Doctor Who_ Empire of Death - BBC Worldwide [39]
Obviously, these need to be collected and brought back here.
As I understand it, the consignment is very heavy and cumbersome. Getting it back to this remote location will not be easy, but I've entrusted the task to Sergeant Vollmer. He tells me you both personally volunteered to help. Is that correct?'
Both privates snapped into another salute. Absolutely, sir!'
Hawthorne shouted back for good measure. He found most officers responded well when he shouted and saluted, as if that showed them extra respect. The sergeant was not so easily beguiled.
As he seemed satisfied with this response. 'Very good.
Well, carry on then, Sergeant. I'll get the rest of the men 10
start work on constructing the wooden jetty over the water.'
The lieutenant sauntered away, breathing deeply of the crisp, clean air.
Once Ashe was out of earshot, Vollmer leaned into the Faces of his two helpers and grinned. 'When the lieutenant told me about this little job, I wasn't sure which poor sods I should choose for it. But since your midnight escapade interrupted a rather pleasant dream I had been having, I felt sure you wouldn't mind being volunteered'
`Thank you, sir! Very kind of you!' Hawthorne shouted.
Ìndeed it is. In fact, I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps I do have a sense of humour after all,' the sergeant said cheerfully. 'Well, what are you waiting for? Get yourselves down that trail, you horrible little tearaways! Double time -
move!'
Sir Henry Ponsonby was up before the sun that day, his slumbers troubled by too many questions. He knew the Queen was holding back from him, keeping information to herself. She had taken to sending despatches without letting him see the contents first. At least one such missive had gone to a commander within the Royal Navy. And then there was this business with the impostor and her ward. Bad enough Her Majesty was duped into allowing these charlatans an audience, but the woman seemed intent on believing this lad's claims.
Last but not least among Ponsonby's concerns were these latest arrivals, the Doctor and his companion. Lady Nyssa's behaviour the previous evening was unconventional to say the least. But her companion was the greater worry. This fellow seemed to have no references and no legal authority.
He had appeared from nowhere, claiming some vague involvement with Scotland Yard, and been accepted as if he were an old friend.
Determined to learn the truth, Sir Henry dressed and went to the Doctor's bedchamber. He knocked repeatedly on the door but received no reply. Finally he opened the door and looked inside, to discover the room was empty and the bed undisturbed. Could the Doctor have departed during the night? Ponsonby made his way to Lady Nyssa's quarters, in a different corridor of the castle. He was approaching the bedchamber when he saw the door handle moving, being turned from within. The private secretary melted into the shadows to observe who was leaving the room at such an early hour. He almost expected to see the Doctor exit the bedchamber, as that would explain the curious relationship between these two travelling companions. Instead it was James Lees who slipped silently out before furtively creeping away.
Sir Henry almost stepped out of the shadows to confront Lees, but stopped himself. Better to keep this information for future use. Plainly there was more to the relationship between these strangers than was apparent. The Queen might trust these people implicitly, but Ponsonby could not.
His job was to protect her, often from her own worst instincts.
He would watch and wait. When the time was right, only then would he strike back...
Nyssa was gently shaken awake by the Doctor, his face etched with worry in the pale light of morning. 'What it is -
what's wrong?' Nyssa asked.
He pointed to the empty space beside her on the bed.
James was gone.
`Where is he?'
'I don't know,' the Doctor admitted. 'I went in search of fresh writing paper about an hour ago. When I returned he I Ltd disappeared. But I think I know where he's