Perivale,1983Acolumnofsmokerisesfromtheblazingruinsofaforgotten,decaying

mansion.Perivale,1883Inthesleepy,ruralparishofGreenfordParva,GabrielChaseisbyfarthe

mostimposingedifice.Thevillagersshunthegrimhouse,buttheowner,thereclusiveandcontroversialnaturalistJosiahSamuelSmith,receivesoccasionalvisitors.

TheReverendErnestMatthews,forinstance,deanofMortarhouseCollege,hastravelledfromOxfordtorefuteSmith’sblasphemoustheoriesofevolution.

Andinadesertedupstairsroom,theDoctorandAceventurefromtheTARDIStoexploretheVictorianmansion...

Who–orwhat–isJosiahSmith?Whatterriblesecretsdoeshishouseconceal?AndwhydoesAcefindeverythingsofrighteningfamiliar?

ISBN0-426-20351-8UK:£2.50*USA:$5.95CANADA:$6.25NZ:$11.95*AUSTRALIA:$3.95,-7IA4C6-cadfbD-

*RECOMMENDEDPRICE

ScienceFiction/TVTie-in

DOCTORWHO

GHOSTLIGHT

BasedontheBBCtelevisionseriesbyMarcPlattbyarrangementwithBBC

Books,adivisionofBBCEnterprisesLtd

MARCPLATT

Number149intheTargetDoctorWhoLibraryATARGETBOOKpublishedbyThePaperbackDivisionofW.H.Allen&Co.PLCForIan,MargaretandthewonderfulAliceATargetBookPublishedin1990BythePaperbackDivisionofWHAllen&CoPlc338LadbrokeGrove,LondonW105AHNovelizationcopyright©MarcPlatt,1990Originalscriptcopyright©MarcPlatt,1989‘DoctorWho’seriescopyright©BritishBroadcastingCorporation1989,

1990TheBBCproducerofGhostLightwasJohnNathan-TurnerThedirectorwas

AlanWareingTheroleoftheDoctorwasplayedbySylvesterMcCoyPrintedandboundin

TheroleoftheDoctorwasplayedbySylvesterMcCoyPrintedandboundinGreatBritainby

Cox&WymanLtd,ReadingISBN0426203518Thisbookissoldsubjecttotheconditionthatitshallnot,bywayoftradeor

otherwise,belent,re-sold,hiredoutorotherwisecirculatedwithoutthepublisher'spriorconsentinanyformofbindingorcoverotherthanthatinwhichitispublishedandwithoutasimilarconditionincludingthisconditionbeingimposeduponthesubsequentpurchaser.

CONTENTS

1TropicofPerivale2GabrielChase3UnchartedTerritory4GaslightBoogie5Josiah'sWeb6That'stheWaytotheZoo7Ace'sAdventuresUnderground8CreatureComforts9OutofControl10TwiceuponaTime11TrickoftheLight12BeautifulSoup1

TropicofPerivale

Itwashot,thedogdaysofAugust.Thegirlranalongthefootpath,herstragglyhairflyingandaduststormrisingbehindher.Shenearlycollidedwithawomanwhowaswalkingababyinapush-chair,butshecareeredonandspunroundacorner.Flingingherselfthroughagapinthescrubbybushes,shecametorestatthefootofanoldbrickwall.

Shewasalone.Aroundherfeetlaythescatteredremainsofatorn,yellowingnewspaperandacoupleofoldfizzydrinkscans.

Itwasgettinghotter.Sheragedinsideasshesatonthebakedearth,butshewouldnotcry.Shedraggedhersnottynoseacrossonesleeveofherblouse.Nocrying!thoughtthegirlasshescrapedhercheekswheresheguessedtearshadstreakedherdustyface.Thatwouldbeadeadgiveaway.

Inanoutburstofangershehurledoneandthentheotherdrinkscanasfarasshecouldalongthelengthofthewall.Twomagpiesflewfromthebusheschatteringinalarm.

Thegirlhowled.Therewerepeopleintheworldwhowereanimals—no,theywereworse

thananimals.SherememberedManisha’seyesstaringather,fiercewithhatred.Herbestfriendhadstaredaccusinglyatthewholeworldincludingher.AndManisha’ssisterinhergreenandgoldsarihadcriedhystericallywhilethefiremenintheirheavycoatstrudgedinandoutofthesmoking,steamingwreckofahousethathadbeenManisha’shome.

Ithadfeltlikeahometohertoo.Shestayedoftenenough,andthePurkayasthafamilyalwaysmadeherwelcome.Itwasbetterthantheflatwhereherownmumwouldlectureher,whileaMichaelJacksonsongblaredfromtheradio.

‘DorythisandDorythat,’hermotherhadnagged.‘You’renearlyfourteen,Dorothy,sogrowup,willyou!’Theanimalsalwayshungaroundthebackalleysontheestate.Sometimes

theymuggedalonevictimlateatnightintheunderpassbytheshops.Theydaubedtheirfascistignoranceonstairwellsoftheflats.NowtheyhadpouredpetrolthroughManisha’sletterboxandsetlighttoit.Andnoonewoulddoathingaboutit.

Indescribableragefilledherandshekickedataheavy,half-rottendoorinthewall.Ithadalwaysresistedherattentionsuntilnow;todayitsplinteredapart.Shepushedthrough.Therewasnowayshewouldgohometonight.

Shepushedthrough.Therewasnowayshewouldgohometonight.Beyondthedoorshewastouchedbythecoolgreenlightbeneaththetrees.It

clearedherheadasquicklyasitseemedtoshutoffthenearbyroarofthetrafficonWesternAvenue.Timehadstoppedhere,oratleastmovedatadifferentrate.

Thegirlpushedthroughthebrackenwhensuddenlyherfootstrucksomethinghard.Shelookeddownandforasecondshethoughttherewasaneyestaringupather.

Halfhiddenintheundergrowthwastheheadofalion.Afewfeetawaylaytherestofitsstonebody.Althoughthelion’sfeatures

wereweatheredandblotchedbylichen,theywerestillnobleandregal.Thegirlalmostlaughedinshockandrevulsion:therewasalarge,glossy

backedbeetlerestingonthestatue’seye.Shebrieflythoughtofchildishlypencillingapairofspectaclesacrossthe

beast’sstoneface,butdismissedtheideaaskids’bookstuff.Therewassomethingunnervingaboutthisplace.Itwastoocoolandtoo

dark;theovergrowngardenwastoolushandtooquiet.Thebeetlecrawledoffthelion’seye,overtheforeheadanddownthe

petrifiedmaneintothedampleavesontheground.Thegirlcouldseethecrumblingedificeofanoldhousebetweenthetrees.

Theundergrowthwentrightuptothewallsandclimbedinthroughtheblack,openeyesofthewindows.Shewalkedtowardsthebuilding.

Insidewasanopenareawhichmustoncehavebeenanentrancehall.Ashattered,stained-glasswindowoverlookedahalf-collapsed,mossystaircase;passagesledintothehouse;doorwaysledtootherrooms.Ivywoundinthroughthecracksandclambereduptheinnerwalls.Itwaspossibletoseethroughaholeintheceilingupseveralfloorstoafewspindlyraftersandtheskybeyond.

Pickingherwayoverscatteredplankstotheothersideofthearea,shelookedthroughthemissingupperfloors.

Highabovehershecouldseeabrokendome:itlookedliketheinteriorofanobservatory.

Theskywasturningacopperycolour:itpressedinthroughtherafters,threateningastorm.Itwashotinsidethehouse,butthegirlfeltcoldinsideasifsomethingwaswatching.Shecouldsenseitjustbeyondtheedgeofhervision;itmovedassheturnedtofaceit.

Somethingfluttered.Anexoticbutterflywithwingsasbigasfistsglidedpast,catchingthelightin

aflashofkingfisherblue.Ithadasmuchrighttogoaboutitsbusinessas

aflashofkingfisherblue.Ithadasmuchrighttogoaboutitsbusinessasanythingelseinthissub-tropicalpocketofwestLondon:shewastheintruder.

Thebutterflyvanishedintothedepthsoftheruin.Thegirl,however,couldstillsensesomethingelsewasthere.

Outside,sheheardthedistantroarofaDC10takingitsplaceintheprocessionofjetsintoHeathrow.

Inside,somethingslithered—somethingshecouldn’tsee.Wasitinsidethewalls?Orcoulditevenbethewallsthemselves?

Shewatchedagroupoftinycrimsonmitesmovingonadoorframe,butitwasn’teasytoignorethenotionthatthewholeplacewasstaringather.Shehadbecometheobjectofitsscrutiny.Itwasalmostcreakingasitleanedinwardstogetabetterviewofher,almostasifitrecognizedtheunwelcomeinfiltrator.

Thegirlreachedoutforsupportandputherhandintosomethingslimy.HerT-shirtcaughtonsplinteredwood.

Shecouldalwaysrun,butthehousefascinatedaswellasfrightenedher.Itwasalive.Itmightbeasrottenandcorruptasfly-blowncarrionyetitstillteemedwithlife.

Thehousewasangrytoo.Itsveryfabricwasimbuedwithasenseofragewhichnowfocusedonher.Hatredwasrecordedinthedustanddecaythatshehaddisturbed.Allaroundherinvisiblewingsflutteredandunimaginablethingscrawled.Shecouldn’tmove.

Realitywrithedaboutherandshedefiantlystruggledtofindonethoughtwithwhichshecoulddefyitall.YetallshesawwereManisha’seyesburningwithhatredfortheworld.Itdidn’tmatterwhichworld:herfriendhadtobeavengedanditwasshewhohadtomaketheevilandhatredgoaway!

Thehateful,humidairclosedintostifleher,butnowsheunderstood.Thewoodinthehousewasasdryastinder:sheknewwhattodo.

TheDoctorponderedtheTARDIS’sprogrammeindex.Hehadbeensidetrackedfromhisinitialenquiry.TheindexwasinsistingthattheEnglishvillageofGreenfordParvawasonehalfofaminorbinarystarintheSherrinCluster.

Heattemptedtousetherelatedsubjectheadingofhamlets,butthisledhimonlyintothedramasection.

Aggravatedbythis,hereflectedthatannotatedtextwasapoorsubstituteforactualexperience.Hehadnotmadeanentryinhisdiaryforyears,whichwashardlysurprisingbecausehewasjusttoobusy.Theuniversewasathisfingertips;itwasoftenathisthroataswell.Still,thatwasthepricehepaidformindingotherpeople’sbusiness.Theuniverseneededalittlenudgeoccasionally;otherwiseitdawdledalongandrarelyfulfilleditspotential.

occasionally;otherwiseitdawdledalongandrarelyfulfilleditspotential.AnyonewhotravelledintheTARDIShadapricetopay.Howeverwillingly

anynewcompanionwalkedthroughitsdoors,leavingtheirownworldbehind,andhoweverdeterminedlytheytriedtoassertcontroloverthebizarreeventsinwhichtheDoctor’stravelsmightembroilthem,onefactwasinescapable:throughouttimeandspacetheirliveswereintheTimeLord’shands.Eventheslickestofjugglers,however,coulddropaskittleatonetimeoranother.

TheDoctornumberedmanyaccomplishmentsinhiscatalogueandheratherenjoyedcultivatingtheimageofcosmicfactotum.Thatrole,however,wasonlyapartofit;hewouldhatetobepigeon-holed.Keepthepublicguessingwashismotto,andsometimesheevensurprisedhimself.

Callhimshowman,conjuror,greatdetective,mentorortormentor,hisspecialitywastojugglethepast,thepresentandthepossible.Noonewassafefromthat;anyonecouldbeapotentialskittle.

TheDoctorrarelybotheredwithasafetyneteither;heneverconsideredheneededone.Buthedidn’talwaysasktheskittles.

AcehadlearnedtotrusttheDoctorwithherlife.Perhapshewasirritablewithhersometimes,butthatwasbecauseshedidn’t

alwayscomeuptohisexpectations.Shewasonlyhumanafterall,howeverhardshetried.Besideswhich,fewpeoplehadexpectedmuchofheratallduringherseventeenyears.

TheDoctorwasthefirstpersonforalongtimewhohadevenbotheredtoacceptherforwhatshewas:adelinquent.

Sheknewthatandheseemedtolikeitthatwaytoo.Therewerethingssheunderstoodnowthatshehadneverevendreamedofbefore;andyettherewerestillafewthingsshecouldteachtheDoctor.Noteveryonehadtheirownpersonalprofessorandthiswastheweirdesttutorialinthehistoryoftheuniverse.

AcehardlynoticedtheDoctorhurriedlyputawayasetofchartsasshe

enteredtheTARDIS’scontrolroom.Therehewasinthesamedarkbrownjacket,busyjumper,loudchecktrousersandeccentric,paisleyscarfthathehadbeenwearingforthepastmonth.Itwasbeyondherhowhisclothesmanagedtostayinsomesemblanceofcleanliness,theamountofwearandtearheputthemthrough.Sheoccasionallywonderedwhetherhesleptinthemtoo.

‘Nearlythere,’heannounced,smilingimpishlyasheclearedthedatafromtheindex’sscreen.Hehadalreadygivenuponmapsandcharts;hewas

theindex’sscreen.Hehadalreadygivenuponmapsandcharts;hewasnavigatingthroughtimeandspacebyinstinct.Hepausedandwaitedfortheusualtorrentofquestionsaboutdestinationsanddatesandwhy.Exceptthistimetheexplanationsmightnotgodowntoowell.

Nor,forthatmatter,wouldAce’simmodestapparelinthegenteelenvironmenttowhichtheywereheading.Hewouldhavetodealwithheroff-the-shoulderblouseandblacktrousers,butnotyet.Theprospectofalittlelightcultureshockfortheunsuspectingnativesamusedhim.

Aceconsideredwhether‘nearlythere’referredtomiles,lightyears,minutesorcenturies.Sheguessedwhathewaswaitingforandplumpedforaneasieroption.‘Don’tyouevertakeyourhatoff,Professor?’

ThefamiliargratingcrescendooftheTARDIS’sdematerializationprocedurebrokeinuponthem,culminatingintheheavybass-drumthudwhichannouncedtheirarrival.

SparedfromhavingtoanswerAce’squestion,theDoctorleanedacrosstheconsoletoflickonthescannerswitch.HestoppedforasecondandregardedAceinstead.

‘Ithinkit’stimetoputyourpowersofobservationtothetest.’‘OK.’Acewasgameforthis.SheswitchedonthescannerbeforetheDoctorcould

stopherandturnedtolookatwhateverimagethescreenwouldshow.WhentheTARDISslidthemintoanewlocation,thefirstglimpsewasalwaysexciting.

Thescannershowedapale,delicate,cream-colouredimageofwhatappearedtobenothingatall.TheDoctorsmiledandtriedtolookasifthiswaswhathehadexpected.HehaddonetherightthingaskingforAce’sopinion.Nowitwasherproblem.

2

GabrielChase

Therewerealwaysdutiestoperform:thesmoothrunningofanylargehouserequiredthemoutofnecessity.GabrielChasewasnoexceptiontothatrule,buttherewerealsotheunavoidablechores—taskswhichnosimplemaidservantcouldundertakewithoutsupervision.

Theliftclankedtoahalt.MrsPritchardslammedasidethemetalgateandpushedopenthedoorstorevealadarkenedtunnel.Sheheldherchinalampaloftandmovedforward,amaidfollowingtoheelwithacoveredsilvertray.

Thelampilluminatedthecircularbrickworkofthetunnel,revealingthedaubedimagesofstrangeandlong-deadcreaturesthatwerescatteredalongthecurvedwalls.

Theymeantnothingtothehousekeeper.Thesamelightdancedontheintricateblackbeadingonthestiffblackbodiceaboveherheavyblackskirt.Itglitteredonthemassofkeysontheringatherhip.Shehadonlytoseetotheupkeepandrunningofthehouseandtocaterforthewhimsofhermaster.Hereyesweredeadtotheworld.Iftherewasanyvestigeofemotioninherdrained,greyface,itwasagrimprideinherworkandinherstaff;foranythingelsetherewassimplecontempt.Shehadherdutiestoperform.

Theyemergedfromthemouthofthetunnelintoadimlylitroomwhichwascircledbydark,velvetcurtainsandanarrayofstuffedbirds,eachmountedonanornatepedestal.Theairhummedwithalow,pulsingdrone.

MrsPritchardhaltedatadeskthatwasscatteredwithpapersandguardedbyamalevolent-lookingstuffedcrow.

Sheselectedoneofarowofbrassbuttonsandpressedit.Thefurthestofthecurtainsimmediatelyswishedupwardstorevealabrick

portalwithasturdybolteddoorsetintothegranitewall.MrsPritchardapproachedthedoorandstaredthroughaspyholeintothedarknessinside.

‘IhavebroughtyourdinnerandacopyofTheTimes.’Therewasamuffledrustlingfrominsidethedungeon.MrsPritchardusedahookedsticktoslideupapanelatthebaseofthedoor.

Shenoddedtothemaidwholoweredthetraytothefloorandremovedthepolishedcover.

Underneathwasachinaplateofchoppedfruitandvegetables,aglassofredwineandanironededitionofTheTimes.

Thedungeonfellsilent.Themaidwasslidingthetraythroughthegapinthedoorwhenitwas

Themaidwasslidingthetraythroughthegapinthedoorwhenitwassuddenlysnatchedfromhergrasp.Shedartedbackinfright,butMrsPritchardcontrolledherownstartledcomposureenoughtoslamdownthepanelonthecell’soccupantanditsscreamofoutrage.

MrsPritchardpushedtothebackofhermindthequestionswithwhichsherefusedtoplagueherself.Thescreamsfrombehindthedoorcontinued,accompaniedbythesoundsofbreakingglassandchina.Shedidnotpausetoconsidertheimprisonedcreature’sidentityorappearance.Theywereunknowntoher.Shedidnotshuddertothinkhowmanytimes—perhapshundreds—

shehadservedamealinthisfashion;amealapparentlypreparedforaguest,butservedtoamadman.Therewerealwaysscreams,andalwaysshewasmomentarilyunnervedbythebrutalanguishofthecries.

Suchthoughtswereinstantlydismissed:MrsPritchardhadherdutiestoperform.Themaid,thin-facedandalmostasgauntashermistress,awaitedinstruction.Therewouldbegueststopreparefor—therewerealwaysguests,duties,chores,anddinnerstobeserved.Buttoday’staskswerecomplete:itwasalmostfirstlightandtimetosleep.

TheapproachtothehouseofGabrielChaseonlyexacerbatedtheill-humouroftheReverendErnestMatthews.ThedogcartinwhichhehadbeenforcedtotravelfromEalingrailwaystation—therehadbeennosuitablecarriage—wasexceedinglyricketyanduncomfortable.ItwasalreadylateafternoonandithadtakenhimmostofthedaytogetthisfarfromOxford.Thecarterseemedtobedeliberatelydrivingovereverybumpinthelanes,butErnestsattightandsilent,absorbingeveryjoltandreservinghistemperforamoreworthytarget.

Afterseveralmiles,thecartpassedthroughthescatteringofcottagesandachurchthatmadeupavillage.

TheparishoftheReverendCJHughesrecalledErnesttohimself,andthisknowledgesomehowgavehimcomfortthatcivilizationwasnotsofaraway.

Itwasonlyashortdistancefurtheronthatthecartcametoahaltbeforeapairofirongatessetinahighbrickwall.

Thecarterrefusedtotakehispassengeranyfurther.Hemutteredinsurlytonesthatitwasalreadygettinglate,allthetimecastingwaryglancesupthedrive.

ErnestMatthews,hisjointsaching,clambereddownfromthecart.Hefoundhimselfshortofchangeandreluctantlyhadtogivethedriverawholeshilling.Thecartertookthecoinwithaleerand,urgingthehorseforward,disappearedupthelaneatapacethatthreatenedtoshakethecarttopieces.

Thesunwasalreadylowinthesky,castinglongshadowsfromthetall

Thesunwasalreadylowinthesky,castinglongshadowsfromthetallpoplarsthatlinedthedriveway.

Beyondthegates,thebreezedroppedimmediatelyanditbecamehotandsultry.ThestiflingairclosedoppressivelyinaroundErnest,butheresolutelyremainedencasedinhisheavyhatandulster,clutchinghislargebag.Thiswasnotasocialcall;hemeantbusiness.

Aproudstonelion,asymboloftheEmpire,watchedtheroadfromaclumpofrhododendronstohisleft.TheclustersofnearluminousmauveflowerswereunusualforSeptember;theshrubsinthedeanerygardenoutsideErnest’sstudywindowhadfinishedfloweringinJune.

Ithadbeenagoodyearforwasps,too.Alarge,paperynesthungatthestone

lion’sthroat.Oneofitsinhabitants,drunkonthejuiceofrottingwindfalls,circledthedarkfigureofErnestaspartofitsdailyhuntforfood.Itnarrowlyavoidedtheirritatedlashofhishand.

Ashetrudgedupthedrive,ErnestreviewedthecircumstanceswhichhadledhimtovisitGabrielChase.

Duringthepastyeartherehadbeenaseriesofprivatelypublishedpapersontheinflammatorysubjectofevolution.

ThesearticleshadbeenwrittenunderthenameofoneJosiahSamuelSmith,anamewhichwasunrecognizedinscientificcirclesanduntraceableinanyuniversityregister.

SmithhadendorsedtheblasphemoustheoriesofCharlesDarwinandAlfredWallace:theoriesthatproclaimedmankindastheculminationofmillenniaofdevelopment.Theydisclaimedthetruthofman’soriginsanddeniedhewascreatedintheimageofGod.ThesetheorieshadsettheworldsofVictorianscienceandtheologyateachothers’throats.

Ernestknewbetter.HewasDeanofMortarhouseCollege,Oxford,andhisfaithwasunshakeable;heregularlylecturedhisstudentstothateffect.Nevertheless,thegospelaccordingtoJosiahSamuelSmithwasadifferentmatter.SmithdidnotjustoustmankindfromtheGardenofEden:hepresentedmanasacorrupterofnatureitself.Manwasdepictedasanupstartwhohadclawedhiswaytodominionoverallthings,butwhowouldbeoverwhelmedbythenaturallawsifhedidnotrespectthem.InSmith’sphilosophy,manwasnomoreimportantthanthelowliestcreepingthing.

Occupiedbyhisthoughts,Ernestdidnotnoticethepartyofscuttlingantsthathecrushedunderfootastheyhurriedontheirbusiness.

Althoughthesunhadalmostgone,thestillairpressed,makingthegardenseemlikeahothouse.Ernestpausedtomophisbrowandmassivesideburns.It

seemlikeahothouse.Ernestpausedtomophisbrowandmassivesideburns.Itwassweltering,buthecouldnotloosenhisdog-collar,afactinwhichherejoiced.

Aheadofhim,thetopofthehousebegantoriseabovethetrees.Itlookedlikeanobservatory:astubby,circularturretwithadomedspireandlargearchedwindowssetarounditscircumference.Ernestthoughtforamomentthathecouldhearthedistantgratingandwheezingofsomelargemechanicaldevice.Hestrainedhiseyestoseebetterandbrieflyimaginedthathesawalightflashinginoneoftheturretwindows.Thenitwasgone.

Ernestshookhishead,refusingtodespair,andsetoffagainwithallthecommittedzealofamissionarystandingontheheathenshore.

AceopenedtheTARDIS’sdoorandcamefacetofacewiththeabstract,cream-colouredbarriershehadseenonthescanner.Shewascountingpreciousmomentsandhadlostacouplealready.Thenitclicked.

‘Professor!’sheyelledbackindisgust.‘Thirtysecondpenalty!’TheDoctor’sirritatedreplyissuedfromtheship’sinnerdimensions.‘Just

getonwithit.It’sallpartoftheinitiativetest.’‘You’restillalousyparker,’complainedAce.Sheslidoutthroughthegap

betweentheTARDISandthecreamywhitewallthattheDoctorhadalmostmanagedtolandthepoliceboxagainst.

Acealmostforgotthatshewasinthemiddleofatest.Sheroundedthecornerandcamefacetofacewithapony.Itwasasecondortwobeforesherealizedthecreaturewasnotreal:itwas

themostbeautifullycraftedrockinghorseshehadeverseen.Thecreature’scoatwasexquisitelypaintedinuncannilyrealisticdetailanditsmaneandtailweremadeofhorsehair.Itseemedtomeethergazewithsuchsoulfulbrowneyes;italmostpleadedwithhertoclimbupontothepolishedsaddle.Acewasbeguiled.

‘Well?’cametheimpatientvoicefromtheTARDIS.Joltedbacktohersenses,Acesurveyedtherestoftheroom.TheTARDIS

wasstandinginatall,circularchamberwithahigh-domedceilingthatlookedlikeanobservatory’s.Windowssetintoalcoveslookedoutfromalldirections.Blindsweredrawnoverthemwhichcoveredallofthewindowssaveforthetops.HadAcelookedthroughthegapsshewouldhaveseentheredcloudsofastormysunset.

Whatheldherattentionwerethetoys.Theplacewasfullofthem:puppets,toysoldiers,dolls,sugarmiceandamodelgalleon.

‘Hey,playtime!’exclaimedAce.

‘Hey,playtime!’exclaimedAce.‘Beconcise!’Acegleefullypickedupthetinmodelofaskatingrink.Theclockworkskatersimmediatelybegantowhizzmerrilyaroundincircles.

Shegiggled.‘It’swellsafe,Professor.’‘Oh,verysuccinct.Whataboutlocation?’‘It’sanursery.’AsAceskimmedthroughthemassoftoysontopofalongchestofdrawers,

shesuddenlynoticedtheyweremuddledwithaselectionofscientificparaphernalia,allofwhichwasold-fashionedbutlookednew.

‘No,sorry.Itcouldbealaboratory...’Shelookedwithdisgustatflasksthatcontainedpickledhumanorgans,acuttlefishandatoad.‘Butthekids’dhavetobeprettycreepy.’

Stillnonethewiserwhetherhisinstincthadbroughthimtothecorrecttimeandspace,theDoctorabandonedallhopeoffindingoutfromhisprotégée.Headjustedhishat,pickeduphisumbrellaandslidoutfrombehindtheTARDIS.Heinstantlyknewhewasspotontarget.

‘Time’sup.’Acewasjustgettingtogripswithamonkeythatshinnedupastripedpole.

Shewouldhavetobluffherwayoutofthisone.‘Can’tstanddeadthings,’sheannouncedconfidently,‘butthetoysaregreat.ItmustbeVictorian.’TheDoctordidnotknowwhethertobepleasedorannoyed.Asusual,with

alltheoddsstackedagainsther,Acehadpulledthecorrectansweroutofthehat.Hewasdeprivedofhischancetolectureher.Inrevenge,heswunghimselfneatlyintothesaddleoftherockinghorseandswayedbackandforth,aninfuriatingknow-allsmileonhisface.

‘It’sasurprise,’hesaid.Fromsomewhereinthedepthsofthehouse,heheardthejanglingofa

doorbell.ErnestMatthewsstoodonthedoorstepofGabrielChase,tugginghardonthe

bellpull.Heregardedtheweatheredstatueoftheavengingangelthatstoodguardbesidethesteps,itsswordraisedindefiantwarning.Ivyhadbeguntotwineitsspreadingwings—acrumblingimageofmortality.

Heheardfootstepsapproachingfrominsidethehouse.Thefrontdoorswunginwards.Ernestmarchedthroughtheportal,ignoringthescrutinyofthehousekeeper.‘TellyourmasterthattheReverendErnestMatthewshasarrived,’hesaid.

‘TellyourmasterthattheReverendErnestMatthewshasarrived,’hesaid.Removinghishatandcoat,heperusedthehallhehadentered.Itwashigh

andairy,dominatedbyacarvedwoodenstaircaseandamagnificentwindowofstainedglass.Thepanelledwallswerehungwithanimaltrophiesandtapestrieswhichdepictedhuntingscenes.Thiswasthehouseofarichman—afamilyhomepasseddownovergenerations—notthehouseofaquackpseudo-scientistwhosewritingsdisplayedscantgraspofliteraryorscientificstyle,oreventhebasicrulesofgrammar.

Ernest’scoatwassuddenlyremovedfromhisgrasp.Heturnedtostareatthehousekeeperbesidehim.Ernestrarelyhadtimeforservants,butthisone,whoinnormalcircumstanceswouldhavebeenacheerfulsoul,wasplainlyflusteredbyhisarrival.Greatheavens,hethought.Howsheditheredwithhiscoatandhat,jugglingthemwiththestrawbonnetshealreadyheld.

‘Well?’hesnapped.‘ThishouseisGabrielChase,isitnot?TheresidenceofJosiahSamuelSmith?’

Thewretchedwoman’splumpcheeksflushedevenredder.‘Yes,sir.Butexcuseme,sir,asIunderstood,youwouldnotbearrivinguntilthisevening.’

Thereweretwootherservantsnearby.Theywerehuddledinacorner,whisperinganxiously:simplecountrygirlswearingcolouredshawlsasiftheywerewrappedagainstthesuddenchillofthedescendingduskoutside.

Thehousekeeperglancedagainattheornategrandfatherclockatthesideofthehall:itshandspointedateightminutestosix.

‘Madam,’insistedErnest,‘mypatiencehasalreadybeensorelytriedbytheinterminabletrainjourneyfromOxford.’

‘Yes,sir.I’msorry,sir.Onlywedon’tgetmanyvisitors,yousee.’‘Apparentlynot.’Hefixedherwithhismostcondescendingsmile.‘Now

kindlyinformMrSmith,ifheisathometovisitors,thatIhaveansweredhissummonsandamwaiting.’

Atlastheseemedtobemakingthewomanunderstand.Withadealofnervousbobbingandglancingbackattheclock,sheledhim

acrossthehallandthroughdoorsintothecomfortoftheparlour.Thetwogirlswatchedhimgo;knowingglancespassedbetweenthem.The

gas-lampsinthehousehadalreadybeenlitandtheyknewitwouldbedarkbeforetheyreachedthevillage.Hurryup,MrsGrosetheythought.

Thedeeptickoftheclockmarkeditsinexorablemarchtowardssixo’clock.TheDoctorhadhisfeetupandhisheadwasburiedinawell-thumbedcopy

ofDarwin’sJournaloftheBeagle—aleather-boundfirstedition.

WhiletheDoctorrefreshedhimselfonsomeofthedetailsofDarwin’s

formativeyears,Acewasbackoncoursewithherassessment.Shewassteadilyunloadingthecontentsofacupboard,rummagingthroughthebrownglassbottlesofchemicals:alum,borax...

‘Letmeguess,’interruptedtheDoctor,breakingintoherflowofthought.‘Beaveroil,salt...Boring,aren’tthey?’

‘Yeah,nothingvolatileorexplosive.’Shepausedforamoment,unawarethatshehadbeentalkingoutloud.ShesometimeshadanuncomfortablefeelingthattheDoctorwasinsideherhead.

‘They’reallpreservativeagentsintheartoftaxidermy.’‘Ugh,gross!’Acehurriedlyshovedbackamorepromisingbottleofbenzene

andlookedforadifferentlineofinvestigation.Apolishedbrasstelescopepointedoutofoneofthewindows.Onthetable

besideitlayawoodenboxonastandwithaconicalmouthpiece,anearpieceonawireandabellonthetop.Thiswasmorelikeit,thoughtAce.Shepokedhopefullyatthearchaictelephone.TheabsurdnotionthatwhatsheneededwasaVictorianphonecardpassedthroughhermind.

‘DidyouknowthatDarwinsufferedfromseasickness?’musedtheDoctor,hisheadbackinthebook.‘Oddthat,consideringhis

Origins.’‘HowdoIringoutonthisthing?’BroughtbackfromtheBeaglewithabump,hesawAcefiddlingwiththe

telephone.Shewasliabletolandthembackintroubleatanysecond!Hemadeadiveforthetelephone.

‘Ace!Putthatdown!’Shedartedback,holdingitoutofhisreach.‘It’scalledinitiative,remember?’sheretorted.‘AllIwantistheoperator.’TheDoctorgrappledhopelesslyforpossessionofthetelephone.‘You’llgiveusaway!ThesedaystrespasserslandupinNewgate!’‘Theprison?’‘Andittookmethreeweekstotunneloutlasttime.Justgivemethething!’HemanagedtosnatchthetelephoneawayfromAce,buthisreliefwascut

shortasascratchyvoiceemergedfromtheearpiece.‘Who’sthere?’‘Sorry,wrongnumber,’repliedtheDoctor,beforeslammingdownthe

receiver.

receiver.Acebitherlipandwaitedfortheinevitablelecture.Inthedepthsofthehouse,inaroomdarkenedbyheavycurtains,white-

glovedhandsreplacedareceiveronitstelephonestand.Theownercrouchedbroodingoverhisdesk,litbytheembersofadyingfire,mutteringtohimself:hewas,afterall,thebestconversationalisthehadsofarencountered.

Thiseventhadnotbeenanticipatedintheplanoftonight’swork:surelytheReverendErnestMatthewscouldnotbeatlargeinthehouse.Besideswhich,hewasundoubtedlytoofastidiousacreaturetobeusingsuchdemonicapparatusasatelephone.

Itwasalmostsixo’clock;thesunwasgone.Elsewhereinthehousethelampswerealight.Drowsyeyelidswouldsoonbeopeningagain.

Nevertheless,thematterofanerrantOxforddeanneededimmediateattention.Thedustyfigurebentovertheeyepieceofabrassmicroscopeandstartedtoadjusttheflywheel.

Inthehall,thetwoyoungmaidsgaveaudiblesighsofreliefasMrsGroseemergedfromthedrawingroom,havingtornherselfawayfromErnestMatthews’incessantquestions.Itwasthreeminutestosix.MrsGroseclosedthedoorbehindherandalmostranacrossthehall.Sheranpastthewatchfuleyesofthegrizzlybearinanalcovetoplacethehouse-keysonasidetableforthenightstaff’soverseer.

Dinnerwasintheovenandtheirdaywasdone.Therewasnotimenowtocheckthatalltheotherdutieswerecomplete.Pullingonhershawl,thehousekeeperbustledthegirlstothefrontdoorandoutintothesafetyofthegatheringtwilight.

Thedoorclosedbehindher;thekeyturnedinthelock.Heavenhelpanyonestillintheplaceafterdark,shethought.AttwominutestosixErnestMatthewsconsultedhisgoldhunter.Hehad

alreadytakeninthedisplaysofmountedinsectsthatviedwithfamilyportraitsonthewallsofthedrawingroom.PrideofplacewenttoQueenVictoriawhosepicturehungabovethemantelpiece,curtainedlikeashrine.Therewasastuffeddodointhecorneroftheroom,itseyesheadilylifelike.Fromtheframedphotographsonthepianoforte,hepickedoutonefacethatherecognized:ayounggirlwhoselarge,hauntedeyesgazedfromthesepiaprint—eyeswhichheknewtobethecolourofsapphire.

HehaddiscussedJosiahSmith’spublishedpapersonevolutionwithseveraluniversitycolleaguesandwithotherFellowsoftheRoyalSociety.TheyhadbeenpronetodismissSmith’streatiseastherantingofanunknowneccentric.EvenDarwinhadcoinedareputationtoprecedehim,althoughasanexperton

EvenDarwinhadcoinedareputationtoprecedehim,althoughasanexpertonbarnacles.Ernest,however,wasincensed.Inthehopeofsomecontact,hehadwrittentoSmiththroughhispublisher’saddress,challengingthecharlatantojustifyhimselfandeventoaddresstheRoyalSociety.

Therehadbeennoimmediateresponse,butamonthlater,duringabriefvisittoLondon,hebelievedthathehadglimpsedSmith.

Againsthisbetterjudgment,hehadbeentakenbyacolleaguetoseetheRoyalItalianOperaatCoventGarden.

TheEgyptianmelodramasofSignorVerdi’sAidawereoflittleinterestto

him—ashamelesslydecadentaffair—buthehadbeenintriguedbyayounggirlintheboxopposite.Shesatsostill

thatshelookedlikeastatuewithpaleskinandeyeswhichevenatadistancewereofpiercingblue.Behindher,intheshadowsattherearofthebox,wasadarkfigurewhichemergedonlyasthehouselightsdimmed.Ithoveredatthegirl’sshoulderduringtheperformancebutwithdrewwhenthelightsrosebetweentheacts.Ernesthadaskedaflunkeyabouttheidentityofthefigures.HewastoldthattheboxbelongedtoaMrJosiahSmithandthattheyounggirlaccompanyinghimwashisward,whomhehadbeenheardtorefertoasGwendoline.

NowtheimageofthissweetchildwasonceagainbeforeErnestinthephotograph.Hisrighteoustemperfreshlyfuelled,Ernestsoughtouttheservants’bellandbegantoringforimmediateattention.

TheDoctor’slecturesrarelylastedlong.Acesulkilyfingeredthecrinolineofachinadoll,whileheheldforthonthewhysandwhereforesofVictoriansociety.

Unfortunately,thistimehewaswarmingtohissubject.‘Nowthatyou’vesosuccessfullydrawnattentiontoourpresence,there’s

onlyonethingforit.’‘Goandintroduceourselvesproperly?’mutteredAce.‘TheVictoriansaresticklersforformaletiquette.Theirlivesareboundbyit.

We’llhavetoleavethehouseimmediately.’AceimmediatelyworkedouttheDoctor’sperverselogic.‘Don’ttellme:so

wecanknockonthefrontdoorandgetinvitedbackinagain.’ShewonderedwhetheritwouldhavebeeneasiertolandtheTARDISoutsideinthefirstplace.

TheDoctorpausedforamoment.Hewascertainthatthebrasstelescopehadbeendirectedtowardsthewindow:nowitpointedathim.Henonchalantlyswungtheinstrumentonitspivotsothatitfacedoutwardandwatchedasit

swungtheinstrumentonitspivotsothatitfacedoutwardandwatchedasitswivelledbackofitsownaccord,thistimetopointatAce.

‘Doctor,thisisn’tahauntedhouse,isit?’askedAce.TheDoctorcastasidewaysglanceatAce.Shehadnotnoticedthetelescope;

thiswaspurelyasuddencoincidentalthought,althoughshewaslookingveryuncomfortableaboutit.

