Free 14 Biggles Goes To War by Captain W E Johns Page A

impossible.'
    'I don't like that word, Ludwig. You, like a lot of other people, fall back on it too easily.
    Few things are impossible when you get down to brass tacks. You follow my advice and I'll show you whether or not it's impossible to get rid of your precious banker, if, as you say, he is working with Bethstein. You talk about it being madness to shift him; I say it would be madness to let him stay. If you do he'll wreck the ship, that's certain.'
    Ludwig sprang suddenly to his feet. `Bigglesworth,' he said passionately, 'you're right.
    We've needed a man like you. For months we've done our best, but we are no match for these unscrupulous plotters, and you know how it is when everything is at stake; one hesitates ... procras-tinates, fearing to make a false move, hoping perhaps for a miracle, or a stroke of luck.'
    'Now you're talking sense, Ludwig,' agreed Biggles approvingly. 'Lady Luck is an unreliable mistress. If you will maintain your present attitude, and persuade the princess to support it—'
    She'll support what I recommend,' broke in Ludwig confidently.
    Biggles stared at him for a moment.
    see,' he said
    slowly. So that's the way the wind blows, is it?'
    A pink flush tinged Ludwig's cheeks. 'What do you mean?' he asked haltingly.
    Biggles laid a hand on his shoulder. 'Listen, Ludwig,' he said softly. 'One of my bad habits is bluntness. I hate beating about the bush, as we say, maybe because I like to get my facts right, and keep my feet planted on solid ground. You're very fond of your princess, aren't you?'
    Ludwig went scarlet. 'What if I am?' he demanded defiantly.
    'Well, that's all right with me,' Biggles told him in a fatherly fashion. In fact, I'm glad to know it, because that puts you on the princess's side without any possible shadow of doubt, and at the same time tempers you for any risk, or even sacrifice, that may be demanded.'
    'I'm prepared to die for the princess at any moment.' Ludwig spoke the words sincerely, without any suggestion of braggadocio.
    'That's how I like to hear a man talk,' returned Biggles. 'Now then, let's get down to business. First of all, you can bet your life that Bethstein is doing some pretty hard thinking at this very minute.'
    'You mean, because of Menkhoff being killed?' 'Yes.'

    'I wonder who killed him?'
    'You needn't wonder any longer. We did.'
    Ludwig's face turned ashen and his jaw dropped. 'Good gracious!' he breathed. 'You had the nerve to murder him?'
    Biggles shook his head. 'Oh, no, nothing like that,' he said quickly. 'On the contrary, he tried to murder us. We caught him red-handed at sabotage. It was he who fired the hangar, no doubt imagining that the machines were inside. When he saw that he was discovered he drew his revolver and fired three shots at us. Algy fired back in self-defence, and the shot hit him in the head and killed him. He was an enemy of Maltovia so I shan't lose any sleep on that account, and neither need you. I only wish it had been Bethstein himself. Well, now you know the facts; I've only told you this because we can't afford to have secrets from each other. One result of the affair may be that it will cause Bethstein to push forward his plans. We, therefore, shall have to do the same thing.'
    'Yes, but what can we do?'
    'As I have already said, we must clip Bethstein's wings. I realize that it might be difficult to take away his command without causing a serious row, so this is the way we shall have to curtail his activities. 'The princess must form a Ministry of Defence, with your uncle as president. He must come home; he is much too valuable to be left in England.
    The new ministry appointed, the general will
    have to take his instructions from it - that's how it's done in Great Britain, and if it is good enough for Great Britain it ought to be good enough for Maltovia. Needless to say, the ministry will consist only of men who are absolutely above suspicion. 'That should tie Bethstein's hands some-what.'
    'I never thought of