidnapping case. It’s the Zudi Drum that has caused all the trouble.”
“Tell me what it’s all about,” Madge commanded. “This note is Greek to me.”