CHAPTER SEVEN - New Plans
It was evident to Bertie that he had caught von Stahlein on the hop, as it were. The Prussian was looking slightly ahead at the tables to the right and left, raking them methodically with his eyes as he walked towards the path leading to the entrance of the hotel. That he was searching for somebody was obvious and had it not been for Bertie's intervention he would certainly have seen Algy. As it was, when Bertie 'accidentally' bumped into him his first instinct was to stop and offer a curt apology. The words died on his lips, however, as he perceived Bertie's guileless face and he stiffened.
"Lord Lissie." There was a hint of restraint in his voice and Bertie knew von Stahlein was struggling to get to grips with his sudden appearance.
"What cheer, my merry little globe-trotter." Bertie answered cheerfully, removing his eyeglass and giving it a vigorous polish. "What brings you to this neck of the woods?"
"The same as you, I imagine" von Stahlein answered drily.
"What, the Tango?" Bertie asked innocently. "I'd have thought waltzes were more in your line, old bean. You know, leading people a dance and all that." Bertie replaced his eyeglass. "But I really can't stand talking all day. Got a lesson to go to. Wouldn't do to be late, no, by Jove."
At the same time he moved slightly to one side as if to by-pass von Stahlein but he stepped over too, blocking off Bertie's escape. Bertie looked down to see a small automatic pointed directly at his stomach.
"I regret that you are going to have to miss this lesson" von Stahlein spoke softly, having recovered his poise. "If you are here that means Bigglesworth is here too and no doubt Lacey and Hebblethwaite -ah forgive me, I forget. My condolences."
Bertie nodded coldly and considered his options. However the arrival of two men at von Stahlein's elbow put paid to any hope he had of escape just yet. He fervently hoped that Algy had taken his chance and disappeared into the hotel.
Von Stahlein snapped at the two men and Bertie guessed they were being admonished for being late. He started to move but the automatic was waved at him. "I must ask you to accompany me" von Stahlein said curtly and addressed the two men again who moved to either side of Bertie and took his arms. "You know" he added conversationally as Bertie was frogmarched to a nearby car, "It never ceases to amaze me how Bigglesworth manages to turn up just where he is not wanted."
Bertie shrugged. A quick glance as he was being taken away revealed an empty chair where Algy had been sitting. That was all he needed to know for the moment.
Algy had started up out of his chair when he realised Bertie's intention and his first instinct was to try and stop him. But he was too late. He sat down again, quickly, shifted his chair slightly and, picking up Bertie's discarded newspaper, peered around the edges at von Stahlein. He and Bertie appeared to be having a conversation. That was all the chance Algy needed to take advantage of Bertie's actions. He got up and marched straight into the hotel. There were windows on either side of the door with sofas for the use of hotel guests and Algy swiftly made his way to one of these, and kneeling on one he looked out of the window. He watched with horror as Bertie was frogmarched away. He was reaching for his automatic when a hand was clapped on his shoulder.
"So there you-" a voice began as Algy spun round, automatic now in his hand, to perceive a bemused Ginger. In his haste Algy merely pushed him to one side and raced outside, running down the path, not heeding the startled looks of the customers seated at the tables. Standing in the square staring to the left he spotted a car gunning it's engine. He dashed towards it but the car surged forwards just as a man with a handcart piled high with vegetables walked in front of him. Algy cursed but by the time he had made his way around the cart the car had disappeared and Ginger had caught up with him."What's happened?" Ginger asked, his own gun now in his hand. "And have you seen Bertie? He said he was coming outside in the hopes you'd drop by."
Algy put his gun away and making his way back to the hotel cafe went to one of the empty tables and sat down. "Von Stahlein's got him." he said tersely. "Biggles will have to know about this. Von Stahlein will know he's on the job now. And we have to get Bertie back."
Ginger nodded. "And we don't even know where they'll have taken him" he added practically. "But you'd never have caught up with them, not on foot."
Algy grimaced. "Yes, I know," he said wearily. "Come on. We'll go to your room and talk there."
By the time they had reached Ginger's bedroom Algy had had time to think. His mind clearer, he turned to Ginger and brought him up to date. "This puts a whole new complexion on things" he told him. "Damn von Stahlein for turning up when he did. He must have come here to meet those two men, for they weren't with him when Bertie first bumped into him. It would have been all right otherwise, for Bertie would have managed to get away. Von Stahlein's not too keen on a one-to-one scrap in the middle of the street."
Ginger nodded morosely. "At least your cover's safe for now. What do you want to do?"
