Enid shook her head and smiled.
“No, that’s something I’ll not ask anyone to do. I must go alone as the note directs.”
Enid was somewhat troubled in regard to a place of safekeeping for the Zudi Drum Bowl since there was no safe aboard the yacht. She finally decided to keep it in the cabin she shared with Madge and gave strict orders to the sailors that they were to maintain a watch the entire night.
Before the trophy was carefully hidden in Enid’s wardrobe trunk, Madge examined it once again. Unknown to her friend, she took a piece of paper and made a rough pencil sketch of the design on the bowl. This she slipped into her purse, and a few minutes later announced that she must go to the city to attend to a matter of business. She invited Enid to accompany her, but the latter declined, saying that the trip to Bay City had tired her.
“I’m a terrible hostess,” she confessed, “but under the circumstance I know you’ll forgive me.”
Madge not only forgave her but was relieved when she decided not to accompany her, for she preferred to go alone to Mr. Dewitt’s jewelry store.
“I hope he tells me what I want to know,” she thought. “If my suspicions are confirmed, I may be able to really help Enid.”
CHAPTER XII
An Unusual History
Upon reaching the mainland in the motor boat, Madge instructed the sailor who had piloted her from the yacht to return for her in an hour. She then made her way toward the Dewitt and Prager Jewelry store, walking hurriedly, for her wrist watch warned her that it was nearly closing time.
As she entered the shop, she observed that already the salesmen were removing trays from the windows and returning expensive jewelry to the vaults.