Biggles Does Some Homework Read online

  Table of Contents

  Introduction

  Introduction to the 1998 First Edition

  Chapter One – A Heart to Heart

  Chapter Two – Alexander Gordon Mackay

  Chapter Three – A Strange Tale of a Bag

  Chapter Four – Rural Reflections

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Appendix I – Captain W. E. Johns’ Notes

  Appendix II – What Happened Next?

  Appendix III – How It All Ended

  Biggles Does Some Homework

  Captain W. E. Johns

  Introduction

  When this book was first published, close on ten years ago, I little realised the demand there would be for copies. Enthusiasts in every corner of the globe were eager to add the final Biggles adventures to their collections and the print run of only 300 copies sold out within weeks.

  Since then scarcely a week passes without someone asking if it would be possible to reprint the title.

  It took several years to get permission for that first edition and it was given on the strict understanding that no further copies would be printed.

  Since then the Limited Edition Series has grown apace and from time to time I have enquired of the agents who handle the W.E. Johns estate whether a reprint of “Biggles Does Some Homework” would be possible.

  Unfortunately, since the publication of the first edition the option on all the Biggles titles has been with another publisher and I could not obtain a contract to reprint the story as a paperback.

  The idea of a hard backed edition came to me recently and, with little hope that the answer would be in the affirmative, I once again sought permission. After some delay I was delighted to learn that such an edition would be sanctioned and without delay began work on this new volume.

  To add a ‘little extra’ to this new edition I have included, in reduced facsimile form, the entire first chapter of the book in John’s own manuscript form. Reading that small, rather cramped handwriting is no easy task but it does demonstrate to the enthusiast how little re-writing Johns carried out.

  The typesetting of both editions of “Biggles Does Some Homework” follows the fair copy typed up by Johns’ regular typist Mrs. S. Russell, a lady well used to deciphering Johns’ writing. Those of you with a few hours to spare might like to compare the finished text with Johns’ handwritten original to see if Mrs. Russell took any textual liberties!

  Norman Wright 2007

  Introduction to the 1998 First Edition

  The 21st of June, 1968, began like any other working day in the life of the author, Captain W.E. Johns. He sat down at his desk at his usual early hour to continue writing his latest book about his airman hero, Biggles, and it was not until 8.30 a.m., when he was halfway through chapter twelve, that he decided to stop and make himself and his wife a cup of tea. It was while they were chatting together happily that tragically, without warning, he suddenly suffered a fatal heart-attack. The novel he had been working on, his final creation and last contribution to arguably the most remarkable juvenile fiction series ever written, was Biggles Does Some Homework. Until now, it has remained unpublished.

  William Earl Johns’ writing career began in 1922, with the publication of his first novel Mossyface in an issue of the Weekly Telegraph Novel. His output was both prolific and varied encompassing standard texts on aviation history and a vast volume of journalism, as well as a broad range of fictional works. He was founding editor of both Popular Flying and Flying, influential periodicals that helped to popularize aviation with a wide public during the 1930s. His stories of Biggles (RFC/RAF), Worrals (of the WAAF) and Gimlet (a Commando) encouraged recruitment to the services in the Second World War, and wartime articles for younger readers of both sexes appeared in the Girls’ Own Paper, the Boys’ Own Paper, and The A.T.C. Gazette. In the field of journalism it seemed that Johns could turn his hand to anything and while a large proportion of his articles were on aviation themes, he could with equal authority write on an almost infinite range of subjects from pirate gold to ghosts. He was a keen gardener and wrote a regular, long-running column for My Garden magazine.

  Despite the breadth of his output it is for the creation of James Bigglesworth that W.E. Johns achieved worldwide fame. “Biggles” first saw the light of day in a short story entitled The White Fokker published in the inaugural issue of Popular Flying in April, 1932. Further stories followed and their rugged, gritty realism gained them a wide following amongst Popular Flying readership. It was not long before the editor of the story paper, Modern Boy, saw the character’s potential for his younger readers and began reprinting the earlier stories, albeit with some slight textual changes. Biggles proved to be as popular with boys as he was with their fathers and soon Johns was writing regular stories and serials featuring his airman for the weekly. The first Biggles book, The Camels Are Coming, was published by John Hamilton in August, 1932.

  The firm published five further Biggles titles before the series was taken over by the Oxford University Press, who was themselves succeeded by other publishers, predominantly Hodder & Stoughton and Brockhampton Press. Girls as well as boys became devoted readers.

  When Captain W.E. Johns died in 1968 he had stockpiled a number of manuscripts, and new Biggles titles continued to appear until 1970, when Biggles Sees Too Much was published. It bore the number ‘84’ on its spine but in actual fact there were close on one hundred Biggles books published — not counting omnibus volumes. With so many stories already available and several completed tales to hand, it is perhaps not surprising that Biggles Does Some Homework was not published at the time.

