Biggles in the Terai

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Algy has vanished while aiding the Indian Security Police in a gold smuggling operation. Biggles, accompanied by Bertie, travels to Northern India, landing in Shara near Nepal, where the Terai jungle forms a natural border. With the help of mechanic Ram Singh, they search for Algy, who had borrowed an Indian Air Force Hunter aircraft before his disappearance. Their investigation takes a dangerous turn when a mysterious man, Holman Larta, offers assistance, raising Biggles' suspicions. An assassination attempt occurs while they sleep, prompting Ram to guard their plane, which he successfully protects from sabotage by a man named Bula Din, who tries to introduce a deadly snake into it. Aerial searches reveal a hidden airstrip in the jungle. While Biggles investigates, a mysterious plane attempts to land but is shot at by a concealed gunman. The gunman turns out to be Subahdar Mahomad Khan, who reveals that he has been caring for Algy, who crashed a month prior and suffered a leg fracture. Algy informs them that the airstrip is a drop-off point for gold smugglers, with Larta hiding the gold in his wooden leg to evade customs. Unable to take Algy immediately, Biggles and Bertie return to Shara, planning to rescue him before the monsoon. Ultimately, Larta, Din, and the other smugglers are apprehended.