“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.”