hedge-hopping" -or rather, rock-hopping-home. Looking back over his shoulder he saw the Pfalz spinning down behind him. He pulled out at a hundred feet above the ground, but still eased the stick forward until his wheels were literally skimming the rocks; and swerving from side to side to throw the gunners off their mark, raced for Zabala. Behind him screamed the Pfalz, like a pack of hounds after the hare.
Occasionally the sound of guns reached his ears, and once in a while a bullet bit into the machine, but the chance of being hit by a stray shot was the risk he had to take. By flying low he had made shooting difficult for the Boche pilots, who dare not dive as steeply as they would have liked to have done, and could have done higher up. Their difficulty was that of a diver who knows that the water into which he is about to plunge is shallow; to dive deep would mean hitting the bottom. In the case of the Pfalz, they dare not risk over shooting* their target for fear of crashing into the ground. So, unable to dive, they could only hang behind and take long shots. Their task was not made any easier by the fact that the Bristol did not fly on the same course for more than two or three seconds at a time; it turned and twisted from side to side like a snipe when it hears the sportsmen"s guns.
This sort of flying needs a cool head and steady nerves, and Biggles possessed both; his many battles in France had given him those desirable qualities. He had to have eyes in the back of his head, as the saying goes, for it was necessary to keep a sharp look-out in front for possible obstacles, and at the same time keep watch behind for the more daring pilots who sometimes took a chance and came in close, whereupon he would turn at right angles and dash off on a new course, thereby upsetting their aim.
In spite of his precarious position, he smiled as the chase roared over the heads of a squadron of cavalry, sending the horses stampeding in all directions. On another occasion a German Staff car that was racing along the road down which he was then roaring in the opposite direction, pulled up so quickly that he was * To fly past another aeroplane when following through an attack.
given the never-to-be-forgotten spectacle of a German general in full uniform, with his head through the windscreen.
As he approached Zabala the German scouts doubled their efforts to stop him, evidently under the impression that the British two-seater" intended to bomb their aerodrome, and the consequence was that Biggles, who by this time was not in the least particular as to how or where he got down, made a landing that was as spectacular as it was unusual. He throttled back, side-slipped off his last few feet of height, flattened out and hurtled down-wind across the sun-baked sandy aerodrome. His wheels touched, but he did not stop.
The hangars seemed to rush towards him, and he braced himself for the collision that seemed inevitable.
Leaning over the side of his c.o.c.kpit to get a clear view round his windscreen, he saw German mechanics hauling a Halberstadt out of his path with frantic haste; others were unashamedly sprinting for cover. But the machine was beginning to lose speed, and fifty yards from the tarmac Biggles risked applying a little rudder and aileron, although he clenched his teeth as he did so, fully expecting to hear the undercarriage collapse under the strain. A grinding jar proclaimed the Bristol"s protest, but the wheels stood up to the terrific strain, and slowly the machine swung round until it was tearing straight along the tarmac in a cloud of dust.
The Count himself, and von Stalhein, who had heard the shouting and had dashed out to see what was happening, just had time to throw themselves aside as the Bristol ran to a standstill in front of the fort, leaving a line of staring mechanics and swirling sand to mark it tempestuous course.
"What the devil do you think you"re doing?" roared the Count, white with anger.
Biggles climbed out and pushed up his goggles before he replied. "With all respect to you, sir," he said bitterly, I think that is a question that might well be put to the pilots of the Pfalz Staffel."
"What do you mean?" asked the Count, glancing up at the scouts, some of which were already landing, while others circled round awaiting their turn.
Biggles glared at von Stalhein as a new suspicion flashed into his mind. "They"ve done their best to shoot me down, sir," he told the Count. "Look at my machine," he added, nearly choking with rage as he thought he saw the solution of the whole thing. Von Stalhein still mistrusted him, and had deliberately set the Pfalz on to him as the easiest way to removing him without awkward questions or the formality of a court martial.
The Count looked in surprise at the bullet holes in the wings and tail of the Bristol. "I don"
t understand this," he said with a puzzled expression. "Do you, Erich?" He turned to von Stalhein, who shook his head.
"I suppose there must be an explanation," he said calmly. "Here come the Pfalz pilots: perhaps they can tell us what it is."
The scout pilots who now arrived on the scene pulled up short when they saw the pilot of the Bristol Fighter; they seemed to have difficulty in finding words. For a few moments n.o.body spoke. The Count looked from one to the other. Von Stalhein waited, with a faint inscrutable smile on his face. Biggles glared at all of them in turn. "Well, he said at last, "
what about it?"