‘ItoldyouI’vegotthisthingabouthauntedhouses.’‘Didyoutellmethat?’heaskedinnocently.‘Yes.’‘Howmanyhaveyoubeenin?’‘Onewasenough—neveragain.’Somethingcreakedbehindher,orsnorted,orneighed.Therockinghorse,itseyesglinting,wasslowlytippingbackandforthofits

ownvolition.Somethinghadknockedit,thoughtAce,thatwasall.Alinnetinacageturneditsheadwithtinyclickingmovementstolookather.Itswingsflutteredanditstartedtotwitter.Itwasjustatoy,wasn’tit?

Fromthedepthsofthehouse,theyheardthedeepbassnotesofagrandfatherclockbegintotollthehour.

3

UnchartedTerritory

Atthefirststrokeofsix,woodenpanelsinthehallslidopentorevealtheoccupantsofthestonealcovesbehindthem.Maids,asmuchafabricofthehouseasthestonesthemselves,movedoutintothesoftlightofthegas-lamps.

Theyworelongskirts,starchedapronsandprimcaps;theirthingreyfaceshadforgottenwhentheylastsawthesunlight.Outtheymoved,swishingacrossthetiledhallfloorandupthestairs.

Theponderousclockreacheditsthirdstroke.Inthedarkenedstudy,whiteglovedhandstouchedtheshoulderofagirlwhosatmotionless,staringintothefire.

‘Ithinkyoushouldgoandgreetourguests,mydear,’whisperedthevoice.Thegirlsmiledgently,rosefromherchairandglidedfromtheroom.Thesixthandfinalstrokefromtheclocklingeredlikethelastgleamofthe

settingsunbeforeitfadedintotheshadowyrecessesofthehouse.Bonyhands,sleevedinblacklace,pluckedupthekeysfromthehalltablewhereMrsGrosehadleftthem.

MrsPritchard,thenighthousekeeper,movedforwardfromtheshadowstosurveyherstaff.Thenight’sdutieswerealreadyclearinhermind.Therewerenoscrawledmessagesfromthedayhousekeeper,asimple-mindedwomanwhowaspartlyliterateandtowhomMrsPritchardwasforcedtoentrustthecareofherpreciouschargeforthedurationofdaylighthours.Thehousewasthereforeinorder.

MrsGrosewaspaidenoughnottoquestionherdailyinstructions.Theeveningmealwouldbepreparedandcookinginthekitchen.Thoseareasofthehousewhichwerenotlockedtothedaystaffwouldhavebeendustedandpolished.Itremainedonlytoawaitthearrivaloftonight’sguest.

MrsPritchard’snightstaffsilentlyawaitedtheirmistress’sorders,yetsomethingwasoutofplace:somethingthatthehousekeepercouldnotquitedefinewasalreadyatoddswithherimmaculateroster.

Itwasthenshenoticedthestrangecoatonthehatstand.AtthesametimethedoorsacrossthehallswungwideandtheReverend

ErnestMatthewsemergedfromthedrawingroom.ImmediatelyidentifyingMrsPritchardasaservantwithsomedegreeofauthority,hebegantogiveventtohisirritation.

‘AreyouawarethatIhavebeenringingforattentionsincebeforesix

‘AreyouawarethatIhavebeenringingforattentionsincebeforesixo’clock?Idemandtoseeyourmasterimmediately.’

Themaids,rangedupthelengthofthestaircase,turnedtheirheadsinoneconcertedmovementtoobservetheintruder.ButErnest,thebattlelightofthecrusaderinhiseyes,wastoopreoccupiedtonoticethesubstantiallydifferentnatureofthisgrimbreedofservants.Instead,hemetthestonygazeoftheblack-dressed,gauntfigureacrossthehallwithasuitablywitheringlookofhisown.Thishousekeeper,ifthatwasherstation,wasahaughtycreaturewhoclearlyhadideasaboveherrank.Hedislikedintenselythewayshesurveyedhim:apiercingglarefrombeneathleadeneyelids.Hepositivelyobjectedtothewaysheslowlydrewnearerwithoutanyresponsetohisdemands.Thisinsolencehadgonefarenough!

‘Bewarned,madam.MrSmithwillregrettheconsequencesifIleavenow.Iamnotwithoutinfluenceinthehighestscientificcircles.ThecondemnationoftheRoyalSocietycanberuinous!’

MrsPritchard’sslowapproachneverfaltered.Themaidsbegantodescendthestairs,gatheringinbehindtheirmistress.

Erneststoodhisground.Hecaughtamustyscentlikestalecamphorthat

remindedhimofthingsstoredawayfortoolong.Therewasstillnoreply.Sobeit,thoughtErnest,JosiahSmith’sfatewassealed.Ernestwouldhaveturnedtoleave,buthiseyewasheld.Hewouldnotbeoverruledbythisghastlyapparition;shemustbeshownher

place.Allconsumingoutrageatthehousekeeper’sextraordinaryaudacityblindedhimagainstherresemblancetoasnakeabouttostrike.Sheloomedoverhim,hermaidsclusteredinherwakelikeimpassiveneophytesatabloodsacrifice.Slowlysheraisedherhead.

‘ReverendMatthews?’Amusicalfemalevoicecutintotheconfrontation.MrsPritchardstood

frozen,betrayingnotraceofthwartedsatisfaction,asErnestturnedtobeholdanangelemergingfromoneofthecorridors.Ayoungladyofnomorethaneighteenyearswasapproaching,hertinyfiguredressedinwhiteandherhairpinnedup,allowingonlyafewdarkcurlstoframeherpaleelfinface.Hereyes,evenbluerthanErnestremembered,werethecolourofcornflowers.

‘Youmustforgiveusforkeepingyouwaiting,sir,’saidtheangel.‘IamMrSmith’sward.’

Forherage,theyoungladyhadaveryforwardmanner,butErnest’svenerablebonesweresocharmedthathewasnottakenbackbythelackofa

venerablebonesweresocharmedthathewasnottakenbackbythelackofaformalintroduction.

‘YouareGwendoline,areyounot?’heventured.‘Why,yessir.’Sheseemeddelighted.‘Butpleasebeassured,myguardian

willjoinusshortly.’Ernestmovedcloser,drawnbyherpresence.‘Ifearthatmuchofmy

discoursewithhimwillnotbepleasingtoayoungladysuchasyou.’‘Butwearebothanxioustomeetyou,sir.Won’tyoujoinmeinthedrawing

room?’ShegavesofelicitousasmilethatErnestfoundhimselfwillinglyusheredbackthroughthedoorsawayfromthehall.Withscarcelyaglanceatthehousekeeper,Gwendolineissuedinstructionsforapotofteatobebrought.

MrsPritchardturnedandsnappedherfingers.Themaidsfollowed

obedientlyasshestalkedawayintothehouse.Journalentry.September19th,1883....bysomeunimaginablefeatofcunning,Ihavemanagedtobreakfreeof

mybondsandescapefromthebutwherethedevilswhoinhabitthisGodforsakenspotincarceratedme.Icanheartheirdrums;thepoundingneverstops.ItisthreedaysnowsinceIfoundmyselfinthisforest.Iamwithoutsuppliesorcompany,butRedverslearnedlongagohowtosurviveontheprovenderofthebush,andhetaughtmeeverythingIknow.IamcertaintheyareholdinghimclosebyandIhavesomuchtoreporttohim.

ForIhavelookeduponthemostwondrousofthings.ImustbecarefulhowImove.Evenwiththedrums,thisisastrange,silent

forest.Fullofeyes,watchingallthetime.Inplacesthetreesgrowsodenselythattheybecomeimpenetrablewalls,butthelocal

tribeswomenhaveclearedpathsthroughthem.Thetreecanopyislowandcurtainsofthickfoliageinmanyhueshangfromit.

Likewise,thepathwaysarecarpetedwiththicklymattedleavesandflowers.Strangestofall,thelocalshavecarvedstrangetotems,whichlitterthepathways.Inthequeerestofways,theyremindmeoffurniture.Redverssaysthejunglecangettoyoulikethat,butIamnogreenhornandnotproneto

hallucinations.Onethingspursmeforward:Redversistrappedsomewherenear,heldprisonerbytheevilrulerofthisregion.Imustfindhimatallcosts.

Icansuddenlymakeouttwofiguresintheclearingjustahead.Withtheintentionofchallengingthem,Ihavewrestedanativespearfromwhereithungonatreebesideabarometer.Iftheyprovetobeservantsorconfederatesoftheviletyrantandassailme,itwillcostthemtheirlives...

Acewasstillassessinghersurroundings.SheandtheDoctorhadcomedown

Acewasstillassessinghersurroundings.SheandtheDoctorhadcomedowntwofloorsandstillnotreachedgroundlevel.Thecorridorsinthelowerpartofthehousewerefilledwitheverykindofstuffedbird.TheirglasseyesseemedtobewatchingandthishardlymadeAcefeelcomfortable,butshecouldnotlettheDoctorknowit.

‘Weusedtogotomuseumsonschooltrips,’sheannounced.‘Itwasalways"don’ttouch,don’twanderoff,don’tgettheschoolabadname".Stilldiditthough.’

Theyreachedajunction;theDoctorlickedhisfingerandheldituptotesttheairmovement.

‘Thefrontdoormustbethisway,’hesaid,settingofftotheright.Aceturnedthecornerafterhimandnearlywalkedintoalargepenguin-like

birdthatwasmountedonapedestal.‘Hallo,’shesaid,facetofacewiththebirdandonlyinchesfromitsrazor-

sharpbill.‘What’sagreatauklikeyoudoinginaplacelikethis?Yougotstuffedanditwasn’tevenChristmas.’

‘Ace!’complainedtheDoctor,comingbacktofetchher.‘Seeyoulater,’AcetoldtheaukassheheadedalongtheDoctor’sroute.He

passedhergoingintheoppositedirection;hisumbrellahookedoverherarmandpulledherback.

Unnoticedbyeitherofthem,thegreatauk’seyesstartedtoglowasoftpinkcolour.

‘Whatdoyoumakeofthat?’askedtheDoctor,pointingatasmallsilverbox

hehadnoticedlyingonthecarpet.Hecroucheddownbesideitandshefollowedsuit.

‘Dunno.Lookslikeajewelbox.’Acesquintedasshetriedtomakeouttheinitialsengravedonthelid.

TheDoctorproducedasmallinstrumentandpointeditatthebox.Thescannergaveasonictwitter.TheDoctortookareadingfromadialandputtheinstrumentbackinhispocket.

‘Snuff,’hesaid.Acegrimaced.‘Inhalingthatstuff!I’msurprisedhumansmadeitintothe

twentiethcentury.’‘Atthispointtheyhaven’t...notyet.Whatelse?’‘It’ssilver.WhoseinitialsareRFC?’sheaskedmakingouttheengravingat

last.‘It’syourinitiativetest.’

‘It’syourinitiativetest.’‘That’swhyI’maskingquestions.’Shepeeredattheboxagain.‘Whenwas

theRoyalFlyingCorpsformed?’‘Thenamewasn’tuseduntil1912,butI’llgetyouabadgeifyoulike.Ask

meanother.’Shereachedouttopickuptheboxandgotherhandsharplyrappedaway.‘Professor!I’monlylooking.’‘Looking’sonething,’saidtheDoctorashefishedanotherinstrumentoutof

apocket.Holdingitlikeagun,hepointeditatthebox:theinstrumentstartedtoemitaseriesofsharpcrackles.

‘It’sradioactive!’‘Veryslightly,’hemused,examiningtheGeigercounter’sreading.‘Isitsafe?’‘There’snosuchthingasasafelevel.’AworryingthoughtstruckAce.‘WhataboutRFC?’Stillcrouching,she

turnedtofacetheDoctorandnoticedthatthesharppointofanAfricanspearwasslidingdownbetweenthem.

TheDoctorcontinued,oblivioustothethreat.‘Hopefullyheabandonedtheboxbeforehecametoanyharm.’Heturned

andregisteredthespearwithouttheslightestflickerofsurprise.‘AZuluassegai,’hecommented,‘fairlylethal.’Helookedupthelengthofthespeartoitsowner.

Theweary,weather-beatenfacethatreturnedhisstarebelongedtoamanapparentlyinhislatethirties.Hehadahaggardlooktohim.Histhick,fairhairwasgreyingandruffledandhisjacketlookedsleptin.Alongwithhisbushymoustache,hehadseveraldaysgrowthofstubbleandaccompanyingbagsunderhiseyes.Evenso,Acedecidedtherewassomethingdashingabouthim,despitethespearandbeingatleasttwiceherage.

TheDoctorguessedthatthestrangerwasyoungerthanhelooked,butthentoolonginthebushcoulddothattoaman.Hehadmetexplorersbefore;theyalwayshadacertainmannertothem.Theywerefierce,enthusiastic—

thecorrectwordwasintrepid.Asitwas,thestrangerseemedmoreinterestedinpokingthesilverboxwiththetipofthespearthanusingtheassegaiasaweapon.TheDoctorreckonedthenewcomerwasjustasmuchastrangerinthehouseastheywere.

‘Wheredidyoufindit?’barkedthestranger,betrayingthepublicschoolaccentthattheDoctorhadexpected.

‘Justhere,’theDoctorreplied,gettingtohisfeet.‘Iwouldn’ttouchitifI

‘Justhere,’theDoctorreplied,gettingtohisfeet.‘Iwouldn’ttouchitifIwereyou.ThisisAceandIamtheDoctor.’

TheexplorerwasasenthusiasticastheDoctorhadanticipated.‘IamaFellowoftheRoyalGeographicalSociety,’heannounced,shakingtheDoctor’shandwithgusto.

‘Really?SoamI—severaltimesover,’respondedtheDoctor.Theycontinuedshakinghandsandtherewasmorethangenuinedelightinthestranger’seyes;therewasdefinitereliefthathehadbychanceencounteredafellowFellowinthisdesolateterrain.

‘Isityoursnuffbox?’cutinAce,whofoundallthisoldboystuffboring.ItwasonlythenthattheexplorertookinAce’sappearance.Heexecuteda

perfecttripletakeandthenturnedawayinacuteembarrassment.‘Please,younglady,youarebarelydressed!’‘Who’sundressed?’sheexploded,resistingtheDoctor’sattemptstopushher

outofsightbehindhim.‘Excusemyfriend,’heapologized,‘shecomesfromalesscivilizedclime.’‘Whatdoyouwantmetodo?Wrapupinacurtain?’cametheannoyedvoicefromjustbehindhisear.‘Bequiet,noblesavage,’mutteredtheDoctor.Headdressedtheexplorer,

‘I’msurethatinthedepthsofcentralAfrica,you’veseenfargrisliersightsthanAce’sankles.’

Aveilofanxietysuddenlycloudedtheexplorer’sface,butbeforetheDoctorcouldpursuetheenquiry,Acebuttedinagain.

‘Hecan’tseemyankles.’‘Yourbootsthen.’Hestruggledtokeepherbehindhim,whilehespoketo

theadventurer.‘Youareabiggamehunter,Itakeit?’‘Iam,sir,’camethereply.‘ButI’veseennothingthatequalstheatrocities

thatarerumouredaboutthisplace.’TheDoctorwastakenabackbytheopenhatredembodiedinthatremark.He

wonderedifhedaredriskdivulgingthehouse’slocationtoAceyet,butshewasalreadypressinghisarm.

‘Isthisthesurprise,Professor?BecauseI’mnotimpressed.’TheexplorerseemednolongerconcernedbyAce’sskimpyapparel.‘Imust

thankyou,Doctor.Iamgratefultohavefoundanally,’heinterrupted.‘Youare?’queriedtheDoctor.‘Ofcourse.Youhaveprovidedmewithsubstantialproofatlast.’

Ashereacheddownforthesnuffbox,theDoctorblockedAce’sinstinctive

movetostophim.Therewasaslightcrackleofelectricityastheexplorerscoopedupthebox,asifeitherheortheobjecthaddischargedameasureofstoredenergyfromonetotheother.Acewasuncertainwhichwayrounditwent.

Withoutflinching,theexplorerhelduptheboxintriumph.‘IcameheretofindRedversFenn-Cooper,thefinestexplorerintheEmpire.

‘RFC,’noddedtheDoctorastheengravedinitialsonthebox’slidglintedinthegaslight.

‘Ijustknewhewascloseby.IamcommandedtofindhimandrescuehimfromtheclutchesofthatblackguardJosiahSamuelSmith.’Heturnedawayfromhisaudience,spearinonehand,boxintheotherandmarchedawayintotheunchartedregionsofthehouse.

AceshruggedandlookedattheDoctor.Justforasecondshecaughthimwatchingher,beforehesmiledandsetoffintheexplorer’stracks.

Hersenseofuneasewasreinforced.TheDoctorwasuptosomething,butthenhewasalwaysuptosomething.Hewouldprobablycallitweavingpatternsontheloomoftheuniverse;thereweretimeswhenshethoughtshecouldmakeoutwhatthepatternswere.TheDoctorwasnottheeasiestpersontobewith,butAcehadlearnedthatwhenhiscardswereclosesttohischest,itwassafesttostickasneartohimaspossible.

TheglowintheeyeofthewatchfulaukdimmedasAcehurriedlytaggedonbehindtheDoctor,reassuredasshelethimleadherintotheshadows.

4

GaslightBoogie

Acrackoflightwidenedintothegloomofthestudy,silhouettingMrsPritchardagainsttheglowfromthecorridoroutside.

‘Light!’hissedtheroom’soccupant,shieldingitseyeswithawhite-glovedhand.Thehousekeeperclosedthedoorandapproachedthedesk.

‘Thenewguestisinstalledinthedrawingroomasinstructed,sir,’sheintoned.

Hershadowymasterleanedbackinhischairfromthemicroscope.Hisvoiceraspedout,softbutcultured,likeicedsilk.‘You’reslipping,MrsPritchard,andsoareyourstaff.Therearemorestrangersinthehouse.’

Itwasnotapparentwhetherthisinformationwasbeingabsorbed.Thehousekeeper’sblankstarebetrayednothingofherthoughts.Hermastercontinued,‘Ihavehadtoreleasetheotherspecimen,whichmaydelaythemforawhile.ButwhereisNimrod?Heshouldbedealingwiththem.’

‘Nimrodhashisotherduties,sir.’Thetruthdeliveredinsuchdull,sluggishtonesonlyaggravatedheremployer

further.Musthedelegateeverythinghimself?Ofcoursehemust.Butagentlemanshouldneverdisplayhistemperinfrontofmereservants.

He,JosiahSamuelSmith,hadreaditsomewhere.Heswallowedhisprideandsuggestedthatshesettwofurtherplacesfordinner.

‘Verygood,sir,’camethereply.MrsPritchardturnedandleftthestudy.Josiahleanedforwardandreachedforthetelephone.Therewasnoconnectiontobemade,hesimplyturnedahandleandhearda

bellringingattheotherendoftheline.‘Comealong,Nimrod,youDarwin’sdelight,’hemutteredinirritation.NimrodhaddutiesthatJosiahwasloathtointerrupt.Theycouldbepostponed,butnotindefinitely.Indeed,oftheentire

household,onlythemanservantwasreliableenoughtoperformthesedutieswithanydegreeofcompetence.Hewascontenttoundertaketheheaviesttasks,obeyinghiscapriciousmaster’sstrangestwhimswithoutquestion.Heevensweptoutthelockedcell,whoseoccupant,ahaplessbrute,shreddeditsdailycopyofTheTimestomakeitselfanest.

TherewascruelmockeryinJosiah’sinstructionthattheprisonershouldbeextendedthishospitality.Upstairs,Josiah,gratifiedinthecertaintyofthenewspaper’sfate,perusedtheworldeventsreportedinhisowncopyfromthe

newspaper’sfate,perusedtheworldeventsreportedinhisowncopyfromthecomfortofhisleatherarmchairlikeanyotherVictoriangentleman.

NimrodwasnotnativetotheVictorianworld,buthehadwitenoughtounderstandeventhedarkestsecretsofGabrielChase.Hewasprivytomanyofthem,buthechosetointerprettheminquasi-religiousterms,afactthatJosiahusedtosecureobediencefromhissuperstitiousservant.

ThepowerofNimrod’sgodpassedallunderstanding,soNimrodneverargued—hejustgotonwithitwithreverence.

Thetelephonelineclickedandabrutishvoice,whichspokeparadoxicallywiththeimpeccabledictionofthegentlemen’sgentlemen,enquired,‘Yourang,sir?’

TwomaidshurryingonsomeerrandnarrowlymissedtheDoctorandAce,whowereskulkinginanalcovewithtwobirdsofparadiseandaLadyAmherst’spheasant.Theexplorerhadtakenchargeoftheirexpeditionandgoneonaheadtoscout,mutteringsomethingaboutthedrumsgettinglouder.TheDoctorthoughthecaughtthefirstdistantrumbleofthunderintheair.

Acewatchedthedisappearingmaidswithapprehension.‘Wouldn’tgetmeintoservice,’shemuttered.‘Lookatthatuniform.’‘Housemaidsaren’tallcurtsiesandsugarplums,’observedtheDoctor.‘Oh,yeah.It’sgotsomuchgoingforit:drudgery,exploitation,nothanks-

notips!’‘Therespeakstheex-waitress,’heremindedher.‘It’sallclear,’hissedavoiceclosebehindAce.Shespunroundtofindthat

theexplorerhadslippedsilentlyinbesidethem.Hiseyeswerestaringwidernowanddartingaboutwildly.

‘ThisJosiahSamuelSmithofyours,’saidtheDoctorunconcernedly,‘Igatherhe’sabitofatroublemaker.’

Theexplorerheldupahand.‘Can’ttalkhere-toomanyeyes.Followme.’Hebeckonedthemalongthepassageway,talkingindignantlyatthemashewent.‘Smith’signoredrepeatedrequeststoaddresstheRoyalSocietyonhistheories.’

TheDoctortutted.‘He’sbeendenouncedasmoreofahereticthanDarwin,’continuedtheguide.TheDoctorglowed.‘Splendid!Hesoundsrightupmystreet.’AcealwaysreckonedthattheDoctorwasonadifferentplanet,probablyone

justaheadofher.Shewasbeginningtothinkthesameabouttheexplorer,but

justaheadofher.Shewasbeginningtothinkthesameabouttheexplorer,butthenshehitonthesolution:hewasn’tonadifferentplanet,justadifferentcontinent.

Stillclutchinghisspear,hehadhaltedatadoorwayandwasdirectingtheminside.‘We’llmakecampheretonight

,’heannounced.Ace’stheorieswereconfirmed.Thewallsoftheroomtheyenteredwereadornedwithanimaltrophies,the

mountedheadsofwildbeastswhichhadsuddenlyandunexpectedlyencounteredahunter’smuzzle-loader.Amongthem,theDoctorrecognizedwarthog,impala,eland,quaggaand,almosttwentyyearsbeforeithadarighttobediscovered,anokapi.

Scatteredonworkbencheswerefurtherspecimensofoncelivingcreaturesthathadfoundanewvocationasinvoluntaryornaments:ababycrocodile,theequisitelydetailedandmacabreskeletonofaSouthAmericantreemonkey,andthecurlyhornedheadofamountaingoatwithaninkwellsetinthetopofitsskull.

Theexplorersurveyedthecampsite.Hesuddenlyseemedmoreathiseaseasheleanedovertoconfideinhistwocompanions.‘Allthesame,SmithdidinviteRedversFenn-Cooperhere.’

Nowhe’sbackinthehouse,thoughtAcetoherself.Buttheexplorercontinued,‘Redversishissternestopponentandoneof...’

‘Oneofthefinestexplorersintheempire,’Acebuttedin.‘Andhehasn’tbeenseensince,’addedtheDoctor,wistfullystaringintothe

sadeyesofachimpanzee’shead.‘Perhapshegotlostontheway,’suggestedAce.Theexplorerhadopenedacabinetcontainingarackofhuntingrifles.‘Henry

StanleyfoundDoctorLivingstone;IshallfindRedversFenn-Cooper,’hesnapped,fittinghisspearintoaplacebesidetheguns.

TheDoctormovedupbehindhimandstartedtoruntheGeigercounterupanddown.Itcrackledalarmingly,startlingtheexplorer,whobegantowavehishandintheairinfrontofhisface.

‘Damntsetseflies!’hecomplained.Leavinghimengrossedinthecabinet’scontents,theDoctorcheckedthe

instrument’sreadings.Acesidleduptohim.‘Canwegonow,Professor?Thiswholeplacegivesmethecreeps.’‘Ithoughtitmight,’hemused.Acenoddedinthedirectionoftheexplorer.‘Thatone’saheadcase.Andthe

Acenoddedinthedirectionoftheexplorer.‘Thatone’saheadcase.Andthehouseislikeamorgue-everythingdead.’

Thedrumsintheexplorer’sheadsuddenlyexplodedintoapoundingrhythm.Hegraspedabreech-loaderbythebarrel,trawledacoupleofbulletsfromhispocketandslottedthemintoplace.Clickingthegunshut,heturnedandaimedstraightattheDoctor’shead.

TheDoctorstareduptheshakinggunbarrelwhichwasbarelytwofeetaway.Tooclosetopalmthebullets,hethought.Really,peopleinasderangedastateasthisshouldneverbeallowednearguns.ThebarrelstartedtowaverbackandforthbetweenhimselfandAce,whowaspressinginathisside.

‘Stophim,Doctor,’shesuggested,hervoicequavering.‘Tellmewhatelseyoufoundinthehouse,’hesaidasconversationallyashe

couldmuster,eventhoughiteffectivelyconcentratedthelineoffireonhimself.‘He...’stutteredtheexplorerfeverishlyashestareddownthebarrel.

‘Redvershadsomestories.ThepygmiesoftheOlutiForestledhimblindfordforthreedaysthroughunchartedjungle.Theytookhimtoaswampfullofgiantlizardslikelivingdinosaurs.’Hestartedtolowerthegun,addingdismissively,‘DoyouknowyoungConanDoylejustlaughedathim.Ha!Well,that’sdoctorsforyou!’

TheDoctornoddedingrimagreement,swiftlyscanninghismemoryforanythingtodowithVictorianfirearms.

‘Thatwouldn’tbeaChinesefowlingpiece,wouldit?’hesaid,reachingforwardtotaketheweapon.

Thebarrelcamesmartlybackupandtheexplorerbegantoadvance,forcingtheDoctorandAcetoretreatslowlyaroundaworkbenchandacrosstheroom.

‘We’retwoweeksoutfromZanzibar,’hecriedindespair.‘ImustfindRedvers!’Throughthehead-splittingpoundingofdrumsheheardfromsomewherethewild,urgentpipingofanativeflute.

‘Whatelsedidyoufind?’urgedtheDoctor.Acenoticedthefirsthintsof

desperationinhisvoice.‘Nothing,’camethereply.TheDoctorcouldonlypersist.‘Describeit.It’sallright.I’madoctor.’Theslowadvancedidnotrelentandneitherdidthepoundinginthe

explorer’shead.‘Yes.Therewaslight.’‘Brightlight?’‘Burningbright!Intheheartoftheinterior.’

‘Burningbright!Intheheartoftheinterior.’‘Tellme,’insistedtheDoctor.Aceslippedoutofthelineoffire,awarethatinamomentshewouldbeable

totakethisloonysidewayson.TheexplorerneverlettheDoctoroutofhissights,butthehauntingsounds

ofthedrumsandtheflutefilledhiseyeswiththefullhorrorofhisvision.‘Itburntthroughmyeyesintomymind.Ithadblazing,radiantwings!’

Acesawthehunter’striggerfingertightenandflungherselfathim.Shewascaughtsquarelybyhisshoulderandtumbledacrosstheroomintoastunnedheap.

Theexplorerhardlylosthisaim;histargetwasnowbackedupagainstalongcurtain.

Onlyinchesfromthemuzzle,theDoctorbegantofumbleforsomethingtodistracthisassailant,butallhegraspedwasthelengthofdrape.

Jubilantly,theexplorerbegananewtale.‘Once,whenRedverswasintheCongo,hefacedaherdofstampedingbuffaloheadon.Heraisedhisgunandwithasinglebullet...’

TheDoctorsuddenlylaunchedhimselfsideways,draggingthecurtainafterhim.Themovementwassounexpectedthattheintrepidexplorerwasleftstaringdirectlyathisownreflection,palelyilluminatedinthewindowagainstthedarknessoutside.Thegunsaggedandemotiondrainedthefiercenessfromhisvoice.

‘There...thereheis,’hewhisperedlikealostschoolboy.‘Redvers...I’vefoundyouatlast,oldchap.Whathavetheydonetoyou?

Youlooklikeaghost.’Acegatheredherselfup.ShejoinedtheDoctorbesidetheforlornfigurethat

gazedunmovingintotheglass.‘Isitreallyhim?’sheasked,halfafraidtointrude.

TheDoctorgentlyremovedthegunfromRedvers’unresistinggraspandlaiditaside.‘He’sseensomethinghismindcan’ttake

in.Alightorsomething.It’sinducedsomesortofmentaltrauma.’HeturnedtoAce.‘You’dbettergoandgetsomehelp.’

‘Butthat’llblowourcover,’sheprotested.TheDoctorthumpedabenchinirritation.‘Allright,allright,’

mutteredAceandheadedforthedoor.Itopenedinherfaceandabizarregalleryoffiguresbrushedpasther.A

womaninblacklacewiththeseverest,saddestfaceAcehadeverseenwasfollowedbyhard-eyedmaidservants.Behindthemcame—almostloping—a

followedbyhard-eyedmaidservants.Behindthemcame—almostloping—afigureinthedresscoatofamanservant.Hisshoulderswerehunchedandhislongarmsdangledathissides.Acoursemassofbrownhairsurroundedhismonkeyishfacewithitsflattenednoseandprotrudingjaw.Thebright,browneyesweresetbeneathabroadbonyridgeacrosstheforehead.Acewassostartled,sheforgottosay‘Wow!’

Thewomanmadeastraightlinefortheexplorer,whostillstaredathisownreflection.

TheDoctorremovedhishatforthefirsttimethatday,raiseditandstartedintroducinghimselftothehousekeeper.Hewasignored.ThewomanwasinterestedonlyinRedvers.

‘MrFenn-Cooper,where’veyoubeen?’sheenquired.‘We’vebeenworriedaboutyou.’‘PooroldRedvers.Pooroldfellow,’wastheplaintiveresponse.ThehousekeeperdelvedintoRedvers’pocket,extractedthesilversnuffbox

anddepositeditinapouchonherskirtbyherkeys.‘Comealongnow,’shesaid,gentlyturninghimroundwiththeaffectionofa

nursefindingalong-lostchild.Redversbegantostumbleforward,butsheseizedhisarm,twistingit

viciouslyupbehindhisback.TheDoctor’sattempttostopherwasimmediatelyblockedbyamaid.‘I

don’twanthimhurt!’heshouted,butthehousekeeperwasalreadyforcingRedversoutthroughthedoor.

Hisvoicecametothemfromthepassage.‘Nottheinterior!Please,Idon’twanttogobacktotheinterior!’

Acemadeadashafterthem.Thelastmaid,however,gaveheranicystareandfirmlyshutthedooronher.AceturnedbacktofindthemanservantalreadyinconversationwiththeDoctor.

‘Amostunfortunatemishap,sir.Itrustyouandtheyoungladyarenothurt.’‘Well,wewerejustpassing...’begantheDoctor,butthemanservant

interruptedhimwithimpeccablygracioustones.‘Mymaster,MrSmith,asksifyouwilljoinourotherguestinthedrawing

room.’SooldJosiahalreadyknowswe’rehere,thoughttheDoctor.Heeyedthe

roomandspottedadozenplacestohideacamera.‘Isthisamadhouse,Professor,withthepatientsincharge?’whisperedAce.TheDoctorstudiedthewaitingmanservantandadmitted,‘Giventhechance

TheDoctorstudiedthewaitingmanservantandadmitted,‘Giventhechanceitcouldbebedlam.’Henoticedtheservantwasreachingoutahairyhandtotakehishatandumbrella.Passingthemover,hesaid,‘Thankyou,er...’

‘Nimrod,sir.’TheDoctorraisedaneyebrow.ItwasnotuncommonforaVictorian

travellertoreturntoEnglandwithanentourageofexoticethnicorigin,butlookingatthisservant,whobore-thenameofthemightyhunterandthefeaturesofalongextinctrace,hewonderedexactlywhereandhowJosiahSamuelSmithwentonhisexpeditions.Hewasintriguedandanxioustoaccepttheinvitation,butheonlyadmittedtothelatterwithtemperedenthusiasm.

HenoticedthatNimrodwasalreadylookinghopefullyatAce’sblackjacketwithallitsbadges;shewasplainlygoingtoclingontoitfordearlife.TheDoctorhardlylikedtoupsethertoomuch,justyet.

‘Downstairs?’heenquiredcheerfully,managingtodistractNimrod’sattentionfromthejacketandtolook,despiterecentevents,asifaVictorianteapartymightbefun.

Gwendolinewonderedhowmuchlongeritwouldbebeforeherguardianmadeanappearance.TakingteawiththeReverendErnestMatthewswasbecomingsomethingofanordeal.Theyhaddiscussedtheweather,whichhefoundoppressive;hisjourneyfromOxford,whichhadbeenmostdisagreeable.Gwendolinewonderedaboutshowinghimthecollectionofinsects.Shewassurehewouldlikethem,butUncleJosiahhadinsistedthatthedeanshouldbeconfinedtothedrawingroom.

Afterthepleasantries,histhirdcupofteaandsliceofseedcake,Ernest,whowasbeingextremelyattentive,begantoquestionher.Hesoundedlikeanoverbearinggoverness.

HetoldherthatJosiahSmithhadachievedacertainreputationfortheoutspokennatureofhiswork.SheprotestedthatUncleJosiahwasawonderfulnaturalist:hebroughtthewholeworldoflivingthingsintothehouse.

Gwendolinebegantostroketheheadofthestuffeddodowithaffection—someofthemwerelikeherbestfriends.

Ernestcouldrestrainhiscuriositynolonger.‘ButyouleaveGabrielChasesometimes?’heventured.‘DidInotseeyoulastmonthattheItalianoperainLondon?’

Gwendolineseemedconfused.Shebegantostutter.‘WasI?Idon’t...cannot...’Herfingersbegantotwistthechainofalocket

thathungaboutherneck.

‘AtCoventGarden,’heremindedherwithdisdain.‘TheoperawasAida.SignorVerdiwrotethemusic,ifthat’swhattheycallmusicthesedays.’

‘Ohyes,sir.’Gwendoline’sthoughtssuddenlyclearedandshebegantoapologize.‘SometimesIforgetthesimplestthings.Itwassodramaticandbeautiful.’

‘Butwhileyouwatchedtheopera,yourguardianremainedintheshadowsatthebackofyourbox.Heseemedmoreintentonwatchingtheaudiencethroughhisoperaglasses.’

Gwendolinegaveaforcedsmile.‘Thosearehisfieldtrips,sir.Helikestostudyspecimensatfirsthand,buttoomuchlightispainfultohim.’

Ernestwasnolongerconcernedwiththedetailsofthismystery.Theyweremerelysymptomaticofagreater,insidiousevilthatgnawedatthefoundationsofsociety.

BecauseGwendolinewasthreatened,hecouldconcealthisfromhernolonger.Heassumedthesternestoftones.

‘Mydearchild,thisisnoplaceforaninnocent.Yourguardian’sprofanetheorieshavemadehimmanyenemies.

Intruth,heisaheathencharlatanandmustbeexposedassuch!’‘ButUncleJosiahisagoodman!’criedtheobjectofhisattention,fingering

herlocketindesperation.‘Andheisagreatnaturalisttoo!’‘Soyoukeepsaying.’‘Youwillseewhenyoumeethim!’Thedoorsfromthehallopenedandamanservantofthelowestorigins

entered.HewasfollowedbyanimpishfigurewhowasdressedinadarkjacketwithflamboyantaccessoriesthatmarkedhimoutasthedangerouseccentricwhomErnesthadcomesofartomeet.

‘Atlast,’mutteredthedean,desertingGwendolineandadvancingtoconfronthisadversarywithoutdelay.‘Soyoufinallyconsenttomeetme,sir,’heannouncedsarcastically.

‘Iamgratefulforyourhospitality.’TheDoctorsmiledandhalfofferedagenialhand.Seeingthatitwasnotgoingtobeshaken,henonethelesssaid,‘Howdoyou

do.Thankyouforcoming,’becauseitseemedtobethesortofthingthatkeptVictorianhumanshappy.

Therecamethefirstdefinedpealofapproachingthunder.Ernesthadbeendeterminedtowastenotimecondemninghisenemy,buthis

jawdroppedashenoticedtheDoctor’scompanion:acreaturewho,withoutthe

jawdroppedashenoticedtheDoctor’scompanion:acreaturewho,withouttheslightestdecorum,wasdressedinwhatappearedtobebriefestofundergarments.

‘GoodLord!’heexclaimed—thebesthecouldmanageatthetime.TheDoctorknewthatanyVictorians’reactiontoAcewouldbeamusing.As

heformallyintroducedher,hesurmisedthathecouldnothavefoundamorelikelycandidatethanthispillaroftheclericalestablishment.

Ernest’sreactionwasasextremeastheDoctorhadhoped,andhesoonfoundwordstoexpressit.

‘Iseethatalltherumoursaboutyouaretrue,’heprotested.‘Youhavenoshredofdecency—evenparadingyourshamelesswantonsinfrontofyourguests.’

‘Doeshemeanme,Professor?’askedAce.‘Professor!’exclaimedthedean.‘Andatwhichscholarlyseatdidyouobtain

thislateststatus?’‘TheAceSchoolofEtiquette?’suggestedtheDoctorwithaslygrin.Thegirl

giggled.‘Therearesomanytochoosefrom,’headded.Ernestwasgettingintohisstridenow.‘Ihaveit!’hemocked,pointingat

Ace.‘Thisissomeexperimentrelatedtoyourmumbo-jumbotheories.Perhapsshe’llevolveintoayounglady.’

Everybodydown,thoughttheDoctor,sensingAce’shacklesrising.‘Whoareyoucallingayounglady,bogbrain?’sheexploded,astonishing

Ernestsomuchthathehadtositdown.TherewasasimultaneousgigglefromacrosstheroomwhereGwendolinehadtakenrefugebehindthepiano.

‘Notmuchlucksofar,’concludedtheDoctor,addingquickly.‘Quiet,Eliza,andbeagoodgirl.I’mmakingsmalltalk.’

