14 Biggles Goes To War (17 page)

The few minutes' duration of this saw him in a fever of indecision, for without warning he found himself faced by a major problem. Two courses were open to him. Either he could sit still in the hope of escaping, when subsequently he might be able to effect a rescue, or he could attempt a rescue there and then. He had a loaded pistol in his pocket.

Could he, with any real hope of success, take on seven or eight men - for he had seen at least that number - armed with rifles? No, he decided, he could not. In the fracas that would certainly ensue, it was inconceivable that none of them would be shot, and thus, instead of averting a tragedy, he might be the means of causing one. In the end he decided on the former plan, although he drew his pistol prepared to put the latter into execution if discovery became imminent. As it happened, no one thought of looking into the two-seater from which two men had already emerged.

He not only heard the rest of the affair, but he saw it, through a tiny hole which he cut in the fabric of the fuselage with the point of his pen-knife. He watched Biggles and Algy being marched across to the cars, and saw the cars disappear up the road in the direction of Janovica. Then, and not before, did he risk a cautious peep over the rim of the cockpit.

Not a soul was in sight. Silence reigned. Where was Smyth? And Carter? Surely they should be about, or had they been arrested, too?

Stealthily, with his pistol gripped ready for use, he climbed over the edge of the cockpit and dropped lightly to the ground. He could still see no one, so he darted into the trees and from there made a careful survey of the temporary hangar. Still he saw no one.

Slowly, with every nerve taut, he crept forward until he stood at last at the entrance of the hangar. As his eyes probed the dim interior he saw Smyth, tied hand and foot, a bandage over his mouth, strapped to one of the upright logs. Ginger started to run towards him, but pulled up with a jerk as his horror-stricken eyes fell on something else.

Carter lay at full length on the floor with his face in a little pool of blood.

With trembling fingers Ginger took out his pen-knife and, not without difficulty, managed to get Smyth free. The sergeant almost collapsed when he attempted to move. '

Look after Carter; I'm all right,' he said weakly. `What about the Skipper, and Mr Lacey?

'

`They've got them,' Ginger told him bitterly. 'What happened here?'

`They just rushed in on us before we had a chance to do anything,' answered Smyth, dropping on his knees beside his comrade.

Ìs he dead?' asked Ginger breathlessly.

Ì don't think so. He started scrapping, and a dirty skunk knocked him on the head with a rifle-butt.'

Ì'll do some knocking on the head before I'm through with this bunch of thugs,' swore Ginger. `Look, sergeant. I shall have to leave you here to take care of Carter while I go and let the Count or Mr Ludwig Stanhauser know what has happened. I'll have a doctor sent down to you if I can.'

`You get off, sir. I'll manage somehow,' Smyth told him. `Try to let me know what happens.'

Ì will,' Ginger promised, and putting the pistol in his pocket, he set off at a run towards the road. In fact, he ran all the way to the hotel, where he arrived breathless and nearly exhausted. Josef, who was sitting at his little desk, hurried towards him with concern written on his face when he saw the state his guest was in.

`Vot iss it?' he asked tremulously.

Ginger swallowed hard. 'Try to get Lieutenant Stanhauser on the telephone, will you?' he gasped. 'I must speak to him, or to Count Stanhauser, at once.'

Josef fetched him something in a glass and then disappeared into his office. When he returned a few minutes later Ginger was more normal.

`Well?' he inquired breathlessly.

`The lieutenant, he comes,' declared Josef. 'By good chance he wos at 'ome.'

Ginger sat down with a deep sigh of relief, while Josef hurried away and returned presently with some cold food on a plate, which Ginger attacked ravenously for he had not realized how hungry he was. He was also very tired, but the food helped to restore him. He pushed the plate aside, however, and sprang to his feet as Ludwig burst into the room. His face was pale with anxiety.

'What has happened?' he asked tensely.

In as few words as possible, Ginger told him.

`But this is absurd. The general would not dare to do such a thing,' declared Ludwig.

`Wouldn't he? He's done it,' answered Ginger, pacing up and down.

And you heard Vilmsky say they were going to the barracks?'

`That's what he said.'

