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‘I’m glad somebody does,’ replied the Doctor without trying to conceal the grumpiness in his voice. ‘Anyway, come in.’

Grover stepped into the headmaster’s office. ‘The Brigadier tells me that you may find the solution to this appalling crisis.’

‘I hope so.’ The Doctor took a closer look at Grover. ‘Aren’t you the chap who started the Save Planet Earth Society?’

‘I had a little to do with its founding,’ said Grover, modestly.

The Doctor continued, ‘And you wrote that book, Last Chance for Man , didn’t you?’

‘That’s right, ably assisted by my colleagues, of course, who did so much of the research.’

The Doctor extended his hand. ‘My dear chap, I’m very pleased to meet you. This planet needs people like you.’

To the Brigadier’s relief, the Doctor and the Cabinet Minister shook hands warmly. He recalled that the Save Planet Earth Society, who sought to predict what life on Earth would be like in the future, had once been regarded as a bunch of cranks; they were now taken very seriously indeed.

‘You two have a great deal in common, if I may say so. The Doctor’s very keen on this anti-pollution business,’ said the Brigadier.

‘And so should you be, Brigadier,’ replied Grover. ‘It affects all our lives.’ He turned back to the Doctor. ‘Tell me, Doctor, do you have any theories on why all this is happening?’

‘I believe the dinosaurs are being used purely as a weapon of terror, to clear Central London.’

Grover looked astounded. ‘You mean people are doing this?’

‘Although the speed of Time may vary in different parts of the Universe as a whole,’ continued the Doctor, ‘the chances of a localised time-slip occurring as a result through natural causes are extremely rare. Yes, Sir Charles, people are doing it.’

‘But why?’

The Doctor paused. ‘I take it that everything I say to you is in strict confidence?’

The Brigadier spoke up. ‘Doctor, Sir Charles represents the Government. We have no secrets from our superiors.’ It was a gentle reminder to the Doctor that he nowadays worked for UNIT.

‘Of course not,’ said the Doctor blandly. ‘My belief is that the people responsible for bringing these creatures into the present want to clear London of its population. They have some vast project that can only be carried out in a deserted London.’

Charles Grover looked puzzled. ‘But why London? If they wanted wide open depopulated areas, why not choose the Yorkshire Moors or the Highlands of Scotland?’

‘Why indeed,’ said the Doctor. ‘Obviously there must be some overriding reason, something they need that is only available to them here.’

Sergeant Benton rushed into the office. He ignored Sir Charles Grover, briefly acknowledged the Brigadier, and went straight up to the Doctor. ‘They’ve just spotted one, Doctor. Section Twelve.’

‘Do you know what kind it is?’

Benton looked at a chit of paper in his hand. ‘Apato something.’

‘Apatosaurus,’ said the Doctor, ‘more commonly known as the brontosaurus. Large, placid, and stupid. Exactly what we need.’

‘May I ask what’s going on?’ asked Sir Charles.

‘This is a stun-gun.’ The Doctor indicated the weapon on the make-do work bench. ‘It is imperative that we catch one of these creatures, and I may be able to do it with this.’ He swung round to the Brigadier. ‘Can I have transport laid on straight away?’

‘Of course,’ replied the Brigadier. ‘Benton, see to it.’

‘Already done, sir.’

‘Then let’s go,’ said the Doctor. ‘There’s no time to lose.’ He paused at the door. ‘Excuse our sudden departure, Sir Charles, we’ll keep you informed.’

The Doctor, the Brigadier and Sergeant Benton hurried out, leaving Sir Charles Grover on his own. He looked round the headmaster’s office. He remembered when he was master in a grammar school, long before he went into politics. They were happy days when the future seemed full of hope. He wished he could have that time over again.

In the control centre, deep below London, Butler saw a light flashing. It meant someone was using the lift. He found this curious since they did not expect visitors