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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7255d75 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50661 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50661) diff --git a/old/50661-h.zip b/old/50661-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6295a10..0000000 --- a/old/50661-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/50661-h/50661-h.htm b/old/50661-h/50661-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 86fcf57..0000000 --- a/old/50661-h/50661-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6069 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Dave Dawson At Singapore, by R. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Dave Dawson at Singapore - -Author: Robert Sydney Bowen - -Release Date: December 10, 2015 [EBook #50661] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON AT SINGAPORE *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="344" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> -<h1>DAVE DAWSON<br /> -AT SINGAPORE</h1> - -<p><i>by</i> R. SIDNEY BOWEN<br /> -<i>Author of</i><br /> -"DAVE DAWSON AT DUNKIRK"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON WITH THE R. A. F."<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON IN LIBYA"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON ON CONVOY PATROL"<br /> -"DAVE DAWSON, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT"</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The War Adventure Series</span></p> - -<p>CROWN PUBLISHERS<br /> -NEW YORK</p> - -<p>COPYRIGHT, 1942, BY CROWN PUBLISHERS</p> - -<p>PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any<br /> -evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph3">CONTENTS</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_ONE">I </a></td><td align="left">EASTWARD TO WAR </td><td align="right">9</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_TWO">II </a></td><td align="left">STRANGE ORDERS </td><td align="right">17</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_THREE">III </a></td><td align="left">THE VOICE OF DOOM </td><td align="right">30</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FOUR">IV </a></td><td align="left">SATAN OVER SINGAPORE </td><td align="right">41</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FIVE">V </a></td><td align="left">OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONS </td><td align="right">54</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SIX">VI </a></td><td align="left">THE DEVIL'S DEN </td><td align="right">68</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SEVEN">VII </a></td><td align="left">THE JAWS OF DEATH </td><td align="right">84</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_EIGHT">VIII </a></td><td align="left">THE SECRET MESSAGE </td><td align="right">96</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_NINE">IX </a></td><td align="left">THE GODS SMILE </td><td align="right">114</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_TEN">X </a></td><td align="left">THE TOUCH OF DEATH </td><td align="right">127</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_ELEVEN">XI </a></td><td align="left">FLIGHT TO THE NORTH </td><td align="right">137</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_TWELVE">XII </a></td><td align="left">WINGS OF CHAOS </td><td align="right">156</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_THIRTEEN">XIII </a></td><td align="left">BLUE WATER RATTLESNAKE </td><td align="right">170</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FOURTEEN">XIV </a></td><td align="left">RAJA, THE INVISIBLE </td><td align="right">185</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_FIFTEEN">XV </a></td><td align="left">SONS OF NIPPON </td><td align="right">199</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SIXTEEN">XVI </a></td><td align="left">WINGS OF VALOR </td><td align="right">216</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN">XVII </a></td><td align="left">EAGLES NEVER DIE </td><td align="right">231</td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h1>DAVE DAWSON AT SINGAPORE</h1> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_ONE" id="CHAPTER_ONE">CHAPTER ONE</a><br /> -<small><i>Eastward to War</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Freddy Farmer leaned against the bow rail of the British Cruiser -Harkness and stared intently at the greenish brown line that was -landfall low down on the distant horizon.</p> - -<p>"Singapore!" he breathed presently in almost a tone of awe. "Singapore! -The place of ten thousand mysteries."</p> - -<p>Dave Dawson standing at his elbow chuckled softly and gave a half nod -of his head.</p> - -<p>"Right, my little man," he said. "And the place of ten thousand smells, -too, according to what fellows have told me who've been there."</p> - -<p>Young Farmer groaned and gave his American pal a scornful look.</p> - -<p>"You would say something like that," he grunted. "Hard hearted to the -core, that's you. No wonder you're the terror of the Nazi pilots. -You've no romance in your soul, Dave. Absolutely none at all. Now, -take Singapore. It's...."</p> - -<p>"You take it," Dawson interrupted. "Matter of fact, it was your idea in -the first place. There we were, nicely settled in good old England, and -what do you do but up and get itchy wings. And so here we are, three -weeks later, practically over on the other side of the world. You sure -do like to get around, I'll say!"</p> - -<p>The English youth's eyes snapped fire as he faced Dawson straddle -legged and arms akimbo.</p> - -<p>"Well, bless my sainted aunt!" he exploded. "Listen to who's talking! -I simply told you there was a rumor going around that Fighter pilots -could put in requests for transfer to other theatres of war, now that -Jerry wasn't sending so many wings over England. It was <i>you</i>, my good -man, who went to the Group Commander and checked the rumor. And it was -<i>you</i> who put in a request that we <i>both</i> go to the Far East Fleet Air -Arm. Deny that, Dave Dawson, and over the side you go! And in case you -don't know it, there are a lot of man-eating sharks in these waters!"</p> - -<p>"Okay, okay!" Dawson cried and threw up both hands in a token of -surrender. "But I only did it because I thought you'd enjoy the trip -and the new scenery. Anyway, there's your mysterious Singapore ... -unless the navigation officer aboard this battle wagon has got his -calculations all messed up."</p> - -<p>"I accept your humble apology," Farmer said and grinned. "So, we'll say -no more about it. There's one thing, though, Dave. Why did you pick the -Far East for us? There's no action out here, save hunting down a U-boat -and a surface raider now and then."</p> - -<p>"No?" Dawson grunted scornfully and pointed a hand toward the north. -"Well, a couple of thousand miles up that way there's a group of -islands that are called Japan. It's full of a mess of little brown rats -that even their bucktoothed Emperor Hirohito wouldn't trust any farther -than he could throw an aircraft carrier. And in case you haven't been -reading the newspapers for the last two or three years, Japan is a -member of the Axis. The other two members are Germany and Italy. No -charge for the information, my little man."</p> - -<p>"Well, thank goodness you've told me!" Freddy Farmer snapped. "It would -be terrible to go on being so ignorant for the rest of my life. All -right, so Japan is up north. What of it? Do you think they'd be mad -enough to attempt to attack the British Naval Base at Singapore? It -would be sheer madness. Suicide for the whole blasted lot of them."</p> - -<p>"Sweet tripe!" Dawson groaned. "So you've been believing that junk, -too?"</p> - -<p>"What junk?" the English youth demanded.</p> - -<p>"The stuff the so called military experts put in the papers, and blat -out over the radio," Dawson said. "Look, as war veterans go, I'm just -as wet behind the ears as the next fellow. But there is one thing that -my war experiences, such as they've been, have taught me."</p> - -<p>"Ah, more wisdom!" Farmer breathed. "Tell me. I can hardly wait, -Professor!"</p> - -<p>"Okay, funny boy," Dawson said gravely. "It is simply this, and you -can take it or leave it, for all I care. But ever since Hitler's bums -marched into Poland the thing that everybody believed was impossible -to do was just what the enemy went out <i>and did</i>! Well, am I right or -wrong?"</p> - -<p>The English youth didn't reply for a moment or so. He turned forward -and stared at the distant horizon. The Harkness was cutting through -the sun flooded waters of the China Sea at a fast clip, and the -greenish-brown coastline was now well up above the level of the sea. -The peaks of Malay mountains could be seen against the clear blue sky, -and a little to the south was another mark on the horizon that was the -Dutch owned island of Sumatra. The approaches to Singapore! A sight -that one could view a million times and still be eager for another -look. The Far East! Mystery, romance, treachery, and death. It all -depended upon what you wanted ... and upon how you went about finding -it!</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer shook his head as though to break the spell that gripped -his thoughts and his imagination. He turned back to Dawson, and his -face was grave, and his clear eyes serious.</p> - -<p>"Yes, you're quite right, Dave," he said quietly. "The blasted enemy -really has beaten us to it every time, and done the very thing we -didn't even dream he would try. Then you mean...? You look for Japan -to declare war against us here in the Far East, and have a go at -Singapore?"</p> - -<p>"Hey, hold everything, pal!" Dawson said with a laugh. "I'm no crystal -ball gazer, and I haven't got a single secret agent in the Jap -Emperor's palace. I don't know a thing. I've just got a hunch that...."</p> - -<p>"Good Lord, Dawson, hunches again!" Farmer groaned. "I might have known -it would work up to that."</p> - -<p>"So it's a hunch!" Dave growled as his ears got red. "But my hunches -haven't all been strike-outs in the past, I might remind you. Take that -time in Libya...."</p> - -<p>"Spare me!" Farmer cried. "Didn't I have to live through it with you? -Wasn't that punishment enough for my sin of knowing you? But go on with -what you meant to say."</p> - -<p>"Why do I waste breath on dumb bunnies!" Dawson sighed. "Well, anyway, -I figure the picture this way. Hitler got England's front door slammed -hard on his fingers when he tried to push it open last year. In Russia -the Jerries are right now receiving the biggest surprise of this war. -They're getting the pants shot off them just when they thought they -were going to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the Kremlin, in -Moscow. And in Libya the Wops and the Jerries are setting all kinds -of new Olympic distance records trying to get away from our boys out -there. So, what's left? The Far East. That means Japan. I've a hunch -that the Japs are only waiting for the right moment to jump. Sure, I -may be all wet, and the Japs may stay in their holes. But, I've got the -hunch that they won't. So.... Hey! What am I doing all this talking -for, anyway!"</p> - -<p>"The old American custom of letting off steam, I fancy," Freddy Farmer -said with a chuckle. "However, I'd not be too surprised if you were -right. The blasted Japs are...."</p> - -<p>The English youth cut himself off short as a young pink cheeked naval -lieutenant came up to them and saluted smartly.</p> - -<p>"Captain Standers' compliments," he said. "He wishes to see you in his -quarters at once."</p> - -<p>Both Dawson and Farmer nodded, then looked questioningly at each other -as the junior naval rating did a snappy about face and walked away.</p> - -<p>"The Old Man wants us?" Freddy murmured. "What for, I wonder?"</p> - -<p>"Search me," Dawson said with a shrug. Then with a quick side glance at -his pal, "Unless it's for the usual thing."</p> - -<p>"Usual thing?" Freddy Farmer echoed sharply. "Just what do you mean?"</p> - -<p>Dawson jerked his head at the swiftly approaching shoreline.</p> - -<p>"We're getting close to port, and will be going ashore soon," he said. -"I suppose the Skipper wants to lay down the law to you, as usual. And -get me to promise to keep an eye on you ... as usual. Well, there's one -way to find out. That's to go see him. Come along, my little man."</p> - -<p>Dawson turned, took one step, tripped over a foot that shot out -suddenly, and went flat on his face.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, old thing," Freddy murmured, innocent eyed. "Was my foot in -your way, by any chance?"</p> - -<p>Dave got slowly to his feet, brushed off his uniform and glanced down -over the side of the cruiser. He sighed and shook his head.</p> - -<p>"What's the sense?" he growled. "The sharks would probably throw you -right back aboard!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWO" id="CHAPTER_TWO">CHAPTER TWO</a><br /> -<small><i>Strange Orders</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Captain Standers, commander of the Harkness, was a true type of British -sea dog in both stature and looks. His legs were as sturdy and stubby -as fire hydrants. His body was like a barrel, and two muscle bulging -arms hung from a pair of shoulders as broad as the back of a taxi cab. -His face was lined and wrinkled from countless hours on the bridge -in fair weather and bad. And it was the color of well tanned saddle -leather, save a spot on each cheek that was apple red. The eyes were -small and set wide apart, but in their depths was a glint that gave you -the feeling the man could see right through six inch steel armor. All -in all, Captain Standers looked quite capable of leaping overboard and -shoving his cruiser back into deep water should it ever run aground.</p> - -<p>He swept the two R.A.F. youths with his gimlet eyes as they entered -his quarters and saluted.</p> - -<p>"At ease, Gentlemen," he said in a voice that could double for a -foghorn. "Be seated. It seems that news of your coming to Singapore has -traveled ahead of you. I have a wireless, here, from Air Vice Marshal -Bostworth, of Singapore Air Base. He has made a request regarding you -two."</p> - -<p>"Air Vice Marshal Bostworth, of Singapore Base!" Dawson gasped as the -Cruiser's captain paused for breath. "But there must be some mistake, -sir. I mean, we saw Air Vice Marshal Bostworth just before we left -England. It was he who okayed our request for transfer to duty with the -Far East Fleet Air Arm."</p> - -<p>Captain Standers snorted softly and gave Dawson a look as though he -were some school kid who had fumbled his homework.</p> - -<p>"Quite, Flight Lieutenant," he said. "But we've been at sea close to -three weeks. It's quite possible to <i>fly</i> from London to Singapore, via -Egypt, in less than half that time."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir, of course," Dave murmured as his face burned. "I.... Well, -it sort of startled me, sir."</p> - -<p>"Quite so," the Harkness' commander grunted. "That is neither here nor -there, however. The wireless is from Air Vice Marshal Bostworth, and -it was sent from R.A.F. Base at Singapore. The request is for you two -pilots to take one of the Harkness' planes aloft and cruise over the -Singapore Strait for two hours and then proceed to the R.A.F. Base on -the Island. Air Vice Marshal Bostworth will meet you there. You've got -that all clear?"</p> - -<p>Freddy and Dave looked at each other, and their thoughts were -identical. Was somebody trying to kid somebody, or something? Why in -the world were they to take one of the Harkness' Bristol powered Fairey -"Swordfishes" aloft and use up gas and oil for an hour or two? Why not -go right on into the Johore Strait Naval Anchorage aboard the Harkness, -and then step ashore to meet the Air Vice Marshal? It certainly didn't -make sense, and the bewildered look that spread over each youth's face -said as much to Captain Standers. He shrugged and made a little gesture -with his hand.</p> - -<p>"Don't bother asking me questions," he said. "I haven't the faintest -idea what the answers should be. Sounds like so much R.A.F. rubbish, -I fancy. However, the request has the approval of the Base Admiral, -so there's only one thing I can do about it. Assign you to one of our -planes, and let you go your way."</p> - -<p>"Begging your pardon, sir," Freddy Farmer spoke up, his face slightly -crimson, "but was that all to the message? Just that we go aloft and -spend two hours in the air before landing at Singapore R.A.F. Base?"</p> - -<p>"That was all, definitely," the Cruiser's captain replied. "As a matter -of fact, I didn't believe it myself and had the first message checked. -The repeat was the same, however. Also, both messages were in a new -emergency code. You say you saw Air Vice Marshal Bostworth just before -you left England?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," the boys replied in one voice.</p> - -<p>"I see," the senior officer murmured. Then flinging them a keen look, -"He didn't mention anything about coming out to Singapore himself? -Didn't say he might have a job for you two to do out here? The three -of us know that Air Vice Marshal Bostworth is connected with Air -Intelligence. And, naturally, your service records are not exactly deep -dark secrets. You aren't, perhaps, as ignorant of what all this crazy -business means as you appear to be, eh?"</p> - -<p>The two R.A.F. pilots grinned, but they both shook their heads.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, sir, but it's as much of a mystery to us," Freddy Farmer spoke -for them. "Air Vice Marshal Bostworth didn't even give us an inkling -that he might be coming out here. It really is surprising news to us, -sir."</p> - -<p>Captain Standers hesitated as though about to speak, then thought -better of it and pushed up onto his feet.</p> - -<p>"Well, one can't know about everything in this blasted war, I fancy," -he grunted. "You two had better get on with it. Use the plane on -Catapult Number Three. I've already told the signal officer to make -ready. Good luck. And, by the way!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir?" the two pilots murmured as the Cruiser's commander paused -and scowled at his gnarled hands.</p> - -<p>"When you finally land at Singapore R.A.F. Base," he finally said, -"please mention to Air Vice Marshal Bostworth that I'd jolly well like -to have the plane back before we put to sea again. Planes are hard -enough to get as it is. Well, luck to you anyway."</p> - -<p>Some twenty minutes later Dave Dawson and Freddy Farmer were seated in -a pontoon fitted, Bristol Pegasus engined Fairey "Swordfish" mounted -on the starboard launching arm of Number Three catapult. The engine -was ticking over and the Signal Officer standing on the flight bridge -was ready to "shoot" the plane off into the air as soon as Dave at the -controls gave him the signal.</p> - -<p>Checking his engine instruments for the last time, the Yank R.A.F. ace -turned in the seat and looked back at his English pal.</p> - -<p>"All set for the mystery ride, Freddy?" he called out.</p> - -<p>Young Farmer made a face and nodded.</p> - -<p>"Let her go, Dave," he replied. "But I certainly hope these two hours -whizz by, so's we can land at Singapore Base and find out what in the -world this all means!"</p> - -<p>"You and me both!" Dave grunted. "I've been given a lot of screwy -orders in my time, but this one is certainly tops. Oh, well, we'll get -a nice look at this neck of the Far East, anyway. Okay! Hold your hat. -The balloon's going up!"</p> - -<p>Turning front, Dave nodded to the waiting signal officer, and -automatically braced his body and put his head firmly against the back -rest, so that it wouldn't be snapped back when the launching "trigger" -was pulled. A couple of seconds later the Swordfish's engine was -roaring out its mighty song of power and straining at the locking-dogs -that held it on the catapult arm. Another second and it was as though -an invisible giant had slammed the rear end of the plane with the side -of a barn door, or something. The Swordfish leaped forward like a -scared cat. It shot off the end of the catapult arm, sank toward the -water for a brief instant, then rose upward as the whirling prop bit -into the air and produced flying speed.</p> - -<p>Once clear and curving upward, Dave throttled slightly and held the -nose on a gentle climb toward Heaven. He turned and grinned at Freddy -and then glanced down back at the Harkness cutting through the sun -flooded waters of the China Sea like a perfectly streamlined battle -grey fish. For a moment signal flags that spelled out G-O-O-D L-U-C-K -fluttered in the wind, then they were hauled down and the Harkness -began falling far astern of the climbing plane. Dave looked front -again, leveled off at a comfortable six thousand feet and relaxed -comfortably in the seat.</p> - -<p>"Ladies and Gentlemen!" came Freddy Farmer's voice to his ears. "On the -far left you have the British owned island of Singapore. Just above -it is the Malay Peninsula where they produce about eighty per cent of -all the rubber in the world. And tin, also. A bit more to the north is -French Indo-China. Far to the right are the Philippines. And way in -back of you are the Dutch East Indies, including Borneo and Sumatra. If -you smoke cigars, Ladies and Gentlemen, you should be doubly interested -in Sumatra because the famous Sumatra leaf used as an outside wrapper -for many, many brands of cigars comes from Sumatra. Personally, I'm not -very interested because I do not smoke cigars. However...."</p> - -<p>"However, shut up, Professor!" Dave interrupted with a laugh. "We -can see it all, and we studied all about these parts when we were in -school. But ... there is one question I would like to ask the learned -Professor."</p> - -<p>"Certainly, my child, certainly," Freddy Farmer replied. "Go right -ahead. What do you want to know?"</p> - -<p>"Boy, are you sticking your chin out!" Dave chuckled. "Okay! Why <i>are</i> -we flying around up here, Professor?"</p> - -<p>"Good Lord, I should have suspected that!" Freddy Farmer groaned. -"Well, it's a secret. A very deep dark secret. Only one man knows. And -so far he hasn't told anybody. He.... Hey, Dave!"</p> - -<p>"Don't shout, I haven't jumped out, yet," Dave cried and turned quickly -around. "What...?"</p> - -<p>Dave stopped short and stared hard at his pal. Freddy Farmer was -leaning way forward to the right and gaping puzzle eyed down at the -rolling surface of the China Sea far ahead. He didn't switch his gaze -to Dave's face. He simply made a little movement with one hand and kept -his eyes riveted on something ahead.</p> - -<p>"Take a look way out there, Dave!" he shouted. "I thought I saw some -flashes of light."</p> - -<p>"Light?" Dawson echoed sharply. "This time of day? Are you nuts, or -just seeing things?"</p> - -<p>"I saw something!" the English youth said. "At least I'd be willing to -swear to it. Sort of flashes of light, as though some surface ship were -signaling by mirror. You know, by heliograph."</p> - -<p>Dave didn't make any comment to that for a moment or two. He had turned -front and was sweeping the waters ahead and below with his eyes. -However, that was all he saw. Just a limitless expanse of robin's egg -blue water that was streaked and smeared with the gold of the blazing -sun. True, the rays of the sun bouncing off the rolling blue swells -seemed to shower up clusters of golden specks in all directions that -dazzled his eyes. But no matter how hard he strained his eyes he could -see not the slightest sign of a surface ship, to say nothing of the -telltale ribbon of smoke trailing back from her stacks. Eventually he -gave it up and turned to look at his pal again.</p> - -<p>"Is this some kind of a gag?" he demanded. "Or did you really see -something? Maybe it was just sunbeams dancing off the water, huh?"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer wiped a hand across his eyes, sighed and shrugged.</p> - -<p>"Maybe," he said in a puzzled voice. "But, if so, it's the first time I -ever saw sunbeams send out dots and dashes."</p> - -<p>"Dots and dashes?" Dave echoed. "Did you catch any of them? The -letters, I mean?"</p> - -<p>"Too fast," Freddy said with a shake of his head. "And what little I -did catch didn't mean any letters in the Morse Code. But ... maybe I -was just seeing things. Sorry."</p> - -<p>Dave grinned and winked, and turned front once more.</p> - -<p>"Think nothing of it, my little pal," he said. "Even the best of us -make mistakes now and...."</p> - -<p>Dave clamped his lips shut on the last, sat up straight in the seat and -stared hard down at the water to his right and some four or five miles -away. Perhaps it actually was a sunbeam dancing back up at him, but for -a brief instant he was certain he had seen four or five rapid flashes -of light down on the surface of the water. Another moment and he was -positive beyond all shadow of a doubt. There was a light flashing down -there on the water. Rather it was the reflection of the sun's rays on a -heliograph mirror. However, the flashes were both long and short, and -Dave didn't have to look twice to realize perfectly well that some kind -of a message was being flashed from down there on the water.</p> - -<p>"But how, and who's doing it?" Dave gulped out the question aloud. -"Unless I'm completely nuts, or stone blind, there's nothing but water -down there. Hey, Freddy!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I see it, too," the English youth spoke up. "Thought I'd let you -see it for yourself this time. What do you make of it, Dave? A bit -weird, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"And a lot more than that!" Dave grunted and was uncomfortably -conscious of an eerie tingling at the back of his neck. "I don't see a -darn thing else but water and that flashing light. Hey! Do you suppose -it could be a sheet of metal, or something, that's being caught by the -sun as it rides those swells?"</p> - -<p>"It could be, but I'm sure it isn't!" Freddy Farmer replied in a tight -voice. "Dave, those are real dot and dash signals. Three dots—two -dashes, then one dot and four dashes. Neither of those are Morse Code -letters. Or International Morse, either. But, I'll eat my parachute -pack if those aren't some kind of signals."</p> - -<p>"Check and double check!" Dave grunted and scowled.</p> - -<p>On impulse he took his eyes off the strange flashing signals far below -and ahead, and twisting all the way around in the seat he took a good -look at the surrounding heavens. Finally, he lowered his eyes to meet -Freddy Farmer's puzzled gaze.</p> - -<p>"Notice something else, Freddy, that seems to be a little out of -whack?" he asked.</p> - -<p>The English born R.A.F. ace took a quick look around, and shook his -head.</p> - -<p>"Can't say I do," he said. "Unless you mean us tooting around up here -for no apparent reason ... at least, not to us. Why? What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>Dave made a little gesture with one hand that included a sweep of the -surrounding air.</p> - -<p>"Just that," he said. "Full of nothing but sky and air. How come? How -come we're the only plane that's burning gas and oil in these parts? -Why isn't there a sign of any Singapore Base planes out on patrol? -Particularly the U-boat patrol planes. Don't they care any more if -supply ships heading for Singapore get torpedoed? In short, where is -everybody?"</p> - -<p>"By jove, that's right, Dave!" Freddy Farmer breathed with a catch in -his voice. "Of course, they may have scared U-boats and surface raiders -away from here for good, yet.... Yet you'd think they'd still maintain -some kind of daylight patrol just in case."</p> - -<p>"Took the words right out of my mouth," Dawson said with a grave nod. -"Of course, it is the month of December, and maybe they've declared -a truce out here until Xmas comes and goes. But it's darn queer. No -planes in the air. No ships on the water. Even the Harkness is out of -sight, now. Just us."</p> - -<p>"And those queer light flashes down there," Freddy Farmer added. "Dave! -I think we should...."</p> - -<p>"Doggone right!" Dave cut in and shoved the stick forward. "We'll -take us a better look anyway. Hang on, pal! These Swordfish jobs lose -altitude in plenty hurry!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_THREE" id="CHAPTER_THREE">CHAPTER THREE</a><br /> -<small><i>The Voice of Doom</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Dave wasn't kidding when he said that an aerial torpedo carrying Fairey -Swordfish can go down in a hurry. The plane streaked seaward like a -meteor in high gear. Dave held it in its steep dive until the rolling -blue swells of the China sea came rushing up a little too close for -comfort. Skillfully working the controls, he leveled off and shot the -plane forward toward the spot where they had first noticed the weird -flashes of light.</p> - -<p>There were no flashes of light to be seen now, however. There was -nothing but sun flooded rolling water. Dave stared hard, and so did -Freddy Farmer, too. But it was just a waste of eyesight for all the -good it did them.</p> - -<p>"That makes us nuts, Freddy!" Dave sang out. "I don't see a thing, do -you?"</p> - -<p>"Not a thing!" Freddy called to him. "I fancy it must have been the -sun's rays playing tricks on the water."</p> - -<p>"Well, some trick, is all I've got to say," Dave grunted and climbed -the Swordfish slightly for a better look. "The same combinations of -dots and dashes were repeated over and over again."</p> - -<p>"I know," Freddy said. "Like a blasted call signal on the short-wave -radio. If they'd been different and jumbled up then you could put -it down to sunlight bouncing off the water, but ... <i>Dave!</i> To the -left! To the left! See that spot of white water? Foam? Dave! There's -something there!"</p> - -<p>Dave had already snapped his eyes to the left and was staring at a -patch of foamy white water on the surface of the seemingly limitless -stretch of rolling blue. The white foamy patch was there for a very -good reason. It was the telltale wake left by a diving submarine. And -even as Dave realized that he caught sight of a long cigar shaped -shadow sliding forward just under the surface of the water.</p> - -<p>"That's a submarine, Dave!" Freddy Farmer's excited voice confirmed -Dawson's belief at practically the same instant. "It was on the surface -and signalling us, but we couldn't see anything but the flash signals."</p> - -<p>"Sure, so what?" Dave growled and veered the Swordfish around toward -the shadow of the undersea craft. "But why signal <i>us</i>? And, also, why -signal us and then dive when we start to come down? Our markings are -plain enough."</p> - -<p>"Maybe it's a German U-boat!" Freddy cried excitedly.</p> - -<p>"Maybe," Dave said with a shrug. "But it still doesn't make sense. -<i>Why</i> was the guy signalling to us?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe he wasn't signalling to us," Freddy Farmer ventured.</p> - -<p>Dave snorted and made a little gesture with his free hand.</p> - -<p>"Then who was he signalling to?" he demanded. "The man in the moon -above us? I took a good look, Freddy. I'll swear on a ten foot stack -of bibles that we're the only plane aloft in these parts. No, that -underwater boat was signalling to us, and...."</p> - -<p>He left the rest hanging in midair as he suddenly saw the moving shadow -of the submarine grow clearer and clearer as it rose to the surface. A -moment later the surface of the blue water boiled white and the conning -tower mast and hatch rose up into view. Another moment and the whole -bridge and decks were awash. Like a man in a dream Dave blinked his -eyes at the strange sight. It was a submarine sure enough, but it -was of a type he had never seen in his life. And what was even more -astonishing, it was painted a dull greenish blue to make it blend in -well nigh perfectly with the surrounding waters.</p> - -<p>"Good Lord!" Freddy Farmer gasped. "What is it? Nazi, or one of our -new types? And look at those two bow guns, Dave. And.... Dave! Look -at those seamen spill out of that opened conning tower hatch! They're -coming out like blasted rabbits. Get closer to the thing. It's like -something out of a fairy story book."</p> - -<p>Dave Dawson only half heard his friend's exclamations, for all of his -attention and his eyes were fixed on the strange craft just off and -below the left wings. Just as Freddy Farmer had said, the figures of -seamen were popping out of the opened conning tower hatch like rabbits -out of a hat. They looked neither German nor English. They were all -short and stocky, and they moved about as though operated by strings -held by invisible hands.</p> - -<p>Wide eyed, Dave stared at them; watched them pop out and go scrambling -down the bridge ladder and forward toward the bow. And then things -happened so fast that both Dave and Freddy were too stunned and -paralyzed to even think, let alone move. The two forward guns were -swung around toward them, covers were ripped off, and in the next -instant the muzzle of each gun belched out smoke and flame, and the -Swordfish heeled over drunkenly on the opposite wings as though it had -crashed full out into an invisible brick wall suspended in the sky.</p> - -<p>A thousand steel fists hammered against Dave's body and his brain -became filled with flashing white light. As though from a million miles -away he heard the wild, excited yells from Freddy Farmer's lips. He -heard also the scream of the Bristol Pegasus engine over-revving. And, -although he was not conscious of doing so, he reached out and cut the -ignition and hauled back the throttle with a single movement of his -hand.</p> - -<p>Then, just as suddenly as the flashing white light had filled his -brain, the light disappeared, and he realized that the plane was -cutting crazily down sidewise toward the rolling blue swells that were -now perilously close. The engine cowling looked as though it had been -hit by a twenty-ton tank. The metal was hanging in gleaming ribbons. -And as for the engine itself, one whole side of the powerful radial -engine was just so much mangled junk.</p> - -<p>Sight and action became one for Dave. Even as he saw what the exploding -shell from the mysterious submarine's gun had done, he slammed on -opposite control hard and slowly got the Swordfish back onto even keel. -But shell fragments had parted a couple of the cables and no sooner -was the plane on even keel than it struggled to slump down by the wing -again. As a matter of fact, had the water not been but inches from the -bottom of the pontoon, and Dave able to sit down quickly, the plane -would have cartwheeled over and gone in wingtips first to really crack -up. As it was, the hasty emergency landing made Dave's teeth click, and -his backbone to feel as though it had been snapped off in half a dozen -places. However, the plane stayed put on its pontoon, and in a couple -of seconds the stars and comets ceased dancing around inside Dave's -head.</p> - -<p>The first thing he did was to twist his head around and look for the -strange submarine. But it wasn't anywhere to be seen. It had obviously -crash-dived once the Swordfish had been hit. There wasn't even the -froth of its wake to be seen. Dave took a good look in all directions, -and then looked at Freddy Farmer's wide eyed and slightly pale face. He -grinned and touched a finger to his flying helmet.</p> - -<p>"Weren't in a hurry to get any place, were you, boss?" he called out. -"I think we've had an accident. In fact, I'm cockeyed sure of it, -boss."</p> - -<p>The kidding words snapped the strain that was gripping the English -youth. Freddy slowly relaxed, swallowed a couple of times, and then -matched Dave's grin.</p> - -<p>"It doesn't matter, driver," he said. Then with a wave of his hand, -"Welcome to Singapore. Nice place, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, jolly, as the beef eating English say," Dave mimicked with a -chuckle. "A trifle on the wet side, though. You okay, Freddy?"</p> - -<p>"My heart's stuck fast against my back teeth," the other said. "I -fancy, though, it'll drop back into place in a moment. But that was the -damnedest ever, Dave. What in the world do you think?"</p> - -<p>Dave gave a shake of his head and heaved a long puzzled sigh.</p> - -<p>"I can't even try to guess, much less think," he finally grunted. -"Thank the gods that only one shell hit us ... and it on the nose. -About ten feet farther back and you and I would be going places right -now full of slivers of steel. What do you think?"</p> - -<p>"Less than that, I'm afraid," Freddy said, and cast anxious eyes about -the surface of the surrounding water. "To tell the truth, I feel like -I've just awakened from a horrible nightmare."</p> - -<p>"Take a look at our engine!" Dave growled. "It was no nightmare, son. -Say, Freddy. You won't laugh, will you?"</p> - -<p>"Lord knows I could do with a good laugh right now," the English youth -said and unbuckled his uncomfortable parachute harness. "But what's on -your mind? I promise not to laugh."</p> - -<p>"Those guys who came popping out on that sub's deck like rabbits," Dave -said after a long frowning pause. "Know what they looked like to me?"</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"Like Japs," Dave said, straight faced.</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer gulped and blinked. It was a couple of seconds before he -could get his tongue to form the word.</p> - -<p>"Japs?" he gasped.</p> - -<p>"Sure, Japs," Dave repeated. "You know, short for Japanese. I'll bet -you that was a Jap submarine, and those guys who let fly at us were -Japs."</p> - -<p>The English youth pondered over that a moment, and meanwhile kept up -his nervous-eyed search of the surrounding rolling swells.</p> - -<p>"They did have the Japanese build, I'll admit," he finally said. -"But.... Lord! It's fantastic, Dave! Why in the world would a Jap -submarine come to the surface and blast away at us? We're not even -carrying a torpedo, to say nothing of bombs."</p> - -<p>"But we are carrying a two-way radio," Dave pointed out gravely. "It -could be that they didn't want anybody to know they were this close to -Singapore. They didn't hear us use the radio, so decided to surprise -us and blast us before we could use it. I only hope they don't surface -again and make sure with those bow guns. Say! What are you hunting for -anyway?"</p> - -<p>"What do you think?" Freddy Farmer snapped. "I'm hoping they <i>don't</i> -come back to the surface, either. That they'll believe they got us with -that one blast. But, Dave, it's still fantastic. England's not at war -with Japan. Standers of the Harkness would have been informed if war -was declared while we were at sea. And he certainly would have told his -officers."</p> - -<p>"You and your English rules of war!" Dave groaned. "Look, little man, -they don't <i>declare</i> war any more these days. You only find out you're -at war when you feel the pain of the knife going into your back. But I -only said they <i>looked</i> like Japs. Maybe they weren't. Maybe they grow -them that way in Hitlerland, now. Who can tell?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I guess it doesn't make much difference who they were," Freddy -said with a shrug. "The point is, <i>here</i> we are, and <i>what</i> are we -going to do about it."</p> - -<p>"We could swim," Dave grunted, "but I never was very good at making -friends with man-eating sharks. If you must know the truth, I figure -we've got to sit here and wait."</p> - -<p>"But that might be forever!" Freddy cried in a startled voice.</p> - -<p>"Yeah, a long time," Dave said, and tapped a finger to his head. "Stop -wondering about the Japs, pal, and relax and use your brains. Or did -you leave them in England?"</p> - -<p>"Very funny!" Freddy growled. "But just what are you being so long -winded about? Come on, spit it out!"</p> - -<p>"What would you do without me always around to hold your hand, and dry -your tears," Dave taunted with a grin. "We sit here until they come out -and pick us up, of course."</p> - -<p>"Until <i>they</i> come out?" Freddy echoed sharply. "Who knows where we...?"</p> - -<p>He stopped short and made a face as though he had bitten his tongue. -Then he grinned sheepishly as the flush came into his cheeks.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, old thing," he mumbled. "Stupid of me, wasn't it? I see what -you mean, of course. When Air Vice Marshal Bostworth doesn't see us -return from a two hour mystery patrol over this area, he'll jolly well -send out search planes, eh?"</p> - -<p>"He'd jolly well better!" Dave grunted and fished for the chocolate -bars he always carried. "Or I'll punch him right on the nose if I ever -meet up with him again. He got us into this, and he can get us out! -Here, have a hunk of chocolate. And don't chew with your mouth open. -It's not nice, and it makes me nervous."</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer shrugged when he could think of no fitting retort to that -one. However, he accepted one of the bars of chocolate, and both boys -fell to eating and silently staring out over the expanse of rolling -blue water that seemed to touch no land in any direction.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FOUR" id="CHAPTER_FOUR">CHAPTER FOUR</a><br /> -<small><i>Satan Over Singapore</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Exactly five hours later the two boys were still staring out across -the rolling blue swells, and in between times they had searched and -researched the blazing China Sea skies with their tired eyes. But from -then until now they had seen nothing to bring joy or alarm to their -hearts. No planes or ships had appeared, and although they had kidded -and horsed around to keep each other's spirits at a high level, tiny -fears, and dreads, and doubts, were little by little boring deeper -into their thoughts. For five hours neither had seen the slightest -sign of anything that might mean rescue. And for five solid hours each -had expected the mysterious submarine to rise to the surface again -and really finish them off. After all, they had been shot down by the -undersea boat's guns for reasons they still couldn't figure out. But -just to be shot down and left floating alive was something else again. -That is, unless the crew and officers of that strange submarine were of -the belief that they had died.</p> - -<p>Licking his dry lips, Dave half turned in the seat and shot a quick -glance back at Freddy Farmer. There was a set smile on the English -youth's lips, but the tightness at the corners of his eyes, and a -faint line of worry that creased his forehead told that the youth was -struggling inwardly to keep control of his jangled nerves and not go -haywire.</p> - -<p>"I think I forgot to ask you," Dave said. "Just how did you like your -visit to Singapore, anyway?"</p> - -<p>"Top-hole!" Freddy said with a forced smile. "So ... so stimulating, -and educational, you know. Fact is, I don't believe I'll ever forget -it. One of the milestones in my life."</p> - -<p>"Speaking of things educational," Dawson said to keep the conversation -alive, "what do you know about Singapore, anyway?"</p> - -<p>"Ask me, and find out, my little man," Freddy said with a little wave -of his hand.</p> - -<p>Dave dragged down the corners of his mouth, and squinted at his pal.</p> - -<p>"A smart guy, huh?" he grunted. "Okay, I will ask you a few things. -First, what does Singapore mean?"</p> - -<p>"Don't you know?" Freddy retorted.</p> - -<p>"Come on, none of that stuff!" Dave cried. "Stop crawling, young man. -Tell teacher, or else admit you're dumb. What does Singapore mean?"</p> - -<p>"Singapore means nothing!" Freddy shot at him. "It is the modern -spelling of the city's real name centuries ago. Then it was Singhapura. -That is a Sanskrit word that means City of the Lion."</p> - -<p>Dave made a mock bow and went through the motions of tipping his hat.</p> - -<p>"Well, knock me over with a Flying Fortress!" he exclaimed. "I guess -the guy did spend two or three years in school. Okay, tell me some -more, sonny."</p> - -<p>"It's rather a nice sort of place, if you go in for that sort of -place," Freddy said gravely. "It is an island, of course. It was picked -as a British navy outpost by a Sir Stafford Raffles many, many years -ago. It covers about two hundred and sixteen square miles and it guards -the trade routes to the Indian Ocean. It is very well fortified, and -any nation who tries to take it away from us is going to have a battle -on his hands, I can tell you. The city is built...."</p> - -<p>"Okay, okay!" Dave laughed and threw up his hands. "I guess you've -read books. Spare me the rest of the details. I read a book once, -myself."</p> - -<p>"Right-o," Freddy Farmer said. "Now it's my turn to ask questions. No, -not about Singapore. Here's a question that oddly enough not one man in -fifty could answer correctly."</p> - -<p>"Then shoot!" Dawson said with a chuckle. "Me, I'm that one man."</p> - -<p>"Here goes then," the English born R.A.F. ace said. "Is there a type of -Nazi dive bomber called the Stuka?"</p> - -<p>Dave Dawson sat up a little straighter in the cockpit seat and gave his -friend a keen look.</p> - -<p>"What was that last one?" he demanded. "You wouldn't be kidding a pal, -would you, pal?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not!" Freddy retorted. "And <i>you</i> stop crawling. Answer the -question. Is there a type of Nazi dive bomber called the Stuka?"</p> - -<p>"I hope to kiss a Messerschmitt there is!" Dave replied. "And I wish -I had a dime for every time one of them has come piling down in my -direction. What is this, anyway? You didn't drop your brains over the -side, did you?"</p> - -<p>"No, but you must have!" the English youth snapped back. "My poor -misinformed little friend, Stuka is a name for <i>all</i> kinds of dive -bombers. Not just one type, as is commonly believed. It comes -from the German word <i>Sturzkampfflugzeug</i>. And that word means, -plunge-battle-fight-apparatus. And so, I would suggest that you go back -and make your solo flight all over again."</p> - -<p>"My, my!" Dave breathed and gave a shake of his head in mock -admiration. "After all this time and I didn't once dream that you had -that big word inside of you. I must really get to know you one of these -days. You'd be quite something to have along at one of those radio quiz -programs. I just bet you got sore fingers from tearing off box tops, -and sending into the corner drugstore. But hold it! You don't have -advertising on your English radio programs, do you?"</p> - -<p>"No, we don't," Freddy said with a frown. "And what do you mean, tear -off a box top?"</p> - -<p>"It's a radio stunt used back home to build up sales," Dave explained. -"A manufacturer may be offering a booklet, or some kind of prize free, -see? You can get it for nothing. All you do is buy say five or ten -boxes of his product, tear off the tops and send them in with your -name and address. And they send you whatever it is they are offering -special, see? The catch is to get you to buy more of his product so's -you can tear off the box tops. I once tried to get a book of old -American songs that was being offered, but the folks wouldn't let me. -It would have cost my Dad close to six thousand dollars to get the top -of the boxes their product came in."</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer's eyes popped, and his mouth fell open.</p> - -<p>"Six thousand dollars?" he gasped. "Good Lord! Why that much money?"</p> - -<p>"The company sold pianos!" Dave said and ducked as Freddy flushed and -swung his opened hand.</p> - -<p>"When will I learn not to believe a thing that falls out of your big -mouth!" Freddy groaned. Then after a moment's silence, he said, "This -is a bit of foolishness, isn't it? Why don't we talk about what's -really on our minds?"</p> - -<p>"Okay," Dave said with a shrug. "Let's talk about it, then. Go ahead."</p> - -<p>"Well, right at this moment I'm not feeling too kindly toward Air Vice -Marshal Bostworth," Freddy said. "It's over three hours since we were -to meet him at Singapore R.A.F. Base. I should think he would have sent -planes out hunting for us by now. What do you think?"</p> - -<p>Dave didn't answer for a moment. He slowly twisted around in the seat -and took a good look at the sky and at the four horizons. He saw -nothing in the air, and only far to the south did he see the thin dark -line low down that marked land of some sort. It could be any one of -the several islands that dotted the Strait.</p> - -<p>"The same as you think, I guess, Freddy," he said presently, turning to -his friend. "I frankly thought that we might have to wait for a spell -or so. But not so long as this. If help's coming I hope it comes soon. -That sun is getting closer and closer to the western horizon. Maybe -when we didn't show up Air Vice Marshal Bostworth decided that Captain -Standers wouldn't let us take a plane. And speaking of Standers, -he's sure going to tear out his hair when he doesn't get this Fairey -Swordfish back. He struck me as a lad who doesn't like folks to keep -things they borrow."</p> - -<p>"Oh, bother to Standers!" Freddy grunted and shook a hand impatiently. -"What do we do when darkness falls, Dave?"</p> - -<p>"Let it fall," the Yank replied. "What else?"</p> - -<p>"Lord, what a help you are to a chap!" the English youth groaned. "We -can't stay here forever. In case you don't realize it, my funny man, a -seam has split in the pontoon, and we've been taking in water for an -hour now. We're going to go under eventually."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I've known we were taking in water, Freddy," Dave said quietly. -"It isn't our combined weight that's making this job list a few -degrees. But.... Well, Freddy, if it happens, I guess we've just got -to take it, that's all. To tell the truth I've been beating my brains -all over the place trying to figure some way to get in touch with the -nearest shore. But the only way I can figure, wouldn't help us at all. -Not unless help came out quicker than greased lightning."</p> - -<p>"Well, as you've often said, anything's worth a try!" Freddy exclaimed. -"What's your idea?"</p> - -<p>"A bum one, and definitely out," Dave replied with a vigorous shake of -his head. "The only way we could attract attention on shore is to set -the plane on fire. If we did, it would only be a case of who got us -first, the flames, or the sharks. Nope! I shouldn't even have brought -it up."</p> - -<p>"I'll say you shouldn't have!" Freddy growled and glared at the radio -panel. "Look at that thing, there! Perfectly good when we're in the air -but not worth a hoot down here on the water. Runs off the engine. Why -don't they fit the things with hand driven generators so a chap can -still work the radio when he's forced down?"</p> - -<p>"They do on the big ships," Dave said. "But every extra pound of weight -counts on this type of plane. Besides, Air Ministry expects you to be a -good pilot and not get forced down."</p> - -<p>"Blast Air Ministry!" Freddy snarled. "I wish some of those precious -Brass Hats were here with us now. Perhaps they'd get a better idea of -what a flying johnnie has to go through. It's all wrong, I tell you, -Dave. The blokes at Air Ministry think that...."</p> - -<p>"Tell me tomorrow, pal!" Dave suddenly broke in excitedly and flung -up a hand toward the southwest. "Take a good look up there. Is that a -plane, or have they got birds that big in this neck of the world?"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer snapped his opened mouth shut and swiveled eagerly around -in his seat, and peered intently in the direction of Dave's pointed -finger. After a long minute he let clamped air out of his lungs in a -great sigh of unbelievable relief.</p> - -<p>"It's not a bird, Dave, it's a plane!" he cried. "A flying boat. It's -one of our American built patrol Catalinas. Can't you recognize it? -Lord knows you had enough experience on one!"<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>"Old Freddy Farmer, the lad with telescopic eyes!" Dave cried as the -prospect of immediate rescue drove all the little gnawing fears away. -"They should get you to censor mail. You wouldn't have to take the -letters out of the envelopes. But.... I hope you're right, sweetheart. -I can see something headed this way, but it's too doggone small for a -good look."</p> - -<p>"Don't fret, it's a Catalina!" the English youth cried out happily. -"I'm sure of it now. See? They've sighted us. They're coming down."</p> - -<p>"They could be going out for lunch, for all I could tell," Dave grunted -as he strained his eyes at the faint blackish blur high up in the China -Sea sky. "But I'll take your word for it. Tell me, how many aboard? And -has the pilot got a mustache or not?"</p> - -<p>"He has not, but he's got a gold tooth!" Freddy snapped at him. "Stop -pulling my leg. You must be able to see it clearly, now. Just because -you're being rescued from a possible watery grave, my good man, don't -be so blasted funny."</p> - -<p>"Funny?" Dave echoed with a snort. "Look at me! I could weep with joy. -Now that things look okay for us, I can admit that I was plenty worried -awhile back. And no kidding, either!"</p> - -<p>"Hardly the word to express how I felt," Freddy murmured and took a -deep breath. "But perhaps we were really born under a lucky star, Dave. -We always manage to skin through, somehow."</p> - -<p>"Skin through, he says?" Dave echoed. "You mean, I walk through and -pull you through after me. But let it go. Boy! What I'm going to tell -Air Vice Marshal Bostworth when I see him!"</p> - -<p>"Well, don't do it unless I'm outside the building," Freddy said.</p> - -<p>"Outside the building?" Dave echoed and gave him a puzzled look. "Why?"</p> - -<p>"To catch you when you come out," the English youth replied with a -grin. "Air Vice Marshal Bostworth is six foot, three, as you know. And -he is a holy terror about insubordination, as you <i>also</i> know."</p> - -<p>"Yeah, that's true," Dave murmured, and watched the Catalina slide -down lower and lower. "Well, at least I'll be thinking plenty when, -and if, I meet him. Five hours on this sea of liquid fire is enough to -make anybody sore. Okay, Freddy, give the pilot a wave. He's waving at -us. Man, oh man! Doesn't it make you feel good to see that old R.A.F. -insignia on the wings and hull?"</p> - -<p>Freddy simply nodded. For the moment he was unable to speak. He was -too choked up with emotion to dare trust his tongue. So he simply -nodded, waved his hand and smiled all over the place as the Catalina -sank lower, then cut around into the wind and made a feather-duster -landing not over thirty yards to the lee of the slowly foundering -Fairey Swordfish. Some clever sea rudder and engine throttling by the -pilot soon brought the Catalina close enough for the boys to catch the -line that came singing out through the hull door. Another couple of -moments and they were both way out on the Swordfish's left lower wing -and scrambling aboard the Catalina.</p> - -<p>"Dawson and Farmer, of course?" asked the sergeant gunner who helped -them aboard.</p> - -<p>"Check!" Dave gulped. "And were we glad to see this job. We were -getting the feeling that we'd soon be food for those sharks that were -gathering around."</p> - -<p>"Nasty devils, those man eaters in these waters, sir," the Sergeant -said, and stepped around Dave. "Stand clear, sir. I'm tossing a little -time bomb into the Fairey. No sense having it float around for some -johnny to run into. There! There we are."</p> - -<p>A pang of sadness touched Dave's heart as he watched the small time -bomb arc from the Sergeant's hand and plop down into the cockpit of -the Fairey Swordfish. True, the seaplane was a total loss. The engine -was a tangled mass of junk, and not worth salvage efforts. Besides, -the pontoon was filling fast, and it wouldn't be long before the craft -would be three quarters submerged and a menace to navigation in those -waters. Yes, it was best to blow it up and sink it below the surface -of the China Sea. Yet a plane had always been to Dave something that -was almost alive, and human. It always hurt a little bit to see one of -man's air creations destroyed. Yes, even when destruction was necessary.</p> - -<p>And so as the time bomb plopped down into the cockpit Dave swallowed -hard, gave the doomed plane a quick little salute of honor, and then -faced the Sergeant again.</p> - -<p>"Say, is Air Vice Marshal Bostworth at Singapore, Sergeant?" he asked. -"Boy, I've got the yen to tear a mile wide strip off him when we meet. -We've been floating around for over five hours. Did you know that? He -said that.... What's the matter?"</p> - -<p>Dave stopped short and asked the last because the Sergeant had suddenly -stiffened and gone pale under the heavy tan on his face.</p> - -<p>"Fancy you can speak to the Air Vice Marshal personally, sir," the -Sergeant said in a hoarse whisper. "He's just behind you, waiting in -the navigation compartment."</p> - -<p>"He's <i>what</i>?" Dave gasped and felt his knees go rubbery and weak.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FIVE" id="CHAPTER_FIVE">CHAPTER FIVE</a><br /> -<small><i>Official Explanations</i></small></h2> - - -<p>It was only the matter of a couple of seconds, but it seemed to Dave -Dawson that it was a hundred years before he could dig up strength -enough to turn around. When he did he saw the tall, thin faced figure -of Air Vice Marshal Bostworth seated in the navigator's chair not ten -feet from where he stood. The high ranking officer's eyes were slightly -narrowed, and there was a glittering chill in their depths that made -Dave wonder if he hadn't better just push open the Catalina's hull door -and jump out to the sharks. Maybe they would be easier on him.</p> - -<p>"Come in, you two, and shut the door!" the senior officer suddenly -snapped. Then looking past the two rescued pilots, he added, "That's -all, Sergeant. Tell Flight Lieutenant Baker to take off and go to -maximum ceiling and cruise about until further orders. Hop to it, man!"</p> - -<p>The Sergeant sprang into action, and so did Dave and Freddy. They -stepped quickly into the navigation room and closed the door behind -them. Dave gulped a couple of times and took the plunge.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, sir, I guess I spoke out of turn," he said lamely. "It was -dumb."</p> - -<p>Air Vice Marshal Bostworth gave him a look that could cut right through -steel.</p> - -<p>"Very dumb, Flight Lieutenant, to use your native tongue!" he snapped. -Then wiping the anger from his face, and grinning, he said, "But, I -can't say I blame you. Would have been a bit put out, myself, if I'd -been in your place. However, it was something that couldn't be helped. -But sit down, sit down, you two. A spot of coffee, or tea, or rum, or -something? It must have been a bit of an ordeal for you."</p> - -<p>"Nothing for me, sir," Freddy spoke up. "I'm quite all right, sir."</p> - -<p>"Me, too," Dave said with a nod. "But, holy.... I mean, it was -certainly a surprise to learn that you were out here, sir. I thought -the Harkness' captain was kidding me at first. And as for what's -happened since he told us, well.... Well, we're both in a sweet flat -spin."</p> - -<p>The senior officer started to speak but checked himself as there came -the faint <i>crump</i> of the exploding time bomb above the roar of the -Catalina's engines as the pilot up forward took her off the water and -aloft. As though by mutual agreement all three in the navigation room -glanced down out of the porthole at the disc of frothy white water that -marked where the Fairey Swordfish had met her end.</p> - -<p>"Well, that's one less plane England has," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth -said with a sad note in his voice.</p> - -<p>"And I'd rather not meet up with Captain Standers for a while," Dave -grunted. "Darn that submarine! It...."</p> - -<p>He cut himself off short as the Air Vice Marshal whirled around and -stared at him wide eyed.</p> - -<p>"Submarine?" the senior officer echoed sharply. "What the devil are -you talking about? Weren't you shot down by plane? A plane with R.A.F. -markings? That's what I imagined."</p> - -<p>"Plane?" Dave himself echoed. "Gosh, no! We saw some signals, and -wondered what...."</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute," the Air Vice Marshal stopped him. "Perhaps you'd -better begin at the beginning, and tell me everything. Every little -detail, and don't leave out a thing. Start with when Captain Standers, -of the Harkness, summoned you to his quarters to give you my orders -for a two hour patrol."</p> - -<p>Dave glanced at Freddy, but the English youth shook his head.</p> - -<p>"You tell it, Dave," he said.</p> - -<p>Dave shrugged, stared at his two hands for a moment to get things -arranged in his own mind, and then told detail for detail of their -movements and actions from the time they were summoned by the commander -of the Harkness, right up to when they scrambled aboard the patrol -Catalina. Air Vice Marshal Bostworth listened in silence, but the frown -on his face deepened as Dave talked along. And by the time the Yank -born R.A.F. ace had finished his little speech there was both anger -and worry glowing in the senior officer's eyes. Even when Dave finally -stopped talking he didn't say a thing for several long moments. He sat -puffing hard on a thin stemmed pipe he clutched between his teeth and -scowled darkly at the clouds of blue smoke that curled upward.</p> - -<p>"Damnedest thing ever!" he finally muttered. "A Jap sub, eh? Of course -it was a Jap, right enough. We've suspected that they've been sneaking -close into these waters whenever they got the chance. But to come to -the surface and blast away at you chaps! Well.... Well, I'll be blessed -if that isn't a new one. Quite sure you couldn't make head nor tail -out of their heliograph signals, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Quite, sir," Freddy said quietly.</p> - -<p>"Not a single blink meant a thing," Dave said with a curt shake of his -head. "They certainly weren't any Morse letters or numbers that I ever -learned."</p> - -<p>"A code of their own, no doubt," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth grunted. -"Well, before I start my little tale let me explain why you had to -float around so long. Only I and the Admiral commanding knew that I'd -radioed those orders to the Harkness, you see? I had expected to be -at the Air Base to meet you but I got tied up on an inspection tour -of some emergency fields on the Johore side, and didn't get back -until long after I expected to. It gave me a bit of a start, I can -tell you, not to find you waiting, and to see the Harkness riding at -anchor in the Strait. Went aboard at once and received another start -when I learned you had taken off. So I hurried ashore, routed out this -Catalina crew, and came hunting for you. Thank God, we got to you in -time!"</p> - -<p>"We were beginning to feel less happy by the second, sir," Dave said -with an apologetic grin. "But one thing I can't figure is, why weren't -there patrol planes out? Why didn't some other plane pick us up long -before then? But we didn't see a single plane or surface ship during -the whole time. We.... Hey! England's not at war with Japan, is she?"</p> - -<p>"Not a declared war by either side, anyway," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth -replied gravely. "However, we are watching each other like a couple of -strange cats. And if you want my opinion on the matter I think the Japs -are going to have a go at us inside of ten days at the most."</p> - -<p>Dave stiffened slightly and glanced at the calendar hanging on the -compartment wall. It told him that today was the sixth of December, -Nineteen Hundred and Forty-One. He looked at Freddy and gave him a sly -wink, and then turned to the Air Vice Marshal.</p> - -<p>"Then that's why you came out from England in a hurry, eh?" he -murmured. "The Japs are actually going to be saps, huh?"</p> - -<p>The Air Intelligence officer smiled faintly at Dawson's remark, but -shook his head and raised a cautioning finger.</p> - -<p>"That is the spirit, Dawson," he said, "but don't be carried away by -the belief that the Japs would ... would be push-overs, as they say in -your country. As a matter of fact, the one mistake we have made most in -this blasted war, and during the years leading up to it, too, has been -to underestimate the strength and ability of the enemy. The Japs may be -saps, as you say, but that won't stop them from attacking if they think -they hold the winning hand. And I'm afraid they do believe they hold -it."</p> - -<p>"But they would be bashing their crazy heads against a stone wall!" -Freddy Farmer protested. "I mean if they dared to have a go at -Singapore. I've always been told that Singapore is every bit as -impregnable as Gibraltar."</p> - -<p>"From sea attack, yes," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth said. "But from -the air? That is something else again. And as far as Singapore is -concerned, the greatest weakness in its defense is not on the Island at -all."</p> - -<p>"Not on the Island, sir?" Dave Dawson echoed. "I don't think I get you."</p> - -<p>"The water supply," the senior officer said. "It comes from Johore -on the mainland side of the Strait, and is piped over the causeway. -Blast Singapore's water supply and the lads on the Island would have a -pretty bad time of it. However, that's neither here nor there for the -moment. Dawson, you asked just a moment ago why didn't some other plane -pick you up before this one. I'll tell you. Because there weren't any -other planes in the air. I recalled all patrols early this morning, and -grounded all planes."</p> - -<p>The Air Vice Marshal paused for a moment, and although a thousand -questions hovered on the boys' lips, they knew enough to hold their -tongues.</p> - -<p>"It's hard to tell the story," Bostworth continued presently with a -frown, "because there are so many parts of it that we don't know a -thing about. In a nutshell, it's this. Everything we do out here is -known in detail in Berlin, Rome, and Tokio within a few hours. The -blighters couldn't be better informed if we broadcast every move we -make over the radio. They are finding out everything, worse luck. That -was why I was sent out here. To find the leak, or leaks, and plug -'em up. As you both know, the population of Singapore is as mixed in -nationalities as any other spot in the whole world. I'll wager that you -could find a man from every country in the world within the limits of -Singapore. Not only is it a great naval base of England's, it is also -one of the great trading ports of the world. And you can be very sure -that the city, itself, and the waterfront, is a thriving place for -spies, right now more than ever before."</p> - -<p>The senior officer paused for breath and stared thoughtfully out one of -the portholes. The Catalina was still climbing steadily, but it had -not reached an altitude where it was necessary to reach for the small -portable oxygen kits fitted to the wall.</p> - -<p>"I've been out here almost a week," the Air Intelligence officer -suddenly went on, "and what little I've discovered leads me to believe -that all information about our military preparations is leaving -Singapore by air. No, not radio. I mean by plane. By British plane."</p> - -<p>"A dirty rat in the R.A.F., sir?" Dave gasped as though the very -thought of such a thing were a sacrilege.</p> - -<p>"We've caught the type several times in the past," Air Vice Marshal -Bostworth said grimly. "Yes, to be perfectly frank with you. I've -checked and rechecked the service history of every single member of -Singapore R.A.F. personnel, from the Brass Hats right down to the -lowest grade aircraftsman, but a fine lot of good it's done me. I can't -find a single thing that even begins to look suspicious. Yet I'm sure -there are one or more Axis secret agents out here wearing the R.A.F. -uniform."</p> - -<p>The senior officer stopped to raise a silencing hand as Dave started to -interrupt.</p> - -<p>"I know that sounds crazy," he said. "I mean, that the spy is in the -R.A.F. out here. But here is my reason for thinking so. Rather, my -reasons for thinking so. I've made a few tests. I've let certain -bits of information become known, and then used a secret gadget -we've perfected that can pick up any kind of radio broadcast on any -wave-length within a radius of two hundred miles. And can do it while -nearby powerful stations are operating. But we didn't hear a single -broadcast of which we didn't know the code and couldn't decipher -easily. I've checked all ship movements, and all movements of troops -going over the causeway. And all civilians, too. However, all the -information I had purposely let slip reached the Berlin Government -in a very short time. That was reported to me by my own agents. So -I was sure all of the information left here by plane. It must have. -But.... But I must confess I didn't even dream they did it the way your -experience seems to prove they do it."</p> - -<p>"Then that two hour patrol we were supposed to have made, and did -make?" Dave said with a puzzled frown. "You expected us to spot the spy -in his plane tearing off to pass on the information to somebody else? -But maybe we might not have given him a single glance. At least, not a -second glance."</p> - -<p>Air Vice Marshal Bostworth shook his head and struck a match to fire up -his dead pipe.</p> - -<p>"No, not exactly that," he said presently. "I let out a rather -valuable bit of information concerning coming reenforcements out here, -and then grounded all planes. Used the excuse of general overhaul and -inspection. At the same time I arranged for you chaps to buzz around -over the Strait. First, I wanted to see if our little spy friend would -risk it to fly off with his bit of information in the face of my -grounding order. If he did, we could jolly well radio you chaps his -direction and orders to head him off at all cost. Secondly, if the -blighter didn't try to sneak off ... which he didn't, blast him ... I -wanted you chaps out there to spot any plane of <i>any</i> type that might -attempt to contact you in the air. In other words I was counting on -you chaps to help me get a line on the <i>other</i> plane that I believed -was flying out each day from Japanese controlled Indo-China to contact -their man in our forces. I was hoping for a description of the plane, -what direction it came from, and so forth. I had thought up a little -stunt to pull.... But that's out, now. Our friend isn't contacting -another plane. He is, of course, contacting a submarine. A Jap sub, no -doubt, but I'll wager a thousand pounds it's commanded by a trained -Nazi. So you see, when you didn't show up, and I found you floating on -the water, I thought that you'd had a bit of a go with this supposedly -other plane, and come off second best. Good lord, though, that -submarine was bold as brass to surface and actually blaze away at you! -To me that means they're getting very cocky. And of course I'm speaking -of the Jap johnnies."</p> - -<p>"Contacts a Jap tin can, huh, and probably drops his information by -signal buoy?" Dave murmured more to himself. "The sub slips on to sea -and radioes the stuff to its nearest base."</p> - -<p>"Correct," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth said with a curt nod. "And from -that particular base it is relayed on to Tokio. And from Tokio it goes -to Berlin. And Hitler knows all about the very latest things we've -accomplished out here. And Tokio has another bit of information on what -she'll be up against when she attacks us."</p> - -<p>"And she will, you feel sure, sir?" Freddy Farmer spoke for the first -time in many minutes.</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, there isn't the slightest doubt of it," the Air -Intelligence officer replied. "Yes, we expect war, rather, we expect an -attack, and very soon. We're getting ready for it just as fast as we -can. However, our forces are not strong, particularly in the air, and -what we've got to find out ... and it'll probably require a miracle to -find it out ... is just where, when, and how the Japs plan to strike. -I don't think it will be by sea. And I don't think it will be by land -down the Malay Peninsula <i>unless</i> they are forced to. I have a feeling -they will attempt a quick knockout by air. That perhaps they'll have a -go at Hongkong and Singapore at the same time. I don't know. If only -I could catch the sly beggar who's getting out all the information, I -could put a plan to work that might get very good results that will tip -the Japs' hand as to just what they will try once they get the go-ahead -word from Berlin. But...."