<h2 id="c21"><span class="h2line1">CHAPTER XXI</span> <br/><span class="h2line2"><i>RASCOMB’S EXPLANATION</i></span></h2>
<p>Motioning for Flash to follow, Captain Johns
strode across the empty lobby to the desk.
Curtly he questioned the sleepy-eyed clerk as to the
occupant of Room 47.</p>
<p>“Number 47? It was assigned about a half hour
ago to Herbert Rascomb.”</p>
<p>“I’m going up there to see a man,” informed the
captain. “Now get this straight. If I fail to return
to the lobby within twenty minutes, notify Major
Hartgrove in Room 267. Tell him to join me. Is that
clear?”</p>
<p>“Yes, sir. Twenty minutes.”</p>
<p>Flash and the captain walked up a flight of stairs
to the first floor. The door of Room 47 was opened
by a dignified looking man of forty-five who wore
glasses and was slightly bald.</p>
<p>“Good evening, gentlemen,” he said in a polished
voice. “I should not have invited you here at such
a late hour, but certain misunderstandings must be
cleared up before further harm is done.”</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_172">172</div>
<p>Mr. Gordon glanced significantly at Flash as if to
imply that he deliberately and needlessly had created
trouble.</p>
<p>A man sat at the window, his face swathed in
bandages. Flash stopped short as he recognized him.</p>
<p>“Rascomb!”</p>
<p>“Evans, I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you
alive!”</p>
<p>Rascomb arose painfully, and taking a step forward,
extended his hand.</p>
<p>“I met Doyle downstairs a few minutes ago,” he
explained. “He told me of your miraculous escape
from the fire! I can’t make you understand the feeling
which went over me.”</p>
<p>“You are an excellent actor,” Flash retorted, ignoring
the proffered hand. “But I don’t doubt you were
surprised to learn I was in Excelsior City. You
thought you had taken care of me for several days at
least!”</p>
<p>“My dear young man,” Rascomb said soothingly,
“you seem to be laboring under some delusion. Doyle
warned me, but I found it most difficult to believe.”</p>
<p>“Let’s sit down and talk this over in a sensible
way,” interposed Mr. Gordon. “Through Mr. Doyle
we have learned that Evans here has been making
false and libelous accusations against Mr. Rascomb.”</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_173">173</div>
<p>“False!” exclaimed Flash angrily. “I can prove
every statement I’ve made!”</p>
<p>“You most certainly will be given the opportunity,”
the lawyer said. “Possibly in court.”</p>
<p>“Now I don’t want to be too hard on you, Evans,”
spoke Rascomb quietly. “You have gone through an
ordeal tonight, enough to break an iron man. Slight
wonder you became confused and thought your
friends were enemies.”</p>
<p>“So I imagined that you struck me over the head
with an oar? And later that you locked me in the
cabin?”</p>
<p>Rascomb gazed despairingly at Captain Johns.
Turning to Flash once more, he said:</p>
<p>“How can I convince you of the truth? Doyle
will support my story. You were thrown into the
water when our boat accidentally upset. You may
have struck your head on a rock or submerged log. I
know you failed to come to the surface. Doyle and I
searched as long as we dared.”</p>
<p>“And did I lock myself in the lodge?”</p>
<p>“No,” admitted Rascomb, smiling faintly. “Fleur
shut you up there.”</p>
<p>“Fleur?” questioned the captain.</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_174">174</div>
<p>“My caretaker. 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.”</p>
<p>“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?”</p>
<p>“I have no scar.”</p>
<p>“Prove it,” Flash challenged. “Take off those
bandages!”</p>
<p>Mr. Gordon spoke with exasperation.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“A very convenient accident!”</p>
<p>“I shall be glad to remove the bandages whenever
my doctor grants permission,” said Rascomb with
dignity. “Possibly by tomorrow. However, I assure
you I have no scar, unless I may bear some slight
mark as a result of today’s accident.”</p>
<p>Flash glanced toward Captain Johns who had listened
attentively to the argument. Rascomb’s story
was so flimsy that he did not think the army man
could place the slightest confidence in it.</p>
<p>To his amazement, Johns gave every indication of
being impressed.</p>
<p>There was a moment of silence. Then Rascomb inquired:</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_175">175</div>
<p>“Are there any other questions you wish to ask me?
I have nothing to hide.”</p>
<p>“One question,” said Captain Johns. “Why did
you have a picture of Albert Povy in your possession?”</p>
<p>Rascomb’s eyes became wary, but he did not lose
poise.</p>
<p>“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean, Captain.”</p>
<p>“This picture.”</p>
<p>The army man displayed the photograph which
Flash had given him a few minutes before, but did
not place it in Rascomb’s outstretched hand.</p>
<p>“Oh, that picture,” the sportsman said carelessly.
“I found it among Povy’s personal effects. His luggage
was sent to me after I claimed the body.”</p>
<p>“And why were you so interested in Povy?” pursued
Captain Johns. “I must say that you bear a
remarkable resemblance to him.”</p>
<p>Rascomb drew a deep sigh.</p>
<p>“I had hoped to be spared this confession,” he said.
“Povy was distantly related to me—a second cousin.
You may be sure I never was proud of the kinship.
I knew my cousin had an unsavory reputation, and
his activities never ceased to alarm and embarrass me.
Heartless as it may seem, his death came as a relief to
me.”</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_176">176</div>
<p>“You changed your story,” observed Flash. “Yesterday
Povy was a stranger you befriended.”</p>
<p>“I told you that, I admit. However, I considered
your questions somewhat impertinent. And I never
have willingly admitted my relationship to Albert
Povy. He was the one black sheep in an otherwise
honorable and distinguished family.”</p>
<p>The telephone rang. Mr. Gordon arose to answer
it.</p>
<p>“For you, Captain,” he announced.</p>
<p>Captain Johns glanced at his watch and picked up
the receiver.</p>
<p>“What’s that?” he demanded incredulously into
the transmitter. “Impossible!”</p>
<p>Hanging up the receiver, he turned to face the surprised
group.</p>
<p>“Not bad news I hope?” inquired Rascomb.</p>
<p>Captain Johns did not answer. His eyes roved
about the room, glinting with anger as they fastened
upon Flash.</p>
<p>“Evans,” he said sharply, “you have misled me.
We shall consider this investigation closed.”</p>
<p>A triumphant smile crossed Herbert Rascomb’s
face. He offered his hand to Captain Johns who
shook it firmly.</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_177">177</div>
<p>“You are a just and reasonable man, Captain. I
was certain I could convince you of the truth. Evans
meant well, but he allowed his imagination to run
away with him.”</p>
<p>“He did that. My apologies, Mr. Rascomb.”</p>
<p>“Don’t be too hard on Evans,” Rascomb replied
with a show of solicitude. “A day in the hospital and
he’ll feel like himself again.”</p>
<p>Flash started to speak and changed his mind. With
the Captain against him he had no chance. Angrily,
he started for the door.</p>
<p>“Wait!” commanded Captain Johns. “I have a
few words to say to you.”</p>
<p>Reluctantly, Flash paused. The captain politely
bade Gordon and Rascomb good evening, and departed.</p>
<p>Once in the hallway his manner immediately altered.
Grasping Flash’s arm, he guided him toward
the elevator.</p>
<p>“Don’t take what I said too seriously, Evans,” he
advised. “There’s something wrong here. While we
were with Rascomb an attack was made on the
Major!”</p>
<div class="pagenum" id="Page_178">178</div>
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