Flash had taken no time to consider his next move. But sober reflection now convinced him it would be folly to confront Doyle and Rascomb in his present weakened condition. At best, it would be two against one. His wisest course was to go into town and tell his story to the authorities.
Walking unsteadily, he made his way to the road where the _News-Vue_ truck had been parked hours before. It was gone.
As Flash stood leaning against a tree, debating, the door of the lodge slammed shut. A dark figure moved down the gravel path toward him.
“That may be Rascomb coming now,” he thought.
Quickly he stepped behind the protecting trunk of the giant birch, and waited.
Halfway down the path, the man paused and lighted a gasoline lantern. In the bright glow Flash distinguished the caretaker, Fleur.
“Anyone here?” the old man called. He turned his lantern at different angles, throwing the beam over the ground.
The caretaker gave a gasp of surprise and nearly dropped the lantern.
“Well, if it ain’t the young feller!” he exclaimed. “And us givin’ you up fer dead! I’m mighty glad to see you back safe and sound, I sure am!”
“Where is Rascomb?” Flash demanded curtly. “And my very good friend, Doyle?”
“They both came back together hours ago. Mr. Doyle and Mr. Rascomb was bad upset over the accident.”
“You fallin’ out of the boat the way you did and upsetting it.”
“Don’t you remember nothin’ about it?” Fleur asked, raising the lantern so he could see Flash to better advantage.
“You’re sure a sight,” Fleur said quickly. “Must have had a bad time of it. How did you get out alive?”
“Swam through Gersham Pass and walked around the lake.”
“And all the time Mr. Rascomb and Mr. Doyle was worried sick thinkin’ you was drowned! Mr. Rascomb said you went down just like a rock and never came to the top even. They kept draggin’, long as they dast. Then they gave you up and made a dash through the gap. Barely made it by the skin o’ their teeth.”
“Him and your friend started for town ’bout an hour ago to notify the coroner. They’ll be happy to see you back safe and sound.”
“You will have your little joke,” chuckled the old man. “I’m tellin’ you it wasn’t no joking matter with them. They both was bad hit. Mr. Rascomb spoke out sharp to me for the first time since I come to work for him.”