One of the German pilots said something quickly and half apologetically to the Count; Biggles caught the words, "mark and wings".
Von Faubourg started and turned to Biggles. "He says you"ve no markings on your wings,"
he cried. "No markings," exclaimed Biggles incredulously.
Impossible!" He swung up and stood on the side of the fuselage from where he could see the whole of the top plane. From end to end it was painted the standard dull biscuit colour; there was not a speck of white on it anywhere. He stared as if it were some strange new creature that he had never seen before, while his brain struggled to absorb this miracle, for it seemed no less. He jumped down, eyes seeking the maker"s number on the tail; and then he understood. It was not the number of his original machine. For some reason as incomprehensible as it was unbelievable, the machine he had flown over to Kantara that morning had been removed while it was standing on the tarmac, and another subst.i.tuted in its place. It must have been done during the three hours he was with Major Raymond or away from the aerodrome.
He pulled himself together with an effort and turned to the Count. "He"s quite right, sir,"
he said, "there is no White mark. But do not ask me to explain it, because I cannot. The only suggestion that I can offer is that a change of machines took place while I was at Kantara."
The Count was obviously unconvinced, but as he could offer no better explanation he dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand. "Come along to my office, Brunow, I want you," he said, and with von Stalhein at his side, disappeared into the porch of the fort.
Biggles turned to follow, but before he went in he turned to one of the Pfalz pilots who he knew spoke a little English and said, "How was it you happened to be where you were-when I came along?"
"Well, we are usually somewhere about there," replied the German, "but as we were taking off von Stalhein told us that we should probably find some British machines there this morning."
I see," said Biggles, "thanks." Then he followed the Count into his office.
"What happened over the other side?" was the curt question that greeted him as he stepped into the room.
I"m sorry, sir, but I was too late to do anything," answered Biggles simply.
"Too late?"
"Sheikh Haroun Ibn Said, better known as El Shereef, of the German Intelligence Staff, was tried by Field General Court Martial this morning and sentenced to death for espionage," said Biggles in a low voice. "The sentence was carried out within an hour on the grounds of the undesirability of keeping such a dangerous man in captivity. I"m not sure, but I believe the British are making an official announcement about it to-night."
The Count sat down slowly in his chair and looked at von Stalhein. Biggles also looked at him, and thought he detected a faint gleam of triumph in the unflinching eyes. There was silence for a few minutes broken only by the Count tapping on his teeth with a lead pencil. ah, well," he said at last with a shrug of his ma.s.sive shoulders, "we have failed, but we did our best. Did you learn anything else while you were over there?"
Only that there seems to be a good deal of activity going on, sir."
"We are already aware of that. Anything else?" "No, sir."
"What excuse did you give to account for your presence at Kantara?"
The same as before. I said I was a delivery pilot; they are always coming and going and n.o.body questioned it."
I see. That"s all for the present."
Biggles saluted and marched out of the room into the blazing sunshine, but he did not go straight to his room, which, as events showed, was a fortunate thing. Instead, he walked along to the hangar where the two British machines were kept, with the object of testing a theory he had formed during his interview with the Count. Several mechanics were at work on the damaged Bristol, covering the bullet holes with small slips of fabric, but he went past them to where the Pup was standing in a corner and put his hand on the engine. One touch told him all he needed to know. The engine was still warm.
I"m right," he thought. "That"s how it was done."
Chapter 18.
An Unwelcome Visitor "Yes, that"s how he did it, the cunning beggar," he mused again, as he walked back slowly to his room and changed into his German uniform. "One false move now, and he"ll be on me like a ton of- h.e.l.lo! what"s going on over there, I wonder?" He broke off his soliloquy to watch with casual interest a little scene that was being enacted at the entrance gate of the camp, which was quite close to his quarters, and which he could just see by leaning out of the window. The sound of what seemed to be an argument reached him, and looking out to see what it was all about, he noticed that a service tender had drawn up to discharge a single pa.s.senger who was now engaged in a heated discussion with the N.C.O. in charge of the guard.
From his actions it was clear that he was trying to obtain admission to the station, but he was in civilian clothes, and the att.i.tude of the N.C.O. suggested that he was not satisfied with his credentials. The man"s suitcase had been stood on the ground, and as Biggles automatically read the name that was painted on its side in black letters he drew in his breath sharply, while his fingers gripped the window-sill until his knuckles showed white through the tan. The name on the suitcase was L. Brunow.
For a moment he came near to panic, and it was all he could do to prevent himself from dashing down to the tarmac, jumping into the first aeroplane he came to, and placing himself behind the British lines in the shortest possible s.p.a.ce of time. He knew that he was in the tightest corner of his life, but he did not lose his head. He slipped, his German Mauser revolver into his pocket and hurried round to the gate.