Nimrodhadhoveredatthedoorreadytointervene,buttheDoctorabruptlydismissedhim.

‘Thankyou,Nimrod.There’sstillsometeainthepot.Seeifyoucanfindacouplemorecups,thankyouverymuch.’Themanservantwassurprisedtofindhimselfwalkingoutofthedoor,

clutchingsomethingtheDoctorhadslippedintohishand.Helookedattheitem,wasstartled,andcamefacetofacewithMrsPritchardwhostoodgloweringinthehall.

‘Themasteriswaitingforyou,’sheintoned,asmorethunderrumbledominously.

Nimrodinstinctivelylookeduptowheretheskyhadalwaysbeenbeforetheadventofceilings.Therewasnosmellofrain.Thiswasnoordinarystormbrewing;hisinterrupteddutiesmustnotbedelayedtoolong.HeclutchedthetokenthattheDoctorhadgivenhim,unabletograsphowthestrangercould

tokenthattheDoctorhadgivenhim,unabletograsphowthestrangercoulddeducesomuchofhispast.Hewonderedwhatlawdecidedtheformthatasignfromthegodsmighttake.

‘Morecupsfortheguests,’hesaidandleftMrsPritchardtoservethetea.Gwendolinewasstartingtoenjoytheupheavalcausedbythenewarrivals.

SkirtingthestilldumbstruckErnest,sheapproachedtheDoctorwithateasingsmile.‘Sir,IthinkMrMatthewsisconfused.’

‘Don’tworry,’confidedtheDoctor,‘I’llhavehimcompletelybewilderedbythetimeI’vefinished.’

‘I’llhelp,’chippedinAce.Itwastimetotellafewwhiteliestotheirhostess,ifonlytoexplaintheir

unexpectedarrival.TheDoctorconfessedthattheyhadsufferedalittletroublewiththeircarriageandthatAcecouldnotpossiblystaytodinnerlookinglikethat!

‘Whosays,’complainedAce,surprisedattheassumptionthattheymightgetaneveningmealtoo.

‘Perhapsyoucouldfindhersomemoreappropriateapparel,’suggestedtheDoctor.

‘Gladly,sir,’wasthereply.GwendolinebegantoleadAcetowardsthedoor.‘Come,Alice,youmayborrowsomethingofmine.’

‘It’sAce,actually,’saidAce,lookingbackforareassuringnodfromtheDoctor.‘Butthanksanyway.’

‘AndAlice?’hecalledafterthem.‘I’mnotwearingabustle!’cametheretort.‘Atleasttryforabitofparlour-cred!’

5

Josiah’sWebNimrodhadhastenedtothedimlylitstudywiththeintentionofbegging

leavetoreturntohisduties.Instead,hefoundhismastercrouchedoverhisall-seeingmicroscopeinastateofagitation.

‘Whatdidhegiveyou,Nimrod?’washissolegreeting,aslightningflickeredbeyondthedrawncurtains.

‘Sir?’‘Whatdidthestrangelittleprofessorgiveyou?Isawhim.’Nimrodmadenoattemptatpretence.Therewerefewsecretsfromhis

master.HewasstillclutchingtheDoctor’sgiftandhelditoutinhisopenhand.‘Thetoothofacavebear,’mutteredJosiah.‘Andso?’‘Ithasmagicalproperties,’insistedNimrodwiththeutmostreverence.

Josiahleanedforwardtotakethetooth,butthemanservantwithdrewhishandandclosedittightly.

‘I’msorry,sir,’hesaid.Josiahpausedforasecond,hiseyesmeetingNimrod’sinamomentaryflash

ofanger.Lightninghissedoutsidethewindow.‘Primitivefiddle-faddle,’hescoffed,butNimrodwasadamant.‘Itisatotemofgreatpowerbestowedonlybythegreatesteldersofmy

tribe.’Josiahsneeredagain.Afuriousroarofthundertoreoutofthenightasifin

answer.Theglassprismsbeneaththeunlitgas-lampsrattledandsparkledinthefirelight.

WithoutbreakingfromJosiah’sglare,Nimrodslowlyplacedthetoothinhiswaistcoatpocket.

‘TheBurningOneisrestlesstonight,’hesaid.Josiahsnappedangrilyathisservant’sdefiance.‘Ihaveneedofyouhere,

Nimrod.Staywithincall.’‘Verygood,sir.’Nimrodbowedhisheadinacceptance,buthesuspected

thatJosiahhadmadeaseriouserrorofjudgment.Asthemanservantleftthestudy,Josiah’swhite-glovedhandsunfoldeda

pairofspectacleswithlensesofblack,smokedglass.Nimrodextractedthescored,yellowtoothfromhispocketandheldittightly

inhisfist.Beyondhope,heclutchedalinkwithhislong-losthome.Josiahknew

inhisfist.Beyondhope,heclutchedalinkwithhislong-losthome.Josiahknewnothingofthetoken’sportent.True,hehadtaughtNimrodmuchintermsofsurvivalinthischanged,tamedworld.Nimrodhadlearnedtheloreoflanguageandetiquetteandsubservience,andforthesehewasgrateful.Buttherewereoldermemoriesthathecouldnotforget,lorethatfewpeopleofthisageremembered.Nooneherelistenedtothewildnessofthewoodsandthewaters.Theirthoughtswereturnedinonthemselvessothattheyneverheardtheendless,ruthlessstruggleoflifeitselfintheairandtheearth.OnlyNimrodheard.

TonighttheBurningOne,Nimrod’sgod,stirredangrilyinhisdreamsandastrangercarriedatokenofancientmagictothehouseofGabrielChase.ButhowcouldhetelliftheDoctorwasaharbingerofgoodorillomens?Nimrodwasnotbornaseer;hewasnotabletointerpretthesignslikethewisemenofhistribe.Heheardonlythewind’ssonginthebranchesandsawthepatternsintheembersofthedeadfire;hedidnotunderstandtheirmeaning.Hestaredatthetooth,willingittospeakitssecretsinhishead.Ithadcometohimandhemustunderstand.

UncertainwhethertostayclosetohismasterandthereforeneartotheDoctor,ortoattempttoplacatethegrowingangerofhisgod,whateversacrificethatmightmean,Nimrodresolvedtowait.Inthisplace,timeflowedfasterthanintheoldwildworld,eventhoughthesunstilltravelledthesamecourse.Thedayschasedeachothermoreswiftly.Nimrodwouldbethestationarypointwhicheventsmovedaround.Hewouldwatchashealwayshadwatchedandlistened,becausehewouldthenhavenewtalestotell.

Wearily,hesatdownonthestairsandwaitedforsomethingtohappen.Thethunderrolled,theclocktickedsteadilyforwardandfromthedrawingroomcamethesoundofvoicesraisedinanger.Nimrodlistened,pluckingidlyatabalusterwhereitwasstartingtocomeintoleaf.

‘Letmeguess,’revelledtheDoctor,encouragingErnest’smisplacedtirade.‘Mytheoriesappalyou,myheresiesoutrageyou,Ineveranswerlettersandyoudon’tlikemyjumper.’Hehelpedhimselftoapieceofseedcakefromtheteatray.

‘YouareaworsescoundrelthanDarwin,sir!’retaliatedErnest.‘JustcallmeDoctor,’saidtheDoctorandfinishedthecake.Heseated

himselfonthepianostoolandflexedhisfingers.‘Doexcuseme.It’salongtimesinceItickledtheivories.’

Sosaying,helaunchedintoaheavyboogie-woogie:hepoundedatthekeys;nottoomuchpedalorhewouldlosethestomp.Hewasjustgettingintothefeel

nottoomuchpedalorhewouldlosethestomp.Hewasjustgettingintothefeelofthethingwhenheglanceduptocatchtheopen-jawedandaghastreceptionhewasgettingfromhisaudience.ErnestMatthews,hissensesunderunimaginableassault,was,forthesecondtimethatday,renderedspeechless.

TheDoctorsmirked.‘Sosorry.Iwasforgettingthetime.’Withoutaquaver’spause,hedroppedeffortlesslyintosomeBeethoven.The

gentleopeningbarsofLudwig’sMoonlightSonataseemedtorelaxthedistraughtdean.

Thepianistsmiledknowinglyasthesinuouslineintheupperhandbegantoweaveamysteriousaurathroughtheroom.Asthesilverymelodyroseandfell,thegas-lampsseemedtodiminsympathyaroundthem.GlancingbeyondtheenraptErnest’sshoulder,theDoctorsawadoorswingingslowlyopenintheclusteringshadowsatthefarendoftheroom.Hecontinuedplayingasdarkundertonesbegantoassertthemselvesinthelowerregisterofthemusic.Afigurewasemergingfromthegloomofthehouse.

Itshairwaswhiteandlong;itsskinpaleandleech-like.Itworeanight-blue,velvetdinner-jacketandblack,pebble-lensedspectaclesthatlookedliketinycratersonitswizened,wickedface.Asitgropeditswayintothehalf-light,graspingatthebackofachairforsupport,theDoctorsawthatthecreature’sclotheswerecoveredinstrandsofcobwebs.

ThemusicstoppedandErnestturned,histrancebrokenastheDoctorrosetogreetthefigure.‘JosiahSamuelSmith,Ipresume,’hesaid,crossingtheroom.‘IamtheDoctor,andthisis...’

Josiah’sowncrackedvoicetookuptheformalities,‘...theReverendErnestMatthewsofMortarhouseCollege,Oxford.Your

servant,sirs.WelcometoGabrielChase.’Hebowedtothem,spreadinghisarmsingreeting,atonceremindingtheDoctorofaspiderwelcomingfliesintoitsparlour.

‘Youcan’tbeatadramaticentrance,’declaredtheDoctor.‘ButitwasremissofGwendolinenottohaveintroducedyoutoeachother

properly,’apologizedJosiah.ErnestMatthewsscowledandsatdownagain.Hewantednopartinthese

childishcharades.Hisdignityhadalreadybeencompromised,butthebattlelightofhiscrusadewasnotyeteclipsed.HewatchedJosiahSmithturnawaytoclosethedoorandsawtheDoctorrunhisfingerdownthebackoftheirhost’scobwebbedjacket.

‘Dusttodust,’heheardhimmutter.Turningback,Josiahregardedhisguests.‘Twoscholars,’hesaidwith

satisfaction.‘IneverfailtomarvelattheabundanceofsubspeciesinthegenusHomoVictoriabus.‘

ErnestralliedhimselftoconfrontJosiah,buthefoundtheDoctorwithhis

enfuriatingsmile,alreadytappingatoneoftheglasscasesofmountedinsectsonthewall.

‘Fascinatingmoths,’heenthused.Josiahseemedeagertodiscusssuchthingsattheexpenseofhisotherguest.

‘Irecentlymadeastudyofthisspecies,’hesaid.‘Youwillnoticethatthereisawidevariationinmarkingsfromcountrysidetotown.’

TheDoctormanagedtolooksurprised.‘Extraordinary.Andhaveyoureachedaconclusion?’‘Iamcertainthattheyareadaptingtosurvivethesmokewithwhichindustry

istaintingtheland.’Ernesthadenduredenough.Herosetohisfeetandviedwiththestorm

outsideforattention.‘Iwrotetoyou,sir,requestinganexplanationfortheextremityofyour

theories.Yourequestedmypresence,soIhavecome...onlytobesubjectedtoaseriesofinsultsfromyourguestsandyourhousehold!’

HesuddenlyfoundhisarmtakenandtheDoctormutteringadviceinhisear.‘Neverbitethehandthatfeedsyou,dean,atleastnotuntilafterdinner.’

ErnestpulledfreeoftheDoctor’sgripandturnedbacktofaceJosiah.‘Well,sir?Idemandananswer!’

Josiahgrinned.‘Iperceive,Ernest,thatyouareanacademicandacityman.Youcertainlyshoutlikeone.’Hiswhiteglovesgrippedthebackofthechairlikeclawsashehissed,‘Inthecountry,youwillfinditprudenttoconverseinmorerestrainedtones!’

‘Iwon’tlistentosuchnonsense!’insistedthedean.TheDoctorshrugged.Becauseheappearedtohaveassumedtheroleof

umpireinthisfeud,hefeltobligedtoplaybothsidesoffagainsteachotherformaximumeffect.

‘It’sjusthisstubborngeneticcode,’headvisedJosiah.‘Theinabilitytoadapttonewideasisthefateoftoomanydoomedspecies.’

‘Nooneaskedyouropinion,sir!’objectedErnest.‘Nevertheless,Isuggestyouconcedetomywisdom...andbuttonit!’Ernestlookedastonished,buttheDoctorjustsmilednonchalantlyandadded,

‘WhynotreadDarwin,insteadofjustcondemninghim.’

‘WhynotreadDarwin,insteadofjustcondemninghim.’Asquallofwindrattledthewindows.ThroughthenoisetheDoctorthought

hecouldhearthedistantscreamofaterrifiedexplorer.AcewasnotsureshecouldcopewithGwendoline:shehadmetrichkids

withpropereducationsbeforeandtheyhadalwaysbeenrealpains.Gwendolinewasabitofaprimandproperjobtoo.ShewasfriendlyenoughassheledAceupthroughthehousetoherroom,butsheneveraskedwhereAcehadcomefrom.WhenAceaskedexactlywherethehousewas,shelookedconfusedandcameoutwithsomespielabouthowtheplacebelongedtoherguardian,andhowgoodhewas,andagreatnaturalisttoo—Acewouldseewhenshemethim.

AcedidnotexactlylikeGwendoline’sbedroomeither.Itwasfilled,assheexpected,withchintzyantiques,adressing-table,a

delicateporcelainwashingbowlandajug.Therewasastackofhatboxesonthewardrobe.Prominentamongallthe

objects,however,wasabeautifullyintricateanddetaileddoll’shouse.LookingclosershesawthatitwaspeopledbyafamilyofstuffedredsquirrelsinVictoriandress.

GwendolineseatedherselfatthedressingtableandsuggestedthatAcemighttryonanythinginthewardrobethattookherfancy.

Atfirstglance,AcecouldseeonlyaloadofVictorianfancydress.Allofithadfullskirtsandtightbodices,noneofwhichcouldbewornwithoutacorset.ShedecidedthatgettingthroughtoGwendolinewouldbehardgoing.

Shewasabouttogiveupontheclothestoo,whenGwendolinesuddenly

gavehertheweirdestlookandbegantogiggle.‘O,Alice,weshallbefriends,shan’twe?’shesaid,openinganenamelled

boxonthedressingtableandholdingitout.Theboxwasfullofcigars.‘Goon,takeone,’sheinsisted,goingthroughthebrands.‘Regalia,Aurora,

Eureka...UncleJosiahchosethemespeciallyforme.’Wellweird,thoughtAce.Shemutteredsomeexcuseabouttryingtogive

themup,buttheicewasbrokenandsheburstintogigglestoo.‘YoucancallmeAce,’shesaid.‘AndIthoughtVictorianswouldbestuffy!’‘That’sjustuncle’scollection,’saidGwendoline.Theyfellaboutlaughing.Astheystartedgoingthroughthedressesagain,Acepluckedupcourageto

askaboutGwendoline’sguardian.Thegirllookedconfusedagainandbegantofingerherlocket.‘Father...hewenttoJava,’shesaid.

‘Java?’‘Yes.Hewentawaysosuddenly...andmydearMamma.Idon’treallyrememberher.’Theplaintivelookthatshegavesuggestedthat

perhapsAcemightknowbetterthanshedid.Gwendolineaddedquietly,‘SometimesIwishI’dgonetoJavatoo.’

ThelastremarkwassaidwithsuchresigneddespairthatAcewasmomentarilylostforwords.Parentswereasubjectthatshealwayskeptwelltothebackofhermind.

‘Look.Theseclothes...’shesaidhurriedly.‘Imean,nooffence,butthey’venostyle,havethey?Youwouldn’tcatchmedeadinthem.’

Gwendolineburiedherfaceinherhandsandbegantosobhelplessly.Meandmymouth,thoughtAce.‘I’msorry,Gwendoline.Ididn’tmeanit.I

justdidn’tthink,’shesaid,puttinganarmroundthegirl’sshoulders.‘It’snotyou,’Gwendolinechoked.‘Well,whothen?’‘TheReverendErnestMatthewstoldmethatifIstayhereinthishouse,my

soulwillbeconsignedtoeternaldamnation.’‘Self-righteoustoerag!’explodedAce.Shepulledagrubbytissueoutofher

sleeveandpassedittoGwendoline.‘Heis...verydisagreeable!’concurredGwendolinebetweensobs.Acehuggedherforasecondandthoughtaboutthebestwaytogetrevenge

onErnest.‘Takenonoticeofhim,’shesaid.‘He’sjustastuffedupbigot;hecan’thurt

you.Hehadagoatmetoo.’Shelookedatthewardrobe.Itwasnogood.Shewouldhavetofind

somethingtowearortheDoctorwouldthrowawobbler.Shebegantorootthroughtheclothesagain,seeingnothingsheremotelyliked,untilshefoundjustwhatshehadn’tbeenlookingforrightattheback.Sheknewitwasright.

Outsidethethunder,whichhadrelentedforawhile,unleasheditselfwithfreshfury.

IttookacoupleofminutestoconvinceGwendolinethatshecouldwearwhatAcehadfoundandnotmuchlongertochangetheirclothes.Despitefitsofgiggles,GwendolinewassurprisinglyproficientatpinningafewneattucksinthematerialandtheeffectwasbetterthanAcehadexpected.Shehadjuststruggledwithanunco-operativebowtieandbeatenitintosubmissionwhenafrightenedvoicebehindherwhisperedhername.

SheturnedtoseeGwendolinestaringatthelongcurtaincoveringthe

SheturnedtoseeGwendolinestaringatthelongcurtaincoveringthewindow.Somethingwasmovingabouthalfwayupbehindthedrape.Gwendolinepausedforasecond,reckoningsheknewthecause.

‘Redvers?Isthatyou?’shesaid.Thecurtaincontinuedtomove,notslowly,butwithafast,flutteringpulse.

Gwendolinewastransfixed.Acedartedforwardandthrewbackthedrape.Sherevealedasmallbird

whichwasdesperatelybeatingitswingsagainsttheglass.Lightningblazedinthroughthewindow,accompaniedbyastone-splitting

crackofthunder.ThebirddroppedtothefloorandlayflutteringonitsbackatAce’sfeet.Thebeatsofitswingsgrewslowerandfinallystoppedaltogether.

Acereacheddowntotouchit,butdrewherhandawaywithalookofdistaste.

‘It’sjustatoy.Look,oneofthetoys,’shesaid,butthetoy,likethoseintheobservatoryatthetopofthehouse,wasalittletooreal.

Gwendolinekneltdownbythebirdwithalookofgriefonherface.‘Poorthing,’shesaid.‘Itwasoneofmyfriends.Andit’ssuchalongwaytogotoJava.’

Thestormcrashedagainandfromsomewherecloseby,theyheardtheterrifiedcryofamanbeyondtheendofhiswits.

‘Comeon,something’shappening!’Acesaid,headingforthedoor.Gwendolinefaltered:untilnowithadbeenonlyagame.‘Wait!Ican’twearthis,’shecalled.‘Courseyoucan,’camethereplyasAcedisappearedupthepassage.

Gwendolineheardthescreamagainandfollowed.Againstthescreamsandtherollingthunder,Acecouldhearagushing,

raspingnoisethatgratedinherhead.Sheroundedacornerandsawthehousekeeperinrepose,acandleinonehand,herheadreclinedagainstacloseddoorandhergripfirmlyonthehandle.Whitelightseepedunderthedoorandthegushingsoundcamefrominside.

Immediately,GwendolinewasatAce’sshoulder.‘MrsPritchard?What’sgoingon?’shedemanded.

Withoutmovingherheadtolookatthem,MrsPritchard’sdeadvoice

replied,‘Thedoorisjammed,miss.’Therewasanotherscreamfrominsidetheroom,towhichthehousekeeper

paidnoapparentattention.

‘Letmedoit,’saidAce,grabbingatthehandle.MrsPritchard’sarmthrustouttorestrainAceandherheadturnedsluggishly

tofixAcewithabalefulstare.Theeyesnarrowedasshetookinthegirls’dinnersuitsandbowties.

Acereturnedtheglareandsteppedbacktogetadecentswingatthedoorwithherfoot.Therewasanothercryandthelightunderthedoorburnedmorefiercely.

‘Ace!’TheDoctordashedalongthepassageandpulledherclear.‘That’snowayforaVictorianlady...’hetookinherclothesandcorrectedhimself,‘...gentlemantobehave!’

‘I’mnogentleman!’sheprotested.‘That’sstillnoexcusetowreckthejoint.’Ace,however,wasnotlistening.ShewasstaringatJosiah,whohadcomeup

thepassagefollowedbyNimrod.Hiswhitefacewithitsparchment-likeskinleeredatherfrombehindthe

blackglassspectaclesbeforeheturnedtowardstheothers.‘Gwendoline,isthisametamorphosis?’hecroaked,fingeringthesleeveon

herblackdinner-jacket.‘ItwasAce’sidea,’shereplied,proudlygrinningathernewfriend.JosiahturnedbacktoscrutinizeAceagain.Shepaledathislookandclung

ontotheDoctorforprotection.Thethunderboomed,buttherewerenomorecriesfromtheroom,onlythe

nerve-janglingfloodofsound.Sointensewastheglarefrombehindthedoorthatthegrainofthewoodstoodoutdarklyontheopaque,glowingpanels.

JosiahmotionedNimrodtowardsthedoor.TheenergysurgedinpowerasMrsPritchardmovedasidetoallowNimrodaccessandhercandleexplodedlikeafirework,flingingsparksintoJosiah’sface.Hefellbackwithacry.

TheDoctorandAceexchangedworriedglances.‘Ilikethetuxedo,’saidtheDoctor.Nimrodsethisshouldertothedoorandbegantoheaveallhisweightagainst

thebarrier.ItwasthenthatAcenoticedaloudclickingcomingfromtheDoctor’sjacket.

‘You’recrackling,Porfessor,’shewhisperedinhisear.HeplungedhishandintohispocketandproducedtheGeigercounter.Its

displayuncontrollablyflashedthroughanimpossiblerangeoffigures.‘Getbehindme,’orderedtheDoctor,pushingAcebackandcoveringher

eyeswithhishand.

eyeswithhishand.Nimrodbegantoheavethedooropen.Coldlightslicedintothepassage,

drainingthecolourfromeverythingitcaughtinitsglare.Asthegrouprecoiled,theDoctordartedthroughthedoorbeforehecouldbestopped.

Therewasamancrouchedonthebareboardsoftheemptyroom.Hewasunabletomove;hisarmswereboundinastrait-jacket.TheDoctorknewthefiguremustbeRedversFenn-Cooper,buttheblindinglightthickenedtheairwithanicyhazewhichobscuredeverythingbuttheboldestshapes.

AnauroraofahundredshiftingshadesofwhiteemanatedfromacoreofsuchbrillianceastheDoctorhadneverseen.Itwaslikelookingintoknivesorthefurnaceofafrozensun.ThecoreburnedonthefloorbesidetheshakingformofRedvers,whocrouchedwithhisbackagainsttheheartofinfinite,primallight.

AsifdisturbedbytheDoctor’sintrusion,thesoundbegantodieandtheairtothinofthelightmist.Nimrodshieldedhiseyesandstruggledthroughthedoorway.

‘I’msorry,Doctor,’hegasped,tryingtopulltheintruderaway.ButtheDoctorwrenchedhisarmfreeandcrouchedbytheexplorer.

‘Redvers!Whatdidyousee?Youmusttellme!’hedemanded.AsNimrodtooktheDoctor’sarm,Redversraisedhistremblingheadand

slowlyopenedhiseyes.‘PooroldRedvers,’heconfided,staringintotheDcotor’sface.‘Hewasso

frightenedhishairturnedcompletelywhite.Youknow,theyhadtolockhimaway.’

Whetherbleachedbythelightorshock,Redvers’yellowhairwasnowpurewhite.Helookeddownatthefloor.Thecoreoflighthaddwindledtoaglimmerinsidetheopensilversnuffboxfromwhichithademerged—Redvers’

snuffbox,whichhehadwatchedthechieftribeswomaninblacklacesetdownsocarefullybesidehim,smilingasshedidso.

Acetriedtopushherwayintotheroom,butMrsPritchardseizedholdofherplaitandtwisteditviciously.

‘Thisway,please,’shemutteredthroughgrittedteethanddraggedAceyellingdownthepassage.

‘Youmustleave,Doctor,’insistedNimrod.ThistimetheDoctorallowedhimselftobeusheredtothedoor.Hethought

toofferRedversfurtherhelp,butfoundthedoorclosinginhisface.Aloneintheroom,NimrodcrouchedbesideRedversandtooktheexplorer’s

shouldersinhisgreathairyhands.

shouldersinhisgreathairyhands.‘MrFenn-Cooper,’heaskedwiththegreatesturgency,‘tellmewhatyou

saw.Imustknow.’TheDoctorpursuedMrsPritchardassheescortedAcethroughthehouse.He

wasmoreconcernedaboutRedvers’welfarethanthatofhiscompanionandhedemandedthattheexplorershould

bemovedtoaplacewherehecouldbenursedinsafety.‘Outofthequestion,’wastheonlyreplythehousekeeperwouldrepeat.JosiahwaswaitinginthedrawingroomwithGwendolineandErnestwhen

MrsPritchardfinallythrustAcefromhergrip.Thestormhadatlastventeditsrageandwasrumblingintothedistance.ToAce’ssurprise,theDoctorsuddenlydroppedhisangryquestionsandwentintowhatshesupposedtobeparlourmode.

‘Beassured,Doctor,Redverswillbewelltakencareof,’Josiahinformedhim.‘Ibethewill,’snappedAce.TheDoctorlaidasettlinghandonherarmbut

shestillwantedtogivethemapieceofhermind.NimrodenteredfromthehallandapproachedtheDoctordirect.‘Doctor,IcanpersonallyvouchforMrFenn-Cooper’ssafety.Heisbeing

madecomfortableandwillcometonoharm.’Herevealedthetoothofthecavebearinhispalmasatokenofgoodfaith.

TheDoctornoddedandlookedNimroddirectlyintheeye.‘Onlythemadmanmayseetheclearpaththroughthetangledforest,’hesaid.

Bowingreverently,Nimrodintonedthecorrectresponse.‘Sohasitalwaysbeen.’

‘Nimrod,’interruptedJosiahsternly,‘youstillhaveotherdutiestoperform.’Watchingthemanservantleave,theDoctorrestrainedhimselffrom

following.Hereckonedthattheyhadn’tseenevenhalfofthehouse’ssecretsyet,butitwouldbebettertoallowthemtoemergealittleatatime.Besideswhich,hewantedtoseehowquicklyAcecouldassessthesituationandwhethershecouldcopewithit.Ithadtakenhimagooddealofguess-workusingtemporal,thirty-sevendimensionalchartsandhisandtheTARDIS’sjointnosefortroubletoarriveatGabrielChase.Ace,didshebutknowit,potentiallyknewmorethanhedidaboutthehouse,althoughhewasalreadygraspingtheessentialfacts.

Hedidnotliketheirimplications.HewasawareofAce’schinrestingonhisshoulderasshealsofollowed

HewasawareofAce’schinrestingonhisshoulderasshealsofollowedNimrod’sdeparture.‘He’saNeanderthal,isn’the?’shewhispered.

Henodded.‘ThefinestexampleI’veseenthissideofthePleistoceneera.’‘Iamnolongersurprisedbyanythinginthisplace,’announcedErnest,whowasbecomingvexedatthelackofattentionhewas

receiving.HewasignoredasJosiahmutteredprivateinstructionstoMrsPritchard.

TheDoctorwaitedforAcetoaskhimwhyNimrodwasthere.Hewassurprisedwhenthequestiondidnotcomeandwonderedwhethershewasworkingouttheanswerforherself.Hehopedshewouldtellhimtoo.Tohisannoyance,henoticedthatintheirabsence,Ernesthadfinishedofftherestoftheseedcake.

Suddenly,theDoctorrememberedAce’sdinner-jacketandremarked,‘DidIevertakeyoutoseeGeorgesSand?’

‘Who’she?’sheasked.‘ShewasFredericChopin’sgirlfriend.HowaboutDerRosenkavalier?Die

Fledermaus?‘‘Opera!’shegrimaced.Heshruggedandtriedagain.‘VestaTilley?’Acethoughtforamomentandthenconcludedtriumphantly,‘Burlington

BertiefromBow!’‘Hnun.Andyoursneedssomeattention,’hecommented,affectionately

straighteninghertie.ThemaleimpersonatorsoftheVictorianmusichallwereprobablynotwhatAcehadinmind,butshehadneverthelessskilfullyadaptedherappearancetosuithersurroundingsonherownterms,whichwasjustaswell,thoughttheDoctor.

Fromsomewherenearbyheheardtheclinkofmetal.Acoupleofcenturiesbefore,thesoundcouldhavemeantthatinstrumentsoftorturewerebeingsetup.Thesedaysitwouldbethelayingofcutleryfordinner.

JosiahfinishedhisdiscoursewithMrsPritchardandturnedbacktothecompany.

‘Shallwegointodinner,myfriends?’hesmiled.‘Thiswayplease,’saidMrsPritchard.Sheledthewaythroughanotherdoor

intotheblood-reddiningroom.Ernestroseandwentwillingly,followedbyGwendolineandAce.The

Doctormusedforamomentontheperversitiesthatmadesuchasatisfyingtheatricalexperienceoftragedy.AndnowitwasdinnertimeinJosiah’shouse;howverycivilizedthebusinessoftorturehadbecome.Breakingfromhisreverie,hesawhishostwaitinguponhim.Josiahleered,hisarmoutstretched

reverie,hesawhishostwaitinguponhim.Josiahleered,hisarmoutstretchedlikeashowmanindicatingtheway.

Ahwell,headontheblockagain,thoughttheDoctor.Hebrushedsomecrumbsofcakefromhisjumperandwentintodinner.

6

That’stheWaytotheZooEvenashelopedalongthepaintedtunneltowardsthechamber,Nimrod

knewthathehadbeenwrongtodelay.RedversFenn-CooperhadsaidlittlethatNimroddidnotalreadyknow:‘The

burninglightisangry.Itsleepsintheheartoftheinterior.’Buttheexplorerhadgoodcausetoremember:itwasjustaweeksincehehadarrivedatthehouseasanotherofMrSmith’sguestsandmanagedtobreakintooneoftherestrictedareas.

Nimrodhadgottheblameforthat,buthesuspectedthatFenn-Cooperhadslippedpasttheobstaclesfartooeasily.FromMrsPritchard’striumphantsmirk,hesupposedthatshehadbeenindulginghermaliciousstreakagain.TherewasnolovelostbetweenNimrodandthehousekeeper.Ifshecouldcausehimtrouble,shewould.If,inthiscase,italsocausedRedversFenn-Coopertoseejustenoughtodrivehiminsane,thenthatonlydeepenedhersatisfaction.

‘Andifitwakens,weshallallburn,’Redvershadraved,speakingaloudthefearsNimrodhadtriedtoignore.Themanservantlefthimbabblingaboutdoctors,livingstonesandDoctorLivingstone.PausingonlytostopinthedrawingroomtoreassuretheDoctorofRedvers’safety,NimrodhadmadehiswaywithdreadtotherestingplaceoftheBurningOne.

Thecurtainedchambershowednoimmediatesignsofdamage:thegrotesquestuffedbirdsstillperchedontheirpedestalsandthefurniturewasallcorrectlypositioned.Therewasaslighthaze,however,andtheairwaschargedwithtension.TheNeanderthalcouldhearthesamenigglingsoundthataccompaniedthemanifestationintheemptybedroom.Beneathittherewasadeepgrindingnoiseasifthegranitewallsofthechamberwereshiftinginagitation.

Hereachedthemahoganydeskatthechamber’scentreand,pushingasideapileofpaperwork,pressedtheseriesofbrassbuttonsonthedesktop.Thecurtainssurroundingtheareaswishedupinsequencetorevealthewallsbehind.

Thechamberwasoctagonal,apparentlyhewnoutoflivingrock.Theanglebetweeneachwallwasbisectedbyaheavystonebuttress,itssurfaceglisteningwithcrystallinefragments.Outcropsofchrysopraseandrosequartzcrystalsclusteredatpointsaroundthechamber.Thewallswereinlaidwithwidescreensthatflickeredwithlozengesofcolouredlight—alivingstainedglasswhosecoloursconstantlychangedandmerged.Thelightcaughtintheprismsoftheelegantchandelierhangingfromtheceilingandwasrefractedthroughthe

elegantchandelierhangingfromtheceilingandwasrefractedthroughtheshimmeringhazelikeneonshoalsoftinydartingfish.

Infrontofonewallwasacarvedslabofstonelikeaslopingaltar.Nimrodfingeredthecolouredcrystalrodsthatgrewfromit;theyhummedandflickered,risingandfallinginnoparticularsequence.

Reverentlylayinghishandsontheslab,Nimrodbowedhisheadtoanilluminatedovalcellaswideasamanistallwhichwassetinthewallbeyondit.Thecell’smouthwassealedoverbyacrustyopaquemembranebehindwhichashadowmovedandturnedagainsttheglow,restlesslyshiftingitsshapeandform.Nimrodfeltthewavesofenergyflowingoutthroughthechamber.Hetriedtomeetitsthoughts,toappeaseitsanger,buthecouldnotcommunewithit.Hisinstinctasahunterdrewhisconcentrationelsewhere;heknewthathewasbeingwatched.

Helefttheslabandcrossedthechambertothedungeondoor.Therewasnosoundfromthedarknessinside,buthestilltestedthattheboltswerefirmlyinplace.Thecreatureincarceratedinsidewasprobablytooterrifiedtomakeitsusualgruntsandsnarls,eveniflatelythehowlshadbecomemorelikeplaintiffwailing.

‘Poorsilentbrute,’mutteredNimrod.Adeeprumblingnotedrewhimbacktohisplaceatthealtarslab.Behind

himaneyeappearedatthespyholeinthedoor,staringoutfromitstinydarkprisonworldintotheworldoflight.

‘Not...silent...now!’spatavoice,soundingeachwordasifarticulatingitforthefirsttime.

Nimrodwastooabsorbedinhisdevotionstohear.Hekneltattheslab,willinghismindintothoughtsofpropitiationandatonement,tryingtoappeasethedisturbedshadowbehindthemembrane.Atlasttherestlessmovementandfierceglaresettledintoagentlypulsingglow.

Theeyeatthespyholewatchedthemanservantandthensquintedasfarroundasitcouldseetoanalcovecurtainedofffromtherestofthechamber.Thecreaturehadonlytowhisperinstructions.Ithadlinkstotheouterworldandwasonlynowlearningtousethem.

‘Moveyourselves.Move!’ithissed.Itsawthecurtainstiranddrawbackassomethinglumberedoutofthe

alcove.Thecreatureatthespyholehalfsawthethingandhalfsawthroughthething’seyes.

Thethingwasanextensionoftheprisoner’sownself;itstumbledtowardsthekneelingmanservant.

thekneelingmanservant.‘Move!Move!’Ittookallofthecaptive’swilltocontrolthething’sflailinglimbsasit

movedcloserandclosertoNimrod.Itworeadustygentleman’ssuitandblackshoes,andcarriedacanewhichitraisedinitswhiteglovedhandaboveitsgrey,bloated,reptilianhead.OnestrokeandtheNeanderthalwasknockedsenseless.

‘Didthathurt?’camethevoice.Theprisonerstaredthroughthething’seyesatthebodyofitsjailer.‘Good!’

Throughitswillitturnedthestumblingfigureofthethingtowardsthedungeondoor.

‘Here!’itordered.‘Here!Move!Nowopendoor!’Thethingslowlybegantodrawbacktheheavyboltsandheavethedoor

open.Theprisonersquealedinpainastheglarefloodedintoitstinydarkworldfromthenewworldoutside.Slowlyandpainfully,itgropeditswayintothelightandroseunaidedontoitstworearlegs.Itstaredatthegrotesqueswayingthingthathadreleaseditandthenlookedagainthroughthething’seyes.Itsawitselfforthefirsttimeandbegantoscream.

Theredidnotseemtobeanysoupfordinnerorevenanyentrée,althougheachplaceatthetablewaslaidwithenoughcutleryforsixcourses.Acehatedformaldinnerpartieslikethis,becausesheneverknewwhichknifeorforktousefirst.

JosiahandErnestfacedeachotherasopponentsacrossthelengthofthetable,flankedononesidebyAceandtheDoctorandontheotherbyGwendoline.

Andintheredcorner...thoughttheDoctorasthemaidsbusiedthemselvesatthesideboard.

AtanodfromJosiah,MrsPritchardsetadishintothecentreofthetable.Thehostliftedalargespoon,apparentlypreparedtodohisgueststhehonourofservingthemhimself.

‘Ihopeyouhaveatasteforcalves’brains,younglady,’hesaidwithasmiletoAce.ShegulpedandglancedattheDoctor,whowasscrutinizingthedishwith

whatlookedmorelikescientificcuriositythanagourmet’senthusiasm.‘I’mstilltryingtoworkoutwherethisplaceis,’saidAce,hopingtostay

withintheboundsofVictorianetiquetteandchangethesubjectatthesametime.‘AndIamstillawaitinganexplanationforyourunholyandblasphemous

theories,’saidavoicefromthefarendofthetable.AcewasalmostgratefultoErnestfordelayingthemaincourse.Shenudged

AcewasalmostgratefultoErnestfordelayingthemaincourse.ShenudgedtheDoctor.

‘Whattheories?’shewhispered.‘Darwinism,’hereplied.‘Thetheoriesthathavesetthewholeofsciencein

thiscountryonitshead.’Bynow,Ernestwasgettingtohisfeet,asanctimonioussmileonhisface.

Toolate,Acerecognizedthewarningsigns.‘Dowegetafreelecturethrowninwithdinner?’shemuttered.‘Sermonsarehisspeciality,’saidtheDoctor.Shegiggled.‘Dowetakenotes?’Beforedeliveringanylecture,Ernestalwaysfeltitnecessarytoenlightenthe

lessintelligentofhisstudentswithafewfacts.‘MrSmithdisputesMan’srightfuldominionovertheforcesovernature,’he

began.Buthehadalessthanraptaudience.IndeedJosiahwasalreadyladlingoutservingsofthecalves’brains.Undeterred,Ernestraisedhisvoiceatoneandcontinuedhiscondemnation.‘Instead,hesaysthatmankindshoulditselfadapttoservenatureorbecomeextinct!’

