“Now there you’ve got me. It’s on the cards they empty all their tanks at night, case of fire, but there’s a pump to each row of hangars. If we take the end ’plane we should be able to fill up before we start What d’you say?”
“I think the immediate risk is far greater; there is the fence — a sentry to overcome — the possibility that even if we succeed so far, we may be surprised by the officer on his rounds — and then the uncertainty about petrol. In our original plan we had only the Rakov family to deal with. Of course, if your plan was successful, it’s advantages are immense.”
“Sleigh won’t take us far,” said Simon, “and I’ll tell you — I think Rakov’s wife will go to the police, in any case, if she sees us tonight.”
“Are you certain that you can handle one of those ’planes, Rex?” asked the Duke.
“Sure, fundamentally they’re not all that different to the ordinary types. The wing rakes to give them added speed, and the helicopter’s to let ’em get up and down in a confined space — but if you can drive a Buick you can drive a Ford.”
“Mademoiselle.” De Richleau turned to Marie Lou. “Your freedom and perhaps your life, also, depends on this decision. What is your view?”
“I think that Monsieur the American has had the great idea. In Rakov’s sleigh we are almost certain to be overtaken. If we are caught it will be death for us all. Let us face death now, then. At least we have the wonderful prospect that we may get right away.”
“I agree with you entirely,” said the Duke. “I did no more than state the dangers, that the position might clear. It is decided then — we make our attempt by ’plane.”
There was a murmur of assent as he produced his map and spread it on the floor. “Where do you propose to make for, Rex?”
“Due westward would bring us to Latvia or Esthonia.”