Biggles Flies West
Page 18
‘I know; I made provision for that before I left England,’ replied Biggles. ‘As a matter of fact, I have a document, issued by the Treasury with the concurrence of the Admiralty, stating that we are to take fifty per cent of anything we find, after deducting expenses. I think we shall be quite happy with our share.’
‘I should think you ought to be, too,’ smiled the commander. ‘By the way, amongst the dead on the boat there is a fellow who looks like an Englishman. According to the papers in his pocket, his name was Harvey—’
‘Ah! That’s the chap who stole our machine at Marabina,’ put in Biggles quickly. ‘I wondered what happened to him. I imagine he went into partnership with Deutch.’
‘Well, I’m taking some of my officers ashore. We are all anxious to see the old ship, and the fort on the rock. Naturally, we are professionally interested. Would you like to come and show us round?’
‘With pleasure,’ agreed Biggles. ‘In fact, we’d like to have another look round ourselves.’
They spent the rest of the day ashore, exploring thoroughly the old fort and the interior of the once-stately galleon, with which the naval officers were entranced, declaring it to be of great historical importance. A guard was set over it, and only when it was too dark to see more did the party return to the destroyer, Dick taking with him Dakeyne’s black flag, which he got permission to retain.
They spent the night on board the destroyer, but with the rising of the sun preparations were made for departure, Captain Crocker, who had reported the discovery by radio to his Admiral, having received a signal instructing him to proceed at once to headquarters. He offered to give the airmen a lift, but they declined, preferring to travel their own way. They arranged to meet at Kingston, however, where it was thought that the official inquiry would be held.
As the destroyer’s anchor emerged from the blue water Biggles started the Sikorsky’s engines. Aircraft and water-craft moved forward together, the destroyer slowly, the amphibian with ever increasing speed. The destroyer dipped her ensign as the aircraft forged ahead, but the salute of her siren was lost in the roar of the Sikorsky’s motors as she soared into the air.
Ten minutes later, when Dick looked behind, Treasure Island was a blue line on the horizon.
There is little more to tell. After the Admiralty Court, held in the West Indies, where the discovery of the galleon and the treasure was a nine days’ wonder, Dick, his father, and the three airmen took passage for London, where the final claims for the treasure had been lodged. It realized rather more than two hundred thousand pounds, of which one-half was held to be the property of the Crown. The remainder was divided between the adventurers in the proportions agreed upon.
Dick was in two minds whether to follow the sea or the air as a career; in the end, to please his father and follow the traditions of his family, he was entered as an apprentice in the Merchant Service. Today, in the cabin of ‘Doubloon Dick’, as he is called – for his story is well known – hangs a trophy that is the envy of every other apprentice in his ship. It is a black flag; the sinister banner of Louis Dakeyne, Louis le Grande, The Exterminator.