BIGGLES GOES TO SCHOOL

by Captain W. E. Johns

XIII. ON THE TRAIL (Pages 167 - 180)

The following morning Biggles and Smith set out for Foxley Wood. Biggles is determined at any cost to see that justice is done. Following Dunnage's trail through the broken wooden fence, the boys come to a pond. Biggles suspects that Dunnage may have thrown the rifle in the shallow part of the pond where it could be recovered later. He paddles into the pond and discovers the rifle using his bare feet. Biggles leaves the rifle where it is and dries his feet, just in time, as Dunnage arrives and sends the two boys on their way. From a distance they watch him retrieve the rifle. Biggles says "if the police can grab him with that rifle on him, he's as good as on the gallows" and sends Smith to run to the Headmaster to tell him. Biggles tries to keep Dunnage under observation. In due course, P.C. Grimble arrives on the scene and Biggles tells him to hide before Dunnage sees him. He's got a rifle and might shoot the officer. As Dunnage passes by, the officer steps out and confronts him. There is a struggle and P.C. Grimble is struck over the head with the still-folded rifle. "I'll get you for this, you little swine!" Dunnage roars at Biggles. Biggles turns and runs for his life. Dunnage runs the other way, so Biggles goes back to help the policeman. P.C. Grimble is able to go after Dunnage and he sends Biggles off to tell the Inspector what has happened. As Biggles sprints to town he sees Smith, who has seen everything. Biggles runs and tells the police Inspector and Sergeant, who go straight to Foxley Wood to aid their colleague. “He felt sure that the police would catch him. It was only when he learned, the following day, that Dunnage had got clear away, that he became aware of a sinking feeling in the stomach. The poacher’s last words were still ringing in his ears, and Biggles did not doubt that, given the opportunity, Dunnage would carry out his threat”.