Hehadthrowndownhisgauntletatlastandhesurveyedthetableforthelooksofoutragethatwouldsupporthiscause.EveryoneelselookedatJosiah.

Theirhosttensedforamomentandthenslowlyanddeliberatelylaidasidehisservingspoon.AcecouldfeelthemalevolenceasJosiahglareddownthetableathisopponent.ShewantedtheDoctortointervene,tosaysomething—anything—becauseinthedimgaslight,Josiah’sblack-lensedspectacleshadgivenhimthelookofadeath’shead.Shewascertainthattherewerenodepthstowhichthisdusty,leech-likecreaturewouldnotsink,andprobablynohorrorthathewasnotcapableofcommittingeither.TheloathsomeReverendErnestMatthewsfacedhimdefiantly—asittingtarget.Acebracedherselfforsomethingterrible.

‘Well,sir...’growledJosiah.Therewasasuddenringofatelephonefromaroomnearby.Josiahstoppedabruptly;theringcameagain.HeglancedangrilyatMrsPritchard,whogaveaquicknod,thenheroseapologizingtohisguestsandhurriedfromthediningroom.

‘Infernaltelephonicmachines,’complainedErnest,sinkingbackintohischairindisgust.

Gwendolinestaredanxiouslyafterherguardian;theDoctor,deepinhisthoughts,fiddledwithhisfishknife;themaidswaited,positionedaroundtheredwallslikestatues.

wallslikestatues.Acecouldn’tbearthesilenceanylonger.‘Let’sringoutforatakeaway,’she

suggested.‘Anyonefancyacurry?’TheDoctorfoldedhisnapkinandhandedittoher.‘IknowanicelittlerestaurantontheKhyberPass,’hesaid.HeslippedoutofhischairandfollowedJosiah.Acewouldhavegoneafter

himbutshecouldn’tleaveGwendolineatthemercyofErnestMatthews.TherecouldbefewfatesworsethanbeinglecturedtodeathandErnestwasalreadystirringinhischair.

‘Wheredidyousaythishousewas?’sheaskedquickly.ThetelephonewasstillringingwhenJosiahreachedthestudy.Hesnatched

uptheearpieceandbarkedangrilyintothedevice,‘Nimrod?What’sgoingon?Itoldyounottocallmeduringdinner.’

Therewasnoresponsefromthemanservant,butJosiahcouldsensehispresencelistening.

‘Nimrod!Areyouthere?’‘I...escape!’hissedahuskyandgenderlessvoice,amanifestationof

loathing.Josiahslammeddowntheearpieceasifithadburnedhim.‘It’slearnedtospeak!’hechoked.Morethanthat,however,itwasloose.Theunspeakablehorrorthathadbeen

lockedawayfromhissightforsolonghadsomehowreleaseditself.NomatterwhathadhappenedtoNimrod,thecreaturemustberecapturednow—therewasnotellingwhatdamageitcoulddo.Josiahneededtimetothink,buthisheadwasswimming.HereachedouttoringforMrsPritchard.

‘Havingproblemswithyourconnections?’saidavoicebehindhim.TheDoctorstoodinthedoorway;Josiaheyedhim,uncertainofhowmuch

hekneworhadheard.TheDoctorcamecloser.‘PerhapsIcanhelp,’heoffered.Josiah,however,wasuncertainofthestranger’strustworthiness.The

Doctor’swhimsicalsmilewasslightlymockingandhiseyesbetrayedanintelligencefarkeenerthananyJosiahhadyetencountered.ThiswastheonlypersonthatJosiahhadnothadtotalkdownto.HedecidedtotaketheDoctorintohisconfidence.

Therewasadistantyellfromthehall.Tohissurprise,JosiahsawtheDoctor’swilfulcomposurecrumpleatthesoundofAce’ssummons.

‘Ontheotherhand,’theDoctordithered,‘IthinkIhaveanemergencyofmyown.Pleaseexcuseme.Timetoemerge.’

TheDoctorhurriedacrossthestudytotheotherdoorandcollidedwithMrs

TheDoctorhurriedacrossthestudytotheotherdoorandcollidedwithMrsPritchard.Hemumbledapologiesashedisappearedfromview.Thehousekeeperwatchedhimgoandthenturnedtohermaster.

‘MrsPritchard,aproblemhasarisen,’saidJosiah.‘AskErnestMatthewstojoinmeinhere.’Hesoundedunusuallyanxious.

‘Verygood,sir,’repliedthehousekeeper.Sheturnedtogo.‘Andseetoitthatnoonedisturbsus.’

MrsPritchardgaveasmilethatmightcurdlemilkorfrightenpuppies.Severalcurledpetalsfellfromabowlofchrysanthemumsonthetable.MrsPritchardnoddedknowinglyandclosedthedoorbehindher.

AcewasstillinthehallyellingwhentheDoctorfoundher.Sheroundedonhim,wildeyed.‘Face-acheMatthewsintheresaysthishouseiscalledGabrielChase!’‘So?’hesaidquietly.‘Youknowwhy!LasttimeIsawit,itwasallfallingdown.Thatwasin

1983!Youliedtome!ThisisPerivale!’Shewaslostforthingstosay.Shehadn’trealizedshecouldhatetheDoctor

somuch.Hetriedtotakeherarm,butshepulledclear.Thedoorsofthedrawingroomopened.TheDoctorturnedtolookatthetwo

emergingmaids;Acesawherchanceandranupthestairsawayfromhim.Fromherpositioninthedrawingroom,GwendolinesawtheDoctordartup

thestaircaseinpursuitofAce.Thenthemaidsclosedthedoorsandshewasalone.Howstrangethiseveningwasbecoming,shethought.SometimestryingtokeepupwithUncleJosiah’sgamescouldmakeherfeel

quitegiddy.Shebegantoflickthroughthepileofsheetmusiconthepianountilshefoundthesongthatsheliked.Shesatatthekeyboardandbegantoplayandsing.

‘Idon’tknowwhatitisaboutMyfigureormystyle,ButeverytimeIwalkabroadThepassersbyallsmile.IlostmyselfinKensingtonAboutaweektoday.Iaskedacabbythewayhome

IaskedacabbythewayhomeAndtomehedidsay...’ThemusicechoedthroughthehouseasMrsPritchardadmittedErnest

MatthewsintoJosiah’sdimlylitstudy.‘Ernest,praysitdown,’saidhishost.Josiahgeniallyindicatedthearmchair

besidethefire,oppositehisown.Ernestsatdown.HenoticedthatMrsPritchardwashoveringbesideJosiah’s

desk.‘Iamafraidthatsomethingunforseenhasarisen,’saidJosiah.‘IregretI

mustaskyoutowaitalittlelonger.’Thiswasbecomingtiresome,butErnestMatthews,likeaterrier,neverletgo

oncehehadtakenabite.‘Aftercomingsofarsir,IhavenointentionofleavinguntilIhavegained

fullsatisfaction.’‘Thenweareinaccord,’smiledJosiah.‘MrsPritchard,seetoitthatthe

dean’stimepassesasquicklyaspossible.’‘Verygood,sir.’MrsPritchardraisedthehandkerchief,intowhichshehad

justemptiedhalfabottleofchloroform,andsmackeditfullintoErnest’sface.Ashismindswamintoatunnelofoblivion,ErnestheardGwendoline,his

demurestofangels,embarkinguponthejauntychorusofhersong.‘That’sthewaytothezoo,That’sthewaytothezoo.ThemonkeyhouseisnearlyfullButthere’sroomenoughforyou.TakeabustoRegent’sPark,Makehastebeforeitshuts.‘I’llcomeagainonMondayAndI’llbringyoulotsofnuts.’JosiahregardedtheunconsciousErnest,buthisthoughtswereelsewhere.If

theescapedcreaturecouldlearntospeak,thenitmighthavelearnedtoreasontoo.Itcouldplotagainsthim;itcouldsmasheverythingthathe,JosiahSamuelSmith,hadworkedfor.Ridiculous!Itwasthebasestofanimals.Ithadsimplylearnedtomimichumanspeechlikeaparrot.

‘Forthecollection,sir?’enquiredMrsPritchard,waitingpatientlybesideher

‘Forthecollection,sir?’enquiredMrsPritchard,waitingpatientlybesidehervictim.

‘No,notyet,’saidJosiah.Hisplansforthefuturewouldnotbecurtailed

now.‘Thisspecimenisforthetoybox.Ithinkhe’llbemostamusing.’Nonetheless,JosiahhadwastedtoomuchtimeonErnestMatthews.The

creaturehadtoberecapturedbeforeitbrokeoutintothehouse’sopenareas.TheDoctormustbefoundtooandhishelpenlisted.Ifheprovedtroublesome,thentherewasplentyofroominthetoybox.

Desperatetobeonherown,Acehadfoundherwaybacktothetrophyroom.Yetitwasn’teasytogivetheDoctortheslip:sheheardhimcomeinbehindherandgentlycallhernamebuttherewasnowayshewasgoingtofacehim.Shejustkeptthinkinghowhecoulddoallthistoher.Shetrieddeterminedlytokeepherangerundercontrol,buthewasoutoforderandshehadtosayso.

‘It’strue,isn’tit?ThisisthehouseItoldyouabout,’shesaid.Hewasrightathershoulder,speakinginherearlikeatempter,butshe

wouldnotlookathim.Thepianotinkledmockinglyawayinthedistance.‘Whenyouwerefourteen,youcameoverthewallforadare,’saidthe

Doctor.‘That’syoursurprise,isn’tit?Bringingmebackhere.Anditwasn’tadare!’‘Remindmewhatitwasthatyousensedwhenyougotintothehouse.An

auraofintenseevil?’Whatwasthis?shethought.Emotionaltherapy?Hehadgonefarenoughand

shewasgoingtoturnthetables.‘Don’tyouhavethingsyouhate?’TheDoctorshrugged.‘Ican’tstandburnttoastandIloathebusstations.

They’renastyplaces,fulloflostsoulsandlostluggage.’‘ItoldyouIneverwantedtocomebackhere!’‘Andthenthere’sunrequitedlove,’hecontinuedsadly,‘andtyrannyandcruelty..‘Tooright!’Hebegantoedgeroundbesideher.‘Weeachhaveauniverseofourown

terrorstoface.’Shemethisgazeheadon.‘Thenletmefacethemonmyownterms!’Sheturnedawayagainandtriedtoconcentrateonadisplayofneatly

labelledcrustaceanshells.Therewasnothingelsetosay.Whycouldn’theleave

labelledcrustaceanshells.Therewasnothingelsetosay.Whycouldn’theleaveheralone?

‘Don’ttellmeyoudidn’twanttoknowwhathappenedtothishouse?’hepersisted.

‘No!’‘Butyou’vealreadylearnedsomethingthatyou’dneverhaverecognized

whenyouwerefourteen.’‘Likewhat?’‘Thenatureofthehorroryousensedhereinahundredyears’time.’Sheknewhewasright...asusual.Andshehadknowntheanswertooifonly

shehadstoppedtothinkaboutit.SomehowitwasalwaysworsewhenitwasonEarth.‘It’salien,’shesaidandthethoughtfilledherwithforeboding.Hetouchedherarmandaskedhertocomebacktodinner.Acedidn’tsaya

word.TheDoctorsighed.Aceheardhimmovingaway.Itwasnogood,shehadtotellhim.

‘WhenIlivedhereinPerivale,meandmybestmate,wedossedaroundtogether.We’dout-dareeachotheronthings—skivingoff,stupidthings.ThentheyburntoutManisha’sflat:whitekidsfirebombeditandIdidn’tcareanymore.’

ThepianohadstoppedanditwassoquietAcethoughtthattheDoctorhadgone.

‘Ithinkthatyoureallycaredalot,Ace,’saidhisvoicerightbesideheragain.‘That’swhenIgotintothehouse—thishouse.IwassomadandIneededto

getaway.Theplacewasempty,allovergrownandfallingdown.Noonecamehere.’

Shestoppedandlookedroundatthewalls,wheretheheadsofthedeadwild

creaturesstaredblank-eyeddownather.‘ButwhenIgotinside,itwasevenworse.’Shecouldfeelitagainnow,thewholethingpressinginaroundher.‘Ididn’tknowthen...Itwashorrible.’Therewassomuchshewantedtosay,thingsthatshouldhavecomeout

yearsago.Atlastshecouldexorciseitonceandforall.‘Whatdidyoudo,Ace?’heinsisted.‘Doctor?Imustspeakwithyou,’saidJosiah.Acesawhimstandinginthedoorwayandstoppedtalking.‘Tellme,Ace!’demandedtheDoctor,tryingtomotiontheintruderaway.Acepanickedandran.Shebargedpastthesepulchralfigure,whoquickly

Acepanickedandran.Shebargedpastthesepulchralfigure,whoquicklyclosedthedoorbehindherandsteppedintothefrustratedDoctor’spath.

‘Ineedyourhelp,Doctor,’hesaid.Thengetinthequeue,thoughttheDoctor.ButheknewthatAcewouldhave

towait.Hehopedshewouldnotgetintoanymoretrouble.TheDoctorsteppedbackfromthedoorandwalkedaroundtheworkbench

withitsmonkeyskeleton.BecauseJosiahandhewereplainlygoingtotalkbusiness,hedecidednottopullanypunches.

‘Itcan’tbeeasybeingsofarawayfromhome,’saidtheDoctor,‘strugglingtoadapttoanalienenvironment.’

Josiahsomehowmanagedtolooktotallysurprised;theDoctorwasimpressed.

‘Myrootsareinthishouse,’hedeclared.‘I’mashumanasyouare.’‘Yes,’saidtheDoctor.AlookofhatredcameoverJosiah’swizenedface.‘Howyoufancypeople

despiseme,’hesaid,‘withyourdoctoratesandyourprofessorships.’TheDoctorrestedoneelbowontheworkbench,cuppedhischininhishand

andwatchedJosiahgothroughhisterritorialdisplays.‘Honoursaren’teverything,’heobserved.‘Iamafflictedwithanenemy,’saidJosiah.‘Avileandbasecreaturepitted

againstme,thatIamforcedtoserve.Allofusinthishouseareinitspower.’Heproducedalargewhitebank-notefromhispocket.UnfoldingthenoteheinsinuatedintheDoctor’sdirection.‘Ibelieveyoucanassistmeindefeatingit.’‘I’mnotinterestedinmoney,’saidtheDoctor.‘Howmuch?’headded,just

outofcuriosity.‘Fivethousandpoundstoridmeoftheevilbrute.’TheDoctorwhistled.‘Nowthat’swhatIcallVictorianvalue,’heteased.

‘ButI’mstillnotinterestedinmoney.’Fivethousandpounds!hethought.Agentlemanonlyeverpaysinguineas!Josiahwasusedtohavinghisownway.Hescrewedupthebank-noteinhis

glovedfist;hecrushedanythingthatopposedhim.TheDoctorsaunteredoutoftheroom,busilyturningoverthenew

informationinhismind.PerhapsJosiahreallydidbelievehimselftobehumanandtheremustbeafewgrainsoftruthintherestofwhathehadsaid.TheDoctordecidedtohumourJosiahtoseehowdesperatehegot.Buthehadto

DoctordecidedtohumourJosiahtoseehowdesperatehegot.ButhehadtokeepAceoutoftrouble.

Acehadcomebackdownthestairswithoutknowingwhereshewasgoing.Fromthehall,shecouldhearsoundsfromthedrawingroomandthestaffmovingdeeperinthehouse.Whatdidshecomedownherefor?Shedidn’twanttoseeanyone.Therewasnopointgoingoutsideintothenight.Sheshouldhavegoneuptothetopofthehouse,outoftheway,wheretheTARDISwas.

Sheturnedtogobackupthestaircasebutshecouldhearmoremovementfromabove.Thereseemedtobenowheretohide,untilshenoticedasetofpanelleddoorsatthefarsideofthehall.

Shewentcloserandsawthattheymustbetheentrancetoaliftwhichwouldtakeherupthroughthehouseunhindered.Quicklyopeningthedoors,sheenteredtheredvelvetinterior.Closingthedoors,sheslidthefoldingmetalgateshut,turnedthebrassleveronthewallandlookedupexpectantly.Withaclunk,themechanismengagedandtheliftwentdownthroughthefloor.

MrsPritchardhadbeenobservingAceforsometimefrombehindatall,pottedpalm.Sheemergedfromherhidingplaceandcrossedtotheliftdoors.Shestoodlisteningtothemachineryclankingastheliftdescendedthroughthesolidbedrockdeepbeneaththehouse.

Hermasterwasafoolifheimaginedshedidnotknowwhatwentoninherhouse.Ifthecreaturehadescaped,thensendingittheDoctor’sbratwasonewayofforestallingit.Besides,ithadnotbeenfedyettonight,sothatmightsolveonemoreproblem.

Sheheardthedistantclangoftheliftasitstopped.Shewaited,however,withherfingerpoisedoverthepanelofbuttonsonthewall.

Acewasalreadyfrightenedbythelongandunexpecteddescent.Herearshadkeptpoppingastheliftwentdeeperanddeeperuntilshebegantothinkitwouldneverstop.

Shetriedtheleverontheliftwall,butitrefusedtomove.Warilyslidingbacktheliftgate,sheopenedthedoorsandpeeredoutinto

thegloomytunnel.Shecouldhearwaterdripping,buttheairwasfresherthansheexpectedandtherewasaglowcomingfromthefarend.Shehadonlydaredtotakeafewpacesalongthetunnelbeforeshefrozestockstill.Shewascertainshehadheardsomethingscuttlingupahead.

Theliftgateimmediatelyclatteredshutbehindherandthedoorsslammedtightlyclosed.Aceclawedatthehandle,butithadbeensecuredfromtheinside.

Inthehallabove,MrsPritchardpressedasecondbutton.Shesmiledgrimly

assheheardtheliftcommenceitsupwardjourney;sheknewitwouldbeempty

assheheardtheliftcommenceitsupwardjourney;sheknewitwouldbeemptywhenitreachedthetop.

7

Ace’sAdventuresUndergroundTherewasnowheretogoexceptdownthetunnel.Acecouldmakeout

shapesandpatternsonthecurvedwallsassheedgednearertothehazyglow.Thepictureswerereminiscentofprehistoriccavepaintings:therewerematchstickhunters,abison,mammothsandabear.Atthecentrewasawhitesplashthatcouldhavebeenfireorthesun—itwassomesortoflightanyway,becauseallthefiguresaroundithadthesideofthemclosesttothesplashpaintedinwhiteasiftheywerereflectingtheglow.

Acehadn’tdevelopedherfacultiesasanartcriticmuchbeyondsaying‘Wow!’whenshesawsomethingshereallyliked,butshecouldseethatthehuntingpicturesweremorerefinedthantheaveragepalaeolithicmural.Thepaintwasfreshtoo.Nimrodhadcomealongwayfromfingerpaintingandscratchingwallswitholdbonesandburntsticks.

Acemovedalongtothetunnelmouth.Itwaslikesteppingthroughaveilassheenteredthechamber.Therewasacrylikeastartledbirdastheslighthazeclosedbehindher.Thestuffedbirdsandantiquefurniturewerenosurprisetoher,butthevaultedceilingwhoselinesdescendedthroughthecarved,buttressedwallsandtheflickeringscreensandglitteringclustersofcrystalsmadeherthinkofAladdin’scave.Itwaseitherimmenselyadvancedorincrediblyarchaic.Theplacewastimeless,asifithadalwaysbeenthere;perhapsithadevencarveditself.

Attheheartofthechamberpulsedaglowingmembrane,radiatingitsenergiesfromthewallwhereitwasset.

Wow!’saidAce,butsheknewthatthiswaswhereallthetroublecamefrom.Shecouldseetheshadowstirringonthesurfaceofthemembrane.Thepulsewasstartingtoboomintoherheadandscarethehelloutofher.

Therewasadarkshapeonthefloorneartothemembrane.Nimrodstilllaysenselesswherehehadfallen,besideasilver-toppedgentleman’scane.Acecouldseeadullbruisethroughthecoarsehaironhisneck.Asshebentoverhim,shefeltthatshewasbeingwatched.

ThecurtainthatcoveredthealcoveacrossthechamberslowlydrewopentodisclosethetableauoftwoVictoriangentlemenindustyeveningattire.Theheadsofbothfigureswerebloatedandgrey,driedandflakinglikethesloughedskinsofcreatureswhichhadlongoutgrownthesebodies.

Onewasaninsect,itshugeeyesbulgingatthesidesofitshairyheadand

Onewasaninsect,itshugeeyesbulgingatthesidesofitshairyheadandsharpmandiblesextrudingfromitsmouth.Insteadofhands,serratedpincersprotrudedfromitsgold-linkedcuffs.

Theotherfigure’sheadwasreptilian,butitschameleoneyesweresetlowdown,almostatthewattlesonitsthroat.

Thereseemedtobenomouthonitsgnarledhead,butitshandsmusthavebeenhumanoidbecausetheywereencasedinwhitekid-gloves.ThismustbeanotherofJosiah’sdisplays,anditwasthemostrepulsivesofar.

Therewasahissfromcloseby.Theheavydoorsetinthegranitebuttresscreakedbackandforthinitsportal.

Forasecond,theeyewatchingthroughthespyholemetdirectlywithAce’sownstare.

Thegirlshudderedandstartedtobackaway.Wasthistheterrorshehadfeltbefore?Andwoulditstillbewaitingforherinthehouse’sfuture,thefuturewhichwasherpast?Itwasstartingalloveragain.Shewasgoingtogettrappedinaloopoftime,endlesslytravellingthroughthesameeventsonaMöbiusstripofherownmaking.Andthatthingwouldalwaysbewatchingherforever.

Thedoorstayedclosed,butitcreakedtoandfro,mockingherfear.Thenthevoicecame,roughandhalf-growledlikeananimallearningtotalk.

‘There’sanewscentinthedark.Listen!Pulsing,warming,racingblood.

SmellslikeRatkin!’Oneeyeinthereptilehusk’sheadswivelledtowardsAce.Bothfiguresinthe

tableaubegantotwitchandsway.‘Goon!’orderedthevoice.‘Moveyourselves!Move!Ratkin’scometovisit!’Slowly,stepbyshuffledstep,thehusksmovedforwardtowardsAce.She

heardtheflutteringofwingsinherhead.Thefrozenbirdsshriekedallaroundher,theenergypulsedandthevoice

chanted,‘Move!Move!Move!’‘Doctor!’yelledAce.Shescrambledforthetunnel.Thereptilianhusk

openedtheflaplikemouthonthetopofitsheadandbellowed.Theinsectchittereditsresponse.

‘Fetch!’urgedthevoice.Thetwocreaturesstaggeredforwardliketangledpuppetsinpursuitoftheir

prey.Throughtheeyesofthereptilianhusk,thecreaturesawRatkinstruggling

withthedoorstothelift.‘Trap’sbitingshut,Ratkin!Nowayup!’

withthedoorstothelift.‘Trap’sbitingshut,Ratkin!Nowayup!’ThecreaturewantedRatkintosquealasthehusksclosedin,butitjust

kickedandsquirmed.‘Youdon’tfrightenme!’ityelpedasthehusksreachedforit.Itcalled

‘Doctor!’againastheygraspedRatkinanddraggeditbacktowardsthechamber.‘Fetchcloser,’orderedthevoiceasthehusksapproachedthedoor.Theinsecthusk’spincerscutintoAce’sarm,forcinghertogiveupher

struggle.‘Whatdoyouwant?’sheyelledatthewatchingeye.Thevoicemockedherwithoutmercy.‘Noescaping,Ratkin!Nowayup.No

hoping!’‘Youdon’thavetohideinthere,’sheretaliated.‘You’vegotme.Youcan

comeoutnow.Idareyou!’Therewasapitifulwhinewhichdeepenedintoasnarl.Acetriedtopullbackbutwasheldfastasthedoorswungoutwardtoreveal

thedarknessinsidethecell.Ahalf-litshapecoveredinfilthyragsslowlyemergedfromtheshadows.

SuddenlyafiguredartedinfrontofAceandslammedthedoorshut.ThetrappedcreaturescreamedwithrageasNimrodjammedtheboltbackintoposition.Withthewillthatanimatedthemmomentarilybroken,thehusksslackenedtheirgripallowingAcetopullfree.

Thedoorshookunderabatteryofblowsfrominside.‘Areyouhurt,miss?’askedNimrod.‘I’llsurvive,’shesaid.‘Whatisthatthinginthere?’Thetrappedcreaturehadfallensilent.Nimrod,apparentlynoworseforwear

fromhisattack,regardedthecelldoor.Thevoiceinsidehissedoutagain,‘Myfreeness!Opendoor!’andthehusks

lurchedbackintolifetoobey.NimrodpulledAceclearoftheirpath.Therewasahurricanelamponthe

floor,usedontheoccasionswhenheclearedoutthecreature’scell.AdeviceofJosiah’smodification,itlitatthetouchofabutton.Nimrodseizedholdofthelampnowandswungtheglowinglightsourceintothehusks’faces.

Slowlydrivenback,thehusksbellowedinfear.Thevoicecontinuedtoshriekitsineffectualorders.AceclungclosetoNimrodastheytriedtoforceawaytowardsthetunnel.

‘Theydon’tlikethelight,dothey?’sheyelledovertheracket.Nimrodgaveherthestrangestlookandthevoice,asifithadheard,snarled

outanewinstruction.‘Destroylamp!’Thereptilianhusklungedatthelantern,knockingitfromNimrod’shandto

Thereptilianhusklungedatthelantern,knockingitfromNimrod’shandtothefloorwhereitshattered.

‘I’llsortyoulotout!’shoutedAce.Shegrabbedthesilvercanefromthefloorandbegantoswingitinfrontofher.

Nimrodgraspedherarm,pullingherbackwardsintothegapbetweenthecrystalconsoleandthepulsingmembraneonthewall.

‘Roundhere,’hesaid.‘Theywon’tdarecomenearthecore.’‘Why?Whataretheyscaredof?’Acewasspoilingforafight.Usethe

resourcesavailable;that’swhattheDoctoralwaysdoes.‘Oi,youinthere!’shecalledtothecelldoor.‘What’sitworthnottosmash

theplaceup?’‘No!’whisperedNimrod,shakinghishead.‘Youdon’tknowwhatyou’re

doing.’ButAce’sapproachwasworking;thehuskshadstoppedmoving.Aceraised

thecaneandhelditclosetothemembrane.‘CallthemofforI’llstartwiththis!’sheshouted.Acesawtheeyeatthe

spyholewideninshock.‘No!’howledthecreature.‘Hideme!’Thehusksstartedtostaggerbackwardstoformashieldinfrontofthedoor.NimrodleanedovertosnatchthecanefromAce’sgrasp,butshedodged

clear,stillkeepingclosetothemembrane.‘Imeanit,Tarzan,I’lldoit!’shewarned.‘Nolettingitout!’wailedthevoicebehindthedoor.‘Lightburningwithangriness!’Nimrodcouldseetheshadowbehindthemembranebeginningtostir.He

triedtostaycalmandreachedoutagainforthecane.‘Giveittome,’hebegged.‘YouareprofaningtheTempleofLight.’‘I’llprofaneyouinaminute!’sheretaliated.Shehadgotthisfarwithoutthe

Doctorandshewasn’tgoingbacknow.Thethingbehindthedoorwasstillwailing;itwasgettingonhernerves.‘Andshutthatthinguptoo!’NimrodedgedtowardsAce,butshesawhimandbroughtthecaneup

betweenthem.Hetriedtoreasonwithher.‘Youareafraidanddonotunderstand,miss.TheBurningOnemustnotbe

woken!’Hegrabbedholdofthecaneandtriedtowrestitfromher.Acewouldhave

Hegrabbedholdofthecaneandtriedtowrestitfromher.Acewouldhavegivenbackasgoodasshegot,buttheNeanderthalwasmuchtoostrong.Shelostherfootingandtheybothtoppledsideways,crunchingagainstthebrinksurfaceofthemembrane.Energyexplodedoutanddancedaroundthem,hurlingAceandNimrodtothefloor;thewholechambershudderedasjetsofsteamliketheoutletsofgiantpistonshissedfromventsinthestonebuttresses.

Behindthedoor,thecreaturehowledandremembereditsname.ItwasControlandtherewasnoescape!

TheDoctorhadspentsometimeacquaintinghimselfwiththelayoutofthehousewhileavoidingthemaidsintheprocess.HismaintaskwastofindAce,butshehadnotreturnedtotheTARDISashehadexpected.Ashecamebackdownfromtheobservatory,hehadtododgeagroupofmaidscarryingsomethingofextremebulkupthenarrowspiralstaircase.Hehidbehindastuffedwhitepeacock,whosefanoftailfeathersobscuredhisview,leavinghimnonethewiseraboutthenatureofthemaids’

burden.Behindalockeddooronthesecondlevel,heheardRedversFenn-Cooper

deepinconversationwithhimself.‘TheygaveRedversabed,buthe’ssleptonthebaregroundsincehewasa

boy...underthestars,huh,underthetrees...undercanvas,underthebed.’TheDoctorsmiled.Hethoughtitwasafortunatemanwhocouldchoosehis

ownfriends.Onthefirstfloor,heoverheardJosiahconversingwithMrsPritchardinthe

trophyroom.Theywerecataloguingthestockofbreech-loadersandpistolsneededfortheirexpedition.MrsPritchardaffirmedthatshedidnotexpectherstafftoperformanytaskthatshewasnotpreparedtoundertakeherself.Josiahlaughedingratification.

Whenhereachedthegroundfloor,theDoctorsteeredclearofthedrawinganddiningroomsforfearofanotherencounterwithErnestMatthews.Instead,heslippedintoJosiah’sstudy.

Asherifledthroughthecontentsofthedesk,henoticedasturdy,gentleman’swalkingshoelyingdiscardedonthefloor.

‘Iffound,pleasereturntotheReverendErnestMatthews,MortarhouseCollege,Oxford,’hemutteredasheexaminedtheshoe.

Therewasasuddenclick.TheDoctordartedforcoverbehindthedoorasGwendolineentered,stilldressedinherdinner-jacket.AtfirsttheDoctorthoughtshewassleepwalking,forshealmostglidedacrosstheroomwithadreamyexpressiononherface.

Gwendolinekneltbeforealargechestofdrawersandopenedthetopdrawer.

Gwendolinekneltbeforealargechestofdrawersandopenedthetopdrawer.Sherevealedatrayofexquisitelycolouredtropicalbutterflies,eachonemountedoncard.

Afterstaringatthemforamoment,sheslidthedrawerbackintoplaceanddrewoutthenextone.

TheDoctormovedstealthilyoutofhidingtoobserveranksofmountedbeetles,cockchafersandscorpionsshiningintheirpolishedarmour.

Gwendolineclosedthedraweragainandbegantopulloutthethirdanddeepestcompartment.Asitslidout,theDoctorgrimlysurveyedthecontents.ItwassomehowinevitablethatJosiah’scollectionoffaunashouldencompasshumanbeingsaswell.

‘Butterflies,beetles...andbluebottles,’heremarkedaloud.Gwendolinewasunsurprisedbyhispresence.Shesatonthefloorandsmiled

attheperfectlypreservedspecimenofaVictorianinspectorofpolice.Helayinthedrawerinhisfulldressuniformwithhiscapespreadandpinnedoutlikewings.

‘Ithinkit’smyfavouriteinthewholecollection,’shesaid.‘It’sallthewayfromJava.’

‘Java?’askedtheDoctor.Hecarelesslydangledtheshoefromonefinger.Gwendolinehardlyseemedtonotice,althoughshenervouslyfingeredher

locketchain.‘TheReverendErnestMatthewswillbeleavingforJavasoon;’shesaid.

‘Perhapshewillseemyfather.’‘Yourfather?IsheinJavatoo?’GwendolinetooktheshoefromtheDoctorandstudieditcuriously.‘Uncle

Josiahsenthimtherebecauseofwhathesawinthecellar.’Shesmiledsweetly.‘Isupposeitmustbethefashion.’

TheDoctortookadeepbreath.‘Gwendoline,doyouknowwhereAceis?Onlyshecanberatherexplosivewhenhertemper’sup.’

Thegirl’sattentionhadreturnedtothepolicemaninthedrawer.‘It’ssolovely,’shesaid.‘Thewayitswingscatchthelight.’

‘What’sinthecellar,Gwendoline?’saidtheDoctor,firmlytakingherarm.Shelookedroundathim,apictureofwide-eyedinnocence,andsaid,‘Ido

hopeAcehasn’tgonetoJavayet.’Hescowled.‘Howconvenient—onlyseeingwhatUncleJosiahwantsyou

tosee.’Gwendolineshowednosignofinterestinthisremarkatall.

Gwendolineshowednosignofinterestinthisremarkatall.‘Frankly,’hecontinued,snappinghisfingersangrilyinherface,‘you

wouldn’tnoticetheAlbertMemorialifitlandedonyourfoot.Andifanything’shappenedtoAce,I’lldropitonyourhead!’

Hestalkedangrilyoutofthestudy.Selectivehypnosiswasjust.thesortofcrudedevicetheDoctorhadexpectedfromJosiah.ItwastypicalofthecontemptinwhichJosiahheldthehumanshetreatedsocruellyasplaythings.

Gwendolinewasstartledoutofherreverieasthestudydoorslammed.ShequicklyclosedthedrawerandhurriedaftertheDoctor.

Ashewalkedintothehall,theDoctorsawthegroupofmaidswaitinginranksbesidethepairofgates,whichheassumedbelongedtoalift.MrsPritchardwaswiththemaidsbuttherewasnosignofAce.ThehousekeeperlaidasideherhuntingrifleandfixedtheDoctorwithhereyes.

HeradvanceontheDoctor,however,wascurtailedbyavoicefromthestaircaseabove.

‘Sothereyouare,Doctor.Haveyouconsideredmyoffer?’TheDoctorlookedupatJosiah,whowasdescendingtomeetthem.‘Tomurderyourenemy?’I’mnotyourpetexecutioner,’hesnapped.‘Where’sAce?’Josiah’sgrinvanishedintoathreateningglare.‘Becareful,Doctor.Tocross

mewouldbeaseriouserror.’MrsPritchardhadclosedinandwasindicatingthestairwithallthecharmof

asmilingsnake.‘MissAcehasalreadyretiredtobed,sir,’shecrooned.‘ComeandIwillshowyou.’

TheDoctorturnedawayfromtheunctuousapparitionandwasfacetofacewithGwendoline,whosteppedupwithalitcandle.

‘Here,Doctor,tolightyoutobed,’shesaid.Inlullabytonessheadded,‘Sleepwell.Goodnight.’

‘Goodnight.Sleeptight.UpthewoodenhilltoBedfordshire,otherwiseknownasJava!’theDoctorchantedangrily,trappedbetweentwoassailants.‘Well,nottonight,Josiaphine!’

Heblewoutthecandleandbrokefree,headingtowardsthelift.‘Yourpuppetshowdoesn’tfoolme.Sorrytoruinyourbighunt,butAceis

introuble.She’sdownthiswayItakeit,’hesaid,indicatingtheliftbeyondthemaids.

Withoneconcertedmovement,theservantsturnedandaimedtheirpistolsathishead.

‘Fivethousandpoundstoleadthisrabble?’sniffedtheDoctor.HeturnedtolookatJosiah,attheblueveinspumpingbeneaththeflaking,bleachedskinof

lookatJosiah,attheblueveinspumpingbeneaththeflaking,bleachedskinofhistemples.

‘You’ddobettertospenditonafewlessonsinetiquette.Andacleanjacket!’Withasharpintakeofbreath,JosiahdrewbackhishandtostriketheDoctor,

buthewasstoppedbyatremorwhichranupthroughthehouseandrattleditsfitments.

Josiah,withalookofsuddenfear,spunbacktogazeupatthewindowabovethestairs.Amomentlater,thestainedglassbegantohumandflarewithpatternsoflight.

‘What’sitdone?’hecried,clutchingatthebanistertosteadyhimself.‘It’lldestroyusall!’

Themaidsstaredroundinconfusion,desperatelysearchingforinstruction.TheDoctorseizedhischance,pulledtheGeigercounterfromhispocketand

heldittoJosiah’shead.Dragginghisprisonerbacktowardsthegates,heyelled,‘Getthelift!’

MrsPritchardnoddedandoneofthemaidsscrambledtoobey.WithJosiahinside,theDoctorsnappedshutthegateandgraspedthelever.

‘Right,Josiah,let’sseewhat’sdowntherabbithole,’hesaid.Hepushedthemechanismintogear;theliftshudderedandbegantoclankdownwards.

TheDoctorhadexpectedatorrentofabuse,butJosiahonlystaredattherockwallsoftheliftshaftastheypassed.

Decidingtolethimstew,theDoctorconcentratedonestimatingtheirspeedandthedepthoftheirdescent.

AdreadofwhatawaitedthematthefootoftheshaftpreyedonJosiah’sthoughts.Ifhisworstfearswererealized,thenthismeddlesomeDoctorwhowasholdingaweapontohisheadwastheleastofhisworries.Allhiswork—everythinghehadachievedalone—couldbesweptawayinasinglegestureofburningtumult.Butwoulditcometothat?TherewasnowordfromNimrod,buttherewerenofurtherthreatsfromtheescapedcreatureuntilthissuddendisturbance.Baseasitwas,thecreaturemustbesubjecttothesameinstinctsasalllivinganimals.

Surelyfearwouldpreventitfromdisturbingthecore.Praythatitwasso.Yettherewereotherpossibilitiestoo:iftheDoctor’sbratofacompanionhadalreadydiscoveredthesecretchamber,therewasnoknowingwhatharmshemightdo,orwhatfatemightbefallher.

Josiah’sworkhadenduredmanyinsultsandrebuttals,buthewouldnot

Josiah’sworkhadenduredmanyinsultsandrebuttals,buthewouldnotrelinquisheverythingforwhichhehadstriven.Hisresearchhadtakenhimfurtherthananyotherpublishedscientist.Hewouldachievehisaimtocatalogueeveryvarietyoflivingcreatureontheplanet.Yettheysneeredathimandrefusedtoadmitanewcomerthroughtheportalsoftheirsocietiesandgentlemen’sclubs.