</p> - -<p>The Air Vice Marshal sighed heavily and gave an angry shake of his head.</p> - -<p>"But so long as the leak remains," he grated through clenched teeth, -"we're definitely in the soup. And heaven only knows what may come of -it. We haven't the fighting strength we need to beat off an all out -attack. And I'm very much afraid we're not going to get reenforcements -in time."</p> - -<p>The Air Vice Marshal fell silent for a few moments, stared unseeing off -into space, and absently tapped the stem of his pipe against his strong -teeth. Eventually he grunted as though he had reached some kind of a -decision, and switched his gaze to the two R.A.F. youths.</p> - -<p>"We've got to find out what the Japs, coached by the Nazis of course, -are planning," he said slowly. "I think there's a way we can do it. -True, it's about one chance in a thousand of succeeding. And.... Well, -the attempt could well possibly cost the lives of a couple of brave -chaps."</p> - -<p>The Intelligence Officer emphasized the last with a faint gesture of -his hand, and for the next minute or so there was no sound in the -navigation compartment save the muffled roar of the engines outside. -Dave looked at Freddy, caught his grim nod, and turned to the Air Vice -Marshal.</p> - -<p>"Well, I know a couple of fellows who would like to take a crack at it, -sir," he said in a quiet, steady voice.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SIX" id="CHAPTER_SIX">CHAPTER SIX</a><br /> -<small><i>The Devil's Den</i></small></h2> - - -<p>The Air Ministry official looked at them, smiled and seemed to let -clamped air out of his lungs.</p> - -<p>"I knew, of course, that you'd say that," he said. "But I was not -exaggerating when I said you might pay for your efforts with your -lives. Strictly speaking, it is not an Air Force job. I mean, there may -or may not be any flying attached to it. The task is very definitely -Intelligence work. Lord knows any one of us Intelligence chaps out here -in the Far East would be only too glad to have a go at it. However, -every British Intelligence Johnnie in these parts is well known to Axis -agents here. Just as we have a pretty good idea who is working against -us ... though we haven't yet laid them all by the heels."</p> - -<p>The Air Vice Marshal paused and gave an angry shake of his head as -though he were getting himself all mixed up.</p> - -<p>"I'd better tell what little I know," he said, "and perhaps between us -we can fill some of the holes with close guesses. Well, here goes. In -the city of Singapore, near the waterfront, there is a street called -Bukum Street. It is actually little more than an alley crowded on both -sides with rickety two story frame buildings with open store fronts -on the lower floors. They say that when you want to find Bukum Street -you don't bother to ask a native policeman. You simply stand still and -sniff. Then follow the most terrible smell of them all, and at its -source you will find Bukum Street.</p> - -<p>"Halfway along the waterfront side of Bukum Street there is a little -spice and coffee shop very appropriately called the Devil's Den. It -is owned and operated by a man named Serrangi who looks as old as the -city itself. He is a Sumatran, as far as we can find out, but I fancy -he has a little of all the bloods of the Far East in his veins. He is a -hideous looking creature. Face terribly scarred, and he has a cast in -his right eye. But he is more diabolically clever than Satan, himself. -We know that he is a thief, that he would murder any one for you for -the price of a few pennies, and, that there is no intrigue brewing -in which he hasn't got at least the tip of his finger. But, to our -discredit, if you wish, the British Singapore authorities haven't been -able to catch him redhanded in a single thing. Personally, I think we -should throw the beggar in prison, and be done with it. Unfortunately, -though, the white man's laws do not operate that way. Also, Serrangi -has a tremendous influence with the native population. To punish -Serrangi without proof of guilt might stir up a beautiful native riot. -And so, we've only been able to watch and wait ... and hope. And to -date we're no better off than we were two years ago."</p> - -<p>"Serrangi and his Devil's Den is the leak, sir?" murmured Freddy Farmer -as the senior officer paused for breath.</p> - -<p>"We don't know," was the blunt reply. "You see, this business is so -confoundedly twisted up that anything might be possible. It might even -be possible that Serrangi is loyal to the Crown, though I'm sure I -would drop dead from the shock if such proof even came to my attention. -But I'm only telling you what we suspect, not what we know. And the -first item on our long list of suspicions is that all Axis spies -entering or leaving Singapore do so through the Devil's Den. In short -that Serrangi's place is ... you might say ... the clearing house for -information. A couple of months ago a known Nazi spy ... one high up in -the Gestapo by the way ... was picked up as he left the Devil's Den. -We found nothing of interest on his person, however. And we could not -prove that he had gone to Serrangi's for any other reason than to make -a few purchases. Also, not over two weeks ago one of our agents was -last seen entering Serrangi's. We never saw him again. We haven't even -found his body yet. And an authorized search of the Devil's Den brought -to light absolutely nothing!"</p> - -<p>The Air Vice Marshal paused and clenched both fists in a helpless -gesture.</p> - -<p>"Working in the East is so utterly different from working in the West!" -he said bitterly. "In England we could close up a place like the -Devil's Den, and burn it to the ground, if we thought it was necessary. -And toss the lot of them in prison, to boot. But you can't do that -sort of thing out here. Not unless you want to have native trouble on -your hands. Anyway, we feel certain that if we could learn even a few -of the secrets of Serrangi's place we would be able to profit as much -as though we had an extra dozen divisions of trained troops, together -with aircraft, and the like. Now, here is the part that concerns you. -And...."</p> - -<p>The Intelligence Officer stopped talking abruptly and stared hard at -the two youths.</p> - -<p>"This is entirely outside your line of duty," he said almost harshly. -"Just because I am telling you all this does not mean in the slightest -that you must agree to go through with the thing. You two are R.A.F. -pilots, and there's still plenty for you to do as such. I mean.... -Well, that is...."</p> - -<p>"Why not just tell us, sir?" Dave interrupted with an encouraging grin -as the senior officer fumbled for words. "If we get cold feet, or think -we'd flop the thing, we promise to tell you."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, Dawson," the Air Vice Marshal said gravely. "Very well, then. -I want to get you two into Serrangi's place, by hook or by crook. No -one knows you have come to Singapore. I mean, the Harkness has arrived -but you weren't aboard. Of course, by now those damn Axis agents, that -have been virtually living in my pockets without my knowing it, must -know that two pilots took off from the Harkness before she reached -port; that their arrival at Singapore is long over-due, and that this -Catalina has gone out to try and find them. Well, this Catalina is -going to return to Singapore R.A.F. Base, her flight a failure. Yes, we -found the half submerged wreckage of the Harkness' plane. But, <i>no</i> -sign of the two who were in it. Examination of the wreckage showed that -the craft had obviously been shot down. How, we don't know. We are only -certain that the two pilots in her are dead. The sharks must have got -them."</p> - -<p>Dave Dawson licked his lower lip and glanced sidewise at Freddy Farmer.</p> - -<p>"Imagine how the shark that got you feels!" he chuckled.</p> - -<p>"Is that so!" the English youth snapped. "Well, it's always been -difficult to tell from the look on your face whether you were dead or -alive. So you fit the part perfectly, my lad."</p> - -<p>"Ouch!" Dave cried and winced. Then grinning at the Intelligence -officer he said, "Go ahead, sir. Don't mind us. It's the way we let off -steam, I guess."</p> - -<p>"More should adopt the method," the Air Vice Marshal said firmly. "But -this business is far from a joke. It is far more serious than I can -tell you. To be very brutal about it, by this time tomorrow it's quite -possible that you and Farmer <i>may be</i>...."</p> - -<p>The senior officer didn't finish. Instead he stuck out a clenched fist -and then extended the thumb downward toward the compartment floor. The -gesture was more explanatory than words. Dave felt a tingling chill -ripple through his heart but he kept the grin on his face. After a -moment the Air Intelligence officer continued.</p> - -<p>"You two will be reported as definitely dead," he said. "I'll make no -bones about being certain of that. I fancy we'll even drink a silent -toast to you at evening mess. You know, do the thing up right for the -benefit of listening ears or watching eyes. Meantime, you two will -proceed to Bukum Street and go into the Devil's Den. Both of you speak -German, and French, and, of course, English. You will have to decide -for yourselves what language you want to use. You'll be.... Well, -you'll be wharf rats to all appearances. Or you can be a couple of -French merchant sailors stranded in Singapore after jumping ship. You -can be a couple of Germans rescued from a China boat sunk off shore. -Fact is, you can be anything you like. It will be frankly up to you to -decide each move as you go along."</p> - -<p>"Aren't you just a bit ahead of things, sir?" Freddy Farmer said as the -flush mounted in his cheeks. "I mean, how do we get ashore from this -Catalina? And what about clothes?"</p> - -<p>"That's the easiest part of the whole thing," the other replied. "We'll -talk about that later. Now, the moment you enter the Devil's Den your -lives will be in your own hands. I cannot tell you what you will find. -I cannot tell you what will happen. I'd be a blasted miracle maker, if -I could. But, I can tell you this. We know the identification code word -of Nazi agents out here in the Far East. It's three words, as a matter -of fact. <i>Der Fuehrer's Tag.</i> Meaning, of course, The Leader's Day. How -and when you use it, I do not know. And...."</p> - -<p>The Air Vice Marshal paused and groaned softly.</p> - -<p>"And I have got to tell you this," he said presently. "The British -Intelligence agent who entered the Devil's Den two weeks ago, never to -be seen again, was <i>also</i> armed with the code word, or words. I am as -certain, though, as I am that I'm sitting here, that the Nazi agent -identification signal has not been changed. They still use it, and you -two will have to decide the proper time, and place, to mention it."</p> - -<p>"A salute when you take a sip of your coffee might be a good idea," -Dave said, looking at Freddy. "Sort of say it under your breath, but -loud enough for anyone sitting close to hear."</p> - -<p>Dave turned his head and looked at Air Vice Marshal Bostworth.</p> - -<p>"Your plan is for us to be a couple of Axis agents reporting, isn't it, -Sir?" he asked.</p> - -<p>The Air Intelligence officer gave Dawson a look of frank admiration, -and nodded instantly.</p> - -<p>"Exactly that," he said. "I'm sure new agents sent out go straight to -Serrangi's place. Of course, there may be some one to whom they report. -I don't know. That's the risk you've got to take. But here's a plan to -cover that part. You can be a couple of Axis agents shipping from China -to ... say Australia. Your boat was sunk.... I can give you the names -of several ships sunk in the South China Sea recently ... and you were -put ashore in Singapore. You, of course, have known of the Devil's Den, -and you know the code words for identification."</p> - -<p>"That's a splendid arrangement, sir!" Freddy Farmer spoke up excitedly. -"That way we won't have to show any papers. We can say we lost -everything at sea. But...."</p> - -<p>The English youth stopped short and scowled.</p> - -<p>"But what, Farmer?" Air Vice Marshal Bostworth prompted.</p> - -<p>It was a few seconds before Freddy acted as though he had heard.</p> - -<p>"I was thinking, sir," he said slowly, "what if nobody pays any -attention to us? What if we just go into this Devil's Den, and nothing -happens?"</p> - -<p>"We've got to hope hard that something will," the Air Intelligence -officer said grimly. "And I don't think you need worry about nobody -paying any attention to you. You'll be strangers, and you'll look the -part of seamen put ashore from a lost ship. I'm quite certain that -Serrangi keeps a very close watch on everybody who comes into his -place. However, that's the blasted sticker about this thing. It's no -more and no less than a blind stab in the dark. It may gain us nothing, -and then again, it may gain us a lot. And ... it may get you both a -knife in your back before you've been in the place five minutes. I -pray to God not, but that's the chance you'll be taking. To sum it up -bluntly, you'll simply be grabbing at possible straws, and...."</p> - -<p>"And there may not be any to grab," Dave grunted as the other hesitated.</p> - -<p>"Precisely!" the senior officer said and made a wry face. "You'll be -taking a wild, blind shot in the dark to connect with something that -will lead you to the top rankers in the Axis espionage system working -in Singapore."</p> - -<p>"It would certainly be a break if the spy you're gunning for at -Singapore R.A.F. Base uses Serrangi's as a contact place," Dave said. -"I think I could spot an R.A.F. lad with my eyes shut."</p> - -<p>"Not this one, I fancy," the Air Vice Marshal said. "He may be R.A.F. -on the surface when he's on duty, but the blighter is Nazi at heart. -He'll be clever, and twice as cruel, too. But, if you should be lucky -enough to contact him ... rather, spot him ... a lot of my worries -would be over. Once I find out that beggar's identity I've got a very -neat little plan already to be put into operation. That, however, would -be like asking for a miracle on a silver platter."</p> - -<p>"But, supposing we do tag him," Dave persisted. "How do you plan for us -to get word to you, sir?"</p> - -<p>"I've arranged for that," the senior officer said. "In front of the -Raffles Hotel, which is perhaps the easiest thing to find in all -Singapore, there's always a gathering of peddlers and hawkers who will -sell anything to soldiers and civilians alike. In peace times they made -quite a good thing out of it from the tourist trade, but they are not -doing so well now that half the world is at war. However they still -cluster about in front of the Raffles hoping to make a few pennies. -Anyway, one of them is a horrible looking creature. He is not more than -five feet tall, and bent over at that. He wears a dirty white patch -over his right eye, and the thumb on the left hand is missing. He is -always there, and you couldn't possibly miss him. Put any message you -have for me in Air Intelligence Code Six-X-Seven, walk past the man -with the patch over his right eye, and toss the wadded message into -the gutter, as though it were a bit of paper you were throwing away. -And.... By the by, you know the Air Intelligence Code Six-X-Seven, of -course?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," Freddy spoke for both of them. "By heart, sir."</p> - -<p>"Good," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth said and gave them a pleased nod. -"Well, do as I say, if you have any message you want transmitted to me. -However, be sure and just walk by the beggar, and toss the bit of paper -into the gutter. Do not turn to him or look at him. And for heaven's -sake don't speak to him. You'll probably lose the man his life if you -speak to him. And I hasten to tell you that he is one of the best -British counter espionage agents in Singapore. Well, so much for that. -Now, any other questions?"</p> - -<p>Dave looked at Freddy Farmer and nodded.</p> - -<p>"Go ahead with that question you asked awhile back," he said. "I guess -that's the important one, now."</p> - -<p>The English youth looked blank for a moment, then his face brightened -as he realized what Dave was talking about.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, quite," he said and turned to Air Vice Marshal Bostworth. -"It's that question I asked about getting ashore from this Catalina, -and clothes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Simple, quite simple," the senior officer replied with a faint wave -of his hand. "I only hope the rest of this blasted business will be -equally as simple. Well...."</p> - -<p>The man paused, looked at his watch, and then glanced out the porthole -at the blood red sun that was balancing like a ball on the western -horizon line. Its flaming red rays fanned out across the sky to bathe -everything in a pinkish glow. Even the wings of the Catalina were -touched by the glow that bounced off their glossy surfaces and seeped -in through the ports to the interior of the compartment. The dying sun -was a beautiful, breath catching sight ... but not right at the moment -for Dave Dawson and Freddy Farmer. Their thoughts were not on beautiful -things, now, but on many other things, not the least of which was -possible death by tomorrow's setting sun.</p> - -<p>"Well, in an hour it will be darkish, sort of," the Air Vice Marshal -continued speaking. "When it is we're going to head back toward -Singapore. I will have the radio operator send word that our search -failed, and that I'm having this flyingboat land in Keppel Harbor as -I wish to go direct to the Government buildings in the city. We will -land in the harbor and the crew will break out two of the collapsible -boats we carry aboard. I will go ashore in one. You two will use the -other. Under cover of darkness you can easily reach some section of -Singapore's waterfront undetected. Simply go ashore and release the -air valve in your boat. It will fill up and sink at once. As for -clothes...."</p> - -<p>The senior officer paused and smiled faintly.</p> - -<p>"This is not the first time I have used this Catalina for Intelligence -work," he said. "In fact, it is used almost exclusively for such jobs. -You'd be surprised the stuff we have aboard this craft. We carry all -kinds of clothes, from a German soldier's uniform on up to almost -anything you could mention. Don't worry, before you leave this Catalina -you'll look so much like a couple of rescued sailors from a China to -Australia boat your own families wouldn't recognize you. Later I'll -give you facts of an actual sinking to make your story ring true. Now, -what else, eh?"</p> - -<p>Dave started to speak, but thought better of it after an instant's -hesitation, and closed his mouth. Air Vice Marshal Bostworth gave him a -sharp quizzical glance.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Dawson?" he encouraged. "What is it? Ask anything you like. -After all, this is not going to be any tea party that you two are -setting out on. If you've got something to ask me, go right ahead. -Later on, you might regret not having asked it."</p> - -<p>Dave hesitated a couple of more seconds, then shrugged.</p> - -<p>"Well, maybe it's a crazy question, sir," he said slowly, "but somehow -I always like to be on the safe side. I mean, I like to be sure about a -couple of things in advance, when I stick my neck out, if you get what -I mean?"</p> - -<p>"I think I understand, a little," the other said. "But perhaps you'd -better make yourself a bit clearer, eh?"</p> - -<p>The American born R.A.F. ace took a deep breath as though he were about -to dive off into icy waters. Then he blurted it out.</p> - -<p>"The crew of this Catalina, sir," he said. "You admit that there is -some Nazi agent at the Singapore R.A.F. Base. A lad you haven't been -able to lay by the heels yet. Well, what I mean is this. Those aboard -this flyingboat know who we are. The sergeant gunner asked us if we -were Dawson and Farmer when we came aboard. Well.... That is to say.... -I mean...."</p> - -<p>Dave stumbled to a halt and flushed a deep red.</p> - -<p>"You mean, how about the loyalty of the crew of this Catalina?" the Air -Vice Marshal helped him out.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," Dave said with a nod.</p> - -<p>"A perfectly fair question," the other replied. "I'll describe their -loyalty in this way, then. <i>I</i> would reveal your true identity to the -Nazi agents in Singapore before any one of them would."</p> - -<p>"That's all I want to know," Dave said. "Fair enough. Any better -wouldn't do. How about you, Freddy?"</p> - -<p>"Quite," the English youth said. "Oh, very definitely and absolutely!"</p> - -<p>"Then what are we waiting for?" Dave said, turning back to Air Vice -Marshal Bostworth with a grin. "Let's get going and not keep old -Serrangi waiting any longer than we have to!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SEVEN" id="CHAPTER_SEVEN">CHAPTER SEVEN</a><br /> -<small><i>The Jaws Of Death</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Night had come again to Singapore. From one end of the Island to the -other all was cloaked in velvety darkness save where light made by -man thrust aside the shadows. At Raffles Hotel they still danced, and -at the famous city cafes they still drank and watched worn out floor -shows, even though the nearness of war in the Far East seemed to hang -in the very air like a shroud. Even in the poorer sections, and in the -slums, there were sounds of merry-making. It was almost as though rich -man and beggar alike were enjoying themselves as much as they could -before the sword of Mars came slashing down on that section of the -earth.</p> - -<p>In the unspeakably smelly alley that is known as Bukum Street two -figures slouched along as though they didn't have an idea in the world -where they were going, and cared even less when they got there. At -every little opened front shop they paused and gaped vacant eyed at the -collection of wares on display. Sometimes they muttered things to each -other in low tones. Sometimes they said nothing, and just stared. And -more times than not the storekeepers instantly sized them up as very -poor prospects for a sale and waved them on their way.</p> - -<p>Presently they both halted in their tracks as though by unspoken signal -and stared half a block ahead at a two story wooden building on the -other side of the street. It was much the same as all the others save -there was no shop on the lower floor of this building, and therefore it -had no open front. On the contrary, it had a front door and windows, -and hanging from a bracket that protruded from the door was a sign with -somebody's idea of His Satanic Majesty painted on it in red.</p> - -<p>"That's us, Freddy!" muttered the taller of the pair. "A crummy looking -joint, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Much worse!" came the half muffled reply. "And good Lord, this awful -smell does come from there! So blasted thick and heavy, I can almost -see it coming out the front door."</p> - -<p>"Yeah," Dave Dawson murmured. "And if it's from the brand of coffee -they serve in there I'm afraid I'm going to be an awful flop before I -even get started. I couldn't keep anything down that smells like that -for longer than one millionth of one split second. Holy catfish! Do you -suppose this Serrangi runs a slaughter house on the side? Boy! That -stench almost bounces when it hits you."</p> - -<p>"That's right," Freddy Farmer agreed. "We should have remembered to -bring clothespins. Well, worse luck for us, we didn't. But what do you -say, Dave? Shall we get on with it?"</p> - -<p>"Why not, we've come this far," Dave grunted, and started slouching -forward again. "But, look, Freddy."</p> - -<p>"At what?"</p> - -<p>"No, I mean, listen!" Dave hissed out the corner of his mouth. -"Bostworth handed us a pip this time. Like trying to win a ball game -in the last of the ninth with your team a couple of hundred runs -behind. What I mean is, that anything can happen from here on. Just -like Bostworth said, when we go through that door we're on our own. We -may strike out on three pitched balls, and then again we may run into -something mighty valuable to him. But there's two guys we've got to -look out for all the time. You and me. Now, if by any chance things do -get rough, keep close to me. We make it or don't, together. Okay?"</p> - -<p>"Absolutely," Freddy Farmer replied quietly. "Shoulder to shoulder all -the time, Dave, of course."</p> - -<p>"Maybe in Serrangi's place we'd better make it back to back," Dave -said. "They're experts with knives in this part of the world, so I've -been told. So if we get back to back when things break bad, we'll at -least see who's doing what."</p> - -<p>"I'd feel happier if we were armed," Freddy Farmer said. "I suppose -Bostworth was right when he said that carrying arms might get us into -trouble if we were searched. Just the same, though, I'd feel a lot -happier if we were armed."</p> - -<p>"You and me each, brother!" Dave breathed softly as they neared the -front door of the smelly place. "You and me each! However, maybe we'll -live to bless him for that word of caution."</p> - -<p>"Just so's we live will please me enough!" Freddy muttered. Then as -they came almost abreast of the door, he added softly, "I think it -would be best to speak bad French in this place. Much better than -English or German, don't you think?"</p> - -<p>"Check, it'll be French," Dave said and gave Freddy's arm a quick -squeeze. "Well, luck to us both. And do I hope I can keep that coffee -down! Okay, follow me, my little man."</p> - -<p>Dave hesitated a moment, took a deep breath, and then pushed in -through the front door of the Devil's Den. He was instantly smacked in -the face by a babble of sound, and a stench that almost made his nose -drop off. For a second he could see only blurred yellow shadows, the -place was so heavy with cheap cigarette, and water-pipe smoke. Then as -he spotted an empty table to his left he gave a jerk of his head to -Freddy, and shuffled across the filthy floor and sat down. Leaning back -he lazily surveyed the place with his eyes. He had seen an awful lot of -terrible places since the first day of war, but the Devil's Den topped -them all, and then some. It was half store and half coffee shop. Along -one wall of the room, that was some forty feet deep and three quarters -as wide, was a series of shelves filled with bins that contained -everything from spices, tea, and native coffee to pith helmets and old -army uniforms. On the opposite side was a row of battered tables so -badly stained it was impossible to tell the original color of the wood. -The sirupy coffee of the hot countries was spilled all over the table, -and it was quite probable that no efforts had been made to mop up the -sticky drippings in the last six months. And where there wasn't coffee -there was dirt or cigarette ash.</p> - -<p>Seated at the tables was a mixture of all races from Suez to Saigon, -and from Hongkong to Borneo. There were Malays and Chinese, Sumatrans -and Tamils from India, Filipinos and Punjabis, Arabs and Siamese, -Persians, and a smattering that had once claimed kinship with the white -races but had sunk so low they were no longer any part of a white man.</p> - -<p>Dave's heart looped over and his stomach churned as he let his sleepy, -seemingly uninterested gaze travel slowly about the room. Many of those -there looked at him in return, but only for the smallest part of a -second. It seemed to be sort of an unwritten law that you didn't stare -too hard or too long at your fellow coffee drinkers in the Devil's Den. -Some of them didn't so much as lift their heads when Dave and Freddy -entered. Either they weren't interested in newcomers or else they were -too full of the poison of the Far East to get up the strength.</p> - -<p>There was one, however, who took real interest in the arrival of the -two slouching ones in dirty sea water stained clothes. He was standing -near the steaming coffee urns at the far end of the room near a door. -As Dave's eyes passed over the scarred face with the cast in the right -eye it was all the young American could do to check himself from -starting violently. Serrangi's face would certainly scare even Satan, -himself. The man was not very tall, and he seemed not to have much -flesh on his bones. Yet somehow he gave you the impression of coiled -steel springs ready to lash out in any and all directions. A scarecrow, -perhaps, but with the strength of a killer in his thin arms, legs, and -body. But it was the eyes. Particularly the one with the cast. That one -was a dirty grey white; a dirty grey white beam of light that seemed to -go right through you and read your innermost thoughts on the way. For -perhaps a split second Dave had a look at the mysterious Serrangi, but -in that brief period of time he saw all he ever wanted to see of the -man.</p> - -<p>He let his lazy gaze travel on and then brought it to rest on an evil -faced native waiter sliding toward them. The man came to a halt at -Dave's elbow and hissed something in a tongue Dave couldn't catch.</p> - -<p>"Bring coffee," Dave growled in heavily accented French. Then as an -afterthought, "And cigarettes, too!"</p> - -<p>"So?" the native snarled right back in the same tongue. "Here one sees -the color of a man's money first."</p> - -<p>Dave glared and reluctantly pulled a small silver coin from his pocket -and slapped it on the table.</p> - -<p>"The color of a silver knife, eh?" he grunted and jerked his head -toward the urns. "Go bring us some!"</p> - -<p>The native waiter half bowed, flicked out a grimy paw and the silver -coin wasn't there anymore. At the same time he slithered around and -glided away. Dave had the feeling as though a snake had just wiggled -across his chest, and it was all he could do to stop the shiver that -welled up inside of him. Instead he slumped over the table and rubbed a -hand tentatively up and down the side of his face. He did it to cover -up the movement of his lips as he whispered to Freddy.</p> - -<p>"Nice joint!" he breathed. "I wonder if the floorshow's as good. Gives -you the creeps, doesn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Goose pimples all over!" Freddy replied. "Am jolly well sure they'll -be permanent. Notice how our little friend gave us the eye? And is -still doing it? Rotten looking chap, for fair. Should jail him because -of his face alone. Horrible fellow. He.... Heads up, Dave!"</p> - -<p>The last just barely carried to Dave's ears but there was a tremor in -Freddy's voice that was just as good as a wild yell of alarm. He cut -short what he might have said to the English youth, made a final pass -at the side of his face then cupped his chin in his hand and stared -moodily off into space. Every part of him, though, was on the alert, -and in less than no time he realized why Freddy Farmer had breathed the -warning. A filthy native who had been seated by the front door when -they entered was slowly edging toward the table next to theirs, but not -noticeably so, unless you were on your guard, which good old Freddy -Farmer was proving he was!</p> - -<p>Still staring off into space Dave watched the native out of the corner -of his eye. The man finally reached the table, muttered what sounded -like an apology to two half cast Malays seated at the table, slid into -a chair and promptly to all intent and purposes rested his forehead on -his folded arms on the table and went sound asleep. Even the sound of -his breathing was like that of a half doped man, but Dave Dawson was -not fooled one single bit. And neither was Freddy Farmer. One of the -dirty native's ears showed and they both felt certain that every sound -they made was being registered by that ear.</p> - -<p>Shifting his position to a more comfortable one Dave let his eyes -meet Freddy's for the fraction of a second. In that swift period of -time a world of understanding passed between them. That native who -faked sleeping off the effects of some drug at the next table was -unquestionably one of Serrangi's men. He was there to eavesdrop on -their talk. To listen to every word they said, and perhaps send a -signal to Serrangi that could well be their death warrant. However, -that thought cheered them rather than caused icy fingers to clutch at -their hearts. If the man <i>was</i> one of Serrangi's spies he was playing -right into their hands. What better opportunity could they ask for -than this one to give the code signal revealing them as Nazi agents in -Singapore?</p> - -<p>It was perfect. It was made to order. Yet, on the other hand, it seemed -so perfect that Dave caught his brain swaying way over the other way. -To the side of extra, extra caution. Was this in reality a trap? Would -it be wise to mention the code word when a total stranger was sitting -so close? Had Bostworth's agent made that mistake when he entered the -Devil's Den, and it had proved to be a fatal one? Would it not be -better to wait, to spend a while over their first cup of coffee before -trying to contact possible Nazi agents in the room? It was perhaps best -to....</p> - -<p>Dave cut off the rest of the thought as the shadow of the filthy native -waiter suddenly appeared at his elbow as though by magic. Two dirty -cracked cups the size of thumb thimbles were placed in front of him -and Freddy. In the cups was a smudgy brown liquid that no white man -would even use to paint the side of a cow-barn. An acrid stench drifted -up from each cup. It made Dave think of burning sulphur and kerosene, -only not so sweet smelling. As a matter of fact, for one crazy instant -he wondered if it was some deadly chemical that was going to explode in -his face in the next second and blind him. He killed off that thought, -however, and whipped out his hand to grab the native's arm as the man -started to glide away.</p> - -<p>"The cigarettes!" he growled. "I gave you enough to feed your filthy -family for years. Bring us the cigarettes!"</p> - -<p>The native waiter's eyes glowed up for a moment in a look of deadly -hatred. But his gaze soon fell before Dave's steely one. He bobbed -his head, mumbled something, and hurried away. Dave turned back to -the table and picked up his cup and looked at Freddy Farmer. Suddenly -he was convinced that it was do or die now, or never. He held the cup -native style between his two hands, and leaned forward toward Freddy -Farmer and opened his mouth to speak. But what he was about to say died -in his throat. It died because in that same instant the front door of -the Devil's Den was suddenly slammed open and two Singapore policemen -came bursting into the room.</p> - -<p>"<i>Brenti!</i>" one of them screamed.</p> - -<p>It was the Malay word for "Halt!" and every man in the room, including -Serrangi, himself, froze stiff in whatever position he happened to be.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_EIGHT" id="CHAPTER_EIGHT">CHAPTER EIGHT</a><br /> -<small><i>The Secret Message</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Like a pair of killers who would love nothing better than to blast -away in all directions with the police pistols they clutched, the two -Singapore policemen stood straddle legged, their black eyes seeming -to focus on every face at the same time. The Devil's Den was suddenly -filled with pin-dropping silence. It was more the silence of sudden -death. Dave's heart slammed like a trip-hammer against his ribs, and he -was sure that the sound carried throughout the room like a booming drum.</p> - -<p>Here was something that Air Vice Marshal Bostworth hadn't so much as -mentioned as a bare possibility. A raid on Serrangi's place by the -native police. Supposing they were all dragged in? What would he and -Freddy do? How would they be able to get out of the clutches of the -local law? True, they could establish their true identities in short -order. Sure, and probably be released with a thousand heart felt -apologies! But a fine lot of good that would do them! Their opportunity -would then be gone forever. Be gone because there were certain to be -listening ears at police headquarters. Ears that would hear what they -said. And a tongue or two that would take a warning back to Serrangi's. -No, if they left the Devil's Den with the native police for questioning -they would never enter Serrangi's again. They both would be dead before -they could get both feet inside.</p> - -<p>Yet the alternative was just as bad. Perhaps worse. If they posed as -coming from a torpedoed boat headed for Australia their stories would -be checked within the hour by police officials ... and be found as full -of holes as a rusted sieve. As a result they would be thrown into a -jail cell in nothing flat, and be kept there until they rotted before -they could convince their jailers of the truth. Yes, it was something -that Air Vice Marshal Bostworth hadn't even dreamed of, to say nothing -of themselves. A choice of two things ... and both evil and spelling -bad luck, or worse.</p> - -<p>And so Dave's heart pounded even more furiously against his ribs as the -two policemen seemed to focus their attention on Freddy and him. Was -this the moment? Was this the end of something that had hardly had a -beginning? Those questions and others burned through Dave's brain like -liquid fire. He wanted to look at Freddy to see how his pal was taking -it, but he didn't dare take his eyes off the two policemen.</p> - -<p>Then suddenly the pair started walking slowly down the length of the -room. Whenever they came to a man who was dead to the world, and had -not lifted his head at their arrival, one of them would grab him by -the hair, jerk up his head and glare at the man's face. One swift -scrutinizing stare and then the man's head would flop down on his -folded arms again, or sag chin down on his chest and roll from side to -side like a toy balloon in a gentle breeze.</p> - -<p>Eventually the two Singapore policemen came abreast of Dawson's table. -For one horrible moment he lived and died a thousand times over. Then -the policemen passed on to the next table to the rear. In time they -reached Serrangi standing by the coffee urns. Dave heard the soft sound -as the pair spoke, and the harsh nerve-grating replies from Serrangi's -lips. But he didn't understand the tongue. And then, finally, when -Dave's nerves were almost ready to fly apart in all directions, -the two policemen wheeled about, stalked back to the front door and -disappeared.</p> - -<p>Dave held his breath waiting for the babble of sound to come from the -many tongues in the place. But he was doomed to disappointment if he -expected the coffee shop customers to show any excitement over the -visit. They simply relaxed in their chairs, shrugged slightly at their -next table neighbors, and continued on doing whatever it was they had -been doing when the policemen burst into the room.</p> - -<p>To cover his own almost overwhelming sense of relief Dave slumped over -the table edge and cupped his chin in both hands and stared down at the -still untouched cup of smudgey brown coffee. It was then he suddenly -realized that the dirty native was no longer seated at the adjoining -table. The man had disappeared as though by magic. Dave blinked at the -empty chair and then quickly lowered his eyes.</p> - -<p>"Our pal has scrammed," he breathed just loud enough for Freddy to -hear. "Did he go through the floor or just evaporate in the smokey air?"</p> - -<p>"Neither," came the hushed reply. "He slid along in back of the two -bobbies. Talking with Serrangi, now. Steady! Here he comes back again."</p> - -<p>"Don't ever miss a trick, do you!" Dave murmured and reached for his -coffee cup. "Well, I'm going to pull the code words this time. I'll go -plain bats if this suspense keeps up much longer. Luck to us, pal."</p> - -<p>"And we'll probably need it, Dave. Right-o. Fire away!"</p> - -<p>Dave waited until the shadow of the passing native fell directly across -the table. Then he started the coffee cup to his lips and looked at -Freddy.</p> - -<p>"<i>Der Fuehrer's Tag!</i>" he grunted and put his lips to the vile smelling -cup.</p> - -<p>"<i>Ja, ja!</i>" Freddy Farmer grunted in reply. "<i>Der Fuehrer's Tag.</i> It -cannot come soon enough to please me!"</p> - -<p>Both spoke in pure German, and both held their breath as the shadow -of the passing native seemed to linger a second on the table. Then it -passed on by, and it was all either of them could do to refrain from -turning around and staring directly at the man. With an effort though, -they remained seated as they were. And with a thousand times greater -effort they forced themselves to sip a little of the most horrible -liquid they had ever tasted in their lives. It took every ounce of -Dave's will power not to spit it out. Instead, though, he forced it -down and had the sensation of a couple of red hot coals dropping clear -down to the pit of his stomach. He waited a full minute before he dared -to speak.</p> - -<p>"Are you still alive, Freddy?" he whispered. "I'm not sure just how I -feel."</p> - -<p>"I think, so," the English youth whispered back. "At any rate, I can -still talk, and see and hear. But I think we'd better not talk much, -Dave. Serrangi is taking interest in us again. It's possible that he -might be a lip reader."</p> - -<p>"Or has eyes in the back of his head like you seem to have," Dave -murmured. "How you can look two ways at the same time, I'll never be -able to.... What's up?"</p> - -<p>Dave cut himself off and asked the last as he saw Freddy's hand resting -on the table suddenly stiffen. The English youth didn't reply for a -moment. Then he spoke loudly in bad French.</p> - -<p>"Those cigarettes!" he exclaimed. "Do we get them, or must we go -someplace where they don't steal a poor man's money?"</p> - -<p>As the English youth spoke he glared at the native waiter who was busy -about something over on the other side of the room. Then as he slouched -back in his chair again he flashed Dave a warning look.</p> - -<p>"Serrangi just nodded to somebody in back of us!" he breathed behind a -hand that pawed at his mouth. "To some one in back of us! Our little -friend, of course. I wonder what it means?"</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't know," Dave grunted. "But I sure am hoping like blazes. For -the best, I mean. Oh-oh!"</p> - -<p>The native had suddenly appeared at Dave's elbow. But the man didn't -stop. He glided on by toward the rear of the room. As he passed, -though, Dave caught the quick motion of one hand, and saw the tiny -pellet pop from the man's fingers, and roll across the table to come to -a stop not three inches from Dave's cup of coffee. Freddy saw it, too, -and sucked in his breath in a soft hiss of excitement. Dave didn't look -at him, or at the little pellet resting on the table. Instead he stared -unconcernedly at the front door, and absently dropped one hand down -over the pellet.</p> - -<p>For a couple of minutes he seemingly took no interest at all in -anything, but as a matter of fact his heart was thumping, and the -pellet, which was a wadded up bit of paper, seemed to burn like a hot -coal under his hand. At the end of two minutes, which passed like an -eternity of taunting suspense, Dave drew his hand off the table, and -brought the little pellet of paper along with it. Another couple of -seconds and he had both hands in his lap, shielded from all eyes by -the edge of the table, and was feverishly smoothing out the wadded -paper with his fingers. He knew that Freddy Farmer was watching him out -the corner of his eye every instant of the time, but to all appearances -the English youth was taking a cat nap.</p> - -<p>Finally Dave had the paper smoothed out. He didn't glance down at it -right away, though. It was as though he were almost afraid to read -whatever was written on the paper. It was as though he would read there -his death warrant, or something. As a matter of fact, a million wild, -crazy thoughts surged through his brain, and he could feel the little -beads of cold sweat that broke out on his forehead. With an effort he -shrugged the maddening thoughts aside, took a deep breath and glanced -down at the paper in his hands. The scrawl was in French, and almost -impossible to read. Dave had to study it hard for a few seconds before -he could make out the words. When he finally did read the message his -heart did nip-ups in his chest. The message was short and right to the -point.</p> - -<p>It read,</p> - -<p><i>In five minutes' walk through rear door.</i></p> - -<p>The message was unsigned. Just those seven words, but at the moment -they constituted the most exciting seven words Dave Dawson had ever -read in his life. He swallowed hard as a means of pushing his looping -heart back down into place. Then he leaned one elbow on the table, and -reached out under the table with the other hand that held the message.</p> - -<p>"A little love note," he murmured to Freddy. "Take a look. We're -getting action, pal ... maybe!"</p> - -<p>Three minutes later Freddy Farmer had the message in his hands and -had read it. His face didn't change a hair save for a tiny white spot -that appeared in each cheek. Many, many times had Dave seen that sign -in his friend. It meant that Freddy Farmer was well nigh on fire with -curiosity and excitement.</p> - -<p>"It worked, Dave, it worked!" finally came the faint whisper to -Dawson's ears. "It's going along just as we hoped it would."</p> - -<p>"As far as that door, anyway," Dave grunted, as a familiar eerie -tingling sensation came to the back of his neck. "But what happens on -the other side of that door is in the lap of the gods, if you get what -I mean. I.... Hey! Serrangi isn't around any more!"</p> - -<p>"No, I know it," Freddy said. "While you were reading the note his nibs -went through the door we're supposed to go through."</p> - -<p>"Yeah?" Dave echoed and scowled down into his coffee cup. "I sure hope -he didn't go out to sharpen up his knife. I think I would have liked it -better if Serrangi had acted as postman instead of that throat slitting -customer. I never did like a middle man in things; a go-between. -However, there's nothing that can be done about it, now. We follow -through, of course?"</p> - -<p>"Of course!" came the English youth's quick reply. "I wouldn't miss -this for the world!"</p> - -<p>Dave smiled in spite of himself. The remark was typical of Freddy -Farmer. He was the kind who might jump ten feet if a mouse should -suddenly pop out of its hole at him, but he would step right up and -paste Death right on the nose without giving it a second thought. -Yes, indeed, Freddy Farmer was a man in a million to have around when -you got into a tight corner. He was better than a whole regiment of -soldiers on occasion.</p> - -<p>"You would!" Dave chuckled. "Well, if a knife comes singing along, -don't forget to step in front of me, mate. Or maybe you'd better step -in back of me. It might come that way. Well, I guess it's five minutes. -Let's go take a look at what's on the other side of that door. Luck, -kid!"</p> - -<p>"I've got my fingers crossed," the English born R.A.F. ace murmured and -pushed his cup of coffee to one side with a dissatisfied motion, and -got up onto his feet. "Here we go."</p> - -<p>Slouching and weaving along so as to attract the minimum of attention, -Dave and Freddy made their way past the other coffee drinkers to -the rear door. In front of it Dave paused and glanced back over his -shoulder at Freddy. The English youth acted as though he were more -or less walking in his sleep. That is, save for a tiny spark of wild -excitement that burned deep in each eye. Dave winked, half grinned, and -then turned front and pushed open the door.</p> - -<p>He stepped into a room that was pitch dark save for the faint shaft of -light that cut through from the coffee shop. But in a split second or -even less it really was pitch dark. Dave sensed swift movement, and the -door was closed quickly in back of Freddy Farmer. Almost at the same -time Dave felt a tiny prick of pain in the left side of his neck. And a -voice hissed softly in his ear.</p> - -<p>"You will stand still while you are searched! Move one muscle and my -knife will plunge in deep. Do not move!"</p> - -<p>The instructions were quite unnecessary as far as Dave was concerned. -The instant he had felt the pin prick of pain in his neck he had frozen -stiff. Even his heart seemed to stop beating. Like a man carved out of -stone he stood there in the darkness while fingers seemed to ripple -all over his body from head to toe. And not for a single instant did -the needle point tip of the knife leave the side of his neck. He sensed -rather than saw or heard the second figure there in the pitch darkness -who was searching Freddy Farmer.</p> - -<p>Then suddenly the pin prick of the knife point was gone and steel -fingers closed over his right arm at the elbow.</p> - -<p>"Come with me!" the hissing French voice said. "It is but a short -distance."</p> - -<p>It was at that. Dave didn't take more than a dozen steps before his -"guide" halted him, turned him to face the right, and pushed open a -door. Before Dave could blink, and focus his eyes to the sudden change -of light, he found himself in a dimly lit room that at least smelled a -little less obnoxious than the coffee room up front. It was furnished -as a sort of combination sleeping quarters and business office. There -was a bed in the corner, a table, a desk and a few chairs. Posters -quoting market spices and coffee prices hung on the wall. And scattered -about here and there were empty packing boxes and cartons that had the -names of shipping ports on them from all over the world.</p> - -<p>Dave gave all the trimmings but a fleeting glance. What caught and -riveted his attention was Serrangi seated in a grease-smeared -over-stuffed chair. The Sumatran looked more hideous than ever in the -pale light, and the brown paper wrapped cigarette he was smoking was -all of five inches long. He stared at the youths out of eyes that were -expressionless as those of a dead fish. He made no move, nor sign, nor -said anything. He seemed not to hear the rapid jumble of a Far Eastern -tongue that hissed over Dave's shoulder. Nor did his eyes follow two -figures as they glided out of the room, and softly closed the door.</p> - -<p>He simply stared unseeing at Dave and Freddy, and Dave could feel the -cold sweat begin to form in his armpits and trickle down his ribs. It -was as though he and Freddy had been left standing like a couple of -wooden Indians staring unspeaking at a dead man with a live cigarette -in his long claw-like fingers. It was an awful feeling. Dave wanted to -yell, or jump up and down. Anything to shake the evil looking Serrangi -out of his trance, or whatever it was.</p> - -<p>Suddenly an idea came to Dave. For a moment he was afraid to try it, -but when Serrangi continued to stare at them out of almost sightless -eyes he did so out of sheer desperation. He clicked his heels together, -stiffened rigid, and flung up his right arm to the horizontal, and -shouted,</p> - -<p>"<i>Heil Hitler!</i>"</p> - -<p>He heard the gasp of startled amazement from Freddy Farmer's lips, but -he didn't waste time looking at his friend. He kept his eyes riveted -on Serrangi's face, and in the next second he received his reward. The -owner of the Devil's Den relaxed outwardly. Most of the fishy look left -his eyes. He nodded his head slightly, and what probably was meant for -a smile caused one corner of his mouth to twitch.</p> - -<p>"You took long enough, comrade," he said in a voice that sounded like -ashes sliding down a tin roof. "<i>Heil Hitler!</i> And what brings you two -here to the Devil's Den? I have received no word that you were to be -expected!"</p> - -<p>The man spoke perfect German, and Dave had the sudden feeling that -Serrangi had spent a long time in Berlin, as well as in a lot of other -places. The Sumatran was hideous to behold, and his clothes looked not -one bit cleaner nor more costly than those of any one of his coffee -shop's customers. Yet, somehow, the certain something that lurked -deep in the one good eye gave one the impression that the shaven, sun -blackened, egg shaped head contained a brain that was as quick as a -steel trap. And as deadly, too. Yes, Serrangi, of the Devil's Den, -might look like the dope filled fool, but he was undoubtedly the -direct opposite.</p> - -<p>"Well?" he suddenly snarled like a Prussian officer when neither of the -boys spoke. "Have you tongues? Or is it perhaps the look of my face you -do not like, <i>hein</i>?"</p> - -<p>"The fortunes of war, is the answer to your question, <i>mein Herr</i>," -Freddy Farmer spoke up. "We were traveling by boat for service to <i>Der -Fuehrer</i> in Australia. However, the boat was torpedoed and sunk. We -were two of the few saved. By a fishing boat. It put us ashore here at -Singapore. We had no choice in the matter. Our first task was to avoid -the police. We...."</p> - -<p>"You fools!" Serrangi rasped and thumped one clenched fist on the arm -of his chair. "So you came here, to the Devil's Den? To the place the -swine police inspect nightly, and raid at least twice a week! Have you -no brains in your heads? What brand of stupid swine is <i>Herr Himmler</i> -enlisting in his precious Gestapo these days. <i>Gott!</i>"</p> - -<p>"We are sorry, <i>Herr</i> Serrangi," Dave began.</p> - -<p>"You mean you are <i>lucky</i>!" Serrangi cut in. "Lucky that those -policemen tonight were searching for a pair of petty thieves. Had it -been one of their regular raids you would now be behind bars, and your -hides not worth a Reich mark!"</p> - -<p>The Devil's Den owner made a savage little gesture with one hand for -emphasis. Then he leaned forward slightly and the dead fish look -virtually leaped back into his eyes.</p> - -<p>"So you came to the Devil's Den?" he murmured in a soft yet deadly -tone. "And how did two on their way to Australia know of the Devil's -Den? Perhaps somebody told you here in Singapore, eh? Told you that old -Serrangi would look out for you, so?"</p> - -<p>"So, there appear to be three, not two, fools in this room!"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer's voice was like a machine gun going off. Dave started -violently inwardly, and he watched for the look of blind rage to rush -over Serrangi's ugly face. But no rage appeared. Instead the Devil's -Den owner glanced at Freddy with a new interest. A new interest, and -just the slightest touch of respect in his eyes.</p> - -<p>"With a tongue like that, you must have been close to death many times -in your life, my friend!" the Sumatran grunted. "But perhaps I do not -understand the meaning of your words, eh?"</p> - -<p>"The meaning was plain enough!" Freddy Farmer snapped as he thrust -his chin out. "We of the Gestapo who serve the Fuehrer, and the -Fatherland, unto the death, do not go about revealing who we are by -stupid questions. <i>Mein Gott!</i> Do you think the Devil's Den is not -known beyond the borders of Singapore? Do you think that in Berlin -the name, Serrangi, has no meaning? Do you think we do not plan ahead -for all eventualities? <i>Himmel!</i> We were put ashore with our money, -our forged papers, and everything we carried, lost! Would you have us -sit on the beach and cry great tears, and hope for the miracle of a -boat coming along to pick us up and take us southward to Australia? Of -course not! There was but one thing to do. We did it. We came here and -identified ourselves so that we could talk with you."</p> - -<p>"I see, I see," Serrangi murmured in an almost apologetic tone. "But -more than one poor fool has thrown away his life out here because of -his tongue. However, you convince me that you are not of that type. -Torpedoed, eh? And going to Australia? What was to be the nature of -your work in Australia?"</p> - -<p>The Sumatran looked at Dave as he asked the question, but the Yank born -R.A.F. Flight Lieutenant was not to be caught off guard that easily. He -dragged down one corner of his mouth and gave Serrangi a hard stare.</p> - -<p>"In Berlin there is one <i>Herr Himmler</i>," he said. "If you communicate -with him perhaps he will be good enough to tell you of the work we were -to do in Australia."</p> - -<p>The Devil's Den owner grunted, and then his thin body shook with silent -laughter.</p> - -<p>"So!" he finally exclaimed. "So much for my curiosity, eh? It would -seem that there are <i>no</i> fools in this room. And at least two who are -well trained members of the Gestapo. But I am still interested about -your unfortunate affair at sea. Tell me about it. Perhaps I have sailed -on the same ship. Perhaps I even know her captain. Tell me about it."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_NINE" id="CHAPTER_NINE">CHAPTER NINE</a><br /> -<small><i>The Gods Smile</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Serrangi of the Devil's Den made the request in a very matter of fact, -friend to friend tone. But it sounded alarm bells inside Dave. He -suddenly knew that the next few moments could well mean life or death -for Freddy and him. Their faked story had to be good. It had to be -better than that. It had to be perfect. One little slip-up, one tiny -flaw, and Serrangi would pounce on it like a striking vulture. It was -obvious that the man was going to check and double-check every little -detail with what he himself knew. And because of the high position -that Serrangi undoubtedly held in the shadier circles of Singapore, -he probably was well informed on everything about everything. Yes, -here was the test. Here was the test of presenting the ship torpedoing -knowledge with which Air Vice Marshal Bostworth had acquainted them.</p> - -<p>Dave shrugged, made a little gesture, and without asking Serrangi -permission he casually dropped into a vacant chair.</p> - -<p>"It was not something one likes to remember," he grunted. "However, if -you like to hear of such things, I see no reason why we should not tell -you."</p> - -<p>Dave shrugged again and swiveled around to look at Freddy who had -followed his lead and also dropped comfortably into a chair.</p> - -<p>"Do you wish to tell him, my friend?" Dave asked. "I was unconscious -for a bit, you know. From the explosion. Perhaps something happened -during that time that I miss."</p> - -<p>"If it did, I do not remember," the English youth replied in a bored -voice. "No, go ahead and tell him all about it. Then, perhaps, we can -get on with more important things."</p> - -<p>Dave made a face, hunched a shoulder, and swiveled back to face -Serrangi. He scowled for a moment as though collecting his memory -thoughts, then he launched into a detailed torpedoing at sea. It was -really a masterpiece of description. In fact, it was almost as though -Dave and Freddy had actually lived through it! Serrangi listened -eagerly, and every now and then he interrupted with a pointed question. -However, through the grace of God, and Dave's quick wits, the Yank was -able to give a satisfactory answer to each and every question. Finally, -when he was sweating inwardly from pent up nervousness, he came to the -end of his bogus tale.</p> - -<p>"And so we are here," he grunted. "And next time I hope we can go -by airplane. I am not one who is happy on the sea. Any sea! So, now -you know all about it. Consider yourself fortunate that you were not -aboard. It was not pleasant, and we were not saved through any efforts -of our own. I shall always believe that it was the great invisible hand -of <i>Der Fuehrer</i> that reached out and protected us. It is not the first -time in my life that I have felt that way, either."</p> - -<p>"It was at least the will of our leader, that you should be saved," -Serrangi said with almost a reverent note in his ashy voice. "But just -the same it was unfortunate."</p> - -<p>The Devil's Den owner stopped and scowled at the ash of his cigarette. -For a long time he didn't say anything. Dave and Freddy, believing -that silence was their best bet, didn't so much as utter a peep. They -sat perfectly still looking at Serrangi with their fingers mentally -crossed, and a prayer in their hearts. They had driven in the opening -wedge. It was now up to Serrangi to make the next move ... if any. And -that was the point! That was the thought that so completely filled -their heads they felt ready to explode from the pressure.</p> - -<p>Would Serrangi take them into his crowd? Would he assign them to some -espionage work here in Singapore and give them the stepping stone they -needed to attain their real objective? Or would he simply express -sorrow at their plight, but state that it was not up to him to take -care of two stranded Gestapo agents? But, perhaps more important than -anything else, <i>did Serrangi believe their story</i>? He acted as though -he did, but that could mean most anything. And, likewise, nothing. What -thoughts were passing through that brain of his behind the hideous -face? Was he sealing their doom ... or what?</p> - -<p>As the silence continued it was all Dave could do to refrain from -encouraging the Sumatran to speak. It was almost as though he had sunk -back into the weird trance he'd been in when they first entered the -room. His face was a blank, save for the frown. And the fishy look was -creeping back into his eyes again. Then, suddenly, Freddy Farmer took -the bull by the horns.</p> - -<p>"Well, I can see we were mistaken!" he said harshly. "There is no help -to be had here. I believe I'll remember that fact when I do return to -Berlin!"</p> - -<p>"Sit down, or there'll be a knife in your heart!"</p> - -<p>Serrangi's voice was like the hiss of a deadly snake coiled to strike. -His eyes seemed to flash sparks as he fixed them on Freddy Farmer. -And one hand darted under his dirty jacket like a little shaft of -lightning. Freddy managed to glare but he sat down very quickly.</p> - -<p>"That is better," Serrangi said in a softer voice. "Listen to me, you -of the quick tongue! In Germany you may be lord and master over many -slaves, but here in Singapore <i>Serrangi</i> holds a man's life or his -death in his hands. Remember that! Your Fuehrer may be the greatest man -ever born. I truly believe he is. But it is not my love for Germany, or -your Fuehrer's cause that makes me work for you Nazis. It is the price -you <i>pay me</i>. I am only interested in wealth, and my own power. So do -not speak your sharp Nazi tongue to me. I will not crawl. Instead I -will slit your throat and throw you to the street dogs, and forget all -about you by the morrow."</p> - -<p>The owner of the Devil's Den nodded curtly for emphasis, and made a -little motion with one hand as though brushing something aside.</p> - -<p>"And now that we understand each other," he continued after the pause. -"We can talk of things to do. First, it will be impossible for me to -arrange for you to continue your journey to Australia. There is not -a boat leaving Singapore these days that you could possibly hide on. -And...."</p> - -<p>"But as passengers?" Dave grunted to add to the impression that they -really were Australia bound.</p> - -<p>"Even more impossible!" the Sumatran grated at him. "The British would -unmask you in five minutes. No, I cannot help you at all to continue to -Australia."</p> - -<p>"Then, perhaps, here in Singapore?" Freddy Farmer murmured with a world -of genuine hopefulness in his voice. "Perhaps you have work for us? It -does not matter where one serves, so long as one serves the Fatherland."</p> - -<p>Serrangi shook his head and took a fresh cigarette from a carved ivory -box on the desk.</p> - -<p>"There are too many of you Nazi agents in Singapore, as it is," he -grunted. "The dog British are not stupid all day <i>and</i> night. They feel -war in the Far East is not far off, and their Intelligence Service is -on the alert. No, I could not give you anything to do in Singapore -that would make you even worth your food and drink. It was indeed most -unfortunate that you were torpedoed at sea."</p> - -<p>Serrangi nodded and sighed as though that ended everything. Dave's -heart dropped down into his paper thin soled shoes, and so did Freddy -Farmer's. It was as though the gods had kidded them along this far just -for the added pleasure of slapping them down just a hair's breadth -short of the mark. If Serrangi tossed them out, there would be nothing -to do but go back to Air Vice Marshal Bostworth and report complete -failure. And the suspected deadly menace that was creeping slowly but -surely around the British in the Far East would remain as much of a -mystery as ever.</p> - -<p>"Well, that is the way with war!" Dave said in a bitter voice that was -far from all sham.</p> - -<p>"True words you speak," Serrangi said almost kindly. "Who are we to -pick and choose, and say when and how we will accomplish a task? But -there is no room for you here in Singapore. If only you were Luftwaffe -pilots, then that would be a different matter."</p> - -<p>Both Dave and Freddy came close to falling off their chairs in stunned -amazement at the man's words. They stared wide eyed at him as though -they could not, or did not dare, trust their ears. It was Dave who -found his tongue first.</p> - -<p>"If <i>we</i> were Luftwaffe pilots?" he cried. "Why do you say that?"</p> - -<p>"There is a task," Serrangi said with a shrug. "But the men must be -able to fly airplanes. True there is one here in Singapore who could do -the task. But he cannot leave his post. Rather he would undo much that -has been prepared, if he were to do so."</p> - -<p>"It is the will of <i>Der Fuehrer</i> again!" Freddy Farmer cried wildly and -sprang to his feet. "<i>Heil Hitler!</i> His thoughts are always with one -and all. You are always in the Leader's heart. Serrangi! Look at us. -Your wish has been granted. Your desire has been fulfilled!"</p> - -<p>The Sumatran looked, but the expression on his face was like that of a -man waiting for the rabbits to come popping out of the high silk hat.</p> - -<p>"More words!" he finally snapped. "What do you mean, my loud mouthed -friend?"</p> - -<p>"<i>Der Fuehrer's</i> solution of your problem!" Freddy cried and pointed -to Dave and then at himself. "My friend and I are seasoned veterans -of the great and glorious Luftwaffe. Not until after Crete were we -assigned full time duty under <i>Herr</i> Himmler. <i>Gott!</i> Fly airplanes? My -new found friend, we can do that in our sleep. So you see? It is the -Leader's will that we be given work to do for him, though we cannot -continue our journey to Australia!"</p> - -<p>"But absolutely!" Dave shouted, taking the cue from Freddy Farmer. "Fly -airplanes? The joy of my life. And after all, it is not an impossible -flight from here to Australia, given the correct plane."</p> - -<p>A happy look that had gradually spread over Serrangi's face as the two -boys "raved" was suddenly banished by a look of sharp annoyance.</p> - -<p>"Impossible!" he grated. "The flight that must be made is in the -opposite direction. To the north. Besides, there is more than <i>Herr</i> -Hitler's desires connected with the matter. But this is true? You two -are airplane pilots?"</p> - -<p>"But of course!" Dave shouted right back at him. "And my comrade here -is one of Germany's greatest. He has been decorated by <i>Der Fuehrer's</i> -own hand. It was for unbelievable gallantry in the Norway campaign. -But, a flight to the north, you say? Why to the north? And what is the -task that is to be undertaken?"</p> - -<p>"You suggested I communicate with Berlin!" Serrangi snarled with heavy -sarcasm. "Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to communicate with -Tokio!"</p> - -<p>Dave felt as though he had suddenly been slapped across the face with a -bolt of lightning. In spite of his efforts his eyes flew open wide with -amazement. In a flash, though, he realized his mistake and hastened to -cover it up.</p> - -<p>"Tokio?" he breathed eagerly. "So it is to come <i>soon</i>, eh? So perhaps -it will not be a complete loss if my friend and I do not reach -Australia. After all, it seems that the tasks are connected."</p> - -<p>A bright light shot through Serrangi's eyes, and he gave Dave a -searching look that seemed to probe right into his brain.</p> - -<p>"So that was the kind of work you would do in Australia, eh?" he -murmured. "But, of course. Berlin and Tokio are working together. -And the fat fool in Rome thumps his chest, and shouts stupid things -to his stupid soldiers. Well, this is all very different. Much, much -different."</p> - -<p>Serrangi paused and nodded his head, and came as close to beaming with -pleasure as it was possible for a man with his face to do so. Dave and -Freddy practically hung on the edges of their chairs waiting for the -Sumatran to say more. But when the words finally did come they dashed -high hopes back down again on the cold, cold ground.</p> - -<p>"I do not know the details of the task," the Devil's Den owner said. -"I only know that there is a task to be accomplished. That there is a -flight to be made to the north. And I also know this!"</p> - -<p>The man stopped abruptly and fastened the two youths with a steady -stare.</p> - -<p>"I know that it may mean death even before the flight is begun!" he -snapped.</p> - -<p>"We are not dead, yet," Dave said with true Nazi bravado, and airily -waved a hand. "And for that matter, neither of us expects to be -dead for a long, long time to come. But if you know nothing of the -details...?"</p> - -<p>Dawson let the rest trail off significantly, and waited.</p> - -<p>"No, I know nothing of the details," Serrangi said. "But I do know -where the details are to be obtained. Two streets north of where we -are, now, there is a small rug merchant's shop on the corner. The name -on the hanging sign is Agiz Ammarir. I will give you a coin presently. -You will go to the rug merchant's shop, ask for Agiz Ammarir. There -will be a native girl who greets you at the door. Tell her that you -have a bill to settle. She will summon Agiz Ammarir. When he appears -give him the coin. The coin will tell him all he wants to know. From -him you will learn more of what is to be done. What <i>must</i> be done ... -and soon!"</p> - -<p>The man almost shouted the last. His face clouded with fury and he -smashed both clenched fists down on the arms of the chair. The cold -anger in his eyes caused a tiny shiver to ripple up and down Dave's -spine. Here indeed was the real Serrangi coming to the surface. -The savage beast within him breaking through the thin veneer of -civilization in which he cloaked his true self. Dave thought of being -a helpless prisoner in the hands of a man like Serrangi, and the very -thought made his blood run cold.</p> - -<p>"Have no doubts about us, Serrangi," Dave heard Freddy Farmer speak up. -"If it can be done, we will do it."</p> - -<p>The Devil's Den owner snorted through his thin hawk-beak nose and flung -the English youth a withering glance.</p> - -<p>"I know all about your Nazi boasts!" he snapped. "But the Far East is -not Germany. And Singapore is not your Berlin where you can demand the -help of any man on the street, whether it costs his life or not. But it -is I who talks too much, now. Enough! Here is the coin you will give to -Agiz Ammarir. Leave here within the next fifteen minutes and go to his -rug shop. Perhaps we shall meet again. But, whether we do or not ... -<i>Heil Hitler!</i>"</p> - -<p>Both youths sprang to their feet and returned the Nazi Party cry and -salute. Serrangi shrugged and then waved them away as though they -were two pieces of merchandise in which he was no longer interested. -As they stepped outside the door into the hall of pitch darkness, -two shapes materialized at their side, took them each by the arm and -silently led them to the door of the coffee shop. When they passed -through into the dim, smoke filled room their two escorts melted back -into the darkness. Ignoring a few questioning glances that were cast -their way, Dave led the way to their vacated table, started to slump -down in his chair, but checked himself and gave Freddy a meaning look.</p> - -<p>"Why drink more of this poison?" he growled in thick French. "Let us go -somewhere else, eh?"</p> - -<p>The English youth nodded glumly, and the pair slouched nonchalantly -toward the front door.