BIGGLES SEES TOO MUCH

by Captain W. E. Johns

13. BIGGLES SHOWS HIS HAND (Pages 113 – 124)

Biggles and Bertie arrive at the airfield to find the Auster already there. “What does the Chief suggest we do about all this?” Biggles is told he can ask him as Air Commodore Raymond is in the clubhouse waiting for him. They have also collected the Chief Constable of the local police as they are operating in his territory. Algy tells Biggles that Limpy Logan has been arrested and is ready to turn Queen’s Evidence. Algy also tells Biggles that he thinks he has identified the island in question on the (Admiralty) chart as one of a group of islets called the Petit Caraloes. Raymond approaches Biggles and with him is “Colonel Hudson, Assistant Chief Constable of the County”. (Is he the Chief Constable or the Assistant Chief Constable? He was initially referred to as the Chief Constable and for the rest of the chapter is constantly referred to as the Chief Constable). The Chief Constable wants to know who is on the island and what’s been going on. “We don’t want to step on the toes of the Channel Island authorities; or France, if it comes to that”. Biggles says that all they need is a coastguard cutter for a boat. When they have cleaned up the island, they can tackle Penlock Grange and “The Fishermen’s Arms”. It is agreed that Biggles and Bertie will return to Polcarron with the two senior men, while Algy and Ginger stand by for signals. Biggles needs to know if the boat has put out to sea again. Arriving at the harbour, Biggles, Bertie, the Air Commodore and the Chief Constable see that the boat has gone. The Daimler is still outside the pub. Biggles goes to speak with Sam, sitting on his usual bench to ascertain which way the boat went. During their conversation, they talk about the death of Tom. Sam says that Tom wasn’t alone on the cliff path that night. He saw another man there, walking behind him. Sam hasn’t told the police because “Nobody’s arst (sic) me”. Sam says the boat left with Brunner “what owns the pub, the fellar who drives that big car standing outside now and a coupla strangers like I spoke about”. The strangers arrived at sped in a “little red racing” car. The car was then put in one of the pub’s lock-up garages. The strangers got on the boat and they “still had their luggage” which Sam found strange. Returning to his car, Biggles finds the others listening to “the one o’clock news bulletin on the B.B.C. Home service”. The Air Commodore says he should really be returning to London as the news has announced a big bank raid. “The get-away car was a red Jaguar. Stolen, of course. Shouldn’t take us long to find it”. Biggles says a red sports car arrived here about two hours ago and it is now in one of the private lock-up garages of the pub. The Chief Constable says he will ring Falmouth to see if he can get a coastguard patrol boat, with its crew and he goes to the Post Office to make the call. Biggles tells Raymond that as it looks like being a long job, he wants to get some sandwiches from “The Fishermen’s Arms”. “An old soldier always has an eye on his rations” says Biggles. Biggles firstly radios Algy to tell him they want him to guide the coastguard boat to the island, by flying over the island. The plan is for the coastguard to come to Polcarron first and pick them up. As there is half an hour to wait, Biggles goes to get sandwiches for him and Bertie from the pub and see what is going on there. In the dining room, he finds Julius Brunner. Biggles goads him about the lack of customers in the pub and says there are easier ways of making money, like shark fishing. Brunner says “Your name’s Bigglesworth, I believe”. “I understand you’re something to do with Scotland Yard?” Biggles tells Brunner he is there strictly on business and he has nearly finished what he came to do. The waitress is asked to make the sandwiches that Biggles requires. Biggles tells Brunner “I know all about your fishing activities, Mr. Brunner. They’re about to end”. Brunner pulls a gun on Biggles. Biggles shakes his head sadly. “Oh really, Mr. Brunner, what sort of nonsense is this? You’ve been looking at too much television. The things they do don’t always work in real life. I have some friends outside, and if I don’t soon join them they’ll be in to see what I’m doing. You’re in enough trouble as it is without making matters worse. You better starting thinking about your position”. Brunner changes tact and offers Biggles a bribe. “You’ve had your fun and before long you’ll have to take your medicine. Good day to you” and he turns and walks out of the room, “wondering why he had given Brunner such a broad hint of what was afoot”. Biggles rejoins Bertie and they eat their sandwiches in silence