Frank Bell

“ Quiet settled over the lodge. After a short time Flash heard a car drive out of the yard. There was a shuffling of shoes through the gravel, then a heavy step outside the door.
“Fleur!” he shouted, pounding on the panel.
“Take it easy, young feller, take it easy,” the caretaker called soothingly. “It won’t do you no good to try to pound your way out o’ there. Mr. Rascomb’s gone for the doctor.”
“Let me out of here, Fleur!” Flash pleaded. “Rascomb will get away! You don’t know who he is! He’s Albert Povy, a spy—”
“You’re plumb out o’ your head just as Mr. Rascomb said,” Fleur returned sadly. ”

“ Quickly he made his telephone call from the lobby of the hotel.
“I’m glad you’ve changed your mind,” Joe told him gratefully. “Can’t you come over to the hospital before you leave town?”
“Afraid not. We’re starting in a few minutes.”
Joe Wells hesitated, and then said: “You’ll get along fine, Flash, if you manage to stay on the good side of Doyle. He can help you a lot. But I’ll give you a tip. If he takes a dislike to a fellow, he knows all the ways of making it plenty tough.”
“Everything will be fine, Joe. I’ll manage. And your job will be waiting whenever you want it back.” ”

“ Doyle demanded eagerly. “And keep on with News-Vue?”
“Well, for a few weeks. But I’ve promised to return to the Ledger.”
“You’ll have a job waiting with News-Vue whenever you want it,” Doyle predicted. “And you’ll come back. Once a newsreel cameraman, always one. The excitement seeps into your blood.”
“Yes, Doyle, you’re right,” Flash said heartily. “Taking ordinary pictures will seem pretty tame after this. One of these days I’ll probably be coming back.” ”

“ He was trying to buy Bailey Brooks’ parachute after the successful test.”
“Oh, sure,” nodded Doyle. “He wasn’t killed in the wreck?”
“His name is listed.”
Doyle guided the sound truck through traffic at a reckless pace, deliberately stealing the right-of-way from timid motorists.
“If Povy’s dead, then Bailey Brooks is out of luck,” he remarked in a matter of fact tone. “Too bad for him.”
“And for Povy, too,” added Flash dryly. “However, from what I’ve heard of the man, his death may not be such a great loss to humanity.” ”

“ Flash insisted. “For years the man has been living a double existence. As Rascomb he’s acted the part of a wealthy, upstanding citizen. As Povy—well, I don’t know much about his past.”
“Albert Povy was one of the most daring spies the government ever encountered,” explained Captain Johns. “He caused us great embarrassment. Recently, evidence piled up against him. Had his death not occurred, he would have been arrested within forty-eight hours.”
“I saw him on the train,” Flash said. “At the time it appeared to me that he might have been shadowing Major Hartgrove.” ”

“ Rascomb touched his arm.
“We should be starting back,” he said. “The wind is bringing the fire this way. If the brush should catch behind us from a flying brand, we might easily be trapped.”
Flash shouldered his camera. At a fast pace they started down the hillside.
Reaching the boat, Rascomb tried once more to start the motor and failed. For the first time he displayed anxiety.
“I’ll feel safer when we are beyond the pass,” he said, seizing the oars. “But the current should take us down fairly fast.”
Rascomb rowed tirelessly, refusing to allow Flash or Doyle to relieve him. ”

“ Burdened as they were with heavy equipment, they took it slowly, proceeding in easy stages.
Presently, pausing to rest, Flash glanced downward. He noticed that a coupe had drawn up in a clump of bushes not far from the cliff. A man with field glasses was watching their progress.
“We have an interested watcher,” remarked Flash. “Wonder who he is?”
Both Joe and Bailey Brooks turned to gaze in the direction indicated.
“I can’t tell from this distance,” said the parachute jumper. “It looks like Albert Povy’s automobile.” ”