Ì will send a doctor to your mechanic at once, then I will see the Count. He is at the palace. If your friends are

in the barracks we will soon have them out, don't worry. Remain here. Do nothing. I will come back.'

Ginger caught Ludwig by the arm as he was hurrying from the room. 'Don't you let the Count go to the barracks by himself,' he warned him. 'There is no knowing what Bethstein will do. He is engineering something, and it must be pretty near zero hour for that to happen, whatever it may be, or he wouldn't risk such high-handed action as arresting Biggles.'

`Do not fear. I shall not be long,' said Ludwig confidently.

In this, however, he was mistaken, for darkness had fallen and the lamps had been lighted before he returned.

Ginger, who had spent the hours feverishly pacing the room took one look at his face and felt his heart sink. `Well?' he asked.

`They cannot be found,' said Ludwig wearily.

Ginger sank into a chair. 'Cannot be found?' he echoed foolishly.

`We have tried everywhere.'

`But I distinctly heard Vilmsky say they were going to the barracks.'

`Major Berner, one of her Highness's Imperial Guards, has been there. He says that the officer in charge of the garrison denies all knowledge of any English prisoners.'

`Rot! I don't believe it,' stormed Ginger. 'Bethstein has got them locked up there. What has he got to say about it, anyway?'

`We have been unable to find him.'

Ginger stared incredulously. `Do you mean to tell me that in a country which calls itself civilized, on the eve of war, the government cannot get into touch with the commander-in-chief of its army?'

Ludwig shrugged his shoulders. 'We only know that he is indisposed and has gone into the country for a short rest.'

`He'll have a long rest if I ever get him where I want him,' grated Ginger, white-faced. '

Such a rest that he'll never wake up again. Well, what are we going to do about it?'

'Can you suggest anything? Her Highness and the Count are prepared to do anything, but they have already done all in their power. They cannot order your friends' release until they know where they are and who is holding them.'

'No, I suppose that's true enough,' agreed Ginger disconsolately. 'Would it be any use my seeing the Count?'

'He will see you with pleasure if you think it will help matters, but I think you should realize that the government is working feverishly to save the situation.'

'What situation?'

'War. Things are fast coming to a head. We can feel it in the air. The soldiers know it.

You can see it on the faces of the people. Bethstein has engineered a coup d'etat , there is no doubt of that, and the storm may break at any moment.'

'What will happen if it does?'

'The princess may have to fly from the country.' 'Good heavens! Is it as bad as that?'

'Unhappily, yes. You and your friends have done much, and I believe it is fear of what you may yet do that caused Bethstein to hasten his plans. In the circumstances, individuals must take second place to affairs of state, and you must forgive the princess and the Count if they do not devote their whole time to your friends, much as they would like to help them and anxious as they are for their safety.'

`Yes, I appreciate that,' replied Ginger slowly. 'Perhaps it would be better if I kept out of the way. What is the government doing about all this?'

Ìt is busy making plans on the lines suggested by your chief, but I am afraid we have left it rather late and it is now a race against time.'

Ginger nodded. As far as he was concerned the affairs of Maltovia were now of secondary importance. 'What are you going to do?' he asked.

`For the moment I am at your disposal, but when Bethstein strikes I shall have to leave you and go to my regiment. You understand that if Bethstein succeeds in his plan, loyal people like myself will lose their lives.'

'And I shall lose mine, or Bethstein his,' declared Ginger savagely. 'He's the man I'm going to find. You say he has gone into the country? Where would that be likely to be?'

'I expect he would go to his hunting-box.'

Ginger started. 'Why, that's the place that was marked on the map we found in the Lovitznian aeroplane.'

`Yes, that is so.'

Ginger struck the table with his fist. 'That's it!' he cried. `That is where the plot is hatching. How far away is it?' `Forty miles - perhaps a little more.'

`You've got a car?'

`Yes.'

`Where is it?'

Òutside.'

`Come on, then, let's go.'

