“You forced my hand this afternoon,” he said. “I acted without due thought or I should have handled the situation differently.”
“You mean you would have cracked me harder,” Flash retorted.
“Your unexpected return has inconvenienced me,” Rascomb admitted pleasantly. “Yet, I hope you believe that I did not desire your death. You are a fellow with nerve. I admire courage. Unfortunately, your curiosity in a matter which never need have concerned you jeopardizes my interests.”
“So you have decided to blot me out?”
“Nothing that drastic, providing you decide to forget a few of your remarkable observations.”
“Meaning I am never to reveal that you are Povy?”
“We understand each other, Evans. Now I had planned to retire to a quiet life here at my lodge, but you have made that impossible. I shall attend to a few necessary tasks, one deal in particular, and then disappear. My only demand from you is that you forget you ever knew either Rascomb or Povy.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I shall find an effective means of dealing with you if you become annoying. However, your wagging tongue can do me very little harm. By the time you are free I shall be a long distance from Excelsior City.”
Still keeping his revolver trained on Flash, Rascomb picked up an overcoat and hat from the table. He had changed into a well tailored business suit, and had re-touched the telltale scar so that it no longer was visible.