A light shone in the dwelling, and Flash was relieved to find Claude Geiser there. The young man displayed no interest in making the long trip to Excelsior City, but his attitude changed when a ten dollar bill was waved before his eyes.
“All right, I’ll take you,” he agreed reluctantly. “How soon you want to start?”
“Now,” said Flash. “And I’ll do the driving.”
The trip to Excelsior City was made in fast time despite young Geiser’s frequent protests that his new car was being shaken to pieces. At the hotel Flash paid what he owed and they parted company.
Left alone, the cameraman hesitated. After an instant of debate he decided to talk with Major Hartgrove by long distance telephone before taking any action against Rascomb.
“Accusing a man of being a spy even when I know it to be true, is ticklish business,” he thought. “I’ll need someone to back me up.”
Flash entered the hotel. He crossed to the desk and asked for the key to his room.
“Mr. Evans!” exclaimed the clerk. “We understood—that is, your friend told us you were lost in the forest fire!”
“I’m very much alive,” Flash snapped. “When did you last see Doyle?”
“I haven’t noticed him in the lobby since midnight.”