  Nevertheless, its absence from the canon has been a great loss to W. E. Johns enthusiasts, for as well as its unique value as the last work of a genius in the field of juvenile fiction, this novel is fascinating in its own right. The opening chapters spring some excellent surprises, and the way the question of Biggles’ retirement is dealt with suggests that Johns intended the story to be the end of the saga. However, with this author, one can never be sure of anything until the final page!

  It has long been the desire of admirers of W.E. Johns’ work that Biggles Does Some Homework should be made available to collectors, and we are therefore, proud to present this first edition, strictly limited to 300 copies, of the final Biggles novel. The cover art and frontispiece are the work of Andrew Skilleter, a noted illustrator whose work can be seen on many video, spoken word cassette and CD sleeves, as well as frequently on best-selling paperbacks. When we were first involved in the project of publishing this volume, the late John Trendler, Biggles enthusiast par excellence, and a great friend, was one of the driving forces. He would have shared our delight at its publication, and we therefore respectfully dedicate this book to his memory.

  Biggles Does Some Homework is presented here exactly as Johns wrote it, and in Appendix I we have included some pages of notes that were found with the manuscript. As well as reminding us that the text as we have it has not been revised and finalised by the author, we feel that they give a unique insight into his method of composition. We lean over Johns’ shoulder and watch him playing with different names for his characters, and joking at his own lack of decision: “Earlier B says to RAF man To start with, what’s your name. Farley or Varley”! When he has written a tame passage, he jots down a firm “No”, and starts to write a more exciting narrative. He also notes details he must insert into different chapters to make his story more colourful or plausible.

  Appendices II and
III are quite different from Appendix I. As the manuscript of the book ends in mid-sentence, which could be off-putting to even the keenest of Johns’ readers, Appendix II consists of a suggested chapter synopsis for the rest of the story, and Appendix III adds a short passage of narrative that might possibly complete the book.

  We hasten to emphasize that the text of Biggles Does Some Homework and the notes comprising Appendix l are one hundred per cent genuine W.E. Johns material, and that Appendices II and III are not his work.

  Captain W.E. Johns created Biggles in 1932 and this, the final volume in the saga, is going to press sixty-five years later, in 1997. It seems an appropriate date to be preparing publication of the very last Biggles novel as sixty-five would almost certainly have been the retirement age for any real-life air-policeman. But we must remember, of course, that Biggles is an immortal character who will go on forever.

  Norman Wright Jennifer Schofield 1998

  Chapter One – A Heart to Heart

  As soon as Biggles walked into his chiefs private office he knew from the expression on his face, and the way he held his hands with the finger tips together, that something unusual was afoot. “You wanted to see me, sir,” he prompted.

  “I did,” confirmed Air Commodore Raymond, head of the Air Police Section at Scotland Yard. “This may take some little while so make yourself comfortable and help yourself to cigarettes. It’s time we had a heart to heart chat about things in general. You may not like what I’m going to say but don’t fly off at the handle until I’ve finished. Bear in mind that the subject I’ve been asked to raise is more embarrassing for me than it is for you.”

  “I’m listening, sir,” Biggles answered, wondering what was coming. “Where have I slipped up?”

  “Don’t jump to conclusions. As far as I know you haven’t slipped anywhere.” The Air Commodore smiled reassuringly. “In fact, I think I can say that to certain important people you appear to be the blue-eyed boy.”

  “That’s a relief, anyway,” sighed Biggles, reaching for a cigarette.

  “Now let’s get down to business,” went on the Air Commodore briskly. “No doubt you will remember how and why this Air Police organisation came into existence. In case you don’t, because as things have worked out you have on occasion had to spread your wings a lot farther afield than was originally intended, I’ll remind you. When the war ended it was realised by the then Chief Commissioner here at Headquarters that with several thousand demobilised pilots out of a job some of them might try to get money the easy way. We should call it crime, although they, anxious to get their hands on a joystick again, might not look at it like that. So in case that happened — and as we know it did happen — it was resolved to form a force, or the nucleus of a force, of specialists in aviation to deal with the situation should it arise; men who understood the type of man war-flying produces. After all, flying only really started in the war, so the government looked like being faced with a state of affairs without precedent in history; one which the regular police might find difficult to handle. As things have turned out this was just as well.”

  Biggles nodded. Still wondering what this was leading up to he did not speak.

  The Air Commodore resumed. “Well, as you know, as a pilot of experience myself, and one who had been on the Air Intelligence staff, I was called in for my opinion. I advised the formation of a small unit, one that could be enlarged if necessary, of men with the requisite qualifications, to be on hand to help the regular police with the technicalities of aviation if and when the need arose. My advice was accepted and I was asked to find the sort of men I had in mind. It was natural that the first person who came into my mind should be you. You had worked for me during the war, not only on normal combat tactics but what were called special missions, which demanded more than ordinary nerve, courage and intelligence, combined with a sense of responsibility. I put the proposition up to you and you came into the new service with the rank and pay of a police sergeant — plus, if I remember, four shillings a day flying money.”

