BIGGLES GOES TO WAR

by Captain W. E. Johns

XIX. GINGER GETS A PRISONER AND A SHOCK (Pages 230 – 239)

Ginger goes back to watch the house and is relieved to see that the aeroplane is still there. He settles down to wait for Ludwig to return with the reinforcements. Just as Ginger is thinking of going back to meet Ludwig, a door opens and Zarovitch leaves. Ginger steps out in front of him and threatens him with his pistol saying “If you so much as make one yelp, or take one step in the wrong direction, I swear on my oath I’ll shoot you dead”. Ginger makes him walk to the edge of the forest opposite and then on to where he expects to meet Ludwig. Ludwig is not there and Ginger is worried but shortly afterwards Ludwig arrives and with him is Count Stanhauser and twenty-four soldiers. Zarovitch is arrested and the Count examines his portfolio. The Count tells Ginger and Ludwig “that arch-scoundrel would have sold his country to her enemies. The agreement is here, signed and sealed. In return for Bethstein’s assistance, Maltovia is to be a dependency of Lovitzna, with Bethstein as Governor-General. His signature, too, is on the deed, which I imagine was what Zarovitch came for, no doubt. Klein is also a party to the plot”. They go to arrest Bethstein and Klein for high treason. Ginger suggests two soldiers go and arrest Zarovitch’s pilot. The Count knocks on the door and pretends to be Zarovitch returning, doing a fair imitation of his voice. The door is opened by Bethstein and both he and Klein are arrested. Ginger whispers in the Count’s ear and the Count asks Bethstein where is Major Bigglesworth? Bethstein tells them he is at the Barracks and he has had the satisfaction of sentencing him to death – the sentence to be carried out at dawn. It is now 5.00 am. The sun rises at 5.30 am. Ginger asks if there is a telephone, but there is no telephone between there and Janovica. “Good heavens!” Ginger whispers. “What are we going to do?”