BIGGLES GOES TO WAR

by Captain W. E. Johns

IX. BIGGLES MAKES SOME SUGGESTIONS (Pages 97 – 111)

Ludwig arrives to see them at 11.00 pm “in mufti” (civilian clothes). He asks if they have heard about the death of Colonel Menkhoff. Ludwig says he is afraid of Bethstein. “Come, come, Ludwig, that’s a sad confession. It won’t do to be afraid of him – or anyone else – at this juncture” says Biggles. Biggles goes on to add that this dilly-dallying has got to stop and they have got to act. Biggles asks who is behind Bethstein and is told a man named Klein, who is the President of the Maltovian National Bank and an international financier, rather than a Maltovian. Biggles talks about removing Klein and is interested to hear Ludwig say that the Princess will support what he, Ludwig, recommends. Biggles says “One of my bad habits is bluntness. I hate beating around the bush, as we say, maybe because I like to get my facts right, and keep my feet planted on solid ground. You’re very fond of your Princess, aren’t you?” Ludwig says he is prepared to die for the Princess at any moment. “Ludwig spoke the words sincerely, without any suggestion of braggadocio”. Biggles tells Ludwig that they killed Menkhoff, Algy shot him in self-defence. Biggles says the Princess must form a Ministry of Defence consisting only of men above suspicion and with Ludwig’s Uncle, Max Stanhauser as President. Bethstein will have to take his instructions from this Ministry - “That’s how it’s done in Great Britain, and if it is good enough for Great Britain it ought to be good enough for Maltovia”. If the general refuses to obey orders that would be gross insubordination and grounds to remove him. Biggles says that the Lovitznian army can only come from the north-east corner of Maltovia and the river Nieper is a fine natural obstacle. There is a concrete bridge over the river and Biggles says he is going to blow it up. Ludwig stared aghast. “That bridge cost nearly five million pounds to build. Lovitzna would throw a thousand fits”. “Let ‘em” says Biggles. “They’ll complain” says Ludwig. “So will you”, says Biggles. “You will be most upset, and send them a note asking what the dickens they mean by destroying the bridge, pointing out that by severing commercial relations they are deliberately trying to cause trouble”. “But they won’t believe that” says Ludwig. “Of course they won’t; neither will anyone else, but that doesn’t matter. My dear boy, that is what is called diplomacy”. The Princess will then have an excuse to move her most loyal regiments up to the frontier to watch her interests. Maltovia can then offer to build a new bridge and a new high road to that corner of the state. They can ask Klein to raise a loan of ten million pounds and he will refuse and then Maltovia can borrow the money from a friendly country who will take care to keep an eye on their investment. Biggles says he is expecting a Lovitznian two-seater to come over, believing them to be out of the way, taking the opportunity of slipping across on a reconnaissance. Biggles says he shall endeavour to persuade the pilot to land and that he then intends to use the same bomber to bomb up the Nieper bridge, so Lovitzna can’t accuse Maltovia of doing it.