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

girl's face, for she was no more than a girl. `Your Highness, you came here to tell me something,' he continued in a low voice. Ì implore you to tell me what it is, or who it is you fear, in order that I and the friends who have come to help you may serve you to the best of our ability. You must trust us, or all our efforts will be in vain.'
    `Yes, I do trust you,' answered the princess simply. `Will you tell me the reason why you think I have not complete confidence in the commander of my army?'
    `Do such trivial details matter, your Highness? 'The more important question is, is it true, for if it is, I can see no other ending to this affair than the subjugation of Maltovia. Come, your Highness, you stand to lose your throne, your people their homes, and we our lives. This is no time for doubt or indecision. Those whom you know you can trust must work in perfect accord. Was it not your fear of the general that brought you here, and led you to adopt this disguise, instead of receiving us officially at the palace?'
    'The princess faltered. It was obvious from her manner that she had hardly been prepared for Biggles's direct methods. His intense personality was drawing her secrets from her; or it may have been his sincerity that moved her to speak. will tell you ail I suspect,' she said, in a low voice. 'You see, with Count Stanhauser, General von Nerthold was my friend and adviser. I appointed him to the rank of commander-in-chief when General Bethstein hoped for the supreme command. The result of this was that General Bethstein gradually withdrew from my court. Then for a while he travelled abroad.'
    `Not in Lovitzna, by any chance?'
    Àh, that is something I do not know. But he gathered about him his own party, as invariably happens in such cases. Still, while General von Nerthold was alive I felt quite safe. Now he has gone, I am alone. General Bethstein appointed himself commander-in-chief—'
    'Your pardon, Highness. Did you say appointed himself?'

    'That is what it amounted to. Possibly by promises of appointments he succeeded in procuring enough votes to get himself appointed.'
    'And had you no say in the matter?'
    'My powers are limited by constitutional law. I could have appealed to the people, but that might have split the
    country into two halves at a time when it must stand united, or fall.'
    Ànd General Bethstein is responsible for the national defences?'
    `Yes.'
    `What would happen if Lovitzna seized Maltovia?' should be deposed.'
    Ànd General Bethstein, if he made the conquest easy for the enemy, might step into your shoes under the protection of the Lovitznian government.'
    The princess's eyes dilated in her agitation. `Hush!' she breathed.
    Ìn England,' went on Biggles, almost ruthlessly, `we have a saying, "Call a spade a spade." General Bethstein has already profited by the death of General von Nerthold in that he has taken his place. Is he ambitious?'
    'Yes. It was chiefly on that account that I withheld his appointment to commander-in-chief. That, and the fact that I did not trust him.'
    `So it would seem that the time is ripe for him to further his ambitions.'
    The princess's lips formed the word, `Yes.'
    Ànd that is why you fear him, why you came here in disguise, to see whether we were your friends - or his?' `Yes.'
    Biggles rose. 'Thank you, your Highness. I fear I have been persistent, but what you have told me merely confirms a half-formed suspicion in my own mind. Ludwig Stanhauser is to be trusted, I think?'
    `Yes - yes. I trust him as myself.' The princess was emphatic.
    `Possibly he was attached to us on your orders?'
    `Yes, he was. I have been in communication with his uncle.'
    'Thank you again, your Highness. You have clarified the position considerably. The existence of two parties in the country, yours and General Bethstein's, is going to make things rather complicated, I fear; but by working together, the outcome may not be that which General Bethstein desires. We shall see.'
    The