No Crown for Biggles
Chapter 1
In the four years since he and Erich von Stalhein had rescued Marie Janis from the clutches of the Czechoslovakian communist party they had both become regular weekend visitors to her picturesque cottage on the edge of the small Hampshire village where she had made her home. It was a warm summer's day and Biggles stood in the neat, well tended garden, enjoying a cigarette as he admired the rolling countryside and the cloudless summer sky.
Von Stalhein came out of the kitchen and laid a tray containing a jug of iced lemonade and three glasses on the garden table before strolling over to join his former enemy. He carefully fitted a cigarette into the long, jade holder that had been a Christmas present from Marie and lit it before speaking.
"Marie will be bringing out the sandwiches and cakes shortly. She says we are to help ourselves to the lemonade."
Biggles nodded absently. "Has she spoken to you about what's on her mind? He asked.
Von Stalhein shook his head. "No, but I can't think it's anything serious. She appears distracted rather than worried."
Biggles frowned as he exhaled cigarette smoke. "I agree but I wish she'd tell us what it is. That's why I left you alone with her just now. I thought she might open up to you as a fellow German."
Marie had rung them both a few days before and invited them down for the weekend. Since their arrival, however, it had been clear that part of her mind had been elsewhere, a fact that caused both men concern.
The sound of footsteps made them turn and Marie appeared carrying a tray full of the promised sandwiches and cakes. She surveyed the two men and smiled.
"Tea is ready." She announced.
The three of them sat and began the serious business of eating, occasionally pausing to reminisce about their experiences. Once their appetite had been sated, Marie cleared away while Biggles and von Stalhein smoked contentedly. When she returned, both men noticed that her demeanour had changed and she now moved with the sureness of someone who had made a decision. A change they both attributed to the envelope she carried. Marie sat down and regarded them seriously.
"I know I have been somewhat distracted and I want to apologise for my behaviour." She said. "The day before you arrived I received this letter and I have been considering its contents ever since. I would value your advice on what I should do."
She handed the envelope to von Stalhein who extracted the letter within and read, his face creasing into a frown before finally handing it over to Biggles.
Biggles looked at the letter for a long moment before glancing up. "I'm sorry," he apologised. "I thought I spoke German quite well but I only understand one word in five out of this."
"That's because it's in legal German." Von Stalhein replied. He turned to Marie. "May I?" he asked.
On receiving her assent, he continued. "It's from the lawyer Marie retained to negotiate her agreement with the Czechoslovakian government shortly after she arrived here. In a nutshell, it says that he has been contacted by the Ministry of Culture who want to re-open discussions with a view to the crown of Bohemia being returned to its native land. They state they are prepared for it to remain Marie's property but want her to permanently loan it to the national museum in Prague."
Biggles sat back. "Well that takes the biscuit!" he exclaimed. "After all the trouble you took to get it out of the country and they expect you to hand it over just like that!" He glanced at Marie's face. "You're actually considering it!" he accused her. "Why, in Icarus' name, would you do such a thing?"
"Things have changed in Czechoslovakia since I escaped." Marie explained. "As you know, the Communist Party there has a new leader, Alexander Dubček. Under him, Czechoslovakia now has freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom of movement. He has also promised to introduce federalisation which may lead to a degree of autonomy for Bohemia. By all accounts his reforms are very popular with the people."
"Yes, I am familiar with his programme." Von Stalhein said. "But he is still a Communist. Czechoslovakia remains within the Eastern Block and Dubček has reiterated his support for the Warsaw Pact and Comecon. Even if he is genuinely committed to the reforms, the Russians will never allow them to come to anything. They will invade Czechoslovakia if necessary to stop them."
"Erich's right, Marie. You must know that. Remember what they did in Hungary." Biggles urged.
"What you say may be true," Marie said, "but Stalin is dead and there are new people in charge of the Russian communist party now. Perhaps things will be different this time!"
Her voice became reflective. "When I left, I was prepared to never see my native land again, rather than hand over the crown to the traitors who had kept me imprisoned for years and sold the country to the communists. But, my family have lived there for over seven hundred years and I miss the forests and mountains. I would like to see them again. There is also something else; I never mentioned it before because it seems stupidly romantic." She smiled briefly and suddenly resembled the beautiful, vivacious woman of younger days. "You remember me telling you that my grandfather showed me the crown when I was a child and told me of its significance? Well, although of German ancestry, he strongly supported Bohemian self-rule within a wider Austro-Hungarian-Bohemian Empire. He told me that we held the crown in stewardship for the Bohemian people. If they wish for its return, do I not have a duty to comply with their wishes?"
Biggles shook the letter. "This is a request from a government department, not the Bohemian people. How can you tell what the wishes of the Bohemian people are at this point and how can you ensure the crown's safety and security once it reaches Czechoslovakia? Because, once it's there, no piece of paper on earth will prevent the communists doing exactly what they want with it!"
Marie nodded. "That has concerned me also." She admitted.
"And, even if the Czech government is being honest about its intentions and the people do want the crown returned, what will happen if the Russians invade?" put in von Stalhein. "Things may have changed in Moscow since Stalin's death but not by that much! Even if the Czech government doesn't seize the crown, the Russians would. Or, even worse, it would be looted by some soldier for the precious jewels it contains and lost forever."
Marie nodded again. "Everything you say is possible and I have been considering the points you raise since receiving the letter." She sighed. "Well, the crown is in the custody of the British government so I will have to consult with them anyway. When you return to London tomorrow night may I ask you for a lift?"
"Of course." Answered Biggles and the conversation turned to other subjects.
