A week later, a Rumpity landed on the aerodrome, and Captain Nerkinson swung himself to the ground. Biggles, in the front cockpit, was about to follow, but the instructor stopped him.
‘You’re absolutely O.K.,’ he said, ‘except that you are inclined to come in a bit too fast. Don’t forget that. Off you go!’
‘Off I what?’ cried Biggles, refusing to believe his ears.
‘You heard me. You’re as right as rain—but don’t be more than ten minutes.’
‘I won’t—by James I won’t, you can bet your life on that!’ declared Biggles emphatically. He took a last lingering survey of the aerodrome, as when a swimmer who has climbed up to the high diving-board for the first time looks down. Then, suddenly making up his mind, he thrust the throttle open with a despairing jerk and grabbed at the weird, spectacl
