Part 15 (1/2)

Ginger allowed his breath to escape in a sigh of relief. 'It's Wung,' he announced. '

Something must have gone wrong.'

They all stood up and Wung joined the party.

'What's the matter?' asked Biggles in a terse undertone.

'There seems to be a conference going on at the Commandant's house,'

reported Wung in a low voice. 'Captain King asked me to look in when we were pa.s.sing, Some men are talking about you. I heard your name mentioned. Captain King could not wait as he has much to do, but he thought you should know in case some sort of trap has been set.'

'You actually looked in the room?'

'Yes, through the window.'

'Who is there?'

'The Commandant. With him is a Chinese general whom they call Kw.a.n.g-Sen.

I have not seen him before, but he seems to be senior to the Commandant.

There is also another Russian officer, who is, I think, an aeroplane pilot. He wears wings on his uniform. There is also a German. I think he does not speak much Russian or Chinese, because there is an interpreter.'

'Did you see this German when you were here before?' 'No.'

'What sort of man is he?'

'Tall, clean shaven, well dressed. He stands and speaks like a soldier.

He wears an eyegla.s.s, and smokes all the time a cigarette in a long holder.'

'Sounds as if von Stalhein has got here,' remarked Biggles dryly, looking at the others. 'I can't say that I'm altogether surprised. After all, this is his affair as much as ours.' He turned back to Wung. 'Did you get any idea of what these men were talking about, apart from mentioning my name?'

'From what I could make out the German was trying to convince General Kw.a.n.g-Sen that you would come here, so there should be more soldiers. He seems to know that you have left London, and that British Intelligence now knows about the broadcasting station.

'What did the General say to that?'

'He seemed disinclined to do anything. I have the impression that he was drinking with Commandant Kubenoff when the others arrived.'

'Nothing else?'

'No. I did not stay long because Captain King was waiting for me.'

'All right. You'd better get back to him. Tell him to lose no time because von Stalhein is here, and if he has his way things are likely to happen.'

Wung went off and soon merged into the gloom.

Biggles faced the others. 'I'd better have a look at this in case it is decided to post extra guards right away. That might put Gimlet in a jam.

Stand fast till I come back. If a flap should start, try to grab Ross and make for the ruined hut. I'll join you there.' So saying, he walked quickly in the direction of the bungalow, the position of which was clear from the light that streamed from one of its windows.

A glance showed him that his surmise had been correct. Von Stalhein, as coldly austere and as immaculate as ever in spite of his long journey, was expostulating with a heavily-built Chinaman who, in a uniform decorated with medals, sprawled in an armchair with a gla.s.s in his hand.

A man in Russian uniform a” Kubenoff, Biggles presumed a” was sitting opposite. Standing nearby was a man who, from his actions and the way he spoke, was evidently the interpreter. Von Stalhein spoke in German.

The matter is of importance to me, if not to you, General,' he was saying. 'Why do you think I have come all this way? For my own good, I admit, but for yours also. This man Ross is a spy, put in by the British secret agent, Bigglesworth. If it is learned in Moscow that a stool-pigeon has been introduced into the organisation it will be bad for me, and for you, too, if you do nothing about it. Stresser, one of my men in Europe, has made a complete confession. He was suspected, and has been made to talk. He now admits that in Prague he sold to Bigglesworth information about the destination of Ross, who was followed out from England.'

'We will have this man Ross before us in the morning,' said the General thickly. 'He shall tell us all he knows.'

'Why not now?' argued von Stalhein.

'Because I am tired. Nothing is likely to happen between now and daylight.'

Biggles, with his eyes on von Stalhein's face, could almost sympathise with him. It seemed to be the fate of the German that his own efficiency should be offset by the laxity of the people under whom he served.

Another man stepped into the conversation. 'It would be better to wait for a little while,'

he said. 'Ross is to broadcast presently. It is important and will be relayed to all stations.

He does not know this, of course. He has been told that it is only a rehearsal to test his voice, otherwise he would refuse. He is difficult.

It would be better not to upset him just before the broadcast.'

'I agree,' said the General, reaching for a bottle that stood on a nearby table.

'But, at least, it would be no trouble to put on extra guards,' protested von Stalhein.

Kw.a.n.g-Sen yawned. 'Very well, if it will satisfy you.'

'Why not let me have a word with Ross?' suggested von Stalhein. 'He knows me. I would tell him that his being sent here was all a mistake and that I have come to take him back to Europe. That would put him in good heart.

I would learn the truth from him.

Afterwards, you can do what you like with him.'

'That might be a good thing,' conceded Kw.a.n.g-Sen. 'But don't worry me again tonight. I'

m tired and I'm going to bed. Have a drink?'

Biggles waited for no more. He hastened back to the others. 'We were just in time,' he informed them grimly. 'We'd better get mobile. Von Stalhein is here. Stresser has spilt the whole can of beans, so von Stalhein has a pretty good idea of what's likely to happen.

He insists on the guards being doubled. The General is soaked with liquor, and can't be bothered, but he has more or less agreed. What is worse, von Stalhein is trying to get to Ross. I left them all talking.

But, whatever the others do, von Stalhein won't go to bed.

We don't want him barging into the picture before we are finished, so we'd better get Ross and pull out right away.'