Amazing Algy Moment of the Week

This week’s amazing Algy moment comes from Biggles Works It Out (or, to give the book its real name, Algy Works It Out). This snippet has a few spoiler elements in it, so I’m hiding it from those who haven’t read the book and don’t want to be surprised. Those who have read the book can read on by clicking the “Show Amazing Algy Moment” link below.

Biggles Works It Out
Image from yabs.isambard.com.au

Show Amazing Algy Moment

Algy has overheard Von Stalhein ordering his men to kill Bertie, who has gone undercover as a pilot down on his luck. Naturally Algy flies to the rescue, but ironically, Marcel is on his tail:

“Algy had a good look at [his attacker] for the first time, and then, also for the first time, he saw who it was. He recognized the machine, and immediately afterwards, with a curious feeling of unreality at the irony of the situation, the pilot. He had hoped to find Marcel. Instead, Marcel had found him. That was something he had not reckoned on, although Marcel would, of course, be looking for a D.C.3. Having found it, he was not to be blamed for what he was doing. Having been shot at himself, he had apparently carried out his avowed intention of remounting his guns.” 

--Biggles Works It Out

Even with the possibility of being shot down by his French colleague cannot dull Algy’s sense of humor, however:

“Algy’s lips parted in an exasperated smile. First, there was Bertie shooting at Marcel; now Marcel was shooting at him. There seemed to be something awry with their arrangements.” 

 --Biggles Works It Out 

Of course, only Algy could keep a cool (and amused) head under the circumstances. Bertie would no doubt be muttering darkly, Biggles would be wearing his famous fighting/mirthless smile, while Ginger…well…Ginger’s always been an easily excitable sort of kid. He’d probably do something crazy and end up wrecking his own machine as likely as not!