THE CAMELS ARE COMING

by W. E. Johns

XVI. AFFAIRE DE COEUR (Pages 227 – 243)

This is probably the most famous Biggles short story. Biggles has engine trouble and is forced to land in a field. Making his way to a nearby house “he beheld a vision of blonde loveliness wrapped up in blue silk, smiling at him. For a moment he stared as if he had been raised in a monastery and had never seen a woman before”. When asked if he was looking for her, Biggles saluted like a man sleep-walking. “Mademoiselle,” he said earnestly, “I’ve been looking for you all my life. I didn’t think I’d ever find you”. Biggles has just met Marie Janis, whose mother was English, and he stays for five hours. Biggles is back a week later. “In the short time that had elapsed since his forced landing, he had made considerable progress”. Talking about Marie’s father, she says that he was in the north of France when war was declared and she has not been able to communicate with him since. He doesn’t even know that Marie’s mother is dead. Her father was at the Chateau Boreau, Vinard, Near Lille. Biggles (or “Beegles” as Marie calls him) offers to drop a letter from his plane. Marie writes a letter and shows it to Biggles but he says “I don’t want to read your letter, kid”. The letter is tied to a paper weight and a black and white silk scarf as a streamer. Back at the 266 aerodrome, two men enter Biggles’ room and remove the letter from Biggles’ pocket whilst he is having a drink in the mess. Later, Biggles returns from dropping the letter, and decides to call in at 287 Squadron. Here an “artistic” landing and an unmarked sunken road, lead him to tipping up his Sopwith Camel on its nose. At 8.00 pm, Biggles heads back to “the home of the girl who was making life worth living and the war worth fighting for”. Enemy bombers pass overhead and bomb Marie Janis’ house to Biggles’ complete and utter horror! British soldiers are nearby, including Colonel Raymond of Wing Headquarters, and Biggles is stopped from attempting any rescue. Major Charles of the British Intelligence Service shows Biggles the letter Marie had asked him to deliver. The back of the letter contains a map of 266 Squadron and shows clearly the Officer’s mess. It had previously been prepared with invisible ink now exposed. “The girl sent you to your death, Captain Bigglesworth”. Biggles doesn’t believe it. In any event he did deliver the letter! Major Charles said he only delivered one they substituted. “We have watched this lady for a long time. You have been under surveillance since the day you force-landed, although your record put you above suspicion”. The substituted letter was marked with her house instead of the British aerodrome. Biggles returns to his aerodrome and finds a letter from Marie waiting for him. It urges Biggles to meet Marie at 7.00 pm. The raid was timed for 8.00 pm. “She must have cared, or she wouldn’t have done that” he said to himself. There is a knock at the door and an orderly of the guard arrives with another letter, left just ten minutes ago. The letter reads “Good-bye, my Biggles, You know now. What can I say? Only this. Our destinies are not always in our own hands – always try and remember that, my Biggles. That is all I may say. I came to-night to take you away or die with you, but you were not here. And remember that one thing in this world of war and lies is true: my love for you. It may help you, as it helps me. Take care of yourself. Always I shall pray for you. If anything happens to you I shall know, but if to me, you will never know. My last thought will be of you. We shall meet again, if not in this world then in the next, so I will not say good-bye, Au revoir, Marie”. Knowing that British intelligence think Marie is dead, Biggles burns the letter. Mahoney enters and asks if he has had a fire. “Yes,” replied Biggles, slowly, “foolish of me; got my fingers burnt a bit, too”.