BIGGLES GOES TO WAR

by Captain W. E. Johns

XVII. GINGER TAKES THE WAR-PATH (Pages 209 – 218)

When Ginger was on the floor of the cockpit, he intended to get out right after Algy but his leg had “gone to sleep” and he was massaging it when he heard Biggles being arrested. He waited until everyone had gone before getting out. Ginger finds Smyth tied hand and foot in the hangar, with a bandage over his mouth. Carter is lying full length on the floor with his face in a pool of blood, having been knocked unconscious by a rifle butt. Ginger leave Smyth tending to Carter and returns to their hotel where he asks Josef to get Lieutenant Stanhauser on the telephone. Ludwig arrives and Ginger tells him what has happened and asks him to send a doctor to Carter. Ludwig says he will speak with the Count at the palace and they will get Biggles and Algy out of the barracks. He asks Ginger to wait for him. Ludwig is gone hours before he returns to tell Ginger that Biggles and Algy cannot be found. General Bethstein cannot be found either and it is thought he has gone into the country and the barracks deny all knowledge of any English prisoners. Ludwig tells Ginger that Bethstein has ordered a coup d’etat and the storm may break at any moment. Ginger says he is going to find Bethstein and Ludwig suggests he may be at his hunting-box, the place marked on the map some forty miles away. Ludwig has a car and agrees to go with Ginger to try and find Bethstein, but he has to report to the Count before he can go.