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TEN" id="CHAPTER_TEN">CHAPTER TEN</a><br /> -<small><i>The Touch Of Death</i></small></h2> - - -<p>In the matter of a few seconds Dave and Freddy were once more out in -Bukum Street. The street of a million different smells and all bad. -Nevertheless, after the inside of the Devil's Den both boys stopped and -dragged night air deep into their lungs.</p> - -<p>"Sweet tripe, I know my nose will never be the same again!" Dave -muttered. "Imagine spending a whole evening in that place. I wouldn't -be surprised but what that's the answer to the mysterious disappearance -of Bostworth's agent."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that?" Freddy asked as the pair started moving -slowly up the street.</p> - -<p>"The poor devil probably had to spend four or five hours in that stink -hole, and just naturally passed out cold," Dave said. "They got scared -and threw his body in the harbor, and he drowned. No fooling! I feel -like I'd been drugged for a year."</p> - -<p>"Well, we're out of the horrible place, anyway," Freddy said. Then -after a short silence, he said, "Darnedest thing ever, wasn't it, Dave?"</p> - -<p>The American youth grunted, and shrugged, but didn't reply directly. He -walked along in brooding silence.</p> - -<p>"Well, was it anything like you expected?" Freddy demanded when no -comment by his friend seemed forthcoming. "Was it, I ask?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and no," Dave said. "I mean, I went into that place expecting -anything. Fact is, Freddy, if you must know, I'm just a wee bit worried -about these last couple of hours. They passed off smooth as silk. Too -smooth, I'm thinking."</p> - -<p>"Good Lord!" the English youth gasped. "Do you think Serrangi is wise -to us? But.... But that doesn't make sense, Dave!"</p> - -<p>"You tell me one thing about our war experiences that <i>did</i> make sense -<i>at</i> the time!" Dave said. "Now don't get me wrong. I don't mean that -we fell flat on our faces as far as convincing Serrangi that we're Nazi -agents. If he had suspected us at all, found any flaw in our story, you -and I would have sharp steel in us right now. No, I honestly think we -put our story over okay. But I don't think scar faced Serrangi took -it hook, line and sinker. After all, Freddy, that bird has to play a -very slick game or his name will be mud in nothing flat. I.... Darn -it, Freddy, I have a feeling that the test isn't over by any manner or -means."</p> - -<p>"You mean Serrangi is passing us along to this Agiz Ammarir for his -inspection and approval?" Freddy suggested.</p> - -<p>Dave hunched his shoulders and made a clucking sound with his tongue.</p> - -<p>"Could be," he said. "Something like that, I think. There's one thing, -and it's this. Serrangi is pretty much burned up about not getting -action on something big. Something that has to do with a mysterious -plane flight to the north. And does the guy mean a flight to Tokio, I -wonder? Anyway, he wasn't play acting at the last. He was plenty sore. -And, brother, I wouldn't want any guy like that to get sore at me. -Slicing your ears and nose off would be just a warm-up for his type. -And there's another thing that struck me as queer, too."</p> - -<p>"Such as?" Freddy Farmer encouraged when Dave lapsed into another spell -of brooding silence.</p> - -<p>"His not knowing anything of the details of this mysterious flight," -Dave murmured after a long pause. "If he's the paid Nazi agent big -shot in this part of the world, you'd think he'd know everything about -what's planned as well as what's taking place. Don't you figure it that -way, too?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I guess I do," Freddy Farmer replied slowly. "But I got the -impression, Dave, that this flight to the north in a plane is not -all Nazi. I have a very good feeling there's more Tokio to it than -Berlin. And, by the way, you carried off that secret work in Australia -top-hole, Dave, old fellow."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, and I sure hope so," Dave said in a fervent voice. "But I hope -this Agiz Ammarir doesn't get too curious about it. And.... Holy smoke!"</p> - -<p>"What, Dave?" Freddy gasped in alarm as Dawson stopped short and gulped.</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't it be just too, too ducky if that's what Serrangi is checking -up!" Dave groaned. "Supposing this Ammarir knows all about Nazi work -in Australia, and is going to pass on us for Scar Face! Freddy, don't -look right now, but I think you and I are walking the rim of a volcano -that's liable to ring the gong on us at any moment. Yeah! I don't think -I ever wanted to see tomorrow's sun as much as I do tonight. But.... -Oh, what the heck! A fellow can't live forever, so why worry?"</p> - -<p>"You mean by that that we should of course carry on, don't you?" Freddy -asked.</p> - -<p>"Heck, yes!" Dawson snorted. "It's a mess all around, but there's only -one thing to be done about it. Stay in there and keep pitching. To use -that Nazi boast I pulled on Serrangi, we're not dead men, yet. But it -certainly would have helped a lot if Bostworth had known just what he -was shooting at. After all, he just about gave us zero-minus to work -on. True, the Devil's Den tip looks like it might get us some results. -But that's just the idea. What <i>kind</i> of results?"</p> - -<p>"Quite," Freddy murmured. Then as though in justified defense of one -of his countrymen, he said, "If Bostworth had known a lot, Dave, he -wouldn't have needed us at all. I really take it as an honor that he -selected us to help him in this mess."</p> - -<p>"Oh, sure, sure, me too," Dave hastened to soothe his friend's -feelings. "Don't mind me. You should know me better than that. I'm just -the beefing kind. Heck! I wouldn't quit now even if Air Vice Marshal -Bostworth should suddenly pop out of one of these shacks and order me -off the job. And you know it, pal. So stop ribbing me."</p> - -<p>"Then use that big mouth for talking sense only," the English youth -growled. Then after giving Dave's arm a quick squeeze of friendship, -he said, "I think there's one thing we should do, Dave. I've got a -feeling. Sort of one of your famous hunches, you might say."</p> - -<p>"Let's have it, my little man," Dave said. "I'm all ears."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know, and big ones at that," Freddy Farmer came right back at -him. "Seriously speaking, though, Dave. If we're to pose as a couple -of Nazi agents, let's try to actually feel that we are. I mean, when -you do a thing by halfway measures you sometimes bump into more trouble -than if you made no effort at all to act a part."</p> - -<p>"Okay, by me, Herr Fritz von Farmer," Dave whispered with a chuckle as -they reached the first of the cross streets. "From here in we're more -German than old Uncle Goering."</p> - -<p>"I mean it, Dave!" Freddy said grimly. "We don't know what kind of a -trap we're walking into. One slip of the tongue, when either of us is -not thinking, and it might be curtains for both of us. <i>Think</i> that -you're a German, Dave. Make yourself <i>feel</i> it! I can't put it into -words, but.... Well, blast it, I simply sort of sense something in the -air. Like a coming storm, or something."</p> - -<p>"Okay!" Dave said gently. "I'll be as dumb as any Hun you ever saw, my -boy. But lay off this hunch stuff. That's my racket, pal!"</p> - -<p>Freddy didn't make any reply to that crack and the two youths walked -along Bukum Street in silence. Every now and then a native or two -glided past, and every so often they passed an open shop out of which -poured the babble of high keyed voices. As they neared the corner of -the second street on which they would find Agiz Ammarir's rug shop the -lights became less and less until they were walking along in more or -less murky darkness.</p> - -<p>And when they were but fifty yards from the single electric lighted -sign of the rug merchant ... it happened!</p> - -<p>Dave sensed rather than saw movement on Freddy's right. But he did hear -the sound of swift movement, and as he automatically half spun and -grabbed for his friend he saw the dull gleam of a long bladed knife -that seemed to hang poised directly over the English youth's head.</p> - -<p>A wild cry of alarm rose up to Dave's lips, but for some reason he -didn't spill it off. Perhaps it was because by then he was in the -middle of wild furious action. In what was really one continuous -movement he thrust one hand against Freddy's shoulder, kicked out a -foot to trip his friend and send him spilling to the sidewalk, and -lashed out blindly with his other clenched fist. White pain streaking -from his knuckles clear up to his shoulder socket gave him the wild -satisfaction of knowing he had hit human bone and flesh.</p> - -<p>Then in the next instant he had leaped over Freddy's squirming body -on the sidewalk and was slamming out with both fists, and connecting -with a shadowy figure that screamed with alarm and pain. That there -was still a knife some place didn't even occur to Dave. That his pal, -Freddy Farmer, had come within a few short inches of being killed was -the one and only thing uppermost in his mind. And for that reason alone -he fought with the fury of a cornered jungle tiger.</p> - -<p>But it was all over almost as soon as it had started. Dave was in the -act of closing his fingers about a greasy wrist when the shadowy figure -let out one last cry of pain and virtually vanished away in thin air. -Hardly realizing what he was doing, Dave bent over, scooped up a steel -bladed knife that lay at his feet on the sidewalk, and hurled it after -the shadow in the darkness. And, then suddenly, as he stood there -trembling with rage, he realized that his lips were spitting curses -at the fleeing shadow in perfect Hamburg German. The realization was -so startling that he cut himself off in the middle of a word and stood -motionless. Reaction took that moment to set in and he began trembling -like a leaf. He was unable to stop himself until Freddy Farmer managed -to scramble up and grip him hard on the arm.</p> - -<p>"Are you all right?" Freddy Farmer muttered in German.</p> - -<p>"Fit as can be," Dave grunted and gave a little shake of his head. "Did -you hear me, Freddy. Boy! Was I pouring out the old German, and not -even realizing it. Talk about taking you at your word!"</p> - -<p>"As you would say, they don't make them any more perfect than you," -Freddy whispered and pressed Dave's arm again. "I fancy that's about -the umpteenth time you've saved my life since we first met."</p> - -<p>"Nuts!" Dave growled good naturedly. "Save <i>your</i> life? Where do you -get that stuff? I let fly because I thought the guy's knife was headed -for <i>my</i> throat. A fine lot of money that hold-up lug would have found -on us, huh?"</p> - -<p>"<i>If</i> he was looking for money!" Freddy Farmer grunted and scowled -around at the darkness. "It could be for a very different reason, you -know."</p> - -<p>"Nuts again!" Dave snapped. "You're cutting out paper dolls, Freddy. -Serrangi, you mean? He wouldn't have waited this long, pal. Forget it! -That lad was just hoping to pick up a little small change. The knife -was just to help him do it quicker. Come on, let's get going. Maybe -he's got a pal hanging around. I'm just One Punch Dawson, you know. -Next time I'd probably be the one that got clouted. Come on."</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer mumbled something and dropped into step. They walked the -last fifty yards a little faster and finally came to a halt before Agiz -Ammarir's door. There was light inside but the glass was so dirty and -covered with rugs hung up for display they couldn't see inside. Dave -hesitated, took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and jerked the bell -cord. The echo of a pleasing tingling came to them through the door. -Presently a shadow appeared on the other side, and a moment later the -door was pulled open.</p> - -<p>Dave opened his mouth to speak to the girl, but not a sound left his -lips because it was not a native girl who stood holding the door open. -It was Serrangi, instead, and Dave's eyes bugged out as he and Freddy -Farmer both stared in speechless amazement.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_ELEVEN" id="CHAPTER_ELEVEN">CHAPTER ELEVEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Flight to the North</i></small></h2> - - -<p>"Serrangi!" Dave finally gulped out. "<i>Mein Gott!</i> What kind of trick -is this you play?"</p> - -<p>The owner of the Devil's Den smiled crookedly, opened the door wider -and nodded them in.</p> - -<p>"Come inside, my friends," he said. "It is sometimes necessary to be -more than one person. I believed this was one of them. But come inside -before the whole waterfront sees us chattering here. Seat yourselves in -those chairs and be comfortable."</p> - -<p>Very much like two awed kids being led through Toyland for the first -time, Dave Dawson and Freddy Farmer stepped into the room, and slowly -seated themselves in a couple of chairs. The shop was filled with rugs -of all sizes, and makes, and all colors. They were on the floor in -piles, hung four and five deep on the walls, and suspended on rollers -from the ceiling. Agiz Ammarir's rug shop looked as though it could -supply the whole world, alone, for the next couple of years. It did -not, however, give either Dave or Freddy that impression, for the -simple reason that their entire attention was riveted on Serrangi. -Silent and wide eyed, they watched him close the door, bolt and lock -it, and then move over to a chair for himself. In return, though, he -didn't give them so much as a single glance. Once seated, he set about -lighting one of his long brown paper wrapped cigarettes, with both his -good and bad eye fixed expressionlessly on space.</p> - -<p>Not until he was spewing smoke ceilingward did he lower his gaze and -take further notice of their presence.</p> - -<p>"You are entitled to an explanation, so I will give you one," he said -in his sifting ashes voice. "In these days, the man who takes anything -on face value is a fool. And the man who trusts even his own brother -may well be dead tomorrow. For that reason I told you to come here to -speak with one Agiz Ammarir. For that reason I had one of my men make a -show of waylaying you and killing you en route. I...."</p> - -<p>"So that was a fake?" Dave gasped out in German. "But that knife was -inches from my friend's throat!"</p> - -<p>"It would never have descended all the way to his throat," Serrangi -said placidly. "The attack was to learn what you would say on the -impulse of the moment. <i>And in what language!</i> There was once a man who -came to see me with a promise of great wealth for me ... if I would -reveal a little of the many things I know. He, too, presented himself -as a German and a loyal follower of Herr Hitler. But I am not the one -to be taken in that easy. I sent him, also, to visit Agiz Ammarir. He -too, was attacked on the way. He opened his mouth, and in so doing -sealed his doom, for he <i>cried out in English</i>. He was, of course, a -British Secret Service agent. I have never seen him since. I suppose -the poor fellow died from the shock of the attack."</p> - -<p>The Devil's Den owner gave a little shrug and wave of his hand. Dave -stared at him with admiration in his eyes, but the look was forced, for -in his heart Dave felt only loathing, disgust, and cold anger for the -man. So that was how Air Vice Marshal Bostworth's agent disappeared? -God bless Freddy Farmer for his sudden hunch about thinking as well as -acting as a German. If it hadn't been for Freddy he might have let go -a few choice words in English, himself. And then he and Freddy would -have mysteriously disappeared. A deadly snake if one ever crawled. -That indeed was Serrangi, of the Devil's Den. Deadly, and clever, too. -He knew what had happened to Bostworth's agent all right. Ten to one -he had killed the man with his own hand when the attacker had reported -that English had been cried out. But Serrangi was clever enough not to -admit as much. No, not even to a pair who seemingly had proved they -were a couple of Adolf Hitler's own paid killers.</p> - -<p>"And so, it was only good sense for me to test you two in the same -manner," Serrangi's voice broke into Dave's thoughts. "Of course I felt -certain of you, but it was best to make sure. So, enough of this kind -of talk. Let us speak of other things. The flight that must be made to -the north for one thing. But first, have you two flown in this part of -the world?"</p> - -<p>Dave was tempted to lie, but on second thought decided that for once -the truth might serve them better.</p> - -<p>"No," he said just as Freddy started shaking his head. "We have done -all our flying in Europe. But why is it important we have experience -flying here in the Far East?"</p> - -<p>"It is not important," Serrangi said. "It might perhaps be a bit -helpful if you knew some of the country out here. That, however, is -only a matter of opinion. I do not fly, but I suppose that flying is -much the same in any part of the world?"</p> - -<p>"Depends on the pilot," Freddy Farmer spoke up, and let it go at that.</p> - -<p>"Of course," Serrangi grunted, and drew a roll of paper from inside his -jacket. "Here," he continued, "is a map of this part of the world. As -you will see it is well marked, and contains much data that one would -not find on other maps of the same section of the world. Here, have a -good look at it."</p> - -<p>Serrangi unrolled a fair sized map and handed it to Dave. The American -R.A.F. Flight Lieutenant took it in hands difficult to keep from -trembling. Then he swiveled around a bit in his chair, and held it -so that Freddy could look at it too. They did that little thing -together and within two split seconds their hearts were hammering -with suppressed excitement, to say nothing of amazement. The map -was of the entire Malay Peninsula, Thailand, Burma, and a part of -China as far north as Chungking. It was indeed a fine map. It was a -perfect map for a pilot, because it contained countless little bits -of information a pilot would like to know when flying over any of the -territory. In fact, the information had been jotted down by some one -who was obviously a pilot. And when Dave peered hard at the countless -little margin notes and signs a cold lump of lead seemed to form in -his stomach, and there was a great sickness in his brain. Beyond all -question the person who had made the notes and signs was expertly -acquainted with the way in which R.A.F. navigation maps are marked. In -short, no less than an R.A.F. pilot had prepared this map he and Freddy -Farmer stared at.</p> - -<p>"It was a pilot who made this map, was it not?" Freddy Farmer suddenly -shot out the question.</p> - -<p>Serrangi beamed and looked very pleased.</p> - -<p>"So you <i>are</i> pilots, so?" he murmured. "That was not just Nazi -boasting to get you to give me work? Fine! Yes, it was made by a pilot. -One of your own kind in England's flying service, it may interest you -to know. He has been of great value to your Fuehrer out here. He will -be a great hero when he returns to your homeland."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps we know him," Dave murmured in a half interested sort of way.</p> - -<p>The lead didn't draw Serrangi out any, however. The Devil's Den owner -shrugged and made a little gesture with his half smoked cigarette.</p> - -<p>"It is possible," he grunted. "But we do not speak names out here. Have -you not noticed I have not even asked your names? I do not care to know -them. Then nothing can make me reveal them to anybody else, you see? -Who a man is, is nothing. What he can do, and does, is everything. A -name is but another unnecessary detail you have to keep alive in your -brain. Too many details is a bad thing. But, yes, that is a pilot's -map. You think you could fly by it?"</p> - -<p>"Why not?" Dave echoed.</p> - -<p>"It is clear enough for a blind man to read," Freddy Farmer added. -"Where do you want us to fly?"</p> - -<p>Serrangi smiled and lifted both hands palms showing outward in a slow -down and stop gesture.</p> - -<p>"Let us obtain the plane first," he said.</p> - -<p>The words fell like thunderbolts on Dave and Freddy. They stared at him -out of incredulous eyes.</p> - -<p>"You mean, you have no plane?" Dave eventually demanded.</p> - -<p>"And where would I keep a plane here on Singapore Island!" the other -snarled at him. "Of course I have no plane! Did I not say that there -was more than a little risk attached to this highly important task?"</p> - -<p>"But if we are to fly a plane?" Freddy Farmer said, and then let a -perfect expression of Teutonic dumbness of his face say the rest.</p> - -<p>"Steal one from the British!" Serrangi snapped at him. "It has been -done before, and it can be done again. And, of course, you would steal -one that is fully armed and contains sufficient fuel for a long flight."</p> - -<p>Dave tapped the map with a finger.</p> - -<p>"To Chungking?" he asked.</p> - -<p>Serrangi thought that was very funny, and laughed shrilly.</p> - -<p>"No, not to Chungking!" he finally cried and wiped his eyes with the -back of his hand. "It is the Japanese with whom we work, not the -Chinese. No, the end of the flight will be to the point that is marked -there on the map near Lashio, in Burma."</p> - -<p>Dave and Freddy glanced down quickly at the map. A little Burmese -mountain village called Raja, just east of Lashio, was marked with a -red circled black cross. Dave heard Freddy catch his breath, and he -started inwardly with excitement, himself, because at Lashio was the -beginning of the famous Burma Road, fighting China's lifeline. Her one -remaining supply route contact with the outside world. And the whole -world knew that the one thing the little brown rats of the bucktoothed -Jap emperor on his white horse wanted to do most was cut the Burma -Road. Once they did that they could starve the gallant Chinese into an -armistice in short order. And once China had fallen, hordes upon hordes -of Japanese lice could be sent elsewhere for more conquests.</p> - -<p>For two long minutes Dave stared down at the map, then he slowly raised -his eyes to Serrangi's face and smiled slyly.</p> - -<p>"So, the Burma Road, ja?" he muttered. "<i>Herr</i> Hitler will be most -pleased. It will open a way into India, perhaps."</p> - -<p>The Devil's Den owner snorted and waved the statement aside as though -it were small time stuff.</p> - -<p>"The small beginning of many things," he said. "When the guns and air -bombs of Nippon start thundering on the given day half the Eastern -world will not live to learn what happened! But, at Raja is the -beginning of everything. At Raja the signal will be given. I have -arranged everything here at Singapore. We cannot possibly fail if those -at Raja do their part. The British! They are so sure of themselves. -Such great confidence in their mighty navy! Well, the time has come to -teach the British Lion that others have learned the trick of gaining -power. But I do not need to tell you about England. Your Fuehrer knows -all about England, and how to handle her."</p> - -<p>Dave was sorely tempted to shout, "Sure! Like his cockeyed Luftwaffe -tried to handle her last September, hey?" but of course he breathed -not a word. Instead he nodded his head and looked very wise and self -satisfied ... and waited, seething inside with anger.</p> - -<p>"For weeks," Serrangi went on, "I have been maintaining contact with -the secret Japanese headquarters at Raja, by airplane, and radio. No, -the plane has not been mine. My friend serving with the Royal Air -Force here at Singapore, but with a prayer for England's complete -defeat in his heart. He has taken the information I have given him and -flown with it far out to sea when on what you call, solo patrol. At a -certain rendezvous he has contacted a Japanese submarine and dropped -the information to the water. From the submarine the information has -been radioed to Tokio, and from there southward to Raja. But I dare not -trust that method any longer."</p> - -<p>"You don't trust this ... this R.A.F. pilot?" Dave asked as the other -paused.</p> - -<p>"No, not him," Serrangi said with a laugh. "He would not dare! I hold -his life between my thumb and forefinger as I might hold a wingless -fly. It is the British I do not trust. They know that trouble is coming -from Japan. They don't know when, and I do not believe there is an -Englishman in all Singapore who so much as dreams <i>how close</i> that time -is! Nevertheless they have become very much more on the alert. From -one hour to the next I am not sure if my flying friend will be caught, -or continue to work unhindered. And the British are watching the seas -with eyes of eagles, these days. They might sink the very submarine to -which my flying friend had dropped the vital information. And there is -but one more set of information figures to send to Raja. They cover -everything here in the Far East. I cannot run the risk that they might -become lost."</p> - -<p>"So we are to steal a plane and fly them to Raja?" Freddy Farmer spoke -up as the Sumatran fell silent. "Is that what we are to do?"</p> - -<p>"That is what you are to do!" Serrangi said with a short nod. "You will -steal a plane and escape to Raja. When you arrive you will be treated -as great heroes. I can assure you of that. Any honor you desire will be -yours. And I ... I will have triple the wealth of any man in Singapore -for my reward."</p> - -<p>"It can be done," Dave grunted. Then giving the Devil's Den owner a -keen look. "One thing, though. My Fuehrer's teaching compels me to make -sure of all things. You say you cannot run the risk of the information -becoming lost. Supposing we fail to steal a plane? Supposing we are -caught? What then, eh?"</p> - -<p>Serrangi smiled, and indeed it was the smile of Satan's own son.</p> - -<p>"I should have added, <i>and not know it</i>," the Sumatran said. "If you -fail and are caught, I shall know it almost at the same instant. Then I -shall have to find another way."</p> - -<p>"But the information!" Freddy Farmer cried in true German bewilderment. -"What if it falls into the hands of the British?"</p> - -<p>"The very least of my worries, for it is no worry at all," Serrangi -replied promptly. "It would do them no good. It would give them -headaches, and it would probably drive them mad in the end. But they -would never be able to decipher what it meant. That, my two friends, is -why Serrangi holds the position he does. No man alive can read my code -without the key. And only <i>one</i> other man knows the key at a time!"</p> - -<p>Dave frowned, started to ask what that meant, and then the truth of the -statement hit him right between the eyes. To be given Serrangi's code -key was to be handed your death warrant. When you had served his evil -purpose, no matter what it might be, you died ... and the next man in -Serrangi's death and blood dealings was given the key.</p> - -<p>"The one who knows the key now is at Raja?" Dave grunted.</p> - -<p>"That is so," the Sumatran said. "And one of the Japanese Emperor's -most trusted generals. To him I gave it personally. And I know the -thoughts that fill your mind, now. When I have closed my work, my -business, with him? Perhaps, and perhaps not. When the Japanese take -Singapore there must be some one to govern and rule. Perhaps I will -tire of operating the Devil's Den. Who knows ... but myself? But enough -of this talk. Our work is not yet done."</p> - -<p>Serrangi gave a wave of his hand to dismiss the loose talk, and for a -moment frowned at the thread of grey smoke that spiralled upward from -his cigarette. Then suddenly he nodded as though he had made up his -mind on something.</p> - -<p>"There are many Royal Air Force fields here in Singapore," he grunted. -"Perhaps, though, it would be best to steal your plane from the -Municipal Airport which the Government has taken over. I happen to know -that it is not so well guarded as the others."</p> - -<p>"What about the planes there?" Dave asked in a voice he had to fight to -keep steady. "We would want nothing bigger than a two seater. To steal -a bomber would be impossible. Too much to do before taking it off."</p> - -<p>"There is no need to worry!" Serrangi said a bit sharply. "There are -planes of all types at the Municipal Airport. And the fools ... they -keep them all lined up in rows, as though they had them on display for -sale. I do not feel that you will have much difficulty. True, there -are armed guards about the field. But you two have heard the sound of -rifles and machine guns shooting at you before now, eh?"</p> - -<p>"More often than not," Dave said as the cold lumps of lead started -rolling around in his stomach. "But when do we steal this plane? When -do we make the flight? And...?"</p> - -<p>Dave stopped as Serrangi whipped up one hand in a curt signal to shut -up.</p> - -<p>"If you will stop that chatter of the jungle monkeys, I will give you -complete instructions!" the Sumatran grated. "First, the attempt should -be made just before dawn, during the darkest hour of the night. Second, -you will receive a certain amount of assistance from my men. They will -do what they can to attract the attention of the field guards while you -steal the plane. Third, be sure you steal an airplane that is well -marked with R.A.F. insignia."</p> - -<p>"Why not any plane?" Freddy Farmer wanted to know as Serrangi paused -for breath.</p> - -<p>"For very good reasons!" came the curt reply. "All civilian flying has -been stopped between here and Burma. If you stole a civilian plane your -position would be immediately reported by any official who sighted you. -Also, you would get into trouble if you came upon British Air Force -planes on patrol. Flying an R.A.F. plane, however, would not attract -their attention. Now, of course, when you once get into the air you -are to head in the <i>opposite</i> direction to your real objective. You -will fly south toward Java until you have reached an altitude where you -cannot be seen from below. You will then double back and fly up the -middle of the South China Sea until you have reached the southern tip -of French Indo-China. Then follow the coast northwest to Thailand, and -then north to your destination."</p> - -<p>The Sumatran stopped short, leaned forward and touched a bony finger to -the map Dave and Freddy held between them.</p> - -<p>"Study that map, and learn it well," he said. "The course is well -marked on it. A course that should take you safely past all spots of -possible trouble. Study also the markings of the terrain about Raja. -If you have never been to Raja, it is a village of perhaps twenty -bamboo huts. It is completely surrounded by wild country where no white -man could survive for long. I have been told that from an airplane you -cannot see a patch of ground level enough for a man to lie down on. -High mountains, deep valleys, and jungle filled gorges. But there <i>is</i> -flat ground there. An area big enough for five hundred airplanes to -use. The Japanese have made it so, in secret. But you would never be -able to find the place in a hundred years ... without this map. See -where the mountain range coming down from the north meets the one that -extends straight across Burma? See the blue mark made on the map? That -is the spot where you will land when you have given your signal, and -have received a signal in return."</p> - -<p>"Signals?" Dave prompted as Serrangi paused again.</p> - -<p>"Certainly," the Sumatran replied and flung him a scornful look. "You -will circle the spot five times ... no more and no less ... to let -General Kashomia know that you come from me. You will circle around -at six thousand feet exactly. A red flare will be your order to come -lower. Other flares will be fired to show you where to land on the -hidden field. You will be escorted straight to General Kashomia when -you have landed, and your plane has stopped. But, mark you well! Do -just as I am directing you; do not make any mistakes when you reach -this spot. Guns will be trained on you, and at General Kashomia's -orders they could shoot you and your plane into small pieces in the -matter of split seconds. Now, you have further questions before we get -under way?"</p> - -<p>"Get under way?" Freddy Farmer echoed sharply. "You mean now, this -night?"</p> - -<p>"And why not?" Serrangi demanded suspiciously. "The sooner you deliver -my report to General Kashomia, the sooner the blow can be struck. Yes, -tonight! Within two hours I shall see that you are taken as close to -the Municipal Airport as is possible. It will then be the darkest hour, -and the risk of being caught will be less. But, you object?"</p> - -<p>"Of course not!" Dave spoke up quickly before Freddy could say -anything. "But there is one thing that makes me very curious. This -friend of yours who is a pilot and wears the uniform of the Royal Air -Force. It is a great honor for whoever makes this flight. I am curious -why your friend ... who has obviously spent so much time making this -map ... does not desire the honor."</p> - -<p>"He does," Serrangi replied with a sly grin. "He would give most -anything for me to send him to Raja. But I cannot do that. His place is -here. There is a great work for him to do. He...."</p> - -<p>The Sumatran paused to chuckle, and then leaned forward in a -confidential attitude.</p> - -<p>"I will suggest a request you make to General Kashomia as part of your -reward," he said. "Ask that you be allowed to fly in one of his bombing -planes on the day the blow falls. When you come over Singapore you -will see a sight no man may ever see again. The approach of the first -Japanese bomber will be the signal for my R.A.F. friend. Everything -is planned. His hand will push a cleverly hidden detonating plunger -and the buried fuel stores here on Singapore Island, the ammunition -stores, the hidden water reservoirs, and many other things will explode -in one blinding flash that will make Singapore shake from one end of -the Island to the other. Yes, from the very hangars of R.A.F. Base my -friend will push the plunger that will.... But why try to describe the -sight it will be? There are not enough words. However, I suggest that -you request General Kashomia to let you view the sight from a Japanese -bomber in the air. It will be something you will never forget. -Something to tell your Fuehrer when you return to Germany in triumph. -And now, get what rest you can, and study well that map. Meanwhile -I will fetch you food and drink to sustain your strength during the -journey ahead."</p> - -<p>Dave just nodded as the Sumatran glanced questioningly at him and rose -to his feet. Words he might say gagged in his throat. His head whirled -in an invisible mass of white flame, and every ounce of blood seemed -to drain from his body. The words that had passed from Serrangi's lips -during the last half hour, or so, were so stunning, so brain numbing -that he could hardly force thoughts to register. It was like something -he might be reading out of a book thriller. Not something that was to -happen in real life. It couldn't be ... but it was. Doom, terrible -certain doom, hovered over Britain's mighty armed outpost of Singapore. -Hovered above it to come crashing down when a certain Japanese general -at Raja, in Burma, gave the signal.</p> - -<p>"It can't happen!" Dave said fiercely to himself as Serrangi glided -past him toward the rear of the rug shop. "Dear God, please, it mustn't -happen!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWELVE" id="CHAPTER_TWELVE">CHAPTER TWELVE</a><br /> -<small><i>Wings of Chaos</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Dave pressed himself flat to the ground, and dug his fingers into the -soft earth as though to prevent some invisible force from catching him -up and tossing him off into space. All about was pitch darkness save -for a few hangar lights on the far side of Singapore's R.A.F. Base. -High overhead billions and billions of stars winked solemnly down on a -world seemingly gone stark raving mad with war. In the distance there -was sound, but it was so jumbled and so indistinct that it had no -meaning for listening ears. For a brief instant Dave closed his eyes -tight and pressed his face hard against the warm ground. Then he raised -his head and turned it toward Freddy Farmer who hugged the ground right -at his side.</p> - -<p>"You're fully awake, aren't you, Freddy?" he whispered. "This wouldn't -be any cockeyed nightmare I'm going through, would it?"</p> - -<p>"A blasted fine chance of that!" the English youth replied with a -groan. "I'm trying to make up my mind whether we're completely balmy, -or just off our toppers. This is a mad business, Dave! Insane!"</p> - -<p>"You're not telling me a thing!" Dawson breathed and squinted across -the night blackened R.A.F. Base at the faint hangar lights. "But the -heck of it is, we walked right into it, and we can't walk right out -again!"</p> - -<p>"If we could only get to the Raffles Hotel, and contact that agent -of Bostworth's, and get some word to him!" Freddy Farmer said with a -bitter sigh.</p> - -<p>"I know," Dave grunted. "But Serrangi is no dummy no matter how you -look at it. We haven't been out of his sight since we walked into -the rug shop almost three hours ago. I had hoped he was going to let -us come out here on our own. Maybe then we could have slipped by the -Raffles and gotten some word to Bostworth. Nix, though! Serrangi came -out with us in that Nineteen-Six jallopy, and showed us the path -through the brush up to the edge of the field, here. And a funny -sensation in the middle of my back tells me that he's back there a ways -<i>still</i> keeping an eye on us. We sure picked something this time, pal. -We picked a pip, and I ain't kidding."</p> - -<p>"But if only Bostworth knew...!" Freddy began and let the rest trail -off.</p> - -<p>"Knew what?" Dave murmured. "That's the point! What could we really -tell him that would make sense? Darn little, pal. Less than that, in -fact. Serrangi tells us that at a given signal some rat at R.A.F. -Base is going to blow lots of things sky high. He tells us that a Jap -General has a hidden field with plenty planes up near Raja, in Burma. -At the right time the Jap is going to blow the whistle, and things are -supposed to pop in lots of places. And in my pocket I've got what looks -like a pencil, only it's rolled up code data Serrangi gave us to give -to General Kashomia. There you are."</p> - -<p>"Well?" Freddy Farmer grunted. "Isn't that a lot?"</p> - -<p>"It's nothing when you pick it apart," Dave said. "Figure it out. We -don't know who the R.A.F. rat is, and Bostworth doesn't. Maybe there is -a Jap general up at Raja with flocks of planes. So what? Is Bostworth -going to send R.A.F. planes up there on our say-so to blast them out? -Declare war on Japan, just like that? Fat chance! The British don't do -things that way. Also, we don't know where the hidden field really is -until we see the flare signals the Japs are to send up. Yeah! Burmese -would get kind of sore if the British flew all over their country -dumping bombs, trying to blast somebody they <i>think</i> is there. And -here's a point, too. We don't know the striking date. It may be right -after we get there ... and whether we get there, or not! Chances are, -by the time Bostworth could induce Far East High Command to swing into -action the Japs might be swinging their sneak haymaker. And this code -data I've got in my pocket. Think Serrangi would have trusted us with -it <i>if</i> there was even the slimmest chance that British Intelligence -could break the code in time. Nuts! So what have we got?"</p> - -<p>"You're right!" Freddy Farmer groaned. "Blasted little. Really nothing, -when you come to look at it. But I hate to think of turning over that -code data to General Kashomia! No doubt it's complete information of -our strength, and such, here in the Far East. Probably high military -secrets we've guarded for years."</p> - -<p>"At least," Dave grunted. "And it puts us right behind the eight ball. -We've <i>got</i> to turn it over to General Kashomia. Nothing happens until -we do. And <i>we</i> can't do anything until something <i>does</i> happen. We've -sort of got to pay out more rope, and pray we can take up the slack -fast when we have to. If you get what I mean?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but what a chance we've got to take!" Freddy said in a voice that -trembled slightly. "If we fail, Dave.... I mean, if things go through -as the blasted Japs seem to be planning, the blood of Singapore will be -on our hands. It will be because we failed. It...!"</p> - -<p>Dave stuck out an elbow and jabbed the English youth in the side.</p> - -<p>"Cut it!" he hissed. "That's not Freddy Farmer talking! Let's beat -our brains out after we've failed. And, pal, that's something you and -I just ain't going to up and do. Not while we can stand up and keep -punching. So, heave that kind of talk in the river, Mister!"</p> - -<p>Dave felt pressure on his arm, and heard Freddy's emotion choked voice.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, Dave. I'm all right, now. I wish you'd kick me, and hard."</p> - -<p>"I'll take a rain check on that invite," Dave said with a chuckle. "But -forget it, Freddy. Heck! You'd up and leave me flat, if you knew some -of the thoughts that have been breezing around in <i>my</i> head. So skip -it. I guess it's this waiting that's getting us. I wish Serrangi's boys -would hurry up and start the fireworks so's we can get started. You -know, this sort of thing is darn near getting to be a habit."</p> - -<p>"What is?" Freddy wanted to know.</p> - -<p>"Posing as Axis agents, and swiping a British plane," Dave said. -"Remember that time when we were on convoy patrol, and had to waltz off -with that Catalina? We were plenty lucky then, and I've got a hunch -we're going to have to be twice as lucky this time."<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> - -<p>"Lucky to get off without British bullets in our backs," Freddy Farmer -murmured. "And lucky if <i>all</i> the gas tanks are filled. It will -certainly be a blasted mess if our gas gives out and we have to force -land somewhere in Thailand, or Burma."</p> - -<p>Dave didn't make any reply to that for the simple reason there wasn't -anything to be said. Perhaps the most pronounced fear of all regarding -the wild, crazy venture into which they were plunging blindly was -the fear of their fuel running out on them before they had reached -the hidden airdrome in the wild Burmese mountains. If it was to be a -Wellington or Whitley bomber they were to take aloft there wouldn't be -any worry at all. But stealing a bomber was definitely out. It took -time to get those babies off the ground, and possible British fighter -planes giving chase could catch a bomber in short order. So it had to -be the fastest two seater type at the Base. And as luck would have it -they had spotted the six Bristol "Taurus" powered Fairey "Albacores" -on the tarmac but a few seconds after they had reached the place -where they now hugged the ground. They could make the distance in an -Albacore. It might be close, but everything would be in their favor. -They could get one off fast, they could gain altitude in the night sky -fast, and an Albacore had a level flight speed that wasn't too much -under the speed of a single seater fighter plane. Yes, it might be -close, but an Albacore was their best bet. So they had picked the one -they would rush for just as soon as Serrangi's men created the planned -"disturbance" on the far side of the field.</p> - -<p>But it was the body tingling waiting that dragged you down. It was like -rats inside of you gnawing and gnawing at your nerves until you had to -sink your teeth deep into your lips to stop from screaming and mentally -flying apart in small pieces. Waiting! Waiting for what? A chance to -rush out across the night shadowed drome, and smack into the withering -fire of British guards? To steal a plane and race madly up into the -night sky ... and be caught by British planes and sent hurtling -earthward a ball of raging fire? To reach Raja and turn over the -secret code data, and then stand by helpless as a gigantic, treacherous -blow by the Nazi backed Japanese was struck at England in the Far East? -To....</p> - -<p>Dave shook his head savagely to blast the taunting thoughts from his -brain. Many, many times in the past had he and Freddy tackled a problem -that seemed hopeless, but never anything so seemingly utterly hopeless -as this. It wasn't a case of just ferreting out the enemy's secret, -and then smashing him. On the contrary, it was actually the direct -opposite. Freddy and he were going to <i>give the enemy what he needed</i>, -and then attempt to smash him <i>before he could make use of it</i>! Pure -and simple, it was no more than handing a killer a loaded gun, and then -taking it away from him before he could shoot you between the eyes. It -was crazy, it was ridiculous, it was absurd, and it was insane. Yet it -was the only thing they could do. They had to play it this way. There -was no other loophole, and no chance to dive through it if one should -suddenly present itself. It....</p> - -<p>The rest of Dave's whirling thoughts spun off into oblivion as gun fire -and wild shouting suddenly broke out on the far side of the field. It -was like high voltage cutting through both of them, and they came -up on their toes and fingertips as one man. For a brief instant they -poised motionless eyes fixed on the tongue of flame that suddenly shot -up from some building way over beyond the hangars. Then a silent signal -passed between them and they went tearing bent well over out across one -corner of the field toward the nearest Fairey Albacore some seventy -yards away.</p> - -<p>Seventy yards? It seemed seventy miles to Dave as he and Freddy Farmer -fairly flew over the ground like a couple of frightened deer. With -each racing step he took he half expected to see a British soldier -rise right up out of the ground and level a rifle at him. No British -soldier appeared, however, and hope zoomed in Dave as he saw the tarmac -guards start running in the direction of the shouts, the shots, and the -flames. The thought of death was not something that held him in fear -and trembling. But to be mowed down by one of your own kind was a death -no man would desire, if death it must be.</p> - -<p>Seventy yards, thirty yards, ten yards, one yard! And then Dave and -Freddy virtually vaulted into the pit of the Albacore. No plans had -been made by them in advance about who would take what seat. It just -happened to work out that Dave popped into the pilot's seat, and -Freddy Farmer popped into the navigator-gunner's seat in back. Heart -jammed up hard against his back teeth, and nervous sweat pouring -off his body in rivers, Dave's fingers flew over the gas cocks, and -starter, and ignition switches on the instrument panel. At the same -time ... it was as though he had twenty hands instead of two ... he -fastened the harness buckles of the seat parachute pack, hooked the -safety belt clamp, opened up the throttle, and booted off the wheel -brakes. The last operation was to jab the starter button ... and pray -as he had never before prayed in all of his young years!</p> - -<p>An eternity of heart crushing agony was Dave's, and then the Bristol -Taurus in the nose roared up in its full throated song of power. The -Albacore trembled and quivered for a brief instant and then shot -forward as though ropes holding it back had been slashed through. -Braced for the shock, Dave bent more forward over the stick and grimly -waited for the craft to pick up sufficient take-off speed. With every -revolution of the three-bladed steel propeller the plane tore faster -and faster across the hard sun baked surface of the Base field. A -thousand and one weird, crazy images seemed to pop up out of the ground -just in front of the thundering plane. Dave's imagination went on a -holiday during those few awful moments. He saw squads of British India -troops loom up and blast away at the plane with rifle and machine gun -fire, he saw armored cars rushing toward him from all angles, with guns -blazing, and he saw a half division of tanks move like lightning into -position to bar his way. He saw everything that an excitement quivering -brain could conjure up. But all the plane actually crashed into was the -air of night faintly tinted by the glow of the flames somewhere in back -of the hangars.</p> - -<p>And then the wheels lifted and Dave sent the Albacore curving up and -around in the night sky. As he held the craft at its maximum climbing -angle he twisted around in the seat and shot a quick glance down at the -R.A.F. Base. Lights had sprung up all over the place, and he could just -barely see the figures running toward the lines of planes. Some quarter -of a mile in back of the row of hangars red flames were gutting an -equipment stores building. The thing, however, that made Dave's heart -slide down to its normal position in his chest was the utter absence -of gun fire spitting up toward them. They had caught the field guards -flat footed, and they would be well out of sight before British single -seaters could come tearing up after them.</p> - -<p>Taking his gaze off the scene below, Dave twisted all the way around -and looked back at Freddy. In the pale light of the cockpit bulb the -English youth's face was tense and set. And there was just a faint -sadness in the eyes that stared down at the R.A.F. Base falling away -from the Albacore's belly at a fast rate of speed.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, pal?" Dave called out. "Sad they didn't pepper away -at us?"</p> - -<p>"Don't talk rot!" Freddy snappily flinging him a scornful glance. "I'm -jolly well tickled pink they didn't. I was just thinking that the Japs -must never get Singapore, Dave. It means a lot to England, Singapore -does. Like Gibraltar, and Malta."</p> - -<p>"Oh, so that's all that's worrying you, huh?" Dave echoed. "I thought -it was something serious. Well, go on back to sleep. I'll take care of -everything for you, see?"</p> - -<p>"That's splendid!" Freddy cracked and nodded downward. "As a starter, -then, you can climb us a little faster. A couple of planes down there -are taking off. And from here they look like Hawker Hurricanes!"</p> - -<p>"Huh?" Dave yelled and shoved his head over the side. "My gosh, that's -right. Hang on! I'm going to stick this baby right on her tail and go -right up the pole!"</p> - -<p>"Do that, and shut up!" Freddy said as the Bristol Taurus roared out in -maximum power.</p> - -<p>Holding the plane up as steeply as possible and toward the south -Dave gave it his undivided attention until top service ceiling had -been reached and the Island of Singapore was just another one of the -blurred shadows thousands and thousands of feet below his wings. At -top ceiling he leveled off and took a suck now and then on the oxygen -tube he had stuck in his mouth to prevent sudden blacking out. Then on -sudden impulse he killed the Albacore's engine and glided southward at -a very flat angle while he spent the next five minutes scrutinizing the -limitless expanse of night air behind and below. At the end of five -minutes he started the engine again and heaved a little sigh of relief. -They were clear of Singapore, and had succeeded in shaking off the two -R.A.F. planes sent up to intercept them. Now, all that remained was -to fly south for a spell, then double back up the middle of the South -China Sea toward the southern tip of French Indo-China, and so on.</p> - -<p>"Simple, in the bag!" Dave suddenly grated savagely as reaction set in. -"All we have to do is the impossible. It should be a cinch!"</p> - -<p>"What did you say, Dave?" came Freddy's voice.</p> - -<p>"I said, I hope it'll be a nice day for something!" Dave grunted and -shrugged his shoulders. "And do I <i>hope</i>!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_THIRTEEN" id="CHAPTER_THIRTEEN">CHAPTER THIRTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Blue Water Rattlesnake</i></small></h2> - - -<p>Without warning the dawn sun came flaming up over the eastern lip of -the wall, and as though the gods had thrown up millions and millions -of invisible blinds, the shadows of night fled away into eternity and -all was bathed in flashing gold light. For some time now, the Bristol -powered Fairey Albacore had been prop clawing northward high above the -endless rolling blue swells of the South China Sea. With the coming -of the sun there had been a few seconds of wonder and nerve tingling -strain for both Freddy and Dave. Although Freddy had plugged the radio -into the Singapore wave length, and heard searching aircraft report -they had lost all contact with the "stolen" plane, there was always the -possibility that the "thieves" might find a flight or two of British -aircraft right smack-dab in front of them when the new sun drove the -night westward and out of sight.</p> - -<p>However, as luck would have it, the exploding dawn light had found them -completely alone in that section of the world's heavens. Both of them -spent minutes staring hard in all directions. But there was nothing to -see but the brassy blue sky above, and the brassy blue water below. -Breathing a silent prayer in thanks of that small kindness, Dave turned -around to Freddy.</p> - -<p>"What's our position, Navigator?" he asked. "My rough figuring of wind, -speed, and direction puts us almost within sight of land. Am I right or -wrong, and what do those navigation gadgets back there tell you, huh?"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer, in the act of bending over the plane's navigation -instruments, lifted a hand for Dave not to bother him. Almost -immediately he jerked up his head, though, pressed his fingertips to -the built-in headphones of the helmet he wore, and stared straight -ahead like a man suddenly sent into a trance. Dave opened his mouth -to speak, but thought better of it. Obviously the English youth was -getting something over the radio. And it was also obvious that he -wasn't going to say anything about it until he had heard it all. And so -instead of speaking, Dave bent down and began fiddling with the radio -panel fitted to his own instrument panel. However, before he could -shove in the radio-jack and tune the set Freddy Farmer was pounding him -on the shoulder with one clenched fist, and yelling words in his ears.</p> - -<p>"That was an SOS call to Singapore Base, Dave!" Freddy yelled. "It's -a courier plane coming up from Australia. It's run into some kind of -trouble. I couldn't tell what, because the message is all garbled up. -But the operator says they are going down, and need help. I got their -position signals just before they faded out. I figure that the spot is -not over fifty miles to our east, Dave!"</p> - -<p>"That's tough!" Dawson said and gave his pal a questioning look. "But -what can we do about it, Freddy? This isn't a flyingboat. We couldn't -sit down on the water and rescue them, even if we did find them."</p> - -<p>"I know, I know!" Freddy said and gave a little shake of his head. -"But, Dave.... But, Dave, it's possible that we're the only ones who -got their signals. They were mighty weak. I almost missed them, myself. -We could at least find the plane, and radio Singapore for them, and -then get away before any R.A.F. Catalinas showed up."</p> - -<p>Dave nodded slowly, but screwed up his face in a grimace of doubt and -hesitation as he did so. True it was only fifty miles off their course. -But that meant fifty miles off, and fifty miles back on again. A total -of one hundred air miles. And they would be playing things close enough -with the gas and oil supply, as it was. And, too....</p> - -<p>"It's a British courier plane, and needs help, Dave!" Freddy Farmer's -voice cut into his thoughts. "Blast it, we just can't let the lads -down, Dave! We'd never be able to look each other in the face again, if -we did."</p> - -<p>Dave was forced to grin in spite of the seriousness of the situation. -Good old Freddy Farmer. He was running true to form. His own neck was -very, very far from being safe, and maybe he wouldn't even have a neck -by this time tomorrow. Yet he wasn't giving that little item a single -thought. Somebody else's life was in jeopardy, and that's all that -concerned him at the moment. Help the other fellow, and then give a -thought to himself ... maybe.</p> - -<p>"Okay, okay!" Dave finally shouted and heeled the plane around on -wingtip. "Did I say, no? Can't a guy argue, huh? But if we find out -that they just thought they were being forced down then you're getting -out and walking home, my little man. So here we go. And let's see you -give those cat's eyes of yours a really good workout this time!"</p> - -<p>A little over an hour later Dave dug knuckles into his tired, aching -eyes, and once more looked down over the side of the Bristol Taurus -powered Fairey Albacore, of the Singapore Fighter Command, at the -seemingly endless expanse of the South China Sea. The burning rays -of the brass ball, that was the sun hanging in the sky above, beat -downward to turn the rolling swells into one great sheet of shimmering -blue-green glass. To spot anything down there was like trying to spot a -fly walking across the face of the sun, itself.</p> - -<p>"Any luck, pal?" he called back over his shoulder to Freddy Farmer in -the gunner's pit.</p> - -<p>"No! And I think I'm going blind!" the English youth groaned. "That -courier plane must have crashed in and sunk like a rock at once. This -is the exact spot where they reported going down, but I swear there's -nothing down there but water."</p> - -<p>"And you're only looking at the <i>top</i> of it!" Dave grunted. "I wonder -if we should chance calling Singapore Base, and...."</p> - -<p>Dave cut himself off short and jerked his head around to the east. -Perhaps it was just his imagination playing him tricks, but he could -have sworn that he'd caught a strange flash of light out the corner of -his eye that was more than just the rays of the burning sun bouncing -up off the water. For a full minute, though, he peered intently at a -point on the shimmering blue surface a good fifteen miles off his right -wings. Then as he made a grimace of disappointment, and was about to -turn his head front, he spotted it again. It was the sun's reflection -on something that rose up out of the water and promptly fell back out -of sight again.</p> - -<p>"Hey, Eagle Eyes!" he called to Freddy Farmer and pointed a finger. -"Take a look over there and down. Do you see what I see? And, if so, -what in heck is it?"</p> - -<p>It was several seconds before the English youth spoke, but when he did -his voice trembled with excitement.</p> - -<p>"That's the wing of a wrecked plane, Dave!" he cried. "Most of it's -submerged ... maybe it's still attached to the plane ... but the swells -are making it poke up out of water. It.... Dave! It has the R.A.F. -bullseye on it. Must be the courier plane we've been hunting. Get us -over there fast, Dave!"</p> - -<p>The last was quite unnecessary. Dawson had already heeled the Albacore -around on wingtip and was tearing full out in the direction of the -strange looking object. And then, when they were still a few miles -short of the spot, something else happened. Something that caused both -youths to let out a simultaneous cry of wild excitement. The bow of a -dull painted blue-green submarine came poking up through to the surface -of the water not over a hundred yards from the bobbing wing.</p> - -<p>In the matter of a few seconds the top half of the undersea craft was -above water, and riding on an even keel. And once again Dave and Freddy -saw the conning tower hatch open up, and squat little figures pop out -and go scampering forward to the bow gun. It was the sight of that -little bit of action that helped Freddy Farmer to find his tongue.</p> - -<p>"That's the same boat as yesterday, Dave!" he cried. "Or an identical -sister ship, anyway. Look out for the beggars. For heaven's sake don't -let them shoot us down two days in a row. Better not get too close to -the blighters."</p> - -<p>Dave didn't say anything. The eyes he held fixed on the submarine were -brittle with anger, and memory caused a lump of cold rage to swell up -bigger and bigger inside of him. However, he made no effort to climb -for altitude. As a matter of fact, he reached out his free hand and -deliberately throttled the Bristol Taurus down to a whisper. Freddy -reached forward and rapped him sharply on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"You in your right mind, Dave?" he cried. "What in the world's the -idea? You're making us a perfect target for them. Have you gone balmy?"</p> - -<p>"Not yet!" Dave barked and nosed the Albacore down into a long flat -glide. "Shake up the old brains, pal. They don't see us, and can't. -We're right in the sun to them. No! They're breaking out that bow gun -for another purpose. And I've got a pretty good idea what it is, too."</p> - -<p>"What?" Freddy demanded.</p> - -<p>Dave nodded his head forward and down.</p> - -<p>"To get rid of that plane wreckage that's bobbing around," he said. -"Ask me and I'll tell you that the wreckage is all that's left of the -courier plane that sent out that SOS. Remember our little unpleasant -experience yesterday?"</p> - -<p>"I'm jolly well not likely to forget it!" the English youth growled. -"What about it?"</p> - -<p>"I could be wrong, but I've got a hunch I'm not," Dave said with a deep -scowl. "I mean it this way. This spot isn't far from where we spotted -that strange sub yesterday throwing light signals at us. Well, we went -down for a better look, and what happened? We got clipped before we -had time to take a deep breath. Well, what happens to one guy can -happen to somebody else. No law against it. See?"</p> - -<p>"So far," Freddy grunted.</p> - -<p>"Well, it's simple," Dave continued. "The courier plane was spotted by -the sub. The sub, thinking it was Serrangi's R.A.F. boy friend, started -flashing signals. Well, the courier plane boys went down to see what it -was all about ... just like we did. And they caught just what we -did ... only worse and more of it ... when the sub commander realized -his mistake. The courier plane had time just to send the word to -Singapore Base it was going down, and give its position, before it -crashed in. Well, the sub heard those signals and after ducking away, -came back to remove all traces of their dirty work. And.... And that's -what they're doing right now!"</p> - -<p>Dave shouted the last as the two bow guns aboard the submarine belched -out flame and smoke and hurled a couple of shells at the bobbing wing -at almost blank range. At practically the same instant there were two -white splashes of water not a yard from the bobbing wing. And then a -great column of frothy foam and billowing smoke towered upward into the -air. And for a brief instant the sun drenched blue water seemed to -split apart and spew up a mess of tangled water-logged wreckage. Just -a split second look at the shattered wreckage was all that the boys -were allowed before froth and boiling foam sucked the mess down out of -sight forever. But that split second was long enough for them both to -see that the wreckage had once been an R.A.F. long range Consolidated -Catalina flyingboat. The type that is used all over the world by the -British for courier plane work.</p> - -<p>"That was the courier plane, right enough!" Freddy Farmer said in a -choked voice. "Blast their dirty souls. They shot the poor devils down -in cold blood, like they tried to do to us. And, now ... and now, -they...."</p> - -<p>The English youth couldn't go on, he was so choked up with blind rage. -A split instant later Dave opened up his engine wide and stuck the -Albacore's nose down in a wing screaming dive.</p> - -<p>"Man those rear guns, Freddy!" he thundered at the top of his voice. -"Maybe England hasn't declared war on Japan, but you and I are -declaring war on that stinking Jap pig-boat down there ... and right -now!"</p> - -<p>"But we've no depth bombs, or torpedo!" Freddy cried, but nevertheless -swiveling around and unlocked his rear guns.</p> - -<p>"Who cares?" Dave roared and hunched forward over the stick. "There's -a few of those brown rats on deck. We can at least cook their goose. -We.... Hold your hat! They've sighted us, and are trying to bring their -guns to bear. No, you don't ... you dime a dozen, slant eye bums!"</p> - -<p>As Dave snarled the last he flipped off the guard cap of the electric -trigger button of his forward guns, and jabbed the button home. His -guns yammered out a savage song of death and the group of little brown -figures clustered about the forward guns seem to melt to the deck and -roll off into the water, before either of the two guns could spew its -load of destructive shrapnel upward.</p> - -<p>However, no sooner did the bow gunners take their dose of death and -spill into the water than a new crew popped up out of the conning tower -hatch and scurried forward to replace them. Others also popped up into -view, each armed with a portable machine gun. They dropped in back of -the conning tower bridge for what protection it would afford them and -began blazing away. Dave felt the Albacore shake and tremble a little -as a well placed burst went tearing up through the right wings. But he -didn't swerve from his straight downward plunge a hair. He and Freddy -would have to risk the machine gun fire. It was the bow guns he had to -put out of action. Rather, he had to send the second crew spilling off -after the first. Let those two guns get in their licks and the Albacore -would be a mess of metal toothpicks flying about in the air.</p> - -<p>And so Dave held the plane steady and tore down until it looked as -though he were going to dive right into the bow mounted guns. In the -last instant allowed he let fly with his guns, practically tore the new -gun crews to bleeding shreds with his deadly fire, and went curving -upward and around to give Freddy Farmer a point blank shot at the -half crouching machine gunners. And the English youth didn't waste a -split second, or a single shot from his twin guns. His fire was every -bit as deadly as Dave's, and it knocked over the crouching machine -gunners like a shotgun would knock over frozen birds perched on an icy -telephone wire. The little Japs went down like ten pins. And what's -more, they stayed down!</p> - -<p>Then, suddenly, as Freddy Farmer let drive with a parting burst, a -column of orange red flame came shooting up out of the open conning -tower. It leaped three hundred feet straight up into the air and then -blossomed out on all sides like a gigantic flower of fire. At almost -the same instant invisible giants down in the depths of the shimmering -blue water seemed to push upward against the keel of the submarine. The -whole craft rose clear out of water, seemed to hover motionless for a -split second, and then buckle in the middle and fall back in again. -White spray, red flame, and boiling smoke spread out in all directions. -And then presently there was nothing but an ever widening oil slick on -the water to indicate the spot where the submarine had gone down for -good.</p> - -<p>Struck speechless by the weird, horrible sight, both boys stared frozen -eyed for a long moment. Then Dave shook himself out of his trance and -hauled the Albacore off the top of its zoom. Once the plane was level -he twisted around and grinned at Freddy.</p> - -<p>"What was that about not having depth bombs, or aerial torpedoes?" he -echoed. "Boy! With you around to shoot right down the open conning -tower and touch off something in her innards, we don't need anything -else. Nice going, pal! That gets you a kewpie doll, or something."</p> - -<p>"Think <i>what</i> it gets me, if British High Command ever finds out!" -Freddy Farmer said in a tight voice. "Good Lord, Dave! I've just sunk a -Japanese submarine, and...."</p> - -<p>"Yeah, I know!" Dave cut in sharply. "England's not even at war with -Japan ... yet! The big shots in London and Tokio haven't made it -official, yet. Lot of good that did <i>us</i> yesterday, didn't it! And a -lot of good it did those poor devils aboard the courier plane! Nuts! -You and your traditional rules of war give me a pain in the neck. Wake -up, little man. That sort of thing is all changed these days. Nowadays -you hit first, you hit hard, and you hit for keeps! If you don't you're -going to find yourselves waking up in a hospital ... if you <i>do</i> wake -up!"</p> - -<p>"Yes," Freddy Farmer mumbled and swallowed hard. "Yes, of course you're -dead right. But, it gives a chap a queer feeling just the same. I mean, -if that had been a Nazi U-boat, why...."</p> - -<p>"Who says a Nazi wasn't her commander?" Dave snapped. "Jap, Nazi, or -one of Mussolini's funny looking things! Who cares? It's down where -it belongs, now. And down to stay. And I still say that was sweet -shooting, sonny boy. Sinks a sub with a couple of machine guns. No, I -guess we'd better not ever report it. Nobody would ever believe us. -We'd be called a couple of first class.... <i>Omigosh!</i>"</p> - -<p>"What's the matter?" Freddy Farmer cried in alarm as Dave stiffened and -jerked his head front. "Another one?"</p> - -<p>"No such luck!" Dave cried and heeled the Albacore around toward -the northwest. "I'll have to wait until next time for my chance to -duplicate your neat little trick. No. I just took a look at the gas -gauges? Did you ever do much camping out, Freddy? I mean, just go out -and live off the land, and all that sort of thing?"</p> - -<p>"I have a little," Freddy replied. Then sharply, "But what the blasted -blazes are you raving about, now? What <i>is</i> the matter?"</p> - -<p>"Not a thing, not a thing!" Dave chanted and stuck the nose down -slightly to pick up all the extra speed he could. "Only we've been -using up fuel like there was a filling station out here every other -mile. Unless Lady Luck gives us one awful big break we may have to do -some camping out tonight somewhere maybe in the wilds of Thailand or -Burma."</p> - -<p>"But we can't, Dave!" Freddy cried before he could check his tongue. -"We've got to get to Raja, or ... or Lord knows what may happen."</p> - -<p>Dave turned around and squinted an eye at his pal.</p> - -<p>"Brother, are you kidding?" he muttered. "Or didn't you think I knew -that?"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FOURTEEN" id="CHAPTER_FOURTEEN">CHAPTER FOURTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Raja, the Invisible</i></small></h2> - - -<p>For the ten millionth time in the last five minutes Dave Dawson let -his eyes come to rest on the main and emergency gas tank gauges on -the instrument board. Both needles were pressed hard against the zero -peg, and they had been that way for the last five minutes. It was as -though the powerful engine in the nose was now simply running on its -reputation. Of course, that wasn't true. Even when the gauge shows you -have no gas there is always a certain amount left in the feed lines -that will permit the power plant to function for a bit longer. But the -Bristol Taurus had been turning over for five full minutes on seemingly -dry tanks, and as far as Dave was concerned that was most certainly -some kind of a record for aircraft engines.</p> - -<p>And so as he stared at the gauges again there was bewildered amazement -in his eyes ... and a cold lump of fear in his stomach. If Freddy's -navigation had been accurate, and if the land marks they had been able -to sight from their high altitude really were those that were marked on -the flight map Serrangi had given them, they were still a good fifty or -sixty miles short of their destination!</p> - -<p>If they were flying over England, or the States, or eastern Canada, -or places like that, there would be no cause for worry and the cold -lump of fear. But, they were flying over the godawful region of the -world cut by the Thailand-Burma border. And they had only to glance -down over the side to realize full well what would happen when their -engine finally gave up and they were forced down. True, they might live -through it; they stood a chance. Perhaps it was only a million to one -chance. However, if they could sit down in the tree tops, or on the -side of the rocky jagged peaked mountains, or on the bottom of some -jungle choked gorge ... and not break every bone in their bodies ... -everything would be fine. At least for the time being. What happened -tomorrow, the next week, and the next year, were things best not to -think about.