BIGGLES IN AUSTRALIA

by Captain W. E. Johns

XI. MOVE AND COUNTERMOVE (Pages 125 – 136)

They fly to Broome and offload Bill and the two prisoners and then fly on to Darwin. “The chief topic of conversation was what to do next. It was a problem that presented difficulties. Biggles said he was anxious to have a look at Daly Flats, from the air if not from the ground. But if that was to be done it ought to be done at once, before the lugger got there. He was equally anxious to see Colonel MacEwan, the Australian Security officer at Sydney, for he felt that the time had come to put their cards on the table. They could not, he asserted, go on tearing about Australia, doing things which, if it was held that they had over-stepped their authority, might embarrass everybody concerned. At Tarracooma, by taking a chance and having Bill with them, all had gone well, and they had nipped off one of the ends of the spy network. They couldn’t hope to go on doing that sort of thing without the Australian government asking them what the dickens they thought there were up to”. Biggles really wants to find a duplicate list of enemy agents in the country and he suspects Smith has one and that Smith is likely to be a Daly Flats. Biggles decides to fly to Sydney in the morning to meet with Colonel MacEwan, whilst the others can go in the Otter to make an aerial recognisance of Daly Flats, to see if the Auster is there and ascertain the position of the lugger, Matilda. Their aircraft will have to be guarded overnight and Ginger is assigned the first watch. As such, he is sent to have his meal first. Entering the tea-room, Ginger is astonished to see von Stalhein there. He quickly leaves and returns to inform the others. “Biggles looked incredulous. Not for a long time had Ginger seen him so taken aback. But he recovered quickly”. Biggles deduces that “Either the Matilda didn’t go up the river but came to Darwin instead, or else von Stalhein was put ashore at Wyndham and came up on the regular service”. They wonder why he is there, but then an Auster comes in to land and it is clear von Stalhein is meeting Smith. Biggles thinks they will lose them if the Auster is allowed to take off again. With only half an hour of daylight left, Algy is sent to ask West to come up with any pretext to stop the Auster leaving for a quarter of an hour. Biggles thinks the pilot won’t want to risk a night landing. Algy is then to join Bertie in the Otter with orders to follow the Auster should it leave. Biggles and Ginger go to catch a glimpse of the mysterious Mr. Smith. The Auster has landed and the pilot remains onboard. A man, presumed to be “one of these cold-blooded, flat-faced bodyguards, we’ve seen von Stalhein with before” steps out and waits. Biggles and Ginger go towards the tea-room and meet von Stalhein coming out. “If he was surprised to see them he did not show it. The only sign of recognition he gave was a curt nod in passing”. “You’re in a great hurry,” bantered Biggles, turning to follow. (“You’re in a great hurry,” bantered Biggles – is the illustration opposite page 127). “I suppose I have to thank that photograph for bringing you here,” muttered von Stalhein savagely. Biggles confirms that is the case and he says that von Stalhein will be followed when he takes off. The pilot of the Auster encourages von Stalhein to get in as they haven’t too much time. Biggles speaks with the pilot, who is a man called Cozens and tells him that the control tower won’t let him take off as “There’s a Constellation about due in form Singapore”. Biggles says Cozens will lose his full ticket for commercial flying if he ignores control tower signals. Biggles adds “By the way, I suppose you know the sort of people you’re working for?” “I’m beginning to wonder,” rejoined the pilot, looking hard at Biggles. “Watch your step,” advised Biggles. Biggles and Ginger return to join Algy and Bertie at their aircraft. Biggles says he is going to press on to Sydney in the Halifax right away. The others are to follow the Auster when it does take off, and now it has been delayed and wouldn’t risk a night time landing, that will, no doubt, be in the morning. “Should any unforeseen situation arise you’ll have to act on your own discretion” says Biggles before he goes.