Itwasthefateofanygreatinnovatortobemisunderstoodandridiculed;hewasnoexception.Hehadnobloodlineage,neitherhadhebeentotherightschool.

Hewasanoutsider,condemnedtostarethroughthesteamywindowofVictorianrespectability.Butiftherewasafuture,theywouldlearntochangetheirattitudesjustasitwasinhimtochange,chameleon-like,toteachthemwhowasdominant.Letthemallmock,buthewouldnotbealienated!

Theliftjoltedtoahalt.TheDoctorslidbackthegateanddirectedJosiahoutwiththeGeigercounter.Fromthefarendofthepassagecameatremulouspulseofsoundandaglowmadealmosttangiblebythemistthathoveredthere.Josiahclutchedatthewallinfear.‘Light!’hechoked.

‘...attheendofthetunnel,’addedtheDoctor.Hepausedtoexaminethepaintingsonthecurvedwalls.Thebrushworkwasfineanddetailed,evennineteenthcenturygothicin

style.‘Palaeolithiccavepaintings,’hemused,‘butdoneinoils.Nimrodmustbe

gettinghomesick.’TheDoctorurgedJosiahfurtheronuntiltheyreachedtheveiloflightthat

markedtheentrancetotheinnerchamber.Fromtheoutside,theDoctorcouldmakeoutthecontoursofthechamber

whichwaslitbyflickeringscreenswhoseshiftingpatternscolouredthemistbluetogreentogold.Thewallsgroanedtheirprotestasventsaroundthechamberjettedsteamintothearea.Atitsheart,fromwhichallitspowerstemmed,thegiantovalmembranethrobbedwithpiercingluminescence.

Josiahheldbackatthemouthofthepassage.Hewasclosetopanicandtakingshortgulpsofair.HewarilyeyedthesceneuntiltheDoctorpushedhimintothecentre.Thepenetratedveilemitteditsshrillcry,eitherofalarmoracknowledgement,anditwaslikestandingintheheartofalivingjewel.ColourandlightshimmeredanddartedaroundJosiahandtheDoctor,itsilhouettedthefigurethatrosefrombesidethemembraneandmovedtowardsthem.

AceflungherarmsaroundtheDoctoranddemandedtoknowwherehehadbeen.

‘Wherehaven’tIbeen?’hereplied,slightlyembarrassedatthisshowof

‘Wherehaven’tIbeen?’hereplied,slightlyembarrassedatthisshowofaffectioninfrontofhisprisoner.‘IcameasquickasIcould,’headdedbrusquely.

JosiahignoredtheDoctor’sgunandroundedonAce.‘Whathaveyoudonetomyobservatory?’heaccused.‘It’swhatitnearlydidtome!’sheretorted.TheDoctorglancedaroundthechamber,takingintheVictorianfurnishings

intheirarchaicsurroundings.Throughthehissingjetsofsteamhecouldseetwomotionlessshapes

standinghunchedbythecloseddoorofacellandafigurethatkneltbeforethehugemembraneandstareddeepintoitsglowingheartattheshadowthatstirredthere.

TheDoctorturnedsternlybacktohisprotegeeandsaid,‘Ace?Haveyoubeentampering?’‘Itwasanaccident!’sheprotested.Josiahwasnotslowtoshifttheblameandattentionfromhisownshoulders.

‘Allmyworkcouldberuined!’hedeclared.‘That’smygirl,’theDoctorsaidproudly.HehandedhertheGeigercounter.AcestudieditforasecondbeforetheDoctorremoveditfromhergrasp,

turneditround,gaveitbackanddirectedheraimtowardsJosiah.‘Keephimcovered,’saidtheDoctorbeforehesaunteredacrossthechamber

towardsthefigurethatkneltbesidethemembrane.OneofthejetsofsteamspurtedoutandalmostcaughttheDoctorintheface.

Hescoopedupabrasswaste-paperbasketfromthefloor,caughtthejetinitandpluggedthebasketovertheventonthewall.

‘NotapatchontheFlyingScotsman,’hemuttered,dustingoffhishandsandflickingatanoutcropofcrystalsbesidethevent.

Josiahwatchedasthesteamjetsdiedaroundthechamber.TheDoctorwasinterferingwithhispropertyandhewaspowerlesstostopit.Hemustfindouttheextentofthedamage.Helookedbackatthegirlassheaimedthegunsquarelyathishead,andnoticedhowtheflickeringinstrumentationontheweaponalteredastheenergeticactivityinthechambersubsided.

‘Don’ttryanything,’Acesaidfiercely.Shieldinghiseyesagainsttheglare,JosiahsawtheDoctorbendingoverthe

figurebythemembrane.Theshadowwasstillshiftinguneasilyinside;hehadtoactnow.

‘Nimrod!’heshouted.‘Getupyoufool!It’sgottobestopped!’

‘Nimrod!’heshouted.‘Getupyoufool!It’sgottobestopped!’TheDoctorsnappedhisfingersacoupleoftimesundertheentranced

Neanderthal’snose.Whenhegotnoresponse,theDoctorplacedhishandsonthesidesofNimrod’stemples.

‘Bestnottomovehim,’headvised.‘Hefellagainstthat,’saidAce,pointingtothemembranewiththeGeiger

counter.‘Anddisturbedwhatever’shibernatinginside,’theDoctorconcluded,

reachingforwardtoexaminethecracksinthemembrane’scrustthroughwhichlightwasseeping.

‘Don’ttouchit!’yelledJosiah,whosuddenlyfoundhimselfstaringback

downthemuzzleofAce’sgun.‘You’rescaredofittoo,justliketheothers,’shesaid.‘Becauseheknowswhatitis.Don’tyou,Josiah?’addedtheDoctor.‘Noone

buildsanobservatorythisdeep.Youcan’tseemanystarsdownhere.’Josiahwasbeginningtobreatheunsteadilyagain.‘There’sanenergyescape,’hepleaded.‘Imuststabilizeit!’TheDoctorwasmakinghiswayacrossthechambertowardsthetwoshapes

bythecelldoor.‘Don’tworry.Ialwaysleavethingsuntilthelastminute,’hesaid,peeringattheinanimatemonstrositiesintheirformaleveningdress.‘Thesehusks:they’resomeofyouroldcast-offs,Itakeit?’

‘TheyattackedmeandNimrod,’saidAce.TheDoctorsmiled.‘Youcouldn’thavebeenintroducedproperly.’‘You’reinsane!’shoutedJosiah.‘Ifthemembraneisbroken...’‘Yes?’saidtheDoctor,butJosiahjustscowledandfellsilent.‘There’ssomethingwellviciousbehindthatdoortoothat’scontrollingthe

husks,’addedAce.TheDoctorapproachedthecelldoorandlookedinatthespyhole.‘Vicious,likemostmaltreatedcagedanimals,’hesaid.Itwaspitchblackinsideanditsmelledunpleasantlyofuncleanedstables.

Theboltwasnotclosed.Inthedarkness,hecouldhearsomethingbreathinggently.

Perhapsitwouldbebettertoslidethebolthome.‘Yeah,buteventhatbottledoutwhenIthreatenedtosmashthemembrane,’

boastedAce.‘Youdidwhat!’hissedJosiah.‘Ace!’TheDoctorspunroundfromthedoorandthegirllookeddown

shamefacedatthefloor,embarrassedbythecarelessnessofheradmission.

shamefacedatthefloor,embarrassedbythecarelessnessofheradmission.TheDoctorsmiledatJosiahandwalkedacrosstothedeskatthecentreof

thechamber.‘Soundslikeafinekettleoffishallsettoboilover,’heobserved.Whether

byaccidentordesignherestedhishandonthebrassbuttonsonthedesktop.Thewholechambergroanedasthescreenssetinitswallsflaredintolife.

Acesawunknownfiguresandshapesspinningacrosstheirsurfaces.Indeed,thehazeofthechamberseemedtodrawthepatternsswirlingoutintotheairbeforethem.Forgettingherprisoner,AcecrossedthechambertostarefascinatedbesidetheDoctor.

‘Geneticcodes,DNA,RNAandchromosomeindices,’heobserved.‘You’vedonealotofexploringdownhere,haven’tyou,

Josiah?’headded,stillengrossed.Suddenly—atlast,theDoctorwouldhavethought—Aceunderstoodwhatshewaslookingat.‘It’sastonespaceship!’shecried.‘Hmm,’concurredtheDoctor,‘andtheownerwon’tbetoohappywhenit

wakesup.’‘Iamtheowner,’insistedJosiah’svoicefrombehindthem.TheDoctor’ssolutionwastriumphant.‘No,you’renot.You’rejustpartofthecargo.’HespunonhisheelandsawJosiahaimingapistolwhichhehadjust

extractedfroomthedeskdraweratthem.‘You’resosmugandself-satisfied,Doctor,’hesneered.‘Itry,’theDoctorsaidquietly.AcebroughttheGeigercounterupinanswertothepistol.‘Dropit,’sheordered.Josiahshookhishead.‘I’mnotasimpleton.Andthatdeviceisaradiationdetector,notagun.’Usingthepistol,hedirectedthemtowardsthecrystallineconsoleinfrontof

themembrane.‘You’regoingtohelpmestabilizetheenergyloss,ormostofsouthern

Englandgoesupinthefirestorm.’Theshadowinthecorehadbeguntostiragain;plumesofsteamtrickled

fromthevents.Aroundthem,thestonewallsoftheshipgrowledtheirprotestasthesymbolsdancedoffthescreensintothemiasma.

thesymbolsdancedoffthescreensintothemiasma.TheterrifiedControlcreaturewatcheditsenemyandhisprisonersfromthe

spyhole.Likeabalanceofscales,thelinksbetweenthetwocouldnotbebroken,evenasthedistancebetweenthemgreweverfurtherapart.TheControlcreaturesensedthegrowingfeelingofisolationandloneliness.Italsofeltstrangeandhaddoneeversincethedaywhen,inthedepthsofitsdespairingmisery,itfoundithadsheditstail.AsControlstruggledtounderstand,itfeltonlyhatredfortheonewhohadbecomeJosiahandfromwhomitcouldneverescape.ButfarmorethanJosiah,itfearedtheangerofthepowertheybothserved:thefulcrumonwhichboththeirliveswerebalanced.Ifitwaswoken,theywouldallburninthefuryofLight.Controlclawedatthedoorfromtheinside;theprisonwasopen,butthecreaturewastoofrightenedtogoout.

TheglarefromthemembranebecamefiercerastheDoctorandAcetooktheirplacesbesidethecrystalslab.

Keepinghisdistancebehindthesafetyofthegun,Josiahorderedthemtodrivetheextendedcrystalrodsintotheconsoleonhisinstruction.

Squintingacrosstheconsolefromtheintensityoftheglow,Aceconfided,‘AfterthisI’llgetajobatSellafield.

It’llbesafer.’‘JustdowhatIdowhenIdoit,’mutteredtheDoctor.‘Veryhelpful,’shegrumbled.‘Lowerthefirstrod,’instructedJosiah,buttheDoctorwashavingnoneofit.‘Ohdear,ohdear,’hebeganlikeafront-of-curtain,music-hallcomic,

‘skeletonsinthecupboard,husksinthecellar...’‘Batsinthebelfry!’chimedinAce.Josiahraisedhisgunastherumblingoftheshipgrewlouder.‘Justdoit!’hesnarled.‘Now,now,’quippedtheDoctor.‘You’llneverevolveintoaniceVictorian

gentlemanifyoushout.’Aceglancedatthefiguresbythecelldoor.‘Didthosehusksreallyusedtobe

him?’sheasked.‘AndIthoughtmyfamilyweretrouble.’Youshouldseemine,theDoctorwasabouttosay,buthethoughtbetterofit

andadded,‘That’sright.Notmuchimprovementonthereptile,ishe?’‘Isaidnow!’yelledJosiah,takingseveralstepsforward.‘Now!’shoutedtheDoctorandrammedasmanyoftherodsintotheslabas

hecouldmanageatonego.AcefollowedsuitastheDoctorturnedandpulledthebronzewaste-paper

basketfromitssteamventonthewall.

basketfromitssteamventonthewall.TheshiproaredasajetofvapourspurtedoutandcaughtJosiahfullinthe

face.Hestumbledbackwithascream,hishandstohiseyesandfelltothefloor,wherehelayscrabblingintheglareforhisdroppedspectacles.

Acekickedthegunoutofreachashelungedforit.‘Nicetry,’shegrinned.Forasecondshesawhisuncoveredeyes.Veinlesswhiteglobeswithblack

spotpupilsandnoirisesstaredatherwithinhumanloathing.Astheroaroftheangryshipsubsidedintoitssteadyregularpulse,Josiah’s

eyesseemedtoflickerwithpalestblue.TheglarefromthescreensandmembranedulledintothefaintestglowandJosiahroseunsteadilytorecoverhiscomposureandfacehisenemies.

‘Ithinkcongratulationsareinorder,’saidtheDoctorexpectantly.‘Congratulations,’saidAce,justasshecaughtthefirsttwitchingmovements

ofthehusks.‘Maybenot...’sheaddedasthedoortothecellbegantocreakslowlyopen.

‘Professor!Herewegoagain!’Josiahcriedoutandbegantostumbletowardsthetunnelandthelift.The

husksbellowedandchatteredControl’sangerastheystaggeredforward.TheDoctorgrabbedthestilltransfixedNimrodand,withAce’shelp,draggedthemanservantafterJosiah.

Throughtheeyesoftheflailinghusks,Controlsawitschanceofescapevanishing.Relinquishingitsdrivingwilloverthem,itdartedfromitscell.Control’sflyinggreyragsmadeitlooklikeamonstrousbrideinpursuitofanabscondinglover.

TheDoctorcaughtthedoorasJosiahtriedtoslideitclosedagainsthim.HeandAcebundledtheunconsciousNimrodinsidetheplushcompartmentandJosiah,seeingtheapproachingshape,forcedthemetalgateacross.

TherewasascreamasControlsnatchedattheclosinggapandthrustafilthy,glovedclawintothecrampedinteriorofthelift.

‘Givememyfreeness!’snarleditsvoice,astheclawlashedtheaironlyinchesfromthelift’soccupants.

Josiah,hiseyesfullofterror,hurledallhisweightatthedoor;Acejoinedhim.Toherhorror,shesawtheDoctorreachoutanddelicatelytakethetipsoftheclawsandshakethemgently.

‘Howdoyoudo?’hesaid.‘I’mtheDoctorandthisis...’‘JustcallmeRatkin!’Acebuttedinangrily.

‘JustcallmeRatkin!’Acebuttedinangrily.ShepulledbacksharplyastheclawsgropedattheDoctor’sjacketand

wrenchedathistie,halfchokinghimintheprocess.Thecreaturehadbeguntowhinepathetically,‘PoorControl.Nowayup.No

escaping.Nohoping.’‘Don’tlistentoit!’hissedJosiah,usingallhisweighttokeepthedoor

closed.‘It’sadepravedmonstrosity!’‘Depravedordeprived?’snappedtheDoctor.Hegrabbedatthecreature’s

armandindulgentlystrokedthetopofthestrugglingclawinavainattempttofreehimself.

‘There,there.There’sapoorControl.’HelookedfromthearmtoJosiahand

backtothearmagain.‘Now,whichofyouisJekyllandwhichoneHyde?’heasked.

Atonce,Control’svoicegrewpitifulasitwhimpered,‘Spareafarthing,guv’nor.PitypoorControl.Lockedaway.Allonlone.’‘Fiend!’roaredJosiahandslammedhisfistintotheclaw,whichwithdrew

withanaccompanyingshriek.Thedoorslammedshutandhetwistedtheleverhome.

AsthelifttrundledupwardsandControl’showlsofragerecededbeneaththem,JosiahfelltothefloorinaswoonandlaytremblingfeverishlybesideNimrod.TheDoctorleanedoverJosiahandsawhowthebleached,whiteskinonhisheadwasflakingandturningtranslucentgrey.Thewhitehairhadbecomebrittleandcrumbledtothetouch.

‘Ishedying?’Aceaskedwearily,unwillingtoadmitthatshewasalsoalmosttooexhaustedtostandup.

‘He’shadahardday’snight,’diagnosedtheDoctor.‘He’sevolvingagain...intohisnextstage.’Itmighttakeotherlifeformsthousandsofyears,butJosiahwasableto

changehisphysicalformbeforetheirveryeyes.Aceshudderedatthethought,buttheDoctorsatcross-leggedonthefloorandponderedsilently,awaitingnewdevelopmentsinwhateverformtheymightevolve.

8

CreatureComforts

DinnerhadbeenservedlatethateveningandithadbeenwellintotheearlyhoursbeforeJosiahandtheDoctorhadmadetheirdescentinthelift.Deprivedofhermaster,MrsPritchardunderstoodthatherdutywastowaitaslongaswasnecessaryuntilhereturned.Shestationedhermaidsbesidetheliftgatesandstoodimmobileattheirhead,staringattheslowprogressoftheclock.

Distantthunderrumbledoccasionally:Itcamenotfromtheclearsky,whichwasbrightwithstars,butechoedinthegroundonwhichthehousestood.

Atcloseonhalfpastthreeo’clock,shewassuddenlyawareofastrangewhimperingsoundfromcloseby.SheturnedtoseekoutthesourceofthisannoyanceanddiscoveredGwendolinestilldressedinagentleman’sdinner-jacket,sittingonthestairsandblubbingintoherbarehands.

Themaidsbegantoclusterbehindtheirmistress,staringcoldlyatthesnivellingcreature.

Gwendolineturnedherred-rimmedeyesuptothehousekeeper,twistedherlocketinherhandsandblurtedthroughthetears,‘WhydidfathergotoJavaandleaveme?’Andwhereismymother?Itryandtry,butIcannotunderstand.’

Therewasnosympathytobehadfromtheservants.MrsPritchardrespondedwithaharshnessmorefittingtoagovernessthana

memberofthedomesticstaff.‘Thatisawickedthingtosay.Wicked!Yourmotherwouldbeashamed

couldshebuthearyou.Sittingtheredressedlikeamusic-halltrollop!It’sthisDoctorfillingyourheadwithideas.’

‘Hiswordsaresoconfusing,’confessedGwendoline.SherosetoherfeetandwipedhereyeswithAce’stissue.

‘UncleJosiah’sideasaremucheasiertounderstand.’Withasuddensenseof

purpose,shedeterminedlyundidthebowtieathercollar.‘Goupstairsanddressyourselfproperly,’advisedthehousekeeper.Gwendolineinstinctivelymovedtoobeyherservant’sinstruction,but

halfwayupthestairsshehaltedandlookedback.MrsPritchardwasstaringupatherwithapuzzledfrown.Foronemoment,Gwendolinewastemptedtotreatthisasinsolencebutthehousekeeperimmediatelylookedawayandresumedherplaceattheheadofherstaff.

TheclockchimedthehalfhourandGwendolinemadeherwaybacktoherroom.

room.ThingsmadesenseaslongasshethoughtofUncleJosiah.Thusshefound

herselfputtingonadressofduskyblue,becauseitsuitedhermoodandthatofthehousetoo

—itwasfullofsecretdesiresandunknowngestures.ThereweresomethatUncleJosiahsharedwithher,andifshewasgoodhe

mightsharemore.Butthereinherroom,amongthefamiliarbric-a-brac,wasthebrokenbirdtoyandthestrangeclothesthatAcehadleftbehindwhentheyhadchangedfordinner.

Sheexaminedtheglossymaterialofthejacket.Itfeltunnaturalandslippery.Ofthecolouredmedalsandbadgesthatadornedit,thelettersBSAmadenosensetoher,nordidAceRoofingCo.Herideaswerebecomingmuddledagain.WasitAceorAlice?Sometimesshecouldhardlyrememberifitwasdayornight.Herguardianalwaysbecamefearfullyangrywhensheaskedquestions,butsheneededtotalktosomeone.

Beforesheknewit,shewasoutsidetheroomwhereMrFenn-Cooperwasbeingcaredfor.Hewascertainlythat,forwhensheopenedthedoorhewaslyingonhissideinapoolofmoonlight,snuglywrappedinhisstrait-jacket.Sheheardhimsay‘Notmuchtimeleft.It’llsoonbelight,’

beforehenoticedshewasthereandfellsilent.Whenshecalledhisname,helookedstartledandsaid,‘Soyou’veseenRedverstoo.Iknewhewascloseby.Wherearethey

holdingthepoordevil?’‘Iamlost,solostandalone,’shepleaded,closetotearsagain.Theexplorermanagedtositupinthepresenceofhisyoungvisitor.‘Redvers

understands.Hegotusedtolonelinessinthebush,’hesympathized,butGwendolinewasbecomingdesperate.

‘Icannotfindmymother,’sheblurted.‘I’msureshewashere.’Withsomedifficulty,Redversscrambledtohisfeet.‘Don’tbealarmed,’headvised.Eveninhisbonds,hepresentedaformidable

figurethattoweredaboveGwendoline.Shebackedawayinfear.Redversstruggledinsidethestrait-jacket,unabletobreakfree.‘Redvers

alwaysescapesintheend,’hemutteredandbegantoadvanceontheshrinkinggirl.‘Heknowswherethegreatestsecretofallishidden.Itsleepsinthedepthsoftheinterior.Anditmustneverbewoken!’

Hemadeasuddenmoveforward,butGwendolinewastherebeforehim.Shedartedintothepassageandshutthedoor,quicklyturningthekeyinthelock.

dartedintothepassageandshutthedoor,quicklyturningthekeyinthelock.Theproblemwithaskingquestionswasthattheanswersoftenrecalledthethingsyouwantedtoforget.

TheclankoftheliftmechanismengagingalertedMrsPritchardtohermaster’simminentreturn.Hervigilhadenduredformostofthenightanditwouldsoonbesunrise.

Uncertainofwhattoexpectwhentheliftarrived,sheraisedherguninreadinessandhermaidsfollowedsuit.

TheDoctorwaspreparedforareceptioncommitteewhentheyresurfacedinthehouse,buttohissurprisehefoundthatheandAceweretakingabackseat.Assoonasthehallsliddownintoview,Josiah,whowasstilllyinginapparentcoma,leaptupfromthefloor.Heflungopenthegatesandwrenchedthelift’scontrolleverfromitsplaceonthewall.

‘I’vesealedthelowerobservatory,’hegrowled.‘LetControlrotdownthere!’

Ashestumbledforwardfromthelift,themaidsdroppedtheiraimontheDoctorandclusteredtosupporttheirailingmaster.

MrsPritchardclutchedhistremblinghand,sendingoutashowerofdust.‘Youareill,sir.Whatmustwedo?’

‘It’sgettinglate,’hecroaked.‘Securethehouse.Imustchange!’MrsPritchardindicatedthestairsandthemaidshurriedtheinvalidaway

underherguidance.Gwendoline,descendingthestairs,metthecortegemidwayandwasignoredforallthepainsofherenquiries.

‘Wewon’tseethemagainbeforenightfall,’mutteredtheDoctortoAce.HecroucheddownbesideNimrod,whostilllayunconsciousontheliftfloor.

‘Shouldn’twefollowthem?’sheasked.‘WhataboutJosiah?’‘Hesoundedalittlehuskytome.’Acewasexhausted,butshecouldn’thelpgrinning.‘Youmeanhe’s

changingintooneofthosethingsinthecellar.’TheDoctorshrugged.‘Iexpecthe’llshakeitoffbyevening.’Betweenthem,theybegantocarrytheheavyburdenofNimrodacrossthe

halltowardsthedrawingroom.SeeingGwendolinewatchingthemthroughthebanisters,theDoctorinvitedherdowntojointhem.SheglancedbackupthestairsforasecondandthendescendedtofollowthemintotheJosiah’sdesertedparlour.

TheylaidNimrodonthecouchandtheDoctorbusiedhimselfgivingtheNeanderthalathoroughexamination.

AllthatseemedtointerestGwendolinewashowsoonNimrodcouldbe

woken.Sheaskedthequestionrepeatedly,whichirritatedAcesomuchthatsheburiedherheadinthefirstbookshecouldfind.TheReverendBaden-Powell’sEssaysontheUnityofWorldslookedapromisingtitle,butshesoonfoundherselfspendinglongerintheglossaryoftermsthanonthetext.

‘Don’trushme,Gwendoline,’complainedtheDoctorassheenquiredafterNimrodfortheumpteenthtime.‘ThesunhasgotitshatonandwehavethewholedaybeforeUncleJosiahdaresshowhisfaceagain.’

HewastooinvolvedinhisexaminationtonoticeGwendoline’snervousreaction.Shebegantoedgeherwayacrosstheroomtowardstheheavilydrapedcurtainbehindthepiano.

Acehadatlastfoundsomethingrelevantinherbook.‘Look,Professor,’sheinterrupted,pointingtoanentryintheglossary,

‘Josiah’slucifugous.’TheDoctorsmiledindulgently.‘Andhedoesn’tlikelighteither.’Aceslumpeddownintoanarmchairandasked,‘Whataboutthespaceship?

It’sknackered,isn’tit?’‘Ijustturnedoffthepower,’heconfessed.‘Josiahknowsaboutasmuchof

itsworkingsasahamburgerknowsabouttheAmazondesert.’‘SoundslikeyouandtheTARDIS,’sheyawned.Gwendolinehadtentativelypushedasidethecurtain.Throughthebarsontheoutsideofthewindow,beyondthegiantsilhouettes

ofthecedarsacrossthepitchblacklawn,shesawthefirstglimmeringsofdawninthesky.

‘Light!’shepanicked,flutteringherhandsattheglasslikethetoybirdinherroom.Sheturnedandranfromtheroom.

‘Lethergo,’saidtheDoctor,butAceonlygruntedandmadenoattempttomove.‘Comeon,Ace,I’veonlyjuststarted,’hesaid,beginningtopacetheroom.‘Therestillonethingyouhaven’ttoldme.Whatfrightenedyousomuchwhenyoufirstcametothishouseinahundredyears’time?’

Feetfirst!Inatthedeependagain,hethoughtguiltily,butthefloodof

complaintsandabusenevercame.Whenhelooked,Acewasalreadyfastasleepinherchair.

‘PoorAce,’hesaidaloud,andhetuckedherdiscardeddinner-jacketaroundher.

Thegaslightsthroughoutthehousesuddenlygutteredandwentout.ItwouldsoonbedayandtheDoctorhadtherunofthehouse.EitherJosiahfelthimself

secureenoughnottocarewhattheDoctordidorhehadoverlookedthefactinthethroesofhislatesttransformation.TheDoctorsuspectedtheformer.HehadnotforgottenthattheReverendErnestMatthewswasnolongerinevidence.HedoubtedthatthesanctimoniousdeanhadgivenJosiahhisblessinganddepartedhomeforOxford.Morelikely,hehadalreadymetsomeuntimelyfateofhisenemy’sdevisingandearnedaplaceinFoxe’sBookofMartyrs.

Perusingthehouse,theDoctorpausedinthediningroomtoexaminethecontentsofthecheesedish.HescrapedoffthefilmofbluemouldthatcoveredthefreshCheddarandcuthimselfaslice.Hewonderedwhereheshouldstartwork:abovestairs,belowstairsorbelowthehousealtogether.

TheReverendErnestMatthewsofMortarhouseCollege,Oxford,wasslumberinglikeanancientchild.Seatedintheupperobservatory,hewasoblivioustothedawnlightseepingunderthewindowblinds.Nordidheseethepistolthataimedathishead,aglovedfingerslowlypressingthetrigger.Thebarrelshiftedsidewaysatthelastmoment,thegunfiredandabulletpassedthroughtheinnercircleofatargetdrawnoveraportraitoftheEmpressofIndia.Thelecternonwhichthetargetrestedshudderedandasprayofplasterflewfromthebullet-riddledwallbehind.

Ernestopenedhiseyes,blinkingandunperturbedbyhisnewsurroundings.‘Sohereyouareatlast,’heobserved.‘Haven’tIbeenkeptwaitinglong

enough?’Josiahfacedhimacrossasmalltable.Hewassmilingfaintlyanddabbingat

hismouthwithahandkerchief.Hisskinwasflakyandyellowlikeoldpaper,buthiseyes,althoughwateringheavily,lookedoutwiththeeagerintentofanewandvigorouscreaturebeneaththedesiccatedcrust.

Sensingnoimmediatethreatofinterruption,Ernestcontinued,‘Iperceivethatyouareasickman,sir.

Retribution,nodoubt,foryourblasphemy.’‘Itwillpass,’whisperedJosiah.‘Andsowillyourunholytheoriesofevolution.Itisacompleteabsurditythat

thelineofmyancestorscanbetracedbacktoaprotoplasmicglobule!’Josiah’ssmilegrewbroader.‘Pleasedogoon,’heinsistedandslidasilver

dishoffruitacrossthetabletowardshisguest.‘Manhasbeenthesame,sir,sincehestoodintheGardenofEden...’Ernest

eyedthefruitandselectedalargebananawhichheproceededtopeelashelectured,‘...andhewasnever,everachattering,gibberingape!’

Heimpulsivelychompedintothebananaandthenlookedupinannoyance.

Heimpulsivelychompedintothebananaandthenlookedupinannoyance.Josiahhadbeguntowheezewithuncontrollableandtriumphantlaughter.

‘Whatareyoulaughingat?’remonstratedthedean,hismouthfull.‘Thedeviltakeyou,whyareyoulaughing!’

Gravelyinsulted,heglanceddownatthehandsholdingthebanana.Theywerenothishands—theywerethewrinkled,black-nailedhandsofamonkeyallcoveredinfur.

Josiah’slaughtergrewlouderstillastheprimate,faceaghast,begantodribblefruitdownhisreverentchin.

ShoesclatteredonthewoodenstairsandGwendolineemergedintotheobservatory.Ernestdrewuphislegsinfrightandsquattedontheseatofthechair,restinghisknucklesnexttohisshoes.Unabletobelievethisnightmare,hestaredaroundandscratchedathissideburns.Hewasashamedthathecouldnotresistreachingforanotherbanana.

‘Gwendoline,’croonedJosiah,‘comehere,mydearchild.’Sheobeyedandkneltatherguardian’sside,sogladtofindherselfbackat

theheartofherfamily.‘Areyouunwell,Uncle?’sheenquired.Beneathhisdriedtranslucentskin,shecouldjustmakeanotherformmoving,likeasnakeabouttosloughitsskin.

Hestrokedhercheckgently,makingcertainthatErnestcouldseeherresponsetohisaffection.

‘Onlysickatheart,mydear.ButsoonIshallrestoretheblightedBritishEmpiretofullvigourandglory.’Hepointedtothestrangeapparitionthatgapedatthemfromacrossthetable.

‘You—you’renobetterthananimals!’protestedErnestwithdifficultythroughhisgrowingteeth.Heinadvertentlyletoutawhooplikeastartledgibbonandlookedaway,ashamedandthoroughlymiserable.

‘TheReverendErnestMatthews!’proclaimedJosiah.‘Ithoughthewouldamuseme.Buthemakesatedioustoy,don’tyouthink?Heboresmejustasmuchashedidbefore.’

Revellinginanticipation,Gwendolineextractedadaintyhandkerchieffromhersleeveandfoldeditintoapad.‘Dearuncle,’shesaid,andsmiledknowinglyintohiseyes.

‘We’resogladhehastogoaway,’whisperedJosiahinherear.Hetookasmallbottleofbrownglassfromhispocketandhelditaloft.

‘Andwhereishegoing?’sheresponded.Thiswasonegameshehadnotforgotten.Shewatchedhimuncorkthebottleandtipthecontentsoverherhandkerchief.

‘ToJava!’hesaid.ErnestMatthewssawGwendoline,hisministeringangel,riseupandmove

towardshim.Hestareduncomprehendingasshemovedinandthrustthepadoverhissimianface.Asdarknessovercamehim,heheardJosiaheagerlycroaking,‘That’sthewaytothezoo!’

GabrielChasewasstillrecumbentinthefleetingshadowsofnight.Fromthedarkedificethatstoodagainsttheroseatesky,onlyonelightshone.Itcamefrombehindtheblindsthatshieldedthewindowsoftheupperobservatory.

Suddenlyittoowasgone.TherewasafinaldistantcryfromtheReverendErnestMatthewsandthen,momentslater,athrushbeganitsmorningsong.

‘Miss?Miss?’SunlightstreamedintoAce’seyesasshewoke.Sheblinkedandtriedto

focusonthefigurethatwaspullingacurtainbackfromthewindow.‘Hallo?’shesaidwarily.Shethenrealizedthatshewaslyinginbedand

wearingalongnightdress.Thefigureturnedaround;Acesawachubbywomanwithfriendlyrosy

cheekssmilingdownather.Sheworeamopcapandanapron,butitwasnotthecold,starcheduniformofthemaidsatGabrielChase:herswascheerfulandhomely.

Acethoughtforamomentthatshewasoutofthedreadfulhouseuntilsherecognizedthefurnitureanddoll’shousethatsherememberedfromGwendoline’sbedroom.Shehadnottheremotestideahowshehadgotthereanddidn’tliketoask.

‘TheDoctorsaidyou’dbefairfamishedwhenyouwokeup,’saidthehousekeeper,advancingwithatray.‘Sohere’sscrambledeggs,hotbutteredtoast,kedgeree,kidneys,sausage,bacon,porridgeandcream.’ShesettheloadedtrayontheeiderdowninfrontofAceandstoodbackproudly.

‘Cholesterolcity!’exclaimedAce,relievedthatthefoodwasn’tallononeplate.

Thehousekeeperfrowned.‘Ohno,dear.Perivalevillage.’Shewatchedtheprettyyoungladytuckinenthusiasticallyandthen

readjustedavaseofrosebudsshehadsetonthedressingtable.‘ProperlyexhaustedyouwerewhenIputyoutobed,’shefussed.‘Oh,Inearlyforgot.There’samessage:wouldyoujointhe

Doctorandthepolice-gentlemaninthedrawingroom.’‘Police?’saidAce.SurelytheOldBillwerethelastpeopletheDoctorwould

botherwith—unlesssomeoneelsehadcalledthem.

botherwith—unlesssomeoneelsehadcalledthem.Thehousekeeperwasnoddingwithapproval.‘It’shightimetheywerecalled

ifyouaskme.Isaidasmuchtomyhusband,MrGrose.’Ace,whowishedtherewassomebrownsauceforthebacon,sniffed

dismissively.‘IthinkImightgivethatoneamiss.IwanttohavealookroundPerivalevillagebeforelunch.Isthereablacksmithonthegreen?’

‘Mercyno,dearie,’smiledMrsGrose.‘There’sonlysevenhousesandthechurch!Andbesides,you’vemissedlunch.Itmustbealloffiveo’clockbynow.’

Acedroppedherfork.‘What!’shesaid.‘Nearlyevening,’continuedMrsGrose.‘Sowemusthurry.Nooneintheir

rightheadstaysinthishouseafterdark.’‘IsthatwhattheDoctor’sbeensaying?’snappedAce.MrsGrosepulledthetrayclearasthegirlleaptoutofbedinapanicand

startedtohuntthroughthedressesinthewardrobe.‘Where’smyclobber?’Acedemanded.Thehousekeeperlookedbewildered.

‘Mygear...clothes!’insistedAce.MrsGrosesmiledindulgently.‘Thoseshabbyoldthings?TheDoctorhadme

layoutthisforyou.’Sheproducedalong,white,summerdressfromthewardrobe:itwaselegantlysimplewithblack,embroideredbordersontheskirtandbodice.Willitdo,mydear?’sheasked.

Acefannedoutthedressandknewwhenshewasbeaten.‘Nobustle,’shegrinned.‘OKProfessor,youwin.’

Sheheldthedressuptoherselfinfrontofthemirror.Itwasaknockout.MrsGroseglowed.‘That’sright.Muchmorefittingforayounglady.’ToAce’shorror,shesawthehousekeeperinthemirroradvancingonher

armedwithawhalebonecorset.Besideher,thecutroseshadcomeintofullbloom.TheDoctorhadbeenbusy.Hehadsethimselfanagendaoftasksfortheday

andhadalreadybeenwellaheadofschedule,whenheheardthekeyinthefrontdoorandfoundMrsGrose,thedayhousekeeper,arrivinginthehall.

Healwayshadtimeforservants.Alwaysaskthecleanersifyouwantedinformationaboutaplace,thatwashismotto.

Cleanersweretheeyesandcarsofanycommunity;truetoform,MrsGrosehadbeenamineofinformation.ShewascharmedbytheDoctor,whomshefelttobethefirstrealgentlemantoenterGabrielChasesinceshecouldn’trememberwhen.Shehadimmediatelymadehimtea.

Throughhercomplaintsandgrumbles,shewassoondivulgingallmannerofsecretsaboutthehouse:doorsthatwerealwayslocked;themaster,MrSmith,whowasaninvalidrecluseandwhomshehadnevermet;guestswhoarrived,butwhosheneversawdepart,eveniftheysometimeslefttheirbaggagebehind.Mostofthisshedidnotunderstand,butsherecognizedtheplace’sunsavourynatureallright.Therewereblocksonhermindofcourse,justlikealltheotherhumansinthehouse;Josiahwasnotriskinginterferencefromagroupoflocalpeasants.

Fortunately,MrsGroseknewherplaceandrefrainedfrompesteringtheDoctorwithtoomanyquestions.HepersuadedhertoputtheexhaustedAcetobedupstairswhilehetriedtogetonwithsomeofhisothermorepressingtasks.

Ofallthese,thetaskhewasmosttoregretwasthewakingquitesoearlyofJosiah’sspecimenofaVictorianpoliceinspector.IttookabouttenminutestorouseInspectorAlfredMackenzieofScotlandYardfromthestatictranceinwhichhehadbeenpreserved,cataloguedandconsignedtoadisplaydrawer.

TheDoctor’sinitialmisgivingscamewhenMackenzieopenedhistwinklingblueeyesforthefirsttime,smoothedhishandle-barmoustacheandsaid,‘Andyouare...?’Theinspectorwascompletelyunawareofhisfateandwasmainlyconcernedwiththeunaccountablepangsofhungerwithwhichhewaswracked.

ItwasuselesstryingtoexplainrecenteventsinthehousetoMackenzie.Hisstraightforwardmindneededsolidfacts,butatGabrielChasethesolidfactswouldoverwhelmhissanityaltogether.