</p> - -<p>"We've got to make it, Dave! We've got to make it! Get all the altitude -you can. It will give us a longer glide."</p> - -<p>Dave clenched his teeth hard, and fought back the savage impulse to -spin around and let fly with a barrage of verbal abuse at Freddy -Farmer. Only the cold realization that his own pal's nerves were every -bit as frayed as his prevented him from doing so. And after all, for -the last hour it had been Freddy Farmer who had kept the conversation -going to take their thoughts off the approaching inevitable, and ease -the torturing strain somewhat. Yes, they had to make it. But would -they? If the engine should cut out now would they be able to make the -rest of the distance in a glide? True, they had almost top ceiling -under their wings, but it would still be a long glide. And to reach the -spot indicated on the map and then circle it five times at the exact -altitude of six thousand feet was something that was strictly up to the -gods. In his heart, Dave had the quaking feeling that they wouldn't be -able to circle the spot once at even six feet.</p> - -<p>"Or even reach it!" he spoke the thought harshly. "We got us a Jap sub, -but heaven knows what wasting that time is going to cost us."</p> - -<p>"And it was my fault, Dave!" Freddy Farmer's voice suddenly spoke in -Dave's ear. "I'm sorry as can be. I shouldn't have suggested that we -go look for the courier plane. After all, we were on a mighty important -mission."</p> - -<p>Dave swung around and fixed him with a scornful eye.</p> - -<p>"Eavesdropping on what a guy even says to himself, huh?" he growled. -Then softening his words with a grin, "You stick to your knitting, son, -and leave us grown-ups alone. And don't start grabbing off credit for -going on that courier plane hunt. I had my mind all made up to do it -before you so much as opened your yap. I was just waiting to hear what -you thought of the idea. And besides, this little old engine hasn't -stopped <i>yet</i>, has it?"</p> - -<p>The last word hadn't even started to become an echo before the Bristol -Taurus in the nose uttered a few rusty metallic gasps and then became -silent as a tomb, save for the soft swish of the propeller as momentum -turned it over in the wind. Freddy Farmer gulped and forced a smile to -his lips.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'm afraid it has, Dave," he said. "But it's certainly been a -blasted wonder up to now. Well, we've got lots and lots of altitude for -gliding. And now that the engine's stopped, it is a bit peaceful up -here, don't you think?"</p> - -<p>"Very," Dave said with a nod. Then chuckling, "I'd like to stay up -here awhile. Boy! <i>How</i> I'd like to stay up here awhile! But I always -was a selfish cuss. Any particular altitude at which you'd like to get -out, Mister? We're making all stops on the way down, you know."</p> - -<p>"Just let me out at the ground floor!" Freddy replied with a slight -grin on his stiff lips. "And I mean the ground floor, not the basement, -my good man!"</p> - -<p>Dave gave a little wave of his hand to acknowledge the wisecrack and -then concentrated every ounce of his attention on keeping the Fairey -Albacore just a hair below the stalling point. Every inch of altitude -he saved was at least five inches farther forward the plane would be -able to travel. It wasn't a question of precious feet, or yards, or -miles, now. It was a matter of inches. And every additional inch was -just another little bit in their favor.</p> - -<p>But as Dave held the controls in a steel fingered grip and peered -narrow eyed ahead at the heart chilling terrain, the little hammers -of dread and doubt began to pound away in his brain. His mouth and -throat became dry, and the cold lump of lead formed once more in the -pit of his stomach. He had flown over a lot of terrible country in his -time, but nothing like this. As far as he could see in any direction -there wasn't a piece of flat ground big enough to place your foot on. -Nothing but jagged rock sided mountains, and deep ravines choked with -jungle growth. A plane force-landing would be ripped to ribbons before -it touched the ground. And even though its occupants did live through -the crash it would really be only postponing death. Death in a thousand -different forms would be waiting for them down there in the jungle when -they tried to fight their way out to civilization. It was an airman's -graveyard, that's what it was. It....</p> - -<p>Dave cut short the rest of his disagreeable thoughts as he felt Freddy -Farmer's hand pound down on his shoulder, and heard the English youth's -excited voice in his ears.</p> - -<p>"Bear a few degrees to port, Dave!" Freddy cried. "I guess our compass -must have gone a bit balmy, or my last calculation of position was -wrong. Look way over there to the left and ahead! There's the sharp -S bend in the Salween River that's marked on this map. Dave! If I'm -right, we're not in the soup at all. We should make that easily in a -glide. And not get down below six thousand feet, either!"</p> - -<p>Dave leaned forward, wiped the back of his hand across his stinging -eyes, and squinted hard. But the hope that had zoomed up within him at -Freddy Farmer's words took a nose dive when he couldn't see anything -on the ground that looked like the S turn in a river. As far as he -could see the few square miles indicated by Freddy's pointed finger -weren't one bit different from the hundreds of other square miles of -treacherous terrain he could see. However, hope didn't die completely -within him because this was not the first time Freddy's eagle sharp -eyes had spotted things long before he had. Just the same after nosing -the plane to port a bit and slushing forward at the flat gliding angle, -the tiny flame of hope burned lower and lower.</p> - -<p>"Don't you see it, Dave?" Freddy called out finally.</p> - -<p>"Not yet!" Dave replied grimly. "And I hope it's not a mirage you're -seeing. But.... Hold everything! Yeah! see it now, Freddy. Gee! It -looks exactly like a curving shadow on the jungle trees. Yes, that's -the S bend. And we'll make it easy, Freddy, easy. Remind me to hang -another medal on you for sweet eyesight. Me, I would have glided right -on by and not known the difference. Okay, boy! Looks like we're coming -to the end of the line."</p> - -<p>"And the beginning of the worst part, I fancy," Freddy Farmer muttered -through clenched teeth. "Lord, Dave! I hope that beggar, Serrangi, told -us the truth. I mean, that there really is a hidden drome down there."</p> - -<p>"Me, too, and how!" Dave echoed almost reverently. "Between you, me, -and that dead engine in the nose, I'd be tickled pink to drop right -down into Uncle Goering's arms right about now. But, sweet tripe, -Freddy! How could there possibly be a secret drome down there? A hole -in one of the mountains, perhaps? And they shoot them off by catapult? -It just doesn't seem possible, so help me!"</p> - -<p>"It's got to be, it's got to be!" the English youth repeated over and -over. "If we've come this far just to land in some blasted trees, -I'll ... I'll never forgive that black hearted blighter, Serrangi, as -long as I live!"</p> - -<p>Freddy Farmer's crazy remark snapped the tension a little and caused -Dave to laugh out loud.</p> - -<p>"That's telling him, Freddy, old sock!" he cried. "Boy! Would Serrangi -be sore if you never forgave him!"</p> - -<p>"Go ahead and laugh!" Freddy snapped. "But we're not out of the woods, -yet!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, we are!" Dave corrected. "And what we want to do is <i>stay -out</i> of them and not <i>get in</i> them. Catch on?"</p> - -<p>"Quite!" Freddy snapped again. Then thrusting his hand over Dave's -shoulder, he cried, "And there's something else very funny, my lad. -The altimeter. We've got not over four thousand feet left before we -reach the altitude when we start our circle signals."</p> - -<p>"Sure, I know," Dave said good naturedly. "Keep your pants on. Little -Dave has everything under control ... he hopes. Yup! We make it easy. -Get your eyes skinned, Freddy, for signals. We're going to be over the -spot almost any instant, now."</p> - -<p>It was, perhaps, four full minutes before Dave brought the Albacore -directly over the middle of the S bend in the river, and at an altitude -just a shade over six thousand feet. He had allowed an extra hundred -feet so that he would not go too far below the six thousand foot mark -by the time he had completed his five circles. After all, Serrangi had -been most particular about sticking at six thousand feet. And for that -reason he couldn't take chances. If there were Jap guns down there -trained on the Albacore....</p> - -<p>Dave swallowed hard, shook himself as though to drive off the -unpleasant possibility, and hauled the Albacore around for the first -circle. He guided the plane by instinct, keeping the nose no higher -than the law of gravity would allow. He stuck his head out through the -opened cockpit hatch and stared intently downward. Freddy Farmer was -doing the same thing, and like two men of stone they sat rigid in the -pit, not speaking, and hardly daring to breathe.</p> - -<p>Three, four, and five times Dave completed a circle, and by his expert -flying the plane didn't lose more than a hundred feet. The altimeter -needle quivered at the six thousand foot peg when he came out of -the final circle and glided straight northward. That also he did by -instinct for his eyes were still riveted to the ground below. Perhaps -ten seconds clicked by, or perhaps it was ten years. But, suddenly, a -red ball of fire seemed to zoom right up out of the lush green jungle -below them and come arcing up toward the belly of their plane. It -mounted upward no more than a couple of hundred feet, probably, then -curved over and down to wink out before it struck ground.</p> - -<p>"The signal flare, Dave!" Freddy Farmer roared at the top of his voice. -"Serrangi didn't lie to us! There is somebody down there."</p> - -<p>"I knew it all the time, I did!" Dave cracked back, as his heart looped -in his chest with joy. "But, I still want to know <i>where</i> in heck a -field could be down there. It's.... Holy smoke! Am I seeing things, -or ... or what?"</p> - -<p>Dave stuttered out the rest as he stared in dumbfounded amazement -down toward earth. An airplane had suddenly appeared before his very -eyes. It was a swift Japanese Nakajima 96 single seater. A Land of the -Rising Sun copy of the American Boeing F4B. But the cockeyed point -was that the craft, with its red and white rising sun markings and -all, had seemingly popped right out of a tree top. One instant Dave -had been staring at the top of the lush jungle stretch below him, and -in the next he was looking at a Jap plane zooming up toward him at -top climbing speed. It was incredible, it was nuts, and it was all -cockeyed. But, nevertheless, it was fact. The Jap plane was coming up -like a rocket off on a holiday.</p> - -<p>"Dave! I'm not crazy, am I?" came Freddy Farmer's tight voice. "That is -a Jap plane, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Unless we're both crazy!" Dave replied and watched the Jap pilot swing -out wide of them, and then curve back in toward their right wings. -"But where in thunder he came from, don't ask, pal, don't ask! Jumping -Messerschmitts! Will we have something to tell the boys ... if we ever -get back!"</p> - -<p>"You could have left off that last bit," Freddy grunted. "I don't want -to even think about that. There! The lad is signalling, Dave! He's -motioning for us to swing in behind him, and follow him down."</p> - -<p>"Yeah!" Dave said with a nod. "This time I see it with my own eyes. -That dirty brown rat! Boy, is it a temptation, Freddy!"</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" the English born R.A.F. ace demanded.</p> - -<p>"That Jap," Dave said and went through the motion of depressing the -electric trigger button on the stick. "Could I shoot the buck teeth out -of him from here! And with both eyes shut, too! I...."</p> - -<p>"Dave, don't be mad!" Freddy cried in alarm. "That would be a fine -mess."</p> - -<p>"Don't be dumb!" Dave shut him up and chuckled. "Do you think I am? I -was only <i>thinking</i> how good it would make me feel, that's all. Well, -here we really start down, and from now on it's going to be miracles, -as far as I'm concerned. They say a Jap is as good as a monkey in a -tree. Maybe they've got planes that cling to branches like monkeys too. -But, if so, it's going to be too bad for this baby <i>we're</i> in!"</p> - -<p>What happened in the next five minutes was actually not a series of -miracles being revealed for the benefit of the thumping hearted and -aching eyed R.A.F. aces in the Albacore. However, it might just as -well have been. The nearer they glided to the earth in the wake of the -Jap plane, the more and more they both became convinced that there -wasn't a spot big enough for a fly to sit down in down there. However, -when no more than eight hundred feet separated the belly of their plane -from the ground the big "miracle" came to pass.</p> - -<p>Actually, it was simply the truth registering in their amazement filled -eyes. It was not all lush jungle down there. No, not all. They suddenly -saw a half mile long, and two hundred foot wide strip of jungle that -wasn't jungle at all. It only <i>looked</i> like jungle. It was a cleared -off section of ground with camouflage covering so cleverly painted -that it all blended in perfectly with the surrounding lush green, -rock studded landscape. The "strip" ran straight along the lip of a -deep ravine, so that if there seemed to be any difference where the -camouflage met the real thing, it would be taken as a line where the -edge of the ravine dropped off.</p> - -<p>Almost not daring to believe his eyes, Dave gingerly worked the -Albacore around and down toward the southern end of the camouflage -strip. The Jap plane was little more than a couple of hundred yards in -front of him. And even as Dave turned the Albacore around on a line -with the long side of the camouflage strip, the Jap plane touched earth -and quickly taxied ahead until it virtually disappeared under the heavy -jungle foliage at the far end.</p> - -<p>Another fifteen seconds, or so, and Dave's wheels touched ground. -For reasons of personal safety, and also to impress eyes that were -unquestionably watching he made a sweet feather-on-velvet landing and -let the plane truddle slowly forward to finally come to a full stop. -But, no sooner had he stopped rolling than half a dozen Jap mechanics -dashed out, and grabbed the wing tips, and motioned for him to taxi -ahead. He shook his head, and pointed to the dead engine. One of the -mechanics, who seemed to be in charge, turned his head and shrilled -something toward the jungle growth in his native tongue. In practically -nothing flat a dolly crew came streaking out. And in just about the -same time the other mechanics hoisted up the tail of the Albacore, -and the dolly was run under it. Chattering like magpies they caught -hold of the dolly handle and dragged Dave and Freddy backwards off -the camouflage strip and in under the shelter of the jungle trees. To -Dave it was like being hauled backwards into the yawning entrance of a -tunnel. One moment the brassy sun was glaring down on him, and in the -next he was in semi-darkness and staring out through an opening at the -sun flooded world.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FIFTEEN" id="CHAPTER_FIFTEEN">CHAPTER FIFTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Sons of Nippon</i></small></h2> - - -<p>The faint jar as the Albacore's tail was lifted out of the dolly trough -and lowered none too gently to the ground, seemed to snap Dave out of -his trance. He licked his lips, swallowed hard and took a good look -around. For a few seconds he didn't see anything but blurs because -of the sudden change of light. But when they did focus and the blurs -took on definite shapes and outlines, he came within a hair's breadth -of letting out a wild yell of amazement. Even at that he did start -violently, and his eyes popped out of their sockets like marbles on -sticks.</p> - -<p>What he saw was perhaps the most weird, grotesque, unbelievable sight -he had ever seen since the day of his birth. True, he had seen the -underground airdromes and hangars the Nazis had constructed along -the Franco-German border, and he had seen the expertly camouflaged -fields built by the German Luftwaffe on the burning sands of the Libyan -desert. But this hidden field and array of nature made hangars were -almost beyond the powers of even one's wildest imaginations. On three -sides of him were row after row of Japanese military planes. They were -of all types from the small Nakajima that had come up to lead him down -to the giant long range Mitsubishi bombers. They were parked wing to -wing, with a small plane between each two big ones, so that there -didn't have to be any reshifting around when the time came for them to -take off. One by one they would go shooting down the jungle tunnel to -flat open ground, and then up into the air ... like a string of beads -coming undone, or a row of stitches being pulled put.</p> - -<p>But there was much more to the scene than just the row after row of -parked planes. Much more. Included also was all the mobile equipment -needed to service the craft, and keep them in constant perfect -condition. There were also great piles of bombs, and small mountains -of cans filled with high test gas and oil. There were jungle huts used -for living quarters. Huts where meals were obtained. In a few words, -that area of the Burma jungle covered an entire active service airdrome -complete from cook stoves to death dealing winged chariots of war.</p> - -<p>"<i>Gott!</i> Once I leave here I shall never believe that I have seen such -a thing!"</p> - -<p>The voice was that of Freddy Farmer speaking in German. It was a tip -to Dave to remember the part he played, but it was also a truly felt -belief of the English youth. He had slipped out of his 'chute and -safety belt harness, and was standing up in his pit and looking around -out of eyes that had widened as large as dinner plates.</p> - -<p>"And I agree with you, my comrade!" Dave exclaimed hastily in the same -tongue to let Freddy know he was on his guard. "I can hardly wait to -tell <i>Der Fuehrer</i> what a wonderful thing we have seen with our own -eyes. It is indeed a great tribute to the cleverness of our brave and -loyal allies!"</p> - -<p>As Dave spoke the words he looked down at the group of buck toothed, -wide grinning brown faces about the plane. Instinct told him that a -couple of them understood German, but he acted as though he believed it -an unknown foreign tongue to them.</p> - -<p>"We come from Serrangi, of Singapore!" he boomed out. "It is to be -our great honor to report to General Kashomia. Does one of you speak -German, and can escort us to his exalted presence?"</p> - -<p>A squat, chunky Jap, who make Dave think of a fire hydrant with a face, -pushed close to the side of the plane, beamed and bobbed his shaven -head up and down.</p> - -<p>"Whoever comes from Serrangi, is always expected," the man said in -perfect German. "Permit me to introduce myself. I am Captain Kito. It -will be my honor to escort you to where General Kashomia waits. Will -you be so pleased as to descend from your plane?"</p> - -<p>It wasn't until he had climbed down and was facing the Jap that Dave -realized the man carried a helmet and goggles in his hand. Undoubtedly -the man was the pilot of the pursuit plane that had come up to lead him -down. The little Jap stood stiff as a post, then bowed from the waist -at the two new arrivals like a mechanical doll. Then, whirling, he spat -out something at the others grouped about. They instantly split and -fell back to form a pathway. The Jap looked back at Dave and Freddy and -showed his buck teeth in a broad smile, then started forward rapidly -for all the world like a little brown terrier on the end of a leash.</p> - -<p>The way led past the rows of planes, and stores of fuel and bombs, to -the jungle huts on the far side. There was a clearing in front of the -huts and several Japanese pilots were lounging about, taking things -easy. They flashed quick glances at Dave and Freddy, but what they saw -apparently didn't interest them much, for they all immediately resumed -whatever they were doing. Perhaps visitors to this secret airdrome were -common to them. Or perhaps it was part of their training to show no -interest in anything save the knifing of a man in the back. Preferably -one who had been their friend!</p> - -<p>The squat Jap pilot finally came to a stop in front of the largest -of the huts. It was constructed mostly of bamboo, and on stilts that -allowed a three foot clearance between the floor and the soft spongy -ground. Evidently General Kashomia was taking no chances with crawling -jungle things, human or otherwise! The Jap paused before the hut, bowed -reverently before it, then turned to Dave and Freddy.</p> - -<p>"If you will please be so good as to ascend," he said, and gestured -with his hand at the little bamboo ladder. "I will go and order that -food and drink be prepared for you when you have completed your -business with General Kashomia."</p> - -<p>With a parting bob of his head the Jap pilot pivoted about and went -off at his restless gait. Dave grinned at Freddy, then shrugged and -started up the ladder. A few seconds later he was standing on solid -plank flooring and facing three men who sat cross legged Japanese -style about a table that wasn't over eighteen inches off the floor. -Three pairs of brownish-black eyes stared at him expressionlessly, -and unwaveringly. In an odd sort of way he was reminded of the nerve -rasping moments when he and Freddy had first entered Serrangi's room in -the Devil's Den. If there was any difference it was that the eyes of -these three dressed in the battle uniforms of high ranking Japanese air -force officers showed even less expression than had Serrangi's hypnotic -eyes. The same hunch came to Dave that had come to him in Serrangi's -place. He went ramrod stiff and flung up his right arm, fingers -extended stiff and close together.</p> - -<p>"<i>Heil Hitler!</i>" he shouted.</p> - -<p>"<i>Heil Hitler!</i>" Freddy Farmer at his side echoed, only louder.</p> - -<p>The Jap officer seated in the middle inclined his head slightly and -made a little motion with one hand that was probably an acknowledgment -of the greeting. There was nothing particularly military about it, -however. Nor respectful, for that matter, and Dave had the sneaky -feeling that the name of Adolf Hitler didn't cut such a terrible lot -of ice with the Japs in this part of the world. They had business of -their own to attend to that was thousands of miles removed from Berlin. -Also, of late the Nazis were getting belted all over the place by the -hard hitting Russians. They had come within thirty miles of Moscow to -be stopped cold, and Hitler's boast to spend Christmas in the Kremlin -was fast going right out the window.</p> - -<p>"We come from Serrangi in Singapore," Dave finally said when the three -Japs just continued to stare at them. "We come to give something to -General Kashomia. You are General Kashomia?"</p> - -<p>Dave looked questioningly at the middle Jap, and the man inclined his -head again.</p> - -<p>"I am General Kashomia," he said in flawless Berlin German, and -extended a bony hand. "Give to me what you bring from Serrangi in -Singapore."</p> - -<p>A tiny almost indistinguishable spark of light had flickered up in the -son of Nippon's eyes. But apart from that he gave the impression that -he was no more interested in what Dave handed to him than he would be -in last week's newspaper. He took the tight roll of paper that looked -like a pencil and without a word handed it to the officer on his -right. That man took a knife from his belt and deftly slit the outer -wrapping its entire length and smoothed out flat the five or six sheets -contained inside. As though he had peeled and prepared an orange for -his master he handed the lot back to General Kashomia.</p> - -<p>The high ranker accepted it just as blank faced and nonchalant as -before. Then with a quick stiffening of his legs he rose up onto his -feet.</p> - -<p>"I will learn what Serrangi has to tell me," he said, and waved for -Dave and Freddy to squat down. "Be seated and rest yourselves after -your long journey. A <i>very</i> long journey for the type of plane you -flew."</p> - -<p>Brown black eyes bored into Dave's as General Kashomia spoke the last. -Then the Jap turned quickly and disappeared through a bamboo laced door -at the rear. Dave and Freddy squatted down, looked at each other for -a brief instant, and then gave their attention to the two remaining -Jap officers. It was like giving their attention to the stone lions in -front of the New York Public Library. The two Japs just squatted there -and stared off into space as though nothing else existed. Dave stood -the nerve racking silence for a moment, and then broke it.</p> - -<p>"Doesn't your honored General Kashomia believe we come from Singapore?" -he asked harshly.</p> - -<p>Brown black eyes pivoted around in heavy lidded sockets to focus -on him, but neither Jap uttered a sound. Presently one of them was -apparently struck with the bright idea of hand signals. He pointed at -Dave's mouth, then at his own ears, and shrugged to indicate he neither -spoke nor understood the German tongue. Dave relaxed, then almost -jumped up straight in the air as Freddy Farmer whispered hoarsely in -his ear.</p> - -<p>"The swine probably lies!" he said. "I'm sure he speaks our German -tongue as well as we do. Yes! You and I will have much to report when -we return to Berlin."</p> - -<p>For a brief instant Dave thought that Freddy had gone nuts, but when he -noticed that neither of the Japs so much as batted an eye, and caught -Freddy Farmer's faint sigh of relief, he realized that the words had -been spoken to catch the Japs off guard. To insult them and see whether -they did understand German or not. But evidently they didn't for -Freddy's swine insult sailed right over their shaven heads.</p> - -<p>"Take it easy!" Dave breathed at Freddy. "The one in the next room -understands us, you know. I don't feel very much like having my throat -cut today. Don't get too smart with these fellows. They may be tough, -too."</p> - -<p>"I won't," the English youth grunted. "But all that business out there. -It's unbelievable! It makes your blood run cold."</p> - -<p>"Not mine," Dave murmured. "It was frozen stiff before we started. -But.... Oh-oh!"</p> - -<p>The bamboo laced door swung open and General Kashomia reappeared. -He was as blank faced as ever save for two dull reddish spots of -excitement on his cheeks. His step was quicker, too, and there was a -ring in whatever he sing-songed at his two lesser ranks. They turned -to him at once, their eyes lighted up, and they both vigorously bobbed -their heads up and down and seemed to chant sounds of their native -tongue. General Kashomia answered them, and they shut up. Then the -senior officer squatted down in the middle and fixed his eyes on the -two R.A.F. aces.</p> - -<p>"My humble apologies for even thinking you could have come from -elsewhere but Serrangi in Singapore," he said. "And the highest praise -from myself and all my countrymen for so spectacular a flight. It is -one I should not like to do in anything but a large plane. You are -indeed a credit to the Luftwaffe."</p> - -<p>"It was a small undertaking," Dave said with a boastful shrug. "Most -any pilot and navigator in the Luftwaffe could have made it. I -understand, then, that we have brought you good news, yes?"</p> - -<p>The Jap general's lids contracted slightly, and the tiny gleam leaped -into his eyes again.</p> - -<p>"Serrangi always sends one good news," he said slowly. "That is why he -is a wealthy man. There is one part that is not clear, however. The new -location of Singapore Island's water supply. There has been a second -underground reservoir constructed near Mandai?"</p> - -<p>If it was a trick question meant to trap the boys, it fell flatter than -yesterday's pancakes. Both Dave and Freddy shook their heads. And it -was Freddy who answered the question ... truthfully.</p> - -<p>"We know almost nothing of Singapore, General Kashomia," he said. "We -have spent but one day and a night in the Singapore area. The good news -that Serrangi gives to you, he did not give to us. It was but by a bit -of good fortune that we were able to act as couriers."</p> - -<p>If that news surprised General Kashomia he did not show it. However, -his next words indicated that he wasn't getting all of the picture, -yet.</p> - -<p>"Strangers to Singapore?" he murmured. Then, "But not of course to -Serrangi?"</p> - -<p>"Yes!" Dave shot right back at him and got a little comfort and -satisfaction out of the shadow of annoyed bewilderment that passed over -the Jap's face.</p> - -<p>"That is interesting," the son of Nippon said presently. "You will be -good enough to explain, please? You are strangers to Singapore, and to -Serrangi, also? Yet you fly here to where I wait, and place the means -of a great military triumph in my hands? I have spent much time in -Berlin, but I am afraid I shall never fully understand you Germans. The -words you speak confuse me."</p> - -<p>For a crazy second Dave was tempted to give the Jap a cockeyed story -that would practically set him on his ear with perplexity. On second -thought, though, he killed the urge. And for two very good reasons. -One was because the Jap might have some means of checking his words, -and, considering their immediate situation, it might not go so well for -Freddy and himself to be caught in a lie. The second reason was because -his eyes had become completely accustomed to the interior of the hut -on stilts, and he was able to see the array of military maps hung on -the walls. They included all sections of that part of the world, and -although the Japanese paint brush notations meant nothing to him, a -series of lines and arrows drawn on the maps had started his heart -thumping against his ribs with suppressed excitement. Unless he was all -wrong the maps definitely proved that here at Raja was the center of a -Japanese spider's web of death and intrigue that reached far out in all -directions.</p> - -<p>And so Dave settled himself a bit more comfortably and told General -Kashomia the same story he had told Serrangi. The Jap listened in stony -faced silence right through to the end. When Dave finished he asked -a few pointed questions, and appeared satisfied with the answers the -two R.A.F. aces gave him. However, not because the blank expression on -his face altered any. Simply because he shrugged and stopped asking -questions.</p> - -<p>"We Japanese have long admired your great Luftwaffe," the little brown -son of Nippon finally said. "As you probably know, there have been -Luftwaffe instructors in Japan for many years. They have taught us -much, and the hour fast approaches when we shall prove we were good -pupils. Yes, the news you bring me from Serrangi, in Singapore, makes -our great hour approach at great speed."</p> - -<p>The blank, inscrutable face lighted up with a seething inner flame for -a brief instant, and the Jap's brown black eyes slid around to glance -quickly at the array of maps. A pointed question hovered on the tip of -Dave's lips, but before he could get it off Freddy Farmer spoke up.</p> - -<p>"As we left Serrangi," the English youth said gravely, "there was -mention of a request you might be so good as to grant us."</p> - -<p>"Request?" the Jap echoed in a hissing voice, as his eyes fairly -snapped around to Freddy's face. "Then you did make that wonderful -flight ... for a price?"</p> - -<p>It was a wonderful opening for a bit of play acting by Freddy, and the -English youth was quick to take full advantage of the opportunity. He -puffed out his chest, pulled in his chin, and glared at the Jap general.</p> - -<p>"Everything we do, we do only for the great love we have for our -Fuehrer, and our Fatherland!" he shouted. "The request that might be -made has to do only with further service we might give to our glorious -mutual cause."</p> - -<p>"I humble myself before you," the Jap murmured and bowed low. "Your -first words watered the seed of a different thought within me. I was -mistaken. This request. What is it then?"</p> - -<p>"Between his words," Freddy said slowly as the pounding of his own -heart kept time with Dave's, "Serrangi hinted of great disaster to -befall the British in Singapore. He whispered the suggestion that we -beg of you the honor of taking part in the delivery of this great blow. -His hints told us plainly that it would be a sight we would remember -to our graves. Our Fuehrer has taught us to always be a soldier, and -to always obey orders. We are here in Raja, so we are your soldiers, -and your orders are orders we would obey even as though they came -from the lips of our own Fuehrer. If you so order, we will not move -one step from Raja. But it is my dearest wish, and that of my famous -Luftwaffe comrade, here, that you do not give such an order. We pray -and hope that our eyes, our hands, and our bodies may help you avenge -at Singapore the Luftwaffe losses against the British Royal Air Force -last winter. We took part in that air battle against the English and -it would put joy in our hearts if you would permit us to help take -the lives of ten British at Singapore for every one of our Luftwaffe -friends we with our own eyes saw fall over Britain."</p> - -<p>The speech was one of the best Dave had ever heard drop from Freddy -Farmer's lips, and it was all he could do to look pleadingly at General -Kashomia, and not leap to his feet and give his English pal a great -big hand. Nor was Dave the only one impressed. The Jap general stared -at Freddy with the faint light of pleased admiration in his eyes. He -presently nodded his head and showed his big teeth in a broad smile so -typical of the sly Japs.</p> - -<p>"You have the power to move mountains with your voice," he said -eventually. "And heartless, indeed, would I be not to give utmost -consideration to your plea. I shall see that a few more pieces of -silver are placed in Serrangi's hand for selecting you two for the -great flight you have made. But Singapore is not everything of -importance to us. True, we shall strike at Singapore, and in such a -manner that its garrison of troops and pilots will have no opportunity -to resist. However, I shall strike at other points, also. It is not our -plan to take one place at a time. It is our plan to take all places -at the same time. It is the war technique of your own Fuehrer, and it -has as yet to be proved wrong. No, we shall not nibble at a spot until -it gives away and crumbles. We will strike at many places at the same -time."</p> - -<p>"<i>Gott!</i> Those are words to warm my heart!" Dave cried, and leaned -forward eagerly. "And you say, most honored General, that the hour fast -approaches?"</p> - -<p>The Jap seemed to swell up to the exploding point with indescribable -pride and joy. He made some quick motions with his two hands, and -although he cried the words out in flawless German his voice had the -pitch of a buzz saw going through a sheet of tin.</p> - -<p>"Tomorrow when the sun is in the east, the hour will have arrived!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SIXTEEN" id="CHAPTER_SIXTEEN">CHAPTER SIXTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Wings of Valor</i></small></h2> - - -<p>As the Japanese air force general's voice died away a tingling silence -seemed to hang over the jungle hut like a blanket. Not a man in the -place moved. Dave was sure that his own heart had stood still at the -sound of the words. Tomorrow morning? Tomorrow morning the Japs were -to unleash their dogs of war against an unsuspecting civilized world? -Tomorrow, when the civilized world was doing everything possible to -maintain the peace with the war lords of Nippon, the hordes and hordes -of little brown rats were going to spring savagely at white men's -throats? It seemed almost impossible to believe. It was like a dream. -Little Japan was going to strike. Little Japan? But there was just -another of the white man's mistakes down through the years. Looking -upon the Land of the Rising Sun as little Japan. Little in size, yes. -But the British Isles are little in size, too, from the standpoint of -land area in square miles. Little Japan! That was the trouble. Little -on the outside, and tremendously big on the inside. For years and years -the Sons of Nippon had been getting ready, and all the time the rest -of the world <i>knew it</i> ... and <i>did nothing</i>. Japan would never strike -in the Pacific! No? Well, there had once been the day when, as Germany -prepared and prepared, government greybeards and has-beens scoffed at -the idea Adolf Hitler would ever take his 1918 beaten country into -war. No? Well, where was France today, and Poland, and Norway, and -Holland, and all the other "free" countries? Bleeding to death under -the crushing weight of the Nazi iron heel. <i>Little</i> Japan? Nuts!</p> - -<p>"Tomorrow at dawn?" Dave suddenly heard his own voice whispering -hoarsely. "It is almost too good to be true. In Germany tomorrow Der -Fuehrer will declare a national holiday in your honor, I am sure. -Forgive me, but I cannot help but repeat the plea that my comrade and I -be given a part, if only a small one."</p> - -<p>"Your desire to fight with us, and perhaps die, makes you very eager," -the Jap murmured. And an odd note in his voice caused little fingers -of ice to grab at Dave's heart. In that moment he had the sudden -throat drying conviction that he had displeased the Jap by his pressing -insistence. He had the feeling, and the narrow eyed look he received -indicated as much, that the Jap general was swaying just a little bit -over on the suspicious side. However, when the little brown son of -Nippon spoke again there was nothing in his words or in his voice to -justify such a thought.</p> - -<p>"But brave soldiers should always be eager to fight and die for their -country, and their allies," he said. "And I would not be such a fool as -to deny such men their right. You, of course, have heard much of the -Burma Road. Through it our Chinese foes had been receiving supplies for -many months ... for almost the whole four years of our war of freedom -against them. The British did close the road for a few months, but it -was just a token gesture to maintain Japan's friendship. And we were -not fooled by their stupid gesture for a moment. So, if we smash the -Burma Road, China's war effort will starve to death. Her millions will -revolt against their war mongering leaders, and throw them to the -dogs ... and from then on live in peace and happiness under Japanese -rule. And so, it is...."</p> - -<p>At that moment the entrance of the little Captain Kito who had come -aloft to lead Dave and Freddy down to the secret field snapped shut -the General's lips. The chunky pilot shot a swift look at the two -R.A.F. aces and then jabbered in lightning speed in his own tongue at -his superior officer. Watching the General, Dave saw the man's eyes -narrow, and the flaming spark to appear in their depths once more. He -saw also the man's claw-like fingers close slowly together as though -a human neck were between them. When the pilot had finished there was -a moment's silence. The Jap general looked at the two stone faced -officers seated at his side and seemed to reach an agreement with them -though neither of them uttered a sound. Then General Kashomia turned -back to the pilot and sing-songed away for a solid minute. Dave hadn't -any idea what it was all about, but he had the very strong hunch that -the Jap general was plenty burned up about something and was issuing -orders in no uncertain words.</p> - -<p>A few seconds later the Jap pilot bowed from the waist and popped -outside and down the bamboo ladder. General Kashomia turned his -attention back to Dave and Freddy as though there had not been any -interruption at all.</p> - -<p>"And so," he repeated, "it is of first importance that we cut China's -lifeline once and for all, but during the same hour that we strike -elsewhere. However, there is a serious problem to be solved between -now and our great hour tomorrow. For some weeks, now, a group of fools -has been giving aid to the Chinese armies. I speak of what is known -as the American Volunteer Group. The aid they are giving China is to -patrol the air of the southern end of the Burma Road and attempt to -prevent our bombers from reaching it. There are not many pilots in this -group of American fools, but they are good pilots, and they have not as -yet realized that their task is hopeless. Tomorrow at dawn they will -realize the truth at last, but it will be too late, for they will all -be dead."</p> - -<p>General Kashomia paused and made a little sign of finality with his -hand.</p> - -<p>"However," he continued a moment later, "word has reached me that the -Americans are being reenforced by British planes and pilots. I do not -know their strength, but I know it cannot be great because the British -have not many planes to spare out here in the Far East. They seem to be -more worried about Libya and their own British Isles. Just the same, I -do not wish to lose any more of my bombers than I can help tomorrow. -The blow I strike at the Lashio end of the Burma Road must be swift and -final so that those planes can leave and join the main aerial assault -against Singapore, and other points of our attack. Turn your eyes, -please, and look at that map, there."</p> - -<p>The Jap general stopped talking and pointed a finger at the huge map of -Burma, Thailand, and South China, that hung on the wall to his right. -Dave and Freddy looked at it and struggled to still the booming of -their hearts. In the few moments of silence that lasted within the hut, -they heard the sound of aircraft engines being started up outside. Then -General Kashomia went on talking.</p> - -<p>"To the north of Lashio, on the China border," he said, "is the little -village of Pidang. As the crow and the airplane fly it is not fifty -miles from here. There in a flat valley, that a blind man could find, -is located this squadron of American fools ... and the British who have -arrived to help them. For a Japanese plane to fly close to that spot in -the light of day would be but the pilot asking that he be sent to join -his ancestors. But in a British plane it would all be very different. -You would be able to see much, and learn much that I should like to -know. Three hours at the most it would take you. And the information -you bring me will count much in our success tomorrow."</p> - -<p>The Jap stopped short and fixed his folded lid eyes on the two R.A.F. -aces. Dave and Freddy returned the stare, and then Freddy broke the -silence.</p> - -<p>"It is your order, and it will be our joy to obey it!" he cried. "We -will leave as soon as your men have fueled our plane, and it is again -in working order."</p> - -<p>"That is being done now," General Kashomia said quietly. "I knew before -I made the request that it would be granted. Yes, at this very moment -your plane is being repaired and made ready for flight. But there is -time to rest and eat meanwhile. It will be best that you take-off so -that your return will be made just before the light of day fades from -the heavens. Come! I am sure that the food is waiting, as I am sure you -are most eager to fill your stomachs, and quench your thirst."</p> - -<p>The Jap senior officer made a sign with his hand and rose quickly up -onto his feet. Dave and Freddy scrambled up onto their feet, and then -followed the Jap outside, and down the bamboo ladder.</p> - -<p>By the middle of that afternoon Dave's nerves were ready to scream -aloud and fly off in little pieces. Ever since leaving General -Kashomia's hut on stilts he had burned with a great desire to go into -a huddle with Freddy Farmer. There was no longer any secret to the -Japanese menace, now. At least not to Freddy Farmer, and him. They -had heard the story of what was to happen tomorrow from Kashomia's -lips. And what the Jap hadn't said, they had been able to guess from -unnoticed looks at the maps hanging on the wall. It was to be an -all-out air blitz by the Japan air force planned to wipe out Hongkong, -Singapore, and the Burma Road all in one fell swoop. By the time -the last Jap bomb had hurtled earthward the defenders of Hongkong, -Singapore, and the Burma Road still wouldn't know what had hit them.</p> - -<p>But the death dealing blow scheduled for tomorrow's sun was simply -Dave's biggest worry. He had smaller worries as well, and not the least -of them was General Kashomia's plan for them to scout the American -Volunteer Group field north of Lashio. That item didn't set well at -all, and little fingers of ice rippled up and down his spine whenever -he thought of it, which was almost constantly. He had sensed a change -in General Kashomia back there in the headquarters hut. It wasn't -anything that he could put his finger on, but he knew it was there. The -Jap had something up his sleeve, and Dave couldn't dispel the hunch -that it was aimed at the life-blood of one Freddy Farmer and Dave -Dawson. For Freddy and him to get aloft in the Fairey Albacore again -was just too good to be true. And knowing what they did, now, made it -seem even more improbable of ever coming to pass.</p> - -<p>Yet, everything pointed to the fact that it was. With his own eyes -he saw the Jap mechanics refueling the Albacore. And, as a matter of -fact, he and Freddy made a minute examination of the plane to assure -themselves that it was in good order. The inspection suggestion had -been made by General Kashomia himself. But that was the point. That -was the one thing that played on Dave's nerves like a rusty file hour -after hour. Kashomia was with them every instant of the time. He ate -with them, showed them about the secret drome, inspected the rows of -Jap war planes with them, and helped them check over their own British -made ship. And that was the rub. The Jap never once left their side -so that either of them could so much as whisper a word to the other. -For all they were able to talk over events to come they might just as -well have been at opposite ends of the earth. Whether by accident, Jap -courtesy, or devil's purpose, General Kashomia was right there all the -time to hear every word that fell from their lips. And so, they had to -be constantly on their guard not to let the wrong words drop, and keep -them choked up within themselves until they felt that one more hour of -the nerve rasping suspense would find them both jibbering monkeys, and -stark raving mad.</p> - -<p>However, they did not have to endure that one more hour. General -Kashomia finally decided that it was a good time for them to leave, and -escorted them over to where the Albacore waited with its nose pointed -down the tunnel toward the camouflage strip and the open air.</p> - -<p>"May your wings have the speed of lightning," he said in farewell. -"Observe closely what is there at your objective, and let it be stamped -well on your memories. Now, I go to pray to my ancestors that they -grant your flight a successful one, and your return speedy."</p> - -<p>With a half salute and a half queer little gesture that could mean -most anything, General Kashomia turned around and walked rapidly away. -Dave shot a thoughtful glance at his back, then shook himself out of -his trance, and nodded at the Jap mechanics holding the wheel chock -ropes. The little brown rats yanked the chocks clear and Dave fed Jap -gas to the Bristol Taurus in the nose, and sent the Fairey Albacore -roaring down the man made jungle tunnel. For perhaps two split seconds -jungle growth flashed by on all four sides, then the plane shot out -into almost blinding sunlight, cleared its wheel and went prop clawing -upward.</p> - -<p>The instant he was clear and headed toward Heaven, Dave made sure -that his radio flap mike was disconnected, and then twisted around in -the seat to look back at Freddy. The English youth was sitting like -a figure of stone with a beet red face. A thousand million questions -seemed to stick right out of the English born R.A.F. ace's face. Dave -checked them by a warning gesture toward Freddy's flap mike and waited -until the English youth had disconnected it. Then he grinned, tight -lipped.</p> - -<p>"I know all the questions you're bursting to pop, Freddy!" he shouted. -"And my answer to all of them is that we're getting too darn close to -being back of the eight ball. That runt sized Jap general is working -to pull something very smooth. And it all started when that runt pilot -busted in to spill the lingo at him. Check?"</p> - -<p>"Of course!" Freddy cried as an agonized look flashed across his -excitement and tension flushed face. "I may be all wet, but I think I -know why. We pulled a terrible boner, Dave!"</p> - -<p>"Gosh! Only one? What?"</p> - -<p>"The fight with that Jap sub!" Freddy said with a groan. "I mean, not -mentioning shooting."</p> - -<p>"The scrap with the Jap sub?" Dave echoed in amazement. "Are you nuts? -We'd have been dead ducks in nothing flat if we'd so much as breathed a -word about that, you dope!"</p> - -<p>"Not the fight with the sub, you balmy idiot!" Freddy roared back. "But -we should have said that we were shot at getting away from Singapore. -Instead we said that <i>not a shot was fired at us</i>! Look out there on -the wing. They've even patched that sub's machine gun bullet holes. -Don't you suppose they wondered <i>how</i> those holes got there? <i>Why</i> we -didn't even mention being shot at?"</p> - -<p>Dave looked out at the ten or twelve little grey fabric patches on the -right lower wing, and swallowed hard. So that was why the Jap pilot had -come busting in all steamed up. And that's why General Kashomia's face -had showed rage for an instant, and why he had obviously barked orders -to be carried out. That was the beginning of the change in Kashomia. -That was when Dave had felt his hunch that Freddy and he had stuck -their necks out just a little too far. That's when....</p> - -<p>"That Jap Brass Hat beggar isn't sure of us at all, Dave!" Freddy's -voice cut in on his thoughts. "He really doesn't want to know a -blasted thing about that American Volunteer Group north of Lashio. This -is some kind of a trick, Dave. I'm sure of it. I feel certain that he's -sent us up to see if we'd head straight for Singapore. There can't be -any two ways about that."</p> - -<p>"But what's to stop us?" Dave called back. "My gosh, Freddy, you don't -<i>want</i> to fly toward this Pidang village, do you? The gas tanks are -full, and we can make Singapore easy, and give the alarm."</p> - -<p>"Hold it, Dave!" Freddy shouted as Dawson started to level off the -climb and veer around toward the south. "Don't try it, yet. There's one -thing I guess you didn't notice, or did you? Four of those Nakajima -Ninety-Six single seater fighters took off awhile ago, and I don't see -them in the air any place."</p> - -<p>"So what?" Dave grunted with a scowl. "They probably went someplace -else."</p> - -<p>Angry annoyance flooded Freddy Farmer's face as he leaned well forward.</p> - -<p>"Where's your brains, Dave?" he snapped. "Of course they did! And if -you want to know what I think, they went south quite a bit to hang in -the sky and wait to see if <i>we go south, too</i>. And if you don't think -that Kashomia has powerful glasses on us right now, and is in radio -contact with those Nakajimas, then you're completely out of your head. -So for heaven's sake, let's at least <i>start</i> north toward Pidang!"</p> - -<p>Dave gulped, blushed to the roots of his hair, and went through the -motions of tipping his hat.</p> - -<p>"Hail to you, brilliant one!" he said. "Your humble servant is truly -one fat headed dope. Sure! You've got something there, and how, Freddy. -If we head for Singapore we tip our hand. Kashomia realizes that we're -phonies. He radioes his little boys, and the four of them drop down on -us to.... Omigosh, Freddy! You are doggone right! That darn Jap rat has -fixed us nice!"</p> - -<p>"Done what?" the English youth echoed. "What are you talking about?"</p> - -<p>Dave didn't reply. Instead he pointed at the empty ammunition boxes -that fed his forward guns. They were all empty!</p> - -<p>"Good Lord!" came Freddy Farmer's hoarse exclamation a moment later. -"So are my guns back here, Dave. We haven't got a single bullet between -us!"</p> - -<p>"So we darn well do head north!" Dave said grimly and swung the -Albacore around. "And maybe, please God, be able to slip around on -a detour and slide by those four Nakajimas that are sure as shooting -waiting for us between here and Singapore!"</p> - -<p>"Amen!" Freddy Farmer murmured, stiff lipped.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN" id="CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN">CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</a><br /> -<small><i>Eagles Never Die</i></small></h2> - - -<p>The secret Jap drome hidden deep in the vast jungles of Burma was far -behind the Albacore's tail. Still some fifteen or twenty miles ahead -was the flat valley floor where the American Volunteer Group, helping -to fight China's battle, was squadroned. Dave stared ahead hard for a -moment but could see no sign of the flat valley yet. Turning around, he -searched the skies with his eyes, but all he could see was eye smarting -shimmering light of the burning brass ball in the heavens. Finally, he -lowered his eyes, and looked at Freddy Farmer.</p> - -<p>"I guess this had better be far enough in this direction," he said -and jerked his head back toward the instrument board. "There's enough -gas to make it, according to the gauges, but not much more. Do we -swing to the east and cut down through Indo-China, or should we swing -west and then down south that way? Either way it's going to be close. -We.... Hey! Are we <i>both</i> dumb this time? What's wrong with the radio? -How about contacting Air Vice Marshal Bostworth on the emergency -wave-length, and code? The Japs might tune in, but we could at least -get things started before they had time to all clear out of there, -and.... What's the matter?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't think it worth while telling you, Dave," the English youth -said in a sorrowful voice. "But my tubes have been removed, and I fancy -so have yours. We can't radio anybody, old fellow."</p> - -<p>Dave twisted, whipped out his hand, and unsnapped the front of the -instrument board radio panel and let it drop down. It was true! Every -tube in his set had been removed. For a million dollars he couldn't -have broadcast anything as far as the wing tips. For a long moment he -glared at the sabotaged set, then he slammed the panel front shut, and -squared his jaw.</p> - -<p>"Okay!" he got out savagely and booted the Albacore around in a half -dime turn toward the east. "We still go back to Singapore, and just let -any bucktoothed, throat slitting sons of Nippon try and stop us!"</p> - -<p>Brave, determined words ... and they were good for about two minutes -only! At the end of two minutes Freddy Farmer suddenly let out a bellow -of alarm and pounded a hand down on Dave's shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Here they come!" he screamed. "The devils have been riding top ceiling -all the time and watching us. Turning off our course was just what they -were waiting for. Up there, Dave, to the left! And they're coming down -like the blasted devils that they are!"</p> - -<p>Dave whipped his eyes around and up just long enough to see a row of -four darkish spots against the sun flooded heavens, then he turned his -head forward, and kicked the Albacore up, over, and down in a wing -screaming half roll. But even as the British plane started to drop the -savage yammer of aerial machine gun fire smashed against his eardrums, -and out the corners of his eyes he saw the wavy grey smoke of tracer -bullets zipping past his wingtips. His heart froze solid in his chest, -and the palms of his hands became filmed by a cold, clammy sweat, but -there were raging flames of anger in his brain. Anger at himself, at -Lady Luck, and at the little brown devils of Nippon.</p> - -<p>He should have realized that things had been breaking too good to last. -From the very instant Freddy and he had been shot off the Harkness' -catapult, Lady Luck had favored them with her brightest smile at every -turn. True they had eased into some close and ticklish corners, but -they had managed with a bit of luck to ease right out of them again, -and continue on toward their big destination ... the secret Jap -airdrome, and knowledge of what the Japs planned to do tomorrow. Well, -they had reached that secret airdrome, and they had learned of the -Jap plans ... but, so what? Dead men can't talk. Dead men can't fly a -mile. Dead men would only be buried if they ever did by a miracle reach -Singapore. The breaks had stopped, and Lady Luck had turned her face -the other way. Death was after them, now, to put an end to all they had -accomplished thus far. Death in the form of four war inflamed, conquest -crazed Japanese pilots hurtling down out of the brassy sky.</p> - -<p>"But not so long as we keep flying! Not so long as we keep flying!"</p> - -<p>From as though a thousand miles away Dave heard the echo of his own -voice roaring above the yammering guns of the diving Japs. Let the -confounded Japs have the guns. Sure, spot them a few guns. Freddy and -he would beat them at their own game. There was but one hope. To outfly -the Japs and somehow cut away from the rattling death they were dealing -out. Given a fair lead the Albacore might be able to keep ahead of the -Nakajimas. And with just the tiniest bit of a break....</p> - -<p>Dave let the rest slide. Rather, metal messengers of death twanging -down through the glass cockpit hatch to practically brush his left -cheek caused the rest to clog in his throat. Slamming his strength -against the controls he skidded the Albacore sharply off to the -opposite side, and then pulled the nose up in a power zoom. For one -brief instant wild hope flooded his heart. His trick maneuver had -outfoxed the Jap pilots. Too late they tried to haul out of their own -dives, but failed and were forced to go shooting on down by the zooming -Albacore.</p> - -<p>But that hope lived only for an infinitesimal period of time. It died -almost as it was born, for not all four of the Nakajimas had piled all -the way down. One had remained aloft, just in case. And Dave realized -bitterly that its pilot had done exactly the right thing. His three -brown rat pals having over shot their mark, he was now blasting down -to nail the defenseless R.A.F. plane before it could scoot well off -into the clear and build up a lead that could be held all the way to -Singapore.</p> - -<p>"Lord, if I only had guns!" came Freddy Farmer's rage filled cry above -the thunder of the Albacore's engine. "I'd pick that blasted beggar -off, even if I had to throw the guns at him. Outfly the rotter, Dave. -Outfly him! You're better than a dozen of those brown devils."</p> - -<p>It was a nice compliment but Dave hardly heard it. His body was -drenched with nervous sweat, and his heart was a battering-ram trying -to force its way right out through his ribs. Every instinct of -self-preservation within him cried out to wheel away and dive again, -but he knew better than to yield to such an instinct. It might spare -his own life for a little bit longer, but it would surely spell doom -for Freddy Farmer. If he wheeled the plane around he would present -a perfect broadside target for the Jap, and Freddy wouldn't stand -a chance in the world of surviving the withering fire that would -instantly rake the Albacore.</p> - -<p>And so, instead, Dave grimly held the Albacore in its power zoom. He -sent it thundering straight up into the spitting guns of the Nakajima, -until the Jap feared a head-on crash and lost his nerve and broke away. -No sooner did the Jap maneuver off than Dave whipped off the top of his -zoom, and banked around toward the north. The action brought a startled -cry from Freddy Farmer.</p> - -<p>"The other way, Dave!" the English youth cried frantically. "We're -headed wrong. Singapore is the other way. It's to the south."</p> - -<p>"I know our direction!" Dave snapped over his shoulder, and stuck the -nose down a shade to pick up all the extra speed he could. "But we'd -never make it to Singapore, Freddy. That last burst got the emergency -tank feed line, and it's leaking dry. Also those three others would be -up to cut us off. Pidang is our only hope, Freddy. We've got to reach -that American Volunteer Group, and get them to help."</p> - -<p>"Help?" Freddy echoed. "How in Heaven's name? They've only got single -seaters in that crowd. Not bombers, Dave!"</p> - -<p>"I know that, too!" Dave shouted. "But, they're Yanks. I've got a -feeling that'll be the difference. But we've got to get there, anyway, -and make a safe landing. Darn these Japs. Whoever said they didn't have -anything with speed? Look at them come! Duck, Freddy boy! Keep the old -head down!"</p> - -<p>As Dave spoke the last he took one last look at the four Nakajimas -that were coming after him at comet speed, then turned front and -automatically hunched himself down low in the seat. The future was in -the lap of the gods, now. Or, perhaps it would be better to say that -the future lay in the thundering Bristol Taurus in the nose. If the -Japs ever got close again it would be curtains. They had been fooled -once, and it was mighty doubtful that they could be fooled again. -They were out for blood; out to crush two brave R.A.F. aces valiantly -fighting a desperate battle against almost insurmountable odds.</p> - -<p>The future? Dave savagely closed his brain to the merest thought. It -wasn't the future. It was the present! This very second a lucky burst -from those guns yammering like sky wolves right behind the Albacore -might snuff out Freddy's life and his own. Might send them hurling -down in a ball of flame with the terrible secret of what was to happen -tomorrow locked in their brains forever.</p> - -<p>"To the left, Dave! To the left and just ahead! There's the flat -valley. There's the A.V.G.s'. Base. Just a little bit longer, Dave. -Just a little bit longer, and we'll be there!"</p> - -<p>Dave heard Freddy Farmer's screaming voice as a distant echo. He had -already spotted the small flat valley where nestled the little native -village of Pidang, and where the famous American Volunteer Group was -supposed to be located. But even as he stared at it hope seemed to die -within him. There was not the single sign of a plane, or a hangar on -the level floor between the rock studded mountains. Nothing but the -cluster of native huts that represented Pidang. Still there must be -something else there. There had to be the A.V.G. boys. There just had -to be!</p> - -<p>Hardly conscious that he was doing so, Dave shouted aloud the words -over and over again. And he shoved the nose down to an even steeper -angle of dive in a desperate effort to gain an extra foot or so on the -gun snarling Nakajimas that were drawing closer and closer for a cold -meat kill. If he could only get down and land before they got close -enough, maybe Freddy and he could....</p> - -<p>He never finished the rest of the thought. At that instant hissing -nickel jacketed lead sliced into the cockpit, and a white hot spear of -flame ran across the top of his left shoulder. Too late! The Japs had -caught up well within range. The next burst would be one that really -counted. But in that split second of time before the next burst left -the muzzles of Jap guns, Dave put every ounce of his flying skill -and daring into savage, furious action. Without so much as a yell -of warning to Freddy, he yanked the stick all the way back into his -belly and snapped the nose upward so fast that the fuselage seemed to -actually bend in the middle and groan in protest against the terrific -strain. But that aircraft was English built, and she stayed together. -Like a bolt of lightning the plane streaked upward on the first half -of a gigantic loop. But before Dave reached the top of the loop he -sent the Albacore corkscrewing over to a rightside up position. A half -roll off the up side of a loop that brought him out flying in the same -direction.</p> - -<p>But for only the length of time it would take you to bat an eyelash. -Heaving the stick over and kicking rudder, Dave deliberately half -rolled again and went plunging down at the vertical. Not until that -instant did he release the air clamped in his lungs that seemed to have -been locked there for long, long minutes. And he did so with a wild, -roaring challenge at the cluster of four Nakajimas starting to zoom up -after him.</p> - -<p>"Who gives air, you brown rats?" he bellowed. "You or us?"</p> - -<p>To the credit of the Japs it must be said that they stuck it out for -perhaps one tenth of a second. Then in the face of the flying madman -hurtling straight down at them they broke and cut wildly off to the -side. One Jap, however, picked the wrong side. One of his own planes -was too close to permit room for the frantic maneuver. Two Nakajimas -crashed together, locked wings about each other, and exploded in a -great fountain of flame. In the nick of time Dave kicked rudder hard -and skidded out just barely enough to miss the mass of flaming debris -and plunge on down by.</p> - -<p>"No guns, huh?" his echo roared back at him. "Brother! We don't need -guns!"</p> - -<p>Curiosity fought with him to twist around and look back up at the -sky, but he held himself in an iron grip and kept right on plunging -downward. Two Japs were out of the picture, that was true. But two more -still remained. And to look back to see where they were would be only -wasting precious seconds. If they were close again, then that would be -that. Looking back up into their flame spitting guns would only do harm -and no good. It....</p> - -<p>"We'll make it, Dave!" Freddy Farmer's joy sobbing voice came to his -ears. "We'll make it! You left the two other beggars fanning thin air. -They haven't even started down, yet. <i>We'll make it!</i>"</p> - -<p>Dave didn't give a single sign that he had heard. He was too busy with -the diving plane. And the ground was rushing upward at terrific speed. -Bracing himself he eased up the nose a few degrees, and gently angled -around until he was headed toward the long side of the level floor of -the valley. He saw figures rush out into the open, but he had only -time for a quick glance, and could not tell whether they were natives -or not. Then suddenly he had the plane mushing forward not three feet -off the ground. Another moment and the wheels touched, and the Albacore -rolled forward to a full stop. Not until that moment did Dave hear the -bark of anti-aircraft guns. Not until that moment did he realize that -anti-aircraft batteries located in the jungle growth that bordered the -edge of the valley were hammering shrapnel up at two Jap pilots trying -to get up the nerve to come down and strafe the field. As a matter -of fact, even as he threw back his head and looked up he saw the two -Nakajimas wheel and go streaking off to the south.</p> - -<p>He lowered his gaze to see suddenly the group of sun bronzed American -pilots at the side of his plane. One of them was tall and slightly -grey, and wore the rank of colonel on his sun bleached shirt. Dave took -one look at him, leaped to the ground, and rushed up to grab the man -by the arm. Like a man who expects to die in the next five seconds and -must get many words off his lips before he does, Dave babbled out the -story, all in practically one breath.</p> - -<p>"So we've got to smash that hidden drome!" he finished. "Those two -Japs will give the alarm to Kashomia, and he may pull out with the -whole works for some other place before R.A.F. bombers can get up here. -Listen to me! I tell you we've got to do it ourselves. Your gang, and -Farmer, and me!"</p> - -<p>The Colonel commanding the A.V.G. had continually blinked in amazement -as Dave poured out his story. But when Dave stopped talking the senior -officer's eye grew cautious, and he stared hard at the two youths.</p> - -<p>"That's quite a story," he grunted. "Maybe it's true, but maybe it -isn't. You sound a little Yank, but how do I know, huh? And this -wouldn't be the first time those slimy Japs had tried to lure us into a -trap. About three hundred of their ships hidden down Raja way, you say? -Listen, Mister, that's a lot of ships. I...."</p> - -<p>Something seemed to snap in Dave's brain, and all went red before his -eyes. He reached forward with his two hands, grabbed the Colonel by the -shoulders and shook him savagely.</p> - -<p>"Listen, you dumb witted fathead!" he ranted. "I don't care what you -think I am, but what I told you is truth. <i>God's truth.</i> And by this -time tomorrow, if you don't do something about it, the whole world will -know that you shouldn't even be in charge of flying a kite. A Colonel, -huh? You don't seem to have the brains of a private in the rear rank. -For the love of God, believe me! But if you won't, you thick headed -ape, then for Heaven's sake loan Freddy and me some ammo, and we'll go -tackle it alone. Do you hear me?"</p> - -<p>The Colonel had pushed Dave's hands free and had them pinned in his -own. There was fire in his eyes, but he was grinning from ear to ear.</p> - -<p>"You're Yank, right enough!" he said. "Only a Yank would climb a -fellow's frame that way. Okay! We get going. There isn't a bomber -in the place. But we've got Curtiss P-Forties, and explosive, and -incendiary bullets, and.... Haul your crates out, gang! We're throwing -a party for those brown devils. And if there's all those crates there, -it's going to be some party. Come on! Shift it, you guys! <i>Everybody!</i>"</p> - -<p>Just six minutes later by Dave's watch he was once more thundering -through the sky over Burma. But this time he wasn't in the pit of a -Fairey two seater Albacore. He was riding a lightning greased Curtiss -P-40. And just off his right wing was Freddy Farmer riding the same -kind of ship. Strung out behind were twenty-one pilots of the American -Volunteer Group; every one of them spoiling for a fight and cursing his -ship on to even greater speed.</p> - -<p>Dave twisted his head around to look at them and his heart came near -the bursting point so filled was it with pride and joy. He still loved -the English boys of the R.A.F., and he always would, for he had lived -and died with them for over two years now. But.... But there were Yanks -back there, now. Fighting two fisted Yank eagles who didn't care how -many of the Axis foe they had to fight, just so long as they could get -into the fight.</p> - -<p>"Yanks from the good old U.S.A.!" Dave whispered as he turned front. -"Gee! I wonder if I'll ever again get the thrill I'm getting now. Those -fellows are...."</p> - -<p>He didn't finish. At that instant he saw the string of Jap fighters -that came darting out from the hidden drome tunnel just east of Raja. -They were all Nakajimas, and they started curving up and around the -instant they hit open air. Dave let out a war-whoop and fired a short -burst from his guns to attract the attention of the others. Then he -stuck his nose down and went thundering earthward toward the first of -those Nakajimas coming up to give battle. Two seconds later, just two -seconds later and the Japs had two Nakajimas less. Dave's guns and -Freddy's guns spoke at the same instant and two sons of Nippon went -sailing off to meet their illustrious ancestors in an awful, awful -hurry. And then, as though by magic, the whole sky over the hidden -drome at Raja became filled with twisting and turning man-made air -chariots of war. The heavens rocked and trembled with the chatter and -yammer of machine gun fire. And the air became a crazy pattern of -blazing Jap planes plunging down, and wavy ribbons of tracer smoke that -formed a lace curtain in the sky.</p> - -<p>Yelling and shouting at the top of his voice, Dave belted and hauled -his ship all over the air. And when he wasn't pouring death into some -Jap plane, he was hurtling down on the jungle airdrome and raking it -from one end to the other with his explosive and incendiary bullets. -Perhaps bombers could have done the job sooner, but they couldn't -possibly have done it any more thoroughly. Jap after Jap tried to get -off to come up at them, but Dawson, and Farmer, and the boys of the -A.V.G. slammed them down into piles of raging flames almost before -their wheels had cleared.