"You don't want ter set that arm of yours off agin'," he remarked. "We've got some roughish country ter cross. Why don't you ride on one of the ponies we tied back of the sagueros ?"
"That's a good idea," agreed Biggles.
Joe went off and came back leading one of the ponies. Biggles mounted. He ordered Ginger, who had a pistol, to keep near the head of the column. Bertie, also having a pistol, was told to cover the rear. In this order the party moved off.
The long tramp across the silent moonlit mesa was an experience to be remembered. On all sides the land lay flat and apparently desolate, a lonely world—as Joe described it—
of cactus, sand, mesquit, sun-stroke, snakes and fever. Even the tough cacti, looking like monstrous deformed bodies in the dim light, seemed to be holding up their arms in supplication to heaven for deliverance.
Twice a halt was called as a result of minor alarms. On the first occasion two horsemen cantered across the front of the column towards the Doctor's house. The second was when three men were seen walking in the same direction, having apparently come up the river. On neither occasion was the party seen and so in due course the first objective was reached without trouble. This was the river bank a little downstream from where the southern side of the cactus hedge joined the water. Here a halt was called while Ginger went on alone to reconnoitre the landing-stage. He returned almost at once to report that the launch was not there.
"I imagine she's still on the river looking for us," opined Biggles. "All right, let's get the weapons."
The recovery of the rifles, guns, pistols and ammunition, was a dirty, uncomfortable job, rather than a dangerous one. A human chain was formed along the edge of the water with Biggles at the head of it. He pointed out actual spots where the guns were concealed, and as they were recovered one by one they were passed back along the line. Biggles called Bertie and Ginger and to them showed exactly where he had hidden the tin holding the plans. He also told them what it contained.
"For the moment it's better where it is," he said softly. "But if anything should happen to me one of you must recover it and get it home to Raymond. A lot may depend on that.
He'll know what to do with it."
The party was then remustered by the landing-stage where the weapons were washed to remove any grit that might have got into the working parts. They were then distributed with appropriate ammunition.
"The next thing I want to find out is, if anyone is on duty at the gate," said Biggles. "The job must be done quietly."
"That's me," said a man, who's name Biggles did not know. "I was in the commandos."
"Good enough," agreed Biggles. "Don't do anything. I just want to know if anyone is there. Ginger, you know your way through the gap in this hedge. Take Joe with you and reconnoitre the bungalow and Liebgarten's house. We must know who's about and where they are. Take your time. No noise. Be careful."
Ginger and Joe disappeared into the darkness.
After a short period of waiting the ex-commando was the first back. He reported that two blacks were on duty at the gate. They were standing together talking loudly in a way which made it clear that they thought the guard was a waste of time.
"We'd better have them out of the way," Biggles told the scout. "Go and get them. Take three men with you. Do the job quietly if you can. No shooting unless it's necessary to save your lives."
Everyone wanted to go, but Biggles selected the
Australian and the two Americans as most suitable on account of their size and physical condition. The four men disappeared along the hedge like fading shadows.
There was now a longer period of waiting. It ended when Joe came back to report that the bungalow was locked up. There were no lights in it anywhere. Lights were on in the Doctor's house, however, and judging from the sound of talking everyone was in the Doctor's sitting-room. Ginger had remained behind to watch, in case any of them left the house.
"Thanks, Joe, that suits us nicely," acknowledged Biggles.
A few minutes later the ex-commando came back with two of his men leading a thoroughly scared negro, whose hands were tied behind his back. The other black, it was reported, had tried to get away so it had been necessary to knock him on the head. He had been tied up and Digger was sitting on him to make sure. There had been a little noise, but not enough to do any harm.
"Good work," complimented Biggles. "Now we can get on. Single file, everyone. We'll make a start from the garden gate."
The party moved off without a sound, and presently, at the gate, joined Digger, who was still sitting on the negro who had been foolish enough to resist capture. Biggles led his troops to the nearest clump of bushes where another halt was called. Joe pointed out the spot where Ginger was hiding, and was sent to fetch him.
Biggles looked at the house. The only lights were in the hall and in the Doctor's lounge.
For a minute or two he considered the situation and then turned to where the others were waiting for further orders.
"Listen boys," he said in a low voice, "there are two ways of handling this show. The first is to rush the place and grab everyone in it. That it would succeed I have no doubt, but there would almost certainly be shooting, and shots would mean casualties. I want to avoid casualties if it's possible. Moreover, we've got to watch our steps or we may find ourselves in hot water when we get back to civilization. We've got to keep on the right side of the law ourselves. There isn't a war on now. We're in a friendly country, and if this is the legal property of the people in the house I don't think that a court would approve of our taking matters into our own hands. We know we should be justified in shooting the place up, but it might not be easy to make a judge see the thing in the same light, particularly if two or three people happen to get killed. The alternative is to try negotiations first. If they fail, then the thing will have to take its course. For a start you'll surround the house to make sure that no one enters or leaves, while I go inside to discuss matters with the enemy."
"Say, you'd be crazy to go in there," protested Cy. "You're liable to be shot before you get to Stitzen. There are bound to be guards."
