14 Biggles Goes To War

by Captain W E Johns

  Quick, Smyth,' cried Biggles anxiously. 'Tell me, did you get everything out of the hangar?'

  'Everything, sir. It's under tarpaulins, amongst the trees.'

  Biggles wiped his forehead with his sleeve. 'Thank heaven for that.'

  `How did this happen, sir?' asked Smyth.

  'This is how we found the hangar when we got to it,' replied Biggles, truthfully enough. '

  We were on our way to see you. Listen, Smyth, there's going to be a first-class row about this, and we've got to clear ourselves from suspicion.'

  'Of course, sir.'

  'All right; then to prevent any argument I want you to say, if necessary, that we've been over by the machines with you for the last half-hour. We were all there together when we saw the hangar on fire and ran across to it. Is that clear?'

  'As clear as a bell, sir.'

  'You understand that, Carter?'

  'Certainly, sir.'

  'Good! Then don't depart from that story as you value your lives. Are the machines all right?'

  'Right as rain. There was a hole or two in the fabric but we've patched them.'

  'Have you filled the tanks? We want to get off before dawn.'

  'Everything's ready, sir.'

  'Good work, Smyth. I don't know what I should do without you. Have you both got revolvers?'

  'Yes, sir.'

  'Then get back to the machines and stand by. Don't allow any one to come near them under any consideration whatever. I'll tell you why as soon as I get a chance. All I can tell you now is that this place is rotten with spies and that they're likely to damage the machines. Look at this hangar if you have any doubt about that. It was the machines they were after. My word! they didn't waste any time. On second thoughts, I think you'd better wait here for a bit, Smyth. Carter, you get back now. Hello, who's this? Whoever it is, there won't be much to see but ashes.'

  A car came racing down the road. It pulled up with a screech of brakes. A door slammed and presently a figure came running towards them. In the glow of the fast diminishing fire it was possible to make out the slim figure of Ludwig Stanhauser.

  'What's happened?' he cried in a voice of anguish. 'The hangar caught fire,' Biggles told him simply. 'And the machines—?'

  Òh, they're safe enough.'

  `Do you mean they weren't inside?'

  'They were moved this afternoon. I didn't like this hangar: it was too conspicuous.'

  'So you burnt it?'

  'Good gracious, no! We were down here to make sure that our machines were in readiness for the morning when we saw the flames.'

  'It's a relief to know they're all right,' answered Ludwig !thankfully. was at the palace talking to her Highness when we saw the glare from the window. I rushed down at once to see what had happened.'

  'Then you can rush back and tell her Highness that all is well. Actually, the hangar is better out of the way. Anyhow, no harm has been done, that's the chief thing.'

  'What are you going to do?'

  'I'm going home to bed shortly, but I want a few words with you - urgently. Not here, though.'

  'About something you've heard recently?' asked Ludwig in a low voice, at the same time throwing Biggles a knowing glance. 'Don't worry; I have heard about your visitor.'

  `So she told you, eh?'

  'Yes.'

  'Good! We begin to understand each other, I think. We've got to work together, Ludwig.

  Can you come to my room tonight?'

  'At what time?'

  'Eleven o'clock.'

  will be there.'

  'Don't be seen. We must work in the dark - you understand?'

  understand.' Ludwig looked around. `By the way, where is Lacey?'

  'He's some things to attend to. We didn't like to leave them without a guard,' answered Biggles vaguely, turning to Smyth. 'You get back now and relieve Mr Lacey,' he said.

  'Very good, sir.' The NCO saluted and marched away.

  A small crowd had collected on the road, but it did not remain long. There were a few groans when it was seen what had happened, but the fire being nearly out, the people began to disperse. Algy appeared, rather breath-less, as Ludwig moved towards his car. '

  Eleven o'clock,' he whispered.

  Biggles nodded.

  'Can I give you a lift to the city?'

  'No, thanks. I don't think it would be wise to be seen with you too much.'

  'You may be right. I will see you later.'

  Biggles turned to Algy as soon as Ludwig was out of earshot. 'Where did you put the car?' he asked quietly.