</p> - -<p>And then suddenly, a blazing Jap plunging to earth, or a burst of -explosive, or incendiary bullets, found the fuel stores and bomb -stores of the hidden drome. The air quivered as a great sea of flame -came belching up out of the jungle floor. Then sound akin to that of -giants tearing off the top of the world closed in on human ears from -every side. Dave felt as though his head had been yanked clean off his -neck; as though invisible fists had reached down from, heaven to smash -sledge hammer blows against every square inch of his body. White fire -was in his chest, and his left arm hung numb and lifeless at his side. -He tried to cry out but he heard no sound from his lips. The roaring in -his brain increased, and a red haze shrouded everything before his eyes.</p> - -<p>Seconds, minutes ... years dragged by. He knew that he was still flying -the Curtiss P-40. He knew that he was headed toward the north, and that -there were other P-40s all about him. He thought he saw Freddy Farmer's -anxious eyes staring across the air space that separated him from one -of the P-40s. But he couldn't tell for sure. He couldn't force his eyes -or his brain to function that well.</p> - -<p>Then suddenly the A.V.G. field was below him. He had killed his -throttle and was gliding down toward it. He was leveling off and -mushing forward. The plane was sinking belly first, fast. It struck the -ground, and bounced high. It came down to strike again and bounce. And -then the gods slammed a door shut, and there was nothing but silence -and darkness all around....</p> - -<p>When Dave next opened his eyes it was to find himself under the -blankets of an army cot. His chest was taped tight and wound around -and around with bandages. His head was also bandaged, and his left arm -was in a sling. But his brain was crystal clear, and the only pain he -felt was a dull ache in his chest. He stared upward at rough ceiling -beams made out of a kind of wood he had never seen before. Sort of -yellowish-green in color. Then he saw Freddy Farmer and the A.V.G. -Colonel standing at the right side of the cot.</p> - -<p>"Just as I told you, Colonel Davis," Freddy Farmer's lips were saying. -"Too tough to get seriously injured, this lad. Particularly around the -head. Chances are he's been awake for hours, but has kept his eyes -closed hoping we'll go away. Always was the one to sleep late. Quite! -Lazy, shiftless. You know the type. Oh, greetings, Dave, old thing! You -awake?"</p> - -<p>Dave glared, then looked at the Colonel.</p> - -<p>"Brush that thing out of here, then tell me what's happened, will you, -sir?" Dave said. "I guess I crashed, didn't I? But we really finished -off those Japs, didn't we? And.... Hey! It's morning! And we went after -them just before night. Have I...?"</p> - -<p>"Hold everything, Dawson!" Colonel Davis interrupted with a smile. "We -wiped out that nest of Japs two days ago. But you didn't crash. You -just passed out cold. And you're my sweetheart for bringing that ship -down okay. We need every one we have. And, by the by, we didn't lose -a plane on that little job. The Jap devils try hard, but they just -haven't got the stuff."</p> - -<p>"Two days ago?" Dave mumbled as though he couldn't believe what he had -heard. "And Singapore?"</p> - -<p>"Is still there, Dave," Freddy spoke up. "And by the by, I had a brain -wave and Bostworth was able to nab that mysterious spy at Singapore -R.A.F. Base. I remembered that Serrangi said ... 'From the very hangars -of R.A.F. Base my friend will push the plunger that will....' And he -didn't continue. Remember? So after that Jap show ... soon's I saw you -had only a couple of scratches ... I got on the radio to Bostworth. -He posted triple hangar guards and searched the hangars. Found the -detonator, and all the wires leading to buried H.E. Disconnected them -all and waited. Next day a young pilot officer was caught digging up -the detonator from its hiding place. Been at Singapore eighteen months, -mind you. Had even trained in England. Clever blighter, but he's -finished being clever."</p> - -<p>"And you're kind of clever, too," Dave grinned. "But in a different -way. But tell me, have the Japs really gone to war, yet?"</p> - -<p>A shadow passed over Freddy Farmer's face. He half turned and looked at -Colonel Davis.</p> - -<p>"Yes," the A.V.G. commander said quietly. "The very next morning they -took several sneak punches at the civilized world. And one of the -places was Hawaii, Dawson. An air raid on Pearl Harbor. They did plenty -damage, but we'll weather it. But it's really a world war, now. Uncle -Sam's in it, now, Dawson."</p> - -<p>Dave didn't say anything for a long moment. He stared off into space, -as though he were looking eastward across the thousands of miles of -land and water to the country of his birth.</p> - -<p>"So it's come!" he said softly. "The U.S. is in it at last? Well.... -Well, Uncle Sam did it once, and he can do it again, and how!"</p> - - -<p class="ph4">THE END</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <i>Dave Dawson On Convoy Patrol.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> <i>Dave Dawson On Convoy Patrol.</i></p></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph3"><i>A Page from</i><br /> DAVE DAWSON WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET</p> - - -<p>The U.S. Navy dive bomber seemed to half stop and lurch crazily to the -side as the furious blast of fire from the enemy cruiser's guns crashed -into it. Dave Dawson had the feeling that he had been slapped in the -face with a barn door. Everything turned into spinning red light before -his eyes. He knew that he was lashed fast to the seat, that both hands -gripped the controls with fingers of steel. But he wasn't sure.</p> - -<p>He wasn't sure of anything, any more. Was Freddy Farmer still with him? -Was the plane still with him? Or had the withering blast of gun fire -from the cruiser below sent him sailing off into thin air and death?</p> - -<p>He mustn't die! Not now! The suicide mission had only begun. The aerial -torpedo was still in its rack under the Grumman's belly. Or was it? Had -the cruiser's gun fire touched it off ... and he and Freddy had failed?</p> - -<p>"Freddy! Freddy Farmer! Are you with me, fellow? Are you still there, -pal?"</p> - -<p>Was that his own voice he heard? That faint little squeak that came -back to his ears? If only he could see something besides the dancing -balls of red fire. If only he could get his muscles to</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Dave Dawson at Singapore, by Robert Sydney Bowen - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON AT SINGAPORE *** - -***** This file should be named 50661-h.htm or 50661-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/6/6/50661/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Dave Dawson at Singapore - -Author: Robert Sydney Bowen - -Release Date: December 10, 2015 [EBook #50661] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON AT SINGAPORE *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - DAVE DAWSON - AT SINGAPORE - - _by_ R. SIDNEY BOWEN - - _Author of_ - "DAVE DAWSON AT DUNKIRK" - "DAVE DAWSON WITH THE R. A. F." - "DAVE DAWSON IN LIBYA" - "DAVE DAWSON ON CONVOY PATROL" - "DAVE DAWSON, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT" - - THE WAR ADVENTURE SERIES - - CROWN PUBLISHERS - NEW YORK - - COPYRIGHT, 1942, BY CROWN PUBLISHERS - - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - [Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any - evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I EASTWARD TO WAR 9 - - II STRANGE ORDERS 17 - - III THE VOICE OF DOOM 30 - - IV SATAN OVER SINGAPORE 41 - - V OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONS 54 - - VI THE DEVIL'S DEN 68 - - VII THE JAWS OF DEATH 84 - - VIII THE SECRET MESSAGE 96 - - IX THE GODS SMILE 114 - - X THE TOUCH OF DEATH 127 - - XI FLIGHT TO THE NORTH 137 - - XII WINGS OF CHAOS 156 - - XIII BLUE WATER RATTLESNAKE 170 - - XIV RAJA, THE INVISIBLE 185 - - XV SONS OF NIPPON 199 - - XVI WINGS OF VALOR 216 - - XVII EAGLES NEVER DIE 231 - - - - -DAVE DAWSON AT SINGAPORE - - - - -CHAPTER ONE - -_Eastward to War_ - - -Freddy Farmer leaned against the bow rail of the British Cruiser -Harkness and stared intently at the greenish brown line that was -landfall low down on the distant horizon. - -"Singapore!" he breathed presently in almost a tone of awe. "Singapore! -The place of ten thousand mysteries." - -Dave Dawson standing at his elbow chuckled softly and gave a half nod -of his head. - -"Right, my little man," he said. "And the place of ten thousand smells, -too, according to what fellows have told me who've been there." - -Young Farmer groaned and gave his American pal a scornful look. - -"You would say something like that," he grunted. "Hard hearted to the -core, that's you. No wonder you're the terror of the Nazi pilots. -You've no romance in your soul, Dave. Absolutely none at all. Now, -take Singapore. It's...." - -"You take it," Dawson interrupted. "Matter of fact, it was your idea in -the first place. There we were, nicely settled in good old England, and -what do you do but up and get itchy wings. And so here we are, three -weeks later, practically over on the other side of the world. You sure -do like to get around, I'll say!" - -The English youth's eyes snapped fire as he faced Dawson straddle -legged and arms akimbo. - -"Well, bless my sainted aunt!" he exploded. "Listen to who's talking! -I simply told you there was a rumor going around that Fighter pilots -could put in requests for transfer to other theatres of war, now that -Jerry wasn't sending so many wings over England. It was _you_, my good -man, who went to the Group Commander and checked the rumor. And it was -_you_ who put in a request that we _both_ go to the Far East Fleet Air -Arm. Deny that, Dave Dawson, and over the side you go! And in case you -don't know it, there are a lot of man-eating sharks in these waters!" - -"Okay, okay!" Dawson cried and threw up both hands in a token of -surrender. "But I only did it because I thought you'd enjoy the trip -and the new scenery. Anyway, there's your mysterious Singapore ... -unless the navigation officer aboard this battle wagon has got his -calculations all messed up." - -"I accept your humble apology," Farmer said and grinned. "So, we'll say -no more about it. There's one thing, though, Dave. Why did you pick the -Far East for us? There's no action out here, save hunting down a U-boat -and a surface raider now and then." - -"No?" Dawson grunted scornfully and pointed a hand toward the north. -"Well, a couple of thousand miles up that way there's a group of -islands that are called Japan. It's full of a mess of little brown rats -that even their bucktoothed Emperor Hirohito wouldn't trust any farther -than he could throw an aircraft carrier. And in case you haven't been -reading the newspapers for the last two or three years, Japan is a -member of the Axis. The other two members are Germany and Italy. No -charge for the information, my little man." - -"Well, thank goodness you've told me!" Freddy Farmer snapped. "It would -be terrible to go on being so ignorant for the rest of my life. All -right, so Japan is up north. What of it? Do you think they'd be mad -enough to attempt to attack the British Naval Base at Singapore? It -would be sheer madness. Suicide for the whole blasted lot of them." - -"Sweet tripe!" Dawson groaned. "So you've been believing that junk, -too?" - -"What junk?" the English youth demanded. - -"The stuff the so called military experts put in the papers, and blat -out over the radio," Dawson said. "Look, as war veterans go, I'm just -as wet behind the ears as the next fellow. But there is one thing that -my war experiences, such as they've been, have taught me." - -"Ah, more wisdom!" Farmer breathed. "Tell me. I can hardly wait, -Professor!" - -"Okay, funny boy," Dawson said gravely. "It is simply this, and you -can take it or leave it, for all I care. But ever since Hitler's bums -marched into Poland the thing that everybody believed was impossible -to do was just what the enemy went out _and did_! Well, am I right or -wrong?" - -The English youth didn't reply for a moment or so. He turned forward -and stared at the distant horizon. The Harkness was cutting through -the sun flooded waters of the China Sea at a fast clip, and the -greenish-brown coastline was now well up above the level of the sea. -The peaks of Malay mountains could be seen against the clear blue sky, -and a little to the south was another mark on the horizon that was the -Dutch owned island of Sumatra. The approaches to Singapore! A sight -that one could view a million times and still be eager for another -look. The Far East! Mystery, romance, treachery, and death. It all -depended upon what you wanted ... and upon how you went about finding -it! - -Freddy Farmer shook his head as though to break the spell that gripped -his thoughts and his imagination. He turned back to Dawson, and his -face was grave, and his clear eyes serious. - -"Yes, you're quite right, Dave," he said quietly. "The blasted enemy -really has beaten us to it every time, and done the very thing we -didn't even dream he would try. Then you mean...? You look for Japan -to declare war against us here in the Far East, and have a go at -Singapore?" - -"Hey, hold everything, pal!" Dawson said with a laugh. "I'm no crystal -ball gazer, and I haven't got a single secret agent in the Jap -Emperor's palace. I don't know a thing. I've just got a hunch that...." - -"Good Lord, Dawson, hunches again!" Farmer groaned. "I might have known -it would work up to that." - -"So it's a hunch!" Dave growled as his ears got red. "But my hunches -haven't all been strike-outs in the past, I might remind you. Take that -time in Libya...." - -"Spare me!" Farmer cried. "Didn't I have to live through it with you? -Wasn't that punishment enough for my sin of knowing you? But go on with -what you meant to say." - -"Why do I waste breath on dumb bunnies!" Dawson sighed. "Well, anyway, -I figure the picture this way. Hitler got England's front door slammed -hard on his fingers when he tried to push it open last year. In Russia -the Jerries are right now receiving the biggest surprise of this war. -They're getting the pants shot off them just when they thought they -were going to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the Kremlin, in -Moscow. And in Libya the Wops and the Jerries are setting all kinds -of new Olympic distance records trying to get away from our boys out -there. So, what's left? The Far East. That means Japan. I've a hunch -that the Japs are only waiting for the right moment to jump. Sure, I -may be all wet, and the Japs may stay in their holes. But, I've got the -hunch that they won't. So.... Hey! What am I doing all this talking -for, anyway!" - -"The old American custom of letting off steam, I fancy," Freddy Farmer -said with a chuckle. "However, I'd not be too surprised if you were -right. The blasted Japs are...." - -The English youth cut himself off short as a young pink cheeked naval -lieutenant came up to them and saluted smartly. - -"Captain Standers' compliments," he said. "He wishes to see you in his -quarters at once." - -Both Dawson and Farmer nodded, then looked questioningly at each other -as the junior naval rating did a snappy about face and walked away. - -"The Old Man wants us?" Freddy murmured. "What for, I wonder?" - -"Search me," Dawson said with a shrug. Then with a quick side glance at -his pal, "Unless it's for the usual thing." - -"Usual thing?" Freddy Farmer echoed sharply. "Just what do you mean?" - -Dawson jerked his head at the swiftly approaching shoreline. - -"We're getting close to port, and will be going ashore soon," he said. -"I suppose the Skipper wants to lay down the law to you, as usual. And -get me to promise to keep an eye on you ... as usual. Well, there's one -way to find out. That's to go see him. Come along, my little man." - -Dawson turned, took one step, tripped over a foot that shot out -suddenly, and went flat on his face. - -"Sorry, old thing," Freddy murmured, innocent eyed. "Was my foot in -your way, by any chance?" - -Dave got slowly to his feet, brushed off his uniform and glanced down -over the side of the cruiser. He sighed and shook his head. - -"What's the sense?" he growled. "The sharks would probably throw you -right back aboard!" - - - - -CHAPTER TWO - -_Strange Orders_ - - -Captain Standers, commander of the Harkness, was a true type of British -sea dog in both stature and looks. His legs were as sturdy and stubby -as fire hydrants. His body was like a barrel, and two muscle bulging -arms hung from a pair of shoulders as broad as the back of a taxi cab. -His face was lined and wrinkled from countless hours on the bridge -in fair weather and bad. And it was the color of well tanned saddle -leather, save a spot on each cheek that was apple red. The eyes were -small and set wide apart, but in their depths was a glint that gave you -the feeling the man could see right through six inch steel armor. All -in all, Captain Standers looked quite capable of leaping overboard and -shoving his cruiser back into deep water should it ever run aground. - -He swept the two R.A.F. youths with his gimlet eyes as they entered -his quarters and saluted. - -"At ease, Gentlemen," he said in a voice that could double for a -foghorn. "Be seated. It seems that news of your coming to Singapore has -traveled ahead of you. I have a wireless, here, from Air Vice Marshal -Bostworth, of Singapore Air Base. He has made a request regarding you -two." - -"Air Vice Marshal Bostworth, of Singapore Base!" Dawson gasped as the -Cruiser's captain paused for breath. "But there must be some mistake, -sir. I mean, we saw Air Vice Marshal Bostworth just before we left -England. It was he who okayed our request for transfer to duty with the -Far East Fleet Air Arm." - -Captain Standers snorted softly and gave Dawson a look as though he -were some school kid who had fumbled his homework. - -"Quite, Flight Lieutenant," he said. "But we've been at sea close to -three weeks. It's quite possible to _fly_ from London to Singapore, via -Egypt, in less than half that time." - -"Yes, sir, of course," Dave murmured as his face burned. "I.... Well, -it sort of startled me, sir." - -"Quite so," the Harkness' commander grunted. "That is neither here nor -there, however. The wireless is from Air Vice Marshal Bostworth, and -it was sent from R.A.F. Base at Singapore. The request is for you two -pilots to take one of the Harkness' planes aloft and cruise over the -Singapore Strait for two hours and then proceed to the R.A.F. Base on -the Island. Air Vice Marshal Bostworth will meet you there. You've got -that all clear?" - -Freddy and Dave looked at each other, and their thoughts were -identical. Was somebody trying to kid somebody, or something? Why in -the world were they to take one of the Harkness' Bristol powered Fairey -"Swordfishes" aloft and use up gas and oil for an hour or two? Why not -go right on into the Johore Strait Naval Anchorage aboard the Harkness, -and then step ashore to meet the Air Vice Marshal? It certainly didn't -make sense, and the bewildered look that spread over each youth's face -said as much to Captain Standers. He shrugged and made a little gesture -with his hand. - -"Don't bother asking me questions," he said. "I haven't the faintest -idea what the answers should be. Sounds like so much R.A.F. rubbish, -I fancy. However, the request has the approval of the Base Admiral, -so there's only one thing I can do about it. Assign you to one of our -planes, and let you go your way." - -"Begging your pardon, sir," Freddy Farmer spoke up, his face slightly -crimson, "but was that all to the message? Just that we go aloft and -spend two hours in the air before landing at Singapore R.A.F. Base?" - -"That was all, definitely," the Cruiser's captain replied. "As a matter -of fact, I didn't believe it myself and had the first message checked. -The repeat was the same, however. Also, both messages were in a new -emergency code. You say you saw Air Vice Marshal Bostworth just before -you left England?" - -"Yes, sir," the boys replied in one voice. - -"I see," the senior officer murmured. Then flinging them a keen look, -"He didn't mention anything about coming out to Singapore himself? -Didn't say he might have a job for you two to do out here? The three -of us know that Air Vice Marshal Bostworth is connected with Air -Intelligence. And, naturally, your service records are not exactly deep -dark secrets. You aren't, perhaps, as ignorant of what all this crazy -business means as you appear to be, eh?" - -The two R.A.F. pilots grinned, but they both shook their heads. - -"Sorry, sir, but it's as much of a mystery to us," Freddy Farmer spoke -for them. "Air Vice Marshal Bostworth didn't even give us an inkling -that he might be coming out here. It really is surprising news to us, -sir." - -Captain Standers hesitated as though about to speak, then thought -better of it and pushed up onto his feet. - -"Well, one can't know about everything in this blasted war, I fancy," -he grunted. "You two had better get on with it. Use the plane on -Catapult Number Three. I've already told the signal officer to make -ready. Good luck. And, by the way!" - -"Yes, sir?" the two pilots murmured as the Cruiser's commander paused -and scowled at his gnarled hands. - -"When you finally land at Singapore R.A.F. Base," he finally said, -"please mention to Air Vice Marshal Bostworth that I'd jolly well like -to have the plane back before we put to sea again. Planes are hard -enough to get as it is. Well, luck to you anyway." - -Some twenty minutes later Dave Dawson and Freddy Farmer were seated in -a pontoon fitted, Bristol Pegasus engined Fairey "Swordfish" mounted -on the starboard launching arm of Number Three catapult. The engine -was ticking over and the Signal Officer standing on the flight bridge -was ready to "shoot" the plane off into the air as soon as Dave at the -controls gave him the signal. - -Checking his engine instruments for the last time, the Yank R.A.F. ace -turned in the seat and looked back at his English pal. - -"All set for the mystery ride, Freddy?" he called out. - -Young Farmer made a face and nodded. - -"Let her go, Dave," he replied. "But I certainly hope these two hours -whizz by, so's we can land at Singapore Base and find out what in the -world this all means!" - -"You and me both!" Dave grunted. "I've been given a lot of screwy -orders in my time, but this one is certainly tops. Oh, well, we'll get -a nice look at this neck of the Far East, anyway. Okay! Hold your hat. -The balloon's going up!" - -Turning front, Dave nodded to the waiting signal officer, and -automatically braced his body and put his head firmly against the back -rest, so that it wouldn't be snapped back when the launching "trigger" -was pulled. A couple of seconds later the Swordfish's engine was -roaring out its mighty song of power and straining at the locking-dogs -that held it on the catapult arm. Another second and it was as though -an invisible giant had slammed the rear end of the plane with the side -of a barn door, or something. The Swordfish leaped forward like a -scared cat. It shot off the end of the catapult arm, sank toward the -water for a brief instant, then rose upward as the whirling prop bit -into the air and produced flying speed. - -Once clear and curving upward, Dave throttled slightly and held the -nose on a gentle climb toward Heaven. He turned and grinned at Freddy -and then glanced down back at the Harkness cutting through the sun -flooded waters of the China Sea like a perfectly streamlined battle -grey fish. For a moment signal flags that spelled out G-O-O-D L-U-C-K -fluttered in the wind, then they were hauled down and the Harkness -began falling far astern of the climbing plane. Dave looked front -again, leveled off at a comfortable six thousand feet and relaxed -comfortably in the seat. - -"Ladies and Gentlemen!" came Freddy Farmer's voice to his ears. "On the -far left you have the British owned island of Singapore. Just above -it is the Malay Peninsula where they produce about eighty per cent of -all the rubber in the world. And tin, also. A bit more to the north is -French Indo-China. Far to the right are the Philippines. And way in -back of you are the Dutch East Indies, including Borneo and Sumatra. If -you smoke cigars, Ladies and Gentlemen, you should be doubly interested -in Sumatra because the famous Sumatra leaf used as an outside wrapper -for many, many brands of cigars comes from Sumatra. Personally, I'm not -very interested because I do not smoke cigars. However...." - -"However, shut up, Professor!" Dave interrupted with a laugh. "We -can see it all, and we studied all about these parts when we were in -school. But ... there is one question I would like to ask the learned -Professor." - -"Certainly, my child, certainly," Freddy Farmer replied. "Go right -ahead. What do you want to know?" - -"Boy, are you sticking your chin out!" Dave chuckled. "Okay! Why _are_ -we flying around up here, Professor?" - -"Good Lord, I should have suspected that!" Freddy Farmer groaned. -"Well, it's a secret. A very deep dark secret. Only one man knows. And -so far he hasn't told anybody. He.... Hey, Dave!" - -"Don't shout, I haven't jumped out, yet," Dave cried and turned quickly -around. "What...?" - -Dave stopped short and stared hard at his pal. Freddy Farmer was -leaning way forward to the right and gaping puzzle eyed down at the -rolling surface of the China Sea far ahead. He didn't switch his gaze -to Dave's face. He simply made a little movement with one hand and kept -his eyes riveted on something ahead. - -"Take a look way out there, Dave!" he shouted. "I thought I saw some -flashes of light." - -"Light?" Dawson echoed sharply. "This time of day? Are you nuts, or -just seeing things?" - -"I saw something!" the English youth said. "At least I'd be willing to -swear to it. Sort of flashes of light, as though some surface ship were -signaling by mirror. You know, by heliograph." - -Dave didn't make any comment to that for a moment or two. He had turned -front and was sweeping the waters ahead and below with his eyes. -However, that was all he saw. Just a limitless expanse of robin's egg -blue water that was streaked and smeared with the gold of the blazing -sun. True, the rays of the sun bouncing off the rolling blue swells -seemed to shower up clusters of golden specks in all directions that -dazzled his eyes. But no matter how hard he strained his eyes he could -see not the slightest sign of a surface ship, to say nothing of the -telltale ribbon of smoke trailing back from her stacks. Eventually he -gave it up and turned to look at his pal again. - -"Is this some kind of a gag?" he demanded. "Or did you really see -something? Maybe it was just sunbeams dancing off the water, huh?" - -Freddy Farmer wiped a hand across his eyes, sighed and shrugged. - -"Maybe," he said in a puzzled voice. "But, if so, it's the first time I -ever saw sunbeams send out dots and dashes." - -"Dots and dashes?" Dave echoed. "Did you catch any of them? The -letters, I mean?" - -"Too fast," Freddy said with a shake of his head. "And what little I -did catch didn't mean any letters in the Morse Code. But ... maybe I -was just seeing things. Sorry." - -Dave grinned and winked, and turned front once more. - -"Think nothing of it, my little pal," he said. "Even the best of us -make mistakes now and...." - -Dave clamped his lips shut on the last, sat up straight in the seat and -stared hard down at the water to his right and some four or five miles -away. Perhaps it actually was a sunbeam dancing back up at him, but for -a brief instant he was certain he had seen four or five rapid flashes -of light down on the surface of the water. Another moment and he was -positive beyond all shadow of a doubt. There was a light flashing down -there on the water. Rather it was the reflection of the sun's rays on a -heliograph mirror. However, the flashes were both long and short, and -Dave didn't have to look twice to realize perfectly well that some kind -of a message was being flashed from down there on the water. - -"But how, and who's doing it?" Dave gulped out the question aloud. -"Unless I'm completely nuts, or stone blind, there's nothing but water -down there. Hey, Freddy!" - -"Yes, I see it, too," the English youth spoke up. "Thought I'd let you -see it for yourself this time. What do you make of it, Dave? A bit -weird, isn't it?" - -"And a lot more than that!" Dave grunted and was uncomfortably -conscious of an eerie tingling at the back of his neck. "I don't see a -darn thing else but water and that flashing light. Hey! Do you suppose -it could be a sheet of metal, or something, that's being caught by the -sun as it rides those swells?" - -"It could be, but I'm sure it isn't!" Freddy Farmer replied in a tight -voice. "Dave, those are real dot and dash signals. Three dots--two -dashes, then one dot and four dashes. Neither of those are Morse Code -letters. Or International Morse, either. But, I'll eat my parachute -pack if those aren't some kind of signals." - -"Check and double check!" Dave grunted and scowled. - -On impulse he took his eyes off the strange flashing signals far below -and ahead, and twisting all the way around in the seat he took a good -look at the surrounding heavens. Finally, he lowered his eyes to meet -Freddy Farmer's puzzled gaze. - -"Notice something else, Freddy, that seems to be a little out of -whack?" he asked. - -The English born R.A.F. ace took a quick look around, and shook his -head. - -"Can't say I do," he said. "Unless you mean us tooting around up here -for no apparent reason ... at least, not to us. Why? What do you mean?" - -Dave made a little gesture with one hand that included a sweep of the -surrounding air. - -"Just that," he said. "Full of nothing but sky and air. How come? How -come we're the only plane that's burning gas and oil in these parts? -Why isn't there a sign of any Singapore Base planes out on patrol? -Particularly the U-boat patrol planes. Don't they care any more if -supply ships heading for Singapore get torpedoed? In short, where is -everybody?" - -"By jove, that's right, Dave!" Freddy Farmer breathed with a catch in -his voice. "Of course, they may have scared U-boats and surface raiders -away from here for good, yet.... Yet you'd think they'd still maintain -some kind of daylight patrol just in case." - -"Took the words right out of my mouth," Dawson said with a grave nod. -"Of course, it is the month of December, and maybe they've declared -a truce out here until Xmas comes and goes. But it's darn queer. No -planes in the air. No ships on the water. Even the Harkness is out of -sight, now. Just us." - -"And those queer light flashes down there," Freddy Farmer added. "Dave! -I think we should...." - -"Doggone right!" Dave cut in and shoved the stick forward. "We'll -take us a better look anyway. Hang on, pal! These Swordfish jobs lose -altitude in plenty hurry!" - - - - -CHAPTER THREE - -_The Voice of Doom_ - - -Dave wasn't kidding when he said that an aerial torpedo carrying Fairey -Swordfish can go down in a hurry. The plane streaked seaward like a -meteor in high gear. Dave held it in its steep dive until the rolling -blue swells of the China sea came rushing up a little too close for -comfort. Skillfully working the controls, he leveled off and shot the -plane forward toward the spot where they had first noticed the weird -flashes of light. - -There were no flashes of light to be seen now, however. There was -nothing but sun flooded rolling water. Dave stared hard, and so did -Freddy Farmer, too. But it was just a waste of eyesight for all the -good it did them. - -"That makes us nuts, Freddy!" Dave sang out. "I don't see a thing, do -you?" - -"Not a thing!" Freddy called to him. "I fancy it must have been the -sun's rays playing tricks on the water." - -"Well, some trick, is all I've got to say," Dave grunted and climbed -the Swordfish slightly for a better look. "The same combinations of -dots and dashes were repeated over and over again." - -"I know," Freddy said. "Like a blasted call signal on the short-wave -radio. If they'd been different and jumbled up then you could put -it down to sunlight bouncing off the water, but ... _Dave!_ To the -left! To the left! See that spot of white water? Foam? Dave! There's -something there!" - -Dave had already snapped his eyes to the left and was staring at a -patch of foamy white water on the surface of the seemingly limitless -stretch of rolling blue. The white foamy patch was there for a very -good reason. It was the telltale wake left by a diving submarine. And -even as Dave realized that he caught sight of a long cigar shaped -shadow sliding forward just under the surface of the water. - -"That's a submarine, Dave!" Freddy Farmer's excited voice confirmed -Dawson's belief at practically the same instant. "It was on the surface -and signalling us, but we couldn't see anything but the flash signals." - -"Sure, so what?" Dave growled and veered the Swordfish around toward -the shadow of the undersea craft. "But why signal _us_? And, also, why -signal us and then dive when we start to come down? Our markings are -plain enough." - -"Maybe it's a German U-boat!" Freddy cried excitedly. - -"Maybe," Dave said with a shrug. "But it still doesn't make sense. -_Why_ was the guy signalling to us?" - -"Maybe he wasn't signalling to us," Freddy Farmer ventured. - -Dave snorted and made a little gesture with his free hand. - -"Then who was he signalling to?" he demanded. "The man in the moon -above us? I took a good look, Freddy. I'll swear on a ten foot stack -of bibles that we're the only plane aloft in these parts. No, that -underwater boat was signalling to us, and...." - -He left the rest hanging in midair as he suddenly saw the moving shadow -of the submarine grow clearer and clearer as it rose to the surface. A -moment later the surface of the blue water boiled white and the conning -tower mast and hatch rose up into view. Another moment and the whole -bridge and decks were awash. Like a man in a dream Dave blinked his -eyes at the strange sight. It was a submarine sure enough, but it -was of a type he had never seen in his life. And what was even more -astonishing, it was painted a dull greenish blue to make it blend in -well nigh perfectly with the surrounding waters. - -"Good Lord!" Freddy Farmer gasped. "What is it? Nazi, or one of our -new types? And look at those two bow guns, Dave. And.... Dave! Look -at those seamen spill out of that opened conning tower hatch! They're -coming out like blasted rabbits. Get closer to the thing. It's like -something out of a fairy story book." - -Dave Dawson only half heard his friend's exclamations, for all of his -attention and his eyes were fixed on the strange craft just off and -below the left wings. Just as Freddy Farmer had said, the figures of -seamen were popping out of the opened conning tower hatch like rabbits -out of a hat. They looked neither German nor English. They were all -short and stocky, and they moved about as though operated by strings -held by invisible hands. - -Wide eyed, Dave stared at them; watched them pop out and go scrambling -down the bridge ladder and forward toward the bow. And then things -happened so fast that both Dave and Freddy were too stunned and -paralyzed to even think, let alone move. The two forward guns were -swung around toward them, covers were ripped off, and in the next -instant the muzzle of each gun belched out smoke and flame, and the -Swordfish heeled over drunkenly on the opposite wings as though it had -crashed full out into an invisible brick wall suspended in the sky. - -A thousand steel fists hammered against Dave's body and his brain -became filled with flashing white light. As though from a million miles -away he heard the wild, excited yells from Freddy Farmer's lips. He -heard also the scream of the Bristol Pegasus engine over-revving. And, -although he was not conscious of doing so, he reached out and cut the -ignition and hauled back the throttle with a single movement of his -hand. - -Then, just as suddenly as the flashing white light had filled his -brain, the light disappeared, and he realized that the plane was -cutting crazily down sidewise toward the rolling blue swells that were -now perilously close. The engine cowling looked as though it had been -hit by a twenty-ton tank. The metal was hanging in gleaming ribbons. -And as for the engine itself, one whole side of the powerful radial -engine was just so much mangled junk. - -Sight and action became one for Dave. Even as he saw what the exploding -shell from the mysterious submarine's gun had done, he slammed on -opposite control hard and slowly got the Swordfish back onto even keel. -But shell fragments had parted a couple of the cables and no sooner -was the plane on even keel than it struggled to slump down by the wing -again. As a matter of fact, had the water not been but inches from the -bottom of the pontoon, and Dave able to sit down quickly, the plane -would have cartwheeled over and gone in wingtips first to really crack -up. As it was, the hasty emergency landing made Dave's teeth click, and -his backbone to feel as though it had been snapped off in half a dozen -places. However, the plane stayed put on its pontoon, and in a couple -of seconds the stars and comets ceased dancing around inside Dave's -head. - -The first thing he did was to twist his head around and look for the -strange submarine. But it wasn't anywhere to be seen. It had obviously -crash-dived once the Swordfish had been hit. There wasn't even the -froth of its wake to be seen. Dave took a good look in all directions, -and then looked at Freddy Farmer's wide eyed and slightly pale face. He -grinned and touched a finger to his flying helmet. - -"Weren't in a hurry to get any place, were you, boss?" he called out. -"I think we've had an accident. In fact, I'm cockeyed sure of it, -boss." - -The kidding words snapped the strain that was gripping the English -youth. Freddy slowly relaxed, swallowed a couple of times, and then -matched Dave's grin. - -"It doesn't matter, driver," he said. Then with a wave of his hand, -"Welcome to Singapore. Nice place, isn't it?" - -"Oh, jolly, as the beef eating English say," Dave mimicked with a -chuckle. "A trifle on the wet side, though. You okay, Freddy?" - -"My heart's stuck fast against my back teeth," the other said. "I -fancy, though, it'll drop back into place in a moment. But that was the -damnedest ever, Dave. What in the world do you think?" - -Dave gave a shake of his head and heaved a long puzzled sigh. - -"I can't even try to guess, much less think," he finally grunted. -"Thank the gods that only one shell hit us ... and it on the nose. -About ten feet farther back and you and I would be going places right -now full of slivers of steel. What do you think?" - -"Less than that, I'm afraid," Freddy said, and cast anxious eyes about -the surface of the surrounding water. "To tell the truth, I feel like -I've just awakened from a horrible nightmare." - -"Take a look at our engine!" Dave growled. "It was no nightmare, son. -Say, Freddy. You won't laugh, will you?" - -"Lord knows I could do with a good laugh right now," the English youth -said and unbuckled his uncomfortable parachute harness. "But what's on -your mind? I promise not to laugh." - -"Those guys who came popping out on that sub's deck like rabbits," Dave -said after a long frowning pause. "Know what they looked like to me?" - -"What?" - -"Like Japs," Dave said, straight faced. - -Freddy Farmer gulped and blinked. It was a couple of seconds before he -could get his tongue to form the word. - -"Japs?" he gasped. - -"Sure, Japs," Dave repeated. "You know, short for Japanese. I'll bet -you that was a Jap submarine, and those guys who let fly at us were -Japs." - -The English youth pondered over that a moment, and meanwhile kept up -his nervous-eyed search of the surrounding rolling swells. - -"They did have the Japanese build, I'll admit," he finally said. -"But.... Lord! It's fantastic, Dave! Why in the world would a Jap -submarine come to the surface and blast away at us? We're not even -carrying a torpedo, to say nothing of bombs." - -"But we are carrying a two-way radio," Dave pointed out gravely. "It -could be that they didn't want anybody to know they were this close to -Singapore. They didn't hear us use the radio, so decided to surprise -us and blast us before we could use it. I only hope they don't surface -again and make sure with those bow guns. Say! What are you hunting for -anyway?" - -"What do you think?" Freddy Farmer snapped. "I'm hoping they _don't_ -come back to the surface, either. That they'll believe they got us with -that one blast. But, Dave, it's still fantastic. England's not at war -with Japan. Standers of the Harkness would have been informed if war -was declared while we were at sea. And he certainly would have told his -officers." - -"You and your English rules of war!" Dave groaned. "Look, little man, -they don't _declare_ war any more these days. You only find out you're -at war when you feel the pain of the knife going into your back. But I -only said they _looked_ like Japs. Maybe they weren't. Maybe they grow -them that way in Hitlerland, now. Who can tell?" - -"Well, I guess it doesn't make much difference who they were," Freddy -said with a shrug. "The point is, _here_ we are, and _what_ are we -going to do about it." - -"We could swim," Dave grunted, "but I never was very good at making -friends with man-eating sharks. If you must know the truth, I figure -we've got to sit here and wait." - -"But that might be forever!" Freddy cried in a startled voice. - -"Yeah, a long time," Dave said, and tapped a finger to his head. "Stop -wondering about the Japs, pal, and relax and use your brains. Or did -you leave them in England?" - -"Very funny!" Freddy growled. "But just what are you being so long -winded about? Come on, spit it out!" - -"What would you do without me always around to hold your hand, and dry -your tears," Dave taunted with a grin. "We sit here until they come out -and pick us up, of course." - -"Until _they_ come out?" Freddy echoed sharply. "Who knows where we...?" - -He stopped short and made a face as though he had bitten his tongue. -Then he grinned sheepishly as the flush came into his cheeks. - -"Sorry, old thing," he mumbled. "Stupid of me, wasn't it? I see what -you mean, of course. When Air Vice Marshal Bostworth doesn't see us -return from a two hour mystery patrol over this area, he'll jolly well -send out search planes, eh?" - -"He'd jolly well better!" Dave grunted and fished for the chocolate -bars he always carried. "Or I'll punch him right on the nose if I ever -meet up with him again. He got us into this, and he can get us out! -Here, have a hunk of chocolate. And don't chew with your mouth open. -It's not nice, and it makes me nervous." - -Freddy Farmer shrugged when he could think of no fitting retort to that -one. However, he accepted one of the bars of chocolate, and both boys -fell to eating and silently staring out over the expanse of rolling -blue water that seemed to touch no land in any direction. - - - - -CHAPTER FOUR - -_Satan Over Singapore_ - - -Exactly five hours later the two boys were still staring out across -the rolling blue swells, and in between times they had searched and -researched the blazing China Sea skies with their tired eyes. But from -then until now they had seen nothing to bring joy or alarm to their -hearts. No planes or ships had appeared, and although they had kidded -and horsed around to keep each other's spirits at a high level, tiny -fears, and dreads, and doubts, were little by little boring deeper -into their thoughts. For five hours neither had seen the slightest -sign of anything that might mean rescue. And for five solid hours each -had expected the mysterious submarine to rise to the surface again -and really finish them off. After all, they had been shot down by the -undersea boat's guns for reasons they still couldn't figure out. But -just to be shot down and left floating alive was something else again. -That is, unless the crew and officers of that strange submarine were of -the belief that they had died. - -Licking his dry lips, Dave half turned in the seat and shot a quick -glance back at Freddy Farmer. There was a set smile on the English -youth's lips, but the tightness at the corners of his eyes, and a -faint line of worry that creased his forehead told that the youth was -struggling inwardly to keep control of his jangled nerves and not go -haywire. - -"I think I forgot to ask you," Dave said. "Just how did you like your -visit to Singapore, anyway?" - -"Top-hole!" Freddy said with a forced smile. "So ... so stimulating, -and educational, you know. Fact is, I don't believe I'll ever forget -it. One of the milestones in my life." - -"Speaking of things educational," Dawson said to keep the conversation -alive, "what do you know about Singapore, anyway?" - -"Ask me, and find out, my little man," Freddy said with a little wave -of his hand. - -Dave dragged down the corners of his mouth, and squinted at his pal. - -"A smart guy, huh?" he grunted. "Okay, I will ask you a few things. -First, what does Singapore mean?" - -"Don't you know?" Freddy retorted. - -"Come on, none of that stuff!" Dave cried. "Stop crawling, young man. -Tell teacher, or else admit you're dumb. What does Singapore mean?" - -"Singapore means nothing!" Freddy shot at him. "It is the modern -spelling of the city's real name centuries ago. Then it was Singhapura. -That is a Sanskrit word that means City of the Lion." - -Dave made a mock bow and went through the motions of tipping his hat. - -"Well, knock me over with a Flying Fortress!" he exclaimed. "I guess -the guy did spend two or three years in school. Okay, tell me some -more, sonny." - -"It's rather a nice sort of place, if you go in for that sort of -place," Freddy said gravely. "It is an island, of course. It was picked -as a British navy outpost by a Sir Stafford Raffles many, many years -ago. It covers about two hundred and sixteen square miles and it guards -the trade routes to the Indian Ocean. It is very well fortified, and -any nation who tries to take it away from us is going to have a battle -on his hands, I can tell you. The city is built...." - -"Okay, okay!" Dave laughed and threw up his hands. "I guess you've -read books. Spare me the rest of the details. I read a book once, -myself." - -"Right-o," Freddy Farmer said. "Now it's my turn to ask questions. No, -not about Singapore. Here's a question that oddly enough not one man in -fifty could answer correctly." - -"Then shoot!" Dawson said with a chuckle. "Me, I'm that one man." - -"Here goes then," the English born R.A.F. ace said. "Is there a type of -Nazi dive bomber called the Stuka?" - -Dave Dawson sat up a little straighter in the cockpit seat and gave his -friend a keen look. - -"What was that last one?" he demanded. "You wouldn't be kidding a pal, -would you, pal?" - -"Certainly not!" Freddy retorted. "And _you_ stop crawling. Answer the -question. Is there a type of Nazi dive bomber called the Stuka?" - -"I hope to kiss a Messerschmitt there is!" Dave replied. "And I wish -I had a dime for every time one of them has come piling down in my -direction. What is this, anyway? You didn't drop your brains over the -side, did you?" - -"No, but you must have!" the English youth snapped back. "My poor -misinformed little friend, Stuka is a name for _all_ kinds of dive -bombers. Not just one type, as is commonly believed. It comes -from the German word _Sturzkampfflugzeug_. And that word means, -plunge-battle-fight-apparatus. And so, I would suggest that you go back -and make your solo flight all over again." - -"My, my!" Dave breathed and gave a shake of his head in mock -admiration. "After all this time and I didn't once dream that you had -that big word inside of you. I must really get to know you one of these -days. You'd be quite something to have along at one of those radio quiz -programs. I just bet you got sore fingers from tearing off box tops, -and sending into the corner drugstore. But hold it! You don't have -advertising on your English radio programs, do you?" - -"No, we don't," Freddy said with a frown. "And what do you mean, tear -off a box top?" - -"It's a radio stunt used back home to build up sales," Dave explained. -"A manufacturer may be offering a booklet, or some kind of prize free, -see? You can get it for nothing. All you do is buy say five or ten -boxes of his product, tear off the tops and send them in with your -name and address. And they send you whatever it is they are offering -special, see? The catch is to get you to buy more of his product so's -you can tear off the box tops. I once tried to get a book of old -American songs that was being offered, but the folks wouldn't let me. -It would have cost my Dad close to six thousand dollars to get the top -of the boxes their product came in." - -Freddy Farmer's eyes popped, and his mouth fell open. - -"Six thousand dollars?" he gasped. "Good Lord! Why that much money?" - -"The company sold pianos!" Dave said and ducked as Freddy flushed and -swung his opened hand. - -"When will I learn not to believe a thing that falls out of your big -mouth!" Freddy groaned. Then after a moment's silence, he said, "This -is a bit of foolishness, isn't it? Why don't we talk about what's -really on our minds?" - -"Okay," Dave said with a shrug. "Let's talk about it, then. Go ahead." - -"Well, right at this moment I'm not feeling too kindly toward Air Vice -Marshal Bostworth," Freddy said. "It's over three hours since we were -to meet him at Singapore R.A.F. Base. I should think he would have sent -planes out hunting for us by now. What do you think?" - -Dave didn't answer for a moment. He slowly twisted around in the seat -and took a good look at the sky and at the four horizons. He saw -nothing in the air, and only far to the south did he see the thin dark -line low down that marked land of some sort. It could be any one of -the several islands that dotted the Strait. - -"The same as you think, I guess, Freddy," he said presently, turning to -his friend. "I frankly thought that we might have to wait for a spell -or so. But not so long as this. If help's coming I hope it comes soon. -That sun is getting closer and closer to the western horizon. Maybe -when we didn't show up Air Vice Marshal Bostworth decided that Captain -Standers wouldn't let us take a plane. And speaking of Standers, -he's sure going to tear out his hair when he doesn't get this Fairey -Swordfish back. He struck me as a lad who doesn't like folks to keep -things they borrow." - -"Oh, bother to Standers!" Freddy grunted and shook a hand impatiently. -"What do we do when darkness falls, Dave?" - -"Let it fall," the Yank replied. "What else?" - -"Lord, what a help you are to a chap!" the English youth groaned. "We -can't stay here forever. In case you don't realize it, my funny man, a -seam has split in the pontoon, and we've been taking in water for an -hour now. We're going to go under eventually." - -"Yes, I've known we were taking in water, Freddy," Dave said quietly. -"It isn't our combined weight that's making this job list a few -degrees. But.... Well, Freddy, if it happens, I guess we've just got -to take it, that's all. To tell the truth I've been beating my brains -all over the place trying to figure some way to get in touch with the -nearest shore. But the only way I can figure, wouldn't help us at all. -Not unless help came out quicker than greased lightning." - -"Well, as you've often said, anything's worth a try!" Freddy exclaimed. -"What's your idea?" - -"A bum one, and definitely out," Dave replied with a vigorous shake of -his head. "The only way we could attract attention on shore is to set -the plane on fire. If we did, it would only be a case of who got us -first, the flames, or the sharks. Nope! I shouldn't even have brought -it up." - -"I'll say you shouldn't have!" Freddy growled and glared at the radio -panel. "Look at that thing, there! Perfectly good when we're in the air -but not worth a hoot down here on the water. Runs off the engine. Why -don't they fit the things with hand driven generators so a chap can -still work the radio when he's forced down?" - -"They do on the big ships," Dave said. "But every extra pound of weight -counts on this type of plane. Besides, Air Ministry expects you to be a -good pilot and not get forced down." - -"Blast Air Ministry!" Freddy snarled. "I wish some of those precious -Brass Hats were here with us now. Perhaps they'd get a better idea of -what a flying johnnie has to go through. It's all wrong, I tell you, -Dave. The blokes at Air Ministry think that...." - -"Tell me tomorrow, pal!" Dave suddenly broke in excitedly and flung -up a hand toward the southwest. "Take a good look up there. Is that a -plane, or have they got birds that big in this neck of the world?" - -Freddy Farmer snapped his opened mouth shut and swiveled eagerly around -in his seat, and peered intently in the direction of Dave's pointed -finger. After a long minute he let clamped air out of his lungs in a -great sigh of unbelievable relief. - -"It's not a bird, Dave, it's a plane!" he cried. "A flying boat. It's -one of our American built patrol Catalinas. Can't you recognize it? -Lord knows you had enough experience on one!"[1] - -[Footnote 1: _Dave Dawson On Convoy Patrol._] - -"Old Freddy Farmer, the lad with telescopic eyes!" Dave cried as the -prospect of immediate rescue drove all the little gnawing fears away. -"They should get you to censor mail. You wouldn't have to take the -letters out of the envelopes. But.... I hope you're right, sweetheart. -I can see something headed this way, but it's too doggone small for a -good look." - -"Don't fret, it's a Catalina!" the English youth cried out happily. -"I'm sure of it now. See? They've sighted us. They're coming down." - -"They could be going out for lunch, for all I could tell," Dave grunted -as he strained his eyes at the faint blackish blur high up in the China -Sea sky. "But I'll take your word for it. Tell me, how many aboard? And -has the pilot got a mustache or not?" - -"He has not, but he's got a gold tooth!" Freddy snapped at him. "Stop -pulling my leg. You must be able to see it clearly, now. Just because -you're being rescued from a possible watery grave, my good man, don't -be so blasted funny." - -"Funny?" Dave echoed with a snort. "Look at me! I could weep with joy. -Now that things look okay for us, I can admit that I was plenty worried -awhile back. And no kidding, either!" - -"Hardly the word to express how I felt," Freddy murmured and took a -deep breath. "But perhaps we were really born under a lucky star, Dave. -We always manage to skin through, somehow." - -"Skin through, he says?" Dave echoed. "You mean, I walk through and -pull you through after me. But let it go. Boy! What I'm going to tell -Air Vice Marshal Bostworth when I see him!" - -"Well, don't do it unless I'm outside the building," Freddy said. - -"Outside the building?" Dave echoed and gave him a puzzled look. "Why?" - -"To catch you when you come out," the English youth replied with a -grin. "Air Vice Marshal Bostworth is six foot, three, as you know. And -he is a holy terror about insubordination, as you _also_ know." - -"Yeah, that's true," Dave murmured, and watched the Catalina slide -down lower and lower. "Well, at least I'll be thinking plenty when, -and if, I meet him. Five hours on this sea of liquid fire is enough to -make anybody sore. Okay, Freddy, give the pilot a wave. He's waving at -us. Man, oh man! Doesn't it make you feel good to see that old R.A.F. -insignia on the wings and hull?" - -Freddy simply nodded. For the moment he was unable to speak. He was -too choked up with emotion to dare trust his tongue. So he simply -nodded, waved his hand and smiled all over the place as the Catalina -sank lower, then cut around into the wind and made a feather-duster -landing not over thirty yards to the lee of the slowly foundering -Fairey Swordfish. Some clever sea rudder and engine throttling by the -pilot soon brought the Catalina close enough for the boys to catch the -line that came singing out through the hull door. Another couple of -moments and they were both way out on the Swordfish's left lower wing -and scrambling aboard the Catalina. - -"Dawson and Farmer, of course?" asked the sergeant gunner who helped -them aboard. - -"Check!" Dave gulped. "And were we glad to see this job. We were -getting the feeling that we'd soon be food for those sharks that were -gathering around." - -"Nasty devils, those man eaters in these waters, sir," the Sergeant -said, and stepped around Dave. "Stand clear, sir. I'm tossing a little -time bomb into the Fairey. No sense having it float around for some -johnny to run into. There! There we are." - -A pang of sadness touched Dave's heart as he watched the small time -bomb arc from the Sergeant's hand and plop down into the cockpit of -the Fairey Swordfish. True, the seaplane was a total loss. The engine -was a tangled mass of junk, and not worth salvage efforts. Besides, -the pontoon was filling fast, and it wouldn't be long before the craft -would be three quarters submerged and a menace to navigation in those -waters. Yes, it was best to blow it up and sink it below the surface -of the China Sea. Yet a plane had always been to Dave something that -was almost alive, and human. It always hurt a little bit to see one of -man's air creations destroyed. Yes, even when destruction was necessary. - -And so as the time bomb plopped down into the cockpit Dave swallowed -hard, gave the doomed plane a quick little salute of honor, and then -faced the Sergeant again. - -"Say, is Air Vice Marshal Bostworth at Singapore, Sergeant?" he asked. -"Boy, I've got the yen to tear a mile wide strip off him when we meet. -We've been floating around for over five hours. Did you know that? He -said that.... What's the matter?" - -Dave stopped short and asked the last because the Sergeant had suddenly -stiffened and gone pale under the heavy tan on his face. - -"Fancy you can speak to the Air Vice Marshal personally, sir," the -Sergeant said in a hoarse whisper. "He's just behind you, waiting in -the navigation compartment." - -"He's _what_?" Dave gasped and felt his knees go rubbery and weak. - - - - -CHAPTER FIVE - -_Official Explanations_ - - -It was only the matter of a couple of seconds, but it seemed to Dave -Dawson that it was a hundred years before he could dig up strength -enough to turn around. When he did he saw the tall, thin faced figure -of Air Vice Marshal Bostworth seated in the navigator's chair not ten -feet from where he stood. The high ranking officer's eyes were slightly -narrowed, and there was a glittering chill in their depths that made -Dave wonder if he hadn't better just push open the Catalina's hull door -and jump out to the sharks. Maybe they would be easier on him. - -"Come in, you two, and shut the door!" the senior officer suddenly -snapped. Then looking past the two rescued pilots, he added, "That's -all, Sergeant. Tell Flight Lieutenant Baker to take off and go to -maximum ceiling and cruise about until further orders. Hop to it, man!" - -The Sergeant sprang into action, and so did Dave and Freddy. They -stepped quickly into the navigation room and closed the door behind -them. Dave gulped a couple of times and took the plunge. - -"Sorry, sir, I guess I spoke out of turn," he said lamely. "It was -dumb." - -Air Vice Marshal Bostworth gave him a look that could cut right through -steel. - -"Very dumb, Flight Lieutenant, to use your native tongue!" he snapped. -Then wiping the anger from his face, and grinning, he said, "But, I -can't say I blame you. Would have been a bit put out, myself, if I'd -been in your place. However, it was something that couldn't be helped. -But sit down, sit down, you two. A spot of coffee, or tea, or rum, or -something? It must have been a bit of an ordeal for you." - -"Nothing for me, sir," Freddy spoke up. "I'm quite all right, sir." - -"Me, too," Dave said with a nod. "But, holy.... I mean, it was -certainly a surprise to learn that you were out here, sir. I thought -the Harkness' captain was kidding me at first. And as for what's -happened since he told us, well.... Well, we're both in a sweet flat -spin." - -The senior officer started to speak but checked himself as there came -the faint _crump_ of the exploding time bomb above the roar of the -Catalina's engines as the pilot up forward took her off the water and -aloft. As though by mutual agreement all three in the navigation room -glanced down out of the porthole at the disc of frothy white water that -marked where the Fairey Swordfish had met her end. - -"Well, that's one less plane England has," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth -said with a sad note in his voice. - -"And I'd rather not meet up with Captain Standers for a while," Dave -grunted. "Darn that submarine! It...." - -He cut himself off short as the Air Vice Marshal whirled around and -stared at him wide eyed. - -"Submarine?" the senior officer echoed sharply. "What the devil are -you talking about? Weren't you shot down by plane? A plane with R.A.F. -markings? That's what I imagined." - -"Plane?" Dave himself echoed. "Gosh, no! We saw some signals, and -wondered what...." - -"Wait a minute," the Air Vice Marshal stopped him. "Perhaps you'd -better begin at the beginning, and tell me everything. Every little -detail, and don't leave out a thing. Start with when Captain Standers, -of the Harkness, summoned you to his quarters to give you my orders -for a two hour patrol." - -Dave glanced at Freddy, but the English youth shook his head. - -"You tell it, Dave," he said. - -Dave shrugged, stared at his two hands for a moment to get things -arranged in his own mind, and then told detail for detail of their -movements and actions from the time they were summoned by the commander -of the Harkness, right up to when they scrambled aboard the patrol -Catalina. Air Vice Marshal Bostworth listened in silence, but the frown -on his face deepened as Dave talked along. And by the time the Yank -born R.A.F. ace had finished his little speech there was both anger -and worry glowing in the senior officer's eyes. Even when Dave finally -stopped talking he didn't say a thing for several long moments. He sat -puffing hard on a thin stemmed pipe he clutched between his teeth and -scowled darkly at the clouds of blue smoke that curled upward. - -"Damnedest thing ever!" he finally muttered. "A Jap sub, eh? Of course -it was a Jap, right enough. We've suspected that they've been sneaking -close into these waters whenever they got the chance. But to come to -the surface and blast away at you chaps! Well.... Well, I'll be blessed -if that isn't a new one. Quite sure you couldn't make head nor tail -out of their heliograph signals, eh?" - -"Quite, sir," Freddy said quietly. - -"Not a single blink meant a thing," Dave said with a curt shake of his -head. "They certainly weren't any Morse letters or numbers that I ever -learned." - -"A code of their own, no doubt," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth grunted. -"Well, before I start my little tale let me explain why you had to -float around so long. Only I and the Admiral commanding knew that I'd -radioed those orders to the Harkness, you see? I had expected to be -at the Air Base to meet you but I got tied up on an inspection tour -of some emergency fields on the Johore side, and didn't get back -until long after I expected to. It gave me a bit of a start, I can -tell you, not to find you waiting, and to see the Harkness riding at -anchor in the Strait. Went aboard at once and received another start -when I learned you had taken off. So I hurried ashore, routed out this -Catalina crew, and came hunting for you. Thank God, we got to you in -time!" - -"We were beginning to feel less happy by the second, sir," Dave said -with an apologetic grin. "But one thing I can't figure is, why weren't -there patrol planes out? Why didn't some other plane pick us up long -before then? But we didn't see a single plane or surface ship during -the whole time. We.... Hey! England's not at war with Japan, is she?" - -"Not a declared war by either side, anyway," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth -replied gravely. "However, we are watching each other like a couple of -strange cats. And if you want my opinion on the matter I think the Japs -are going to have a go at us inside of ten days at the most." - -Dave stiffened slightly and glanced at the calendar hanging on the -compartment wall. It told him that today was the sixth of December, -Nineteen Hundred and Forty-One. He looked at Freddy and gave him a sly -wink, and then turned to the Air Vice Marshal. - -"Then that's why you came out from England in a hurry, eh?" he -murmured. "The Japs are actually going to be saps, huh?" - -The Air Intelligence officer smiled faintly at Dawson's remark, but -shook his head and raised a cautioning finger. - -"That is the spirit, Dawson," he said, "but don't be carried away by -the belief that the Japs would ... would be push-overs, as they say in -your country. As a matter of fact, the one mistake we have made most in -this blasted war, and during the years leading up to it, too, has been -to underestimate the strength and ability of the enemy. The Japs may be -saps, as you say, but that won't stop them from attacking if they think -they hold the winning hand. And I'm afraid they do believe they hold -it." - -"But they would be bashing their crazy heads against a stone wall!" -Freddy Farmer protested. "I mean if they dared to have a go at -Singapore. I've always been told that Singapore is every bit as -impregnable as Gibraltar." - -"From sea attack, yes," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth said. "But from -the air? That is something else again. And as far as Singapore is -concerned, the greatest weakness in its defense is not on the Island at -all." - -"Not on the Island, sir?" Dave Dawson echoed. "I don't think I get you." - -"The water supply," the senior officer said. "It comes from Johore -on the mainland side of the Strait, and is piped over the causeway. -Blast Singapore's water supply and the lads on the Island would have a -pretty bad time of it. However, that's neither here nor there for the -moment. Dawson, you asked just a moment ago why didn't some other plane -pick you up before this one. I'll tell you. Because there weren't any -other planes in the air. I recalled all patrols early this morning, and -grounded all planes." - -The Air Vice Marshal paused for a moment, and although a thousand -questions hovered on the boys' lips, they knew enough to hold their -tongues. - -"It's hard to tell the story," Bostworth continued presently with a -frown, "because there are so many parts of it that we don't know a -thing about. In a nutshell, it's this. Everything we do out here is -known in detail in Berlin, Rome, and Tokio within a few hours. The -blighters couldn't be better informed if we broadcast every move we -make over the radio. They are finding out everything, worse luck. That -was why I was sent out here. To find the leak, or leaks, and plug -'em up. As you both know, the population of Singapore is as mixed in -nationalities as any other spot in the whole world. I'll wager that you -could find a man from every country in the world within the limits of -Singapore. Not only is it a great naval base of England's, it is also -one of the great trading ports of the world. And you can be very sure -that the city, itself, and the waterfront, is a thriving place for -spies, right now more than ever before." - -The senior officer paused for breath and stared thoughtfully out one of -the portholes. The Catalina was still climbing steadily, but it had -not reached an altitude where it was necessary to reach for the small -portable oxygen kits fitted to the wall. - -"I've been out here almost a week," the Air Intelligence officer -suddenly went on, "and what little I've discovered leads me to believe -that all information about our military preparations is leaving -Singapore by air. No, not radio. I mean by plane. By British plane." - -"A dirty rat in the R.A.F., sir?" Dave gasped as though the very -thought of such a thing were a sacrilege. - -"We've caught the type several times in the past," Air Vice Marshal -Bostworth said grimly. "Yes, to be perfectly frank with you. I've -checked and rechecked the service history of every single member of -Singapore R.A.F. personnel, from the Brass Hats right down to the -lowest grade aircraftsman, but a fine lot of good it's done me. I can't -find a single thing that even begins to look suspicious. Yet I'm sure -there are one or more Axis secret agents out here wearing the R.A.F. -uniform." - -The senior officer stopped to raise a silencing hand as Dave started to -interrupt. - -"I know that sounds crazy," he said. "I mean, that the spy is in the -R.A.F. out here. But here is my reason for thinking so. Rather, my -reasons for thinking so. I've made a few tests. I've let certain -bits of information become known, and then used a secret gadget -we've perfected that can pick up any kind of radio broadcast on any -wave-length within a radius of two hundred miles. And can do it while -nearby powerful stations are operating. But we didn't hear a single -broadcast of which we didn't know the code and couldn't decipher -easily. I've checked all ship movements, and all movements of troops -going over the causeway. And all civilians, too. However, all the -information I had purposely let slip reached the Berlin Government -in a very short time. That was reported to me by my own agents. So -I was sure all of the information left here by plane. It must have. -But.... But I must confess I didn't even dream they did it the way your -experience seems to prove they do it." - -"Then that two hour patrol we were supposed to have made, and did -make?" Dave said with a puzzled frown. "You expected us to spot the spy -in his plane tearing off to pass on the information to somebody else? -But maybe we might not have given him a single glance. At least, not a -second glance." - -Air Vice Marshal Bostworth shook his head and struck a match to fire up -his dead pipe. - -"No, not exactly that," he said presently. "I let out a rather -valuable bit of information concerning coming reenforcements out here, -and then grounded all planes. Used the excuse of general overhaul and -inspection. At the same time I arranged for you chaps to buzz around -over the Strait. First, I wanted to see if our little spy friend would -risk it to fly off with his bit of information in the face of my -grounding order. If he did, we could jolly well radio you chaps his -direction and orders to head him off at all cost. Secondly, if the -blighter didn't try to sneak off ... which he didn't, blast him ... I -wanted you chaps out there to spot any plane of _any_ type that might -attempt to contact you in the air. In other words I was counting on -you chaps to help me get a line on the _other_ plane that I believed -was flying out each day from Japanese controlled Indo-China to contact -their man in our forces. I was hoping for a description of the plane, -what direction it came from, and so forth. I had thought up a little -stunt to pull.... But that's out, now. Our friend isn't contacting -another plane. He is, of course, contacting a submarine. A Jap sub, no -doubt, but I'll wager a thousand pounds it's commanded by a trained -Nazi. So you see, when you didn't show up, and I found you floating on -the water, I thought that you'd had a bit of a go with this supposedly -other plane, and come off second best. Good lord, though, that -submarine was bold as brass to surface and actually blaze away at you! -To me that means they're getting very cocky. And of course I'm speaking -of the Jap johnnies." - -"Contacts a Jap tin can, huh, and probably drops his information by -signal buoy?" Dave murmured more to himself. "The sub slips on to sea -and radioes the stuff to its nearest base." - -"Correct," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth said with a curt nod. "And from -that particular base it is relayed on to Tokio. And from Tokio it goes -to Berlin. And Hitler knows all about the very latest things we've -accomplished out here. And Tokio has another bit of information on what -she'll be up against when she