BIGGLES GOES TO SCHOOL

by Captain W. E. Johns

II. TRICKED (Pages 16 - 28)

In the corridor, Biggles is grabbed from behind and hands are put over his eyes by a big, heavily-built boy. The boy runs off laughing. Biggles goes into the French class and introduces himself to the French teacher, Monsieur Bougade, only to be greeted with titters of laughter from his classmates and anger from the teacher. He is sent back to the Headmaster with a note. The Headmaster tells Biggles to return via the wash-room and only then does Biggles discover rings of soot around his eyes, put there by the boy earlier. A smaller, freckled boy, with steel rimmed glasses comes into the wash-room and introduces himself as Smith tertius. Smith identifies Biggles’ prankster as Hervey, “He’s a cad, and the worst bully at the school”. Suddenly, Hervey comes in, having overheard what Smith was saying, and violently pulls Smith's ear. Biggles intervenes and a fight breaks out (this is the scene illustrated in the colour frontispiece of the book). A lad of about 17, called Jack Smalley, the Captain of the School, comes in and breaks the fight up and sends Hervey on his way. He says Biggles’ brother was a friend of his. Biggles returns to class, where his form master, Mr. Bruce has now returned. At break, Hervey comes over to apologise and gives Biggles some monkey nuts. Back at class Biggles is made to turn out his pockets and the monkey nuts are found. Beneath Biggles' desk are load of shells and Biggles is in trouble - but he protests his innocence. "It is not for me to prove my innocence, sir" he says. Biggles has to write out, neatly, a thousand times, "I must not eat nuts in school": In Latin. “Go back to your desk,” snapped Mr. Bruce. There were tears of anger and mortification in the corners of Biggles’ eyes as he obeyed. He did not look at Hervey. The class continued”.