  'About a mile down the road, as you suggested. I came to an overgrown drive, and shoved it in there.'

  'Fine. You didn't leave any personal property in the car, I hope.'

  'No fear. And I wiped the wheel with my handkerchief to remove any fingerprints.'

  'Wise man,' declared Biggles.

  'What's the next move?'

  'I don't think there is any point in staying here any longer. The fire is out; Smyth and Carter are on guard. I think we might as well go home.'

  As the three airmen reached the road, which by this time was nearly deserted, a big car came racing along heading for the city. They stood back to let it pass, and as it flashed by Biggles clutched Algy's arm.

  'You saw who that was?'

  `Bethstein,' answered Algy. 'By thunder, didn't he look savage!'

  `Yes,' agreed Biggles, `he certainly did. That's nothing to how he'll look when he learns what has happened to his friend.'

  A quarter of an hour's sharp walk brought them to the hotel. Josef met them in the vestibule. He was very excited. `There vos peen murder!' he said in a hoarse voice.

  Òh, and who has been killed?' asked Biggles calmly. 'Der Colonel Menkhoff.'

  'Really! Where did it happen?'

  'Right by der general's 'ouse.'

  Biggles was about to pass on, but he pulled up short. 'Where did you say?'

  Ìn der drive of der General Bethstein's garten. Colonel Menkhoff - shot froo der brains.'

  Ànd where is General Bethstein's house?'

  'Down der road, just past der new aerodrome.'

  Biggles shook his head sadly. `Poor fellow,' he said solemnly.

  But once they were behind the closed door of his room he sank down in a chair and eyed Algy meditatively. 'With the whole of Maltovia at your disposal, you would go and chose Bethstein's own drive to park that confounded car in, wouldn't you?' he sneered sarcastically.

  `How the dickens was I to know it was his?' cried Algy helplessly.

  No, I suppose you weren't to know,' agreed Biggles. Then a smile broke over his face. '

  Maybe it's all for the best,' he said optimistically. Ìt will certainly give the general something to think about. Ring the bell for Josef. I could do with a drop of something hot. For our first day here we seem to have been what you might call busy.'

  Chapter 9

  Biggles Makes Some

  Suggestions

  Punctually at eleven o'clock Ludwig arrived. He came unannounced. A gentle tap on the door; it opened and he walked in, in mufti, with his hat pulled well down over his eyes, and the fur collar of his heavy coat turned up so that he was almost unrecognizable.

  'Come in, Ludwig,' said Biggles quietly. Àlgy, lock the door.'

  Ludwig advanced into the room.

  'The weather is turning colder, I see,' continued Biggles, smiling, as he helped Ludwig off with his coat.

  The weather may be getting colder but some things are getting hotter, I can tell you,'

  declared Ludwig.

  Biggles laughed. He perceived that the lad had a sense of humour.

  'Have you heard about the death of Colonel Menkhoff?' asked Ludwig breathlessly.

  'Yes, we've heard about it.'

  'A nice time for a thing like that to happen; it has started a rare old crop of rumours.

  Bethstein is raving like a madman.'

  'That needn't worry us, need it?' inquired Biggles gently.
/>   Ludwig threw him a curious glance as he sat down. don't know,' he said slowly. `

  Bethstein is a dangerous man.'

  'So are we all - all dangerous men, if it comes to that.' 'You may be right, but I am afraid of Bethstein.' 'Come, come, Ludwig, that's a sad confession. It won't do to be afraid of him - or any one else - at this juncture.'

  'You don't know Bethstein as well as I do,' returned Ludwig a trifle bitterly.

  Biggles's easy manner underwent a swift change. His body stiffened and his expression became grim. 'Listen, Ludwig,' he said tersely; 'this funk complex of yours where Bethstein is concerned has got to be kept under control. You say things are serious. Do not suppose for one moment that I am unaware of it. Very well. My answer to that is that this dilly-dallying has got to stop; if we are going to be of any use here we've all got to act, and act firmly, ruthlessly if necessary, regardless of whose toes we tread on.