attacks us." - -"And she will, you feel sure, sir?" Freddy Farmer spoke for the first -time in many minutes. - -"Unfortunately, there isn't the slightest doubt of it," the Air -Intelligence officer replied. "Yes, we expect war, rather, we expect an -attack, and very soon. We're getting ready for it just as fast as we -can. However, our forces are not strong, particularly in the air, and -what we've got to find out ... and it'll probably require a miracle to -find it out ... is just where, when, and how the Japs plan to strike. -I don't think it will be by sea. And I don't think it will be by land -down the Malay Peninsula _unless_ they are forced to. I have a feeling -they will attempt a quick knockout by air. That perhaps they'll have a -go at Hongkong and Singapore at the same time. I don't know. If only -I could catch the sly beggar who's getting out all the information, I -could put a plan to work that might get very good results that will tip -the Japs' hand as to just what they will try once they get the go-ahead -word from Berlin. But...." - -The Air Vice Marshal sighed heavily and gave an angry shake of his head. - -"But so long as the leak remains," he grated through clenched teeth, -"we're definitely in the soup. And heaven only knows what may come of -it. We haven't the fighting strength we need to beat off an all out -attack. And I'm very much afraid we're not going to get reenforcements -in time." - -The Air Vice Marshal fell silent for a few moments, stared unseeing off -into space, and absently tapped the stem of his pipe against his strong -teeth. Eventually he grunted as though he had reached some kind of a -decision, and switched his gaze to the two R.A.F. youths. - -"We've got to find out what the Japs, coached by the Nazis of course, -are planning," he said slowly. "I think there's a way we can do it. -True, it's about one chance in a thousand of succeeding. And.... Well, -the attempt could well possibly cost the lives of a couple of brave -chaps." - -The Intelligence Officer emphasized the last with a faint gesture of -his hand, and for the next minute or so there was no sound in the -navigation compartment save the muffled roar of the engines outside. -Dave looked at Freddy, caught his grim nod, and turned to the Air Vice -Marshal. - -"Well, I know a couple of fellows who would like to take a crack at it, -sir," he said in a quiet, steady voice. - - - - -CHAPTER SIX - -_The Devil's Den_ - - -The Air Ministry official looked at them, smiled and seemed to let -clamped air out of his lungs. - -"I knew, of course, that you'd say that," he said. "But I was not -exaggerating when I said you might pay for your efforts with your -lives. Strictly speaking, it is not an Air Force job. I mean, there may -or may not be any flying attached to it. The task is very definitely -Intelligence work. Lord knows any one of us Intelligence chaps out here -in the Far East would be only too glad to have a go at it. However, -every British Intelligence Johnnie in these parts is well known to Axis -agents here. Just as we have a pretty good idea who is working against -us ... though we haven't yet laid them all by the heels." - -The Air Vice Marshal paused and gave an angry shake of his head as -though he were getting himself all mixed up. - -"I'd better tell what little I know," he said, "and perhaps between us -we can fill some of the holes with close guesses. Well, here goes. In -the city of Singapore, near the waterfront, there is a street called -Bukum Street. It is actually little more than an alley crowded on both -sides with rickety two story frame buildings with open store fronts -on the lower floors. They say that when you want to find Bukum Street -you don't bother to ask a native policeman. You simply stand still and -sniff. Then follow the most terrible smell of them all, and at its -source you will find Bukum Street. - -"Halfway along the waterfront side of Bukum Street there is a little -spice and coffee shop very appropriately called the Devil's Den. It -is owned and operated by a man named Serrangi who looks as old as the -city itself. He is a Sumatran, as far as we can find out, but I fancy -he has a little of all the bloods of the Far East in his veins. He is a -hideous looking creature. Face terribly scarred, and he has a cast in -his right eye. But he is more diabolically clever than Satan, himself. -We know that he is a thief, that he would murder any one for you for -the price of a few pennies, and, that there is no intrigue brewing -in which he hasn't got at least the tip of his finger. But, to our -discredit, if you wish, the British Singapore authorities haven't been -able to catch him redhanded in a single thing. Personally, I think we -should throw the beggar in prison, and be done with it. Unfortunately, -though, the white man's laws do not operate that way. Also, Serrangi -has a tremendous influence with the native population. To punish -Serrangi without proof of guilt might stir up a beautiful native riot. -And so, we've only been able to watch and wait ... and hope. And to -date we're no better off than we were two years ago." - -"Serrangi and his Devil's Den is the leak, sir?" murmured Freddy Farmer -as the senior officer paused for breath. - -"We don't know," was the blunt reply. "You see, this business is so -confoundedly twisted up that anything might be possible. It might even -be possible that Serrangi is loyal to the Crown, though I'm sure I -would drop dead from the shock if such proof even came to my attention. -But I'm only telling you what we suspect, not what we know. And the -first item on our long list of suspicions is that all Axis spies -entering or leaving Singapore do so through the Devil's Den. In short -that Serrangi's place is ... you might say ... the clearing house for -information. A couple of months ago a known Nazi spy ... one high up in -the Gestapo by the way ... was picked up as he left the Devil's Den. -We found nothing of interest on his person, however. And we could not -prove that he had gone to Serrangi's for any other reason than to make -a few purchases. Also, not over two weeks ago one of our agents was -last seen entering Serrangi's. We never saw him again. We haven't even -found his body yet. And an authorized search of the Devil's Den brought -to light absolutely nothing!" - -The Air Vice Marshal paused and clenched both fists in a helpless -gesture. - -"Working in the East is so utterly different from working in the West!" -he said bitterly. "In England we could close up a place like the -Devil's Den, and burn it to the ground, if we thought it was necessary. -And toss the lot of them in prison, to boot. But you can't do that -sort of thing out here. Not unless you want to have native trouble on -your hands. Anyway, we feel certain that if we could learn even a few -of the secrets of Serrangi's place we would be able to profit as much -as though we had an extra dozen divisions of trained troops, together -with aircraft, and the like. Now, here is the part that concerns you. -And...." - -The Intelligence Officer stopped talking abruptly and stared hard at -the two youths. - -"This is entirely outside your line of duty," he said almost harshly. -"Just because I am telling you all this does not mean in the slightest -that you must agree to go through with the thing. You two are R.A.F. -pilots, and there's still plenty for you to do as such. I mean.... -Well, that is...." - -"Why not just tell us, sir?" Dave interrupted with an encouraging grin -as the senior officer fumbled for words. "If we get cold feet, or think -we'd flop the thing, we promise to tell you." - -"Thanks, Dawson," the Air Vice Marshal said gravely. "Very well, then. -I want to get you two into Serrangi's place, by hook or by crook. No -one knows you have come to Singapore. I mean, the Harkness has arrived -but you weren't aboard. Of course, by now those damn Axis agents, that -have been virtually living in my pockets without my knowing it, must -know that two pilots took off from the Harkness before she reached -port; that their arrival at Singapore is long over-due, and that this -Catalina has gone out to try and find them. Well, this Catalina is -going to return to Singapore R.A.F. Base, her flight a failure. Yes, we -found the half submerged wreckage of the Harkness' plane. But, _no_ -sign of the two who were in it. Examination of the wreckage showed that -the craft had obviously been shot down. How, we don't know. We are only -certain that the two pilots in her are dead. The sharks must have got -them." - -Dave Dawson licked his lower lip and glanced sidewise at Freddy Farmer. - -"Imagine how the shark that got you feels!" he chuckled. - -"Is that so!" the English youth snapped. "Well, it's always been -difficult to tell from the look on your face whether you were dead or -alive. So you fit the part perfectly, my lad." - -"Ouch!" Dave cried and winced. Then grinning at the Intelligence -officer he said, "Go ahead, sir. Don't mind us. It's the way we let off -steam, I guess." - -"More should adopt the method," the Air Vice Marshal said firmly. "But -this business is far from a joke. It is far more serious than I can -tell you. To be very brutal about it, by this time tomorrow it's quite -possible that you and Farmer _may be_...." - -The senior officer didn't finish. Instead he stuck out a clenched fist -and then extended the thumb downward toward the compartment floor. The -gesture was more explanatory than words. Dave felt a tingling chill -ripple through his heart but he kept the grin on his face. After a -moment the Air Intelligence officer continued. - -"You two will be reported as definitely dead," he said. "I'll make no -bones about being certain of that. I fancy we'll even drink a silent -toast to you at evening mess. You know, do the thing up right for the -benefit of listening ears or watching eyes. Meantime, you two will -proceed to Bukum Street and go into the Devil's Den. Both of you speak -German, and French, and, of course, English. You will have to decide -for yourselves what language you want to use. You'll be.... Well, -you'll be wharf rats to all appearances. Or you can be a couple of -French merchant sailors stranded in Singapore after jumping ship. You -can be a couple of Germans rescued from a China boat sunk off shore. -Fact is, you can be anything you like. It will be frankly up to you to -decide each move as you go along." - -"Aren't you just a bit ahead of things, sir?" Freddy Farmer said as the -flush mounted in his cheeks. "I mean, how do we get ashore from this -Catalina? And what about clothes?" - -"That's the easiest part of the whole thing," the other replied. "We'll -talk about that later. Now, the moment you enter the Devil's Den your -lives will be in your own hands. I cannot tell you what you will find. -I cannot tell you what will happen. I'd be a blasted miracle maker, if -I could. But, I can tell you this. We know the identification code word -of Nazi agents out here in the Far East. It's three words, as a matter -of fact. _Der Fuehrer's Tag._ Meaning, of course, The Leader's Day. How -and when you use it, I do not know. And...." - -The Air Vice Marshal paused and groaned softly. - -"And I have got to tell you this," he said presently. "The British -Intelligence agent who entered the Devil's Den two weeks ago, never to -be seen again, was _also_ armed with the code word, or words. I am as -certain, though, as I am that I'm sitting here, that the Nazi agent -identification signal has not been changed. They still use it, and you -two will have to decide the proper time, and place, to mention it." - -"A salute when you take a sip of your coffee might be a good idea," -Dave said, looking at Freddy. "Sort of say it under your breath, but -loud enough for anyone sitting close to hear." - -Dave turned his head and looked at Air Vice Marshal Bostworth. - -"Your plan is for us to be a couple of Axis agents reporting, isn't it, -Sir?" he asked. - -The Air Intelligence officer gave Dawson a look of frank admiration, -and nodded instantly. - -"Exactly that," he said. "I'm sure new agents sent out go straight to -Serrangi's place. Of course, there may be some one to whom they report. -I don't know. That's the risk you've got to take. But here's a plan to -cover that part. You can be a couple of Axis agents shipping from China -to ... say Australia. Your boat was sunk.... I can give you the names -of several ships sunk in the South China Sea recently ... and you were -put ashore in Singapore. You, of course, have known of the Devil's Den, -and you know the code words for identification." - -"That's a splendid arrangement, sir!" Freddy Farmer spoke up excitedly. -"That way we won't have to show any papers. We can say we lost -everything at sea. But...." - -The English youth stopped short and scowled. - -"But what, Farmer?" Air Vice Marshal Bostworth prompted. - -It was a few seconds before Freddy acted as though he had heard. - -"I was thinking, sir," he said slowly, "what if nobody pays any -attention to us? What if we just go into this Devil's Den, and nothing -happens?" - -"We've got to hope hard that something will," the Air Intelligence -officer said grimly. "And I don't think you need worry about nobody -paying any attention to you. You'll be strangers, and you'll look the -part of seamen put ashore from a lost ship. I'm quite certain that -Serrangi keeps a very close watch on everybody who comes into his -place. However, that's the blasted sticker about this thing. It's no -more and no less than a blind stab in the dark. It may gain us nothing, -and then again, it may gain us a lot. And ... it may get you both a -knife in your back before you've been in the place five minutes. I -pray to God not, but that's the chance you'll be taking. To sum it up -bluntly, you'll simply be grabbing at possible straws, and...." - -"And there may not be any to grab," Dave grunted as the other hesitated. - -"Precisely!" the senior officer said and made a wry face. "You'll be -taking a wild, blind shot in the dark to connect with something that -will lead you to the top rankers in the Axis espionage system working -in Singapore." - -"It would certainly be a break if the spy you're gunning for at -Singapore R.A.F. Base uses Serrangi's as a contact place," Dave said. -"I think I could spot an R.A.F. lad with my eyes shut." - -"Not this one, I fancy," the Air Vice Marshal said. "He may be R.A.F. -on the surface when he's on duty, but the blighter is Nazi at heart. -He'll be clever, and twice as cruel, too. But, if you should be lucky -enough to contact him ... rather, spot him ... a lot of my worries -would be over. Once I find out that beggar's identity I've got a very -neat little plan already to be put into operation. That, however, would -be like asking for a miracle on a silver platter." - -"But, supposing we do tag him," Dave persisted. "How do you plan for us -to get word to you, sir?" - -"I've arranged for that," the senior officer said. "In front of the -Raffles Hotel, which is perhaps the easiest thing to find in all -Singapore, there's always a gathering of peddlers and hawkers who will -sell anything to soldiers and civilians alike. In peace times they made -quite a good thing out of it from the tourist trade, but they are not -doing so well now that half the world is at war. However they still -cluster about in front of the Raffles hoping to make a few pennies. -Anyway, one of them is a horrible looking creature. He is not more than -five feet tall, and bent over at that. He wears a dirty white patch -over his right eye, and the thumb on the left hand is missing. He is -always there, and you couldn't possibly miss him. Put any message you -have for me in Air Intelligence Code Six-X-Seven, walk past the man -with the patch over his right eye, and toss the wadded message into -the gutter, as though it were a bit of paper you were throwing away. -And.... By the by, you know the Air Intelligence Code Six-X-Seven, of -course?" - -"Yes, sir," Freddy spoke for both of them. "By heart, sir." - -"Good," Air Vice Marshal Bostworth said and gave them a pleased nod. -"Well, do as I say, if you have any message you want transmitted to me. -However, be sure and just walk by the beggar, and toss the bit of paper -into the gutter. Do not turn to him or look at him. And for heaven's -sake don't speak to him. You'll probably lose the man his life if you -speak to him. And I hasten to tell you that he is one of the best -British counter espionage agents in Singapore. Well, so much for that. -Now, any other questions?" - -Dave looked at Freddy Farmer and nodded. - -"Go ahead with that question you asked awhile back," he said. "I guess -that's the important one, now." - -The English youth looked blank for a moment, then his face brightened -as he realized what Dave was talking about. - -"Oh, yes, quite," he said and turned to Air Vice Marshal Bostworth. -"It's that question I asked about getting ashore from this Catalina, -and clothes, sir." - -"Simple, quite simple," the senior officer replied with a faint wave -of his hand. "I only hope the rest of this blasted business will be -equally as simple. Well...." - -The man paused, looked at his watch, and then glanced out the porthole -at the blood red sun that was balancing like a ball on the western -horizon line. Its flaming red rays fanned out across the sky to bathe -everything in a pinkish glow. Even the wings of the Catalina were -touched by the glow that bounced off their glossy surfaces and seeped -in through the ports to the interior of the compartment. The dying sun -was a beautiful, breath catching sight ... but not right at the moment -for Dave Dawson and Freddy Farmer. Their thoughts were not on beautiful -things, now, but on many other things, not the least of which was -possible death by tomorrow's setting sun. - -"Well, in an hour it will be darkish, sort of," the Air Vice Marshal -continued speaking. "When it is we're going to head back toward -Singapore. I will have the radio operator send word that our search -failed, and that I'm having this flyingboat land in Keppel Harbor as -I wish to go direct to the Government buildings in the city. We will -land in the harbor and the crew will break out two of the collapsible -boats we carry aboard. I will go ashore in one. You two will use the -other. Under cover of darkness you can easily reach some section of -Singapore's waterfront undetected. Simply go ashore and release the -air valve in your boat. It will fill up and sink at once. As for -clothes...." - -The senior officer paused and smiled faintly. - -"This is not the first time I have used this Catalina for Intelligence -work," he said. "In fact, it is used almost exclusively for such jobs. -You'd be surprised the stuff we have aboard this craft. We carry all -kinds of clothes, from a German soldier's uniform on up to almost -anything you could mention. Don't worry, before you leave this Catalina -you'll look so much like a couple of rescued sailors from a China to -Australia boat your own families wouldn't recognize you. Later I'll -give you facts of an actual sinking to make your story ring true. Now, -what else, eh?" - -Dave started to speak, but thought better of it after an instant's -hesitation, and closed his mouth. Air Vice Marshal Bostworth gave him a -sharp quizzical glance. - -"Yes, Dawson?" he encouraged. "What is it? Ask anything you like. -After all, this is not going to be any tea party that you two are -setting out on. If you've got something to ask me, go right ahead. -Later on, you might regret not having asked it." - -Dave hesitated a couple of more seconds, then shrugged. - -"Well, maybe it's a crazy question, sir," he said slowly, "but somehow -I always like to be on the safe side. I mean, I like to be sure about a -couple of things in advance, when I stick my neck out, if you get what -I mean?" - -"I think I understand, a little," the other said. "But perhaps you'd -better make yourself a bit clearer, eh?" - -The American born R.A.F. ace took a deep breath as though he were about -to dive off into icy waters. Then he blurted it out. - -"The crew of this Catalina, sir," he said. "You admit that there is -some Nazi agent at the Singapore R.A.F. Base. A lad you haven't been -able to lay by the heels yet. Well, what I mean is this. Those aboard -this flyingboat know who we are. The sergeant gunner asked us if we -were Dawson and Farmer when we came aboard. Well.... That is to say.... -I mean...." - -Dave stumbled to a halt and flushed a deep red. - -"You mean, how about the loyalty of the crew of this Catalina?" the Air -Vice Marshal helped him out. - -"Yes, sir," Dave said with a nod. - -"A perfectly fair question," the other replied. "I'll describe their -loyalty in this way, then. _I_ would reveal your true identity to the -Nazi agents in Singapore before any one of them would." - -"That's all I want to know," Dave said. "Fair enough. Any better -wouldn't do. How about you, Freddy?" - -"Quite," the English youth said. "Oh, very definitely and absolutely!" - -"Then what are we waiting for?" Dave said, turning back to Air Vice -Marshal Bostworth with a grin. "Let's get going and not keep old -Serrangi waiting any longer than we have to!" - - - - -CHAPTER SEVEN - -_The Jaws Of Death_ - - -Night had come again to Singapore. From one end of the Island to the -other all was cloaked in velvety darkness save where light made by -man thrust aside the shadows. At Raffles Hotel they still danced, and -at the famous city cafes they still drank and watched worn out floor -shows, even though the nearness of war in the Far East seemed to hang -in the very air like a shroud. Even in the poorer sections, and in the -slums, there were sounds of merry-making. It was almost as though rich -man and beggar alike were enjoying themselves as much as they could -before the sword of Mars came slashing down on that section of the -earth. - -In the unspeakably smelly alley that is known as Bukum Street two -figures slouched along as though they didn't have an idea in the world -where they were going, and cared even less when they got there. At -every little opened front shop they paused and gaped vacant eyed at the -collection of wares on display. Sometimes they muttered things to each -other in low tones. Sometimes they said nothing, and just stared. And -more times than not the storekeepers instantly sized them up as very -poor prospects for a sale and waved them on their way. - -Presently they both halted in their tracks as though by unspoken signal -and stared half a block ahead at a two story wooden building on the -other side of the street. It was much the same as all the others save -there was no shop on the lower floor of this building, and therefore it -had no open front. On the contrary, it had a front door and windows, -and hanging from a bracket that protruded from the door was a sign with -somebody's idea of His Satanic Majesty painted on it in red. - -"That's us, Freddy!" muttered the taller of the pair. "A crummy looking -joint, isn't it?" - -"Much worse!" came the half muffled reply. "And good Lord, this awful -smell does come from there! So blasted thick and heavy, I can almost -see it coming out the front door." - -"Yeah," Dave Dawson murmured. "And if it's from the brand of coffee -they serve in there I'm afraid I'm going to be an awful flop before I -even get started. I couldn't keep anything down that smells like that -for longer than one millionth of one split second. Holy catfish! Do you -suppose this Serrangi runs a slaughter house on the side? Boy! That -stench almost bounces when it hits you." - -"That's right," Freddy Farmer agreed. "We should have remembered to -bring clothespins. Well, worse luck for us, we didn't. But what do you -say, Dave? Shall we get on with it?" - -"Why not, we've come this far," Dave grunted, and started slouching -forward again. "But, look, Freddy." - -"At what?" - -"No, I mean, listen!" Dave hissed out the corner of his mouth. -"Bostworth handed us a pip this time. Like trying to win a ball game -in the last of the ninth with your team a couple of hundred runs -behind. What I mean is, that anything can happen from here on. Just -like Bostworth said, when we go through that door we're on our own. We -may strike out on three pitched balls, and then again we may run into -something mighty valuable to him. But there's two guys we've got to -look out for all the time. You and me. Now, if by any chance things do -get rough, keep close to me. We make it or don't, together. Okay?" - -"Absolutely," Freddy Farmer replied quietly. "Shoulder to shoulder all -the time, Dave, of course." - -"Maybe in Serrangi's place we'd better make it back to back," Dave -said. "They're experts with knives in this part of the world, so I've -been told. So if we get back to back when things break bad, we'll at -least see who's doing what." - -"I'd feel happier if we were armed," Freddy Farmer said. "I suppose -Bostworth was right when he said that carrying arms might get us into -trouble if we were searched. Just the same, though, I'd feel a lot -happier if we were armed." - -"You and me each, brother!" Dave breathed softly as they neared the -front door of the smelly place. "You and me each! However, maybe we'll -live to bless him for that word of caution." - -"Just so's we live will please me enough!" Freddy muttered. Then as -they came almost abreast of the door, he added softly, "I think it -would be best to speak bad French in this place. Much better than -English or German, don't you think?" - -"Check, it'll be French," Dave said and gave Freddy's arm a quick -squeeze. "Well, luck to us both. And do I hope I can keep that coffee -down! Okay, follow me, my little man." - -Dave hesitated a moment, took a deep breath, and then pushed in -through the front door of the Devil's Den. He was instantly smacked in -the face by a babble of sound, and a stench that almost made his nose -drop off. For a second he could see only blurred yellow shadows, the -place was so heavy with cheap cigarette, and water-pipe smoke. Then as -he spotted an empty table to his left he gave a jerk of his head to -Freddy, and shuffled across the filthy floor and sat down. Leaning back -he lazily surveyed the place with his eyes. He had seen an awful lot of -terrible places since the first day of war, but the Devil's Den topped -them all, and then some. It was half store and half coffee shop. Along -one wall of the room, that was some forty feet deep and three quarters -as wide, was a series of shelves filled with bins that contained -everything from spices, tea, and native coffee to pith helmets and old -army uniforms. On the opposite side was a row of battered tables so -badly stained it was impossible to tell the original color of the wood. -The sirupy coffee of the hot countries was spilled all over the table, -and it was quite probable that no efforts had been made to mop up the -sticky drippings in the last six months. And where there wasn't coffee -there was dirt or cigarette ash. - -Seated at the tables was a mixture of all races from Suez to Saigon, -and from Hongkong to Borneo. There were Malays and Chinese, Sumatrans -and Tamils from India, Filipinos and Punjabis, Arabs and Siamese, -Persians, and a smattering that had once claimed kinship with the white -races but had sunk so low they were no longer any part of a white man. - -Dave's heart looped over and his stomach churned as he let his sleepy, -seemingly uninterested gaze travel slowly about the room. Many of those -there looked at him in return, but only for the smallest part of a -second. It seemed to be sort of an unwritten law that you didn't stare -too hard or too long at your fellow coffee drinkers in the Devil's Den. -Some of them didn't so much as lift their heads when Dave and Freddy -entered. Either they weren't interested in newcomers or else they were -too full of the poison of the Far East to get up the strength. - -There was one, however, who took real interest in the arrival of the -two slouching ones in dirty sea water stained clothes. He was standing -near the steaming coffee urns at the far end of the room near a door. -As Dave's eyes passed over the scarred face with the cast in the right -eye it was all the young American could do to check himself from -starting violently. Serrangi's face would certainly scare even Satan, -himself. The man was not very tall, and he seemed not to have much -flesh on his bones. Yet somehow he gave you the impression of coiled -steel springs ready to lash out in any and all directions. A scarecrow, -perhaps, but with the strength of a killer in his thin arms, legs, and -body. But it was the eyes. Particularly the one with the cast. That one -was a dirty grey white; a dirty grey white beam of light that seemed to -go right through you and read your innermost thoughts on the way. For -perhaps a split second Dave had a look at the mysterious Serrangi, but -in that brief period of time he saw all he ever wanted to see of the -man. - -He let his lazy gaze travel on and then brought it to rest on an evil -faced native waiter sliding toward them. The man came to a halt at -Dave's elbow and hissed something in a tongue Dave couldn't catch. - -"Bring coffee," Dave growled in heavily accented French. Then as an -afterthought, "And cigarettes, too!" - -"So?" the native snarled right back in the same tongue. "Here one sees -the color of a man's money first." - -Dave glared and reluctantly pulled a small silver coin from his pocket -and slapped it on the table. - -"The color of a silver knife, eh?" he grunted and jerked his head -toward the urns. "Go bring us some!" - -The native waiter half bowed, flicked out a grimy paw and the silver -coin wasn't there anymore. At the same time he slithered around and -glided away. Dave had the feeling as though a snake had just wiggled -across his chest, and it was all he could do to stop the shiver that -welled up inside of him. Instead he slumped over the table and rubbed a -hand tentatively up and down the side of his face. He did it to cover -up the movement of his lips as he whispered to Freddy. - -"Nice joint!" he breathed. "I wonder if the floorshow's as good. Gives -you the creeps, doesn't it?" - -"Goose pimples all over!" Freddy replied. "Am jolly well sure they'll -be permanent. Notice how our little friend gave us the eye? And is -still doing it? Rotten looking chap, for fair. Should jail him because -of his face alone. Horrible fellow. He.... Heads up, Dave!" - -The last just barely carried to Dave's ears but there was a tremor in -Freddy's voice that was just as good as a wild yell of alarm. He cut -short what he might have said to the English youth, made a final pass -at the side of his face then cupped his chin in his hand and stared -moodily off into space. Every part of him, though, was on the alert, -and in less than no time he realized why Freddy Farmer had breathed the -warning. A filthy native who had been seated by the front door when -they entered was slowly edging toward the table next to theirs, but not -noticeably so, unless you were on your guard, which good old Freddy -Farmer was proving he was! - -Still staring off into space Dave watched the native out of the corner -of his eye. The man finally reached the table, muttered what sounded -like an apology to two half cast Malays seated at the table, slid into -a chair and promptly to all intent and purposes rested his forehead on -his folded arms on the table and went sound asleep. Even the sound of -his breathing was like that of a half doped man, but Dave Dawson was -not fooled one single bit. And neither was Freddy Farmer. One of the -dirty native's ears showed and they both felt certain that every sound -they made was being registered by that ear. - -Shifting his position to a more comfortable one Dave let his eyes -meet Freddy's for the fraction of a second. In that swift period of -time a world of understanding passed between them. That native who -faked sleeping off the effects of some drug at the next table was -unquestionably one of Serrangi's men. He was there to eavesdrop on -their talk. To listen to every word they said, and perhaps send a -signal to Serrangi that could well be their death warrant. However, -that thought cheered them rather than caused icy fingers to clutch at -their hearts. If the man _was_ one of Serrangi's spies he was playing -right into their hands. What better opportunity could they ask for -than this one to give the code signal revealing them as Nazi agents in -Singapore? - -It was perfect. It was made to order. Yet, on the other hand, it seemed -so perfect that Dave caught his brain swaying way over the other way. -To the side of extra, extra caution. Was this in reality a trap? Would -it be wise to mention the code word when a total stranger was sitting -so close? Had Bostworth's agent made that mistake when he entered the -Devil's Den, and it had proved to be a fatal one? Would it not be -better to wait, to spend a while over their first cup of coffee before -trying to contact possible Nazi agents in the room? It was perhaps best -to.... - -Dave cut off the rest of the thought as the shadow of the filthy native -waiter suddenly appeared at his elbow as though by magic. Two dirty -cracked cups the size of thumb thimbles were placed in front of him -and Freddy. In the cups was a smudgy brown liquid that no white man -would even use to paint the side of a cow-barn. An acrid stench drifted -up from each cup. It made Dave think of burning sulphur and kerosene, -only not so sweet smelling. As a matter of fact, for one crazy instant -he wondered if it was some deadly chemical that was going to explode in -his face in the next second and blind him. He killed off that thought, -however, and whipped out his hand to grab the native's arm as the man -started to glide away. - -"The cigarettes!" he growled. "I gave you enough to feed your filthy -family for years. Bring us the cigarettes!" - -The native waiter's eyes glowed up for a moment in a look of deadly -hatred. But his gaze soon fell before Dave's steely one. He bobbed -his head, mumbled something, and hurried away. Dave turned back to -the table and picked up his cup and looked at Freddy Farmer. Suddenly -he was convinced that it was do or die now, or never. He held the cup -native style between his two hands, and leaned forward toward Freddy -Farmer and opened his mouth to speak. But what he was about to say died -in his throat. It died because in that same instant the front door of -the Devil's Den was suddenly slammed open and two Singapore policemen -came bursting into the room. - -"_Brenti!_" one of them screamed. - -It was the Malay word for "Halt!" and every man in the room, including -Serrangi, himself, froze stiff in whatever position he happened to be. - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHT - -_The Secret Message_ - - -Like a pair of killers who would love nothing better than to blast -away in all directions with the police pistols they clutched, the two -Singapore policemen stood straddle legged, their black eyes seeming -to focus on every face at the same time. The Devil's Den was suddenly -filled with pin-dropping silence. It was more the silence of sudden -death. Dave's heart slammed like a trip-hammer against his ribs, and he -was sure that the sound carried throughout the room like a booming drum. - -Here was something that Air Vice Marshal Bostworth hadn't so much as -mentioned as a bare possibility. A raid on Serrangi's place by the -native police. Supposing they were all dragged in? What would he and -Freddy do? How would they be able to get out of the clutches of the -local law? True, they could establish their true identities in short -order. Sure, and probably be released with a thousand heart felt -apologies! But a fine lot of good that would do them! Their opportunity -would then be gone forever. Be gone because there were certain to be -listening ears at police headquarters. Ears that would hear what they -said. And a tongue or two that would take a warning back to Serrangi's. -No, if they left the Devil's Den with the native police for questioning -they would never enter Serrangi's again. They both would be dead before -they could get both feet inside. - -Yet the alternative was just as bad. Perhaps worse. If they posed as -coming from a torpedoed boat headed for Australia their stories would -be checked within the hour by police officials ... and be found as full -of holes as a rusted sieve. As a result they would be thrown into a -jail cell in nothing flat, and be kept there until they rotted before -they could convince their jailers of the truth. Yes, it was something -that Air Vice Marshal Bostworth hadn't even dreamed of, to say nothing -of themselves. A choice of two things ... and both evil and spelling -bad luck, or worse. - -And so Dave's heart pounded even more furiously against his ribs as the -two policemen seemed to focus their attention on Freddy and him. Was -this the moment? Was this the end of something that had hardly had a -beginning? Those questions and others burned through Dave's brain like -liquid fire. He wanted to look at Freddy to see how his pal was taking -it, but he didn't dare take his eyes off the two policemen. - -Then suddenly the pair started walking slowly down the length of the -room. Whenever they came to a man who was dead to the world, and had -not lifted his head at their arrival, one of them would grab him by -the hair, jerk up his head and glare at the man's face. One swift -scrutinizing stare and then the man's head would flop down on his -folded arms again, or sag chin down on his chest and roll from side to -side like a toy balloon in a gentle breeze. - -Eventually the two Singapore policemen came abreast of Dawson's table. -For one horrible moment he lived and died a thousand times over. Then -the policemen passed on to the next table to the rear. In time they -reached Serrangi standing by the coffee urns. Dave heard the soft sound -as the pair spoke, and the harsh nerve-grating replies from Serrangi's -lips. But he didn't understand the tongue. And then, finally, when -Dave's nerves were almost ready to fly apart in all directions, -the two policemen wheeled about, stalked back to the front door and -disappeared. - -Dave held his breath waiting for the babble of sound to come from the -many tongues in the place. But he was doomed to disappointment if he -expected the coffee shop customers to show any excitement over the -visit. They simply relaxed in their chairs, shrugged slightly at their -next table neighbors, and continued on doing whatever it was they had -been doing when the policemen burst into the room. - -To cover his own almost overwhelming sense of relief Dave slumped over -the table edge and cupped his chin in both hands and stared down at the -still untouched cup of smudgey brown coffee. It was then he suddenly -realized that the dirty native was no longer seated at the adjoining -table. The man had disappeared as though by magic. Dave blinked at the -empty chair and then quickly lowered his eyes. - -"Our pal has scrammed," he breathed just loud enough for Freddy to -hear. "Did he go through the floor or just evaporate in the smokey air?" - -"Neither," came the hushed reply. "He slid along in back of the two -bobbies. Talking with Serrangi, now. Steady! Here he comes back again." - -"Don't ever miss a trick, do you!" Dave murmured and reached for his -coffee cup. "Well, I'm going to pull the code words this time. I'll go -plain bats if this suspense keeps up much longer. Luck to us, pal." - -"And we'll probably need it, Dave. Right-o. Fire away!" - -Dave waited until the shadow of the passing native fell directly across -the table. Then he started the coffee cup to his lips and looked at -Freddy. - -"_Der Fuehrer's Tag!_" he grunted and put his lips to the vile smelling -cup. - -"_Ja, ja!_" Freddy Farmer grunted in reply. "_Der Fuehrer's Tag._ It -cannot come soon enough to please me!" - -Both spoke in pure German, and both held their breath as the shadow -of the passing native seemed to linger a second on the table. Then it -passed on by, and it was all either of them could do to refrain from -turning around and staring directly at the man. With an effort though, -they remained seated as they were. And with a thousand times greater -effort they forced themselves to sip a little of the most horrible -liquid they had ever tasted in their lives. It took every ounce of -Dave's will power not to spit it out. Instead, though, he forced it -down and had the sensation of a couple of red hot coals dropping clear -down to the pit of his stomach. He waited a full minute before he dared -to speak. - -"Are you still alive, Freddy?" he whispered. "I'm not sure just how I -feel." - -"I think, so," the English youth whispered back. "At any rate, I can -still talk, and see and hear. But I think we'd better not talk much, -Dave. Serrangi is taking interest in us again. It's possible that he -might be a lip reader." - -"Or has eyes in the back of his head like you seem to have," Dave -murmured. "How you can look two ways at the same time, I'll never be -able to.... What's up?" - -Dave cut himself off and asked the last as he saw Freddy's hand resting -on the table suddenly stiffen. The English youth didn't reply for a -moment. Then he spoke loudly in bad French. - -"Those cigarettes!" he exclaimed. "Do we get them, or must we go -someplace where they don't steal a poor man's money?" - -As the English youth spoke he glared at the native waiter who was busy -about something over on the other side of the room. Then as he slouched -back in his chair again he flashed Dave a warning look. - -"Serrangi just nodded to somebody in back of us!" he breathed behind a -hand that pawed at his mouth. "To some one in back of us! Our little -friend, of course. I wonder what it means?" - -"I wouldn't know," Dave grunted. "But I sure am hoping like blazes. For -the best, I mean. Oh-oh!" - -The native had suddenly appeared at Dave's elbow. But the man didn't -stop. He glided on by toward the rear of the room. As he passed, -though, Dave caught the quick motion of one hand, and saw the tiny -pellet pop from the man's fingers, and roll across the table to come to -a stop not three inches from Dave's cup of coffee. Freddy saw it, too, -and sucked in his breath in a soft hiss of excitement. Dave didn't look -at him, or at the little pellet resting on the table. Instead he stared -unconcernedly at the front door, and absently dropped one hand down -over the pellet. - -For a couple of minutes he seemingly took no interest at all in -anything, but as a matter of fact his heart was thumping, and the -pellet, which was a wadded up bit of paper, seemed to burn like a hot -coal under his hand. At the end of two minutes, which passed like an -eternity of taunting suspense, Dave drew his hand off the table, and -brought the little pellet of paper along with it. Another couple of -seconds and he had both hands in his lap, shielded from all eyes by -the edge of the table, and was feverishly smoothing out the wadded -paper with his fingers. He knew that Freddy Farmer was watching him out -the corner of his eye every instant of the time, but to all appearances -the English youth was taking a cat nap. - -Finally Dave had the paper smoothed out. He didn't glance down at it -right away, though. It was as though he were almost afraid to read -whatever was written on the paper. It was as though he would read there -his death warrant, or something. As a matter of fact, a million wild, -crazy thoughts surged through his brain, and he could feel the little -beads of cold sweat that broke out on his forehead. With an effort he -shrugged the maddening thoughts aside, took a deep breath and glanced -down at the paper in his hands. The scrawl was in French, and almost -impossible to read. Dave had to study it hard for a few seconds before -he could make out the words. When he finally did read the message his -heart did nip-ups in his chest. The message was short and right to the -point. - -It read, - -_In five minutes' walk through rear door._ - -The message was unsigned. Just those seven words, but at the moment -they constituted the most exciting seven words Dave Dawson had ever -read in his life. He swallowed hard as a means of pushing his looping -heart back down into place. Then he leaned one elbow on the table, and -reached out under the table with the other hand that held the message. - -"A little love note," he murmured to Freddy. "Take a look. We're -getting action, pal ... maybe!" - -Three minutes later Freddy Farmer had the message in his hands and -had read it. His face didn't change a hair save for a tiny white spot -that appeared in each cheek. Many, many times had Dave seen that sign -in his friend. It meant that Freddy Farmer was well nigh on fire with -curiosity and excitement. - -"It worked, Dave, it worked!" finally came the faint whisper to -Dawson's ears. "It's going along just as we hoped it would." - -"As far as that door, anyway," Dave grunted, as a familiar eerie -tingling sensation came to the back of his neck. "But what happens on -the other side of that door is in the lap of the gods, if you get what -I mean. I.... Hey! Serrangi isn't around any more!" - -"No, I know it," Freddy said. "While you were reading the note his nibs -went through the door we're supposed to go through." - -"Yeah?" Dave echoed and scowled down into his coffee cup. "I sure hope -he didn't go out to sharpen up his knife. I think I would have liked it -better if Serrangi had acted as postman instead of that throat slitting -customer. I never did like a middle man in things; a go-between. -However, there's nothing that can be done about it, now. We follow -through, of course?" - -"Of course!" came the English youth's quick reply. "I wouldn't miss -this for the world!" - -Dave smiled in spite of himself. The remark was typical of Freddy -Farmer. He was the kind who might jump ten feet if a mouse should -suddenly pop out of its hole at him, but he would step right up and -paste Death right on the nose without giving it a second thought. -Yes, indeed, Freddy Farmer was a man in a million to have around when -you got into a tight corner. He was better than a whole regiment of -soldiers on occasion. - -"You would!" Dave chuckled. "Well, if a knife comes singing along, -don't forget to step in front of me, mate. Or maybe you'd better step -in back of me. It might come that way. Well, I guess it's five minutes. -Let's go take a look at what's on the other side of that door. Luck, -kid!" - -"I've got my fingers crossed," the English born R.A.F. ace murmured and -pushed his cup of coffee to one side with a dissatisfied motion, and -got up onto his feet. "Here we go." - -Slouching and weaving along so as to attract the minimum of attention, -Dave and Freddy made their way past the other coffee drinkers to -the rear door. In front of it Dave paused and glanced back over his -shoulder at Freddy. The English youth acted as though he were more -or less walking in his sleep. That is, save for a tiny spark of wild -excitement that burned deep in each eye. Dave winked, half grinned, and -then turned front and pushed open the door. - -He stepped into a room that was pitch dark save for the faint shaft of -light that cut through from the coffee shop. But in a split second or -even less it really was pitch dark. Dave sensed swift movement, and the -door was closed quickly in back of Freddy Farmer. Almost at the same -time Dave felt a tiny prick of pain in the left side of his neck. And a -voice hissed softly in his ear. - -"You will stand still while you are searched! Move one muscle and my -knife will plunge in deep. Do not move!" - -The instructions were quite unnecessary as far as Dave was concerned. -The instant he had felt the pin prick of pain in his neck he had frozen -stiff. Even his heart seemed to stop beating. Like a man carved out of -stone he stood there in the darkness while fingers seemed to ripple -all over his body from head to toe. And not for a single instant did -the needle point tip of the knife leave the side of his neck. He sensed -rather than saw or heard the second figure there in the pitch darkness -who was searching Freddy Farmer. - -Then suddenly the pin prick of the knife point was gone and steel -fingers closed over his right arm at the elbow. - -"Come with me!" the hissing French voice said. "It is but a short -distance." - -It was at that. Dave didn't take more than a dozen steps before his -"guide" halted him, turned him to face the right, and pushed open a -door. Before Dave could blink, and focus his eyes to the sudden change -of light, he found himself in a dimly lit room that at least smelled a -little less obnoxious than the coffee room up front. It was furnished -as a sort of combination sleeping quarters and business office. There -was a bed in the corner, a table, a desk and a few chairs. Posters -quoting market spices and coffee prices hung on the wall. And scattered -about here and there were empty packing boxes and cartons that had the -names of shipping ports on them from all over the world. - -Dave gave all the trimmings but a fleeting glance. What caught and -riveted his attention was Serrangi seated in a grease-smeared -over-stuffed chair. The Sumatran looked more hideous than ever in the -pale light, and the brown paper wrapped cigarette he was smoking was -all of five inches long. He stared at the youths out of eyes that were -expressionless as those of a dead fish. He made no move, nor sign, nor -said anything. He seemed not to hear the rapid jumble of a Far Eastern -tongue that hissed over Dave's shoulder. Nor did his eyes follow two -figures as they glided out of the room, and softly closed the door. - -He simply stared unseeing at Dave and Freddy, and Dave could feel the -cold sweat begin to form in his armpits and trickle down his ribs. It -was as though he and Freddy had been left standing like a couple of -wooden Indians staring unspeaking at a dead man with a live cigarette -in his long claw-like fingers. It was an awful feeling. Dave wanted to -yell, or jump up and down. Anything to shake the evil looking Serrangi -out of his trance, or whatever it was. - -Suddenly an idea came to Dave. For a moment he was afraid to try it, -but when Serrangi continued to stare at them out of almost sightless -eyes he did so out of sheer desperation. He clicked his heels together, -stiffened rigid, and flung up his right arm to the horizontal, and -shouted, - -"_Heil Hitler!_" - -He heard the gasp of startled amazement from Freddy Farmer's lips, but -he didn't waste time looking at his friend. He kept his eyes riveted -on Serrangi's face, and in the next second he received his reward. The -owner of the Devil's Den relaxed outwardly. Most of the fishy look left -his eyes. He nodded his head slightly, and what probably was meant for -a smile caused one corner of his mouth to twitch. - -"You took long enough, comrade," he said in a voice that sounded like -ashes sliding down a tin roof. "_Heil Hitler!_ And what brings you two -here to the Devil's Den? I have received no word that you were to be -expected!" - -The man spoke perfect German, and Dave had the sudden feeling that -Serrangi had spent a long time in Berlin, as well as in a lot of other -places. The Sumatran was hideous to behold, and his clothes looked not -one bit cleaner nor more costly than those of any one of his coffee -shop's customers. Yet, somehow, the certain something that lurked -deep in the one good eye gave one the impression that the shaven, sun -blackened, egg shaped head contained a brain that was as quick as a -steel trap. And as deadly, too. Yes, Serrangi, of the Devil's Den, -might look like the dope filled fool, but he was undoubtedly the -direct opposite. - -"Well?" he suddenly snarled like a Prussian officer when neither of the -boys spoke. "Have you tongues? Or is it perhaps the look of my face you -do not like, _hein_?" - -"The fortunes of war, is the answer to your question, _mein Herr_," -Freddy Farmer spoke up. "We were traveling by boat for service to _Der -Fuehrer_ in Australia. However, the boat was torpedoed and sunk. We -were two of the few saved. By a fishing boat. It put us ashore here at -Singapore. We had no choice in the matter. Our first task was to avoid -the police. We...." - -"You fools!" Serrangi rasped and thumped one clenched fist on the arm -of his chair. "So you came here, to the Devil's Den? To the place the -swine police inspect nightly, and raid at least twice a week! Have you -no brains in your heads? What brand of stupid swine is _Herr Himmler_ -enlisting in his precious Gestapo these days. _Gott!_" - -"We are sorry, _Herr_ Serrangi," Dave began. - -"You mean you are _lucky_!" Serrangi cut in. "Lucky that those -policemen tonight were searching for a pair of petty thieves. Had it -been one of their regular raids you would now be behind bars, and your -hides not worth a Reich mark!" - -The Devil's Den owner made a savage little gesture with one hand for -emphasis. Then he leaned forward slightly and the dead fish look -virtually leaped back into his eyes. - -"So you came to the Devil's Den?" he murmured in a soft yet deadly -tone. "And how did two on their way to Australia know of the Devil's -Den? Perhaps somebody told you here in Singapore, eh? Told you that old -Serrangi would look out for you, so?" - -"So, there appear to be three, not two, fools in this room!" - -Freddy Farmer's voice was like a machine gun going off. Dave started -violently inwardly, and he watched for the look of blind rage to rush -over Serrangi's ugly face. But no rage appeared. Instead the Devil's -Den owner glanced at Freddy with a new interest. A new interest, and -just the slightest touch of respect in his eyes. - -"With a tongue like that, you must have been close to death many times -in your life, my friend!" the Sumatran grunted. "But perhaps I do not -understand the meaning of your words, eh?" - -"The meaning was plain enough!" Freddy Farmer snapped as he thrust -his chin out. "We of the Gestapo who serve the Fuehrer, and the -Fatherland, unto the death, do not go about revealing who we are by -stupid questions. _Mein Gott!_ Do you think the Devil's Den is not -known beyond the borders of Singapore? Do you think that in Berlin -the name, Serrangi, has no meaning? Do you think we do not plan ahead -for all eventualities? _Himmel!_ We were put ashore with our money, -our forged papers, and everything we carried, lost! Would you have us -sit on the beach and cry great tears, and hope for the miracle of a -boat coming along to pick us up and take us southward to Australia? Of -course not! There was but one thing to do. We did it. We came here and -identified ourselves so that we could talk with you." - -"I see, I see," Serrangi murmured in an almost apologetic tone. "But -more than one poor fool has thrown away his life out here because of -his tongue. However, you convince me that you are not of that type. -Torpedoed, eh? And going to Australia? What was to be the nature of -your work in Australia?" - -The Sumatran looked at Dave as he asked the question, but the Yank born -R.A.F. Flight Lieutenant was not to be caught off guard that easily. He -dragged down one corner of his mouth and gave Serrangi a hard stare. - -"In Berlin there is one _Herr Himmler_," he said. "If you communicate -with him perhaps he will be good enough to tell you of the work we were -to do in Australia." - -The Devil's Den owner grunted, and then his thin body shook with silent -laughter. - -"So!" he finally exclaimed. "So much for my curiosity, eh? It would -seem that there are _no_ fools in this room. And at least two who are -well trained members of the Gestapo. But I am still interested about -your unfortunate affair at sea. Tell me about it. Perhaps I have sailed -on the same ship. Perhaps I even know her captain. Tell me about it." - - - - -CHAPTER NINE - -_The Gods Smile_ - - -Serrangi of the Devil's Den made the request in a very matter of fact, -friend to friend tone. But it sounded alarm bells inside Dave. He -suddenly knew that the next few moments could well mean life or death -for Freddy and him. Their faked story had to be good. It had to be -better than that. It had to be perfect. One little slip-up, one tiny -flaw, and Serrangi would pounce on it like a striking vulture. It was -obvious that the man was going to check and double-check every little -detail with what he himself knew. And because of the high position -that Serrangi undoubtedly held in the shadier circles of Singapore, -he probably was well informed on everything about everything. Yes, -here was the test. Here was the test of presenting the ship torpedoing -knowledge with which Air Vice Marshal Bostworth had acquainted them. - -Dave shrugged, made a little gesture, and without asking Serrangi -permission he casually dropped into a vacant chair. - -"It was not something one likes to remember," he grunted. "However, if -you like to hear of such things, I see no reason why we should not tell -you." - -Dave shrugged again and swiveled around to look at Freddy who had -followed his lead and also dropped comfortably into a chair. - -"Do you wish to tell him, my friend?" Dave asked. "I was unconscious -for a bit, you know. From the explosion. Perhaps something happened -during that time that I miss." - -"If it did, I do not remember," the English youth replied in a bored -voice. "No, go ahead and tell him all about it. Then, perhaps, we can -get on with more important things." - -Dave made a face, hunched a shoulder, and swiveled back to face -Serrangi. He scowled for a moment as though collecting his memory -thoughts, then he launched into a detailed torpedoing at sea. It was -really a masterpiece of description. In fact, it was almost as though -Dave and Freddy had actually lived through it! Serrangi listened -eagerly, and every now and then he interrupted with a pointed question. -However, through the grace of God, and Dave's quick wits, the Yank was -able to give a satisfactory answer to each and every question. Finally, -when he was sweating inwardly from pent up nervousness, he came to the -end of his bogus tale. - -"And so we are here," he grunted. "And next time I hope we can go -by airplane. I am not one who is happy on the sea. Any sea! So, now -you know all about it. Consider yourself fortunate that you were not -aboard. It was not pleasant, and we were not saved through any efforts -of our own. I shall always believe that it was the great invisible hand -of _Der Fuehrer_ that reached out and protected us. It is not the first -time in my life that I have felt that way, either." - -"It was at least the will of our leader, that you should be saved," -Serrangi said with almost a reverent note in his ashy voice. "But just -the same it was unfortunate." - -The Devil's Den owner stopped and scowled at the ash of his cigarette. -For a long time he didn't say anything. Dave and Freddy, believing -that silence was their best bet, didn't so much as utter a peep. They -sat perfectly still looking at Serrangi with their fingers mentally -crossed, and a prayer in their hearts. They had driven in the opening -wedge. It was now up to Serrangi to make the next move ... if any. And -that was the point! That was the thought that so completely filled -their heads they felt ready to explode from the pressure. - -Would Serrangi take them into his crowd? Would he assign them to some -espionage work here in Singapore and give them the stepping stone they -needed to attain their real objective? Or would he simply express -sorrow at their plight, but state that it was not up to him to take -care of two stranded Gestapo agents? But, perhaps more important than -anything else, _did Serrangi believe their story_? He acted as though -he did, but that could mean most anything. And, likewise, nothing. What -thoughts were passing through that brain of his behind the hideous -face? Was he sealing their doom ... or what? - -As the silence continued it was all Dave could do to refrain from -encouraging the Sumatran to speak. It was almost as though he had sunk -back into the weird trance he'd been in when they first entered the -room. His face was a blank, save for the frown. And the fishy look was -creeping back into his eyes again. Then, suddenly, Freddy Farmer took -the bull by the horns. - -"Well, I can see we were mistaken!" he said harshly. "There is no help -to be had here. I believe I'll remember that fact when I do return to -Berlin!" - -"Sit down, or there'll be a knife in your heart!" - -Serrangi's voice was like the hiss of a deadly snake coiled to strike. -His eyes seemed to flash sparks as he fixed them on Freddy Farmer. -And one hand darted under his dirty jacket like a little shaft of -lightning. Freddy managed to glare but he sat down very quickly. - -"That is better," Serrangi said in a softer voice. "Listen to me, you -of the quick tongue! In Germany you may be lord and master over many -slaves, but here in Singapore _Serrangi_ holds a man's life or his -death in his hands. Remember that! Your Fuehrer may be the greatest man -ever born. I truly believe he is. But it is not my love for Germany, or -your Fuehrer's cause that makes me work for you Nazis. It is the price -you _pay me_. I am only interested in wealth, and my own power. So do -not speak your sharp Nazi tongue to me. I will not crawl. Instead I -will slit your throat and throw you to the street dogs, and forget all -about you by the morrow." - -The owner of the Devil's Den nodded curtly for emphasis, and made a -little motion with one hand as though brushing something aside. - -"And now that we understand each other," he continued after the pause. -"We can talk of things to do. First, it will be impossible for me to -arrange for you to continue your journey to Australia. There is not -a boat leaving Singapore these days that you could possibly hide on. -And...." - -"But as passengers?" Dave grunted to add to the impression that they -really were Australia bound. - -"Even more impossible!" the Sumatran grated at him. "The British would -unmask you in five minutes. No, I cannot help you at all to continue to -Australia." - -"Then, perhaps, here in Singapore?" Freddy Farmer murmured with a world -of genuine hopefulness in his voice. "Perhaps you have work for us? It -does not matter where one serves, so long as one serves the Fatherland." - -Serrangi shook his head and took a fresh cigarette from a carved ivory -box on the desk. - -"There are too many of you Nazi agents in Singapore, as it is," he -grunted. "The dog British are not stupid all day _and_ night. They feel -war in the Far East is not far off, and their Intelligence Service is -on the alert. No, I could not give you anything to do in Singapore -that would make you even worth your food and drink. It was indeed most -unfortunate that you were torpedoed at sea." - -Serrangi nodded and sighed as though that ended everything. Dave's -heart dropped down into his paper thin soled shoes, and so did Freddy -Farmer's. It was as though the gods had kidded them along this far just -for the added pleasure of slapping them down just a hair's breadth -short of the mark. If Serrangi tossed them out, there would be nothing -to do but go back to Air Vice Marshal Bostworth and report complete -failure. And the suspected deadly menace that was creeping slowly but -surely around the British in the Far East would remain as much of a -mystery as ever. - -"Well, that is the way with war!" Dave said in a bitter voice that was -far from all sham. - -"True words you speak," Serrangi said almost kindly. "Who are we to -pick and choose, and say when and how we will accomplish a task? But -there is no room for you here in Singapore. If only you were Luftwaffe -pilots, then that would be a different matter." - -Both Dave and Freddy came close to falling off their chairs in stunned -amazement at the man's words. They stared wide eyed at him as though -they could not, or did not dare, trust their ears. It was Dave who -found his tongue first. - -"If _we_ were Luftwaffe pilots?" he cried. "Why do you say that?" - -"There is a task," Serrangi said with a shrug. "But the men must be -able to fly airplanes. True there is one here in Singapore who could do -the task. But he cannot leave his post. Rather he would undo much that -has been prepared, if he were to do so." - -"It is the will of _Der Fuehrer_ again!" Freddy Farmer cried wildly and -sprang to his feet. "_Heil Hitler!_ His thoughts are always with one -and all. You are always in the Leader's heart. Serrangi! Look at us. -Your wish has been granted. Your desire has been fulfilled!" - -The Sumatran looked, but the expression on his face was like that of a -man waiting for the rabbits to come popping out of the high silk hat. - -"More words!" he finally snapped. "What do you mean, my loud mouthed -friend?" - -"_Der Fuehrer's_ solution of your problem!" Freddy cried and pointed -to Dave and then at himself. "My friend and I are seasoned veterans -of the great and glorious Luftwaffe. Not until after Crete were we -assigned full time duty under _Herr_ Himmler. _Gott!_ Fly airplanes? My -new found friend, we can do that in our sleep. So you see? It is the -Leader's will that we be given work to do for him, though we cannot -continue our journey to Australia!" - -"But absolutely!" Dave shouted, taking the cue from Freddy Farmer. "Fly -airplanes? The joy of my life. And after all, it is not an impossible -flight from here to Australia, given the correct plane." - -A happy look that had gradually spread over Serrangi's face as the two -boys "raved" was suddenly banished by a look of sharp annoyance. - -"Impossible!" he grated. "The flight that must be made is in the -opposite direction. To the north. Besides, there is more than _Herr_ -Hitler's desires connected with the matter. But this is true? You two -are airplane pilots?" - -"But of course!" Dave shouted right back at him. "And my comrade here -is one of Germany's greatest. He has been decorated by _Der Fuehrer's_ -own hand. It was for unbelievable gallantry in the Norway campaign. -But, a flight to the north, you say? Why to the north? And what is the -task that is to be undertaken?" - -"You suggested I communicate with Berlin!" Serrangi snarled with heavy -sarcasm. "Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to communicate with -Tokio!" - -Dave felt as though he had suddenly been slapped across the face with a -bolt of lightning. In spite of his efforts his eyes flew open wide with -amazement. In a flash, though, he realized his mistake and hastened to -cover it up. - -"Tokio?" he breathed eagerly. "So it is to come _soon_, eh? So perhaps -it will not be a complete loss if my friend and I do not reach -Australia. After all, it seems that the tasks are connected." - -A bright light shot through Serrangi's eyes, and he gave Dave a -searching look that seemed to probe right into his brain. - -"So that was the kind of work you would do in Australia, eh?" he -murmured. "But, of course. Berlin and Tokio are working together. -And the fat fool in Rome thumps his chest, and shouts stupid things -to his stupid soldiers. Well, this is all very different. Much, much -different." - -Serrangi paused and nodded his head, and came as close to beaming with -pleasure as it was possible for a man with his face to do so. Dave and -Freddy practically hung on the edges of their chairs waiting for the -Sumatran to say more. But when the words finally did come they dashed -high hopes back down again on the cold, cold ground. - -"I do not know the details of the task," the Devil's Den owner said. -"I only know that there is a task to be accomplished. That there is a -flight to be made to the north. And I also know this!" - -The man stopped abruptly and fastened the two youths with a steady -stare. - -"I know that it may mean death even before the flight is begun!" he -snapped. - -"We are not dead, yet," Dave said with true Nazi bravado, and airily -waved a hand. "And for that matter, neither of us expects to be -dead for a long, long time to come. But if you know nothing of the -details...?" - -Dawson let the rest trail off significantly, and waited. - -"No, I know nothing of the details," Serrangi said. "But I do know -where the details are to be obtained. Two streets north of where we -are, now, there is a small rug merchant's shop on the corner. The name -on the hanging sign is Agiz Ammarir. I will give you a coin presently. -You will go to the rug merchant's shop, ask for Agiz Ammarir. There -will be a native girl who greets you at the door. Tell her that you -have a bill to settle. She will summon Agiz Ammarir. When he appears -give him the coin. The coin will tell him all he wants to know. From -him you will learn more of what is to be done. What _must_ be done ... -and soon!" - -The man almost shouted the last. His face clouded with fury and he -smashed both clenched fists down on the arms of the chair. The cold -anger in his eyes caused a tiny shiver to ripple up and down Dave's -spine. Here indeed was the real Serrangi coming to the surface. -The savage beast within him breaking through the thin veneer of -civilization in which he cloaked his true self. Dave thought of being -a helpless prisoner in the hands of a man like Serrangi, and the very -thought made his blood run cold. - -"Have no doubts about us, Serrangi," Dave heard Freddy Farmer speak up. -"If it can be done, we will do it." - -The Devil's Den owner snorted through his thin hawk-beak nose and flung -the English youth a withering glance. - -"I know all about your Nazi boasts!" he snapped. "But the Far East is -not Germany. And Singapore is not your Berlin where you can demand the -help of any man on the street, whether it costs his life or not. But it -is I who talks too much, now. Enough! Here is the coin you will give to -Agiz Ammarir. Leave here within the next fifteen minutes and go to his -rug shop. Perhaps we shall meet again. But, whether we do or not ... -_Heil Hitler!