BIGGLES GOES TO WAR

by Captain W. E. Johns

II. DISQUIETING NEWS (Pages 22 – 31)

Ten days later the three airmen are seated in the dining-room at Southwick Airport waiting to meet Count Stanhauser. “The airmen had only discovered their visitor’s title after he had departed”. In the intervening days, Biggles had selected three (fictional) Launcester ‘Lance’ aircraft (which had recently become obsolete in the Royal Air Force, we are told) and organised two mechanics. Biggles old war-time fitter, Flight-Sergeant Smyth, and Corporal Carter, his brother-in-law, who had been a rigger in the R.A.F. “Both men expressed themselves delighted at the undertaking. They had already left for Janovica, the capital of Maltovia, by rail, to make the necessary arrangements for the accommodation of the three aeroplanes on their arrival. Thus, the Maltovian Air Force comprised a personnel of five, three officers and two other ranks, with three aeroplanes”. Arms and uniforms have also been purchased. At the meeting with the Count, they discuss the fact that it is necessary for a landing to refuel between England and Maltovia. The plan is to land in Weisheim “which is about half-way” at the private aerodrome on a large estate of a man called Baron von Kestler, whose wife is Maltovian. “Ah!” “Biggles was silent for a few moments after his quiet ejaculation”. Biggles asks if there is anyone in Maltovia that he can trust and the Count tells him “You can trust my nephew, Ludwig Stanhauser, with your life” and he speaks English. The Count say they can also trust the Princess. “She has been to England and speaks your language”. The Count says he fears spies may know that Biggles and his comrades are on their way to Maltovia. Zarovitch, the Lovitznian minister has returned to Lovitzna and a loyal and able Maltovian leader, General Otto von Nerthold, has been assassinated “last night”. The Count offers Biggles the chance to withdraw. “We don’t withdraw when once we have started, sir” says Biggles. The Count apologies that his little country is not in a financial position to recompense them more in accordance with their worth. Biggles says “We are not doing this for money, Count Stanhauser. If you want the truth, we are doing it because there is in us, as there is in most Englishmen, a love of justice, a sense of right and wrong, and sympathy for the under-dog. That is why we shall be proud to wear our Maltovian (originally Grussian) uniforms”. The Count waves them goodbye with tears in his eyes as they take off.