  Aviation in the real sense of the word is only a side issue. I did not come here prepared to mess about with your internal organization or politics, but while things go on as they are now, with enemies working against us here in Janovica, anything we do in the air is likely to be so much wasted effort. Well, I've no time to waste; life is too short.'

  'By heavens! don't think that I do not realize that,' answered Ludwig distractedly. 'What do you suggest? Is there anything we can do?'

  'There are a lot of things we've got to do, or we might as well pack up right now.'

  'Tell me one.'

  'We've got to have a good spring-clean at home before we start looking elsewhere.'

  'What do you mean by that?'

  `What I say. We've got to put things on the ground into such shape that our actions in clearing the air overhead are likely to be seen in true perspective, not only by the people of this country but by other nations who will be watching, and that cannot be done by half-hearted measures.'

  `Too well I know it. The question is, what to do first?' `We've got to get Bethstein out of the way, for a start.' Ludwig stared. Àre you mad?' he gasped.

  `Mad or not, we've got to do it. The man is a bigger danger than the Lovitznian army.

  Tell me, has he a big following behind him?'

  `He has a number of officers with him, but the men dislike him.'

  `Good! Who are these officers who are with him?'

  `Most of them are foreigners brought into the country by him to help to reorganize the army on modern lines - at least, that was the excuse he gave for bringing them in.'

  `Mercenaries, eh? Well, you'll see how they'll behave when we show them which side their bread is buttered. Who is the big noise behind Bethstein?'

  'Klein - who's he?'

  `He's a banker; to be precise, the president of the Maltovian National Bank.'

  Ìs he a Maltovian?'

  'No.'

  'What nationality is he?'

  don't know; I don't think anybody knows. He calls himself a cosmopolitan; actually he is, I imagine, an international financier.'

  Biggles pursed his lips. 'How the dickens did such a state of affairs come about?'

  Ve got into monetary difficulties some time ago and Klein came forward and helped us out.'

  'With an eye on the future, no doubt.'

  'We know that now; we guessed it as soon as we saw that he had control of our finances.

  But we didn't know it then. We were glad of any assistance.'

  'Whom do you mean by “we"?'

  'The princess, my uncle, myself, and one or two others who think on the same lines as we do.'

  'What might be called the all-Maltovian party?'

  'That's what it amounts to.'

  'Well, you seem to have got yourselves into a nice mess one way or another. Why in the name of heaven did your uncle who, as far as I can see, should be the princess's right-hand man, go to London?'

  'The princess sent him.'

  'Why?'

  'Because two attempts were made on his life here, and she feared for him.'

  Biggles grimaced. 'That's pretty grim,' he confessed. 'Your enemies are not worried by scruples, evidently. Neither, then, need we be. I have a short way of dealing with assassins. To come back to this fellow Klein. Who are the fellows who work in the bank?

  '

  'They're Maltovians.'

  'Thank goodness for that; it should make it easier to remove Mr Klein.'

  'But that's madness; it's impossible.'

  'I don't like that word, Ludwig. You, like a lot of other people, fall back on it too easily.

  Few things are impossible when you get down to brass tacks. You follow my advice and I'll show you whether or not it's impossible to get rid of your precious banker, if, as you say, he is working with Bethstein. You talk about it being madness to shift him; I say it would be madness to let him stay. If you do he'll wreck the ship, that's certain.'

  Ludwig sprang suddenly to his feet. `Bigglesworth,' he said passionately, 'you're right.

  We've needed a man like you. For months we've done our best, but we are no match for these unscrupulous plotters, and you know how it is when everything is at stake; one hesitates ... procras-tinates, fearing to make a false move, hoping perhaps for a miracle, or a stroke of luck.'

  'Now you're talking sense, Ludwig,' agreed Biggles approvingly. 'Lady Luck is an unreliable mistress. If you will maintain your present attitude, and persuade the princess to support it—'

  She'll support what I recommend,' broke in Ludwig confidently.

  Biggles stared at him for a moment.

  see,' he said

  slowly. So that's the way the wind blows, is it?'

