BIGGLES IN THE UNDERWORLD

by Captain W. E. Johns

5. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CLUB (Pages 54 – 62)

“It will be remembered that Biggles had announced his intention of going to the Icarian Club on the off-chance that Caine might come in”. A little after ten o’clock, Caine arrives, looking tired and worried. He orders and drinks a double whisky at a gulp and then orders another. Seeing Biggles, he comes over to talk. Biggles says he is there to see Caine and tells him that he hinted about being able to find Biggles a flying job. Caine says “I must have had a drink too many. Anyway, I’m afraid it’s off”. “And what I told you about owning a plane myself was a dream. I was talking through my hat. A few drinks have that effect on me”. “Is that so?” murmured Biggles. “Yes. Not a word of truth in it. I don’t remember what I said. I must have been tight”. Caine then adds “They tell me you run a sort of flying squad at Scotland Yard”. “In view of what you told me about breaking Air Traffic Regulations, that must have got you worried,” Biggles suggested banteringly. “Not in the least,” declared Caine. “It was all bunkum”. Biggles tells Caine that after they spoke yesterday “a fellow in the street tried to knife me. Does that surprise you?” Caine did not answer the question. Biggles continues that he mentions it to show what can happen in this part of London on a dark night. “You might wake up one morning to find yourself with only half a face” he tells Caine. Biggles asks who told Caine to come back after he left town. Caine asks if Biggles has been spying on him. “Part of my job is to spy on people, if you care to put it like that”. Biggles says they are both being spied on by Charlie Nestos now. Biggles advises Caine to choose his friends more carefully. He says there are occasions when he tries to prevent people from getting into trouble. Caine says “Well, you’re wasting your time. I can take care of myself”. Biggles tells him “That’s what you think. I presume to doubt it. Still, okay is that’s the way you want it. If you should change your mind let me know. My address is in the phone book. I needn’t waste any more of your time, or my own”. Biggles gets up to leave. Caine asks him what he knows. Biggles says “I know you’re associating with a time-serving crook who’s wanted by the police. If you’re caught with him it’ll be up the steps* for you at the same time (a footnote tells us * ‘Up the steps’ – crook jargon for the Central Criminal Court – to which I would add that that is the ‘Old Bailey’). Caine says it isn’t true and he is not a crook. Biggles asks him where did he meet Lazor and Caine hesitates before saying that he doesn’t know anyone of that name. “Perhaps you know him as Nick. Nick the Sheikh!” Again, Caine denies it. Biggles says to Caine “Have it your way. But when you find yourself with nothing on the clock,* don’t say I didn’t do my best to warn you” (a footnote tells us * An R.A.F. expression signifying out of control and instruments registering zero). Biggles walks away. He gets a taxi home. Biggles tells Algy he has a natter with Caine and asks where Bertie is. He is astonished to hear that Bertie hasn’t been in touch. They decide to give him a bit longer and have a bite to eat. “They went, two at a time, always to leave someone minding the telephone, to the convenient little restaurant round the corner which they so often used, for a quick meal”. Ginger volunteers to go with Biggles to look for Bertie whilst Algy mans the phone. Said Algy earnestly. “I know the Chief is against us carrying guns, but if I were you, with a razor expert in the offing, I’d put a pistol in my pocket”. “I was thinking the same thing,” returned Biggles, with a smile that had little humour in it. A few minutes later they were on their way.