BIGGLES GETS HIS MEN

by Captain W. E. Johns

XIV. BERTIE TAKES A TURN (Pages 167 - 177)

Ginger has now led his party to the hide-out where Bertie and Mayne are. The situation is discussed. Bertie suggests that Mayne takes the party of escapees on to the plane. Bertie will go back and look for Biggles. Ginger can rest where they are for a while and wait for them. Mayne, who can speak the local language, sets off with the scientists. Ginger gives Bertie directions to the lignite diggings which will then lead him to the trail to the camp. Bertie sees several fleeing Koreans as he makes his way to the camp. Then he hears singing and meets up with Petroffsky. Bertie says he is looking for Biggles and Petroffsky remembers he has left his rifle behind so the two of them journey to the camp. Petroffsky finds von Stalhein's house empty and he retrieves his rifle. Searching the camp, they eventually find a building where Biggles is being held. "Behind him, a revolver in one hand and a whip in the other, was the gigantic Mongol slavemaster, Ming" (this is the picture on the cover of the first edition of the book). Prince Ling Soo is in the same room talking when Petroffsky just shoots him dead. In the chaos that follows, Bertie tries to get in through the window, only to be knocked backwards by Ming. Ming is about to shot Bertie when Petroffsky brings his rifle down on Ming's head, a blow which flattens him to the ground. Biggles is able to escape out of the window. Biggles and Bertie, followed by Petroffsky make their way from the burning camp towards the lignite diggings.