As they rode through the night at a furious pace, Doyle and Major Hartgrove continued to question their prisoner. They soon satisfied themselves that he knew almost nothing about Rascomb’s past.
“I only met the guy yesterday,” he insisted. “Rascomb offered me a chance to pick up some easy money. He let on he wanted to play a joke on some friends of his. I was to drive the car. Until tonight I didn’t have no idea I was getting mixed up in a kidnapping, and maybe worse.”
“What do you mean—worse?” the Major inquired.
“Well, I don’t want to have any hand in letting an innocent man be killed. That’s why I’m spilling everything I know. Rascomb planted one of his men at Melveredge Field. He has it fixed so some poor guy will get killed tomorrow when they test out a parachute.”
“Bailey Brooks!”
“Yeah, he’s the one. I heard Rascomb talking about it.”
“I see!” said the Major explosively. “Rascomb figured that if Brooks were killed in the test, the parachute would be discredited, and the army would lose all interest. Then, with the plans in his possession, he would quietly transfer them to his own government. But we’ll stop that test!”
Flash pressed his foot harder on the accelerator. He was afraid to look at his watch again. The speedometer warned him that they were not making good time.
Soon they came to a small town which Flash recognized. A narrow country road bisected the one they were following.
He eased on the brake.