“ Doyle related their success, taking most of the credit upon himself. Joe listened with a tolerant, half-amused attitude.
“Where was Flash while all this was going on?” he inquired dryly.
“Flash?” Doyle was brought up sharply. “Oh, he was right at my elbow. He helped a lot.”
“I figured he might. You know, big stories and smash pictures always have a way of breaking around him. He’s better than a rabbit’s foot any day!”
“We were lucky yesterday,” Flash admitted with a grin. “Those auto crashes seemed to have been staged for our special benefit. I only hope the films turn out well.” ”

“ His tone was so explosive that Flash jumped. He dropped into a chair opposite the army man.
“Evans,” said the Major, “I’ve tried to locate you ever since the night of the wreck. Where have you been hiding?”
“Indianapolis,” Flash returned, and explained how he had substituted as a cameraman for Joe Wells.
“So you’re a professional photographer?” inquired the Major. “Took a few pictures of the train wreck, didn’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have they been published?”
“I couldn’t say. I sent some of my films to the Brandale Ledger. Haven’t had time to hear from my editor yet.” ”

“ Captain Johns pressed his finger steadily on the elevator signal bell. When the cage did not immediately ascend, he started up the stairway. Flash followed him.
“It was the hotel clerk who telephoned me,” he explained. “Major Hartgrove can’t be located. His room is empty and there is evidence of a brutal attack!”
“Rascomb—” Flash began only to be cut short.
“How could Rascomb have had anything to do with it?” Captain Johns demanded with a snort of impatience. “We were with him for the past twenty minutes. Young man, you should devote your talents to picture taking.” ”

“ Evans raved so much and told such an outlandish story that Fleur considered him out of his head. He locked him up and telephoned me. I immediately ordered his release.”
“Your story is very smooth,” said Flash, “but there’s one little detail you can’t gloss over. How about that scar on your cheek?”
“I have no scar.”
“Prove it,” Flash challenged. “Take off those bandages!”
Mr. Gordon spoke with exasperation.
“We are trying to be patient. You make it most difficult. In returning to Excelsior City this evening from his hunting lodge, Mr. Rascomb was in a motor accident. Hence the bandages.” ”

“ Clewes.”
“In what way?”
“Letting on that I hadn’t shown you his telegram. And then the way you breezed up and accepted a job after you made me think you wouldn’t take one.”
“I don’t remember that we ever discussed it,” Flash returned coldly. “But that’s neither here nor there. I’ve taken the job. Whether we like it or not, we’ll be working together. Why not try to get along without friction?”
“Suits me. All I ask is that you do your work and don’t expect to use me as a crutch.”
“We understand each other perfectly, Doyle. Now when do we start?” ”

“ 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.” ”

“ Why not give it a little whirl—while you’re on your vacation anyhow? It’s not easy, getting a chance to break into the newsreel game, and here it drops right into your lap. If you don’t like it, you can go back to the Ledger and no harm done. And another thing, the pay is much better.”
As Flash remained thoughtfully silent, Joe added: “If your pictures turn out well, Clewes may offer you the job on his own initiative. Don’t let Doyle’s personality stand in your way.” ”

“ Without waiting for Jerry’s reply, he signaled a taxi, leaping on the running board as it slowed down.
“Follow that green sound truck!”
The chase led through the business section of Brandale into open country. There the car and sound truck chose a road which wound along the ocean. Some twelve miles from the city, they both drew up at the base of a high cliff overlooking the beach.
“Wait for me,” Flash instructed the driver.
As he stepped from the cab, he saw that his hunch had been right. Bailey Brooks was unloading parachute equipment from his automobile. ”

“ What do you mean?”
“I don’t know myself,” Flash admitted. “I’ll be frank and say Rascomb has me puzzled.”
Driving back to Excelsior City, the newsreel men located themselves at the Parker Hotel. Not wishing to be far from a telephone, Doyle insisted upon dining in the building. Later he returned to his room. Flash remained in the lobby reading a newspaper until after nine o’clock.
Entering the bedroom, he found Doyle gloomily playing a game of solitaire.
“Your telephone call didn’t come through?” Flash asked.
“No! Rascomb must have been handing me a line! It’s enough to make a fellow sick!” ”