_" - -Both youths sprang to their feet and returned the Nazi Party cry and -salute. Serrangi shrugged and then waved them away as though they -were two pieces of merchandise in which he was no longer interested. -As they stepped outside the door into the hall of pitch darkness, -two shapes materialized at their side, took them each by the arm and -silently led them to the door of the coffee shop. When they passed -through into the dim, smoke filled room their two escorts melted back -into the darkness. Ignoring a few questioning glances that were cast -their way, Dave led the way to their vacated table, started to slump -down in his chair, but checked himself and gave Freddy a meaning look. - -"Why drink more of this poison?" he growled in thick French. "Let us go -somewhere else, eh?" - -The English youth nodded glumly, and the pair slouched nonchalantly -toward the front door. - - - - -CHAPTER TEN - -_The Touch Of Death_ - - -In the matter of a few seconds Dave and Freddy were once more out in -Bukum Street. The street of a million different smells and all bad. -Nevertheless, after the inside of the Devil's Den both boys stopped and -dragged night air deep into their lungs. - -"Sweet tripe, I know my nose will never be the same again!" Dave -muttered. "Imagine spending a whole evening in that place. I wouldn't -be surprised but what that's the answer to the mysterious disappearance -of Bostworth's agent." - -"What do you mean by that?" Freddy asked as the pair started moving -slowly up the street. - -"The poor devil probably had to spend four or five hours in that stink -hole, and just naturally passed out cold," Dave said. "They got scared -and threw his body in the harbor, and he drowned. No fooling! I feel -like I'd been drugged for a year." - -"Well, we're out of the horrible place, anyway," Freddy said. Then -after a short silence, he said, "Darnedest thing ever, wasn't it, Dave?" - -The American youth grunted, and shrugged, but didn't reply directly. He -walked along in brooding silence. - -"Well, was it anything like you expected?" Freddy demanded when no -comment by his friend seemed forthcoming. "Was it, I ask?" - -"Yes, and no," Dave said. "I mean, I went into that place expecting -anything. Fact is, Freddy, if you must know, I'm just a wee bit worried -about these last couple of hours. They passed off smooth as silk. Too -smooth, I'm thinking." - -"Good Lord!" the English youth gasped. "Do you think Serrangi is wise -to us? But.... But that doesn't make sense, Dave!" - -"You tell me one thing about our war experiences that _did_ make sense -_at_ the time!" Dave said. "Now don't get me wrong. I don't mean that -we fell flat on our faces as far as convincing Serrangi that we're Nazi -agents. If he had suspected us at all, found any flaw in our story, you -and I would have sharp steel in us right now. No, I honestly think we -put our story over okay. But I don't think scar faced Serrangi took -it hook, line and sinker. After all, Freddy, that bird has to play a -very slick game or his name will be mud in nothing flat. I.... Darn -it, Freddy, I have a feeling that the test isn't over by any manner or -means." - -"You mean Serrangi is passing us along to this Agiz Ammarir for his -inspection and approval?" Freddy suggested. - -Dave hunched his shoulders and made a clucking sound with his tongue. - -"Could be," he said. "Something like that, I think. There's one thing, -and it's this. Serrangi is pretty much burned up about not getting -action on something big. Something that has to do with a mysterious -plane flight to the north. And does the guy mean a flight to Tokio, I -wonder? Anyway, he wasn't play acting at the last. He was plenty sore. -And, brother, I wouldn't want any guy like that to get sore at me. -Slicing your ears and nose off would be just a warm-up for his type. -And there's another thing that struck me as queer, too." - -"Such as?" Freddy Farmer encouraged when Dave lapsed into another spell -of brooding silence. - -"His not knowing anything of the details of this mysterious flight," -Dave murmured after a long pause. "If he's the paid Nazi agent big -shot in this part of the world, you'd think he'd know everything about -what's planned as well as what's taking place. Don't you figure it that -way, too?" - -"Yes, I guess I do," Freddy Farmer replied slowly. "But I got the -impression, Dave, that this flight to the north in a plane is not -all Nazi. I have a very good feeling there's more Tokio to it than -Berlin. And, by the way, you carried off that secret work in Australia -top-hole, Dave, old fellow." - -"Thanks, and I sure hope so," Dave said in a fervent voice. "But I hope -this Agiz Ammarir doesn't get too curious about it. And.... Holy smoke!" - -"What, Dave?" Freddy gasped in alarm as Dawson stopped short and gulped. - -"Wouldn't it be just too, too ducky if that's what Serrangi is checking -up!" Dave groaned. "Supposing this Ammarir knows all about Nazi work -in Australia, and is going to pass on us for Scar Face! Freddy, don't -look right now, but I think you and I are walking the rim of a volcano -that's liable to ring the gong on us at any moment. Yeah! I don't think -I ever wanted to see tomorrow's sun as much as I do tonight. But.... -Oh, what the heck! A fellow can't live forever, so why worry?" - -"You mean by that that we should of course carry on, don't you?" Freddy -asked. - -"Heck, yes!" Dawson snorted. "It's a mess all around, but there's only -one thing to be done about it. Stay in there and keep pitching. To use -that Nazi boast I pulled on Serrangi, we're not dead men, yet. But it -certainly would have helped a lot if Bostworth had known just what he -was shooting at. After all, he just about gave us zero-minus to work -on. True, the Devil's Den tip looks like it might get us some results. -But that's just the idea. What _kind_ of results?" - -"Quite," Freddy murmured. Then as though in justified defense of one -of his countrymen, he said, "If Bostworth had known a lot, Dave, he -wouldn't have needed us at all. I really take it as an honor that he -selected us to help him in this mess." - -"Oh, sure, sure, me too," Dave hastened to soothe his friend's -feelings. "Don't mind me. You should know me better than that. I'm just -the beefing kind. Heck! I wouldn't quit now even if Air Vice Marshal -Bostworth should suddenly pop out of one of these shacks and order me -off the job. And you know it, pal. So stop ribbing me." - -"Then use that big mouth for talking sense only," the English youth -growled. Then after giving Dave's arm a quick squeeze of friendship, -he said, "I think there's one thing we should do, Dave. I've got a -feeling. Sort of one of your famous hunches, you might say." - -"Let's have it, my little man," Dave said. "I'm all ears." - -"Yes, I know, and big ones at that," Freddy Farmer came right back at -him. "Seriously speaking, though, Dave. If we're to pose as a couple -of Nazi agents, let's try to actually feel that we are. I mean, when -you do a thing by halfway measures you sometimes bump into more trouble -than if you made no effort at all to act a part." - -"Okay, by me, Herr Fritz von Farmer," Dave whispered with a chuckle as -they reached the first of the cross streets. "From here in we're more -German than old Uncle Goering." - -"I mean it, Dave!" Freddy said grimly. "We don't know what kind of a -trap we're walking into. One slip of the tongue, when either of us is -not thinking, and it might be curtains for both of us. _Think_ that -you're a German, Dave. Make yourself _feel_ it! I can't put it into -words, but.... Well, blast it, I simply sort of sense something in the -air. Like a coming storm, or something." - -"Okay!" Dave said gently. "I'll be as dumb as any Hun you ever saw, my -boy. But lay off this hunch stuff. That's my racket, pal!" - -Freddy didn't make any reply to that crack and the two youths walked -along Bukum Street in silence. Every now and then a native or two -glided past, and every so often they passed an open shop out of which -poured the babble of high keyed voices. As they neared the corner of -the second street on which they would find Agiz Ammarir's rug shop the -lights became less and less until they were walking along in more or -less murky darkness. - -And when they were but fifty yards from the single electric lighted -sign of the rug merchant ... it happened! - -Dave sensed rather than saw movement on Freddy's right. But he did hear -the sound of swift movement, and as he automatically half spun and -grabbed for his friend he saw the dull gleam of a long bladed knife -that seemed to hang poised directly over the English youth's head. - -A wild cry of alarm rose up to Dave's lips, but for some reason he -didn't spill it off. Perhaps it was because by then he was in the -middle of wild furious action. In what was really one continuous -movement he thrust one hand against Freddy's shoulder, kicked out a -foot to trip his friend and send him spilling to the sidewalk, and -lashed out blindly with his other clenched fist. White pain streaking -from his knuckles clear up to his shoulder socket gave him the wild -satisfaction of knowing he had hit human bone and flesh. - -Then in the next instant he had leaped over Freddy's squirming body -on the sidewalk and was slamming out with both fists, and connecting -with a shadowy figure that screamed with alarm and pain. That there -was still a knife some place didn't even occur to Dave. That his pal, -Freddy Farmer, had come within a few short inches of being killed was -the one and only thing uppermost in his mind. And for that reason alone -he fought with the fury of a cornered jungle tiger. - -But it was all over almost as soon as it had started. Dave was in the -act of closing his fingers about a greasy wrist when the shadowy figure -let out one last cry of pain and virtually vanished away in thin air. -Hardly realizing what he was doing, Dave bent over, scooped up a steel -bladed knife that lay at his feet on the sidewalk, and hurled it after -the shadow in the darkness. And, then suddenly, as he stood there -trembling with rage, he realized that his lips were spitting curses -at the fleeing shadow in perfect Hamburg German. The realization was -so startling that he cut himself off in the middle of a word and stood -motionless. Reaction took that moment to set in and he began trembling -like a leaf. He was unable to stop himself until Freddy Farmer managed -to scramble up and grip him hard on the arm. - -"Are you all right?" Freddy Farmer muttered in German. - -"Fit as can be," Dave grunted and gave a little shake of his head. "Did -you hear me, Freddy. Boy! Was I pouring out the old German, and not -even realizing it. Talk about taking you at your word!" - -"As you would say, they don't make them any more perfect than you," -Freddy whispered and pressed Dave's arm again. "I fancy that's about -the umpteenth time you've saved my life since we first met." - -"Nuts!" Dave growled good naturedly. "Save _your_ life? Where do you -get that stuff? I let fly because I thought the guy's knife was headed -for _my_ throat. A fine lot of money that hold-up lug would have found -on us, huh?" - -"_If_ he was looking for money!" Freddy Farmer grunted and scowled -around at the darkness. "It could be for a very different reason, you -know." - -"Nuts again!" Dave snapped. "You're cutting out paper dolls, Freddy. -Serrangi, you mean? He wouldn't have waited this long, pal. Forget it! -That lad was just hoping to pick up a little small change. The knife -was just to help him do it quicker. Come on, let's get going. Maybe -he's got a pal hanging around. I'm just One Punch Dawson, you know. -Next time I'd probably be the one that got clouted. Come on." - -Freddy Farmer mumbled something and dropped into step. They walked the -last fifty yards a little faster and finally came to a halt before Agiz -Ammarir's door. There was light inside but the glass was so dirty and -covered with rugs hung up for display they couldn't see inside. Dave -hesitated, took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and jerked the bell -cord. The echo of a pleasing tingling came to them through the door. -Presently a shadow appeared on the other side, and a moment later the -door was pulled open. - -Dave opened his mouth to speak to the girl, but not a sound left his -lips because it was not a native girl who stood holding the door open. -It was Serrangi, instead, and Dave's eyes bugged out as he and Freddy -Farmer both stared in speechless amazement. - - - - -CHAPTER ELEVEN - -_Flight to the North_ - - -"Serrangi!" Dave finally gulped out. "_Mein Gott!_ What kind of trick -is this you play?" - -The owner of the Devil's Den smiled crookedly, opened the door wider -and nodded them in. - -"Come inside, my friends," he said. "It is sometimes necessary to be -more than one person. I believed this was one of them. But come inside -before the whole waterfront sees us chattering here. Seat yourselves in -those chairs and be comfortable." - -Very much like two awed kids being led through Toyland for the first -time, Dave Dawson and Freddy Farmer stepped into the room, and slowly -seated themselves in a couple of chairs. The shop was filled with rugs -of all sizes, and makes, and all colors. They were on the floor in -piles, hung four and five deep on the walls, and suspended on rollers -from the ceiling. Agiz Ammarir's rug shop looked as though it could -supply the whole world, alone, for the next couple of years. It did -not, however, give either Dave or Freddy that impression, for the -simple reason that their entire attention was riveted on Serrangi. -Silent and wide eyed, they watched him close the door, bolt and lock -it, and then move over to a chair for himself. In return, though, he -didn't give them so much as a single glance. Once seated, he set about -lighting one of his long brown paper wrapped cigarettes, with both his -good and bad eye fixed expressionlessly on space. - -Not until he was spewing smoke ceilingward did he lower his gaze and -take further notice of their presence. - -"You are entitled to an explanation, so I will give you one," he said -in his sifting ashes voice. "In these days, the man who takes anything -on face value is a fool. And the man who trusts even his own brother -may well be dead tomorrow. For that reason I told you to come here to -speak with one Agiz Ammarir. For that reason I had one of my men make a -show of waylaying you and killing you en route. I...." - -"So that was a fake?" Dave gasped out in German. "But that knife was -inches from my friend's throat!" - -"It would never have descended all the way to his throat," Serrangi -said placidly. "The attack was to learn what you would say on the -impulse of the moment. _And in what language!_ There was once a man who -came to see me with a promise of great wealth for me ... if I would -reveal a little of the many things I know. He, too, presented himself -as a German and a loyal follower of Herr Hitler. But I am not the one -to be taken in that easy. I sent him, also, to visit Agiz Ammarir. He -too, was attacked on the way. He opened his mouth, and in so doing -sealed his doom, for he _cried out in English_. He was, of course, a -British Secret Service agent. I have never seen him since. I suppose -the poor fellow died from the shock of the attack." - -The Devil's Den owner gave a little shrug and wave of his hand. Dave -stared at him with admiration in his eyes, but the look was forced, for -in his heart Dave felt only loathing, disgust, and cold anger for the -man. So that was how Air Vice Marshal Bostworth's agent disappeared? -God bless Freddy Farmer for his sudden hunch about thinking as well as -acting as a German. If it hadn't been for Freddy he might have let go -a few choice words in English, himself. And then he and Freddy would -have mysteriously disappeared. A deadly snake if one ever crawled. -That indeed was Serrangi, of the Devil's Den. Deadly, and clever, too. -He knew what had happened to Bostworth's agent all right. Ten to one -he had killed the man with his own hand when the attacker had reported -that English had been cried out. But Serrangi was clever enough not to -admit as much. No, not even to a pair who seemingly had proved they -were a couple of Adolf Hitler's own paid killers. - -"And so, it was only good sense for me to test you two in the same -manner," Serrangi's voice broke into Dave's thoughts. "Of course I felt -certain of you, but it was best to make sure. So, enough of this kind -of talk. Let us speak of other things. The flight that must be made to -the north for one thing. But first, have you two flown in this part of -the world?" - -Dave was tempted to lie, but on second thought decided that for once -the truth might serve them better. - -"No," he said just as Freddy started shaking his head. "We have done -all our flying in Europe. But why is it important we have experience -flying here in the Far East?" - -"It is not important," Serrangi said. "It might perhaps be a bit -helpful if you knew some of the country out here. That, however, is -only a matter of opinion. I do not fly, but I suppose that flying is -much the same in any part of the world?" - -"Depends on the pilot," Freddy Farmer spoke up, and let it go at that. - -"Of course," Serrangi grunted, and drew a roll of paper from inside his -jacket. "Here," he continued, "is a map of this part of the world. As -you will see it is well marked, and contains much data that one would -not find on other maps of the same section of the world. Here, have a -good look at it." - -Serrangi unrolled a fair sized map and handed it to Dave. The American -R.A.F. Flight Lieutenant took it in hands difficult to keep from -trembling. Then he swiveled around a bit in his chair, and held it -so that Freddy could look at it too. They did that little thing -together and within two split seconds their hearts were hammering -with suppressed excitement, to say nothing of amazement. The map -was of the entire Malay Peninsula, Thailand, Burma, and a part of -China as far north as Chungking. It was indeed a fine map. It was a -perfect map for a pilot, because it contained countless little bits -of information a pilot would like to know when flying over any of the -territory. In fact, the information had been jotted down by some one -who was obviously a pilot. And when Dave peered hard at the countless -little margin notes and signs a cold lump of lead seemed to form in -his stomach, and there was a great sickness in his brain. Beyond all -question the person who had made the notes and signs was expertly -acquainted with the way in which R.A.F. navigation maps are marked. In -short, no less than an R.A.F. pilot had prepared this map he and Freddy -Farmer stared at. - -"It was a pilot who made this map, was it not?" Freddy Farmer suddenly -shot out the question. - -Serrangi beamed and looked very pleased. - -"So you _are_ pilots, so?" he murmured. "That was not just Nazi -boasting to get you to give me work? Fine! Yes, it was made by a pilot. -One of your own kind in England's flying service, it may interest you -to know. He has been of great value to your Fuehrer out here. He will -be a great hero when he returns to your homeland." - -"Perhaps we know him," Dave murmured in a half interested sort of way. - -The lead didn't draw Serrangi out any, however. The Devil's Den owner -shrugged and made a little gesture with his half smoked cigarette. - -"It is possible," he grunted. "But we do not speak names out here. Have -you not noticed I have not even asked your names? I do not care to know -them. Then nothing can make me reveal them to anybody else, you see? -Who a man is, is nothing. What he can do, and does, is everything. A -name is but another unnecessary detail you have to keep alive in your -brain. Too many details is a bad thing. But, yes, that is a pilot's -map. You think you could fly by it?" - -"Why not?" Dave echoed. - -"It is clear enough for a blind man to read," Freddy Farmer added. -"Where do you want us to fly?" - -Serrangi smiled and lifted both hands palms showing outward in a slow -down and stop gesture. - -"Let us obtain the plane first," he said. - -The words fell like thunderbolts on Dave and Freddy. They stared at him -out of incredulous eyes. - -"You mean, you have no plane?" Dave eventually demanded. - -"And where would I keep a plane here on Singapore Island!" the other -snarled at him. "Of course I have no plane! Did I not say that there -was more than a little risk attached to this highly important task?" - -"But if we are to fly a plane?" Freddy Farmer said, and then let a -perfect expression of Teutonic dumbness of his face say the rest. - -"Steal one from the British!" Serrangi snapped at him. "It has been -done before, and it can be done again. And, of course, you would steal -one that is fully armed and contains sufficient fuel for a long flight." - -Dave tapped the map with a finger. - -"To Chungking?" he asked. - -Serrangi thought that was very funny, and laughed shrilly. - -"No, not to Chungking!" he finally cried and wiped his eyes with the -back of his hand. "It is the Japanese with whom we work, not the -Chinese. No, the end of the flight will be to the point that is marked -there on the map near Lashio, in Burma." - -Dave and Freddy glanced down quickly at the map. A little Burmese -mountain village called Raja, just east of Lashio, was marked with a -red circled black cross. Dave heard Freddy catch his breath, and he -started inwardly with excitement, himself, because at Lashio was the -beginning of the famous Burma Road, fighting China's lifeline. Her one -remaining supply route contact with the outside world. And the whole -world knew that the one thing the little brown rats of the bucktoothed -Jap emperor on his white horse wanted to do most was cut the Burma -Road. Once they did that they could starve the gallant Chinese into an -armistice in short order. And once China had fallen, hordes upon hordes -of Japanese lice could be sent elsewhere for more conquests. - -For two long minutes Dave stared down at the map, then he slowly raised -his eyes to Serrangi's face and smiled slyly. - -"So, the Burma Road, ja?" he muttered. "_Herr_ Hitler will be most -pleased. It will open a way into India, perhaps." - -The Devil's Den owner snorted and waved the statement aside as though -it were small time stuff. - -"The small beginning of many things," he said. "When the guns and air -bombs of Nippon start thundering on the given day half the Eastern -world will not live to learn what happened! But, at Raja is the -beginning of everything. At Raja the signal will be given. I have -arranged everything here at Singapore. We cannot possibly fail if those -at Raja do their part. The British! They are so sure of themselves. -Such great confidence in their mighty navy! Well, the time has come to -teach the British Lion that others have learned the trick of gaining -power. But I do not need to tell you about England. Your Fuehrer knows -all about England, and how to handle her." - -Dave was sorely tempted to shout, "Sure! Like his cockeyed Luftwaffe -tried to handle her last September, hey?" but of course he breathed -not a word. Instead he nodded his head and looked very wise and self -satisfied ... and waited, seething inside with anger. - -"For weeks," Serrangi went on, "I have been maintaining contact with -the secret Japanese headquarters at Raja, by airplane, and radio. No, -the plane has not been mine. My friend serving with the Royal Air -Force here at Singapore, but with a prayer for England's complete -defeat in his heart. He has taken the information I have given him and -flown with it far out to sea when on what you call, solo patrol. At a -certain rendezvous he has contacted a Japanese submarine and dropped -the information to the water. From the submarine the information has -been radioed to Tokio, and from there southward to Raja. But I dare not -trust that method any longer." - -"You don't trust this ... this R.A.F. pilot?" Dave asked as the other -paused. - -"No, not him," Serrangi said with a laugh. "He would not dare! I hold -his life between my thumb and forefinger as I might hold a wingless -fly. It is the British I do not trust. They know that trouble is coming -from Japan. They don't know when, and I do not believe there is an -Englishman in all Singapore who so much as dreams _how close_ that time -is! Nevertheless they have become very much more on the alert. From -one hour to the next I am not sure if my flying friend will be caught, -or continue to work unhindered. And the British are watching the seas -with eyes of eagles, these days. They might sink the very submarine to -which my flying friend had dropped the vital information. And there is -but one more set of information figures to send to Raja. They cover -everything here in the Far East. I cannot run the risk that they might -become lost." - -"So we are to steal a plane and fly them to Raja?" Freddy Farmer spoke -up as the Sumatran fell silent. "Is that what we are to do?" - -"That is what you are to do!" Serrangi said with a short nod. "You will -steal a plane and escape to Raja. When you arrive you will be treated -as great heroes. I can assure you of that. Any honor you desire will be -yours. And I ... I will have triple the wealth of any man in Singapore -for my reward." - -"It can be done," Dave grunted. Then giving the Devil's Den owner a -keen look. "One thing, though. My Fuehrer's teaching compels me to make -sure of all things. You say you cannot run the risk of the information -becoming lost. Supposing we fail to steal a plane? Supposing we are -caught? What then, eh?" - -Serrangi smiled, and indeed it was the smile of Satan's own son. - -"I should have added, _and not know it_," the Sumatran said. "If you -fail and are caught, I shall know it almost at the same instant. Then I -shall have to find another way." - -"But the information!" Freddy Farmer cried in true German bewilderment. -"What if it falls into the hands of the British?" - -"The very least of my worries, for it is no worry at all," Serrangi -replied promptly. "It would do them no good. It would give them -headaches, and it would probably drive them mad in the end. But they -would never be able to decipher what it meant. That, my two friends, is -why Serrangi holds the position he does. No man alive can read my code -without the key. And only _one_ other man knows the key at a time!" - -Dave frowned, started to ask what that meant, and then the truth of the -statement hit him right between the eyes. To be given Serrangi's code -key was to be handed your death warrant. When you had served his evil -purpose, no matter what it might be, you died ... and the next man in -Serrangi's death and blood dealings was given the key. - -"The one who knows the key now is at Raja?" Dave grunted. - -"That is so," the Sumatran said. "And one of the Japanese Emperor's -most trusted generals. To him I gave it personally. And I know the -thoughts that fill your mind, now. When I have closed my work, my -business, with him? Perhaps, and perhaps not. When the Japanese take -Singapore there must be some one to govern and rule. Perhaps I will -tire of operating the Devil's Den. Who knows ... but myself? But enough -of this talk. Our work is not yet done." - -Serrangi gave a wave of his hand to dismiss the loose talk, and for a -moment frowned at the thread of grey smoke that spiralled upward from -his cigarette. Then suddenly he nodded as though he had made up his -mind on something. - -"There are many Royal Air Force fields here in Singapore," he grunted. -"Perhaps, though, it would be best to steal your plane from the -Municipal Airport which the Government has taken over. I happen to know -that it is not so well guarded as the others." - -"What about the planes there?" Dave asked in a voice he had to fight to -keep steady. "We would want nothing bigger than a two seater. To steal -a bomber would be impossible. Too much to do before taking it off." - -"There is no need to worry!" Serrangi said a bit sharply. "There are -planes of all types at the Municipal Airport. And the fools ... they -keep them all lined up in rows, as though they had them on display for -sale. I do not feel that you will have much difficulty. True, there -are armed guards about the field. But you two have heard the sound of -rifles and machine guns shooting at you before now, eh?" - -"More often than not," Dave said as the cold lumps of lead started -rolling around in his stomach. "But when do we steal this plane? When -do we make the flight? And...?" - -Dave stopped as Serrangi whipped up one hand in a curt signal to shut -up. - -"If you will stop that chatter of the jungle monkeys, I will give you -complete instructions!" the Sumatran grated. "First, the attempt should -be made just before dawn, during the darkest hour of the night. Second, -you will receive a certain amount of assistance from my men. They will -do what they can to attract the attention of the field guards while you -steal the plane. Third, be sure you steal an airplane that is well -marked with R.A.F. insignia." - -"Why not any plane?" Freddy Farmer wanted to know as Serrangi paused -for breath. - -"For very good reasons!" came the curt reply. "All civilian flying has -been stopped between here and Burma. If you stole a civilian plane your -position would be immediately reported by any official who sighted you. -Also, you would get into trouble if you came upon British Air Force -planes on patrol. Flying an R.A.F. plane, however, would not attract -their attention. Now, of course, when you once get into the air you -are to head in the _opposite_ direction to your real objective. You -will fly south toward Java until you have reached an altitude where you -cannot be seen from below. You will then double back and fly up the -middle of the South China Sea until you have reached the southern tip -of French Indo-China. Then follow the coast northwest to Thailand, and -then north to your destination." - -The Sumatran stopped short, leaned forward and touched a bony finger to -the map Dave and Freddy held between them. - -"Study that map, and learn it well," he said. "The course is well -marked on it. A course that should take you safely past all spots of -possible trouble. Study also the markings of the terrain about Raja. -If you have never been to Raja, it is a village of perhaps twenty -bamboo huts. It is completely surrounded by wild country where no white -man could survive for long. I have been told that from an airplane you -cannot see a patch of ground level enough for a man to lie down on. -High mountains, deep valleys, and jungle filled gorges. But there _is_ -flat ground there. An area big enough for five hundred airplanes to -use. The Japanese have made it so, in secret. But you would never be -able to find the place in a hundred years ... without this map. See -where the mountain range coming down from the north meets the one that -extends straight across Burma? See the blue mark made on the map? That -is the spot where you will land when you have given your signal, and -have received a signal in return." - -"Signals?" Dave prompted as Serrangi paused again. - -"Certainly," the Sumatran replied and flung him a scornful look. "You -will circle the spot five times ... no more and no less ... to let -General Kashomia know that you come from me. You will circle around -at six thousand feet exactly. A red flare will be your order to come -lower. Other flares will be fired to show you where to land on the -hidden field. You will be escorted straight to General Kashomia when -you have landed, and your plane has stopped. But, mark you well! Do -just as I am directing you; do not make any mistakes when you reach -this spot. Guns will be trained on you, and at General Kashomia's -orders they could shoot you and your plane into small pieces in the -matter of split seconds. Now, you have further questions before we get -under way?" - -"Get under way?" Freddy Farmer echoed sharply. "You mean now, this -night?" - -"And why not?" Serrangi demanded suspiciously. "The sooner you deliver -my report to General Kashomia, the sooner the blow can be struck. Yes, -tonight! Within two hours I shall see that you are taken as close to -the Municipal Airport as is possible. It will then be the darkest hour, -and the risk of being caught will be less. But, you object?" - -"Of course not!" Dave spoke up quickly before Freddy could say -anything. "But there is one thing that makes me very curious. This -friend of yours who is a pilot and wears the uniform of the Royal Air -Force. It is a great honor for whoever makes this flight. I am curious -why your friend ... who has obviously spent so much time making this -map ... does not desire the honor." - -"He does," Serrangi replied with a sly grin. "He would give most -anything for me to send him to Raja. But I cannot do that. His place is -here. There is a great work for him to do. He...." - -The Sumatran paused to chuckle, and then leaned forward in a -confidential attitude. - -"I will suggest a request you make to General Kashomia as part of your -reward," he said. "Ask that you be allowed to fly in one of his bombing -planes on the day the blow falls. When you come over Singapore you -will see a sight no man may ever see again. The approach of the first -Japanese bomber will be the signal for my R.A.F. friend. Everything -is planned. His hand will push a cleverly hidden detonating plunger -and the buried fuel stores here on Singapore Island, the ammunition -stores, the hidden water reservoirs, and many other things will explode -in one blinding flash that will make Singapore shake from one end of -the Island to the other. Yes, from the very hangars of R.A.F. Base my -friend will push the plunger that will.... But why try to describe the -sight it will be? There are not enough words. However, I suggest that -you request General Kashomia to let you view the sight from a Japanese -bomber in the air. It will be something you will never forget. -Something to tell your Fuehrer when you return to Germany in triumph. -And now, get what rest you can, and study well that map. Meanwhile -I will fetch you food and drink to sustain your strength during the -journey ahead." - -Dave just nodded as the Sumatran glanced questioningly at him and rose -to his feet. Words he might say gagged in his throat. His head whirled -in an invisible mass of white flame, and every ounce of blood seemed -to drain from his body. The words that had passed from Serrangi's lips -during the last half hour, or so, were so stunning, so brain numbing -that he could hardly force thoughts to register. It was like something -he might be reading out of a book thriller. Not something that was to -happen in real life. It couldn't be ... but it was. Doom, terrible -certain doom, hovered over Britain's mighty armed outpost of Singapore. -Hovered above it to come crashing down when a certain Japanese general -at Raja, in Burma, gave the signal. - -"It can't happen!" Dave said fiercely to himself as Serrangi glided -past him toward the rear of the rug shop. "Dear God, please, it mustn't -happen!" - - - - -CHAPTER TWELVE - -_Wings of Chaos_ - - -Dave pressed himself flat to the ground, and dug his fingers into the -soft earth as though to prevent some invisible force from catching him -up and tossing him off into space. All about was pitch darkness save -for a few hangar lights on the far side of Singapore's R.A.F. Base. -High overhead billions and billions of stars winked solemnly down on a -world seemingly gone stark raving mad with war. In the distance there -was sound, but it was so jumbled and so indistinct that it had no -meaning for listening ears. For a brief instant Dave closed his eyes -tight and pressed his face hard against the warm ground. Then he raised -his head and turned it toward Freddy Farmer who hugged the ground right -at his side. - -"You're fully awake, aren't you, Freddy?" he whispered. "This wouldn't -be any cockeyed nightmare I'm going through, would it?" - -"A blasted fine chance of that!" the English youth replied with a -groan. "I'm trying to make up my mind whether we're completely balmy, -or just off our toppers. This is a mad business, Dave! Insane!" - -"You're not telling me a thing!" Dawson breathed and squinted across -the night blackened R.A.F. Base at the faint hangar lights. "But the -heck of it is, we walked right into it, and we can't walk right out -again!" - -"If we could only get to the Raffles Hotel, and contact that agent -of Bostworth's, and get some word to him!" Freddy Farmer said with a -bitter sigh. - -"I know," Dave grunted. "But Serrangi is no dummy no matter how you -look at it. We haven't been out of his sight since we walked into -the rug shop almost three hours ago. I had hoped he was going to let -us come out here on our own. Maybe then we could have slipped by the -Raffles and gotten some word to Bostworth. Nix, though! Serrangi came -out with us in that Nineteen-Six jallopy, and showed us the path -through the brush up to the edge of the field, here. And a funny -sensation in the middle of my back tells me that he's back there a ways -_still_ keeping an eye on us. We sure picked something this time, pal. -We picked a pip, and I ain't kidding." - -"But if only Bostworth knew...!" Freddy began and let the rest trail -off. - -"Knew what?" Dave murmured. "That's the point! What could we really -tell him that would make sense? Darn little, pal. Less than that, in -fact. Serrangi tells us that at a given signal some rat at R.A.F. -Base is going to blow lots of things sky high. He tells us that a Jap -General has a hidden field with plenty planes up near Raja, in Burma. -At the right time the Jap is going to blow the whistle, and things are -supposed to pop in lots of places. And in my pocket I've got what looks -like a pencil, only it's rolled up code data Serrangi gave us to give -to General Kashomia. There you are." - -"Well?" Freddy Farmer grunted. "Isn't that a lot?" - -"It's nothing when you pick it apart," Dave said. "Figure it out. We -don't know who the R.A.F. rat is, and Bostworth doesn't. Maybe there is -a Jap general up at Raja with flocks of planes. So what? Is Bostworth -going to send R.A.F. planes up there on our say-so to blast them out? -Declare war on Japan, just like that? Fat chance! The British don't do -things that way. Also, we don't know where the hidden field really is -until we see the flare signals the Japs are to send up. Yeah! Burmese -would get kind of sore if the British flew all over their country -dumping bombs, trying to blast somebody they _think_ is there. And -here's a point, too. We don't know the striking date. It may be right -after we get there ... and whether we get there, or not! Chances are, -by the time Bostworth could induce Far East High Command to swing into -action the Japs might be swinging their sneak haymaker. And this code -data I've got in my pocket. Think Serrangi would have trusted us with -it _if_ there was even the slimmest chance that British Intelligence -could break the code in time. Nuts! So what have we got?" - -"You're right!" Freddy Farmer groaned. "Blasted little. Really nothing, -when you come to look at it. But I hate to think of turning over that -code data to General Kashomia! No doubt it's complete information of -our strength, and such, here in the Far East. Probably high military -secrets we've guarded for years." - -"At least," Dave grunted. "And it puts us right behind the eight ball. -We've _got_ to turn it over to General Kashomia. Nothing happens until -we do. And _we_ can't do anything until something _does_ happen. We've -sort of got to pay out more rope, and pray we can take up the slack -fast when we have to. If you get what I mean?" - -"Yes, but what a chance we've got to take!" Freddy said in a voice that -trembled slightly. "If we fail, Dave.... I mean, if things go through -as the blasted Japs seem to be planning, the blood of Singapore will be -on our hands. It will be because we failed. It...!" - -Dave stuck out an elbow and jabbed the English youth in the side. - -"Cut it!" he hissed. "That's not Freddy Farmer talking! Let's beat -our brains out after we've failed. And, pal, that's something you and -I just ain't going to up and do. Not while we can stand up and keep -punching. So, heave that kind of talk in the river, Mister!" - -Dave felt pressure on his arm, and heard Freddy's emotion choked voice. - -"Thanks, Dave. I'm all right, now. I wish you'd kick me, and hard." - -"I'll take a rain check on that invite," Dave said with a chuckle. "But -forget it, Freddy. Heck! You'd up and leave me flat, if you knew some -of the thoughts that have been breezing around in _my_ head. So skip -it. I guess it's this waiting that's getting us. I wish Serrangi's boys -would hurry up and start the fireworks so's we can get started. You -know, this sort of thing is darn near getting to be a habit." - -"What is?" Freddy wanted to know. - -"Posing as Axis agents, and swiping a British plane," Dave said. -"Remember that time when we were on convoy patrol, and had to waltz off -with that Catalina? We were plenty lucky then, and I've got a hunch -we're going to have to be twice as lucky this time."[2] - -[Footnote 2: _Dave Dawson On Convoy Patrol._] - -"Lucky to get off without British bullets in our backs," Freddy Farmer -murmured. "And lucky if _all_ the gas tanks are filled. It will -certainly be a blasted mess if our gas gives out and we have to force -land somewhere in Thailand, or Burma." - -Dave didn't make any reply to that for the simple reason there wasn't -anything to be said. Perhaps the most pronounced fear of all regarding -the wild, crazy venture into which they were plunging blindly was -the fear of their fuel running out on them before they had reached -the hidden airdrome in the wild Burmese mountains. If it was to be a -Wellington or Whitley bomber they were to take aloft there wouldn't be -any worry at all. But stealing a bomber was definitely out. It took -time to get those babies off the ground, and possible British fighter -planes giving chase could catch a bomber in short order. So it had to -be the fastest two seater type at the Base. And as luck would have it -they had spotted the six Bristol "Taurus" powered Fairey "Albacores" -on the tarmac but a few seconds after they had reached the place -where they now hugged the ground. They could make the distance in an -Albacore. It might be close, but everything would be in their favor. -They could get one off fast, they could gain altitude in the night sky -fast, and an Albacore had a level flight speed that wasn't too much -under the speed of a single seater fighter plane. Yes, it might be -close, but an Albacore was their best bet. So they had picked the one -they would rush for just as soon as Serrangi's men created the planned -"disturbance" on the far side of the field. - -But it was the body tingling waiting that dragged you down. It was like -rats inside of you gnawing and gnawing at your nerves until you had to -sink your teeth deep into your lips to stop from screaming and mentally -flying apart in small pieces. Waiting! Waiting for what? A chance to -rush out across the night shadowed drome, and smack into the withering -fire of British guards? To steal a plane and race madly up into the -night sky ... and be caught by British planes and sent hurtling -earthward a ball of raging fire? To reach Raja and turn over the -secret code data, and then stand by helpless as a gigantic, treacherous -blow by the Nazi backed Japanese was struck at England in the Far East? -To.... - -Dave shook his head savagely to blast the taunting thoughts from his -brain. Many, many times in the past had he and Freddy tackled a problem -that seemed hopeless, but never anything so seemingly utterly hopeless -as this. It wasn't a case of just ferreting out the enemy's secret, -and then smashing him. On the contrary, it was actually the direct -opposite. Freddy and he were going to _give the enemy what he needed_, -and then attempt to smash him _before he could make use of it_! Pure -and simple, it was no more than handing a killer a loaded gun, and then -taking it away from him before he could shoot you between the eyes. It -was crazy, it was ridiculous, it was absurd, and it was insane. Yet it -was the only thing they could do. They had to play it this way. There -was no other loophole, and no chance to dive through it if one should -suddenly present itself. It.... - -The rest of Dave's whirling thoughts spun off into oblivion as gun fire -and wild shouting suddenly broke out on the far side of the field. It -was like high voltage cutting through both of them, and they came -up on their toes and fingertips as one man. For a brief instant they -poised motionless eyes fixed on the tongue of flame that suddenly shot -up from some building way over beyond the hangars. Then a silent signal -passed between them and they went tearing bent well over out across one -corner of the field toward the nearest Fairey Albacore some seventy -yards away. - -Seventy yards? It seemed seventy miles to Dave as he and Freddy Farmer -fairly flew over the ground like a couple of frightened deer. With -each racing step he took he half expected to see a British soldier -rise right up out of the ground and level a rifle at him. No British -soldier appeared, however, and hope zoomed in Dave as he saw the tarmac -guards start running in the direction of the shouts, the shots, and the -flames. The thought of death was not something that held him in fear -and trembling. But to be mowed down by one of your own kind was a death -no man would desire, if death it must be. - -Seventy yards, thirty yards, ten yards, one yard! And then Dave and -Freddy virtually vaulted into the pit of the Albacore. No plans had -been made by them in advance about who would take what seat. It just -happened to work out that Dave popped into the pilot's seat, and -Freddy Farmer popped into the navigator-gunner's seat in back. Heart -jammed up hard against his back teeth, and nervous sweat pouring -off his body in rivers, Dave's fingers flew over the gas cocks, and -starter, and ignition switches on the instrument panel. At the same -time ... it was as though he had twenty hands instead of two ... he -fastened the harness buckles of the seat parachute pack, hooked the -safety belt clamp, opened up the throttle, and booted off the wheel -brakes. The last operation was to jab the starter button ... and pray -as he had never before prayed in all of his young years! - -An eternity of heart crushing agony was Dave's, and then the Bristol -Taurus in the nose roared up in its full throated song of power. The -Albacore trembled and quivered for a brief instant and then shot -forward as though ropes holding it back had been slashed through. -Braced for the shock, Dave bent more forward over the stick and grimly -waited for the craft to pick up sufficient take-off speed. With every -revolution of the three-bladed steel propeller the plane tore faster -and faster across the hard sun baked surface of the Base field. A -thousand and one weird, crazy images seemed to pop up out of the ground -just in front of the thundering plane. Dave's imagination went on a -holiday during those few awful moments. He saw squads of British India -troops loom up and blast away at the plane with rifle and machine gun -fire, he saw armored cars rushing toward him from all angles, with guns -blazing, and he saw a half division of tanks move like lightning into -position to bar his way. He saw everything that an excitement quivering -brain could conjure up. But all the plane actually crashed into was the -air of night faintly tinted by the glow of the flames somewhere in back -of the hangars. - -And then the wheels lifted and Dave sent the Albacore curving up and -around in the night sky. As he held the craft at its maximum climbing -angle he twisted around in the seat and shot a quick glance down at the -R.A.F. Base. Lights had sprung up all over the place, and he could just -barely see the figures running toward the lines of planes. Some quarter -of a mile in back of the row of hangars red flames were gutting an -equipment stores building. The thing, however, that made Dave's heart -slide down to its normal position in his chest was the utter absence -of gun fire spitting up toward them. They had caught the field guards -flat footed, and they would be well out of sight before British single -seaters could come tearing up after them. - -Taking his gaze off the scene below, Dave twisted all the way around -and looked back at Freddy. In the pale light of the cockpit bulb the -English youth's face was tense and set. And there was just a faint -sadness in the eyes that stared down at the R.A.F. Base falling away -from the Albacore's belly at a fast rate of speed. - -"What's the matter, pal?" Dave called out. "Sad they didn't pepper away -at us?" - -"Don't talk rot!" Freddy snappily flinging him a scornful glance. "I'm -jolly well tickled pink they didn't. I was just thinking that the Japs -must never get Singapore, Dave. It means a lot to England, Singapore -does. Like Gibraltar, and Malta." - -"Oh, so that's all that's worrying you, huh?" Dave echoed. "I thought -it was something serious. Well, go on back to sleep. I'll take care of -everything for you, see?" - -"That's splendid!" Freddy cracked and nodded downward. "As a starter, -then, you can climb us a little faster. A couple of planes down there -are taking off. And from here they look like Hawker Hurricanes!" - -"Huh?" Dave yelled and shoved his head over the side. "My gosh, that's -right. Hang on! I'm going to stick this baby right on her tail and go -right up the pole!" - -"Do that, and shut up!" Freddy said as the Bristol Taurus roared out in -maximum power. - -Holding the plane up as steeply as possible and toward the south -Dave gave it his undivided attention until top service ceiling had -been reached and the Island of Singapore was just another one of the -blurred shadows thousands and thousands of feet below his wings. At -top ceiling he leveled off and took a suck now and then on the oxygen -tube he had stuck in his mouth to prevent sudden blacking out. Then on -sudden impulse he killed the Albacore's engine and glided southward at -a very flat angle while he spent the next five minutes scrutinizing the -limitless expanse of night air behind and below. At the end of five -minutes he started the engine again and heaved a little sigh of relief. -They were clear of Singapore, and had succeeded in shaking off the two -R.A.F. planes sent up to intercept them. Now, all that remained was -to fly south for a spell, then double back up the middle of the South -China Sea toward the southern tip of French Indo-China, and so on. - -"Simple, in the bag!" Dave suddenly grated savagely as reaction set in. -"All we have to do is the impossible. It should be a cinch!" - -"What did you say, Dave?" came Freddy's voice. - -"I said, I hope it'll be a nice day for something!" Dave grunted and -shrugged his shoulders. "And do I _hope_!" - - - - -CHAPTER THIRTEEN - -_Blue Water Rattlesnake_ - - -Without warning the dawn sun came flaming up over the eastern lip of -the wall, and as though the gods had thrown up millions and millions -of invisible blinds, the shadows of night fled away into eternity and -all was bathed in flashing gold light. For some time now, the Bristol -powered Fairey Albacore had been prop clawing northward high above the -endless rolling blue swells of the South China Sea. With the coming -of the sun there had been a few seconds of wonder and nerve tingling -strain for both Freddy and Dave. Although Freddy had plugged the radio -into the Singapore wave length, and heard searching aircraft report -they had lost all contact with the "stolen" plane, there was always the -possibility that the "thieves" might find a flight or two of British -aircraft right smack-dab in front of them when the new sun drove the -night westward and out of sight. - -However, as luck would have it, the exploding dawn light had found them -completely alone in that section of the world's heavens. Both of them -spent minutes staring hard in all directions. But there was nothing to -see but the brassy blue sky above, and the brassy blue water below. -Breathing a silent prayer in thanks of that small kindness, Dave turned -around to Freddy. - -"What's our position, Navigator?" he asked. "My rough figuring of wind, -speed, and direction puts us almost within sight of land. Am I right or -wrong, and what do those navigation gadgets back there tell you, huh?" - -Freddy Farmer, in the act of bending over the plane's navigation -instruments, lifted a hand for Dave not to bother him. Almost -immediately he jerked up his head, though, pressed his fingertips to -the built-in headphones of the helmet he wore, and stared straight -ahead like a man suddenly sent into a trance. Dave opened his mouth -to speak, but thought better of it. Obviously the English youth was -getting something over the radio. And it was also obvious that he -wasn't going to say anything about it until he had heard it all. And so -instead of speaking, Dave bent down and began fiddling with the radio -panel fitted to his own instrument panel. However, before he could -shove in the radio-jack and tune the set Freddy Farmer was pounding him -on the shoulder with one clenched fist, and yelling words in his ears. - -"That was an SOS call to Singapore Base, Dave!" Freddy yelled. "It's -a courier plane coming up from Australia. It's run into some kind of -trouble. I couldn't tell what, because the message is all garbled up. -But the operator says they are going down, and need help. I got their -position signals just before they faded out. I figure that the spot is -not over fifty miles to our east, Dave!" - -"That's tough!" Dawson said and gave his pal a questioning look. "But -what can we do about it, Freddy? This isn't a flyingboat. We couldn't -sit down on the water and rescue them, even if we did find them." - -"I know, I know!" Freddy said and gave a little shake of his head. -"But, Dave.... But, Dave, it's possible that we're the only ones who -got their signals. They were mighty weak. I almost missed them, myself. -We could at least find the plane, and radio Singapore for them, and -then get away before any R.A.F. Catalinas showed up." - -Dave nodded slowly, but screwed up his face in a grimace of doubt and -hesitation as he did so. True it was only fifty miles off their course. -But that meant fifty miles off, and fifty miles back on again. A total -of one hundred air miles. And they would be playing things close enough -with the gas and oil supply, as it was. And, too.... - -"It's a British courier plane, and needs help, Dave!" Freddy Farmer's -voice cut into his thoughts. "Blast it, we just can't let the lads -down, Dave! We'd never be able to look each other in the face again, if -we did." - -Dave was forced to grin in spite of the seriousness of the situation. -Good old Freddy Farmer. He was running true to form. His own neck was -very, very far from being safe, and maybe he wouldn't even have a neck -by this time tomorrow. Yet he wasn't giving that little item a single -thought. Somebody else's life was in jeopardy, and that's all that -concerned him at the moment. Help the other fellow, and then give a -thought to himself ... maybe. - -"Okay, okay!" Dave finally shouted and heeled the plane around on -wingtip. "Did I say, no? Can't a guy argue, huh? But if we find out -that they just thought they were being forced down then you're getting -out and walking home, my little man. So here we go. And let's see you -give those cat's eyes of yours a really good workout this time!" - -A little over an hour later Dave dug knuckles into his tired, aching -eyes, and once more looked down over the side of the Bristol Taurus -powered Fairey Albacore, of the Singapore Fighter Command, at the -seemingly endless expanse of the South China Sea. The burning rays -of the brass ball, that was the sun hanging in the sky above, beat -downward to turn the rolling swells into one great sheet of shimmering -blue-green glass. To spot anything down there was like trying to spot a -fly walking across the face of the sun, itself. - -"Any luck, pal?" he called back over his shoulder to Freddy Farmer in -the gunner's pit. - -"No! And I think I'm going blind!" the English youth groaned. "That -courier plane must have crashed in and sunk like a rock at once. This -is the exact spot where they reported going down, but I swear there's -nothing down there but water." - -"And you're only looking at the _top_ of it!" Dave grunted. "I wonder -if we should chance calling Singapore Base, and...." - -Dave cut himself off short and jerked his head around to the east. -Perhaps it was just his imagination playing him tricks, but he could -have sworn that he'd caught a strange flash of light out the corner of -his eye that was more than just the rays of the burning sun bouncing -up off the water. For a full minute, though, he peered intently at a -point on the shimmering blue surface a good fifteen miles off his right -wings. Then as he made a grimace of disappointment, and was about to -turn his head front, he spotted it again. It was the sun's reflection -on something that rose up out of the water and promptly fell back out -of sight again. - -"Hey, Eagle Eyes!" he called to Freddy Farmer and pointed a finger. -"Take a look over there and down. Do you see what I see? And, if so, -what in heck is it?" - -It was several seconds before the English youth spoke, but when he did -his voice trembled with excitement. - -"That's the wing of a wrecked plane, Dave!" he cried. "Most of it's -submerged ... maybe it's still attached to the plane ... but the swells -are making it poke up out of water. It.... Dave! It has the R.A.F. -bullseye on it. Must be the courier plane we've been hunting. Get us -over there fast, Dave!" - -The last was quite unnecessary. Dawson had already heeled the Albacore -around on wingtip and was tearing full out in the direction of the -strange looking object. And then, when they were still a few miles -short of the spot, something else happened. Something that caused both -youths to let out a simultaneous cry of wild excitement. The bow of a -dull painted blue-green submarine came poking up through to the surface -of the water not over a hundred yards from the bobbing wing. - -In the matter of a few seconds the top half of the undersea craft was -above water, and riding on an even keel. And once again Dave and Freddy -saw the conning tower hatch open up, and squat little figures pop out -and go scampering forward to the bow gun. It was the sight of that -little bit of action that helped Freddy Farmer to find his tongue. - -"That's the same boat as yesterday, Dave!" he cried. "Or an identical -sister ship, anyway. Look out for the beggars. For heaven's sake don't -let them shoot us down two days in a row. Better not get too close to -the blighters." - -Dave didn't say anything. The eyes he held fixed on the submarine were -brittle with anger, and memory caused a lump of cold rage to swell up -bigger and bigger inside of him. However, he made no effort to climb -for altitude. As a matter of fact, he reached out his free hand and -deliberately throttled the Bristol Taurus down to a whisper. Freddy -reached forward and rapped him sharply on the shoulder. - -"You in your right mind, Dave?" he cried. "What in the world's the -idea? You're making us a perfect target for them. Have you gone balmy?" - -"Not yet!" Dave barked and nosed the Albacore down into a long flat -glide. "Shake up the old brains, pal. They don't see us, and can't. -We're right in the sun to them. No! They're breaking out that bow gun -for another purpose. And I've got a pretty good idea what it is, too." - -"What?" Freddy demanded. - -Dave nodded his head forward and down. - -"To get rid of that plane wreckage that's bobbing around," he said. -"Ask me and I'll tell you that the wreckage is all that's left of the -courier plane that sent out that SOS. Remember our little unpleasant -experience yesterday?" - -"I'm jolly well not likely to forget it!" the English youth growled. -"What about it?" - -"I could be wrong, but I've got a hunch I'm not," Dave said with a deep -scowl. "I mean it this way. This spot isn't far from where we spotted -that strange sub yesterday throwing light signals at us. Well, we went -down for a better look, and what happened? We got clipped before we -had time to take a deep breath. Well, what happens to one guy can -happen to somebody else. No law against it. See?" - -"So far," Freddy grunted. - -"Well, it's simple," Dave continued. "The courier plane was spotted by -the sub. The sub, thinking it was Serrangi's R.A.F. boy friend, started -flashing signals. Well, the courier plane boys went down to see what it -was all about ... just like we did. And they caught just what we -did ... only worse and more of it ... when the sub commander realized -his mistake. The courier plane had time just to send the word to -Singapore Base it was going down, and give its position, before it -crashed in. Well, the sub heard those signals and after ducking away, -came back to remove all traces of their dirty work. And.... And that's -what they're doing right now!" - -Dave shouted the last as the two bow guns aboard the submarine belched -out flame and smoke and hurled a couple of shells at the bobbing wing -at almost blank range. At practically the same instant there were two -white splashes of water not a yard from the bobbing wing. And then a -great column of frothy foam and billowing smoke towered upward into the -air. And for a brief instant the sun drenched blue water seemed to -split apart and spew up a mess of tangled water-logged wreckage. Just -a split second look at the shattered wreckage was all that the boys -were allowed before froth and boiling foam sucked the mess down out of -sight forever. But that split second was long enough for them both to -see that the wreckage had once been an R.A.F. long range Consolidated -Catalina flyingboat. The type that is used all over the world by the -British for courier plane work. - -"That was the courier plane, right enough!" Freddy Farmer said in a -choked voice. "Blast their dirty souls. They shot the poor devils down -in cold blood, like they tried to do to us. And, now ... and now, -they...." - -The English youth couldn't go on, he was so choked up with blind rage. -A split instant later Dave opened up his engine wide and stuck the -Albacore's nose down in a wing screaming dive. - -"Man those rear guns, Freddy!" he thundered at the top of his voice. -"Maybe England hasn't declared war on Japan, but you and I are -declaring war on that stinking Jap pig-boat down there ... and right -now!" - -"But we've no depth bombs, or torpedo!" Freddy cried, but nevertheless -swiveling around and unlocked his rear guns. - -"Who cares?" Dave roared and hunched forward over the stick. "There's -a few of those brown rats on deck. We can at least cook their goose. -We.... Hold your hat! They've sighted us, and are trying to bring their -guns to bear. No, you don't ... you dime a dozen, slant eye bums!" - -As Dave snarled the last he flipped off the guard cap of the electric -trigger button of his forward guns, and jabbed the button home. His -guns yammered out a savage song of death and the group of little brown -figures clustered about the forward guns seem to melt to the deck and -roll off into the water, before either of the two guns could spew its -load of destructive shrapnel upward. - -However, no sooner did the bow gunners take their dose of death and -spill into the water than a new crew popped up out of the conning tower -hatch and scurried forward to replace them. Others also popped up into -view, each armed with a portable machine gun. They dropped in back of -the conning tower bridge for what protection it would afford them and -began blazing away. Dave felt the Albacore shake and tremble a little -as a well placed burst went tearing up through the right wings. But he -didn't swerve from his straight downward plunge a hair. He and Freddy -would have to risk the machine gun fire. It was the bow guns he had to -put out of action. Rather, he had to send the second crew spilling off -after the first. Let those two guns get in their licks and the Albacore -would be a mess of metal toothpicks flying about in the air. - -And so Dave held the plane steady and tore down until it looked as -though he were going to dive right into the bow mounted guns. In the -last instant allowed he let fly with his guns, practically tore the new -gun crews to bleeding shreds with his deadly fire, and went curving -upward and around to give Freddy Farmer a point blank shot at the -half crouching machine gunners. And the English youth didn't waste a -split second, or a single shot from his twin guns. His fire was every -bit as deadly as Dave's, and it knocked over the crouching machine -gunners like a shotgun would knock over frozen birds perched on an icy -telephone wire. The little Japs went down like ten pins. And what's -more, they stayed down! - -Then, suddenly, as Freddy Farmer let drive with a parting burst, a -column of orange red flame came shooting up out of the open conning -tower. It leaped three hundred feet straight up into the air and then -blossomed out on all sides like a gigantic flower of fire. At almost -the same instant invisible giants down in the depths of the shimmering -blue water seemed to push upward against the keel of the submarine. The -whole craft rose clear out of water, seemed to hover motionless for a -split second, and then buckle in the middle and fall back in again. -White spray, red flame, and boiling smoke spread out in all directions. -And then presently there was nothing but an ever widening oil slick on -the water to indicate the spot where the submarine had gone down for -good. - -Struck speechless by the weird, horrible sight, both boys stared frozen -eyed for a long moment. Then Dave shook himself out of his trance and -hauled the Albacore off the top of its zoom. Once the plane was level -he twisted around and grinned at Freddy. - -"What was that about not having depth bombs, or aerial torpedoes?" he -echoed. "Boy! With you around to shoot right down the open conning -tower and touch off something in her innards, we don't need anything -else. Nice going, pal! That gets you a kewpie doll, or something." - -"Think _what_ it gets me, if British High Command ever finds out!" -Freddy Farmer said in a tight voice. "Good Lord, Dave! I've just sunk a -Japanese submarine, and...." - -"Yeah, I know!" Dave cut in sharply. "England's not even at war with -Japan ... yet! The big shots in London and Tokio haven't made it -official, yet. Lot of good that did _us_ yesterday, didn't it! And a -lot of good it did those poor devils aboard the courier plane! Nuts! -You and your traditional rules of war give me a pain in the neck. Wake -up, little man. That sort of thing is all changed these days. Nowadays -you hit first, you hit hard, and you hit for keeps! If you don't you're -going to find yourselves waking up in a hospital ... if you _do_ wake -up!" - -"Yes," Freddy Farmer mumbled and swallowed hard. "Yes, of course you're -dead right. But, it gives a chap a queer feeling just the same. I mean, -if that had been a Nazi U-boat, why...." - -"Who says a Nazi wasn't her commander?" Dave snapped. "Jap, Nazi, or -one of Mussolini's funny looking things! Who cares? It's down where -it belongs, now. And down to stay. And I still say that was sweet -shooting, sonny boy. Sinks a sub with a couple of machine guns. No, I -guess we'd better not ever report it. Nobody would ever believe us. -We'd be called a couple of first class.... _Omigosh!