"Most of the blacks will be out looking for us," argued Biggles. "The last thing Stitzen will be expecting at this moment is that I'm out looking for him. I'll try it, anyhow. If you hear what sounds like trouble inside, rush the place. If I'm not out in ten minutes, come in. Avoid shooting if you can, but if the enemy starts it, don't hesitate." Biggles turned to Bertie. "Sorry, old boy, but I've got a job for you. I want the machine here. Do you think you could find your way to Algy ? "
"Absolutely," declared Bertie. "Bit of a bore, and all that, but if you say so. . . ."
"All right. Tell him to take off and fly down here. Say that by the time he gets here the thing should be over one way or the other. I'll make a signal if it's safe for him to land. If he doesn't get such a signal he'll know that things have gone wrong, in which case he's to push straight on to Buenos Aires and tell the British Consul what has happened."
"Good enough, old warrior. So long." Bertie went off at a sharp walk.
Biggles returned to Ginger. "You take over here now.
You know what you've got to do. Place your men so that all doors and windows are covered, but take care they don't shoot each other. I shall be back in a few minutes. If I'm not, you'll know that something has come unstuck." He turned down the drive.
"What about your gun ? "asked Ginger.
"I don't think I shall need one, but I have one in my pocket if I do," replied Biggles.
Turning away he walked on.
XVII
BIGGLES CALLS THE TUNE
BIGGLES went on to the front steps, mounted them, and turned the door handle. The door opened. He went in.
Two negroes were lolling on chairs placed side by side in the hall. They looked as if they had been dozing. Hearing the door open they turned their heads. Slowly, their eyes opened wide, showing the whites. They did not move. They simply stared, one with his jaw sagging.
It was evident that shock had so slowed down their mental processes that their brains were unable to grasp what their eyes revealed. But at last one seemed to comprehend, and began to move, very slowly.
"Sit where you are," snapped Biggles.
There must have been something about his manner that commanded obedience, for the man who had started to move sank back again. He moistened his lips, still staring at Biggles as though he was fascinated—as indeed he may have been, by the force of Biggles' personality. Certainly he was intimidated.
Biggles went over to them. "Do you want to go on living ? "he asked curtly. "Please yourselves. Speak up. I'm in a hurry."
The negro whom he had addressed particularly opened his mouth and shut it again. He turned affrighted eyes to his companion, then at the lounge door from behind which came a low buzz of conversation. Then he looked back at Biggles, but all he could do was stammer.
"Listen," said Biggles. "All the men in the valley are outside that door. They have guns.
They don't like you. They want to shoot you, but I've asked them to give you a chance.
We don't shoot people who surrender, so if you want to save your lives go out and walk down the steps with your hands up."
The two blacks looked at each other with dull, brutish faces.
"If you don't believe me go and have a look," suggested Biggles softly. " If I'm not telling the truth there will be nothing to prevent you from coming back in here, will there ? "
Turning his back on them he walked to the lounge door. Out of the corners of his eyes he could see the two negroes walking slowly towards the door talking in nervous whispers.
Biggles turned the handle of the lounge door and looked in. The movement passed unnoticed by those inside so he entered, a ghost of a smile softening his features as he listened to the conversation.
He saw at a glance that Joe's summing up of the situation had not been wrong. Everyone was there. Some he knew, but there were one or two he had not seen before. There appeared to be quite a crowd, but when analysed it resolved itself into eight men all told.
There was Stitzen. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, legs apart, looking anything but pleased. Liebgarten, to give him his adopted name, leaned against the sideboard, a glass at his elbow. Facing them was von Stalhein, as immaculate as ever, his inevitable cigarette holder between his lips, supported by the fingers of his left hand.
Among those Biggles had not seen before was a sleek, pompous-looking, dark-skinned little man, with a long upswept black moustache. He wore a white uniform with a blaze of medal ribbons, so
Biggles had no doubt that this was the Mexican rebel, Colonel Durango. Two others of the party, with nothing particular about them, Biggles could not place at all. The steward was there, standing a little apart as if waiting for orders. On a chair in the background sat Pedro, the overseer. That an argument of importance was in progress was evident. At the time of Biggles' arrival it seemed to be
getting heated without leading to any result, each trying to talk the other down.
"Before we do anything else we've got to find this interfering Britisher, Bigglesworth,"
insisted Stitzen, loudly.
"I tell you, you're wasting your time," answered von Stalhein in a tired voice. "
Bigglesworth has an aircraft. After what has happened you don't think he'd be such a fool as to stay here, do you ? He'll be hundreds of miles away by now."
Biggles walked slowly forward. "Really, von Stalhein, I should hardly have thought it possible for anyone to be wrong as often as you are," he said evenly.
Silence fell, a silence that seemed stretched and strained to a point where it must snap. All eyes turned to the interrupter, but nobody spoke.
Biggles continued to walk forward until he stood on the outre edge of his audience.
Stitzen was the first to recover his voice. "How did you get here ? " he almost choked.
"I walked in," answered Biggles. "Judging from your recent remarks you should be glad to see me."
"You won't find it so easy to walk out this time," rasped Stitzen.