‘Typicalhumans!’mutteredtheDoctor.‘Iftheydon’tunderstandit,theyblockitoutcompletely.NowonderJosiahhasitsoeasy.’

Hedecidedthereandthennottotalktohimselfoutloud,becauseMackenziehadalreadyproducedanotebookandwaslickingthetipofapencil.

Asfarastheinspectorwasconcerned,itwastwoyearsagoandhehadjustarrivedatGabrielChasetostarthisinvestigation.SirGeorgePritchard,theownerofthehouse,haddisappearedincuriouscircumstancesandhiswife,LadyMargaret,hadsummonedthepolice.Mackenziehadbeenspeakingtoher,butshehadalsovanished.ThenextthingheknewthisstrangeDoctorhadappearedfromnowhereandtakenovertherunningofthehouse.

Mackenziebegantosuspectthefoulestofplay.Therewasnobodyyet,buthewasquicktoaddtheDoctortohislistofsuspectsforthateventuality.Determinedtogettothebottomofthemysterybeforesomehalf-bakedprivatesleutharrived,hedecidedtocontinuehisinquiryinthekitchenwhere,inalllikelihood,theremightbethechanceofameal.

ThisallowedtheDoctortocompleteseveraltrickytasksthathewantedkept

ThisallowedtheDoctortocompleteseveraltrickytasksthathewantedkeptsecretforthemoment.Evenindoors,thewarmthandsunshineofatranquildayinlatesummerwereenoughtodullthesinisterthreatofthehouseatnight.Fromthesecondfloorofthehouse,theviewacrossthecountrysidepresentedapastoralparadise.Theharvesthadbeencollectedweeksagoanddespitetheheat,thetreeswereshowingthefirstgoldenhintsofautumn.Beyondtheparkland,thefieldssweptsouth,downtotheRiverBrentandwestacrosstoHorsendenHill.Perivale,GreenfordParvaorPearTreeValley,whateveritwascalled;theDoctorwasdepressedtoimaginehowthisruralidyllwould,withinahundredyears,beswampedbythefacelessworldofhousingestatesthatAcewouldbeborninto.

Butthedarknesshadtobeconfronted.TheControlcreaturewouldnotstayentombedinthestonespaceshipforever,andtheDoctorcouldguesswhythedoortotheupperobservatorywaslocked.Themenacebothwithinandbeneaththehousehadnotbeenstilled;itssecretstantalizedtheDoctor,justasthewholeuniverseplayedhavocwithhiscuriosity.Hehadtoknowtheanswers.

Ofhissettasks,onlyonehadeludedtheDoctor.Nimrodstilllayunconsciousonthecouchinthedrawingroom.Thank

goodnessMrsGrosehadnotwantedtocleaninthere.Betweenotherjobs,theDoctorhadmaderepeatedattemptstobreakthemanservant’strance,buttonoavail.Ataboutfiveo’clock,whenMrsGrosehadtakenatrayoffooduptoAceonhisinstructions,hetriedagain.

Nimrodwasstillinfuriatinglyresistant.IftheDoctorhadn’tknownbetter,hewouldhavesaiditwasdeliberate.

HewasstaringintothedepthsofNimrod’sinertbrowneye,whenheheardthedrawingroomdooropenandMackenzie’svoiceenquire,‘YousaythishouseisownedbyJosiahSamuelSmith?’

TheDoctorreleasedNimrod’seyelidandgotwarilytohisfeet.‘No,inspector,’heannouncedwithclippedtones.

‘Ididn’tsayowned;Isaidinhabited.’Mackenzie,stillinfulldressuniformandcap,wavedahalf-eatenbeef

sandwichattheDoctorinfrustration.‘Thenwhereishe?Thewholehouseisdeserted.’Hefinishedoffthe

sandwichandplacedaplatewithanotherthreeonasidetable.‘Hewillappear,’gruntedtheDoctorandreturnedtohispatient.MackenziesidledupandeyedNimrodfromasafedistance.‘The

manservant,yousay.Nastylookingcustomer.Mustbeaforeigner.’‘Neanderthal,’observedtheDoctor.

Mackenzienodded.‘Gypsyblood.Icanseeitinhim.They’relazyworkers.What’sthisoneplayingupabout?’‘He’smesmerized.’‘NoselfcontroltheseMediterraneans:tooexcitable.nastytemperstoo,’confirmedtheinspector.‘Onlywhenroused,’snappedtheDoctor,strugglingtokeephisowntemper,

‘whichisexactlywhatiseludingmeatthemoment!’SothiswasthespiritoftheBritishEmpirethatruledhalftheplanet.MackenziehadprobablyreadaboutforeignersintheLondonIllustratedNews.

MackenzieshruggedandfetchedanotherbeefsandwichwhiletheDoctorbusiedhimselftestingthemanservant’sreflexes.Theinspectorpeeredincloseoverhisshoulder.

‘I’mbusy,inspector,’complainedtheDoctor.‘AndIhavemyinvestigationtocomplete.’OnceagaintheDoctorrose.Withafixedsmileheasked,‘Stillnotfoundthe

mustardthen?’Mackenzielookedblanklyback,sohecontinued.‘SinceIwokeyouup,youhaveconsumedthreefullEnglishbreakfastsandafour-courselunch.Ifyou’restillhungry,getMrsGrosetomakeussomeafternoontea.’

Theinspectorfinishedoffthesandwichandproducedhisnotebookfromapocket.‘She’shidingfactsfromme,’

heasserted.‘Andsoareyou.Ifyoudon’ttellmewheretherestofthehouseholdare,I’llarrestyouforobstructingmyinquiries!’

Acecouldheartheargumentasshecamedownthestairs.Shewasstilltryingtoadjusttowalkinginthedressandcorset;theremustbe

aknacktoit,shethought,ifonlyshecouldworkitout.Deportment,however,hadneverbeenonthecurriculumatschool.

Asshereachedthehall,shealsothoughtsheheardascrabblingnoisecomingfromthedirectionofthelift.Buttherumpusfromthedrawingroomwasenoughtodrownanythingelse.Besideswhich,AcewasnothappyaboutmissingoutonwhattheDoctorwasdoing.AfterbeingtrickedbacktoGabrielChase,shewasnotsureshewantedtolethimoutofhersight.

SheopenedthedrawingroomdoorandsawtheDoctorcomingtowardsher.Acethoughthefalteredforasecondasifhehadexpectedsomeonebutnotnecessarilyher.

Nimrodwasstillflatoutonthesofaandashortishmaninold-fashionedpoliceuniformwasstandingbesidehim,watchingher.

‘Professor,youcouldhavewokenmesooner,’shesaid.TheDoctorgentlytookherarmandconfided,‘ThisisInspectorMackenzie

TheDoctorgentlytookherarmandconfided,‘ThisisInspectorMackenzieofScotlandYard.Hewassummonedherein1881toinvestigatethedisappearanceoftheowner,SirGeorgePritchard.’

Acewasincredulous.‘Butthat’stwoyearsago!’sheprotested.‘HewasinoneofJosiah’scabinets,’whisperedtheDoctor.‘Preserved;

hypnotized:humourhim.’Heraisedhiseyestoheavenandlefthertocope.Apreservedpoliceman!LifewasnevereasywiththeDoctor.Shelooked

acrossattheinspector.‘Hallo,’shesaid.‘Allright?’‘Inspector,thisismyfriendAce,’intervenedtheDoctor.‘Ilikethedress,’he

addedtoher.‘Howdidyousleep?’Mackenzieapproached,notebookattheready.AcesawtheDoctormoving

towardsNimrodforsafety.‘PerhapsyoucantellmewhereLadyPritchardis,miss.’AcelookedattheDoctor.‘Doeshemeanthatoldbagthehousekeeper?’she

asked.TheDoctorwavedhishands,indicatingthatsheshouldtalktotheinspector.

‘IgatheryouliveinPerivalevillage,’continuedMackenzie.Policeinquiriesintoherprivatelifebroughtbacktoomanyawkward

memoriesforAce.‘I’llbemovingtothearea...sometime,’sheansweredcoldly.Shemoved

overtojointheDoctor.‘How’sTarzan?’sheasked,lookingatNimrod.‘Nochange,’hemuttered.‘He’sstilloutlikealight.’Nimrod’seyelidsflickeredforasecond.TheDoctorleanedinclosetotheNeanderthal’shairyear.‘Light,’hesaid.Nimrod’shandshotoutandgraspedAce’sarmlikeavice.Shecriedoutand

triedtopullaway,butshewasheldtight.‘Don’tmove!’hissedtheDoctor.AcelookedatNimrodandfoundherselfstaringdirectlyintothebrownpools

ofhiseyes.ItwasclearthatthelastthingNimrodcouldseewasAce.Hegasped,half

chokedandseemedtostarestraightthroughher.Thenwithadeepbreath,hebegantospeakinthedeeprichtonesofavoicethatwasyears,centuries,evenmillenniaaway.

‘Iamthememorytellerofourtribe.Ikeeptheembersofeachstoryinmymind,sothattheyburnfreshwitheachtelling.’

‘GoodLord,’exclaimedtheastonishedinspector.Acewastoofrightenedtomove.

move.TheDoctorhurriedlybegantorummagethroughNimrod’sjacketpockets.

‘Wordassociation,’hemuttered.‘SomehowI’vetriggeredhimoff.’Finally,heproducedtheancient,yellow

bear’stoothfromthewaistcoat.PlacingtheritualsymbolinNimrod’sotherhand,hesaid,‘Nimrod,thefangofthecavebearcallsyou.Tellusyourtale.’

Mackenziehurriedlyturnedtoanewpageinhisnotebook.Nimrod’sattentionfocusedonthetooth,relaxinghisgriponAce’sarm

enoughforhertopullaway.Sointriguedwereallthreespectators,thattheyfailedtonoticeashadowpressingagainstthegapbetweenthedoorstothehall.Itbreathedquicklybutsilentlyasitrecoveredfromtheexertionofitslongclimb.

Nimrodswunghislegsdownfromthecouchandsatclaspingthetoothinbothhands,staringashesawitflickeringinthepreciousfirelightofhisnativetime.Therewerehislong-lost,brown-eyedpeople;spearswavedingreetingastheyissuedfromthecavevillagetomeethim.

Thesunlightwaspalethroughtheforesttrees;coldundertheominousgatheringofsnowclouds.Thepeoplesatsilentlywaitingforthememorytellertobegin.Mostofhistaleswereold,passeddownthegenerations,wordforword,buttodaythiswashisowntaleandhewasthefirsttotellit.

‘Attheseasonwhentheicefloodsswampedthepasturelands,weherdedthemammothssunwardstofindnewgrazing.’

‘Trickythings,mammoths,’endorsedMackenzie.‘Asthesnowshidthegreenworld,theeatinggrewlean.Thewisemencastbonestomakehuntingmagicandspokewiththevoiceof

theBurningOne.’AcestruggledtofindarationalexplanationforNimrod’sbehaviour.‘Isthis

aracememory?’shewhisperedtotheDoctor.Heemphaticallyshookhishead.‘No,thesearehisrealexperiences.’Nimrod’smindclouded.Hisfamily,hispeopleandhisworldwerelong

dead.Theylivedonlyinhisthoughtsnow.Ifhelosttheirmemory,theyweregoneforever.Hewasalone;andafterhim...Clinginginvaintothetooth,histhoughtsturnedtodespair.

‘Butnowthewildworldislostinadesertofsmokeandstraightlines.There

issmokesickness,butLightwillreturn.’‘Lightwillreturn.’

‘Lightwillreturn.’OnlytheDoctorheardthegrowledechofromoutsidethedrawingroom

doors.Nimrodfellsilent;heslidsidewaystoresthisheadwhichteemedwith

memoriesonthestackofcushions.Muchrelieved,theinspectorstretchedandrubbedthebackofhisneck;he

feltpeckish.Assoonasshehadheardthewordlight,Acefeltachilloffearinher

stomach.Shehadhopedafterwakingtofindallthehateandevilsweptawayfromthehouse,butitwasallstartingagain.BynowtheDoctorwouldbeinituptohisneck.Allshewantedwastogetoutbeforesomethingelsehappened.

Therewasascreamfromthehall.9

OutofControl

MrsGrosecamedownthestairswithavaseofwitheredroses,tuttingatthetrailoffallenpetalssheleftbehindher.

Halfwaydownshefroze;therewasashape,atallmoundofgreyingrags,pressedagainstthedrawingroomdoors.Asshesteppedcloser,MrsGroseheardsoftgrowlingnoisesandalowwhine.

‘Whoareyou!’shechallenged.Theshapeturnedandhissed.MrsGrosesawasnarlingface,halfcoveredby

rags,butgreyandmottledlikethemoon.Itrushedtowardsherandshescreamed.

TheDoctordashedoutofthedrawingroomtofindMrsGrose,handtomouth,standingamidthedeadroses.

Acrossthehall,theliftgateswereclosing.‘Oh,sir,’shegaspedasheandAcehelpedhertoachair.‘OhLord,I’veneverseenthelike.’‘Brandy,’snappedtheDoctortoMackenzie.Theinspectorproducedahip-flaskfromhisjacketandhandeditover.‘Whatdidyousee,ma’am?’heasked.MrsGrosewatchedtheDoctorpouralargetotintothecuppedtopand

moaned,‘Oh,itwasahorriblething—horrible.’Shetookthecupandsippedatthebrandyamidreassurancesfrom

theDoctor.Thenadolefulexpressioncameoverherface.‘HaveIbeenwicked,sir?’sheasked.

‘Ofcoursenot,’saidtheDoctorpatiently.‘Justtrytotelluswhathappened.’MrsGroseforcedherselftofinishthebrandyandthensaid,‘Itwaswaiting

therebythedoor,allhunchedupandhorrible.Andthenithissedandspatlikeahellcat.Itwasawicked,wickedthing!’

‘Control,’guessedAce.‘Buthowdiditgetuphere?’‘Liketheverydevilitselfitwas,miss,’addedMrsGrose,holdingoutthe

cuptotheDoctorinhopeofarecharge.‘Youlikealittledrop,doyouMrsGrose?’askedtheinspector.‘Ibegyourpardon,sir.’Entirelymissingtheprofferedcup,theDoctorintervened.‘Inspector,Mrs

Groseisagod-fearingwoman.I’msureshehastolduseverythingshesaw.’

I’msureshehastolduseverythingshesaw.’‘Thankyou,Doctor,’saidthehousekeeper.Sherosefromthe.hairand

smoothedoutherapron.‘Ishan’tbestayingamomentlonger.Imustseekemploymentelsewhere.’

‘Verywise,’agreedtheDoctor.‘Andwhenyoudo,givemyregardstoPeterQuint...’

Shegavehimacuriouslook,bobbedtobothhimandAceanddisappearedtowardsthekitchentocollectherthings.

TheDoctorsmiled:thestaffweredesertingthehouse.ThatwasanotherturnofthescrewinJosiah’scoffin.‘Professor!’whisperedAceurgentlyandpointedtothelift.TheDoctor,

however,shushedhertobequiet.Mackenziepocketedhisflaskandannounced,‘Thismadhouseneedsone

moregoodgoingover.’‘Goodidea,’agreedtheDoctor.shepherdinghimtowardsthestairs.‘Tryto

bebackbysixo’clock.’‘Why’sthat?’‘Becauseroundhere,theforcesofdarknessdon’twaituntilmidnightto

appear!’Completelyflummoxed,Mackenzieascendedthestairsanddisappeared.Withrelief,theDoctorturnedtoAce.‘Iknow,Iknow!’heassertedbeforeshecouldstart.Hecouldseethatagrey

shapewasstilllurkinginsidetheclosedlift.Theycouldhearitbreathing.TheDoctorraisedhisvoiceespeciallyforitsbenefit.

‘Climbinguptheliftshaft’sveryclever!I’dhopedtheControlcreature

mightbringsomethingwithit.Butforthatit’llneedthelift!’Therewasapauseandthentheclankofmachineryastheliftsuddenlybegan

todescend.Acecouldn’tunderstand.‘Ithoughttheliftwasbroken,’hesaid.‘Imendedit.’Hewalkedbackacrossthehallintothedrawingroomwith

Aceinpursuit.‘Professor!What’sgoingon?’Shealmostfeltlikecryingshewasso

confused.Heflappedhishandstoquietenherwhilehethoughtoutloud.‘Josiahand

Controlareafraidofit.RedversFenn-Coopersawitandlosthisreason.Nimrodworshipsit.’

worshipsit.’‘LettherebeLight?’askedAce.‘It’sasleepdownthereinitsspaceshipandJosiahdoesn’twantitwoken.’‘Well,maybethat’sagoodidea.Maybeitshouldbeleftalone,Professor—

justthisonce.’‘Itmustbevery,veryold,’hemused.‘Perhapsevenolder.’Helookedather

withimploringeyes.‘Justalittlechat...’‘Professor!’sheprotested,butsheknewitwasalostbattle.Shesatonthe

couchandthennoticedthatNimrodhadvanished.‘Where’sTarzan?’sheasked.TheDoctorsniffed.‘Gonetoseeamanaboutagod,’hesaidsulkily.Somethingchirruped.BoththeDoctorandAcesuddenlybecameconscious

ofahighstridulantsoundthatwascomingfromoneofthedisplaycabinets.BeforeAcecouldstophim,theDoctorhadpulledopenadrawer.

Acejumpedbackindisgustasthewingofalargemothbrushedherface.Thedrawerwascrawlingwithinsectswhichwerenolongerintheirregimented,preservedtanks,butverymuchalive.Severalemerald-wingedbutterflieslitteredpasther;cricketssprangfromtheirprison;hugeAmazoniancockroachesandarepulsivemillipedewerscramblingovertheedge,antennaewaving.Acewasrevolted.

‘It’stheenergyfromthespaceship,isn’tit?’sheguessed.‘It’sbringingitallalive!’‘GoandfindMackenzie,’orderedtheDoctor.‘Thingsarehottingupsooner

thanIanticipated.’JournalEntry.September20th,1883....preciouslittlehasgonerightwithmesinceIleftEngland.Nosignof

Redvers,norwillthereeverbenow,butIglimpsedtheDoctorearlierandgreetedhimasbestIcouldinmydolefulstate.HecalledmeRedversandsaysIamnaturallyofa

melancholydisposition.Ibeseechedhimtojoinmyexpedition,buthedeclined,

preferringtotravelalone.Themoonissettingovertheveldt.Intheseparts,nightisoftenasbrightas

day.Earlier,ascorpioncrawledoutfrombehindthebrassbedrail.Itscuttled

towardsme,butIcrusheditwithRedvers’boot.Theforestisalivewithnoisetonight.Thechorusofcicadasisenoughtodriveanymanto

madness.Tomyastonishment,anativeinfulldinner-jackethasemergedfromadoorintheundergrowth.AmIthento

dinner-jackethasemergedfromadoorintheundergrowth.AmIthentoperishonthespearofthisbarbaroussavage?Hefalters.Byheaven,Ibelievethatsalvationisathand!

NimrodsawRedversFenn-Cooperwatchingthesunsetfromthewindow.Hewasseatedonthebarefloor,stillboundinthestrait-jacket.Onseeingthemanservant,helookedstartledforamomentandthencried,‘Redversknewthereliefcolumnwouldarrive!’

Nimrodreverentlybowedtothemadexplorer.Agreatfearhadcomeuponhimsincehehadseenhispeopleonceagain.Theirsterneyeshadwarnedhim:youcarryourmemories,wemustnotbelost.Bewildered,heknewhemustseekadvice,buthisnewways,thewaysoftheservant,werenoteasilycastaside.

‘Excuseme,sir,’heasked,‘youspeakwiththewildnessoftheoldworld.Isitappropriatetoseekyourwisdom?’

‘Youwon’tgetfarwithoutgoodsupplies,’beganRedvers.‘Baggageanimals,porters...’

‘TheoneIservesir,theBurningOne,iswaking.WhatshouldIdo?’Redversknewtheanswerimmediately.‘StanleyfoundLivingstone.Ifound

Redvers...once.Youmusthuntthedarkcontinent,seekoutwhatyoudesire.Butbewarned...

youmayfindit!’Fromhisjacket,Nimrodproducedalargehuntingknife.Redverspulled

back,fearingbetrayal.‘Imustfreeyoufromyourbonds,sir,’insistedthemanservant.

Redversflunghisjacketedarmswide.‘TheDoctordidthathoursago!’helaughed.‘Redversonlywearsthisagainstthecoldofthenightair.’

Therewasaclickbehindthem.Thehandleonthedoorintheundergrowthturnedbackandforth.

InspectorMackenziecursed;everyroominthiswretchedhousewassealedup.Heleftthedoorandstampedfurtheralongthepassage.Theairwashumidandhefeltasifhewassufferingfrompricklyheat.Heclimbedtothesecondfloorbutitwasjustasdeserted.Itseemedtohavebeenalongday,buthemustfindLadyMargaretagainbeforehewenttofetchreinforcementsfromScotlandYard.

Hewastryinganotherdoorwhenanightbirdshriekedandheavywingsbeatoverhishead.Heduckedandsawthattherewasnothingtoavoid.Hewasgettingjumpy;theunceasinggazeofthestuffedbirdsthatfilledtheplacemadehimveryuneasy.

‘Inspector,’calledAce,andhejumped.‘Foundanything?’sheasked,

‘Inspector,’calledAce,andhejumped.‘Foundanything?’sheasked,roundingthecorner.

Mackenzieclutchedhisheartandlongedforsomethingsimple,likeareassuringbrawlinachop-house.

‘Nothing,’hesaid.‘ThishousehasmorelockeddoorsthanReadingjail.’Immediately,thedoorhehadjusttriedopenedslowlyofitsownvolitionto

revealaflightofstairsleadingupwards.‘It’stotheupperobservatory,’saidAceandledtheway.Mackenziefollowedher.Oncehewasthroughthedoorclosedsilentlyafter

them.TheDoctorsensedthewellingofenergybeneaththehouse,likeadamabout

toburst.Hehadsetthewheelsinmotionandwasreducedtowaitingfortheoutcome.Ithadbeenabusyday,butaslongashecouldtrustControl,andaslongasit—orrathershe—trustedhim,thenitmightyetproveworthwhile.Hesaidshe,becausehewassurethatwaswhattheunfortunatecreaturewasbecoming.Shehadsnarledandhissedthroughthelockedgatesofthemendedliftwhenhehadvisitedthebasementearlierforoneofhislittlechats.Butshemustfindherownwaytocompletetheirbargainifshewantedwhathehadoffered;hewouldnothelp.Acewouldbefuriousofcourse,buthehadtoknowwhatwassleepinginthespaceship,andthereseemednobetterwayofstoppingJosiah’smeddling.

HepassedthetimeinthestudyconsolingoneoftheSouthAmericancockroaches;heassureditthatallcivilisationstartedwithhuntingandforaging.Everythinghadachancetoworkitswayup.

That’llbethephone,hethought.Heputtheinsectdownandafteramomentthedevicerang.

‘No,Ihaven’tforgottenouragreement,’hetoldthecaller.‘I’mreadywhenyouare.’Hewasalertedbyasuddenclickandsaid,‘Wait.There’ssomeoneelseontheline.’ButControlhadgone.ThelineclickedoncemoreandtheDoctorknewthathisbargainhadbeenoverheard.

Againhefeltthesurgeofenergyasitmovedthroughthefabricofthehouse.Itwastoolatetostopnow.

Theglowingmiasmainthelowerobservatoryswirledwithgoldandthecrystaloutcropspulsedwithenergy.Theshipgroaneditsbirthpangsastheblindingeffulgencecentredonthemembranecore;theshadowinsideconvulsedinfuriousspasms.Beforeit,crouchedoverthecrystalconsole,wasControl,angrilysummoningthehuskstohersideandhersupport.

‘Move!Move!Timemovingfasterthanyou!’Thegreatbruteslumberedup,rockingfromonefoottotheotherlikea

Thegreatbruteslumberedup,rockingfromonefoottotheotherlikeamonstrousguardofhonour.

‘Lightangry,burningangry!ButnotwithpoorControl!’Herglovedclawsmovedwithcertaintyoverthecrystals.Shewasafraid,buttheDoctorhadpromisedandshewouldbindhimtohis

word.Shewaschangingtoo.Nolongertrapped,shehadanewpurpose.‘Controlgoingshowinglightwayup.ThenControlonwayuptoo!’Thecrystalsweremovingbythemselvesnow.Theshiproaredinpain,

spurtingsteam.Controlscreamedandthemembranesplitacross,floodingtheshipwiththeblazingrageofLight.

Thehandthatsnappedthetelephonereceiverbackontoitsstandwasfleshypinkandwellmanicured.ThethirdfingerworeasignetringbearingtheentwinedinitialsGandM.

Ittappedthestandincontemplationandthenwithdrewasthestairsclatteredwithascendingfeet.

Acehardlyrecognizedtheupperobservatoryassheledtheinspectorupintothehigh,domedchamber.TheTARDISstillstoodtotheside,butotheritemsoffurniturehadbeencoveredbydustsheets,asiftheownerwasplanningtospendwinteraway.

‘Nooneuphereeither,’observedMackenzie,butAcewasnotconvinced.Shetuggedawayasheet,unleashingacloudofdust.Agrey,translucentshapelayinachair,inertinitsfilthyvelvetjacket.

‘Disgustingobject,’saidMackenzie.‘Whatisit?’Theobject’sfeatureswerealltoofamiliartoAce;shebegantofeelill.‘It’swhat’sleftofJosiahSmith.It’sjustahusk.’Sheknewthesignificance

ofthecastskinandbeganwarilytolookround.‘Ithinkweshouldgetoutofhere,’shesaidquietly.‘Nonsenseyounglady,thatthing’snotdangerous,’blusteredMackenzieandhepulledawayanotherdustsheet.MrsPritchard,

thenighthousekeeper,satthereimmobileingauntblack,hereyeslifelessandstaring.

‘LadyMargaret!’heexclaimed.‘Lady!’echoedAce.‘SirGeorgePritchard’swife,’heconfirmed.Butthefigurelookedsogaunt

andtired;hardlytheproudandhandsomewomanhehadspokenwiththatmorning.Onlythatmorningwaslikeadistantmemory.

Aceangrilysnatchedawaythefinalsheettorevealthepalelittlefigurekneelingonthefloorbesidethehousekeeper.

kneelingonthefloorbesidethehousekeeper.‘Gwendoline.She’stheirdaughter,isn’tshe?’‘What’shappeninginthishouse?’demandedMackenzie.Suddenlyhehad

threedeadbodiesandwasthriceasconfused.AcewantedtotouchGwendoline’scoldface,butcouldnotbringherself

nearit.‘They’rejusthistoys!Josiah’stoys!’shechokedandcrossedtheroomawayfromthehorrifictableau.

Setasidefromthethreefigurestherewasalargerectangularshapedrapedinanothersheet.Acereadthebrassplaqueatitsbase:HomoVictorianusIneptus,andturnedback;shedidnotwanttosee.

Mackenzie,whohadfollowedher,pulledbackthecloth.Inaglasscase,crouchingindriedgrasswithonehairyhandrestingona

branchandtheotherholdingahalf-peeledbanana,wastheReverendErnestMatthews.

Championofmankind’ssupremacyovernature,enemyofDarwinism,hewasdevolvedincruelmockeryofhisbelief.

Hispreservedbodywasdisplayedasastartled,sad-eyedape.Mackenziebackedaway;Acethoughtshewouldthrowup.Instead,they

heardthedistantchimesoftheclock.Mackenzielookedathiswatch,whichhadstopped;surely,however,itwas

notalreadysixo’clock.Fromtheirplaces,GwendolineandMrsPritchardwererisinglikepredators.‘Getout!’yelledAce,butGwendolinecaughtherbythearmandtheyfought

likewildcats.‘Letgoofher,madam!’shoutedMackenzie,producingagun,butMrs

Pritchard’sarmscythedoutandsenthimtumblingbackagainsttheseatedhusk.Itsleatheryarms,stillfullofvigour,clampedaroundhimandhelosthisweapon.

Undeterred,heyelled,‘Iamapoliceofficer!YouwilldowhatItellyou!Reinforcementsareontheway!’

AcehadmanagedtopushGwendolineawayagainsthermother,butassheturnedtorun,shesawanewhorroremergingfromtheTARDIS.ItwasJosiahSamuelSmith;hisfacewasfreshandruddy,hishairalushauburncolourandhisclothesimmaculate.Hesmirkedandhiseyestwinkledevilly.

Acedashedinafrenzyforthewindow.‘Stitchthis,Dracula!’sheshoutedandreleasedtheblind.Itsnappedup,catchingthemonsterinthelastraysofthesettingsun.

Heflunghisarmswideintriumph.‘Inolongerneedtocrouchintheshadows,younglady!’hecrowed.

shadows,younglady!’hecrowed.IndespairAceranathim,butMrsPritchardcaughtherhairanddraggedher

back.AceslashedatJosiah’sfacewithherfingers,butwasheldfast.‘You’renogentleman,’shetoldhim.‘ScratchtheVictorianveneerand

somethingnasty’llcomecrawlingout!’Hegrabbedherbythechin,forcinghertolookhimintheeye.Shecouldstill

hearthedistantclockchimingfarbeyonditsallottedspan.‘YourbelovedDoctorthinkstogetthebetterofme,’hehissed.‘ButI’llsee

himsquirmingyet!Bringher!’heorderedMrsPritchard.Heheadedawaydownthestairsfollowedbyhishousekeeper,hiswardand

theirprisoner.Trappedinthechair,theinspectorstruggledtoescape.Sensingtheemergentfocusofenergybeneaththehouse,theDoctorknewhe

couldwaitnolonger.HehadhopedtofindAceinthehall,butinsteadhesawNimrodwaitingbytheliftgates.TheNeanderthalhadnotseenAceandseemedunconcerned;hehaddeterminedtoseekthetruthfromtheBurningOne.Nimrod’spersonalenlightenmentwasnottopoftheDoctor’slistatthatmoment,butheadvisedthemanservanttostickaround;itwouldsavehimatrip.

‘Canyousummonitthen?’Nimrodasked,stillincredulousthatsostrangeafigurecouldwieldsuchpower.

TheDoctorwinked.‘Let’sjustsayI’vemadeadealwithitsagent.’Fromthedepthscametheominousclankoftheliftmachinery;thewheels

begantogrind.‘Thatshouldbethemnow,’addedtheDoctor.‘Where’sAcegotto?’Therewasnotimetolose,sohehadtolosesome.TheDoctoropenedthe

glasscoverofthegrandfatherclockandpushedthehandsforwardfifteenminutestosixo’clock.

‘It’snotdarkyet,butIdon’twantJosiahtomisstheshow.’Astheclockstartedtochime,thepanelsinthewallsacrossthehallopened

andthemaidsissuedforth,swishingintotheirplacesonthestairs.Theliftcabletwitchedasthecarriagerosenearer,buttheclock,having

completedsixstrokes,continueditschimes,soonpassingtwelveandcontent,itseemedtostrikeinfinity.ThemaidssourlyregardedtheDoctorfromtheirranks.

Tiringofthechimes,theDoctorreachedintotheclockandstoppedthependulum.Nimrodstaredinawe.‘Doctor,youareaspowerfulasyouarewise,’hesaid.

‘Cutthehomespuntwaddle,Nimrod,’wasthereply.

‘Cutthehomespuntwaddle,Nimrod,’wasthereply.‘Thisisn’twise.Ijustlitthebluetouchpaperandfoundthere’snowhereto

retireto.’Heturnedandbowedtothescowlingmaids.‘Goodevening,ladies.Ihopeyoulikeindoorfireworks.’

Abovethestairs,thestainedglasswindowbegantohumandflicker.‘TheBurningOneiscoming!’criedNimrod.‘ThenIshouldkeepwellclearofthelift,’advisedtheDoctor.‘Tocatcha

wolf,Imayhaveunleashedatiger!’TherewasascuffleonthelandingaboveandJosiahappearedwith

GwendolineandMrsPritchardwhoclutchedthestrugglingAcebetweenthem.‘Doctor!Whatareyoudoing?Stopthelift!’yelledJosiah.‘JosiahSamuelSmith!SoyoufinallyevolvedintoaVictorian.Howquaint.’

TheDoctorwasdelightedandrelievedtohaveanaudienceatlast,nomatterwhatshapeitturnedupin.‘AndAce,yougothereintime.’

‘Sorry,Professor,’shecalled.‘Don’tapologize.ComedownandmeetJosiah’snewguests.’‘Nimrod!’Josiahwaspushingdownthroughtheadvancingmaids.‘Stopthe

lift!Stopit!’‘Muchtoolateforthat,’smirkedtheDoctor.‘It’stimetoshedalittleLight

onyourplans.’‘No!’JosiahyelledintheDoctor’sface.Theclankingoftheliftstoppedand

theDoctorturnedtowalktotheclosedgates.‘Holdhim!’calledMrsPritchard.Immediately,twomaidsseizedthe

Doctor’sarmsandheldhimback.‘You’vemadeapactwiththatcreature!’accusedJosiah.‘Youdon’tknowwhatyou’redoing!’‘ButI’llsoonfindout.’TheDoctorlookedtowardsthedarkenedliftand

called,‘Youcancomeoutnow.We’reallwaiting.’Thegatesswungopenandtheragged,greyapparitionthatwascalled

Controlsteppedfromthedarkinterior.Fromundertheveils,thehalf-moonfaceandanimaleyeregardedthe

onlookersandfixeduponJosiah,itshatedenemyandopposite.‘Control!’whisperedJosiahwithutmostmalice.‘Quintessenceofwickedness.Corruptionincarnate!’Thetwofacedeach

otherinmutualloathing.‘Thankyoufortrustingme,Control,’interruptedtheDoctor.Controldrewbackherveilstorevealhergreyhalf-formedface.Shepulled

andtwistedthematerialinherglovedhandsinprideatwhatacleverControlshe

andtwistedthematerialinherglovedhandsinprideatwhatacleverControlshehadbeen.

‘Myhalfgreeingmentdone,’sherevelledinhergravelledvoiceandpointedtothelift.Itsdoorshadclosedagain.‘Youdesiring.Inthedarkness,youfindit.’

‘Don’tletitout!’Josiahlaunchedhimselfatthegates,butablastofenergycoursedthroughhisverybonesandtossedhimaside.

‘Toolate!’gloriedControl.Thegatesflewopen;acoreofengulfingbrilliancesuchaseventheDoctor

hadneverseenburstuponthem.Thehumansandwould-be-humansscreamedandshieldedtheireyes.Only

theDoctorstareddirectintothefierce,incandescentheartofLight.10

TwiceuponaTime

Waveuponwaveofcoldradianceflowedfromthefiercecrucibleofwhiteinthelift.Fizzingandhissing,thealmostsolidbrilliancepaled,becameopaqueandfinallytranslucent.Agiantfigurewasdiscernibleintheicyfurnace.Arounditglowedanauraofgold,eithercreatedbyoritselfcreatingthefigureatitsheart—theDoctorcouldnottellwhich.

Robedinliquidgoldandsilver,withskinshimmering,ithadthenobleandterriblebeautyofaseraph,fallentoEarthfromitsplacebesidetheThrone.Itglidedfromthelift,energyhummingfromitlikeageneratoranddroningfiercelyatanymortalitpassed.

ControlandAceshiedclearoftheluminouspresence;eventheDoctor,extendingahandingreeting,fellbackwithacryasthefigurepassedstraightthroughhim.

‘Light!’gaspedJosiah,scramblingawayacrossthefloorandupthestairstowherehisbroodoffamilyandstaffwatched.HalfwayuphepassedMackenzie,whohadescapedtheclutchesoftheupperobservatoryandwasonhisawe-struckwaydown.

Lighthadreachedthefarboundaryofthehall.Itturnedbacktoobservetheonlookers.Withintheaura,theysawitseyesdartingandthefingersonitsraisedhandsflexingasitunceasinglyabsorbedinformation.Agoldenhazediffusedfromtheauraanddriftedpastthem.Itfilledthehallwithitsglow.

‘Whatthedevilisthatthing’whisperedMackenzietoAce.‘It’sanangel,stupid!’‘That’sjustitsshapeonEarth,’correctedtheDoctor,hiseyesfixedonthe

emanation.‘It’scalledLightandit’scometosurveylifehere.’‘Itwascrashedoutinitsstonespaceshipinthebasement,’saidAce.TheDoctornodded.‘Butwhileitslept,thesurveygotoutofcontrol.’‘Controlisme!’growledthegreymoundofragsatMackenzie’sshoulder.‘AndJosiah’sthesurvey,’concludedtheDoctor,noddingupthestairs

towardsthevillain.Determinedtohavethelastword,Aceadded,‘NowLight’sgottosortout

themuddle.’‘Thatwasmyidea,’theDoctorboasted.Mackenziewasperplexed.‘Thenwhoareyou?’hedemanded.Withasmile,theDoctorreplied,‘Wewouldn’twanttoconfuseyou.’

Withasmile,theDoctorreplied,‘Wewouldn’twanttoconfuseyou.’HestoppedshortasControltuggedathissleeve.‘Rememberourgreeingment.YoupromiseControl’sfreeness.’Avoicecutthroughthehummingair,highandethereal,butsilkyanddeadly

too.‘Control!’Lighthadspoken;Controlcringed.‘Now!Tellitnow!’sheinsisted.Onceagain,AcebegantofeartheDoctor.Hehadmadesomesortofdealto

getthisalienLightcreatureupintothehouseandshehadmissedoutonit.Ifshehadbeenthere,shewouldhavestoppedhim.Sometimeshescaredthehelloutofher.

Light’svoicesoundedagain.‘HowlonghaveIbeenasleep?’ItextendedahandtowardsControlandregisteredthenewshapeofitsownfocalbodyforthefirsttime.Itwasastonished.‘WhyhaveInaturalizedinthisform?’

Itwassuddenlyawareofathreatcloseby.Onthestairs,oneofthemaidswasapproachingatJosiah’sbidding,herpistolaimedsteadilyatLight’shead.ThenotionthatsuchaprimitivedevicecouldharmLightwasabsurd,buttheintentionwasmoredangerous,ifonlyfortheassailant.

WhatwasJosiahplayingat?TheDoctorsawthatthemaidwouldbebrushedcallouslyasidelikea

summerflyandyelled,‘No,Light!Don’tdoit!’Justaglancewasallthatwasrequired.Themaid’seyesmetLight’sscrutiny;

allcolourdrainedfromherandshefellbackdeadonthestairs.Theothermaidsraisedtheirgunsandfireddownattheangel,buttheweaponsclickeduselessly.

