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`There is nothing fanciful about it,' the Doctor interjected. Ì

believe James discovered something real and dangerous just below Corra Linn, Your Majesty. A rift, if you will, between worlds. He was drawn into that rift. When he emerged, James had been changed by his experience. He became one of the most powerful mediums ever known'

Ponsonby was unable to stifle a snort of derision. The Queen glared at her private secretary 'Did you have something to add, Sir Henry?'

Èxcuse me, Your Majesty, but I find all of this rather difficult to accept'

Àre you doubting the word of your Queen?' Victoria demanded. 'We were present in the Mausoleum, we heard the voice of our beloved husband speak to us from beyond this life! Are you calling us a liar, Sir Henry?'

`No, Your Majesty, of course not. I was merely saying that I... that I...' Sir Henry quailed before her stare, words faltering in his mouth. 'Forgive me, ma'am'

`Since you have nothing useful to add to this discussion, we suggest you remain silent henceforth!' Having put Ponsonby in his place, the Queen turned back to the Doctor.

'This rift of which you speak - could it be a doorway to the Other Side, to the afterlife? That would explain how James is able to communicate with our dearly departed'

Ìt would be one explanation, Your Majesty, the Doctor conceded.

`Good. Then our decision was correct'

`What decision was this, Your Majesty?'

`Several years ago we attended an exposition of new inventions and innovations organised by the Royal Society.

Our beloved husband was an enthusiastic proponent of such endeavours, believing them a mark of the Empire's greatness. There I saw a device that enabled a man to walk underwater without having to return to the surface to breathe

- a diving suit, I believe it was called. A wheel is turned above the water that pumps air down to the suit through a hose, enabling the man inside the suit to breathe freely.'

Òh no,' the Doctor whispered.

`When we first heard about this portal being underwater, we remembered the diving suit. The Royal Navy even has a diving school. We sent word to the school asking that one of these diving suits be sent to the contingent, along with an experienced underwater explorer. Both of these should have arrived at Corra Linn by today. Once the soldiers have been instructed how to operate the pump, the explorer will go down to investigate this gateway further. Alas, Master Lees cannot be our envoy to the afterlife as our beloved husband wanted.

But we shall send an envoy, nevertheless'

`Your Majesty, I must beg you to send word to this contingent,' the Doctor said, his voice full of urgency. 'The soldiers must not attempt to enter the gateway. Even to approach the rift is most dangerous. We cannot be certain what will be encountered on the other side, if someone should pass through it'

`But we already know the answer, Doctor,' the Queen replied. 'It is the afterlife, the Other Side of death. How else could visiting that place give Master Lees his rare gift? How else could it place him in communion with those who have already passed over?'

`Forgive me, ma'am,' the Doctor said, 'but are there not other worlds beyond this life? Not all those who die are granted eternal peace and happiness'

Her face paled. 'You mean...'

`Your Majesty would not wish to send someone through this rift to face Purgatory - or worse. Better that the men of your contingent watch and wait'

`We are not used to being contradicted, Doctor. What do you propose we do?'

`My travelling companion and I will journey north to this site. There we can undertake a full and thorough investigation of the phenomenon. Only once I am satisfied about where this rift does lead would I be happy about you allowing anyone to enter it'

The Queen contemplated this quietly. 'What you say makes sense, Doctor. We shall have our private secretary send the telegram you request. In the meantime, there is something we wish to give you' Victoria opened a drawer and pulled out a sheet of black-bordered writing paper. Dipping the nib of her pen