  Biggles grinned. “I hope I earned that extra four bob a day. At the time I thought it was a bit mean and something of a come-down for an ex-Squadron Leader. But it wasn’t the four bob that tempted me. The job offered possibilities — if you see what I mean, as Bertie Lissie would say.”

  “You were allowed certain privileges not enjoyed by the regular force,” reminded the Air Commodore. Unsmilingly he went on. “You were allowed to choose your own assistant pilots, and I must say you deserve full marks for getting together a pretty good team, although at first I was a little doubtful about Lissie.”

  Biggles raised his eyebrows. “Why?”

  “Frankly, I thought he was a bit of a twit.”

  “In what way?”

  “This affected way he has of talking. The expressions he uses.”

  Biggles shook his head. “You didn’t know him as well as I did. I judge a man not by the way he talks but what he does. That means when you’ve been in action together, words don’t count when bullets are flying. Not only was Bertie an exceptional pilot and a cracking good shot, but I never, ever, saw him get ruffled or rattled. He never lost his head. He always came home cool, calm and collected. And usually smiling. Such a man is good for morale. In the old days I saw new pilots look at him wondering if he was quite all there; but when they’d seen him go to the rescue of a fellow in trouble they had second thoughts.”

  “Well, your judgment seems to have been right,” conceded the Air Commodore.

  “Suppose we come to the point, sir,” suggested Biggles. “What’s all this leading up to?”

  “We started this conversation by talking about what happened a long time ago. You’re still working with the same team. In view of , the advance in aviation, and the way things are going, it has been decided that the time has come to increase the size of the Air Section.”

  “I see,” Biggles said slowly. “Aren’t we good enough?”

  “I didn’t say that. It has never been in question.”

  “What is, then?”

  “Let me be frank with you. In the first place, as a result of a conference at high level at which I was present, it was resolved to expand the Air Branch. Again, you are not as young as you were – to put it nicely. That’s not your fault. No man can stay young forever. You need more help. Whether you like it or not the day is not far distant when you will be forced to retire. The question that will then arise is, who is going to take your place.”

  Biggles smiled wanly. “Is this a polite way of giving me the sack?”

  The Air Commodore made an impatient gesture. “Most certainly not. That’s the last thing the Chief Commissioner has in mind. Indeed, if he has his way you’ll be needed more than ever. The fact is, the experiment of a Special Air Section has been so successful that it has been resolved to increase its size while you’re still available to supervise its reorganisation. Money will be appropriated for new, more up-to-date, aircraft. Those you’ve been using have had a lot of wear.”

  “They’re still reliable or I wouldn’t risk my neck in ‘em,” Biggles said grimly.

  “There has also been talk of providing you with an airfield of your own,” went on the Air Commodore. “Air traffic is now such that it will soon be difficult for you to use a regular airport without worrying the air control officers.”

  This Biggles admitted.

  “There’s another point that shouldn’t be overlooked,” continued the Air Commodore. “It’s the usual practice, as well as a matter of common sense, to have a replacement ready in case of an accident. The sort of work you do, by its very nature, presents hazards. Apart from your general health, which has never let you down, there is always the possibility of a mishap that could put you out of action. This applies to all of you. However capable and experienced a pilot may be the structural failure of some part of his machine is always on the cards. But it doesn’t need me to tell you that. Call it an occupational risk.”

  “Don’t remin
d me of it,” protested Biggles.

  The Air Commodore ignored the interruption. “It’s only logical, therefore, that there should always be a spare man able to fill a gap should an emergency arise. I’ve been thinking about this for some time, but knowing you, and what your reaction to any change would be, I’ve allowed the matter to drift on. The question can’t be put off any longer. The Chief Commissioner has mentioned it once or twice lately so I’ve had to brace myself to do something about it.”

  “I should be a fool to dispute it,” murmured Biggles.

  “Good. While we’re on the subject, I may as well point out that I’m approaching retiring age myself; and I’d rather you took this from me, while I’m still in office, than from my successor.” The Air Commodore sat back in his chair, fingers together, his eyes on Biggles’ face for signs of approval or otherwise. “How do you feel about it?” he prompted.

  Biggles drew on his cigarette before stubbing it in the ashtray. “I take your point, sir,” he said without emotion. “It would be unreasonable for me not to. But as I’ve never given a thought to it myself this comes as a bit of a shock.”

  “Naturally. I can understand that. But the situation would be bound to arise sooner or later. But don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting you pack up right away. You’ve done a good job and it’s appreciated in more than one government department, for which reason it is hoped you’ll carry on for as long as possible if only in an advisory capacity. No man can go on flying indefinitely, and had your nerves not been tough they’d have cracked long ago. There’s no need for any urgent reorganisation in your department. For the time being you can think it over. Take your time and come to me with any proposals that occur to you.”

  Biggles answered, dryly: “You’ve put the whole thing so clearly that there isn’t much to think about. Obviously, the first and most important thing is to start looking around for a suitable recruit.”