“ The automobile had been held up by a red light. Jerry was staring at the driver with deep interest when a green-painted sound truck bearing the sign, News-Vue Picture Company, rolled up directly behind the car.
“Say, that sound truck seems to be following Bailey Brooks!” Flash exclaimed, excitement creeping into his voice. “Something must be in the wind!”
“Sure looks that way,” agreed Jerry. “The newsreel lads must be after pictures.” ”

“ Flash and Doyle were forced to enter the cabin.
The room in which they found themselves was dirty, and provided with the plainest of furniture. Opening from it was a second room.
“Get in there!” the chauffeur ordered.
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“Say, listen!” Doyle protested angrily, “Tell us what this is all about. Why are we being held?”
“Because you’ve learned too much, buddy. You and your pal.”
“How long are you keeping us here?”
“All depends. If you take it easy and don’t make no trouble, we may let you out tomorrow.”
“After Herbert Rascomb has skipped the country,” drawled Flash. ”

“ Flash followed his companion down the corridor to Room 267. The door stood half open, and several hotel officials, an excited bellboy and a chambermaid, already were gathered there.
“What has happened?” demanded Captain Johns gruffly.
“We don’t know,” answered the hotel manager nervously.
“I followed your instructions, sir,” the clerk explained. “In exactly twenty minutes after you left the lobby I telephoned this room. Failing to arouse Major Hartgrove I sent a boy up here. This is the way the room was found. Nothing has been touched.” ”

“ He felt satisfied the sportsman had not liked him particularly.
Unable to solve the puzzle, Flash finally dropped off to sleep. He awoke to find Doyle shaking his arm.
“Roll out! Seven o’clock!”
As Flash dressed, Doyle made slighting remarks about his appearance, suggesting that it might be well to buy a new suit of clothes before they started for the lodge.
“Sorry but I can’t buy a new suit before I get home,” Flash replied, unmoved. “This one will have to do.”
They breakfasted at a café across from the hotel and by eight o’clock were ready to start for Clear Lake, twenty miles away. ”

“ The News-Vue man inserted a sheet of printed paper in a typewriter, rapidly filling in the blanks.
“I’m getting ready to take off for Indianapolis tomorrow,” he remarked casually. “George Doyle started on ahead with the sound wagon about an hour ago. I follow by train and meet him there.”
“Maybe I’ll see you,” Flash replied. “I’m covering the races myself. For the Ledger.”
“I never could go back to working on a paper now,” Joe commented. “Too tame compared with the newsreels. Flash, why don’t you consider—”
“No!” Flash cut in with a laugh. “I’m not listening to any arguments.” ”

“ The sound technician groaned. “Joe had all our credentials. You didn’t think they’d let us through the gate without proper identification?”
Flash had not given the matter a thought. “Won’t our truck get us by?” he asked.
“It may, but I doubt it. They’re not letting many sound outfits inside.”
“What will we do?”
“What can we do? If we’re questioned, we’ll have to put up a loud argument.”
The truck had entered dense traffic. It halted to await its turn to enter the grounds. Slowly the line moved up.
Shouting “News-Vue” in a loud voice, Doyle attempted to drive through the gate. ”

“ Stop off at Melveredge Field and try to get shots of the new bombing plane which is being tested there.”
“Try is right,” grumbled Doyle. “That place is so surrounded by barbed-wire red tape a newsreel man couldn’t cut his way through in a month. How about permits?”
“News-Vue will endeavor to make the necessary arrangements. Even if you can’t obtain pictures of the bomber, you should be able to get routine maneuvers. Do the best you can. Further orders will be forwarded to you at the Clarinda Hotel.”
Mr. Clewes shook hands with both Flash and Doyle, and hastened to his taxi. ”