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It was the Wednesday after he and von Stalhein had returned to London. Biggles had dropped Marie off at a small hotel in Bayswater and heard nothing further from her since. It was five-thirty and he was just leaving his office for the day when the telephone rang.
Algy picked up the receiver. "The Air-Commodore wants to see you." He reported.
Biggles sighed and replaced his hat on the stand. "A pity," He said. "I was just about to go round to Marie's hotel and see if she's all right."
He made his way to the Assistant Commissioner's office and, after knocking, entered the familiar room, stopping short just over the threshold. The room was full. As was to be expected, the Air-Commodore was seated behind his desk, but Marie Janis sat on one of the chairs opposite him. Standing against the walls were the familiar figures of Erich von Stalhein and Major Charles of British Intelligence.
Air-Commodore Raymond smiled slightly. "Have a seat Bigglesworth." He invited. "Smoke if you like. I believe you know everyone here."
Biggles sat, a suspicion of what was to come already forming in his mind. "This is about that infernal crown, isn't it?"
Major Charles answered. "Indirectly, yes. Let me give you the background. The new government of Czechoslovakia has indicated that it wants improved relations with the west and, despite what it says publicly about its continued commitment to the Warsaw Pact, we know there are people in powerful positions who want to declare their country a neutral power in the same way Marshall Tito did in Yugoslavia. That would be immensely helpful, politically and militarily, to NATO. Unfortunately, there are also other people in the government, hard line communists, who are still loyal to the Soviet Union. They oppose the current reforms and they would be even more opposed to withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact. We need someone to go there and find out how much power the pro-Moscow faction retains and whether the reformers are really in a position to distance themselves from Moscow."
"Isn't that what diplomats are for?" asked Biggles, cynically.
"Professional politicians tend to be on their guard around foreign diplomats and toe the current party line, especially in communist countries, which Czechoslovakia still is. Also, the Russians will be watching the situation like hawks and you can be sure that pro-Moscow party members are reporting everything that happens back to their masters." Major Charles replied. "People are more likely to let the truth slip when talking to private citizens who are in Prague at the invitation of the government to discuss the return of a cultural treasure."
"I assume you expect me to be one of these private citizens, otherwise you wouldn't be telling me about any of this." Biggles observed, grimly.
"Baroness Janis has asked that you accompany her and your background makes you ideal for the job but, of course, you're free to refuse if you want." Major Charles replied. "Oberst von Stalhein has already agreed to go." He nodded towards the Prussian officer.
"Baroness?" Biggles raised his eyebrows questioningly. "And Oberst, as in Colonel?"
"My father was a Baron. In Germany it is, or was, common, to refer to the daughter of a Baron as a Baroness. It is a courtesy title only." Marie responded.
Biggles looked, accusingly, at his old enemy.
Von Stalhein smiled imperturbably back at him. "In the years immediately after the creation of the German Federal Republic our Intelligence Service was, inevitably, small and somewhat limited. However, shortly after our last adventure in Czechoslovakia I was approached by an old friend who had been charged by our government with expanding and improving our intelligence gathering capabilities so we could better contribute to NATO. He asked me to act as liaison between the German and British Intelligence Services. The appointment came with a promotion and, as I had time on my hands, I agreed."
"And you didn't tell me!" Biggles sounded hurt. "Did you know?" he asked Marie.
She shook her head. "No. Not until this afternoon. It was a big surprise. I, like you, thought that Erich had retired."
"It was thought best by both the German and British Intelligence Services that knowledge of my role be restricted to those who needed to know of it." returned von Stalhein.
"I see. Has it occurred to you that if either of us shows our faces in a communist country we're likely to be arrested? And, even if by some miracle, we're not, they are going to be very suspicious of us."
"The British government has already negotiated safe passage for the Baroness and her party." Air-Commodore Raymond assured him.
"And Marie will be doing most of the talking with officials. We have no reason to think they are aware of her previous background in espionage. She is excellent at making people say more than they intended." Von Stalhein added.
"That's true," Biggles acknowledged, smiling reassuringly towards Marie who had lowered her eyes in embarrassment at the oblique reminder of her manipulation of a naive young flying officer. "So, if Marie's doing the talking, what's our job?"
Major Charles, once again took up the threads of the conversation. "The Baroness would like your support. While you are there, however, NATO would like you to report back on the willingness and ability of the Czech's to withstand a Russian invasion and any indication that one might be imminent."
"I don't like the idea of spying on a country where I am an invited guest!" Biggles protested.
"I thought you would say that, Bigglesworth. But it's not really spying. We're not asking you to break into anywhere or steal secret government papers. It's more a case of keeping your eyes open and noticing the significance of things that an ordinary tourist might miss. An overheard conversation in a café, for instance, might indicate the attitude of ordinary Czech people towards the Russians, troop movements might show whether or not the government is worried about an imminent invasion. That sort of thing."
"I can't speak Czech!" Biggles pointed out. He turned towards von Stalhein. "And, unless I'm mistaken, neither can you!"
"But I can." Marie replied. "My grandfather insisted that I be brought up to be bi-lingual."
Biggles leaned back in his chair. "Well," he said, "It seems you've got it all organised." He looked at Marie. "You're sure about this?" he asked.
On receiving her nod, he went on "Very well, I'm not going to allow you to put your head back in the noose without being there to help pull it out again if necessary. I'll do it!"
"Excellent." Von Stalhein replied. "May I invite you and Marie to dinner where we can discuss our travel arrangements and plans in more detail?"
"You may." Biggles answered. "And you are paying. I'm sure you can afford it on a Colonel's salary!"
T.B.C.
