Read Online 14 Biggles Goes To War by Captain W E Johns - Free Book Online

starlit sky.
    Nothing more was said, and it was no doubt due to their s:lence that an incident occurred which was to have a far-reaching effect on their plans. They had nearly reached the hangar, which they now saw was in darkness, when a figure, little more than a fleeting shadow, crossed the short stretch of turf that separated the hangar from the road. There was something so furtive about it that Biggles stopped at once, catching the others by the arms. Not a word was spoken. 'Then, as there came a soft rasping sound from out of the darkness, Biggles began to move forward, slowly, taking care not to brush his feet against the grass. Again he stopped, not more than ten yards away, his eyes trying to pierce the gloom, from which came a gurgling sound, as of liquid being poured. The sound stopped abruptly and, moving slowly forward, the airmen could just see a figure bending down near the wall of the hangar. Suddenly it began to back away, and a match flared up, revealing the man's silhouette. The light shone on the white fabric, and on something else, some-thing that lay where it had been dropped near the canvas wall.
    Unmistakably it was a petrol can.
    Biggles, understanding, sprang forward; but he was too late. The man flicked the match, and a sheet of flame leapt across the grass to the hangar.
    At the sound of someone approaching, the man whirled round and saw the three airmen bearing down on him. His hand flew to his pocket and jerked up. look out!' yelled Biggles, and flung himself aside just in time. A revolver roared. Three shots the man fired before he turned and fled towards the road. Whether it was due to his haste or the uncertain light is immaterial, but his aim was wild and the shots went wide. At the first, Biggles had whipped out his automatic, but he wavered in a turmoil of indecision, torn between anxiety for the machines which might be in the hangar, and disinclination to allow the fire-raiser to escape. But when, as the flames swiftly consumed the fabric, he could see that the hanger was empty, he hesitated no longer, but raced after the man who had done the damage. He had by this time reached the road, where the flames reflected redly on the windscreen of a car.
    The fugitive probably realized that he could not hope to open the door of the car, get inside, start the engine, and get clear before Biggles and his friends arrived. Anyway, with his foot on the running-board, he turned, and again threw up his revolver. Biggles was half-way through the hedge, in no position either to take cover or use his own weapon, but Algy saw his predicament and fired. 'The man twitched convulsively and collapsed in a crumpled heap beside the car.
    'Now you've done it,' gasped Biggles, for they were all panting with exertion and excitement. 'You've killed him! You got him through the head. You—' The words died away on his lips as he stared aghast at the face of the fallen man. Ìt's - it's - ' He seemed to find it difficult to speak.
    It's the general's staff-officer, the man he called Menkhoff,' muttered Algy, moistening his lips.
    Biggles pulled himself together. 'Quick!' he snapped. 'Into the car with him.'
    Ginger flung open the rear door of the car and the dead man was bundled inside. Biggles tossed his revolver in after him. `Get in - get in,' he told Algy frantically. `Get the car out of the way. There'll be a crowd here presently.'
    'But where shall I take it?'
    'Anywhere you like, but get it out of the way. Drive down the road until you come to a quiet spot, then leave it. Get back here as fast as you can, but keep inside the hedge so that you are not seen.'
    Algy fell into the driving seat and grabbed the wheel trembling hands. The car shot forward with a crash f gears and raced down the road.
    Biggles looked at Ginger and shook his head. 'We're in a nice mess now,' he muttered. Ìf Bethstein discovers that .1 was us who killed Menkhoff he'll have us shot.'
    'Will he suspect us?'
    'Possibly, but suspicion isn't