"Biggles 'Fails to Return'" by W.E.Johns Quiz

Answer: Air Commodore Raymond

Air Commodore Raymond is attached to the Intelligence Branch of the R.A.F. He had used Biggles, Algy and Ginger on several missions during the 1930s and in the early stages of World War II. Bertie had also met him during "Spitfire Parade". In fact it was Raymond who assigned Bertie to Biggles' new squadron.

Answer: Sicily

The princess' father had been heavily involved in an anti-Mussolini movement. He was eliminated and the princess then plotted against the regime. She was assisted by members of a secret society, the sort of organisation that was very likely to be found on the island of Sicily.

Answer: Augustus

The area above and around Monaco was well known to the author. He creates a very special atmosphere of Ginger coping with the dangers of the present whilst being aware of a strange sensation of living in the past.

Answer: A guitar.

Bertie suggests that he should pretend to be an out of work musician. He declares, "Strolling players are common in the South of France". Later he comments that Biggles would recognise some of the tunes he plays and it would be like Richard I and his troubadour when the Lionheart was imprisoned in a foreign castle.

Answer: blue

The use of the blue pencil to write on the wall was pre-arranged by Biggles and he had told the Air Commodore that this is what he would do. The first message that Ginger and Bertie see says, "Chez Rossi. Pernod." This message is found on the Quai de Plaisance on the inner side of the harbour at Monaco.

Answer: Bluebird.

Not only is Bertie's speedboat still there but also the mechanic who used to help him with it, a Monegasque called Francois Budette, is there as well. Unfortunately he recognises Bertie and, to maintain his disguise, Bertie tries to move quickly away.

Answer: Mario Rossi

Ginger follows Mario to the Villa Valdora, Zabani's house. Mario uses his knife to dispose of the traitor but Ginger is caught in the room with the dead body. Later Francois Budette hears the rumour that Ginger is considered to be the man who murdered Zabani.

Answer: The house of Henri Ducoste's family.

Henri is the pilot who has flown Algy, Ginger and Bertie to Monaco on this mission. When Ginger staggers into the house of the Ducoste family he begins his relationship with Jeanette that is to be so short-lived.

Answer: A local priest

When Bertie comes round he realises that he was very lucky indeed to escape falling into the nearby gorge. A nearby housewife helps him and tells him that Saint Devote has undoubtedly saved him. So Bertie follows her recommendation and gives 100 francs to the priest of the church so that two large candles can be bought as a thanks offering.

Answer: Jock's Bar

Jock's Bar proves to be on the beach itself and was not so much a bar as a bathing hut that looks like it has been closed for the duration of the war. A blue pencil message does await him there which reveals that the Nazi sympathisers are in charge at the Villa Valdora.

Answer: It is a village now only lived in by cats.

Castillon is about fifteen kilometres from Monaco up in the mountains. The villagers deserted it when it was struck by an earthquake many years before. Now the only creatures that live there are cats.

Answer: Lucille

Because Ginger is still weak from his wounds he need the donkey to get him to Peille. He has set out for that town because he has decided that he must rescue Henri Ducoste who flew Algy, Bertie and himself on the mission. After all Henri is Jeanette's brother.

Answer: A lemon

Bertie throws the lemon and it hits Mario in the eye. Bertie finds it difficult to follow up his advantage at first because he is hampered by his guitar. Later, however, he gets in a hook to the jaw which stretches the Italian out on the ground for the count.

Answer: An ambulance

The ambulance proves very useful to Biggles and the comrades as it is a vhicle big enough to move all the escaping party round the different locations. It is also a vehicle that does not arouse too many suspicions.

Answer: walking and swimming

It seems a pity that Captain W.E. Johns decided to take this relationship no further. Poor Jeanette is never mentioned again in any of the other books and Ginger has to revert to being the youngest character who never fails to get himself into trouble.