‘Youneedn’thavedonethat!’shoutedtheDoctor.‘Wasteful,’reprovedLight.‘Yourweaponsnolongerwork.’‘Callthemoff,Josiah.Comedownhereandtalk,’suggestedtheDoctor,butJosiahwouldhavenoneofit.Urginghisservantsupward,heledthewithdrawalandvanishedintothe

house’swarrenofpassages.SeeingLightdistracted,Mackenziemadeadashforthedoor.Evenbeforehe

reachedit,however,theboltssnappedhomeandshuttersslammedacrossthewindows.

MackenzietuggedatthehandleinvainandturnedtoseeLightstaringdownathim.

‘NothingleavesuntilIhaveexplanations,’itsaid.AsMackenzieedgedbacktotherestofthegroup,theDoctorstepped

AsMackenzieedgedbacktotherestofthegroup,theDoctorsteppedforward.‘Surelyyou’renotgoingtotacklethatthing?’theinspectormuttered.

‘Ijustwantalittlechat,that’sall.’LighthadreturneditsscrutinytoControl,whosidledforwardlikea

submissivecur.ItwasapparentthatawayfromLight’sinfluence,ControlhadbeenexposedtostimulithatonlytheSurveyAgentwasallowed.Theproto-creaturehadgraspedthelanguageofthisworldandbeguntoresemblethedominantlifestock,butthatcouldbedealtwithlater.

‘ThisisnottheplanetIexpected,’assertedLight.‘Excuseme,butthisisEarth,’interruptedtheDoctor.Lightignoredhim.‘Ournextsurveywastobeasimple,barrenrockwitha

fewsocialmosscoloniesandfoursterilemoons.Easytocatalogue.Sowhythis?’

AsControlbegantowhine,theDoctorheardavoiceinhisear.‘You’vehad

yourlittlechat.Let’sgetoutofhere.’HepushedAceawayandprayedshewouldwaitalittlelonger.ItoccurredtoAcethatshewasnottheonlyonewhowassubjectedto

initiativetests.Bynow,Controlwasgoingthroughcontortionsofmisery.‘PoorControl.Alwaysblamed.Nohoping.’

‘WhereistheSurveyAgent?’demandedLight.‘WhathappenedwhileIwasdormant?’

‘You’restillonlyhalfawake,Light,’chimedintheDoctor.‘Youthrowyourweightaroundandyoudon’tevenknowwhatplanetyou’reon!’

‘Whatisthis?’Lightasked,regardingtheintruderwithcuriosity.Itwasamazedtoseethecreaturedisappearoutofitsviewthroughanentranceportal,pursuedbyasecondofthespeciesdressedinwhite.

WithAceintow,theDoctormarchedintothedrawingroom.AssumingthatLightwasfollowing,hesaid,‘ThisisEarth.Howmanymoretimes!Checktheinstrumentsinyourship.’HelookedbackpastAceandsawthattheywerenotaccompanied.‘Nowwhere’shegone?’hecomplained.

Heturnedagainandstartedinsurprise;Lightwasaheadofthem,itsaurapulsingasitwaitedbesidethepiano.‘HowdoesLightmovesofast?’askedAce.

TheDoctorsettledbackintoachair.‘Hecantravelatthespeedof...thought.’

‘Earth!’Light’svoicewassuddenlysteepedinweariness.‘Whymentionthatwretchedplanettome?’

‘Ifyoudon’tlikeit,thenbogoff!’AcemetLight’scoldstareandtriedtobackaway,buttheglarestretchedlikeanarmtowardsherandshefeltasif

backaway,buttheglarestretchedlikeanarmtowardsherandshefeltasifeverymuscleandsinewinherbodywascrushingoutwardsfromwithin.

‘Ioncespentcenturiestherefaithfullycataloguingeveryspecies.Everyorganismfromthesmallestbacteriatothelargestichthyosaur.ButnosoonerhadIfinishedthanitwasallchanging.Growing,crawlingandspawningnewsubspecies—newspecies!Evolutionranamok!Ihadtostartamendingmyentries.Thetaskwasendless!’

TheDoctorshrugged.‘That’slife.’ThebrightmantleofLight’sauradronedlouderandthevoicedeepenedwith

anger.‘Control!’Thunderrumbleddistantly.Thedoorsflewopenonthehall,catchingControl,whowasspyingatthe

keyhole.Shelookedupstartledandbegantowhine.Behindher,Mackenzie,whoseheadwasspinningwithideashecouldnotbegintoabsorbintoaroutineenquiry,panickedandfled.

Unabletoresistthesummons,Controlslunkintotheroom.Lightfixedherwithitscrueleyes.

‘HowmanymoremillenniamustIendureyourcompany?IsthistheEarth?’Controlswayedbackandforthwringingherglovedhands.‘Well?Where’syourotherhalf?Where’stheSurveyAgent?’

DesperationfinallydroveControltoprotest.‘Controlwantsfreeness!Bealadylike!’ShepointedattheDoctor.

‘Doctorpromised!’‘Itisnothistogive.’Aceknewit;hejustcouldn’tresist,couldhe?‘Didyoupromise,Professor?’TheDoctorlookedacutelyuncomfortable.‘Thingsranawaywith

themselves,’heblustered.‘Controltoo!Runaway!’Withafinalglareatherbetrayers,thecreaturefled

intothehallandawayupthestairs.Light’sheadrosetoblastitserrantcharge,butfoundtheDoctorblockingthepath.

‘Light.Light!Giveherabreak!She’snottherealtroublemakerhere!’Hereachedfortheangel’sarm,butfoundonlyinsubstantialenergytinglinginitsform.

‘Youareinterfering,’itgrowled.TheDoctorwasseizedbyaforcethatmadehisbodyache.Hefoughtto

resistthesearingpenetrationofLight’scoldeyes.‘Interfering,justlikeyou,’hesaid.‘OnlyIdidn’tgetcaughtnapping!’He

‘Interfering,justlikeyou,’hesaid.‘OnlyIdidn’tgetcaughtnapping!’Hetriedtostophimselffromshaking,butcouldnotlookaway.‘Forgetyoursurvey,Light.Justgo!’

TheDoctorandAceweresuddenlyaloneinthesilentroom.Shetookhisarmforreassuranceandsaid,‘Hashereallygone?’

ReleasedfromLight’sattentions,theDoctortookadeepbreath,scowledandsaid,‘No.’

Thehousewasfullofitsenergy.WhenheplannedtoreleaseLight,heshouldhaveknownitwouldbeacreaturecoldinheartandmind.Itmightdealwithitsrenegadeexperiment,butprobablycauseuntolddamageintheprocess.Allthingsrespondedtotherightinfluences;hethoughtofAceandcongratulatedhimselfonhowwellshewasturningout.Control,howeversheevolved,mustbefoundbeforeeitherLightorJosiahcrushedalltherawpotentialsheembodied.

TherockinghorsecreakedasGwendolineswayedtoandfroinitssaddle,butitwasMrsPritchardwhostoodmechanicallypullingthetoybackandforthbyitsmane.

Josiahhadralliedhistroopsintheupperobservatorywhilehedesperatelysearchedforasolutionwithwhichtoprocurehisfreedom.

‘TheDoctorisnomorehumanthanLightis,’heranted.‘He’snotevenBritish!Iwonderwhichofthemislowerincunning.’

Forallthereactionhegot,hemightaswellhavetalkedtothetoys.HesnappedhisfingersinMrsPritchard’ssullenface.

‘Buttheycanbothbeluredintotraps,’sheresponded.‘Preferablytogether.Thecollectionisshortofpredators.’Staringaheadassheswayedonthehorse,Gwendolinesaid,‘Letmedeal

withthem,uncle.Iliketraps.’Asfootstepssoundedonthestairs,MrsPritchardadded,‘AndNimrodmustbepunishedforhisdisobedience.’‘Iamhere,sir.’ThemanservantshepherdedthebewilderedRedversFenn-

Cooperupintothechamber.‘Soyoucamesneakingbacklookingforfavours,’commentedthehousekeeper.Nimrodaddressedonlyhismaster.‘Iknowwheremyallegiancelies,sir.’‘Redversishereonmyinstruction,madam,’reprimandedJosiah.HedirectedRedverstowardsthebulletsplintered

lectern;theexplorersmiledinrecognition,noddedandgazedatthetargetthathadbeensetupthere.Josiahchuckled.Nothingwouldstophisplanforthe

hadbeensetupthere.Josiahchuckled.NothingwouldstophisplanfortheEmpire.WithluckLightandtheDoctorwouldbeateachothers’throatsbeforetheyevennoticed.

‘MrsPritchardwillorganizedinneranddealwiththatinterferingpoliceman.’

‘Verygood,sir.’‘Gwendoline.’Heslippedhishandsaroundherwaistandliftedhergently

downfromthehorse.‘TimeforMissAcetoleaveus.’Lookingupintohiseyes,thegirlreplied,‘I’msureshe’llenjoyJava,Uncle,

onceshegetsthere.’‘Notasmuchasyou’llenjoysendingher,mydear.’Heturnedtothe

explorer,stillengrossedinthetarget.‘AndRedversFenn-Cooper?’‘Redverskickedoverhistracesandlosthimselfinthebush.Lordknowsif

he’lleverfindhiswayout.’‘Andyourotherquest,Redvers?’Redversbegantostutterinconfusion.‘Idon’trecall...theheathaze...isdazzling.’‘Ineedyou,Redvers.Stayoutoftrouble.We’vearoyalappointmentto

keep.’AnAsianAtlasmoth,attractedbythelight,flappedgracefullyintothegas

flameandburnedtodeath.Redversreturnedtohisfeverishcontemplationofthetarget;behindhim,Josiahwaswrackedwithsilentlaughter.

BeyondtheconfinesofGabrielChase,wheretimehadnotfrozenwithajoltataminutepastsixo’clock,thelaststreaksofdayhadfledbeforetherelentlessmarchofnight.

Inthehouse,thestylizedgreenfoliageonthedrapesandwallpaperoftheupstairspassages,glowedinthesoftgaslight.Cicadascree-creekedtheirnightsong.

Controlsatinanalcovesurroundedbystuffedfinchesandtanagerswhichspreadtheirgaudywingsandflewnowhere.Shepeeledbackthegreasyragsthatcoveredherfaceandscratchedatherskin;itfeltstrange,allpinsandneedles.Itwassofteraswell.Butshedidnotcare.

‘PoorControlwantedfreeness.Theypromisedfreeness,butnoonegaveit.SoControltookfreenessallonlone!

Hersnow.Notakingitwaygain.’Shehadsoonlearnedtodealwithdoorswithoutthehelpofahusk.By

pressingonthehandleandpushing,orbysimplykickingthemin,shewas

slowlyuncoveringthesecretsofthenewworldshehadescapedinto.Therewassomuchtowatch,touch,smell,tasteandhear;someofitfamiliarfromthepicturesandfewwordsshehadrecognizedinTheTimes.‘IhavebroughtyouyourcopyofTheTimes,’or‘HereisyourTimes,’saidhergrimjailereveryday,andalthoughtheotherpatternschanged,thesymbolatthetopwasalwaysthesame:TheTimes.Herfirstwords.

Otherthingsinthisgreenworldwerenew:thebrightlycolouredinsectsthatflewandcrawledamongthefurniture;thehigh,drapedopeningsthatlookedontodarkness.Perhapstherewasanewworldbeyondeachdoor.Thrilled,shegreedilyabsorbedallinformationandputittogooduse.Squintingcross-eyeddownhersnout,shesawthatherskinwasturningpaleandpink.Hernosewaslesssquatandwasnolongercoldandwettotouch.

Smellingdanger,shedodgedthroughadoortoavoidthecrocodileofmaids

thatpassedalongthecorridor.Attheirhead,MrsPritchardpausedforasecondtolistentothechorusofinsectsaliveinthepanelling.Thensheledherminionson,downthebackstairstotheirduties.

Controlemergedfromhidingandgazedatthewondersofhernewworld.Cricketshoppedfromdrapetodrape;amillipedewounditswayalongagiltpictureframe;aglossybeetlescuttledacrossaveneeredmahogonytable.Controlcaughtthebeetleinherglove,poppeditintohermouthandcrunchedhappily.Ittastedfarbetterthanthecockroachesinhercell.

Shefroze,suddenlyawareofafigurepushingtowardsherthroughthefrondsofalargepottedpalm.Itmovedcautiouslyandheldoutahandfulofsparklingobjectsinherdirection.

‘Takethem,’saidRedvers,offeringoutthehandfulofbeadednecklacesandbraceletshehadfoundinoneofthebedrooms.

Controlstaredwarilyatthebeadsandsnatchedthemaway.‘Youlikethem.Youkeepthem,’saidRedvers.‘Thenwetradewords.’ControllookedintoRedvers’face,buthadnowordstosaythatshemight

trusthim.Sheheldthebeadstightinherhandsandrememberedwhattheymightmean.

‘Ladylike?’shesaidhopefully.Henodded.Asheledherawayfromthebeatentracks,hunterleadingthehunted,the

DoctorandAceroundedthefarcornerofthepassage.GivenhalfachanceAcewouldhaveleggeditbynow,buttherewasnowayshewaslettingtheDoctoroutofhersight.Ofcourseshewasjumpywithsomanylooniesabout:whatdid

outofhersight.Ofcourseshewasjumpywithsomanylooniesabout:whatdidheexpect?Itremindedhermoreandmoreofwhatthehousehadbeenlikethefirsttimeshegotin.Uphere,thehumidairwasgettingtooclammytobreatheasily;ithadtherichsmellofdampearthinahothouseandtheinsectswerereallygivingitsomestick.Itfeltalive.Itwaslikethereptilehouseatthezoo.

ThealteringstateofthehouseremindedtheDoctoroftheoppressiveluxurianceofsometropicalswamp,possiblyinJava.HewonderedwhereLightwas:itwasalmostcertainlycheckingitslocationusingthedatabanksinthespaceship.Throughthechorusofinsects,hefanciedheheardthescutteringofinformationacrosstheship’sscreens.Nonsense,ofcourse—theyweremuchtoohigh.

TheimportantthingwastofindControlbeforeshefellintothewrongclutches.

Lightstoodinthehallandstaredupatthestainedglasswindowoverthestairs.Datasymbolsflickeredacrossitssurface,hierographicsandhologlyphicslikethosetheDoctorhadseenonthescreensintheship.No,thiscouldnotbetheEarth.Ifitwas,theimplicationsweretoomomentioustocontemplate,solettheideabe.

Repeatedly,thescreenidentifiedthelocation:Earth.‘Ecospheredataassessmentcompleted.Amendmentstooriginalsubject

fieldsrequired.’Impossible!TheEarthwasfarfromtheship’sprescribedcourse.EitherControlortheSurveyAgenthaddisturbedtheship’sperceptionsandcausedsomeminorerrorinitslocationrelays.Theywouldbeseverelypunishedoncethiswasrectified.

LightwasLight.Whoorwhatitwas,itneverstoppedtorecall.Whoknewwhereitsworkhadstarted?Itwasnottobefoundonitscatalogue.Recordalllife—perhapsithadthoughtofitsdirectiveitself.Specieswerewhatitrecorded,notwhatitwas!Everyspecies,everysubspeciesandeveryvariantwasnotedandneatly,logicallyrecorded.

Itmustknoweverychange,everyvariegatedmutation.Thecataloguemustbecompleteanduptodate,butwhydiditneverstop?It

neededjustonehiatus,afewmomentstocatchup;timetobreathe,timetothink.Therewasnotimetowaste:therewerecorrectionsandamendments.

Neveramomenttohalt,tocombatthewearinessthatlayeredanddulledthe

playofenergeticsthatwashismind,wasLight.Thescreenreiterated,‘Location:Earth.’

Oneofthedominantcreaturesofthisplanetwasapproaching.Lightregardedher,atallandproudspecimeninblack.TheformthattheSurveyAgentwould

her,atallandproudspecimeninblack.TheformthattheSurveyAgentwouldhavetakenmightnotbedissimilartothis.MrsPritchardbobbedandheldoutasilverplatteruponwhichacardrested.

Wasthisachallenge?Lighthadnoneedtoexaminethecardtounderstanditspurport.

‘FromMrJosiah,sir.Aninvitationtodinner,’saidthehousekeeper.SotheSurveyAgentwaswellestablished.HadLightnotseenitalready?It

contemplatedaresponsewhileMrsPritchardwaited,stoney-faced,litbyitslambentaura.Itwatchedabeetledropfromacurtainrailandlieonitsback,legswavinghelplessly.Itnoddedinagreement.

‘Dinnerwillbeservedathalfpasteight,sir.’MrsPritchardbobbedagainanddeparted,leavingLighttoitsfactsandfiguresonthescreenabove.

‘Location:Earth,’thescreenstatedagain.Light’senergydronedangrily.Amomentlateramaidenteredthehallcarryingatrayandlargesouptureen.

ShestoppedshortasshecaughtLight’seye.‘Comechild,Ihaveneedofyourservices.’Itbeckonedandshedrewnear,trustinglyreturninghisgaze.Sincetheship’s

conclusionswerenonsense,Lightmustfindoutwherethisplacewasforitself.Themaidkneltasiftoreceivebenediction,staringupintoLight’scoldangelicface.ThetraybegantorattleasLightenfoldedherinthecloakofitsaura.

Thedistantclatterofafallentureenechoedthroughthenightchorusofinsects.AcegrabbedtheDoctor’sarm.

‘Whatwasthat?’‘Justourimaginations,’hesaid.Theyhadnotgonemuchfurther,andthere

wasstillnosignofControl.Theplacecrawledwithallmanneroflife.‘TheenergyfromLight’sshipisdoingthis,’shesaid.TheDoctortookadeepbreath.‘Yes.Invigorating,isn’tit?’‘No.’‘Why?Whatdoesitremindyouof?’Hesawhewasabouttogetapieceof

hermind,soheundercutherflow.‘Allright,allright.Whathappenedtoyouhereinahundredyears’timeis

noneofmybusiness.’‘Ithoughtitwasahauntedhouse,’sheprotested.‘Itis.’‘Igotfrightened,that’sall!’‘Ofcourse.’‘Iwasonlyfourteen!’

‘Iwasonlyfourteen!’Ashelookedatherwithdeepaffection,sheunderstoodthathewastryingto

apologize.TheDoctortookthekeytotheTARDISfromhispocketandoffereditto

her.‘Youcanalwayswaitforme.’‘That’stheeasywayout,’shesaidsharply.‘Well,comeonthen,’hesaid,butshewastoofascinatedtohear.The

passagewasengenderingalureofitsown.Sheheardshadowswhisperingandscrabblingastheyclusteredinthecorners.Shefroze.‘Doctor?Didyoueverhaveoneofthosenightmareswhereyoucouldn’tmove?’

Noanswer:hehadgone.Shefelttherawenergyofhatredfixingonher,makinghertheeyeofits

storm.Thereintheshadows,itwaswatchingher;thecoreofalltherottingrotinrottenPerivale.Thiswaswhereitallstartedtogowrong.

Familiesandmumsandmum’sfancyman.Andshehadletitgoon.Sheshouldhavestoppeditproperly.Allthehatredandguiltintheworldwasconcentratedinthisplace.Shewastrappedahundredyearsfromwheresheshouldbe,wheresheshouldhavesavedherfriend.

Thescrabblingandwhisperingsurgedcloser.Allaroundhertheinsects

mocked:theplacewasalive.AravencroakedandAcethrewoutherarmstoshieldherself.Anowlscreeched.Thebeadyeyesofthefrozenbirdsaccusedherasshetriedtorun,butherlegswereheavyaslead.Thiswayandthatsheturned,besetbythescreamingjudgmentofthelifelessbirds.Shesanktothefloorweepinguncontrollably.

‘You’realldead!Ididn’tmeanit!Icouldn’thelpit!I’mnotguilty!’Assheburiedherfaceinherhands,sheheardthesirensofthefireenginesapproachingandsawtheflashingbluebeaconsofthenextcenturycuttingthroughthesmokeandblazingfirelight.

Itallwentquiet.Behindher,Aceheardtherustleofmaterial.ShelookedroundandforasecondsawManishastandingoverher.

‘Ace,mydear,’saidtheapparition.‘Iwantyoutocomeaway.ComeawaywithmetoJava!’Raisingherchloroform-drenchedpad,GwendolinelaunchedherselfuponAcewithmurderousintent.

11

TrickoftheLight

InspectorMackenzie’ssearchforawayoutofthehousehadprovedfruitless.Theouterdoorswereallsealed;everywindowonthegroundfloorwaseitherbarredorshuttered.

Thetelephonelinewasdeadandthekitchenwasempty.MrsGrosehaddepartedlongagowithoutleavinganydinnercooking.The

inspectorfoundsomebiscuitsinthepantryanddecidedthathemustfindawaydownfromanupstairswindow.Thatmightprovetrickybecausehisjointsachedasiftheyhadnotbeenusedforaweek,buthewasnotstayinginthishousefuloflunaticsforamomentlongerthanwasnecessary.

Ashereachedthehall,hesawLadyMargaret,stilldressedasahousekeeper,overseeingthepackingofasetoftrunksbytwoofthemaids.Evidentlypreparationswereunderwayforadeparture.Aseachitemwasdisplayed,shetickeditoffinanotebookandconsignedittoatrunk.

‘Item:onemachete.TobedispatchedwithothersundriestothelodgingsinWigmoreStreet.

‘Item:threerevolvers.Asrequired.’ShenoticedMackenziewatchingandfixedhimwithherstare.‘Ah,LadyMargaret,’heblustered,‘I’vebeenwantingtohaveawordwith

you.’Thehousekeepersnappedherfingersandthetwomaidsstartedtocloseinon

thepoliceman.‘Perhapswecansortthisbusinessoutoverapotoftea.’Heglancedfromonetotheotherofthemaidsastheytookholdofhisarms.‘Item,’saidMrsPritchard.‘Onepoliceinspector.Thisspecimentobe

packedwithotheritemsforLondon.’Shetickedhernotebook.Withashout,Mackenzieflunghishandfulofbiscuitsintoherface,

wrenchedhimselffreeofthestartledmaidsandranupthestairs.‘Doctor!’heyelled.MrsPritchardtookthemachetefromthetrunkandhandedittooneofthe

maids.‘Disposeofthatitem,’shesaid.Shewatchedthemaidssetoffaftertheirquarry.Oneofherstaffwasdead,

anothermissing.WhateverMrJosiah’splansfortheinspectorwere,ahousekeeperwasentitledtoexactrevengeforthedisturbanceofherhouse.She

housekeeperwasentitledtoexactrevengeforthedisturbanceofherhouse.Sheclosedthetrunklidandwenttoseeaboutdinner.

IthadnotbeendifficultfortheDoctortofindControl’strail:hehadonlytofollowthescatteredragsandveilstorealizethatherevolutionaryprogresswasadvancingrapidly.Thankfully,ithadnotbeenatrailofhusks:Controlseemedtohaveout-evolvedJosiahasfarasmetamorphosiswasconcerned.Shewasbutterflyandchrysalisinone.Theproblemwouldlieinnotfrighteningherawayagain.AndnowAcehadwanderedoff,whichannoyedhim.

Throughthecrackaroundthehalf-opendoortoGwendoline’sbedroom,hesawthatControlhadfoundanewally.RedversFenn-Coopersatontherumpledbed,holdingsomepictureorother,whichhewasexaminingstudiously.TheDoctorwonderedforamomentwhothehandsomeyoungwomanseatedatthedressing-tableamidastackofopenedhatboxescouldbe.Herlessthanelegantmannergavethegameaway,assheplantedanelaboratelyfeatheredhatontoherpiledhoney-colouredhair.ThehatwasatentirelythewrongangleandControlgrowledalittle.

Withoutlookingupfromhispicture,Redversobserved,‘ThehandsomestwomanRedverseversawwasdaughtertoanN’tamba

chief.Butshehadabonethroughhernoseandatehercousinforbreakfast.’Controlthrewdownthehatandselectedanotherwithstiffgauzeanda

stuffedswallowonthebrim.TheDoctorconsideredwhetherherfilthyragshadevolvedintothecharmingmauvedressshenowwore,orwhethersheandRedvershadchosenitbetweenthem.

‘WillControlbealadylike?’shepleaded,gazingathernewreflection.‘Wantsomuch!’

Shediscardedthehatagain,butRedvers,havingputdownhispainting,approachedandstoodbehindher.

Pickingupthenecklacehehadgivenher,hegentlydrapeditaroundherneckandfastenedtheclasp.

‘Oncethehuntisover,I’llmakeyouthefinestladylikeintheEmpire,’hesaidinadmiration.

Hesatbackonthebedandreturnedtohispicture,offeringtheDoctortheidealopportunitytomakeanentrance.

‘Hallo,Control.Havingfun?’hesaidgenially,swanningthroughthedoor.Controlspunroundinalarm,hissingvenomouslyattheintruder.‘You!’she

cried.‘YoucometakingawayControl’sfreeness!’‘No,Control,’hesaidasshebackedoff.‘Iwanttohelpyou.AndIneed

‘No,Control,’hesaidasshebackedoff.‘Iwanttohelpyou.AndIneedyourhelptoo!’

‘Nohelp!’shesnarledandthrusthimaway.‘Freenessismine!Youwon’ttakeit!’Shehadhadenoughofthisworld.Sheturnedandhurledherselfthroughtheglassofthewindow.

TheDoctordashedafterher,yellingthroughthecascadeofsplintersforhertocomeback;shecouldn’tgetfar.Butheonlyglimpsedherdownbelow,dashingoffintothedarkness,awayfromthehouseandtheLight.

Redverslookedupfromhispictureandsaid,‘Ofcourse,ifshewereareallady,Iwouldn’tbeinherboudoir.’

‘Thingsaregettingoutofhand,’despairedtheDoctor.‘EvenIcan’tplaythismanygamesatonce.’‘Thenhelpme.Youcanjoinmyhunt,’suggestedtheexplorer.‘Idon’thavetime,Redvers.’TheDoctorhadanuncomfortablefeelingthat

lostovernightinthedark,Controlmightevolveintoanocturnalcreatureandnevercomebackinsideagain.

‘ButI’mhuntingtherarestcreatureintheworld.TheCrownedSaxe-Coburg!’RedvershandedhispicturetotheDoctor,wholookedinastonishmentbutwasn’tabitsurprised.HewasholdingapictureofQueenVictoriawithasetoftargetringsandbulletpuncturesacrossherregalbrow.

‘Oh,really?Andwho’ssponsoringthisexpedition?JosiahSamuelSmith?’HemighthaveknownthatthiswaswhereJosiah

wouldsethissights.Hewasprogrammedtoevolveintooneoftheplanet’sdominantlifeforms,butwhystoptherewhenhemighthavethethroneaswell.CrownedSaxe-Coburgindeed!Ofcourse,JosiahwouldblockthetruthfromRedvers’bewilderedmind,buttoadaptMrsSaxe-Coburg—anicknamefromthelowestreachesofsociety—intoatotemwithinRedvers’domain,questionednotonlyJosiah’ssickhumourbutalsothecompanyhekept.PerhapshealreadyhadcontactsinLondon.

WithControlbeyondreach,theDoctordecidedhisattentionwasbestemployedhereandinfindingAce.AndthebiggestproblemwasgoingtobedealingwithLight,whateveritwasupto.

RedverstookbackthepictureofVictoriaReginaandsaid,‘WhenIfindit,Ishallshootit!’

NimrodknewhehadfoundLightwhenhesawasteadystreamofgoldenhazeemanatingbeneaththedooroftheTrophyroom.Hehadsomanyquestions,andifthewisemenspokewiththevoiceofthegodwhenquestioned,thensurelythegodhimselfwaswiserstill.ForallthatJosiahhadtaught

thensurelythegodhimselfwaswiserstill.ForallthatJosiahhadtaughtNimrod,itwasLight,theBurningOne,whohadbroughthimtothistamed,unwildplace.Wouldhenotalsotakehimhome?ButLighthadquestionsandapprehensionsofhisown.

AsNimrodentered,hesawhisGodbentoverthemaid,whowaslaidouton

thedissectingbench.Lightturnedtostareatthenewcomerandinitshand,itheldthemaid’sdetachedarm,bloodilyseveredattheshoulder.

‘Iwantedtoseehowitworked,’itsaid,‘soIdismantledit.’ItscoldstaresettledonNimrod’sownwonderingeyes.

‘ButIneedanotherspecimen...’Nimrodbowedhishead.‘Sir,youareLight.Longago,mypeople

worshippedyouastheBurningOne.ThepupilsofLight’seyesnarrowed.‘Iknowyou.Itookyouupasthelast

specimenoftheextinctNeanderthalracefromEarth.’‘Yes,sir.’‘Atleasttheyknewwhentostopevolving.Whoreleasedyoufromyour

quarantinecubicle?’‘MrJosiah,sir.Iaminhisservice.’Thatnameagain,undoubtedlytheevolvedformoftheSurveyAgent.Still,

herewasaspecimenthatLightcoulddiscoursewith.Itpointedafingerintotheairandteasedthemoleculessothattheyflaredintovisibility,spinninginaglowingorbbeforeit.

‘Lookatthesemicrobes.They’reevolvingevenasIspeak!IfthisisEarth,myentirecatalogueoftheplanetisworthless!Centuriesofworkwasted!’

Itflickeditsfingerandtheorbdisintegratedintotheair.Nimrodtriedtotakeinthegod’swords,butallhecouldperceivewerethecoldeyesandthecallous,emptyvoice.

Hispeoplereveredthestateofmindthatotherscalledmadness,butLightwasbeyondthisdifferentsanity.

Nimrodrealizedwithmountingfearthathisgodwasdestructivelyandmonstrouslyunhinged.

ThedooropenedandMackenzieappeared,outofbreathandredintheface.SeeingNimrod,hegasped,‘Thankheavens.Safeatlast.Thatmadwoman’safterme.She’s...’

hefalteredasLightemergedfrombehindNimrod’sshoulder.‘Andifwedon’twantthingstochange,’itsaid,‘wemakesurethatthey

‘Andifwedon’twantthingstochange,’itsaid,‘wemakesurethattheycannot!’

Mackenziefellbackwardsagainstthedoorasallcolourdrainedfromhim.Underthestare,hebegantosinkslowlytothefloor,chokingandfrothing,hiseyesstreamingwithrichdarktears.

AceknewenoughaboutfightstoeasilyholdherownagainstagenteelVictorianmiss,butshewasinastateofnervousshockandGwendolinehadthestrengthofaTurkishwrestler.Acecaughtherfirstwhiffofchloroformandfoughtlikeademon.Screwinghereyesshut,shekickedandbitforallshewasworth.GwendolinestumbledandAceranblindlyawaydownthepassage,crushinginsectsunderfoot.ShewantedtofindtheDoctor,butinstinctdrewhertowardstheTARDIS.

Asshehurtledaroundacorner,amaidsteppedoutinherpath.GwendolinewasrightbehindherandAcehadnochoicebuttodartthroughadoorintoanotherdisusedbedroom.Shetriedtoforcethedoorshut,butGwendolinewasalreadypushingitinandthemaidhadjoinedher.

‘ComealongAce,Idon’twanttohurtyou,’calledGwendoline.‘Youmeanit’llbepainless!’retaliatedAce.Butwithnothingtojamagainst

thehandle,shewasgraduallylosingthebattle.Withaheftyshove,Gwendolineforcedherwayintotheroom.Themaidstoodinthedoorwaywatchingasthetwogirlsfoughtlikecats.Then,hearingvoices,shedartedbackintothepassage,closingthedoorbehindher.

‘TheCrownedSaxe-Coburg’shabitatisn’teasytodiscover,’RedverswastellingtheDoctor,astheyroundedthecorner.‘Agoodhunteralwaysknowsthesigns,’theDoctoragreed.Themaid,who

stoodinthedoorwaysmiling,bobbeddutifullyastheypassed.Redverseyedherwarily,asherememberedsomethingRedvershadoncetoldhim:thereadysmileofanativemaywellbethatofacrocodile.

ButtheDoctorcontinued,‘...signs,likearoyalinvitationtoWindsorCastleforinstance.’Hestopped,lookedsternlyitRedversandheldouthishand.

Theexplorerresolutelyshookhishead.‘Comeon,Redvers,’pressedtheDoctor.‘Accesstotheroyalfamily.Why

elsewouldJosiahkeepyoualivesolong?’Withasigh,Redversproducedabatteredenvelopewitharoyalsealonit.He

helditbackforamoment.‘Actually,it’sforBuckinghamPalace.Areception.’Finally,heshruggedandhandeditover.‘Afterall,youareamemberoftheRoyalGeographicalSociety.’

TheDoctorheldtheenvelopeforasecondandthenpasseditback.Redverssmiledgratefully.‘Willyoujoinmyexpedition,Doctor?’

Redverssmiledgratefully.‘Willyoujoinmyexpedition,Doctor?’‘Notyet,’hesaid,settingoffatapace.‘FirstIhavetofindAce.’Themaidwatchedthemdisappear.Shereleasedhergriponthedoor-handle

andwaited,listeningtothemuffledsoundsofthestrugglefromtheroom.AcehadGwendolineinaheadlock,buttherewasnowheretosecurethe

viciouslittleVictorianandnoonetohelpherdoit.GwendolinetriedtokickAce’sshins,butherlongskirtshamperedhermovements.

‘Letgoofme,youlittlebrat!’shecriedout,stilltryingtoreachAce’sfacewithherpad.

‘Noway!’Behindher,Aceheardtherumbleofthewindowslidingup.Asifinanswertoaprayer,ahandappeared,cladinalady’slongandgrubbyeveningglove.

Control,herhairdishevelled,hereyeswildandherwillbroken,hauledherselfinthroughthegap.

‘Control!Helpme!’shoutedAce,butthecreatureonlystaredatthestruggleandmuttered,‘PoorControl.Nohoping.Nochanging,’inavoicebereftofallenergy.

‘Oh,yeah!WhataboutpoorAce?Well,helpme,whydon’tyou!’Controlmovedforwardandthrustthembothoutofherway,allowing

Gwendolinetobreakfree.SheroundedonAceagain,butControlhadpulledopenthedoorandseizedholdofthemaid.ThestartledwomanwassentcareeringintoGwendolineandtheybothcollapsedinaheap.

AcedashedoutintothepassageafterControl,slammingthedoorbehindherandturningthekeyinthelock.FrominsidecameGwendoline’smostunladylikecurse,followedbyasharpslapasshetookoutherspiteontheunfortunatemaid’sface.

Thedoor-handlebegantorattle;blowsstartedtopoundonthepanelling.Controlhadgonebynow,butAcecaredonlyaboutfindingtheDoctor.Shejustwantedtogetoutandshewasn’tworriedwhethershesawanyoftheothersagain:notControlnorJosiahnoranyofhismadfamily;notMackenzienorNimrodnorLight—especiallynotLight.

Josiahstalkedtheupperobservatory,rapidlylosingpatienceatthelackofanynews.Hehadtriedthetelephone,butashelifteditabeetlehadcrawledfromtheearpiece.Hethrewdownthereceiverindisgust.Whenhetriedagain,thelinewasdead.

Afewminuteslater,Nimrodcameupthestairs.‘Where’sRedvers?’demandedJosiah.‘Itoldyoutofetchhimback.’

‘Where’sRedvers?’demandedJosiah.‘Itoldyoutofetchhimback.’NimrodhadadeterminedairthatJosiahdisliked.‘Mycircumstanceshave

changed,sir.Iwishtoservenoticeoftheterminationofmyemployment.’Thiswaslaughable.‘What?Withoutmeyouhavenothing!’Butsuddenly

Josiahwasafraid.Hesnatcheduphispistol,heldittoNimrod’stemplesandforcedthemanservanttohisknees.‘What’sLightbeensayingtoyou?OrthatDoctor?Iknowwhereyourtrueallegiancelies!’

Defyingthebarrelofthegun,Nimrodrosetohisfeetanddeclared,‘Withmyself,sir.’

Withalookofuttercontempt,Josiahpushedhisservantaway.‘Whereare

theothers?’hecried.‘It’salmostdinnertime.Whyaren’ttheyalldead?’WithafinalglareatNimrod,hedisappeareddownintothehouse.‘DoIhavetodoeverythingmyself!’

Lightstoodwatching,itshandstrokingthesideoftheTARDIS.Itstudiedoneoftheobservatory’sarchedwindowsandthedarknessbeyond.‘IthinkIshallbelatefordinner,’itmused.

AcewascertainthattheDoctorwasnearby,watchingher.Ifthiswasanotherofhisgames...Shehadcomebackroundthehouseclose

toGwendoline’sroomandasshereachedthedoor,shethoughtsheheardsomeonecrying.

Therewasamomentaryflareofwhiteoutsidethewindowasifaminorcomethadjustfizzedpastthehouse.

Thenitwasgone.Acelookedwarilyintotheroomandsawashapecrouchedonthefloor,

envelopedinaneiderdown.Sheapproachedtheshapeandcalledgently,‘Control?’

Theshapetensed.‘Goway!Leavelone!’itsnapped.Acesatdownonthefloorbesideit.‘AmIstillRatkin?’sheasked.Controlwailedmiserably,soAcetriedtoputherarmaround

whereshesupposedtheshape’sshouldersmightbe.‘Ididn’tmeanit.It’sallright.’

‘Hateworld!’snivelledControl.‘Hatefreeness!Itbites!Ranawayintobigemptynothing.Skyflewawaytonothing!Nofreeness.

Nochanging.Crawlback.Wanttohidefrombigopenemptinessworld!’Aceshookherheadinagreement.‘It’sthishouse.Whenyou’reakid,you

smashthingsyouhate.ButwhatdoIdoifitkeepscomingback?’Theywereunitedinmisery.‘Worldonlychangingforhim,’whinedControl.

‘Nowhe’sJosiah.Bigmannow!

‘Nowhe’sJosiah.Bigmannow!LeavingControlbehind!Noladylike!’Sheeruptedintoawailofsuch

anguishthatAcecouldn’tstanditanymore.‘Cutthewhingeing,Control!’sheorderedandthecrystoppedasquicklyasa

babydiscoveringanewtoy.‘Youwanttofightback?You’llhavetobeatJosiahathisowngame!’

