“Please accept resignation of Jimmy Evans and George Doyle, effective immediately.”
Flash re-read the message. Then, moving to the bathroom door he called to his roommate. Doyle could not hear because of the running water.
Giving it up, Flash went back to the telephone. He placed a call for Major Hartgrove at Melveredge Field, and waited.
Ten minutes elapsed. The telephone bell jingled. Eagerly he took down the receiver. The operator spoke.
“It is impossible to contact your party,” she reported. “Will you speak with any other person?”
“Get me Captain Ernest Johns.”
Again Flash waited, although a shorter time. Once more the operator had only failure to report.
“Captain Johns and Major Hartgrove no longer are located at Melveredge Field,” she informed. “I am sorry.”
Flash hung up the receiver, disappointed by his inability to contact either of the men. A slight sound caused him to turn in his chair.
He stared. The outside door stood slightly ajar. He could not remember having left it that way.