Читать книгу Biggles of the Special Air Police - W E Johns - Страница 6

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“A wonderful film. You deserved to win the Geneva prize. I think it justifies us in withholding the true story of Thea Hertz.” The speaker was Air-Commodore Raymond, and he was talking, in a subdued voice, to Group-Captain “Wizard” Gainsforth. The scene was a box in a West End cinema.

The lights came up, revealing also Biggles and his assistants.

“You know,” said Biggles thoughtfully, looking at Gainsforth, “there are still one or two points about this business that I don’t understand. You know the answers. Isn’t it about time you came out with them?”

Gainsforth considered the end of his cigarette. “Perhaps you’re right,” he agreed. “I suppose I owe you an explanation, after what happened.” He looked at the Air-Commodore. “If I straighten things out, have I your word for it that it won’t go any further?”

“Provided you haven’t broken the law.”

“I haven’t done that—at least, I don’t think so,” answered Gainsforth. He went on. “First of all, you must understand that in my line of business the film comes first. To achieve success, almost any risk is worth while. Maybe you won’t agree, but that’s how we see it. For reasons which I tried to explain, I wanted Thea Hertz in the picture. I knew she was the sister of the man Biggles shot down that day at Marham. Thea knew he was the man, too, because she happened to be there, officially working for the Americans, but actually a Nazi spy. Incidentally, she must have seen me pick up that gauntlet. When I offered the contract to Thea she agreed to accept on the understanding that an expert directed the combat sequences. When she suggested Biggles, I had an idea she had an ulterior motive, but of course I wasn’t thinking in terms of murder. I wanted my film.”

“And you didn’t care what happened as long as you got it,” interposed Biggles coldly.

“Within limits,” admitted Gainsforth frankly. “I realised that if Thea found herself playing opposite to Biggles her anger would make her act superbly—naturally, if you like. And I was right, it did.”

“I see,” said Biggles slowly. “So you deliberately kept Petersen out of the way in order to get me into the Spitfire?”

“Yes. But don’t be too hard on me,” pleaded Gainsforth. “As I have said, I didn’t think Thea would go as far as she did. But I was taking no chances. I had her watched. When, on the morning of the final show, I discovered that she had some live ammunition, I was shaken to the core. What could I do? Scrap the picture and throw away a hundred thousand pounds of good money?

“What did you do?” asked Biggles icily.

Gainsforth smiled wanly. “I took out the bullets and put back the dummy tracer. So you see, you were quite safe. She couldn’t have hurt you.”

“Why didn’t you tip me off?”

“Because if I had, you wouldn’t have flown as you did. I shouldn’t have got my picture, or the prize.”

“By thunder! You’ve got a brass face to admit that,” rasped Biggles.

“We’ve made a wonderful picture,” said Gainsforth simply, as if that excused everything.

“And what about the black gauntlet?” inquired Biggles. “Who sent it to me?”

“Guilty again,” confessed Gainsforth. “I did it.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted you in the cast. I didn’t think you’d come. Without you I don’t think Thea would have come. I knew you’d remember the gauntlet, and hoped that your curiosity would induce you to fly——”

“You miserable schemer,” broke in Biggles. He looked at the Air-Commodore helplessly. “These film people are utterly without shame or scruple,” he declared indignantly.

“The film’s the thing. That’s all that matters,” said Gainsforth tritely. “Do you still insist that your name should be left out of it?”

“Definitely,” replied Biggles. “Publicity is the last thing I want.” As the lights dimmed again he got up. “This is where we came in,” he remarked. “Come on, let’s go.”