Control’sheademerged,wide-eyedandalertfromtheeiderdown.Forthefirsttime,Acecomprehendedtheextentofherfranticevolution;shelookedalmosthuman.

AsAcewentandhuntedthroughastackofbooksbythesquirrel’sdoll’shouse,Controldiscardedhereiderdownandwatchedinfascination.AcecamebackwithEtiquettefortheModernLadybySAMayhew-Archer.‘Idunnohowlongwe’vegot,butwecanmakeastart.’

‘Hey!’sheprotested,asControlsnatchedthebookoutofherhands.Thecreaturesniffedthebindingandopenedthefirstpages.

‘Otherwayup,’advisedAce,realizingthiswasgoingtobealongjob.‘ThismakeControlladylike?’askedthepupil.‘Howmanyyearshaveyougot?’‘Notlong.’Controlheldthebookupagainstherforehead.Forafew

seconds,shehummedacontinuousrisingnotetoherselfandshuddered.Thensheloweredthebook,breathedasighofrelief,smiledandthrewthebookaway.‘Done,done,’shesaidproudly.

‘Oh,what!Nooneabsorbsawholebookofinformationjustlikethat,’thoughtAce.

‘Notjustnoone,’saidControlandwinked.Shesatinfrontofthemirrorandstartedtotidyherhair.Acewasstillincredulous.Itwasapitytherewasnochapteronelocution.

‘Goon.Sayafterme."TheraininSpainfallsmainlydownthedrain".’‘Therain...inSpain...,’Controlbeganinlessthanperfecttones,butstopped

asshesawamovementbehindherinthemirror.‘Thereyouareatlast,Acemydear!’sneeredGwendoline.Shelungedforwardwithherpad,butAcecaughtherarmandforcedher

sideways.Snatchingout,shetoreGwendoline’slocketfromherneckandthrewitdown.

Asthetwograppledagain,topplingheadlongontothebed,Controlcalledexcitedlyfromtheringside,‘Newgameplay?Controlgonext!’

excitedlyfromtheringside,‘Newgameplay?Controlgonext!’‘Itcanbearranged!’shoutedGwendoline,overpoweringAceandbringing

thechloroformpaddownonherface.TherewasascrambleofactivityasRedversburstintotheroom.Hedragged

thescreamingGwendolineawayfromAceandheldherstruggling.Thenativesarcrestlesstonight,Doctor!’hecommented.

Shakingofftheeffectsofthevapour,AcesawtheDoctorscoopthelocketoffthefloorandopenitup.‘Lookatthis,Gwendoline,’hesaid,showingherthecontents.

‘Whodoesitremindyouof?’Thegirlgaspedandstoppedstruggling.Shestaredatthetwinportraitsin

theirgoldframes:oneofaproudandbeautifulwomaninhermid-forties;theother,adoe-eyedyounggirluntouchedbythoughtsoftheworld’swickedways.ThepictureswereofLadyMargaretPritchardandherdaughter,Gwendoline.

TheDoctorgentlysattheblank-facedgirlonthebed.‘Severetrauma,’hediagnosed.‘ImightforgiveherarrangingtripstoJava...’‘Shewashypnotized,Doctor,’advisedRedvers.‘...ifshedidn’tenjoyitsomuch.’Gwendolinesatmotionlesslikeadiscardeddoll.TheDoctorsnappedthe

locketshutandpocketedit.‘Ace?Iseeyou’vemadeafriend.’‘Don’task,’mutteredAce.‘ControlhasafewthingstoshowJosiah.’Controlsteppedforwardproudly.‘Nolongerhiding!’sheannounced.TheDoctorsmiled.HeknewhewasrighttohaveletAcedealwiththis

problem.Fromthedepthsofthehouse,agongsounded.‘Good.Justintimefordinner.’HeheldouthisarmandControlgraciouslytookit.WithAceandRedversfollowing,heescortedControldowntodinner.

12

BeautifulSoup

Adarktapestryoffieldsandwoodlandwaslitbytherisingmoon.ThestoneedificeofGabrielChasedwindledintothedarknessasLightflewlikeaspinningmeteoracrossthesky.Hereandthere,groupsofdwellingsclusteredinthevalleyswherethedominantspecies,omnivorouslikeswine,setuptheircolonies.Morethanthat,Lightfelttheendlessmotionandchangeofexistencethatitknewfrommanyaworld;yetinthewholeuniverse,onlyoneplanetharbouredsuchanabundanceofmultifariouslife.Earth,asLightloathedtorecall,alsohadasingleemptysatellitemoon.

Lightthoughtitsflightfaster,easttowardstheoncomingtrackofthesun.Itracedthesilverropeofariver,cuttingthroughagreatcityspreadthatsmotherednature’sgrowthonitsbanks.Rowsoflampstwinkledamongthereekingchimneys.Carriagesandenginestrundledupanddowntheirbustlingcourses.Therewasthesmellofrustingironandstagnantwater.Yetevenhere,plantsforcedtheirwaybetweenthecracks,animalsscurriedthroughthewaste-pipesandinsectsbredintherottingheapsofrefuse.Andinthedarkestgulliesandalleys,theweakesthumanesquedenizensofthecityhuddledtogetherinthefilthforwarmth,clutchingtheirstarvinginfantswhichsquealedtheirrighttosurvive.

Thinkingitselfevenfaster,Light’spathsearedthroughswirlsofflyinginsectsanddisturbedtheswiftsthatsleptonthewing.Farbelow,itsawtheriverspreadwideintothesea.Asitguessed,thewaterteemedwithorganismsofeverygenerathroughsurfaceplanktonandmyriadshoalsoffishtowormsthatsquirmedintheslimedeepbelow.

Andtheselastcreatureshadnotchanged,notsincethefirsttimetheywerecataloguedhowmanythousandsofyearsago?

Withgrowinganger,Lightspedbeyondtheedgeofthemountainousseasandovertheforests,cragsandplainsofavastcontinent.Fasterandfasteritsmindraced,butitknewbynow.AsitsawthefirstglowoftherisingsunadvancingtomeetitoverthePacific,itsthoughtsturnedbacktoGabrielChase.

Inaflashofradiancethatsetthewindowblindsspinning,Lightreturned,fillingtheupperobservatorywiththeangrydroneofitsaura.Nimrodsawitsmassiveshapereform,asitfoldedbackitsliquidgoldcloaklikevastwings.Withintheglow,itsimagetrembledslightly,asifitnowheldonlythemosttenuousgriponitsshapeanditssanity.

Withdisgust,itwhispered,‘It’sstillchanging.Seethingwithlife!Everyplaneandcrevicecrawlswithit!It’sneverceasedchanging,evolving.ButIstill

planeandcrevicecrawlswithit!It’sneverceasedchanging,evolving.ButIstillknowthestenchofitsoverripe,infestedcarcass.ThisisEarth.Andithasseenitslastday!’

Josiahlookedathisgoldhunterpocket-watch.MrsPritchardhadcorrectlylaidonlythreeplacesfordinner,butGwendolinewaslateandsowastheguest.

Thehousekeeperandhertworemainingservantswaitedbytheredwallsofthediningroom.WhenMrsPritchardhadenteredthekitchenandfoundnothingpreparedfortheeveningmeal,shehadcomeclosetopanic.Shereturnedtothediningroomandwasastonishedtodiscoverthatatureenofdarkbrownsouphadalreadybeensetonthetable.Therewasnotimetoquestionitsorigins,butthiswasnottheservicetohermasterthatshepridedherselfon.Sheconsoledherselfwithadarksuspicionthatdinnerwouldnotlastbeyondthefirstcourse.Shewasaloyalservant,butifJosiahwasdestroyed,surelythehousewouldremain.Wouldthatmeananymoreforherthanasimplechangeofmasters?

Lightwouldcomesoon.IthadacceptedJosiah’sinvitation.Itneededhim.

Andhecouldbrazenitout.Hewashumannow.Theinnumerableforms,inwhichhe,theSurveyAgent,hadcataloguedinnumerableworldsforLight,werethingsofthepast.Earthwaswherehebelonged.Hehadevolvedtohisownrequirements,notLight’s:hewasaself-mademan.TohellwithControlandLight,hehadoutgrowntheirtriangle.Lurethembackintotheshipandberidofthemonceandforall.Withsomuchtolivefor,heknewhecouldsucceed.Timeandtimeagainheconvincedhimselfofit.Lightwouldsooncome.

Therewasanoisefromthedrawingroom.Josiahreadiedhimselftomeethisguest.

‘Goodevening,Josiah,’saidtheDoctor,withaknowinggrin.HeescortedControltothetable,sawthetureenandhissedtoAce,whohadenteredwithRedvers,‘Don’ttouchthesoup.’

JosiahsawControlandexplodedwithanger.‘Getthatcreatureoutofhere!Getitout!’

TheDoctorfirmlyguidedControltoaplaceatthetable.‘GoonControl,knock‘emdead!’mutteredAce.ControllookedproudlyacrossatJosiahandenunciatedinsedatebutgravelly

tones.‘Controlhasherfreenessnow,squire.’Acecheered.‘Yeah!Iknewyoucoulddoit!’TheknucklesofJosiah’sfistswhitenedwithanger.‘What’sthis?’hedemanded.‘I’msurprisedyourememberControl,’saidtheDoctor.

‘I’msurprisedyourememberControl,’saidtheDoctor.‘It’ssolongsinceyouhadherlockedup.’‘Where’sGwendoline?’Josiahhadenduredenoughinsultsfromuninvited

guests.ButbeforetheDoctorcouldanswer,Controlcutin.‘Betterorfwithoutyou,guv’nor!’

Acegiggled,butJosiahlevelledafingerattherealcauseofhispredicament.‘YouwinthismoveDoctor,butIwillriotsufferthatanimalatmytable!’

Redvershadremainedsilentuntilnow,buttherewerelimitsbeyondwhichdiscourtesycouldnotbestretched.

‘That,sir,isnowaytospeakinfrontofaladylike,’hewarned.JosiahlookedstartledatthisreprimandandAce,lovingeveryminuteofthe

tyrant’shumiliation,chippedin,‘Oi,JungleJim,I’mheretoo,youknow.’ControlnoddedgraciouslytoRedversandreassuredherchampion,‘Noone

hurtingControl.Controllookingafterself,thankingyou.Notingutternow!’ThelastremarkwasaimedatJosiah,whoscowledpoisonously.

‘WhowasitwhosaidEarthmenneverinvitetheirancestorsroundfordinner?’ponderedtheDoctor.HeslippedfromhisplaceandapproachedMrsPritchard,whohadbeenpuzzlingoverthedifferenceinnumbersofplacessetfordinnerandguestswhohadarrived.

‘LadyPritchard,’hesaidandsawamomentaryflickerofrecognitioninhereyes.Hefishedthelocketfromhisjacketandhandedittoher.‘Ifoundthis.Ithinkit’syourdaughterGwendoline’s,butit’sgotyourportraitintoo.

Yousee?’LadyMargaret’shardenedglareseemedtothawasshegazedatthesepia

portraitsintheirframes.Shesteppedbackinconfusionasalong-bolteddoorinhercorridoredmindsuddenlyswungwideopenandletintheairandthelight.Sheoncehadadaughter.Perhapsstill...

‘Quitearesemblance,’addedtheDoctor.‘YouandSirGeorgemusthavehadahappyfamilybeforethecuckooinvadedyournest.’

Asingleforgotten,frozentearmeltedinhereye.‘Gwendoline,’shechoked.Andworstofall,shehadboltedthecold,dark

dooronhermemoriesherself.Sheranfromtheroom.‘MrsPritchard!’yelledJosiah.‘Youarenotdismissed!’Redversretaliatedinstinctively.‘Lethergo,sir.Thelionessalwaysprotects

hercubs.’Acehadleanedforwardtostirthecontentsofthetureen.Somethingglinted

inthebrownliquid.

‘Nosoup,Ace!’reprimandedtheDoctor.Shedroppedtheladle.‘There’snowayoutofthisforyou,Doctor!’warnedJosiah.TheDoctorwasunruffled.‘Oh,IknewitwasatrapassoonasIwalkedinto

it.’Heindicatedtheemptyplaceatthefarendofthetable.‘Unfortunately,yourguestofhonourseemstohaveletyoudown.’

‘You’vebeenblownout,’jeeredAce.‘Toobad.’Withasmack,Josiahbroughtasilverservingspoondownonaniridescent

goliathbeetlethatwascrossingthetable.‘Lightwillcome,’hesaid.InstinctdrewLadyMargaretupthroughthehousetoherdaughter’s

bedroom.Shefoundayoungwomanthere,sittingforlornlyonthebed,butonelookattheportraitconfirmedthatthiswasindeedherdaughter.ShecalledGwendoline’sname,buttherewasnoresponse.Afeelingofmaternalirritationcameoverher.‘Sillygirl,Iwarnedyounottoplayinhere,’shescolded.

Gwendolineblinkedseveraltimesasifinwaking.Sheslowlyturnedandlookedatthewomanwhohadbeenherservant.Hermouthopenedasshetriedtomouththeword

‘Mamma’.Hermotherfellforwardandembracedthechild.Forlongmomentsthey

clungtoeachother,reunitedaftersolongsoclose,yetsomonstrouslydistant.LadyMargaretstrokedGwendoline’shair,memorieswellinginhermind.

Shewassoafraidoflosingthepastagain;soafraidofreturningtothepresent.‘Weweresohappyonce.Rememberridingwithyourfatherdowntothe

village.Andthedogsrunningbehindthecarriage,barking.ButthenyourfatherwentawaytoJava.Yousenthim.’

Gwendolineclungtightlytohermother.Atlast,throughthetears,thewordscame.‘Mamma!Ithoughtyouwerelost!’

LadyMargaretkneltbeforeherdaughterandclaspedherhands.‘Iam,dear.

Webothare.’Butitseemedsofarawaynow.Itfadedinthegoldenhazethatwasspreadingdreamlikethroughtheroom.

‘Oh,Mamma.Whathavewedone?’‘Youchanged,’saidLight.Hewasscrutinizingthemwithdistastefrom

acrossthebedroom.‘Liketherestofthisverminousplanet,youadaptedtoyournewsituationtosurvive.’

Piercedbythecrazed,analyticaleyesoftheangelofretribution,theirmindsgrewnumbandheavy.Theirlimbslostallwilltomove.Theirpaleskinswhitenedandhardened,cracklingastheysuccumbedtoacreeping,greyhoar-

whitenedandhardened,cracklingastheysuccumbedtoacreeping,greyhoar-frost.

Nimrodcamethroughthedoor,drawnbytheradiance,andfalteredinhistracks.SeatedonandbesidethebedweretwoperfectstatuesofLadyMargaretPritchardandherdaughterGwendoline,theirreunionpreserved,forevercalcifiedinstone.

‘Theyneverharmedyou,’saidthemanservant.‘IhavedecidedEarth’sfuture,’declaredtheangel.‘Followmetodinner.’Nimrodwasinstantlyalone.Althoughhewastrappedinthewrongtimeand

placeperhaps,heknewthatthiswastheworldhestillbelongedto.Hehadchanged,buthewasstillthetale-bearer;hestillcarriedthepastwithhim.Nowhemightevenwritethetalesheboreaswordsinbooksforthewholeworldtoread.Noneofitmustbelost,nothispast,hispeople’spast,noreventhewholeworld’s.ButunlessLightwasstopped,itwouldallbegoneforever.Hisheadfullofdesperatethoughts,heranfromtheroom.

Josiahsatattheheadofhistable,tappingoutthesecondswithhisknifeonthecrystalstemofhiswineglass.Heawaitedaninvitedguestwhodidnotappear,surroundedbyguestshedidnotwelcome.Well,whenLightcame,hewouldfeedtheotherstoit,onebyone,andthenitwouldseehehadnotbeenidleandhewouldtrickitintohispowerandtrapit,evenextinguishitscold,heartlessheartandthen...

‘SoJosiah,tellmeaboutyourplantoassassinateQueenVictoria,’saidtheDoctor,leaningbackinhischair,oppositehishost.

‘Yourwhat!’exclaimedAce.AnicyspasmoffearturnedinJosiah’sstomach.‘Whohaveyoubeen

talkingto!’HethrewasuddenglanceofaccusationatRedvers,wholookedupstartledfromthenapkinhehadbeenstudiouslyfoldingintoacrown.

‘Myselfmainly,’theDoctorconfessed.‘Buttobehonest,you’renotreallyEmpirematerial,areyou?Imean,yourbackground’sabitdodgy.AndIdoubtifLight’llbeamused.’

‘Neither’llQueenVic,’insertedAce.Josiahloungedbackarrogantly.‘TheBritishEmpire?’hescoffed.‘It’sananarchicmess!There’snocleardirectivefromthe

throne!Nodiscipline!Result—confusion,wastage.Icanprovideaneworder—wealth,prosperity...TheDoctorhadhearditallbefore.‘...confusion,wastage,tyranny,burnt

toast,untilalltheatlasispink!’HehummedasnatchofRuleBritanniaandsaluted.‘Butitisn’tyourinvitationtoBuckinghamPalace.Redvers!’

saluted.‘Butitisn’tyourinvitationtoBuckinghamPalace.Redvers!’Hesatbackconfidently,havingpouredthefatintothefire.Nowletothers

playtheroleshehadrehearsedinhismind.Redversroseoncueandtakingtheenvelopefromhispocket,slowlypacedaroundthetable.‘Iamallowedtotakeaguest,’hesaid.

Josiahreachedoutexpectantly,butRedversmovedonpasthimtowardsControl,whorosehardlydaringtobelieve.‘Control’sproperladylikenow,’shesaid,hervoicetremblingslightly.‘Outtodinner.TakeControlmeetingQueenlady.’

Redvers’handsome,grizzledfeaturessmiledather,butahandcamesnakingoverhisshoulderandJosiah’svoicecroonedintohisear.‘Redvers.Weagreed.WehunttheCrownedSaxe-Coburgtogether.’

Redversmovedtheenvelopeclearofthegraspinghandandshookhisheadapologetically.‘IgaveuponRedverslongago.Allheevertalksaboutishimself!’

HelookedintoControl’seyes.Shewasthefirstthinghehadseenclearlyforheavenknowshowlong.Alltherestwerephantasmsandmirages,broughtaboutbytoolongaloneintheinterior.‘Here,Control,’hesaidandgavehertheinvitation.

AcesawControltaketheenvelopeandJosiahlungeforwardtotearitfromher.‘Givemethatletter!’hecriedinanguish.EverymoveimprinteditselfindetailonAce’smind,asifalltimewasslowlytumblinginwardsonher.

Shesuddenlyknewthatsomethingterriblewouldhappen.Controlsnatchedtheenvelopeclear,butthemaidsbegantomoveinfrom

thewallstowardsher.‘It’smine,’sheshouted,‘orIburnit!’Withonemovement,sheswungroundandheld

thebatteredinvitationtowardsthefireplace.Acesawtheflamesreachingup,eagerforthepaper.Justastraysparkcould

setitalight,oramatchthrownbyafrightenedkid,whoseflameuncheckedcouldflowerintoablazinginferno.Firewouldlickalongdryframesandtimbers;black,chokingwood-smokewouldfillthehouseandthestone’swouldcrackintheheat.

JosiahmovedslowlytowardsControl.‘Youbasestofcreatures!Youdaretodefyme!Iamamanofproperty!’

‘ThenIburnwholehouseup!’Controlthrustthepreciousenvelopeovertheflames.Josiahchoked:hewasunabletomovelestitshoulddrop.

Acecouldholdbacknolonger.‘No,Control!Don’tdoit!That’swhatIdidin1983!Please!Don’tdoitagain!’

in1983!Please!Don’tdoitagain!’TheDoctorcaughtherinhisarms.Thiswasnotwhathehadrehearsedinhis

head.‘Ace.Youdidn’ttellme.’‘You’renotmyprobationofficer!Youdon’thavetoknoweverything!’Oh,howhesometimeswishedthatwastrue.‘Ace.’Hecradledhergently.‘Thewholehousewasfullofevilandhateleftbyhim!’ShepointedatJosiah,whoseeyeshadneverlefttheslowlysingeing

invitation.‘Thishouse!SoIburntitdown!Ihadto!’SheburiedherheadintheDoctor’sembrace.

Control,absorbingeverywordofAce’sconfessionasshemetJosiah’shatefulstare,saidsimply,‘Itiswickedness,’

anddroppedtheenvelopeintothefire.‘No!’Josiahscrabbledinthehearthtoretrievetheburninginvitation,buta

waveofradiancethatfilledthewholediningroomcarrieditoutofhisfingers.Itspiralledintheheat,awayupthechimney.

TheDoctorgentlyrockedAceandhushedhertears.‘It’sallright,Ace.That’sthat.HeonlywantedtotakeovertheEmpire.At

leasthedidn’twanttodestroytheworld.’Itwasonlythenthathenoticedtheflowofradianceandtheincessant,angrydroneofLight’saura.

Lightstoodattheheadofthetableinthehost’splace,Likeagolden,vulturinemessengerofdeathseekingitscarrion.Forthemoment,itseemedmoreconcernedwiththetureenoflukewarmsoupthanwiththecompanyassembledinitspresence.

‘Light.IthinkI’vesolvedyourproblemforyou,’theDoctorbeganoptimistically.

‘There’sonlyonesolutiontotheEarth,’itintoned.Ace,thethoughtsofherowndramadrivenawaybytheextraordinaryfocus

oftheangel,againsawsomethingglintinginthetureen.Onsomeimpulse,shesawherhandreachoutandstirtheladle.

Josiahsteppedobsequiouslyforward.‘Light,thesurveyofthisplanetiscomplete,’hefawned.‘Itisreadyforyourexamination.’

ApparentlyLightdidnothear.‘Iwasgoingtoreduceittothis,’itsaid,watchingasAceraisedtheladle.DanglingfromitwasthemedallionofaVictorianpoliceinspector.

‘SoyoustartedwithInspectorMackenzie,’observedtheDoctor.Acedroppedthespoonandturnedawayrepulsed.Frombesidethefireplace

cameJosiah’slaughter.‘ThecreamofScotlandYard!’

cameJosiah’slaughter.‘ThecreamofScotlandYard!’Withanod,theDoctorconcurred,‘Themostprecioussubstanceinthe

univers:primordialsoup,fromwhichalllifesprings.’ThetureenslidalongthetabletowardsLightandtheladleswivelledround

intotheangel’soutstretchedhand.Itraisedthespoonandwatchedthesouptricklingslowlybackintothedish.Ascumofbubbleshadbeguntoformontheglossybrownsurfaceoftheliquor.

‘Merelysugars,proteinsandaminoacids...Butitwouldsoonevolveagain.It’salreadystarting.’

Light’svoicehadaquietnessthatwastoocontrolled,tooethereallycalm.Buttheillusionwasspoiledbythealarmingburrofitsaura.Itsfingerstabbeddown.

‘ButI’llstopthechangehere.Allorganiclifewillbeeradicatedinthefirestorm.I’llleavethearchaeologistsasimple,sterile,charredcindertopuzzleover.Andwhenthisworldisdestroyed...Nomorechange.Neveragain.Nomoreevolution.Nomorelife.’Itdippeditsfingerintotheturgidbrownsoup.‘Nomoreamendmentstomycatalogue.’Itsuckedthecoatingofgreasyliquorfromitsfingerandsmiledwithsatisfaction.

TheDoctorwasforcedtoobserveLightobjectively.Itwastheonlywaytorestrainhisangeratitsfinalsolution.

Thecreature,forceorphenomenon,whateveritwas,hadnophysicalrestmassbutitdidhavepressure.Asamind,itexistedonthebrinkofinsanity,hewassureofthat;itscataloguewastheobsessionthathaddrivenitthere.Thatmighthavestartedasaworkoflove,butifLightwasasoldasthisuniverse,therichdiversityofitsworkhadbecomeanunrelentingtaskandthenatortuous,grindinglabour;itcouldneverberelinquished.Therewouldalwaysbemorenewsubjectstocatalogue.Itcouldneverceasewhilethesuperstringsofexistencegrewevermorediverse.

Madnessinsoawesomeacreaturemeantthatmorethanoneworldwouldgethurt:EarthwouldbeonlythefirstplanetcrushedbyLight’sfrenziedwings.Searchingfranticallyforadefence,theDoctorsawonlyonealternativetoLight’santagonizedfuryofrevengeandthatwascolddespair.

‘Youevolvetoo,Light,’hesaidquietly.‘Nonsense!’Light’svoiceimmediatelytookonanedge.Attheheartoftheaura,theimageoftheangeltremoredslightly.TheDoctor

feltthefullconcentratedforceofitsanalyticalscrutiny.‘Ofcourseyoudo.Allthetimeyouadaptandchange:yourattitude,your

place,yourmind.Justlookatyounow.

place,yourmind.Justlookatyounow.That’snotyouroriginalshape.’Acecouldonlywatchtheshowdown.LightloomedovertheDoctor,itseyes

dartinginconfusion.Themonstrouspresencewasclumsyandunimaginativecomparedwiththequietgoadingofitsadversary,butitstillmightcrushhiminafitofpique.

‘Idon’tthinkmuchofyourcatalogueeither,’addedtheDoctor.‘It’sfullofgaps.’

‘Allorganiclifeisrecorded!’LightthrewanangryglanceatJosiah,whoswallowedhard.

TheDoctorsniffeddismissively.‘Thenwherearethegriffinsandthebasilisks?Youmissedthedragonsandbandersnatches!’

Light’sauradiedaway,orretracted,leavingthebittercoldshapeoftheangellikeasilveredhuskstaringastheDoctorbackedoutthroughthedoorway.Theprospectofyetmoresubjectstoindexandmoreerrorstocorrectdeadeneditswearysoul.

‘AndwhatabouttheslithytovesandtheCrownedSaxe-Coburg?’Thetormentor’svoicefadeddownthepassageleadingtothehall,where

Lightwasalreadyscanningitschatteringindexonthestained-glasswindow.‘Wherearetheseitems!’ReallyLightwasprettydim.Ithadaboutasmuchimaginationasapocket

calculator.‘Ican’tthinkhowyoumissedthem,’goadedtheDoctor.‘Youmustcompletethecataloguebeforeyoudestroyalllifehere.’

Streamsofdatabegantospillfromtheareaofthewindowscreenacrossthewallsandintotheair.‘Control!’

shoutedLight.Itcouldforcetherebelliouscreaturetosupplytheanswers.‘She’snogoodtoyouanymore,’needledtheDoctor.‘She’sevolvedaswell!’Lightsnarledandtherelentlessdatachatteredlouderaroundit,pressingin

onitsmindlikethevoicesofalltheteeminglifeonthisvile,infestedplanet.‘No!Allslippingaway!’

TheDoctorleanednonchalantlyagainstthebanistersandasked,‘Excuseme,Light,butweren’tyouinthediningroomjustnow?Youhaven’tchangedyourlocation,haveyou?’

HebracedhimselfasLight’stremblingheadturnedtofixhimwithitsdeadlystare,butthenerve-janglingpulseofthedatadrewitsgazebacktothescreen.‘What’sthematter,Light?Changeyourmindagain?’hetaunted.

‘Youareendlesslyagitating,unceasinglymischievous!Willyouneverstop!’‘IsupposeIcould.Itwouldmakeachange.’Lightwasgivingway,butitsfatestillfocusedontheDoctoralone.He

couldn’tmaintainthisattackforever:themonstermightrallyitsangrythoughtsenoughtocrushhimunderitsfootlikeadisconsolateant.HeneededanotherelementnowtotipLight’steeteringparanoiaovertheedge.Hesearcheddesperatelyforitandfoundnothing.

‘Nimrod!’pleadedLightinanguish,seeingitsconfidantwatchingfromtheshadowsbythelift.‘Icanrelyonyou!

Assistmenow!’Themanswervantlopedslowlytowardshisgodandsaid,‘I’msorry,sir.My

allegianceistothisplanet—mybirthright.’Adeepgrowlroseintoahelplesscryofexasperation.‘Everythingischanging!Allinflux!Nothingremainsthesame!’‘Evenremainsdecay,’addedtheDoctor.‘It’sthisplanet.Itjustcan’thelpitself!’ThedatafromtheshipgratedthroughLight’steemingmind.Itsthoughts

eludeditsgrasp;itsconcentrationdisintegrated.Itdefiedthecorruptionwithasingle,finalimpulse;itwouldnotbepartofthisorganizedchaoscalledlife.‘I...will...not...change!Ishallwakeupsoon!’Itsvoicewasrisingintoafinalfeeblewhineofdespair.‘No...

change!Dead...zero...’Itshuddered,twitchedandwasfixed.Aninert,metallicstatuestaredupat

thedatathatstillchatteredacrossthestained-glassscreen.Aceemergedfromthedrawingroomdoorway,whereshehadbeenwatching

withRedversandControl.SheclungtotheDoctor’sarm.‘That’sthatagain,Ace.’TheDoctorpattedherhandaffectionatelyand

lookedupatthesilentshellofLight’sfigure.‘Subjectforcatalogue:fileunderimaginationcommalackof!’Therewasableepedresponseandheturnedtofindtheothersalllookingupattheactivescreen.

Nimrodinterceded.‘Excuseme,sir.ButLightinstigatedthefirestormprogramsometimepriortodinner.’

‘Ah.’‘Whatdoesthatmean?’askedAce.TheDoctorponderedtheimplicationforasplitsecond.‘Averybigexplosion,verysoon.’Hestartedtohurrytowardstheliftwith

‘Averybigexplosion,verysoon.’HestartedtohurrytowardstheliftwithAce.Withoneconcertedmovement,ControlandRedvers,handinhand,andNimrod,tooktheireyesfromthedatascreenandfollowed.

Asthepartybegantheirdescentinthelift,Josiah,pistolinhand,slipped

acrossthehall.Heopenedthegatesandglareddowntheshaftatthedisappearingliftcage.Withalastlookbackathishouse,themasterofGabrielChasepocketedthegun,adjustedhisglovesandswungoutontothedescendingcable.

TheshipemitteditsshrillcryastheDoctorledhispartyhroughtheveiloflight.Thechamberpulsedwithenergyassteamjettedfromthewalloutlets.Thetwohuskswerebackentableauintheiralcove,standinglikewaxworkswithoutControl’swilltodrivethevestigialshredsoflifethatlinkedthembetweenherandJosiah.Lozengesofolouredradiancedartedthroughthehazearoundthem,asthecrystalrodsroseandfelllikeasteadyheartbeatoracountdown.

Aceranstraightforthecrystalconsole.‘Howdowestopit?Sameasbefore?’sheshoutedandbegantopushtherodsdownintotheslab.

‘Ace,don’tdothat!’TheDoctorpulledherawayfromtheconsole.‘It’llnukeEarth!’‘Justlook!’HeindicatedControl,RedversandNimrod,whohadtakentheir

placesinfrontofoneoftheship’sdatascreens.Theglowofthepatternedalieninformationflickeredacrosstheintentfaces.

‘Finetimetowatchavideo!’Acesnapped.Layingahandonhershoulder,heasked,‘Howdoesthisshiptravel?’‘Speedofthought?’shesuggested,andthenitallsnappedintoplace.‘It’s

alive!’TheDoctorturnedslowlyinacircleadmiringthemagnificentstone

architechnology.Itfermentedwithlivingenergyrightuptoitscarvedinnerspire.‘Light’sgone,buttheshipsurviveswithanewcrew.’

Acedidn’tseehowthatwouldstopthefirestorm.Anoily,glovedhand

caughtherroundthethroatandagunlevelledatherhead.‘Turnoffthepower!’orderedJosiah.‘I’llhavemyEmpireyet!’Acestruggledandkickedathim.‘Getoffme,scumbag!’‘Josiah!Afraidtheshipdoesn’twantyoutoo?’threatenedtheDoctor.Intheirconcordofmovement,Redvers,NimrodandControlturnedfromthe

screentofacetheintruder.

Redversswepthisarmsoutinamagnanimousgestureoffriendship.‘There’saplaceforyouhere,oldchap.’ButJosiahheldAcestilltighter.HeandControlwerestilllinked.Shecouldnotleavewithouthim,butneithercouldheremainonEarthwithouther.Andhewouldkilltostay.

Theshipgroaned.Controlsteppedforward,proudandattractive,withanew-foundandlearnedauthority.Herjewellerywasgone,butaslightsheenonherfullskirtsthrewbackthelightastheyrustledaroundher.

Shethrewupahandandcried,‘Stop!Getbackwhereyoubelong!’Inthealcove,theheadofthereptilehuskimploded.Josiahgasped,doublingforwardinpain.Hecollapsedtothefloor.TheDoctorcaughtAceandtheybothwatchedfascinated,asthefeaturesof

JosiahSamuelSmithlosttheircolour,meltedandreformed,whilethecreaturescrabbledandgurgledinthedebris.

‘Theregotherungsonhisevolutionaryladder,’observedtheDoctor.‘Sohefallsheadlong!’Acesneered,‘Goonthen,evolveyourwayoutofthatone!’‘PoorControl,’croakedthepitifulbrutethathadbeenJosiah.‘Nowayup

now.Nochanging.’TheoriginalControlgentlylaidherhandonitsheadandashowerofbrittle

auburnhaircascadedbetweenherfingers.‘Unhappycreature.Ishalllookafteryou.’Sheslippedaleashoveritsheadandleditawaytothecell,whereitmightstayuntilshepreparedbetterquartersforit.

‘Theyswappedover,’saidAce,incredulousatthewholebalancingact.‘Everyonehastheirplace,’noddedtheDoctor.HeturnedtofindthatNimrod

wastryingtousherthemoutoftheway.‘Wehaveourworktodo,sir.Entriesandamendmentstorevisetocomplete

thecatalogue.’‘Nonukes,then?’saidAce,butNimrodlookedmystified.‘Aliceisenquiringastotheexplosivepotentialofthespaceship,’interpreted

theDoctor.Nimrodshookhishead.‘Nomiss,theenergywillberedeployedforour

departure.’Hescurriedoffonimportantbusiness.Hisbookoftaleswouldhavetowait.

Therandomgushingsofenergyandsoundhadsettledintoasteadilyrisingflow.Redvershurriedlyextractedasetofchartsfromthedrawersofthedesk.Hesuddenlyunderstoodsomuchthatwasnewandponderedtheholographicpatternsofthemapsexcitedly.

‘Redvershasthewholeuniversetoexploreforthecatalogue!Newhorizons!

‘Redvershasthewholeuniversetoexploreforthecatalogue!Newhorizons!Wondrousbeasts!LightyearsoutfromZanzibar!’

Controlhadreappearedandwasthumbingthroughanindexfileofglowingheadingsandentries.‘Doctor,somethingtellsmeyouarenotinourcatalogue.’TheDoctorlookedawkwardandbegantosidletowardsthetunnel.Controlsmiled.‘Norwillyoueverbe,’shereassuredhim.

Thesteambegantogushfromtheoutletsagainandthenewcrewtooktheirplacesbeforethescreens.‘You’rebusy.

Mustfly!’calledtheDoctor.Hewenttoraisehishat,butfoundhehadleftitupstairs.

‘Byebye,’calledAceandachorusoffarewellscamebackthroughthe

glowinghaze.‘Gonegone,’addedtheDoctor,hurryingherupintothetunnel.Shestarted

torunforthelift.‘Comeon!We’vegottogetclearbeforethetake-off!’sheurgedashe

dawdledbehind.‘Take-off?’Henoddedbackwards.Thetunnelendedinsolidrock.‘They’ve

gonelikeapassingthought.Aslongastheirmindsdon’twander.’Hechivviedherintotheliftandslammedthedoorsbehindthem.

Duringtheascent,itcrossedAce’smindthattheship’snewcrewmadetheweirdestexpeditionever.NimrodwouldhavehisworkcutoutkeepingControlandJosiahapart,dependingonwhowasevolutionarilydominantthatweek.AndRedverswouldprobablywanttoshooteverynewspeciesonsight.ThensherememberedtheDoctorandherselfanddecidedthatasweirdnesswent,itwasprobablyparforthecourse.

Astheynearedthetopoftheliftshaft,theycouldhearaloudcracklingandrumblingliketheviolentdischargeofelectricity.

Thehallsankintoview,litbythefierceblueflashesofindoorlightning.Acehadtoshieldhereyesastheysteppeddownfromthelift,buttheDoctorhadtolook.

TheshapeofLightwasstillfixed,buttherewerethincracksinitsshellfromwhichwhitebrillianceseeped.Thetaut,frozenfaceoftheangelcrackledandsparked.Boltsofenergyroaredoutandarcedthroughthehouse,streamingintothewallsandfittings.Theflowroaredeverfaster,untilafinaleruptionofthunderandbrilliancewhichengulfedthewholearea.Asitfadedandthestormrumbledawayintothenight,theshapesandanglesofthehouseglimmered,pickedoutinatraceryofphosphorescence.

Thisgraduallyfadedtoo,butforawhile,whenAceblinked,shecouldseethewhiteshapeofLightimprintedontheinsideofhereye.

ShejoinedtheDoctorandlookedatthecharredashenshadowonthetiles

whereLighthadstood.‘It’sfinallydispersed,’hesaidandwenttofetchhishatandumbrellafromthehatstand.

‘Forever?’sheaskedandsatonthestairs.Shewantedhimtosaythatthefuturewouldbedifferentnow,andthatafourteen-year-olddelinquentwouldfindadifferenthouseinahundredyears’time.

TheDoctornoticedthatthegrandfatherclockstillsaidsixo’clock.‘Thehousewillremember,’hesaid.‘Justtheghostofanevilmemorylingering.Adarksecretafterthecandleisout.’Hereachedinsidetheclock’scaseandstartedthependulumagain.

‘Ifeltithereinahundredyears’time.’‘Anevilolderthantime,’hesaid,makingamentalnotetoavoidcertainof

theroomsthatmightupsetheronthewaybacktotheTARDIS.‘SoIburntthehousedown,’shecontinued.‘Anyregrets?’‘Yes.’‘Hmm?’Shegrinned.‘IwishI’dblownitupinstead.’That’smygirl!thoughttheDoctorproudly,buthesaid,‘Wicked!’

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Contents

1TropicofPerivale2GabrielChase3UnchartedTerritory4GaslightBoogie5Josiah�sWeb6That�stheWaytotheZoo7Ace�sAdventuresUnderground8CreatureComforts9OutofControl10TwiceuponaTime11TrickoftheLight12BeautifulSoup