BIGGLES ON THE HOME FRONT

by Captain W. E. Johns

XIII. NEW MOVES (Pages 159 – 168)

“Had Biggles and Ginger but known it, there would have derived some comfort from the fact that Algy and Bertie knew where they were. At least, they had good reason to think they did. And it came about in a manner that was perfectly natural”. They kept the appointment which Biggles had arranged for seven o’clock in the Victoria refreshment room. They arrived in a hurry dead on time, having been held up in the usual traffic jam, for they knew what Biggles was for punctuality. He hated to be kept waiting himself, and for that reason saw to it that he did not keep others waiting”. When five minutes have passed, Algy says “This isn’t like Biggles. Something must have gone wrong”. (Has Algy forgotten what happened in Chapter X – Laxter Makes a Proposition? Biggles and Ginger are late meeting them then. “You’re late,” challenged Algy. “We had reason to be,” Biggles told him, explaining the situation). After another five minutes have elapsed. Bertie wonders if Biggles has left a message for them at the hotel explaining any delay. More minutes idle by, then Algy suggests Bertie goes to the hotel to see if there is a message as it won’t take him five minutes. Bertie goes, but soon returns telling Algy he has seen them. “They were in the Daimler. With the bloke who I imagine is Laxter. He was sitting in the front seat with the chauffeur with Biggles and Ginger behind”. Algy says “I have an uncomfortable feeling that this has thrown the spanner in the works”. Algy realises that Laxter must have rolled up without warning to take Biggles to Gortons for an interview with the big boss. Algy wonders what they can do. If they go to Gortons “We might get in the way and make a mess of things. What could we do if we did go to Gortons anyway. Sit and stare at the house?” Algy is inclined to ask Gaskin’s view and they take a cab from the rank and arrive at the Inspector’s office just as he is preparing to leave. (Gaskin must work long hours. It must be around 7.30 pm by now). Algy explains the situation and asks “Has there been a jewel robbery?” Gaskin replies “If there has it wasn’t in my division. I haven’t heard of one anywhere else. But it begins to look as if there might soon be one or they wouldn’t have taken Biggles down there, unless. …” “Unless what?” asks Algy. “Unless they’ve rumbled who he is”. Algy looked aghast. “I didn’t think of that”. Gaskin points out that Laxter doesn’t know about Algy and Bertie and won’t know they have been seen leaving, so they are likely to carry on with their scheme. Gaskin knows that Gus Norman and Darkie Brown and his team have all gone down to Hertford and Dusty Brace isn’t at his usual haunts. “I know the signs. All this is working up to something” says Gaskin. Gaskin confirms he has been having the villains watched and he even has a man planted behind the hedge opposite the Gortons drive, with a walkie-talkie radio. (The phrase "walkie-talkie" was a term used by journalists and the public during World War II to describe the portable two-way radios being developed by inventors and companies). Gaskin will know if the crooks leave the house. The plan is not to grab them going out but to wait for them to go back to Gortons with the swag and then collect the whole bunch, which would include the Count, who is the man that Gaskin really wants. “I want the Count with the stuff in his possession, either in the house, in his pocket or in the plane”. Gaskin gets a message. He tells Algy and Bertie “This is to say the Daimler has returned to Gortons with some passengers. We know who they are”. Gaskin says “I’ll tell you my idea. If any of the gang leave Gortons I shall know it. Let’s leave things as they are until that happens. When it does, we’ll go down quietly with enough men to surround the place”. Algy asks “Can I take it that you’ve no objections to me and Bertie making our own way to Gortons tomorrow to keep an eye on things – on the hangar at any rate, to see if it shows signs of activity?” “Don’t let ‘em see you. And don’t forget those dogs” is Gaskin’s response. “In the meantime,” went on Algy, “do you mind if we stay here with you in case the balloon goes up tonight?” “Make yourselves at home,” invited the Inspector. Gaskin leaves to make arrangements and Algy and Berties are left alone. “For a long time they talked of the situation that had arisen, examining it from every possible angle, without drawing any fresh conclusions”. The night wore on. After a while, however, they took it in turns to sleep. The telephone remained silent. No radio message were brought in. At six o’clock, Algy suggests “We’ll slip home for some breakfast, a bath and a shave, and then waffle down to Gortons”. “As you say, old boy,” agreed Bertie.