BIGGLES GOES TO WAR

by Captain W. E. Johns

XXI. ALL’S WELL (Pages 250 – 256)

The barracks have now been taken over by the Royal Guards. Ginger informs Biggles and Algy of the night’s events. “Great Scott!” ejaculated Biggles. Ginger said the Count told Bethstein he would hang him on the nearest tree if he refused to write out an order cancelling his previous instructions. Ginger then flew, urgently, in Zarovitch’s aeroplane to drop the message. The Count refers to Zarovitch as Prince Paul Zarovitch and says he is from the ruling House of Lovitzna and he is the king’s nephew. Biggles suggests they have a quick trial and sentence all three of the conspirators, Zarovitch, Bethstein and Klein to death. Lovitzna will send a frantic protest and the Count can reply with an ultimatum to the effect that you will hold up proceedings on one condition only, which is that the whole thing be laid before the League of Nations at Geneva for consideration. The Count agrees and says “Bigglesworth, I always felt that you should have been a politician”. Biggles laughed scornfully. “Me a politician? Not on your life! I’m an air-man” (at least that is what he said in the original Modern Boy version. In the first edition book this is changed, somewhat strangely to “I’m a soldier”.) The Count tells Biggles that he and his colleagues, including the mechanics, are invited to the palace. Carter, who was hit on the head, is in hospital but out of danger. At the palace our heroes are awarded the Maltovian Order of Saint Peter, the country’s highest decoration. The Princess asks them to remain until things are settled and organise a Royal Air Force. The Lovitznian Government agree the Maltovian ultimatum unconditionally and the League of Nations not only issue a verdict in favour of Maltovia, but also award an indemnity, to be paid by Lovitzna for what has transpired. A part of this money is allocated to the Air Arm for the purchase of aeroplanes and the training of pilots (according to the book – this line is not in the original Modern Boy publication). The marriage of Ludwig and the Princess is announced and our heroes are invited to the ceremony. Bethstein and Klein are tried for high treason. They are found guilty and sentenced to death and in due course meet their fate in the very courtyard where Biggles and Algy had so nearly met theirs. Zarovitch is permitted to return to Lovitzna having signed a document agreeing that he would never set foot in Maltovia again. Biggles and his comrades eventually leave the country to a heroes acclaim.