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

flashed to the uncurtained windows. Quickly, without a glance at Biggles, she crossed the room and drew the heavy curtains.
    So quickly had all this happened that Biggles had had no time to speak; or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that he had been unable to find words to frame the protest that rose to his lips at this remarkable and unwarranted intrusion. Moreover, such was his in-terest that he had not taken his eyes off the old woman. Now, remembering the other, he turned, and inexpres-sible astonishment surged up in him at what he now beheld.
    Facing him, regarding him with an expression of quiet dignity, was a girl. She could not have been more than eighteen years of age, but it was not this that held him speechless. It was her beauty. She was rather pale, but he thought that her features were the most perfect he had ever seen. With a sudden movement she threw back the hood-like garment that covered her head, releasing a halo of golden curls which, with a rather tired gesture, she shook into place. 'Forgive me,' she said softly, and as soon as she spoke Biggles suspected who she was, for there was something regal about her voice as well as in her poise. am the Princess Mariana of Maltovia,' she concluded quietly.
    Biggles sprang to attention and bowed stiffly from the waist. 'Major Bigglesworth, your Highness, at your ser-vice,' he said crisply. 'Permit me.' He pulled out a chair from under the table.
    The princess sat down, and, resting her arm on the table, regarded Biggles earnestly for some seconds. Then,
    'Please forgive me for the manner in which I have intruded on your privacy,' she murmured. 'There were ... reasons ... you understand?'
    'Yes, your Highness.'
    'Will you please sit down? And you, Anna, remain near the door.'
    Biggles remained standing, but the old woman took up a position with her back against the door.
    'Where are your friends?' asked the princess.
    'They are resting, your Highness.'
    'Then do not disturb them now, although I should like to speak to them before I go, to thank them, as I now thank you, for what you are doing for Maltovia. I came - I felt I had to come—' The princess broke off, seeming to be at a loss to know how to continue.
    'You came to give me some orders, perhaps?' suggested Biggles, trying to help her.
    'Some advice, rather. My conscience compels me to warn you that you are in - clanger -
    here.'

    'I have already gathered that, your Highness. I came prepared for it. Count Stanhauser told me as much before I left England.'
    'He doesn't know all, for there are some things that I dare not put in writing. Also, matters have moved swiftly during the last twenty-four hours. The situation is worse, much worse.'
    'May I ask the reason, your Highness?'
    'The death of General von Nerthold has tended to bring matters to a head.'
    Àh, I feared as much.'
    'He was one of the men whom I knew I could trust implicitly, one of whom I was sure -
    you understand?'
    'Which implies that there are others of whom you are not sure?'
    The princess looked a litde taken aback by Biggles's blunt rejoinder. Èr ... yes.'
    `Forgive me if I appear presumptuous, your Highness, but my desire is to serve you.
    Would it be too much to ask you to name, for my guidance, those of whom you are not sure?'
    The princess hesitated. `Perhaps that would not be quite fair,' she said slowly. Ì might do some one an injustice.'
    `You have no positive proof of - disloyalty?'
    `No.'
    `But you suspect?'
    `Yes.'
    `General Bethstein?'
    The princess started and caught her breath. What little colour there was in her face drained away, and she glanced around apprehensively. `Ssh!' she breathed. Ìt is dangerous to say such things. Walls have ears in Maltovia today.'
    'Even so, your Highness, to speak plainly is a risk that surely must be taken, if Maltovia is to emerge triumphant from her troubles. It would be even more dangerous to remain silent.' Biggles moved forward impulsively, his heart touched by something in the