  A pink flush tinged Ludwig's cheeks. 'What do you mean?' he asked haltingly.

  Biggles laid a hand on his shoulder. 'Listen, Ludwig,' he said softly. 'One of my bad habits is bluntness. I hate beating about the bush, as we say, maybe because I like to get my facts right, and keep my feet planted on solid ground. You're very fond of your princess, aren't you?'

  Ludwig went scarlet. 'What if I am?' he demanded defiantly.

  'Well, that's all right with me,' Biggles told him in a fatherly fashion. In fact, I'm glad to know it, because that puts you on the princess's side without any possible shadow of doubt, and at the same time tempers you for any risk, or even sacrifice, that may be demanded.'

  'I'm prepared to die for the princess at any moment.' Ludwig spoke the words sincerely, without any suggestion of braggadocio.

  'That's how I like to hear a man talk,' returned Biggles. 'Now then, let's get down to business. First of all, you can bet your life that Bethstein is doing some pretty hard thinking at this very minute.'

  'You mean, because of Menkhoff being killed?' 'Yes.'

  'I wonder who killed him?'

  'You needn't wonder any longer. We did.'

  Ludwig's face turned ashen and his jaw dropped. 'Good gracious!' he breathed. 'You had the nerve to murder him?'

  Biggles shook his head. 'Oh, no, nothing like that,' he said quickly. 'On the contrary, he tried to murder us. We caught him red-handed at sabotage. It was he who fired the hangar, no doubt imagining that the machines were inside. When he saw that he was discovered he drew his revolver and fired three shots at us. Algy fired back in self-defence, and the shot hit him in the head and killed him. He was an enemy of Maltovia so I shan't lose any sleep on that account, and neither need you. I only wish it had been Bethstein himself. Well, now you know the facts; I've only told you this because we can't afford to have secrets from each other. One result of the affair may be that it will cause Bethstein to push forward his plans. We, therefore, shall have to do the same thing.'

  'Yes, but what can we do?'

  'As I have already said, we must clip Bethstein's wings. I realize that it might be difficult to take away his command without causing a serious row, so this is the way we shall have to curtail his activities. 'The princess must form a Ministry of Defence, with your uncle as president. He must come home; he is much too valuable to be left in
England.

  The new ministry appointed, the general will

  have to take his instructions from it - that's how it's done in Great Britain, and if it is good enough for Great Britain it ought to be good enough for Maltovia. Needless to say, the ministry will consist only of men who are absolutely above suspicion. 'That should tie Bethstein's hands some-what.'

  'I never thought of that way,' declared Ludwig enthusi-astically. 'It gives us supreme power without giving anyone cause for complaint. But suppose the general refuses to obey the ministry's orders?'

  'That would be gross insubordination, and would pro-vide us with the only excuse we need to get rid of him altogether.'

  'Of course. Why, it's a marvellous idea,' asserted Ludwig, who was trembling with excitement. 'I'II speak to the princess immediately, and tell her to send for my uncle.'

  'Fine! That's item number one, which brings us to number two. Now there is just a chance that when Bethstein gets wind of what is afoot he may take the bull by the horns and rush things. We've got to short-circuit his most likely move, which will be, obviously, to get the Lovitznian army on the march. Now I've studied the map pretty closely, particularly the north-east corner of Maltovia, which is the only direction from which the Lovitznians could come. As I see it, the river Nieper forms a fine natural obstacle.'

  'The Nieper is in Lovitzna.'

  'I know, but only just, and it runs parallel with the frontier - so much so that I wonder it doesn't form the boundary.'

  'It used to, years ago, before the Lovitznians collared that piece of territory.'

  'No matter. The point is, to get here the Lovitznians must cross that river, and as far as I can see there is only one bridge.'

  `That is correct. It was built by the Lovitznian govern-ment not long ago.'

  `No doubt for the purpose for which they now hope to use it.'

  'Of course. Again, we realize that now, but at the time we thought it was a splendid thing because it opened a great highway for commerce between the two countries.'

  `The old, old story. Well, it is across that bridge that the Lovitznian army must march.