Part 8 (2/2)

As you say,' agreed Algy.

'Where is the dump ?'

Algy pointed. 'About half a mile along the beach.'

I see. To save our legs you might as well land a bit nearer to it when you come back. By the way, what exactly does this dump consist of ?'

Algy described what he had seen.

Biggles's eyes opened wide. 'It sounds to me as if there ought to be some stuff there that we could use ourselves. I mean, we might find ourselves out of petrol one day, in which case we should be glad to have a reserve supply. Before blowing the place up I certainly think we ought to have a closer look at what it contains.'

Algy nodded. 'I didn't think of that. But you can't get into it. It 's locked up.'

'You say it 's made of corrugated iron ?'

'That 's right.'

'Then with a drill and a hack-saw we ought to have no difficulty in cutting a hole through the side. We may as well try it, anyway. You bring the tools back with you. Bring a torch and anything you think might be useful. If we find the job of getting in is too much for us we'll give it up and blow the place sky high as you originally intended. But we mustn't stand here talking any longer. You get off and get back as quickly as you can.'

Algy thought the plan was a sound one, so after settling a few minor details, he returned to the machine, taking Briny with him.

Biggles was left alone on the sandbank. As soon as he heard the machine take off, he picked up the time-bomb, which was still lying where it had fallen when the collision had knocked it out of Algy's hand, and started off towards the dump. The moon was now creeping up over the horizon, so it did not take him long to find the shed and the adjacent moorings, which he examined with considerable interest. He then went round to the rear wall, where he arranged the bomb, for he thought it would be as efficient there as anywhere if it were decided to use it. After that, as there was nothing more he could do, he began making a closer inspection of the building.

He did not learn much, however, for he soon discovered what Algy already knew-that there were no windows. He suspected that there were skylights, but he had no means of getting on the roof-not that he made any serious attempt to do so, realizing that the interior would be in utter darkness.

Having nothing to do now but wait, it was with profound satisfaction that he heard the hum of Algy's engine, really before he expected him. He walked briskly towards the sea, and by the time Algy had landed, and taxied into a sheltered creek about two hundred yards away, he had joined him.

Algy tossed him a vacuum flask. 'Take a swig of that,' he said. It's hot coffee-it should warm you up. Here's your kit,' he added, throwing a bundle after the flask.

Biggles began getting into his clothes as quickly as he could, from time to time taking gulps of coffee with grateful relish. Is Ginger back yet ?' he inquired.

'No.'

Biggles paused for a moment in what he was doing. 'I don't like the sound of that,' he said slowly. 'He wouldn't stay away all this time if he could get back. I'm afraid he's met with an accident.'

'Briny and the Flight-Sergeant have hunted high and low for him-in fact, they're still looking.'

Biggles resumed his dressing. 'This squadron of mine doesn't seem to be living up to its name,' he said bitterly. 'There hasn't been much boomeranging about it lately. Apart from losing two of our machines, we seem to have gone out of our way to scatter ourselves all over the blinking Baltic. We'd better not waste too much time here. Did you bring the tools ?'

Algy, who had climbed down from the machine, held them up. 'I've got a length of line in my pocket, too, in case we have to get down through the skylight.'

'Good!' said Biggles, putting on his flying-coat. 'Let's go and rip the hide off this tin toy-shop of Mister Hitler's.'

They were soon at work, choosing the rear wall, with a good deal more noise than Biggles liked, but making such good progress that in half an hour, by levering up the piece they had cut, they were able to crawl through into the interior of the building.

Biggles flashed the torch around as Algy got through behind him. 'Shades of Guy Fawkes!' he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed. 'What a collection. We really ought to save this little lot for firework day.'

He began walking round, turning the light of the torch on bombs, torpedoes, sh.e.l.ls, machine-guns, sub-machine-guns, and every conceivable form of ammunition. But what interested him more than these were the fuel tanks, and the carefully labelled collection of spare parts and accessories for all sorts of marine craft. With the painstaking thoroughness of a reconnaissance pilot, he made a mental note of everything he saw as they walked on slowly through the corridors. He pointed to a steel airscrew. 'Aircraft evidently use this place as well as submarines and destroyers,' he said. 'I don't know what to do about it, and that's a fact. It might do us a bit of good one day if we left the stuff here; on the other hand, it might do the enemy a lot more harm if we destroyed it. I've a good mind to radio Colonel Raymond and ask him for instructions.

He ought to know about it, anyway. I He broke off suddenly, in a tense att.i.tude. The light went out as he switched it off, leaving them in darkness.

It sounds as if somebody has found my machine,' said Algy in a low voice, for there was no mistaking the sound that had alarmed them. It was an aero-engine.

It isn't your machine. There's more than one,' returned Biggles in a hard voice. 'It sounds to me like a formation-flying low, too.'

'They're coming this way,' declared Algy a moment later.

Biggles was still listening intently. 'I don't think it's a formation after all,' he said slowly. '

I should say it's a big multi-engined job.'

As he spoke the roar of the engines died away, but they could still hear the wail of wind through wires.

It would be a joke if it was coming here, wouldn't it ?' murmured Algy.

It might be your idea of a joke, but not mine,' replied Biggles curtly. 'When I first saw the Baltic I thought it was a pretty deserted place, but lately it seems to be swarming with vehicles of one sort and another. That machine's coming a lot too close for my liking.

We'd better get outside.'

I hope they don't spot my machine.'

I shouldn't think there's much chance of that in this light. Come on, let's get outside. I daren't use the torch; they'd spot it through the skylight; mind you don't knock your eye out on the blunt end of a crankshaft. Keep close to me. I think I can find my way to the hole.' So saying, Biggles began groping his way towards the spot where they had effected an entrance.

Some time before they reached it, it became obvious that even if the aircraft did not actually intend landing, the pilot was gliding down to survey the spot, for the metal building vibrated with noise. Consequently, it was with more haste than dignity that they scrambled through the hole and stared up into the starlit heavens.

They were not long finding the aircraft-for, as Biggles had surmised, it was a single machine.

With its navigation and cabin lights ablaze, a fourengined flying-boat was turning with the majestic deliberation of a battles.h.i.+p towards the anchorage that adjoined the shed.

It would decide to arrive at this moment, wouldn't it ?' said Biggles savagely, as he forced down the jagged metal flap which they had raised to get inside the building. 'Look out! Get down 1'

He flung himself flat, his body pressed close against the corrugated iron, as a parachute flare burst a hundred feet over their heads and flooded the scene with dazzling white light. And thus they were compelled to remain until the keel of the giant flying-boat kissed the water, and surged on towards the wide double doors of the supply depot.

The instant the light exhausted itself Biggles was on his feet. He started to move forward, but pulled up short. 'Where 's the time-bomb ?' he said tersely. 'I put it down here.'

I took it inside with me. I thought if we used it, it would make a better job of things there.'

Biggles muttered something under his breath. I suppose you acted for the best,' he conceded, 'but we daren't go in there now to fetch it. I doubt if we could find it, anyway, without a light. If they come across it there'll be a fine old hullaballoo. We'd better get back to your machine ready for a snappy take-off.'

By this time the huge aircraft had taxied right up to the building. Its propellers stopped as the pilot switched off the ignition, and it was obvious that the crew were about to come ash.o.r.e. Its lights reflected on the water, and the sound of voices came clearly through the still night air.

Biggles caught Algy by the arm, and together they ran to the nearest sand-dune, from where they made their way quickly to the place where they had left the Didgeree-du.

There was no particular need for caution, for they knew that their presence was unsuspected, and it was natural to suppose that the German airmen were too taken up with the task of mooring their machine to worry about anything else.

<script>