Algy ran his hands through his hair. "The first thing is to let Biggles know what's happened. You do that. I'm going to go back to my hotel and the Cafe. Maybe I'll hear something there. I suggest you move hotels now von Stahlein's been here. Go to the Casa des Floreson the Avenue Brasil. You can't miss it. It lives up to it's name; flowers everywhere. No one goes there, the flowers put 'em off. I'll call there later tonight from about 8 onwards. Got that?"
Ginger said he had and after packing his and Bertie's things, checked out of the hotel. Algy had already left, to go to his hotel and 'the Black Avenger' to see whether he could learn anything new.
Algy, returning to his hotel, had a not very satisfactory lunch and then went to his bedroom and lay down on his bed to think things through. His one overwhelming thought was Bertie, for in trying to preserve Algy's cover he had placed himself in danger. Algy was frustrated not knowing what to do for the best. Had he known of Bertie's whereabouts he would have gone there and hang the consequences, so perhaps it was as well he didn't know, he mused.
For about the twentieth time he looked at the clock. It said four-thirty. Ginger would have had plenty of time to get to Biggles and return. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and lit a cigarette. Ten minutes later, his mind made up, he had a quick wash and made his way to 'The Black Avenger'.
On entering, he had a quick look round. Kaufmann was there along with two others Algy knew slightly. A few locals nodded at him and he gave them a passing 'buenas tardes' in return. Kauffman beckoned him over so he pinned a smile to his face and went over to join him. At first the conversation was of general subjects but then Kauffman turned to him. "There was a little fracas in the market place today" he observed lightly. "Some Englishman was arrested. We do not know who or why but it gives a little excitement to the day."
Algy lifted his drink and was about to take a sip when his hand froze in mid-air. He stared at the door. A man had just entered. It was Biggles.
Algy quickly took a sip from his glass and set it down. He was torn between listening to Kaufmann and trying surreptitiously to watch Biggles. He watched out of the corner of his eye as Biggles nonchalantly strolled to a table, sat down and lit a cigarette. The bartender came over. Biggles ordered a beer in Spanish. Algy watched as Biggles surveyed the room. Not by a flicker of an eyelid did he indicate that he recognized Algy and Algy could only wonder what kind of game Biggles was playing. No one appeared to take any notice of him although Kaufmann did, in fact, glance over, but then returned to resume his conversation with Algy. It couldn't be long, Algy thought, in a fever of apprehension, before someone recognized him as the man in the photo they were all carrying around. For a few moments Algy sat with his companions, barely listening to the conversation around him, and then, unable to stand the tension any longer, he put down his drink, excused himself and went to the rear of the building where the lavatories were. He checked to make sure he was alone and a few seconds later he was joined by Biggles.
"Have you taken leave of your senses?" He hissed at Biggles, anxiety making him angry. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"A good commander should know the type of places his second-in-command frequents" bantered Biggles, lightly. "Really, Algy, old son, there's no need to fly into a flap."
"No need-?" Algy, apparently bereft of speech, could only goggle at Biggles for a few seconds before recovering. "Do you realise who they are?" He jerked his thumb in the direction of the cafe. "Haven't you seen Ginger?"
"Yes, I do and yes I have" Biggles replied, somewhat cryptically. "I do have my reasons but this is not the time and place to go into them. What you DO need to know is that you will find me at the Casa des Flores about midnight tonight. What I want you to do now is simple. I want you to shop me to Kaufmann."
"Now I know you've lost it" Algy retorted. "Biggles for god's sake-" he broke off as Biggles gripped his arm tightly. "Algy, listen. I need to find von Stahlein and this is the only way I know how to do it. Just tell Kaufmann you think you've seen me and follow on from there. Offer to follow me or something, Just make sure I don't get caught tonight. I'll explain later." And with that, he turned to go back into the cafe.
"But-" Algy, speechless, could only splutter. Biggles clapped him on the shoulder. "Good man" he said, cheerfully. "Don't forget, I'll see you at the Casa des Flores at midnight." He turned to go. "Oh, by the way, are any of you armed?" And without waiting for a reply, he strolled back into the cafe. Algy fuming, could only follow. He went and sat down again and Biggles took his drink and sat down at a table near the entrance, his back to the wall, facing the room.
A few minutes later, Algy looked at Biggles. He glanced sideways at Kaufmann, who was talking to his two friends. He reached into his jacket and removed from his inside breast pocket the picture of Biggles he had been given. Biggles was wearing the uniform of the International Squadron which placed him in Finland, which made the photo about ten years old. It was slightly grainy but that didn't matter. The man sitting in front of him was clearly the man in the photo. He took a deep breath and nudged Kaufmann with his elbow.
Kauffman looked at Algy. "What is it?"
Algy showed him the photo and nodded at Biggles. "That man over there. Don't you think he looks like this man?"