“ While Doyle returned to the house to talk with Rascomb, he wandered down to the water’s edge.
A loud, clattering sound, not unlike a battery of machine guns all firing at once, caused him to turn his head.
A gray-haired old man in a checkered black and white shirt was testing an outboard motor which had been mounted on a barrel. He shut it off as Flash walked over to him.
“Good afternoon,” the old fellow said pleasantly.
“Been puttin’ this consarned put-putter through its paces. She runs pretty good when you get ’er goin’ but she’s derned backwards about startin’. Guess it’s the ignition.” ”

“ Once more the green News-Vue truck rolled. This time Flash shared Doyle’s disgust. No other place was available which would offer them an unobstructed shot at Dead Man’s turn. It was at this point of the track where accidents most frequently occurred.
“If we can’t train our lens there we’ll miss all the good pictures,” Doyle said gloomily. “One site is as bad as another now.” ”

“ Flash countered. “We’re here to get good pictures. He happens to be one of the best players on the field.”
The argument might have waxed warmer, but just then the chukker ended with a spectacular goal made by Rascomb. He wheeled his horse, a beautiful black mare, and rode over to the sound wagon.
“Good afternoon, boys,” he said heartily. “Taking a few pictures?”
“News-Vue,” Doyle replied. “That last shot of yours was pretty, Mr. Rascomb.”
“Thank you, thank you.” The sportsman doffed his cork helmet mockingly, and his lips parted in a smile. “The fact is, Rajah Mitra is too fast for me today. ”

“ Confusion had increased. Frantic persons moved in a bewildered way from one place to another, searching for loved ones. Already a number of inert bodies had been removed from the wreckage. Only the trainmen seemed cool and effective in their actions.
A coach had caught fire. Flash hurried there, helping a brakeman pull two shrieking women from the debris. By working furiously they were able to make certain that no one had been left under the wreckage. Soon the car was a blazing inferno, adding to the terror of the frightened survivors.
“What caused the wreck?” Flash demanded of the brakeman. ”

“ He paused and stared at Flash.
35
“Joe sent you?” he repeated. “Do you know anything about newsreel work?”
“Not very much,” Flash admitted truthfully. “I’m a photographer for the Brandale Ledger. I can do what you tell me.”
“A lot of help you’ll be,” Doyle growled. “I need a good, experienced man.”
Flash began to lose patience. It seemed to him that Doyle had no interest in Joe Wells’ misfortune save as it affected him. His only thought was for himself and his work.
“If you don’t care to use me, that’s quite all right,” he said. “I have some pictures of my own to take.” ”

“ They stopped at the airport where Doyle previously had arranged for shipment of the cans of exposed film to the News-Vue offices. Flash made up a package of his best “still” shots for the Brandale Ledger. With that duty accomplished, his work was completed. At last he was free to enjoy his vacation.
“Well, good-bye,” he said, extending his hand to Doyle.
“Good-bye?” the man echoed in surprise. “Where are you going?”
“To find myself a bed,” Flash answered. “Then tomorrow I may go back to Columbia. I want to see how Joe is doing.” ”

“ Rascomb replied with a show of solicitude. “A day in the hospital and he’ll feel like himself again.”
Flash started to speak and changed his mind. With the Captain against him he had no chance. Angrily, he started for the door.
“Wait!” commanded Captain Johns. “I have a few words to say to you.”
Reluctantly, Flash paused. The captain politely bade Gordon and Rascomb good evening, and departed.
Once in the hallway his manner immediately altered. Grasping Flash’s arm, he guided him toward the elevator.
“Don’t take what I said too seriously, Evans,” he advised. “There’s something wrong here. ”

“ We have no telephone here at the lodge. It would have meant an early trip to the ranger station.”
“Then if there are to be no pictures, we may as well start back to town,” Flash remarked, glancing at Doyle.
“I couldn’t think of allowing you to hasten away,” Rascomb interposed smoothly. “You must have luncheon and remain for the night. I can put you up quite comfortably. My cook is excellent.”
“That’s mighty nice of you,” Doyle said, giving Flash a hard look. “We’ll be glad to stay. You sure have a nice place here.” ”