BIGGLES DELIVERS THE GOODS

by Captain W. E. Johns

XVII. THE RAID (Pages 145 - 153)

The Lotus motor boat takes the raiding party to a secret landing place that Ayert knows. The native commandos disembark and led by Ayert set off on the hour and a half march to Victoria Point. Ayert goes ahead to reconnoitre but returns quickly. He summons Biggles quickly and rushes off. Following him, Biggles and Ginger see Algy about to be beheaded! Biggles shoots the executioner. The native commandos launch there attack the scene is one of total confusion. "The thing's got out of hand," snarled Biggles. Ginger sees Major Marling there and Biggles grabs Ayert to try and restore order. Ayert has learnt that the Japanese have cut the head off Melong's son. Biggles remarks "They're like a lot of wild animals". "Why not? That's just what they are," said Marling cheerfully. "They're having the time of their lives," he added. "Leave 'em alone for a bit - they'll mop the place up for you." Algy is desperate to find Tamashoa but can't find him anywhere. Henry has a prisoner he caught trying to burn the contents of a safe. The prisoner is a Japanese officer who acted as interpreter. The prisoner says Tamashoa has gone to a conference at Penang, having left in an automobile only a minute before the battle starts. Biggles decides to go back to base, taking all Japanese papers with them and he orders the burning of the Japanese quarters.