Read 14 Biggles Goes To War Online
Authors: Captain W E Johns
`Hello, everybody,' cried Biggles. 'You don't know how pleased I am to see you.'
Ginger, with an extraordinary expression on his face, sank down on the bench. 'Strewth!'
he muttered wearily. Ì'm just about all in.'
`So were we, just now,' Algy told him grimly.
`Come along,' said the Count. 'We can find a more cheerful place than this to talk in, I think.'
Chapter 21
All's Well
`Hello, what's happened here?' Biggles asked the Count, as they emerged from the corridor into the barrack square, where many soldiers in the new uniform were moving about with a brisk air of activity.
The barracks have been taken over by the Royal Guards. I am in command of the garrison,' replied the Count, leading the way to what had been General Beth-stein's private office.
The deuce you are! What has the general got to say about that?'
Ì imagine that the less he says, the wiser he will be,' answered the Count significantly. '
He is under arrest for high treason. With Klein and Zarovitch he has been taken to the civil prison for safe custody.'
Biggles stared. `Zarovitch! How the dickens did he get here? What's happened?'
Ginger ran over the events of the night for his and Algy's benefit.
`Great Scott!' ejaculated Biggles. 'You certainly have had a time.'
'The biggest shock of the lot came when that hound Bethstein told us that you were due to be shot in half an hour,' went on Ginger. 'I don't mind telling you that I nearly went crazy; there didn't seem to be any way of getting to you in time to save you. Then I remembered the aeroplane that Zarovitch had come over in, still standing out on the field. The Count made Bethstein write an order cancelling his previous instructions by promising that he would hang him on the nearest tree if he refused. And I believe he meant it. The general thought so, too, for he went pretty white about the gills and signed the order as meekly as a lamb. I dashed up to the machine. The pilot had already been arrested, so I grabbed his flying-kit and over I came, sweating with fright for fear of a forced landing or that I might be too late. I had visions, too, of the message falling into a bush or something and not being found. Then I saw you out in the courtyard and the rest was easy. I was watching so hard to see what Vilmsky would do that I nearly hit a chimney.'
Ì saw you,' answered Biggles. 'The first rule in the air is to look where you are going.'
`Not having eyes in the back of my head I couldn't look in two places at once, and I had to see what happened to you,' replied Ginger. 'When I was satisfied that you had been taken back inside I went off and landed in a field beside the road, where I waited for the others to come along in the cars. They picked me up, and - well, here we are. You know the rest.'
`Well, laddie, you certainly saved our lives,' declared Biggles seriously. 'Things were looking pretty grim when you appeared.' He turned to the Count. 'And what is the position now with regard to Maltovia?' he asked.
`With Bethstein and Klein where they can do no more mischief, I think we shall soon have the situation in hand. The events of the last few hours will shake Lovitzna, particularly when it is known that Prince Zarovitch—'
`Did you say Prince Zarovitch?'
`Yes; didn't you know? Zarovitch is the family name of the ruling House of Lovitzna. The man you know, Prince Paul, is the king's nephew.'
Biggles slapped his thigh. 'Why, that's grand,' he announced. `Do you know what I should do if I were you?'
The Count looked up expectantly.
Ì'd have a quick trial and sentence all three of those scoundrels to death for espionage and conspiracy. That will make Lovitzna sit up. When she sends a frantic protest, as she is bound to, reply with an ultimatum to the effect that you will hold up proceedings on one condition only, which is that the whole thing be laid before the League of Nations at Geneva for consideration. They will have to agree to that whether they like it or not, and that will give you plenty of time to get things into shipshape order over here. If Lovitzna does not agree to the League's decision, you will then be ready for anything she cares to start.'
A smile broke over the Count's care-worn face. 'Bigglesworth, I always felt that you should have been a politician,' he said emphatically. 'I am certain of it now.'
Biggles laughed scornfully. 'Me a politician? Not on your life! I'm a soldier.'
`Never mind,' went on the Count quickly. 'The plan you have outlined is our obvious course, so you will forgive me if I leave you now to put it before the new Ministry of Defence without delay. What would you like to do?'
Ì would like to go to bed, and sleep and sleep and sleep,' answered Biggles. 'Then I should like to wake up slowly, have a hot bath, and then sit down to a square meal. It seems a long time since I saw either a bed or a proper meal.'
The Count nodded. 'I think that is the best thing you could do. A car shall take you to your hotel right away. When you have done all the things you mention, come up to the palace. Somebody will be anxious to thank you in person. Bring your mechanic with you.
By the way, the one who was hurt is out of danger, I hear. We took him to the hospital.'
`That was Carter,' put in Ginger. 'He got knocked on the head. I'll tell you about that later on.'
Algy yawned. 'If we don't soon go somebody will have to carry me,' he declared.
Ì'll drive you down,' offered Ludwig, as they moved towards the door.
There is little more to tell. The crisis passed, as Biggles had prophesied, as soon as the Lovitznian government realized into what a dangerous position its prince had placed himself. It accepted the Maltovian ultimatum unconditionally, and the whole case was submitted to the League of Nations, who demanded that all preparations for war should cease while the circumstances were examined.
On the day following the events narrated in the foregoing chapter, the three airmen, with Smyth in attendance, reported at the palace, where they were graciously received by Princess Mariana, who thanked them in terms of sincere regard for what they had done, and with her own hands pinned on their breasts the Maltovian Order of Saint Peter which was the highest decoration the country could bestow. She concluded by asking them to remain in the country until things were quite settled, and to occupy their time by organizing a Royal Air Force on British lines.
To this Biggles- agreed readily, and his task was made easier when the League of Nations not only issued a verdict in favour of Maltovia, but awarded an indemnity, to be paid by Lovitzna, for what had transpired. A part of this money was allocated to the Air Arm for the purchase of aeroplanes and the training of pilots.
They were still in the country when the forthcoming marriage of Ludwig and his princess was announced, and they were invited to the ceremony. Bethstein and Klein they saw only once again, and that was when they gave evidence at their trial for high treason.
They were found guilty and sentenced to death, and in due course met their fate in the very courtyard where Biggles and Algy had so nearly met theirs. Zarovitch was permitted to return to Lovitzna after signing a document to the effect that he would never set foot in Maltovia again.
Their work finished, Biggles at length asked permission to return to his own country, and this was, of course, granted. The occasion was made a bank holiday, for the whole story having been published, they were regarded by the entire nation, rightly perhaps, as the saviours of their country. The procession to the station was in the nature of a Roman triumph, the princess, her consort, and the Count accompanying them on to the platform, where they were the last to shake hands with them.
As the train steamed out of the station to the cheers of the populace Biggles sank back on his seat and lighted a cigarette. 'Well, you fellows, I hope your craving for adventure has now abated somewhat,' he murmured.
'I think we've had enough to go on with for a bit,' agreed Algy.
Ginger smiled. 'Where do we go next?' he inquired.
Biggles shook his head sorrowfully. The trouble with some people is that they are never satisfied,' he said sadly.