"Your guesswork is as wild as von Stalhein's," Biggles told him. "Be sure that I made provision for that before
I came in. As a matter of detail, I have no intention of walking out."
"You seem to have had an accident, Bigglesworth ? "
remarked von Stalhein, looking at the arm which Biggles still carried in a sling.
"Yes," admitted Biggles. "I knew there were some poisonous reptiles in Paradise Valley, but I had the bad luck to be bitten by one that I'd overlooked."
"Mind you don't get bitten again," warned von Stalhein. "No fear of that," returned Biggles. "The other reptiles have had their fangs drawn."
"What did you hope to get by coming here ? " asked Stitzen in a curious voice.
"I'll ask the questions if you don't mind," replied Biggles. "You will do well to listen to them carefully because I have no time to waste."
" You haven't," sneered Liebgarten. "This time, my dear sir, you're going to stay here for a long time."
Biggles shook his head. "You don't seem to have quite grasped the situation," he murmured. "Let me explain. Every man in this valley capable of carrying arms now has a gun, a rifle or a pistol. You'll forgive me if I didn't ask your permission to borrow them from your armoury. This house is surrounded. Two of your black bullies are dead ; others are surrendering, so you needn't look to them for help. The fellows outside are impatient to get at you—an attitude which I'm sure you'll understand. In order to avoid unpleasantness I've asked them to give me ten minutes with you to discuss terms. If at the end of that time a decision has not been reached I cannot hold myself responsible for what they might do. And, I may say, whatever they did would have my sympathy, if not my approval. A little while ago, Stitzen, I heard you give orders that I was to be shot on sight. I shall need little excuse to return that compliment."
" Terms ? "questioned von Stalhein. "What exactly do you mean by terms ? "
"Ultimatum would perhaps be a more apt word—but let us not quibble about that,"
returned Biggles. " Here is the case. You brought these unfortunate people here by false pretences. We all know that is so, so don't waste time denying it. Realizing how they have been duped they want to leave. They lent you money. They want to take it with them when they go. That's all. If you agree to
give them their money and let them go they will take no further action against you. We should require to use the launch, of course. The evacuation might take a couple of days, during which time, for your own sakes, I should ask you to retire to the bungalow and stay there. We shall have to use this house as a clearing depot while the evacuation is in progress. That's all. The matter is not open to
discussion. Answer yes or no, quickly please, because I have only five minutes left."
"How do we know you're not bluffing ? " asked one of the men whom Biggles did not know.
" Don't be absurd," said Biggles shortly. "How far would bluffing get me ? Go and look outside if you like, but I warn you that you are liable to be shot. I could have marched in here with a dozen ex-soldiers behind me had I
wanted to. As it is I'm giving you a chance you don't deserve."
" No I No ! " shouted Durango, as if he realized suddenly what the terms involved. " No I Don't give the money. I need it."
"So do the people to whom it belongs," said Biggles coldly.
Durango banged on the table. "I shall need money," he babbled excitedly.
"Where you are going people don't need money,"
corrected Biggles. "The Mexican government will see to that."
Durango extended a quivering finger at Biggles. "So you send me back ? "he cried shrilly.
"No," returned Biggles. "When the Mexican government knows where you are I imagine they'll fetch you."
Durango appeared to go mad. He raved. He stormed. He attacked Stitzen, the Doctor and von Stalhein in turn. "Why do you let one man do th
is ? 1" he screamed.
"Go outside and learn to count," invited Biggles in-perturbably. He turned to the others. "
You've three minutes left to make up your minds. I have no objection to your discussing the thing—if you think there is anything to discuss." He sat down and with a little difficulty lit a
cigarette.
A quick, whispered discussion, followed. Presently von Stalhein came over to Biggles. "If we agree to this proposal will you give your word not to mention the matter alter you leave here ? "
"On the contrary I shall make a report to both the British and Argentine governments," said Biggles.
"We're not in Argentina."
"That's for you to prove to the Argentine officials who, when they hear about this, will no doubt be along to see for themselves. I have no authority here or I'd arrest you myself. That's their affair. I hope they shoot the lot of you."
Von Stalhein went back to the others. Another heated
argument followed. Biggles listened dispassionately. One of the unknown men strode suddenly to the door and looked out. Biggles made no attempt to stop him. In a few seconds he came back. "It's true," he said bitterly
"There are men everywhere."
A few more words passed, then von Stalhein spoke to
Biggles, a cynical smile on his face. "All right, Bigglesworth. You win."
"A wise decision," congratulated Biggles without emotion.
"How much money do you want ? "
"As much as is due, no more, no less. I'll find out."
Biggles left the room. He went to the front door. It was just getting light. He called Ginger, who came at the double. "Okay," he said. "They've packed up. March the men in. Line them up across the room."
"Nice work," said Ginger. "By the way, the launch is back. We've taken it over, with five prisoners. They're under guard."
"Good enough," acknowledged Biggles, and went back to the lounge where the conspirators were still arguing amongst themselves.
Presently Ginger appeared, his troops in single file behind him. They looked a motley crowd, but there was a grim, military precision about them, that spoke more plainly than words.
35 Biggles Takes A Holiday Page 18