BIGGLES
SEES IT THROUGH
by Captain W.
E. Johns
XVII. THE
END OF THE CRUISE (Pages
251 – 254)
Two hours later the flying-boat landed
on a lake near Oskar. Ginger has already
landed and is there to welcome them, with Colonel Raymond. Biggles and Algy’s appearance “can be better
imagined than described”. The Colonel
confirms that he has got the papers.
Raymond explains that the flying-boat was the machine that flew him
out. When Biggles failed to return,
Smyth asked to have it and has been in the air since. “I think he must have flown over half
Russia”. Ginger spotted him and led him to where Biggles was. The smoke-bomb dropped by the Russian bomber
showed them where they were. Colonel
Raymond suggests they can all fly home with him tomorrow. Biggles asks, what about the war? Raymond laughs. “The war’s over – at least this one is. Peace was declared between Finland and Russia
three hours ago”. “So that’s why
the Russians stopped shooting and started cheering instead!” cried Biggles,
suddenly understanding. Biggles agrees
to go back with Raymond. Colonel Raymond
says he has heard a certain member of the Air Council asking for Biggles. “I seem to remember him saying something
about a job in France”. “Biggles shook
his head sadly. “Now I understand the
hurry to get us home,” he murmured with a sigh of resignation. “I might have guessed there was a trick in
it”.