THE BLACK PERIL

 

by W. E. Johns

 

 

III.           A RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHT  (Pages 53 – 60)

 

Algy lands at Brooklands and is told there is a telegram for him.  Addressed to Algy Lacey, Brooklands Aerodrome it just says “Come at once, bring machine, Biggles captured.  Waiting for you at Cramlington Aerodrome.  Ginger”.  Algy flies to Cramlington Aerodrome, near Newcastle-on-Tyne and is met by Ginger who asks “Are you Algy?”  “Briefly, keeping to the point, yet omitting nothing” Ginger explains what he knows.  Algy asks Ginger if he would recognise the place where Biggles was captured from the air.  “Well, I’ve never been up so I don’t know, but I’ll have a shot at it,” answered Ginger frankly.  Algy thinks if the flying boat had left by the time Biggles was recaptured, then he may still be in the general area.  Locating the place, Algy circles and sees a house with a car.  (- Began circling in ever widening circles - is the illustration opposite page 56).  Landing, Algy decides to investigate, but firstly he gives Ginger some money to go into Newcastle to get some serviceable clothes rather than the rags he is wearing.  The plan is for Algy to get a car and they will both go for a prowl around the suspicious house before calling in the police.