Read Online 14 Biggles Goes To War by Captain W E Johns - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Captain W E Johns
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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,
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,
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