"What is the matter?" he asked the N.C.O. in German-one of the phrases he had learnt by heart.
The N.C.O. saluted and said something too quickly for him to catch, so Biggles resorted to the friend that had so often before helped him in difficult situations-bluff. He waved the N.C.O. aside, and indicated by his manner that the newcomer was known to him, and that he would accept responsibility for him. At the same time he picked up the suitcase and held it close to his side so that the name could not be read.
The real Brunow-for Biggles was in no doubt whatever as to the ident.i.ty of the new arrival-wiped the perspiration from his face with a handkerchief. "Can you speak English by any chance?" he said apologetically; "I"m afraid my German isn"t very good."
a leedle," replied Biggles awkwardly. "I understand better than I speak perhaps-yes?"
"Thank goodness. Then will you show me Count von Faubourg"s office; I have an important message for him."
"Yes, I will show you," replied Biggles, but the thought that flashed through his mind was, "Yes, I"ll bet you have". "Der Count has just gone away," he went on aloud. "You must have the thirst, after your journey in der sun. I go to my room for a drink now-perhaps you come-no?"
"Thanks, I will," replied Brunow with alacrity. "I can"t stand this heat."
It vas derrible," agreed Biggles, as he led the way to his room, wondering what he was going to do with the man when he got there.
Brunow threw himself into a chair while Biggles took from the cupboard two gla.s.ses, a siphon of soda-water, and a bottle of brandy that he kept for visitors. The amount of brandy that he poured into Brunow"s gla.s.s nearly made him blush, but Brunow did not seem to notice it, so he added a little soda-water and pa.s.sed it over. His own gla.s.s he filled from the siphon, at the same time regretfully observing that he had had a touch of dysentery, and was forbidden alcohol by doctor"s orders. He half smiled as Brunow drank deeply like a thirsty man-as he probably was-and decided in his mind that whatever happened Brunow must not be allowed to leave the room, for if ever he reached the Count"s office his own hours were numbered.
"How long is the Count going to be, do you think?" inquired Brunow, setting down his empty gla.s.s, which Biggles casually refilled.
"He may be gone some time," he answered in his best pseudo-German accent. "Why, is it something important-yes?"
Brunow took another drink. "I should say it is," he retorted, settling himself down more comfortably in the chair. "Too important to be put in a dispatch," he added, rather boastfully, as an afterthought.
Biggles whistled softly, and made up his mind that his best chance of getting into the man"s confidence was through his vanity. "So! and they send you," he exclaimed.
"That"s right," declared Brunow. "They"ve sent me all the way from Berlin rather than trust the telegraph or the post-bag." He leaned forward confidentially and looked up into Biggles" face. "Perhaps I shouldn"t tell you-keep this to yourself-but there"s going to be a fine old row when I see the Count."
Biggles laughed and refilled the gla.s.ses. "That will be not new," he said. "We of the staff have plenty of those."
"But this one will be something to remember," Brunow told him with a leer.
Biggles looked sceptical, which seemed to annoy Brunow.
"What would you say if I told you there was a spy here-here-here at Zabala?" he asked bellicosely.
Biggles shrugged his shoulders. "It would be a funny place where there were no rumours about spies," he said inconsequentially.
The combined effects of the heat and the brandy were becoming apparent in Brunow"s manner. He put his feet up on the table and frowned at Biggles through half-closed eyes.
"Are you suggesting that I don"t know what I"m talking about?" he inquired coldly. "You"ll be telling me next that I"m drunk," he added with the aggressive indignation of a man who is well on his way to intoxication.
"I should hope not," replied Biggles, in well simulated surprise. "We are all two-bottle men here. Have another drink?" Without waiting for a reply, he filled the gla.s.ses again, inwardly disgusted that a man on special duty could behave in a manner so utterly foolish and irresponsible. "Well," he thought, "it"s either him or me for it, so it"s no time to be squeamish."
"Funny thing, you know," went on Brunow confidingly; "I"m not really German, but I went to Germany to offer my services. When I got there and told them my name, what do you think they did?"
"I"m no good at riddles," admitted Biggles.
"They threw me in clink," declared the other, picking up his gla.s.s.
"Clink?"
In quod -you know, prison.
"Donner blitz*," muttered Biggles, looking shocked.
"They did," went on Brunow reflectively, sinking a little lower in his chair. "Had the bra.s.s face to tell me that I was already serving in the Secret Service. What would you say if any one told you that, eh?"