Ludwig hesitated. 'It's rather a risky thing to do, isn't it, like - how do you say? - jumping into the lion's mouth?' Ginger smiled cynically. 'Ludwig,' he said frankly, 'if you people had tackled the lion a little earlier, you wouldn't be in the mess you are in now. Well, I'm going to jump into Bethstein's den with a pistol in my hand. It's time he was shown a thing or two. The question is, do I go by myself or are you coming with me?

'

A curious gleam came into Ludwig's eyes. 'I believe you're right,' he said. 'I will come with you.'

'Got a pistol?'

`Yes.'

'That's fine. Then let's get a move on.' Ginger looked at the clock. 'Seven o'clock. We ought to be there before nine.'

'I must report to the Count before I go.'

Àll right. You can tell him to stand by for a big bang. I've got a feeling in my bones that I am going to make a noise before this night is over.'

Ludwig smiled. 'I'll help you do it,' he promised enthusiastically. 'Things have been quiet here for too long.'

'Much too long,' agreed Ginger.

Chapter 18

A Startling Discovery

Ginger had never been so worried in his life as he was during the run out to the general's hunting-box, which was situated in the midst of wild, uncultivated country, for now that he had taken the plunge a doubt had arisen in his mind, and he could not shake off the feeling that he might be running away from Biggles instead of towards him. Moreover, it was a good deal later than he had estimated, for Ludwig had been detained for some time at the palace. Of the conversation that had taken place between the Count and his nephew he knew nothing beyond the fact that the Count had said that he could not see what good purpose they hoped to serve by leaving Janovica. So much Ludwig had admitted. Nor, for that matter, could Ginger. He had made no plans, nor did he know what he hoped to achieve beyond the wild idea that if he could get within striking distance of the general he would force him, by violence if necessary, to tell him where Biggles and Algy were being detained. Had he known the true facts of the case, that they were, at that moment, lying under sentence of death, anything might have happened, so perhaps it was as well that he did not. As it was, he had calmed somewhat by the time Ludwig, who was driving, slowed down and declared that they were getting near their destination.

`How far are we away from the house itself?' asked Ginger.

Àbout a mile,' was the answer. 'It lies about half a mile back from the road. The estate is a big one; this is all part of it.' Ludwig indicated the sombre fir forest through which they were passing.

'I see; go steady,' ordered Ginger, who had more or less taken charge of the expedition. '

It's no use barging right up to the front door.'

Ludwig stopped the car by the side of the road. 'What are we going to do now we are here?' he asked.

'I've been thinking,' replied Ginger. 'I believe the best plan would be for you to crawl along now until we find an opening in the trees where we can put the car out of sight in case any one comes along. With the lights out it is unlikely that it would be seen. You stay with the car while I go off and have a scout round and get the lie of the land. I may be able to learn something. If I don't come back in, say, a couple of hours, you'll know that I am a prisoner, too, but you will at least know where I am. If that happens, you will have to please yourself what you do about it.'

Ludwig demurred. 'Surely it would be better if I came with you,' he protested.

Ginger shook his head. 'No,' he said conclusively. 'Quite apart from any other consideration, it wouldn't do for you to be caught prowling around the general's establishment like a burglar. You are an important person in Maltovia. It doesn't matter two hoots about me.'

'Very well, if you think it is better that way.'

'Good! Then that's settled,' murmured Ginger. 'Here's an opening - yes, this will do; it's the very place,' he went on quickly, as they came to a narrow glade in the trees. 'You park yourself and the car in there and wait. Don't get jumpy and shoot me by mistake when I come back. I'll give a low whistle to let you know it's me.'

`Yes, it should be safe here,' agreed Ludwig. 'You'll find the entrance to the drive about a quarter of a mile along, on the right-hand side of the road.'

Ì'll find it,' said Ginger confidently, and, keeping on the grass edge that bordered the road, he set off at a steady trot towards his objective.

He slowed down, however, before he had gone very far, and began to scout the ground ahead carefully before he ventured on to it, for he was quite prepared to find guards posted. There were, in fact, two men standing at the entrance to the drive, although whether they were guards he did not know, for he did not venture close enough to them to see if they wore uniforms. He heard them talking some time before they came into sight, but once he had located their position he had no difficulty in avoiding them by making a detour through the trees, which brought him to the drive some distance inside the gates.