Part 5 (1/2)
he asked, as they shook hands.
Marcel grinned. 'But of course, mon ami. We wouldn't disappoint you. He is here.'
'Where?'
'In the booking hall. Come over and I will show him to you. I think he expects a friend on the London plane, for he has in his pocket two tickets for Prague.'
'Good work, Marcel,' acknowledged Biggles. 'At what time does the Prague machine leave?'
'At four-forty-five. Voila! There it stands, ready.'
'Go and get me two tickets, if it isn't booked to capacity. I'm going on that plane, too.'
Marcel looked pained. Not even one night in Paris?'
'I haven't time. This is serious, and urgent.'
Marcel's expressive eyes asked a question. 'What happens?' 'Have you had any men deserting from your army lately?'
Marcel shrugged. 'How would I know?'
'Find out a” but not now. I'll tell you all about it when I come back from Prague. Get me the tickets.'
'You want two tickets?'
'Yes. Ginger will go with me.'
As they walked into the main hall Marcel nudged Biggles. 'There is your man,' he said.
Following the direction indicated Biggles saw a nondescript individual with dark, restless eyes, a sallow complexion and a rather nervous manner. He was reading, or pretending to read, a newspaper; but his eyes, Biggles noted, did not linger on the printed page.
Marcel went off to get the tickets, leaving Biggles watching the man with the spotted tie.
Presently a curious thing happened; at least, it puzzled Biggles for a minute. The man he was watching looked directly at him, almost as if he had become aware that he was being scrutinised. Biggles saw him start slightly, before turning away, nearly dropping his paper in doing so. But again his eyes came back to Biggles. For a moment he fidgeted, obviously ill at ease. Then he appeared to reach a decision. After a glance to left and right he came near to where Biggles was standing, and said, in a low voice, speaking in German: 'All is well, I hope?'
Biggles was somewhat taken aback; but even as he automatically answered he realised what had happened. The man had noticed his spotted tie and had taken him for a member of the organisation for which he himself was working. This, up to a point, was the very purpose for which Biggles had adopted the tie; but he was hardly prepared for it to operate so soon, and so effectively. Too effectively, in fact; for it seemed to him at that moment that it was likely to be embarra.s.sing. For this reason he would have avoided further conversation had it been possible, but as it was not he resolved to take advantage of the incident if this could be done without arousing the man's suspicions. It should not be difficult, he thought, for the fellow did not strike him as being a particularly bright type. Thinking quickly, he decided that to end the conversation too abruptly might set the fellow wondering, and in the end do more harm than good.
Said the man: 'We travel together perhaps?'
'Perhaps,' answered Biggles. Outwardly his manner was casual; inwardly he had qualms, for he was afraid that remarks by the man might be pa.s.swords, to which he would be expected to return the correct answers.
However, the man went on. 'Are you under orders, or are you only returning home?'
'Orders,' replied Biggles. 'I go to Prague.' He felt safe in saying this, knowing that the man had tickets for that city. His presence in the same aircraft would now appear natural.
'So. I also go to Prague,' admitted the man.
'Like me, you are here to meet the London plane?' prompted Biggles.
'I have a fellow traveller on board.' 'And me.'
'One of the regulars, I suppose?'
'I'm no longer doing that work,' said Biggles casually. 'I have a more important man to meet. In Prague we shall meet at the usual hotel, no doubt?'
'I go to the Hotel Schweiz, in the Moldaustra.s.se.'
'That's right,' agreed Biggles. 'I may see you there.'
'You were lucky to get promotion,' said the man in a surly voice.
'I have been nothing but a Laufbursche (errand boy) for years. I was told there was money in the business, but what I get is hardly enough to live on.' The man spoke bitterly.
'Don't worry,' Biggles told him consolingly. 'Your turn will come. Take my advice and be more careful what you say. If I reported what you said it would mean trouble for you.'
Fear leapt into the man's eyes. 'Yes, I shouldn't have said it. I try hard at my work, but sometimes I feel it is not noticed.'
'I'll put in a word for you,' promised Biggles.
Danke schon.'
'Do you go with your man to the end of his journey?' inquired Biggles.
'No. Only to Prague.'
'These men must wonder where they are going.'
The man smiled unpleasantly. 'Those do, certainly, who are given fur coats.'
'That's what I think,' returned Biggles, his face expressionless.
The appearance of the London plane put an end to the conversation. The man walked nearer to the barrier while Biggles remained where he was until Marcel returned with the tickets. He took them from him. 'Don't wait,' he said quietly. 'We may be watched, and you may be recognised. I will get in touch with you later. Au revoir.'
'Au revoir, mon ami.' Marcel turned away.
Biggles walked forward, and seeing Ginger, joined him. He moved quickly, for he realised that the German to whom he had been speaking, seeing two pa.s.sengers wearing spotted ties, Ginger and Ross, might be puzzled. When Biggles greeted Ginger the man went over to Ross, who was looking about him, and any doubts about identification were settled.
'Any news?' Biggles asked Ginger, as soon as landing formalities had been complied with.
'Nothing,' answered Ginger quietly. 'I had a word with Ross coming over.
He still doesn't know where he's going. All he knew was, a man wearing a spotted tie would meet him here. That's the fellow he's talking to now I suppose.'
'Quite right. It was rather funny. We were both waiting here and the fellow noticed my tie. He spoke to me, but I didn't learn much.'
'Did you find out where he's taking Ross?'