_" - -"What's the matter?" Freddy Farmer cried in alarm as Dave stiffened and -jerked his head front. "Another one?" - -"No such luck!" Dave cried and heeled the Albacore around toward -the northwest. "I'll have to wait until next time for my chance to -duplicate your neat little trick. No. I just took a look at the gas -gauges? Did you ever do much camping out, Freddy? I mean, just go out -and live off the land, and all that sort of thing?" - -"I have a little," Freddy replied. Then sharply, "But what the blasted -blazes are you raving about, now? What _is_ the matter?" - -"Not a thing, not a thing!" Dave chanted and stuck the nose down -slightly to pick up all the extra speed he could. "Only we've been -using up fuel like there was a filling station out here every other -mile. Unless Lady Luck gives us one awful big break we may have to do -some camping out tonight somewhere maybe in the wilds of Thailand or -Burma." - -"But we can't, Dave!" Freddy cried before he could check his tongue. -"We've got to get to Raja, or ... or Lord knows what may happen." - -Dave turned around and squinted an eye at his pal. - -"Brother, are you kidding?" he muttered. "Or didn't you think I knew -that?" - - - - -CHAPTER FOURTEEN - -_Raja, the Invisible_ - - -For the ten millionth time in the last five minutes Dave Dawson let -his eyes come to rest on the main and emergency gas tank gauges on -the instrument board. Both needles were pressed hard against the zero -peg, and they had been that way for the last five minutes. It was as -though the powerful engine in the nose was now simply running on its -reputation. Of course, that wasn't true. Even when the gauge shows you -have no gas there is always a certain amount left in the feed lines -that will permit the power plant to function for a bit longer. But the -Bristol Taurus had been turning over for five full minutes on seemingly -dry tanks, and as far as Dave was concerned that was most certainly -some kind of a record for aircraft engines. - -And so as he stared at the gauges again there was bewildered amazement -in his eyes ... and a cold lump of fear in his stomach. If Freddy's -navigation had been accurate, and if the land marks they had been able -to sight from their high altitude really were those that were marked on -the flight map Serrangi had given them, they were still a good fifty or -sixty miles short of their destination! - -If they were flying over England, or the States, or eastern Canada, -or places like that, there would be no cause for worry and the cold -lump of fear. But, they were flying over the godawful region of the -world cut by the Thailand-Burma border. And they had only to glance -down over the side to realize full well what would happen when their -engine finally gave up and they were forced down. True, they might live -through it; they stood a chance. Perhaps it was only a million to one -chance. However, if they could sit down in the tree tops, or on the -side of the rocky jagged peaked mountains, or on the bottom of some -jungle choked gorge ... and not break every bone in their bodies ... -everything would be fine. At least for the time being. What happened -tomorrow, the next week, and the next year, were things best not to -think about. - -"We've got to make it, Dave! We've got to make it! Get all the altitude -you can. It will give us a longer glide." - -Dave clenched his teeth hard, and fought back the savage impulse to -spin around and let fly with a barrage of verbal abuse at Freddy -Farmer. Only the cold realization that his own pal's nerves were every -bit as frayed as his prevented him from doing so. And after all, for -the last hour it had been Freddy Farmer who had kept the conversation -going to take their thoughts off the approaching inevitable, and ease -the torturing strain somewhat. Yes, they had to make it. But would -they? If the engine should cut out now would they be able to make the -rest of the distance in a glide? True, they had almost top ceiling -under their wings, but it would still be a long glide. And to reach the -spot indicated on the map and then circle it five times at the exact -altitude of six thousand feet was something that was strictly up to the -gods. In his heart, Dave had the quaking feeling that they wouldn't be -able to circle the spot once at even six feet. - -"Or even reach it!" he spoke the thought harshly. "We got us a Jap sub, -but heaven knows what wasting that time is going to cost us." - -"And it was my fault, Dave!" Freddy Farmer's voice suddenly spoke in -Dave's ear. "I'm sorry as can be. I shouldn't have suggested that we -go look for the courier plane. After all, we were on a mighty important -mission." - -Dave swung around and fixed him with a scornful eye. - -"Eavesdropping on what a guy even says to himself, huh?" he growled. -Then softening his words with a grin, "You stick to your knitting, son, -and leave us grown-ups alone. And don't start grabbing off credit for -going on that courier plane hunt. I had my mind all made up to do it -before you so much as opened your yap. I was just waiting to hear what -you thought of the idea. And besides, this little old engine hasn't -stopped _yet_, has it?" - -The last word hadn't even started to become an echo before the Bristol -Taurus in the nose uttered a few rusty metallic gasps and then became -silent as a tomb, save for the soft swish of the propeller as momentum -turned it over in the wind. Freddy Farmer gulped and forced a smile to -his lips. - -"Yes, I'm afraid it has, Dave," he said. "But it's certainly been a -blasted wonder up to now. Well, we've got lots and lots of altitude for -gliding. And now that the engine's stopped, it is a bit peaceful up -here, don't you think?" - -"Very," Dave said with a nod. Then chuckling, "I'd like to stay up -here awhile. Boy! _How_ I'd like to stay up here awhile! But I always -was a selfish cuss. Any particular altitude at which you'd like to get -out, Mister? We're making all stops on the way down, you know." - -"Just let me out at the ground floor!" Freddy replied with a slight -grin on his stiff lips. "And I mean the ground floor, not the basement, -my good man!" - -Dave gave a little wave of his hand to acknowledge the wisecrack and -then concentrated every ounce of his attention on keeping the Fairey -Albacore just a hair below the stalling point. Every inch of altitude -he saved was at least five inches farther forward the plane would be -able to travel. It wasn't a question of precious feet, or yards, or -miles, now. It was a matter of inches. And every additional inch was -just another little bit in their favor. - -But as Dave held the controls in a steel fingered grip and peered -narrow eyed ahead at the heart chilling terrain, the little hammers -of dread and doubt began to pound away in his brain. His mouth and -throat became dry, and the cold lump of lead formed once more in the -pit of his stomach. He had flown over a lot of terrible country in his -time, but nothing like this. As far as he could see in any direction -there wasn't a piece of flat ground big enough to place your foot on. -Nothing but jagged rock sided mountains, and deep ravines choked with -jungle growth. A plane force-landing would be ripped to ribbons before -it touched the ground. And even though its occupants did live through -the crash it would really be only postponing death. Death in a thousand -different forms would be waiting for them down there in the jungle when -they tried to fight their way out to civilization. It was an airman's -graveyard, that's what it was. It.... - -Dave cut short the rest of his disagreeable thoughts as he felt Freddy -Farmer's hand pound down on his shoulder, and heard the English youth's -excited voice in his ears. - -"Bear a few degrees to port, Dave!" Freddy cried. "I guess our compass -must have gone a bit balmy, or my last calculation of position was -wrong. Look way over there to the left and ahead! There's the sharp -S bend in the Salween River that's marked on this map. Dave! If I'm -right, we're not in the soup at all. We should make that easily in a -glide. And not get down below six thousand feet, either!" - -Dave leaned forward, wiped the back of his hand across his stinging -eyes, and squinted hard. But the hope that had zoomed up within him at -Freddy Farmer's words took a nose dive when he couldn't see anything -on the ground that looked like the S turn in a river. As far as he -could see the few square miles indicated by Freddy's pointed finger -weren't one bit different from the hundreds of other square miles of -treacherous terrain he could see. However, hope didn't die completely -within him because this was not the first time Freddy's eagle sharp -eyes had spotted things long before he had. Just the same after nosing -the plane to port a bit and slushing forward at the flat gliding angle, -the tiny flame of hope burned lower and lower. - -"Don't you see it, Dave?" Freddy called out finally. - -"Not yet!" Dave replied grimly. "And I hope it's not a mirage you're -seeing. But.... Hold everything! Yeah! see it now, Freddy. Gee! It -looks exactly like a curving shadow on the jungle trees. Yes, that's -the S bend. And we'll make it easy, Freddy, easy. Remind me to hang -another medal on you for sweet eyesight. Me, I would have glided right -on by and not known the difference. Okay, boy! Looks like we're coming -to the end of the line." - -"And the beginning of the worst part, I fancy," Freddy Farmer muttered -through clenched teeth. "Lord, Dave! I hope that beggar, Serrangi, told -us the truth. I mean, that there really is a hidden drome down there." - -"Me, too, and how!" Dave echoed almost reverently. "Between you, me, -and that dead engine in the nose, I'd be tickled pink to drop right -down into Uncle Goering's arms right about now. But, sweet tripe, -Freddy! How could there possibly be a secret drome down there? A hole -in one of the mountains, perhaps? And they shoot them off by catapult? -It just doesn't seem possible, so help me!" - -"It's got to be, it's got to be!" the English youth repeated over and -over. "If we've come this far just to land in some blasted trees, -I'll ... I'll never forgive that black hearted blighter, Serrangi, as -long as I live!" - -Freddy Farmer's crazy remark snapped the tension a little and caused -Dave to laugh out loud. - -"That's telling him, Freddy, old sock!" he cried. "Boy! Would Serrangi -be sore if you never forgave him!" - -"Go ahead and laugh!" Freddy snapped. "But we're not out of the woods, -yet!" - -"Oh, yes, we are!" Dave corrected. "And what we want to do is _stay -out_ of them and not _get in_ them. Catch on?" - -"Quite!" Freddy snapped again. Then thrusting his hand over Dave's -shoulder, he cried, "And there's something else very funny, my lad. -The altimeter. We've got not over four thousand feet left before we -reach the altitude when we start our circle signals." - -"Sure, I know," Dave said good naturedly. "Keep your pants on. Little -Dave has everything under control ... he hopes. Yup! We make it easy. -Get your eyes skinned, Freddy, for signals. We're going to be over the -spot almost any instant, now." - -It was, perhaps, four full minutes before Dave brought the Albacore -directly over the middle of the S bend in the river, and at an altitude -just a shade over six thousand feet. He had allowed an extra hundred -feet so that he would not go too far below the six thousand foot mark -by the time he had completed his five circles. After all, Serrangi had -been most particular about sticking at six thousand feet. And for that -reason he couldn't take chances. If there were Jap guns down there -trained on the Albacore.... - -Dave swallowed hard, shook himself as though to drive off the -unpleasant possibility, and hauled the Albacore around for the first -circle. He guided the plane by instinct, keeping the nose no higher -than the law of gravity would allow. He stuck his head out through the -opened cockpit hatch and stared intently downward. Freddy Farmer was -doing the same thing, and like two men of stone they sat rigid in the -pit, not speaking, and hardly daring to breathe. - -Three, four, and five times Dave completed a circle, and by his expert -flying the plane didn't lose more than a hundred feet. The altimeter -needle quivered at the six thousand foot peg when he came out of -the final circle and glided straight northward. That also he did by -instinct for his eyes were still riveted to the ground below. Perhaps -ten seconds clicked by, or perhaps it was ten years. But, suddenly, a -red ball of fire seemed to zoom right up out of the lush green jungle -below them and come arcing up toward the belly of their plane. It -mounted upward no more than a couple of hundred feet, probably, then -curved over and down to wink out before it struck ground. - -"The signal flare, Dave!" Freddy Farmer roared at the top of his voice. -"Serrangi didn't lie to us! There is somebody down there." - -"I knew it all the time, I did!" Dave cracked back, as his heart looped -in his chest with joy. "But, I still want to know _where_ in heck a -field could be down there. It's.... Holy smoke! Am I seeing things, -or ... or what?" - -Dave stuttered out the rest as he stared in dumbfounded amazement -down toward earth. An airplane had suddenly appeared before his very -eyes. It was a swift Japanese Nakajima 96 single seater. A Land of the -Rising Sun copy of the American Boeing F4B. But the cockeyed point -was that the craft, with its red and white rising sun markings and -all, had seemingly popped right out of a tree top. One instant Dave -had been staring at the top of the lush jungle stretch below him, and -in the next he was looking at a Jap plane zooming up toward him at -top climbing speed. It was incredible, it was nuts, and it was all -cockeyed. But, nevertheless, it was fact. The Jap plane was coming up -like a rocket off on a holiday. - -"Dave! I'm not crazy, am I?" came Freddy Farmer's tight voice. "That is -a Jap plane, isn't it?" - -"Unless we're both crazy!" Dave replied and watched the Jap pilot swing -out wide of them, and then curve back in toward their right wings. -"But where in thunder he came from, don't ask, pal, don't ask! Jumping -Messerschmitts! Will we have something to tell the boys ... if we ever -get back!" - -"You could have left off that last bit," Freddy grunted. "I don't want -to even think about that. There! The lad is signalling, Dave! He's -motioning for us to swing in behind him, and follow him down." - -"Yeah!" Dave said with a nod. "This time I see it with my own eyes. -That dirty brown rat! Boy, is it a temptation, Freddy!" - -"What do you mean?" the English born R.A.F. ace demanded. - -"That Jap," Dave said and went through the motion of depressing the -electric trigger button on the stick. "Could I shoot the buck teeth out -of him from here! And with both eyes shut, too! I...." - -"Dave, don't be mad!" Freddy cried in alarm. "That would be a fine -mess." - -"Don't be dumb!" Dave shut him up and chuckled. "Do you think I am? I -was only _thinking_ how good it would make me feel, that's all. Well, -here we really start down, and from now on it's going to be miracles, -as far as I'm concerned. They say a Jap is as good as a monkey in a -tree. Maybe they've got planes that cling to branches like monkeys too. -But, if so, it's going to be too bad for this baby _we're_ in!" - -What happened in the next five minutes was actually not a series of -miracles being revealed for the benefit of the thumping hearted and -aching eyed R.A.F. aces in the Albacore. However, it might just as -well have been. The nearer they glided to the earth in the wake of the -Jap plane, the more and more they both became convinced that there -wasn't a spot big enough for a fly to sit down in down there. However, -when no more than eight hundred feet separated the belly of their plane -from the ground the big "miracle" came to pass. - -Actually, it was simply the truth registering in their amazement filled -eyes. It was not all lush jungle down there. No, not all. They suddenly -saw a half mile long, and two hundred foot wide strip of jungle that -wasn't jungle at all. It only _looked_ like jungle. It was a cleared -off section of ground with camouflage covering so cleverly painted -that it all blended in perfectly with the surrounding lush green, -rock studded landscape. The "strip" ran straight along the lip of a -deep ravine, so that if there seemed to be any difference where the -camouflage met the real thing, it would be taken as a line where the -edge of the ravine dropped off. - -Almost not daring to believe his eyes, Dave gingerly worked the -Albacore around and down toward the southern end of the camouflage -strip. The Jap plane was little more than a couple of hundred yards in -front of him. And even as Dave turned the Albacore around on a line -with the long side of the camouflage strip, the Jap plane touched earth -and quickly taxied ahead until it virtually disappeared under the heavy -jungle foliage at the far end. - -Another fifteen seconds, or so, and Dave's wheels touched ground. -For reasons of personal safety, and also to impress eyes that were -unquestionably watching he made a sweet feather-on-velvet landing and -let the plane truddle slowly forward to finally come to a full stop. -But, no sooner had he stopped rolling than half a dozen Jap mechanics -dashed out, and grabbed the wing tips, and motioned for him to taxi -ahead. He shook his head, and pointed to the dead engine. One of the -mechanics, who seemed to be in charge, turned his head and shrilled -something toward the jungle growth in his native tongue. In practically -nothing flat a dolly crew came streaking out. And in just about the -same time the other mechanics hoisted up the tail of the Albacore, -and the dolly was run under it. Chattering like magpies they caught -hold of the dolly handle and dragged Dave and Freddy backwards off -the camouflage strip and in under the shelter of the jungle trees. To -Dave it was like being hauled backwards into the yawning entrance of a -tunnel. One moment the brassy sun was glaring down on him, and in the -next he was in semi-darkness and staring out through an opening at the -sun flooded world. - - - - -CHAPTER FIFTEEN - -_Sons of Nippon_ - - -The faint jar as the Albacore's tail was lifted out of the dolly trough -and lowered none too gently to the ground, seemed to snap Dave out of -his trance. He licked his lips, swallowed hard and took a good look -around. For a few seconds he didn't see anything but blurs because -of the sudden change of light. But when they did focus and the blurs -took on definite shapes and outlines, he came within a hair's breadth -of letting out a wild yell of amazement. Even at that he did start -violently, and his eyes popped out of their sockets like marbles on -sticks. - -What he saw was perhaps the most weird, grotesque, unbelievable sight -he had ever seen since the day of his birth. True, he had seen the -underground airdromes and hangars the Nazis had constructed along -the Franco-German border, and he had seen the expertly camouflaged -fields built by the German Luftwaffe on the burning sands of the Libyan -desert. But this hidden field and array of nature made hangars were -almost beyond the powers of even one's wildest imaginations. On three -sides of him were row after row of Japanese military planes. They were -of all types from the small Nakajima that had come up to lead him down -to the giant long range Mitsubishi bombers. They were parked wing to -wing, with a small plane between each two big ones, so that there -didn't have to be any reshifting around when the time came for them to -take off. One by one they would go shooting down the jungle tunnel to -flat open ground, and then up into the air ... like a string of beads -coming undone, or a row of stitches being pulled put. - -But there was much more to the scene than just the row after row of -parked planes. Much more. Included also was all the mobile equipment -needed to service the craft, and keep them in constant perfect -condition. There were also great piles of bombs, and small mountains -of cans filled with high test gas and oil. There were jungle huts used -for living quarters. Huts where meals were obtained. In a few words, -that area of the Burma jungle covered an entire active service airdrome -complete from cook stoves to death dealing winged chariots of war. - -"_Gott!_ Once I leave here I shall never believe that I have seen such -a thing!" - -The voice was that of Freddy Farmer speaking in German. It was a tip -to Dave to remember the part he played, but it was also a truly felt -belief of the English youth. He had slipped out of his 'chute and -safety belt harness, and was standing up in his pit and looking around -out of eyes that had widened as large as dinner plates. - -"And I agree with you, my comrade!" Dave exclaimed hastily in the same -tongue to let Freddy know he was on his guard. "I can hardly wait to -tell _Der Fuehrer_ what a wonderful thing we have seen with our own -eyes. It is indeed a great tribute to the cleverness of our brave and -loyal allies!" - -As Dave spoke the words he looked down at the group of buck toothed, -wide grinning brown faces about the plane. Instinct told him that a -couple of them understood German, but he acted as though he believed it -an unknown foreign tongue to them. - -"We come from Serrangi, of Singapore!" he boomed out. "It is to be -our great honor to report to General Kashomia. Does one of you speak -German, and can escort us to his exalted presence?" - -A squat, chunky Jap, who make Dave think of a fire hydrant with a face, -pushed close to the side of the plane, beamed and bobbed his shaven -head up and down. - -"Whoever comes from Serrangi, is always expected," the man said in -perfect German. "Permit me to introduce myself. I am Captain Kito. It -will be my honor to escort you to where General Kashomia waits. Will -you be so pleased as to descend from your plane?" - -It wasn't until he had climbed down and was facing the Jap that Dave -realized the man carried a helmet and goggles in his hand. Undoubtedly -the man was the pilot of the pursuit plane that had come up to lead him -down. The little Jap stood stiff as a post, then bowed from the waist -at the two new arrivals like a mechanical doll. Then, whirling, he spat -out something at the others grouped about. They instantly split and -fell back to form a pathway. The Jap looked back at Dave and Freddy and -showed his buck teeth in a broad smile, then started forward rapidly -for all the world like a little brown terrier on the end of a leash. - -The way led past the rows of planes, and stores of fuel and bombs, to -the jungle huts on the far side. There was a clearing in front of the -huts and several Japanese pilots were lounging about, taking things -easy. They flashed quick glances at Dave and Freddy, but what they saw -apparently didn't interest them much, for they all immediately resumed -whatever they were doing. Perhaps visitors to this secret airdrome were -common to them. Or perhaps it was part of their training to show no -interest in anything save the knifing of a man in the back. Preferably -one who had been their friend! - -The squat Jap pilot finally came to a stop in front of the largest -of the huts. It was constructed mostly of bamboo, and on stilts that -allowed a three foot clearance between the floor and the soft spongy -ground. Evidently General Kashomia was taking no chances with crawling -jungle things, human or otherwise! The Jap paused before the hut, bowed -reverently before it, then turned to Dave and Freddy. - -"If you will please be so good as to ascend," he said, and gestured -with his hand at the little bamboo ladder. "I will go and order that -food and drink be prepared for you when you have completed your -business with General Kashomia." - -With a parting bob of his head the Jap pilot pivoted about and went -off at his restless gait. Dave grinned at Freddy, then shrugged and -started up the ladder. A few seconds later he was standing on solid -plank flooring and facing three men who sat cross legged Japanese -style about a table that wasn't over eighteen inches off the floor. -Three pairs of brownish-black eyes stared at him expressionlessly, -and unwaveringly. In an odd sort of way he was reminded of the nerve -rasping moments when he and Freddy had first entered Serrangi's room in -the Devil's Den. If there was any difference it was that the eyes of -these three dressed in the battle uniforms of high ranking Japanese air -force officers showed even less expression than had Serrangi's hypnotic -eyes. The same hunch came to Dave that had come to him in Serrangi's -place. He went ramrod stiff and flung up his right arm, fingers -extended stiff and close together. - -"_Heil Hitler!_" he shouted. - -"_Heil Hitler!_" Freddy Farmer at his side echoed, only louder. - -The Jap officer seated in the middle inclined his head slightly and -made a little motion with one hand that was probably an acknowledgment -of the greeting. There was nothing particularly military about it, -however. Nor respectful, for that matter, and Dave had the sneaky -feeling that the name of Adolf Hitler didn't cut such a terrible lot -of ice with the Japs in this part of the world. They had business of -their own to attend to that was thousands of miles removed from Berlin. -Also, of late the Nazis were getting belted all over the place by the -hard hitting Russians. They had come within thirty miles of Moscow to -be stopped cold, and Hitler's boast to spend Christmas in the Kremlin -was fast going right out the window. - -"We come from Serrangi in Singapore," Dave finally said when the three -Japs just continued to stare at them. "We come to give something to -General Kashomia. You are General Kashomia?" - -Dave looked questioningly at the middle Jap, and the man inclined his -head again. - -"I am General Kashomia," he said in flawless Berlin German, and -extended a bony hand. "Give to me what you bring from Serrangi in -Singapore." - -A tiny almost indistinguishable spark of light had flickered up in the -son of Nippon's eyes. But apart from that he gave the impression that -he was no more interested in what Dave handed to him than he would be -in last week's newspaper. He took the tight roll of paper that looked -like a pencil and without a word handed it to the officer on his -right. That man took a knife from his belt and deftly slit the outer -wrapping its entire length and smoothed out flat the five or six sheets -contained inside. As though he had peeled and prepared an orange for -his master he handed the lot back to General Kashomia. - -The high ranker accepted it just as blank faced and nonchalant as -before. Then with a quick stiffening of his legs he rose up onto his -feet. - -"I will learn what Serrangi has to tell me," he said, and waved for -Dave and Freddy to squat down. "Be seated and rest yourselves after -your long journey. A _very_ long journey for the type of plane you -flew." - -Brown black eyes bored into Dave's as General Kashomia spoke the last. -Then the Jap turned quickly and disappeared through a bamboo laced door -at the rear. Dave and Freddy squatted down, looked at each other for -a brief instant, and then gave their attention to the two remaining -Jap officers. It was like giving their attention to the stone lions in -front of the New York Public Library. The two Japs just squatted there -and stared off into space as though nothing else existed. Dave stood -the nerve racking silence for a moment, and then broke it. - -"Doesn't your honored General Kashomia believe we come from Singapore?" -he asked harshly. - -Brown black eyes pivoted around in heavy lidded sockets to focus -on him, but neither Jap uttered a sound. Presently one of them was -apparently struck with the bright idea of hand signals. He pointed at -Dave's mouth, then at his own ears, and shrugged to indicate he neither -spoke nor understood the German tongue. Dave relaxed, then almost -jumped up straight in the air as Freddy Farmer whispered hoarsely in -his ear. - -"The swine probably lies!" he said. "I'm sure he speaks our German -tongue as well as we do. Yes! You and I will have much to report when -we return to Berlin." - -For a brief instant Dave thought that Freddy had gone nuts, but when he -noticed that neither of the Japs so much as batted an eye, and caught -Freddy Farmer's faint sigh of relief, he realized that the words had -been spoken to catch the Japs off guard. To insult them and see whether -they did understand German or not. But evidently they didn't for -Freddy's swine insult sailed right over their shaven heads. - -"Take it easy!" Dave breathed at Freddy. "The one in the next room -understands us, you know. I don't feel very much like having my throat -cut today. Don't get too smart with these fellows. They may be tough, -too." - -"I won't," the English youth grunted. "But all that business out there. -It's unbelievable! It makes your blood run cold." - -"Not mine," Dave murmured. "It was frozen stiff before we started. -But.... Oh-oh!" - -The bamboo laced door swung open and General Kashomia reappeared. -He was as blank faced as ever save for two dull reddish spots of -excitement on his cheeks. His step was quicker, too, and there was a -ring in whatever he sing-songed at his two lesser ranks. They turned -to him at once, their eyes lighted up, and they both vigorously bobbed -their heads up and down and seemed to chant sounds of their native -tongue. General Kashomia answered them, and they shut up. Then the -senior officer squatted down in the middle and fixed his eyes on the -two R.A.F. aces. - -"My humble apologies for even thinking you could have come from -elsewhere but Serrangi in Singapore," he said. "And the highest praise -from myself and all my countrymen for so spectacular a flight. It is -one I should not like to do in anything but a large plane. You are -indeed a credit to the Luftwaffe." - -"It was a small undertaking," Dave said with a boastful shrug. "Most -any pilot and navigator in the Luftwaffe could have made it. I -understand, then, that we have brought you good news, yes?" - -The Jap general's lids contracted slightly, and the tiny gleam leaped -into his eyes again. - -"Serrangi always sends one good news," he said slowly. "That is why he -is a wealthy man. There is one part that is not clear, however. The new -location of Singapore Island's water supply. There has been a second -underground reservoir constructed near Mandai?" - -If it was a trick question meant to trap the boys, it fell flatter than -yesterday's pancakes. Both Dave and Freddy shook their heads. And it -was Freddy who answered the question ... truthfully. - -"We know almost nothing of Singapore, General Kashomia," he said. "We -have spent but one day and a night in the Singapore area. The good news -that Serrangi gives to you, he did not give to us. It was but by a bit -of good fortune that we were able to act as couriers." - -If that news surprised General Kashomia he did not show it. However, -his next words indicated that he wasn't getting all of the picture, -yet. - -"Strangers to Singapore?" he murmured. Then, "But not of course to -Serrangi?" - -"Yes!" Dave shot right back at him and got a little comfort and -satisfaction out of the shadow of annoyed bewilderment that passed over -the Jap's face. - -"That is interesting," the son of Nippon said presently. "You will be -good enough to explain, please? You are strangers to Singapore, and to -Serrangi, also? Yet you fly here to where I wait, and place the means -of a great military triumph in my hands? I have spent much time in -Berlin, but I am afraid I shall never fully understand you Germans. The -words you speak confuse me." - -For a crazy second Dave was tempted to give the Jap a cockeyed story -that would practically set him on his ear with perplexity. On second -thought, though, he killed the urge. And for two very good reasons. -One was because the Jap might have some means of checking his words, -and, considering their immediate situation, it might not go so well for -Freddy and himself to be caught in a lie. The second reason was because -his eyes had become completely accustomed to the interior of the hut -on stilts, and he was able to see the array of military maps hung on -the walls. They included all sections of that part of the world, and -although the Japanese paint brush notations meant nothing to him, a -series of lines and arrows drawn on the maps had started his heart -thumping against his ribs with suppressed excitement. Unless he was all -wrong the maps definitely proved that here at Raja was the center of a -Japanese spider's web of death and intrigue that reached far out in all -directions. - -And so Dave settled himself a bit more comfortably and told General -Kashomia the same story he had told Serrangi. The Jap listened in stony -faced silence right through to the end. When Dave finished he asked -a few pointed questions, and appeared satisfied with the answers the -two R.A.F. aces gave him. However, not because the blank expression on -his face altered any. Simply because he shrugged and stopped asking -questions. - -"We Japanese have long admired your great Luftwaffe," the little brown -son of Nippon finally said. "As you probably know, there have been -Luftwaffe instructors in Japan for many years. They have taught us -much, and the hour fast approaches when we shall prove we were good -pupils. Yes, the news you bring me from Serrangi, in Singapore, makes -our great hour approach at great speed." - -The blank, inscrutable face lighted up with a seething inner flame for -a brief instant, and the Jap's brown black eyes slid around to glance -quickly at the array of maps. A pointed question hovered on the tip of -Dave's lips, but before he could get it off Freddy Farmer spoke up. - -"As we left Serrangi," the English youth said gravely, "there was -mention of a request you might be so good as to grant us." - -"Request?" the Jap echoed in a hissing voice, as his eyes fairly -snapped around to Freddy's face. "Then you did make that wonderful -flight ... for a price?" - -It was a wonderful opening for a bit of play acting by Freddy, and the -English youth was quick to take full advantage of the opportunity. He -puffed out his chest, pulled in his chin, and glared at the Jap general. - -"Everything we do, we do only for the great love we have for our -Fuehrer, and our Fatherland!" he shouted. "The request that might be -made has to do only with further service we might give to our glorious -mutual cause." - -"I humble myself before you," the Jap murmured and bowed low. "Your -first words watered the seed of a different thought within me. I was -mistaken. This request. What is it then?" - -"Between his words," Freddy said slowly as the pounding of his own -heart kept time with Dave's, "Serrangi hinted of great disaster to -befall the British in Singapore. He whispered the suggestion that we -beg of you the honor of taking part in the delivery of this great blow. -His hints told us plainly that it would be a sight we would remember -to our graves. Our Fuehrer has taught us to always be a soldier, and -to always obey orders. We are here in Raja, so we are your soldiers, -and your orders are orders we would obey even as though they came -from the lips of our own Fuehrer. If you so order, we will not move -one step from Raja. But it is my dearest wish, and that of my famous -Luftwaffe comrade, here, that you do not give such an order. We pray -and hope that our eyes, our hands, and our bodies may help you avenge -at Singapore the Luftwaffe losses against the British Royal Air Force -last winter. We took part in that air battle against the English and -it would put joy in our hearts if you would permit us to help take -the lives of ten British at Singapore for every one of our Luftwaffe -friends we with our own eyes saw fall over Britain." - -The speech was one of the best Dave had ever heard drop from Freddy -Farmer's lips, and it was all he could do to look pleadingly at General -Kashomia, and not leap to his feet and give his English pal a great -big hand. Nor was Dave the only one impressed. The Jap general stared -at Freddy with the faint light of pleased admiration in his eyes. He -presently nodded his head and showed his big teeth in a broad smile so -typical of the sly Japs. - -"You have the power to move mountains with your voice," he said -eventually. "And heartless, indeed, would I be not to give utmost -consideration to your plea. I shall see that a few more pieces of -silver are placed in Serrangi's hand for selecting you two for the -great flight you have made. But Singapore is not everything of -importance to us. True, we shall strike at Singapore, and in such a -manner that its garrison of troops and pilots will have no opportunity -to resist. However, I shall strike at other points, also. It is not our -plan to take one place at a time. It is our plan to take all places -at the same time. It is the war technique of your own Fuehrer, and it -has as yet to be proved wrong. No, we shall not nibble at a spot until -it gives away and crumbles. We will strike at many places at the same -time." - -"_Gott!_ Those are words to warm my heart!" Dave cried, and leaned -forward eagerly. "And you say, most honored General, that the hour fast -approaches?" - -The Jap seemed to swell up to the exploding point with indescribable -pride and joy. He made some quick motions with his two hands, and -although he cried the words out in flawless German his voice had the -pitch of a buzz saw going through a sheet of tin. - -"Tomorrow when the sun is in the east, the hour will have arrived!" - - - - -CHAPTER SIXTEEN - -_Wings of Valor_ - - -As the Japanese air force general's voice died away a tingling silence -seemed to hang over the jungle hut like a blanket. Not a man in the -place moved. Dave was sure that his own heart had stood still at the -sound of the words. Tomorrow morning? Tomorrow morning the Japs were -to unleash their dogs of war against an unsuspecting civilized world? -Tomorrow, when the civilized world was doing everything possible to -maintain the peace with the war lords of Nippon, the hordes and hordes -of little brown rats were going to spring savagely at white men's -throats? It seemed almost impossible to believe. It was like a dream. -Little Japan was going to strike. Little Japan? But there was just -another of the white man's mistakes down through the years. Looking -upon the Land of the Rising Sun as little Japan. Little in size, yes. -But the British Isles are little in size, too, from the standpoint of -land area in square miles. Little Japan! That was the trouble. Little -on the outside, and tremendously big on the inside. For years and years -the Sons of Nippon had been getting ready, and all the time the rest -of the world _knew it_ ... and _did nothing_. Japan would never strike -in the Pacific! No? Well, there had once been the day when, as Germany -prepared and prepared, government greybeards and has-beens scoffed at -the idea Adolf Hitler would ever take his 1918 beaten country into -war. No? Well, where was France today, and Poland, and Norway, and -Holland, and all the other "free" countries? Bleeding to death under -the crushing weight of the Nazi iron heel. _Little_ Japan? Nuts! - -"Tomorrow at dawn?" Dave suddenly heard his own voice whispering -hoarsely. "It is almost too good to be true. In Germany tomorrow Der -Fuehrer will declare a national holiday in your honor, I am sure. -Forgive me, but I cannot help but repeat the plea that my comrade and I -be given a part, if only a small one." - -"Your desire to fight with us, and perhaps die, makes you very eager," -the Jap murmured. And an odd note in his voice caused little fingers -of ice to grab at Dave's heart. In that moment he had the sudden -throat drying conviction that he had displeased the Jap by his pressing -insistence. He had the feeling, and the narrow eyed look he received -indicated as much, that the Jap general was swaying just a little bit -over on the suspicious side. However, when the little brown son of -Nippon spoke again there was nothing in his words or in his voice to -justify such a thought. - -"But brave soldiers should always be eager to fight and die for their -country, and their allies," he said. "And I would not be such a fool as -to deny such men their right. You, of course, have heard much of the -Burma Road. Through it our Chinese foes had been receiving supplies for -many months ... for almost the whole four years of our war of freedom -against them. The British did close the road for a few months, but it -was just a token gesture to maintain Japan's friendship. And we were -not fooled by their stupid gesture for a moment. So, if we smash the -Burma Road, China's war effort will starve to death. Her millions will -revolt against their war mongering leaders, and throw them to the -dogs ... and from then on live in peace and happiness under Japanese -rule. And so, it is...." - -At that moment the entrance of the little Captain Kito who had come -aloft to lead Dave and Freddy down to the secret field snapped shut -the General's lips. The chunky pilot shot a swift look at the two -R.A.F. aces and then jabbered in lightning speed in his own tongue at -his superior officer. Watching the General, Dave saw the man's eyes -narrow, and the flaming spark to appear in their depths once more. He -saw also the man's claw-like fingers close slowly together as though -a human neck were between them. When the pilot had finished there was -a moment's silence. The Jap general looked at the two stone faced -officers seated at his side and seemed to reach an agreement with them -though neither of them uttered a sound. Then General Kashomia turned -back to the pilot and sing-songed away for a solid minute. Dave hadn't -any idea what it was all about, but he had the very strong hunch that -the Jap general was plenty burned up about something and was issuing -orders in no uncertain words. - -A few seconds later the Jap pilot bowed from the waist and popped -outside and down the bamboo ladder. General Kashomia turned his -attention back to Dave and Freddy as though there had not been any -interruption at all. - -"And so," he repeated, "it is of first importance that we cut China's -lifeline once and for all, but during the same hour that we strike -elsewhere. However, there is a serious problem to be solved between -now and our great hour tomorrow. For some weeks, now, a group of fools -has been giving aid to the Chinese armies. I speak of what is known -as the American Volunteer Group. The aid they are giving China is to -patrol the air of the southern end of the Burma Road and attempt to -prevent our bombers from reaching it. There are not many pilots in this -group of American fools, but they are good pilots, and they have not as -yet realized that their task is hopeless. Tomorrow at dawn they will -realize the truth at last, but it will be too late, for they will all -be dead." - -General Kashomia paused and made a little sign of finality with his -hand. - -"However," he continued a moment later, "word has reached me that the -Americans are being reenforced by British planes and pilots. I do not -know their strength, but I know it cannot be great because the British -have not many planes to spare out here in the Far East. They seem to be -more worried about Libya and their own British Isles. Just the same, I -do not wish to lose any more of my bombers than I can help tomorrow. -The blow I strike at the Lashio end of the Burma Road must be swift and -final so that those planes can leave and join the main aerial assault -against Singapore, and other points of our attack. Turn your eyes, -please, and look at that map, there." - -The Jap general stopped talking and pointed a finger at the huge map of -Burma, Thailand, and South China, that hung on the wall to his right. -Dave and Freddy looked at it and struggled to still the booming of -their hearts. In the few moments of silence that lasted within the hut, -they heard the sound of aircraft engines being started up outside. Then -General Kashomia went on talking. - -"To the north of Lashio, on the China border," he said, "is the little -village of Pidang. As the crow and the airplane fly it is not fifty -miles from here. There in a flat valley, that a blind man could find, -is located this squadron of American fools ... and the British who have -arrived to help them. For a Japanese plane to fly close to that spot in -the light of day would be but the pilot asking that he be sent to join -his ancestors. But in a British plane it would all be very different. -You would be able to see much, and learn much that I should like to -know. Three hours at the most it would take you. And the information -you bring me will count much in our success tomorrow." - -The Jap stopped short and fixed his folded lid eyes on the two R.A.F. -aces. Dave and Freddy returned the stare, and then Freddy broke the -silence. - -"It is your order, and it will be our joy to obey it!" he cried. "We -will leave as soon as your men have fueled our plane, and it is again -in working order." - -"That is being done now," General Kashomia said quietly. "I knew before -I made the request that it would be granted. Yes, at this very moment -your plane is being repaired and made ready for flight. But there is -time to rest and eat meanwhile. It will be best that you take-off so -that your return will be made just before the light of day fades from -the heavens. Come! I am sure that the food is waiting, as I am sure you -are most eager to fill your stomachs, and quench your thirst." - -The Jap senior officer made a sign with his hand and rose quickly up -onto his feet. Dave and Freddy scrambled up onto their feet, and then -followed the Jap outside, and down the bamboo ladder. - -By the middle of that afternoon Dave's nerves were ready to scream -aloud and fly off in little pieces. Ever since leaving General -Kashomia's hut on stilts he had burned with a great desire to go into -a huddle with Freddy Farmer. There was no longer any secret to the -Japanese menace, now. At least not to Freddy Farmer, and him. They -had heard the story of what was to happen tomorrow from Kashomia's -lips. And what the Jap hadn't said, they had been able to guess from -unnoticed looks at the maps hanging on the wall. It was to be an -all-out air blitz by the Japan air force planned to wipe out Hongkong, -Singapore, and the Burma Road all in one fell swoop. By the time -the last Jap bomb had hurtled earthward the defenders of Hongkong, -Singapore, and the Burma Road still wouldn't know what had hit them. - -But the death dealing blow scheduled for tomorrow's sun was simply -Dave's biggest worry. He had smaller worries as well, and not the least -of them was General Kashomia's plan for them to scout the American -Volunteer Group field north of Lashio. That item didn't set well at -all, and little fingers of ice rippled up and down his spine whenever -he thought of it, which was almost constantly. He had sensed a change -in General Kashomia back there in the headquarters hut. It wasn't -anything that he could put his finger on, but he knew it was there. The -Jap had something up his sleeve, and Dave couldn't dispel the hunch -that it was aimed at the life-blood of one Freddy Farmer and Dave -Dawson. For Freddy and him to get aloft in the Fairey Albacore again -was just too good to be true. And knowing what they did, now, made it -seem even more improbable of ever coming to pass. - -Yet, everything pointed to the fact that it was. With his own eyes -he saw the Jap mechanics refueling the Albacore. And, as a matter of -fact, he and Freddy made a minute examination of the plane to assure -themselves that it was in good order. The inspection suggestion had -been made by General Kashomia himself. But that was the point. That -was the one thing that played on Dave's nerves like a rusty file hour -after hour. Kashomia was with them every instant of the time. He ate -with them, showed them about the secret drome, inspected the rows of -Jap war planes with them, and helped them check over their own British -made ship. And that was the rub. The Jap never once left their side -so that either of them could so much as whisper a word to the other. -For all they were able to talk over events to come they might just as -well have been at opposite ends of the earth. Whether by accident, Jap -courtesy, or devil's purpose, General Kashomia was right there all the -time to hear every word that fell from their lips. And so, they had to -be constantly on their guard not to let the wrong words drop, and keep -them choked up within themselves until they felt that one more hour of -the nerve rasping suspense would find them both jibbering monkeys, and -stark raving mad. - -However, they did not have to endure that one more hour. General -Kashomia finally decided that it was a good time for them to leave, and -escorted them over to where the Albacore waited with its nose pointed -down the tunnel toward the camouflage strip and the open air. - -"May your wings have the speed of lightning," he said in farewell. -"Observe closely what is there at your objective, and let it be stamped -well on your memories. Now, I go to pray to my ancestors that they -grant your flight a successful one, and your return speedy." - -With a half salute and a half queer little gesture that could mean -most anything, General Kashomia turned around and walked rapidly away. -Dave shot a thoughtful glance at his back, then shook himself out of -his trance, and nodded at the Jap mechanics holding the wheel chock -ropes. The little brown rats yanked the chocks clear and Dave fed Jap -gas to the Bristol Taurus in the nose, and sent the Fairey Albacore -roaring down the man made jungle tunnel. For perhaps two split seconds -jungle growth flashed by on all four sides, then the plane shot out -into almost blinding sunlight, cleared its wheel and went prop clawing -upward. - -The instant he was clear and headed toward Heaven, Dave made sure -that his radio flap mike was disconnected, and then twisted around in -the seat to look back at Freddy. The English youth was sitting like -a figure of stone with a beet red face. A thousand million questions -seemed to stick right out of the English born R.A.F. ace's face. Dave -checked them by a warning gesture toward Freddy's flap mike and waited -until the English youth had disconnected it. Then he grinned, tight -lipped. - -"I know all the questions you're bursting to pop, Freddy!" he shouted. -"And my answer to all of them is that we're getting too darn close to -being back of the eight ball. That runt sized Jap general is working -to pull something very smooth. And it all started when that runt pilot -busted in to spill the lingo at him. Check?" - -"Of course!" Freddy cried as an agonized look flashed across his -excitement and tension flushed face. "I may be all wet, but I think I -know why. We pulled a terrible boner, Dave!" - -"Gosh! Only one? What?" - -"The fight with that Jap sub!" Freddy said with a groan. "I mean, not -mentioning shooting." - -"The scrap with the Jap sub?" Dave echoed in amazement. "Are you nuts? -We'd have been dead ducks in nothing flat if we'd so much as breathed a -word about that, you dope!" - -"Not the fight with the sub, you balmy idiot!" Freddy roared back. "But -we should have said that we were shot at getting away from Singapore. -Instead we said that _not a shot was fired at us_! Look out there on -the wing. They've even patched that sub's machine gun bullet holes. -Don't you suppose they wondered _how_ those holes got there? _Why_ we -didn't even mention being shot at?" - -Dave looked out at the ten or twelve little grey fabric patches on the -right lower wing, and swallowed hard. So that was why the Jap pilot had -come busting in all steamed up. And that's why General Kashomia's face -had showed rage for an instant, and why he had obviously barked orders -to be carried out. That was the beginning of the change in Kashomia. -That was when Dave had felt his hunch that Freddy and he had stuck -their necks out just a little too far. That's when.... - -"That Jap Brass Hat beggar isn't sure of us at all, Dave!" Freddy's -voice cut in on his thoughts. "He really doesn't want to know a -blasted thing about that American Volunteer Group north of Lashio. This -is some kind of a trick, Dave. I'm sure of it. I feel certain that he's -sent us up to see if we'd head straight for Singapore. There can't be -any two ways about that." - -"But what's to stop us?" Dave called back. "My gosh, Freddy, you don't -_want_ to fly toward this Pidang village, do you? The gas tanks are -full, and we can make Singapore easy, and give the alarm." - -"Hold it, Dave!" Freddy shouted as Dawson started to level off the -climb and veer around toward the south. "Don't try it, yet. There's one -thing I guess you didn't notice, or did you? Four of those Nakajima -Ninety-Six single seater fighters took off awhile ago, and I don't see -them in the air any place." - -"So what?" Dave grunted with a scowl. "They probably went someplace -else." - -Angry annoyance flooded Freddy Farmer's face as he leaned well forward. - -"Where's your brains, Dave?" he snapped. "Of course they did! And if -you want to know what I think, they went south quite a bit to hang in -the sky and wait to see if _we go south, too_. And if you don't think -that Kashomia has powerful glasses on us right now, and is in radio -contact with those Nakajimas, then you're completely out of your head. -So for heaven's sake, let's at least _start_ north toward Pidang!" - -Dave gulped, blushed to the roots of his hair, and went through the -motions of tipping his hat. - -"Hail to you, brilliant one!" he said. "Your humble servant is truly -one fat headed dope. Sure! You've got something there, and how, Freddy. -If we head for Singapore we tip our hand. Kashomia realizes that we're -phonies. He radioes his little boys, and the four of them drop down on -us to.... Omigosh, Freddy! You are doggone right! That darn Jap rat has -fixed us nice!" - -"Done what?" the English youth echoed. "What are you talking about?" - -Dave didn't reply. Instead he pointed at the empty ammunition boxes -that fed his forward guns. They were all empty! - -"Good Lord!" came Freddy Farmer's hoarse exclamation a moment later. -"So are my guns back here, Dave. We haven't got a single bullet between -us!" - -"So we darn well do head north!" Dave said grimly and swung the -Albacore around. "And maybe, please God, be able to slip around on -a detour and slide by those four Nakajimas that are sure as shooting -waiting for us between here and Singapore!" - -"Amen!" Freddy Farmer murmured, stiff lipped. - - - - -CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - -_Eagles Never Die_ - - -The secret Jap drome hidden deep in the vast jungles of Burma was far -behind the Albacore's tail. Still some fifteen or twenty miles ahead -was the flat valley floor where the American Volunteer Group, helping -to fight China's battle, was squadroned. Dave stared ahead hard for a -moment but could see no sign of the flat valley yet. Turning around, he -searched the skies with his eyes, but all he could see was eye smarting -shimmering light of the burning brass ball in the heavens. Finally, he -lowered his eyes, and looked at Freddy Farmer. - -"I guess this had better be far enough in this direction," he said -and jerked his head back toward the instrument board. "There's enough -gas to make it, according to the gauges, but not much more. Do we -swing to the east and cut down through Indo-China, or should we swing -west and then down south that way? Either way it's going to be close. -We.... Hey! Are we _both_ dumb this time? What's wrong with the radio? -How about contacting Air Vice Marshal Bostworth on the emergency -wave-length, and code? The Japs might tune in, but we could at least -get things started before they had time to all clear out of there, -and.... What's the matter?" - -"I didn't think it worth while telling you, Dave," the English youth -said in a sorrowful voice. "But my tubes have been removed, and I fancy -so have yours. We can't radio anybody, old fellow." - -Dave twisted, whipped out his hand, and unsnapped the front of the -instrument board radio panel and let it drop down. It was true! Every -tube in his set had been removed. For a million dollars he couldn't -have broadcast anything as far as the wing tips. For a long moment he -glared at the sabotaged set, then he slammed the panel front shut, and -squared his jaw. - -"Okay!" he got out savagely and booted the Albacore around in a half -dime turn toward the east. "We still go back to Singapore, and just let -any bucktoothed, throat slitting sons of Nippon try and stop us!" - -Brave, determined words ... and they were good for about two minutes -only! At the end of two minutes Freddy Farmer suddenly let out a bellow -of alarm and pounded a hand down on Dave's shoulder. - -"Here they come!" he screamed. "The devils have been riding top ceiling -all the time and watching us. Turning off our course was just what they -were waiting for. Up there, Dave, to the left! And they're coming down -like the blasted devils that they are!" - -Dave whipped his eyes around and up just long enough to see a row of -four darkish spots against the sun flooded heavens, then he turned his -head forward, and kicked the Albacore up, over, and down in a wing -screaming half roll. But even as the British plane started to drop the -savage yammer of aerial machine gun fire smashed against his eardrums, -and out the corners of his eyes he saw the wavy grey smoke of tracer -bullets zipping past his wingtips. His heart froze solid in his chest, -and the palms of his hands became filmed by a cold, clammy sweat, but -there were raging flames of anger in his brain. Anger at himself, at -Lady Luck, and at the little brown devils of Nippon. - -He should have realized that things had been breaking too good to last. -From the very instant Freddy and he had been shot off the Harkness' -catapult, Lady Luck had favored them with her brightest smile at every -turn. True they had eased into some close and ticklish corners, but -they had managed with a bit of luck to ease right out of them again, -and continue on toward their big destination ... the secret Jap -airdrome, and knowledge of what the Japs planned to do tomorrow. Well, -they had reached that secret airdrome, and they had learned of the -Jap plans ... but, so what? Dead men can't talk. Dead men can't fly a -mile. Dead men would only be buried if they ever did by a miracle reach -Singapore. The breaks had stopped, and Lady Luck had turned her face -the other way. Death was after them, now, to put an end to all they had -accomplished thus far. Death in the form of four war inflamed, conquest -crazed Japanese pilots hurtling down out of the brassy sky. - -"But not so long as we keep flying! Not so long as we keep flying!" - -From as though a thousand miles away Dave heard the echo of his own -voice roaring above the yammering guns of the diving Japs. Let the -confounded Japs have the guns. Sure, spot them a few guns. Freddy and -he would beat them at their own game. There was but one hope. To outfly -the Japs and somehow cut away from the rattling death they were dealing -out. Given a fair lead the Albacore might be able to keep ahead of the -Nakajimas. And with just the tiniest bit of a break.... - -Dave let the rest slide. Rather, metal messengers of death twanging -down through the glass cockpit hatch to practically brush his left -cheek caused the rest to clog in his throat. Slamming his strength -against the controls he skidded the Albacore sharply off to the -opposite side, and then pulled the nose up in a power zoom. For one -brief instant wild hope flooded his heart. His trick maneuver had -outfoxed the Jap pilots. Too late they tried to haul out of their own -dives, but failed and were forced to go shooting on down by the zooming -Albacore. - -But that hope lived only for an infinitesimal period of time. It died -almost as it was born, for not all four of the Nakajimas had piled all -the way down. One had remained aloft, just in case. And Dave realized -bitterly that its pilot had done exactly the right thing. His three -brown rat pals having over shot their mark, he was now blasting down -to nail the defenseless R.A.F. plane before it could scoot well off -into the clear and build up a lead that could be held all the way to -Singapore. - -"Lord, if I only had guns!" came Freddy Farmer's rage filled cry above -the thunder of the Albacore's engine. "I'd pick that blasted beggar -off, even if I had to throw the guns at him. Outfly the rotter, Dave. -Outfly him! You're better than a dozen of those brown devils." - -It was a nice compliment but Dave hardly heard it. His body was -drenched with nervous sweat, and his heart was a battering-ram trying -to force its way right out through his ribs. Every instinct of -self-preservation within him cried out to wheel away and dive again, -but he knew better than to yield to such an instinct. It might spare -his own life for a little bit longer, but it would surely spell doom -for Freddy Farmer. If he wheeled the plane around he would present -a perfect broadside target for the Jap, and Freddy wouldn't stand -a chance in the world of surviving the withering fire that would -instantly rake the Albacore. - -And so, instead, Dave grimly held the Albacore in its power zoom. He -sent it thundering straight up into the spitting guns of the Nakajima, -until the Jap feared a head-on crash and lost his nerve and broke away. -No sooner did the Jap maneuver off than Dave whipped off the top of his -zoom, and banked around toward the north. The action brought a startled -cry from Freddy Farmer. - -"The other way, Dave!" the English youth cried frantically. "We're -headed wrong. Singapore is the other way. It's to the south." - -"I know our direction!" Dave snapped over his shoulder, and stuck the -nose down a shade to pick up all the extra speed he could. "But we'd -never make it to Singapore, Freddy. That last burst got the emergency -tank feed line, and it's leaking dry. Also those three others would be -up to cut us off. Pidang is our only hope, Freddy. We've got to reach -that American Volunteer Group, and get them to help." - -"Help?" Freddy echoed. "How in Heaven's name? They've only got single -seaters in that crowd. Not bombers, Dave!" - -"I know that, too!" Dave shouted. "But, they're Yanks. I've got a -feeling that'll be the difference. But we've got to get there, anyway, -and make a safe landing. Darn these Japs. Whoever said they didn't have -anything with speed? Look at them come! Duck, Freddy boy! Keep the old -head down!" - -As Dave spoke the last he took one last look at the four Nakajimas -that were coming after him at comet speed, then turned front and -automatically hunched himself down low in the seat. The future was in -the lap of the gods, now. Or, perhaps it would be better to say that -the future lay in the thundering Bristol Taurus in the nose. If the -Japs ever got close again it would be curtains. They had been fooled -once, and it was mighty doubtful that they could be fooled again. -They were out for blood; out to crush two brave R.A.F. aces valiantly -fighting a desperate battle against almost insurmountable odds. - -The future? Dave savagely closed his brain to the merest thought. It -wasn't the future. It was the present! This very second a lucky burst -from those guns yammering like sky wolves right behind the Albacore -might snuff out Freddy's life and his own. Might send them hurling -down in a ball of flame with the terrible secret of what was to happen -tomorrow locked in their brains forever. - -"To the left, Dave! To the left and just ahead! There's the flat -valley. There's the A.V.G.s'. Base. Just a little bit longer, Dave. -Just a little bit longer, and we'll be there!" - -Dave heard Freddy Farmer's screaming voice as a distant echo. He had -already spotted the small flat valley where nestled the little native -village of Pidang, and where the famous American Volunteer Group was -supposed to be located. But even as he stared at it hope seemed to die -within him. There was not the single sign of a plane, or a hangar on -the level floor between the rock studded mountains. Nothing but the -cluster of native huts that represented Pidang. Still there must be -something else there. There had to be the A.V.G. boys. There just had -to be! - -Hardly conscious that he was doing so, Dave shouted aloud the words -over and over again. And he shoved the nose down to an even steeper -angle of dive in a desperate effort to gain an extra foot or so on the -gun snarling Nakajimas that were drawing closer and closer for a cold -meat kill. If he could only get down and land before they got close -enough, maybe Freddy and he could.... - -He never finished the rest of the thought. At that instant hissing -nickel jacketed lead sliced into the cockpit, and a white hot spear of -flame ran across the top of his left shoulder. Too late! The Japs had -caught up well within range. The next burst would be one that really -counted. But in that split second of time before the next burst left -the muzzles of Jap guns, Dave put every ounce of his flying skill -and daring into savage, furious action. Without so much as a yell -of warning to Freddy, he yanked the stick all the way back into his -belly and snapped the nose upward so fast that the fuselage seemed to -actually bend in the middle and groan in protest against the terrific -strain. But that aircraft was English built, and she stayed together. -Like a bolt of lightning the plane streaked upward on the first half -of a gigantic loop. But before Dave reached the top of the loop he -sent the Albacore corkscrewing over to a rightside up position. A half -roll off the up side of a loop that brought him out flying in the same -direction. - -But for only the length of time it would take you to bat an eyelash. -Heaving the stick over and kicking rudder, Dave deliberately half -rolled again and went plunging down at the vertical. Not until that -instant did he release the air clamped in his lungs that seemed to have -been locked there for long, long minutes. And he did so with a wild, -roaring challenge at the cluster of four Nakajimas starting to zoom up -after him. - -"Who gives air, you brown rats?" he bellowed. "You or us?" - -To the credit of the Japs it must be said that they stuck it out for -perhaps one tenth of a second. Then in the face of the flying madman -hurtling straight down at them they broke and cut wildly off to the -side. One Jap, however, picked the wrong side. One of his own planes -was too close to permit room for the frantic maneuver. Two Nakajimas -crashed together, locked wings about each other, and exploded in a -great fountain of flame. In the nick of time Dave kicked rudder hard -and skidded out just barely enough to miss the mass of flaming debris -and plunge on down by. - -"No guns, huh?" his echo roared back at him. "Brother! We don't need -guns!" - -Curiosity fought with him to twist around and look back up at the -sky, but he held himself in an iron grip and kept right on plunging -downward. Two Japs were out of the picture, that was true. But two more -still remained. And to look back to see where they were would be only -wasting precious seconds. If they were close again, then that would be -that. Looking back up into their flame spitting guns would only do harm -and no good. It.... - -"We'll make it, Dave!" Freddy Farmer's joy sobbing voice came to his -ears. "We'll make it! You left the two other beggars fanning thin air. -They haven't even started down, yet. _We'll make it!_" - -Dave didn't give a single sign that he had heard. He was too busy with -the diving plane. And the ground was rushing upward at terrific speed. -Bracing himself he eased up the nose a few degrees, and gently angled -around until he was headed toward the long side of the level floor of -the valley. He saw figures rush out into the open, but he had only -time for a quick glance, and could not tell whether they were natives -or not. Then suddenly he had the plane mushing forward not three feet -off the ground. Another moment and the wheels touched, and the Albacore -rolled forward to a full stop. Not until that moment did Dave hear the -bark of anti-aircraft guns. Not until that moment did he realize that -anti-aircraft batteries located in the jungle growth that bordered the -edge of the valley were hammering shrapnel up at two Jap pilots trying -to get up the nerve to come down and strafe the field. As a matter -of fact, even as he threw back his head and looked up he saw the two -Nakajimas wheel and go streaking off to the south. - -He lowered his gaze to see suddenly the group of sun bronzed American -pilots at the side of his plane. One of them was tall and slightly -grey, and wore the rank of colonel on his sun bleached shirt. Dave took -one look at him, leaped to the ground, and rushed up to grab the man -by the arm. Like a man who expects to die in the next five seconds and -must get many words off his lips before he does, Dave babbled out the -story, all in practically one breath. - -"So we've got to smash that hidden drome!" he finished. "Those two -Japs will give the alarm to Kashomia, and he may pull out with the -whole works for some other place before R.A.F. bombers can get up here. -Listen to me! I tell you we've got to do it ourselves. Your gang, and -Farmer, and me!" - -The Colonel commanding the A.V.G. had continually blinked in amazement -as Dave poured out his story. But when Dave stopped talking the senior -officer's eye grew cautious, and he stared hard at the two youths. - -"That's quite a story," he grunted. "Maybe it's true, but maybe it -isn't. You sound a little Yank, but how do I know, huh? And this -wouldn't be the first time those slimy Japs had tried to lure us into a -trap. About three hundred of their ships hidden down Raja way, you say? -Listen, Mister, that's a lot of ships. I...." - -Something seemed to snap in Dave's brain, and all went red before his -eyes. He reached forward with his two hands, grabbed the Colonel by the -shoulders and shook him savagely. - -"Listen, you dumb witted fathead!" he ranted. "I don't care what you -think I am, but what I told you is truth. _God's truth._ And by this -time tomorrow, if you don't do something about it, the whole world will -know that you shouldn't even be in charge of flying a kite. A Colonel, -huh? You don't seem to have the brains of a private in the rear rank. -For the love of God, believe me! But if you won't, you thick headed -ape, then for Heaven's sake loan Freddy and me some ammo, and we'll go -tackle it alone. Do you hear me?" - -The Colonel had pushed Dave's hands free and had them pinned in his -own. There was fire in his eyes, but he was grinning from ear to ear. - -"You're Yank, right enough!" he said. "Only a Yank would climb a -fellow's frame that way. Okay! We get going. There isn't a bomber -in the place. But we've got Curtiss P-Forties, and explosive, and -incendiary bullets, and.... Haul your crates out, gang! We're throwing -a party for those brown devils. And if there's all those crates there, -it's going to be some party. Come on! Shift it, you guys! _Everybody!_" - -Just six minutes later by Dave's watch he was once more thundering -through the sky over Burma. But this time he wasn't in the pit of a -Fairey two seater Albacore. He was riding a lightning greased Curtiss -P-40. And just off his right wing was Freddy Farmer riding the same -kind of ship. Strung out behind were twenty-one pilots of the American -Volunteer Group; every one of them spoiling for a fight and cursing his -ship on to even greater speed. - -Dave twisted his head around to look at them and his heart came near -the bursting point so filled was it with pride and joy. He still loved -the English boys of the R.A.F., and he always would, for he had lived -and died with them for over two years now. But.... But there were Yanks -back there, now. Fighting two fisted Yank eagles who didn't care how -many of the Axis foe they had to fight, just so long as they could get -into the fight. - -"Yanks from the good old U.S.A.!" Dave whispered as he turned front. -"Gee! I wonder if I'll ever again get the thrill I'm getting now. Those -fellows are...." - -He didn't finish. At that instant he saw the string of Jap fighters -that came darting out from the hidden drome tunnel just east of Raja. -They were all Nakajimas, and they started curving up and around the -instant they hit open air. Dave let out a war-whoop and fired a short -burst from his guns to attract the attention of the others. Then he -stuck his nose down and went thundering earthward toward the first of -those Nakajimas coming up to give battle. Two seconds later, just two -seconds later and the Japs had two Nakajimas less. Dave's guns and -Freddy's guns spoke at the same instant and two sons of Nippon went -sailing off to meet their illustrious ancestors in an awful, awful -hurry. And then, as though by magic, the whole sky over the hidden -drome at Raja became filled with twisting and turning man-made air -chariots of war. The heavens rocked and trembled with the chatter and -yammer of machine gun fire. And the air became a crazy pattern of -blazing Jap planes plunging down, and wavy ribbons of tracer smoke that -formed a lace curtain in the sky. - -Yelling and shouting at the top of his voice, Dave belted and hauled -his ship all over the air. And when he wasn't pouring death into some -Jap plane, he was hurtling down on the jungle airdrome and raking it -from one end to the other with his explosive and incendiary bullets. -Perhaps bombers could have done the job sooner, but they couldn't -possibly have done it any more thoroughly. Jap after Jap tried to get -off to come up at them, but Dawson, and Farmer, and the boys of the -A.V.G. slammed them down into piles of raging flames almost before -their wheels had cleared. - -And then suddenly, a blazing Jap plunging to earth, or a burst of -explosive, or incendiary bullets, found the fuel stores and bomb -stores of the hidden drome. The air quivered as a great sea of flame -came belching up out of the jungle floor. Then sound akin to that of -giants tearing off the top of the world closed in on human ears from -every side. Dave felt as though his head had been yanked clean off his -neck; as though invisible fists had reached down from, heaven to smash -sledge hammer blows against every square inch of his body. White fire -was in his chest, and his left arm hung numb and lifeless at his side. -He tried to cry out but he heard no sound from his lips. The roaring in -his brain increased, and a red haze shrouded everything before his eyes. - -Seconds, minutes ... years dragged by. He knew that he was still flying -the Curtiss P-40. He knew that he was headed toward the north, and that -there were other P-40s all about him. He thought he saw Freddy Farmer's -anxious eyes staring across the air space that separated him from one -of the P-40s. But he couldn't tell for sure. He couldn't force his eyes -or his brain to function that well. - -Then suddenly the A.V.G. field was below him. He had killed his -throttle and was gliding down toward it. He was leveling off and -mushing forward. The plane was sinking belly first, fast. It struck the -ground, and bounced high. It came down to strike again and bounce. And -then the gods slammed a door shut, and there was nothing but silence -and darkness all around.... - -When Dave next opened his eyes it was to find himself under the -blankets of an army cot. His chest was taped tight and wound around -and around with bandages. His head was also bandaged, and his left arm -was in a sling. But his brain was crystal clear, and the only pain he -felt was a dull ache in his chest. He stared upward at rough ceiling -beams made out of a kind of wood he had never seen before. Sort of -yellowish-green in color. Then he saw Freddy Farmer and the A.V.G. -Colonel standing at the right side of the cot. - -"Just as I told you, Colonel Davis," Freddy Farmer's lips were saying. -"Too tough to get seriously injured, this lad. Particularly around the -head. Chances are he's been awake for hours, but has kept his eyes -closed hoping we'll go away. Always was the one to sleep late. Quite! -Lazy, shiftless. You know the type. Oh, greetings, Dave, old thing! You -awake?" - -Dave glared, then looked at the Colonel. - -"Brush that thing out of here, then tell me what's happened, will you, -sir?" Dave said. "I guess I crashed, didn't I? But we really finished -off those Japs, didn't we? And.... Hey! It's morning! And we went after -them just before night. Have I...?" - -"Hold everything, Dawson!" Colonel Davis interrupted with a smile. "We -wiped out that nest of Japs two days ago. But you didn't crash. You -just passed out cold. And you're my sweetheart for bringing that ship -down okay. We need every one we have. And, by the by, we didn't lose -a plane on that little job. The Jap devils try hard, but they just -haven't got the stuff." - -"Two days ago?" Dave mumbled as though he couldn't believe what he had -heard. "And Singapore?" - -"Is still there, Dave," Freddy spoke up. "And by the by, I had a brain -wave and Bostworth was able to nab that mysterious spy at Singapore -R.A.F. Base. I remembered that Serrangi said ... 'From the very hangars -of R.A.F. Base my friend will push the plunger that will....' And he -didn't continue. Remember? So after that Jap show ... soon's I saw you -had only a couple of scratches ... I got on the radio to Bostworth. -He posted triple hangar guards and searched the hangars. Found the -detonator, and all the wires leading to buried H.E. Disconnected them -all and waited. Next day a young pilot officer was caught digging up -the detonator from its hiding place. Been at Singapore eighteen months, -mind you. Had even trained in England. Clever blighter, but he's -finished being clever." - -"And you're kind of clever, too," Dave grinned. "But in a different -way. But tell me, have the Japs really gone to war, yet?" - -A shadow passed over Freddy Farmer's face. He half turned and looked at -Colonel Davis. - -"Yes," the A.V.G. commander said quietly. "The very next morning they -took several sneak punches at the civilized world. And one of the -places was Hawaii, Dawson. An air raid on Pearl Harbor. They did plenty -damage, but we'll weather it. But it's really a world war, now. Uncle -Sam's in it, now, Dawson." - -Dave didn't say anything for a long moment. He stared off into space, -as though he were looking eastward across the thousands of miles of -land and water to the country of his birth. - -"So it's come!" he said softly. "The U.S. is in it at last? Well.... -Well, Uncle Sam did it once, and he can do it again, and how!" - - -THE END - - - - -_A Page from_ DAVE DAWSON WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET - - -The U.S. Navy dive bomber seemed to half stop and lurch crazily to the -side as the furious blast of fire from the enemy cruiser's guns crashed -into it. Dave Dawson had the feeling that he had been slapped in the -face with a barn door. Everything turned into spinning red light before -his eyes. He knew that he was lashed fast to the seat, that both hands -gripped the controls with fingers of steel. But he wasn't sure. - -He wasn't sure of anything, any more. Was Freddy Farmer still with him? -Was the plane still with him? Or had the withering blast of gun fire -from the cruiser below sent him sailing off into thin air and death? - -He mustn't die! Not now! The suicide mission had only begun. The aerial -torpedo was still in its rack under the Grumman's belly. Or was it? Had -the cruiser's gun fire touched it off ... and he and Freddy had failed? - -"Freddy! Freddy Farmer! Are you with me, fellow? Are you still there, -pal?" - -Was that his own voice he heard? That faint little squeak that came -back to his ears? If only he could see something besides the dancing -balls of red fire. If only he could get his muscles to - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Dave Dawson at Singapore, by Robert Sydney Bowen - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DAWSON AT SINGAPORE *** - -***** This file should be named 50661.txt or 50661.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/6/6/50661/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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