"Biggles shook his head. "Impossible!" he exclaimed, for want of something better to say.
"That"s what I told them," swore Brunow, waxing eloquent. The funny thing is, though, they were right. Can you beat that, eh?"
It vas not possible."
"Wasn"t it! Ha! that"s all that you know about it. I kicked up a proper stink and showed them my papers; when they saw those they smelt a rat and got busy. Quick wasn"t the word. To make a long story short, they found that some skunk had got in under the canvas and was pretending to be me-me! What do you know about that?"
Biggles knew quite a lot about it but he did not say so. "Too bad," he murmured sympathetically.
"Too bad!" exploded Brunow, starting up. "Is that all you"ve got to say about it? Don"t you realize that this other fellow is a spy? Well, I"ve got it in for him," he declared venomously, as he sank back. "They believe it"s a fellow named Bigglesworth, who"s disappeared from France, though it beats me how they found that out. But whoever he is,"
he"s here at Zabala."
Biggles poured out more brandy with a hand that shook slightly, for Brunow had raised his voice. Twilight was falling over the desert, and in the hush the sound of voices carried far.
"So you"ve come here to put an end to his little game, * By thunder!
eh?" he said quietly. "Good! Still, there"s no need to get excited about it."
"Who are you, telling me not to get excited about it?" fumed Brunow. "These cursed British chucked-" He pulled up as if he realized that he was saying too much. I want to see them shoot this skunk Bigglesworth, and I want to see him twitch when he gets a neck full of lead. That"s what I want to see," he snarled.
"Well, maybe you will," Biggles told him.
"That"s what I"ve come here for. The people in Berlin were going to send a telegram; then they thought they"d send a dispatch, but in the end they decided to send a special messenger. They chose me, and here I am," stated Brunow. "Pretty good, eh?"
"How about another drink?" smiled Biggles, and the instant he said it he knew he had gone too far. A look of suspicion darted into Brunow"s bloodshot eyes, and the corners of his mouth came down ominously. "Say! what"s the big idea?" he growled. "Are you trying to get me tanked?"
"Tanked?" Biggles tried to look as if he did not understand.
"Yes-blotto ... sewn up. You sit there swilling that gut-rot, lacing me with brandy, and letting me do the talking. Do you know this skate Bigglesworth? You must have met him if you"re stationed here. That"s it. Is he a pal of yours, or-"
Biggles could almost see Brunow"s bemused brain wrestling with the problem. The half-drunken man knew he had said too much, and was trying to recall just how much he had said. Then into his eyes came suddenly a new look; it was as if a dreadful possibility had struck him. Quickly, as he stared into Biggles face, doubt changed to certainty, and with certainty came hate and fear. He sprang to his feet, and grabbing the brandy bottle by the neck, swung it upwards; the table went over with a crash. "Curse you," he screamed. "You"re- "
Biggles dodged the bottle that would have brained him if it had reached its mark, and grabbed him by the throat. So sudden had been the attack that he was nearly caught off his guard, but once he realized that Brunow, in a flash of drunken inspiration, had recognized him, he acted with the speed of light, knowing that at all costs he must prevent him from shouting. One call for help and he was lost.
As his right hand found Brunow"s throat and choked off the cry that rose to his lips, his left hand gripped the wrist that still held the bottle and a wave of fighting fury swept over him. It was the first time in his life that he had actually made physical contact with one of the enemy, and his reaction to it was shattering in its intensity; it aroused a latent instinct to destroy that he had never suspected was in him, and the knowledge that the man was not only an enemy but a traitor fanned the red-heat of his rage to a searing white-hot flame. "Yes," he ground out through his clenched teeth, I"m Bigglesworth-you dirty traitorous rat."
But Brunow was no weakling. He was a trifle older than Biggles, and more heavily built, but what he gained from this advantage was lost by being out of condition, although he fought with the fear of death on him.
Locked in an unyielding embrace," they lost their balance and toppled over on to the bed.
For a moment they lay on it panting, and then with a sudden wrench, Brunow tore himself free; but Biggles clung to his wrist and they both crashed to the floor. The shock broke his hold and they both sprang up simultaneously.
Brunow had lost too much breath to shout; he aimed a murderous blow with the bottle, but he was a fraction of a second too slow. Biggles sprang sideways like a cat and then- darted in behind the other arm, while as he moved his right hand flashed down and up, bringing the Mauser with it. The force Brunow had put behind his blow almost over-balanced him, and before he could recover Biggles brought the b.u.t.t of his gun down on the back of his head.
Brunow swayed for a moment with a look of startled surprise on his face, and then pitched forward over the table.