BIGGLES AND THE NOBLE LORD

by Captain W. E. Johns

12. BIGGLES LEARNS THE FACTS (Pages 102 – 113)

“Biggles was not long learning what had become of Bertie and Ginger, but the information was not arrived at in the manner that had been predicted. In fact, it came from a source which no stretch of imagination could have foreseen. This was the way of it”. “At eight o’clock on the morning following the disappearance of the Auster, the telephone rang. This of course was in the flat, the call having been relayed by the switchboard at Scotland Yard, which indicated that it was personal. Biggles came out of the bathroom to answer it, just beating Algy to the instrument. He picked up the receiver and said: “Yes, this is Biggles,” which at least told Algy, who stood watching, that the caller was someone familiar. After that Biggles stood listening for some time without speaking. Then he broke in with: “Have you got its registration?” Apparently the answer was in the affirmative, for he went on: “Yes, that’s one of yours, Thanks”. (That last line contains a typo in the first edition – Biggles should have said “Yes, that’s one of OURS, Thanks ….. and indeed, he does so in all subsequent reprints of the book). Biggles hangs up and tells Algy it was Marcel Brissac on the line (Biggles opposite number in Paris, France and a regular character). He rang up to see if Biggles knew anything about an Auster with a British registration landing in northern France yesterday. It has been found near a village in Normandy called Malboise (a fictional village). A French farm labourer had informed the “local copper” who reported it to higher authority. “In due course the story reached Marcel in his office at Air Security Headquarters in Paris. He, naturally, dashed along to have a look at it”. Biggles has arranged to fly to Berck aerodrome in France (which is a real aerodrome, some considerable distance to the north, up the coast outside of Normandy) and meet with Marcel at eleven o’clock that morning. Biggles and Algy find it easy to guess what has happened. Bertie and Ginger had obviously followed the chopper to the Malboises’ property in France. Algy asks if he is going with Biggles. “Naturally. I may need help. But get your clothes on and let’s get weaving. We haven’t too much time”. (Algy was obviously undressed during that conversation). A little more than an hour later they are in the old ‘Proctor’ still used for short trips. Biggles makes a small detour to fly across Brindon Hall Park but doesn’t see any helicopter. “Another hour and they were over France, circling the old aerodrome at Berck, well-known to Biggles as a war-time refuelling station for ferry pilots delivering new machines to squadrons nearer the battle front”. Biggles meets with Marcel and tells him Bertie and Ginger were flying the Auster and he is sure they are in trouble. “Marcel, of course, knew them both”. They get in Marcel’s car and as it’s a fairly long run to the scene of the crash, it “gave Biggles ample time to relate the circumstances that had led to the present situation”. Marcel says he examined the Auster and it was not damaged. “Le chateau de Malboise” in not far away from the site where the Auster tipped forward. Arriving at the scene, Marcel discovers the Auster has been moved under a tree. Biggles says that would be so that someone flying over can’t see it. Marcel shows Biggles a bundle of looped wire and rough wooden stakes at the edge of the wood. “The field was trapped for planes. Now we know why the Auster went up on its nose” says Biggles. Marcel confirms the land belongs to the chateau. “Then we know who set the trap” adds Biggles. Marcel, Biggles and Algy walk through the wood and go and look at the chateau. “This looks to me more like a castle than a chateau” says Biggles. Marcel offers to get a search warrant but Biggles is realistic about searching a place of that size. He suggests they have some lunch and think about the problem. Marcel shrugged. “As you wish. It is your friends who are lost, not mine”. Over lunch, Biggles is against making direct enquiries. “By this time, to Biggles, the original investigation had become a matter of secondary importance. He was more concerned with the safety of Bertie and Ginger. A false move now, he averred, and they might never see them again”. They finally agree for Marcel to go alone to the chateau to ask about the Auster but before he does this, they all see a helicopter take off and fly north. Marcel makes enquiries but an unknown bearded man answers the door and says they know nothing about any plane. Marcel has to return to Paris, but Biggles says he will stay and keep watch. Marcel gives Biggles his pistol and says he will leave his car outside the estaminet, the small restaurant, for their use. Marcel will get a lift to the train station. As he leaves, he tells Biggles to “Be careful”. “You can trust me for that,” answered Biggles. “You know I never take risks”.