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

that way,' declared Ludwig enthusi-astically. 'It gives us supreme power without giving anyone cause for complaint. But suppose the general refuses to obey the ministry's orders?'
    'That would be gross insubordination, and would pro-vide us with the only excuse we need to get rid of him altogether.'
    'Of course. Why, it's a marvellous idea,' asserted Ludwig, who was trembling with excitement. 'I'II speak to the princess immediately, and tell her to send for my uncle.'
    'Fine! That's item number one, which brings us to number two. Now there is just a chance that when Bethstein gets wind of what is afoot he may take the bull by the horns and rush things. We've got to short-circuit his most likely move, which will be, obviously, to get the Lovitznian army on the march. Now I've studied the map pretty closely, particularly the north-east corner of Maltovia, which is the only direction from which the Lovitznians could come. As I see it, the river Nieper forms a fine natural obstacle.'
    'The Nieper is in Lovitzna.'
    'I know, but only just, and it runs parallel with the frontier - so much so that I wonder it doesn't form the boundary.'
    'It used to, years ago, before the Lovitznians collared that piece of territory.'
    'No matter. The point is, to get here the Lovitznians must cross that river, and as far as I can see there is only one bridge.'
    `That is correct. It was built by the Lovitznian govern-ment not long ago.'
    `No doubt for the purpose for which they now hope to use it.'
    'Of course. Again, we realize that now, but at the time we thought it was a splendid thing because it opened a great highway for commerce between the two countries.'
    `The old, old story. Well, it is across that bridge that the Lovitznian army must march.
    What is it built of - wood, steel, concrete or what?'
    'Concrete. It's a double bridge. The railway goes underneath and the road runs above it.'
    'That's excellent; concrete cracks very easily.'
    'What do you mean?'
    'That bridge is going up in a cloud of dust and pebbles.'

    Ludwig stared aghast. 'That bridge cost nearly five million pounds to build. Lovitzna would throw a thousand fits.'
    'Let 'em. 'They can tie themselves up in convulsions as far as we're concerned once the bridge is down.'
    'They'll complain.'
    `So will you. You will be most upset, and send them a note asking what the dickens they mean by destroying the bridge, pointing out that by severing commercial relations they are deliberately trying to cause trouble.'
    `But they won't believe that.'
    'Of course they won't; neither will any one else, but that doesn't matter. My dear boy, that is what is called diplomacy. Maltovia will sit with its tongue in its cheek while all the nations who dislike Lovitzna and her big ally will rock with laughter. Naturally, under the pretence of
    being alarmed, the princess will be justified in moving her most loyal regiments up to the frontier to watch her interests. At present, such a move would be regarded as a threat, almost an act of war, but the destruction of the bridge would provide a valid excuse.'
    'My word! I wish you were Prime Minister of Maltovia,' muttered Ludwig admiringly.
    haven't finished yet. We've still got Klein to deal with, and this is how I suggest we do it.
    When the bridge goes up the Maltovian government will at once show its friendly spirit by offering to help build a new one, an even better one. They will, at the same time, declare their intention of building a new high road to that corner of the state. This, of course, will need money, for which it will be necessary to raise a loan of, say, ten million pounds. You will go to Mr Klein and ask him to lend you that sum. When he says - as he certainly will - that there is nothing doing, you will express your regret and say that if he can't oblige you, you will have to find some one else who will. You will then put the loan forward to one of the big friendly powers. They, seeing what is in the wind, will find the cash, and once