Doctor Who_ The Banquo Legacy - Andy Lane [28]
‘You are not, I suppose, telepathic in any way already? Either of you?’ The Doctor glanced from Harries to his sister.
‘No, Doctor,’ Catherine told him. ‘But we do think in very much the same way, except of course when it comes to science. I remember that as children we always laughed together.’
The thought of Harries as a child, let alone a laughing and humorous one, left me cold.
‘So you think that this experiment of yours will work?’ the Doctor was asking. His tone suggested that he was far from convinced.
‘Yes, Doctor, I think it has an excellent chance of success.’
‘Just purely out of interest,’ I mused, ‘what good will it do anyone if it does?’
‘If we can prove that it works for twins, it may be possible for any two people to be telepathically linked in the same way.’
Harries had missed my point.
But the Doctor had not. ‘That might make the telephone obsolete shortly after its invention, I suppose,’ he said. ‘But there are other implications that you might want to consider.’
‘Like what happens if we don’t want other people eavesdropping on our thoughts?’ I suggested. Harries frowned. ‘Our minds are private property, Professor Harries,’ I pressed. ‘Or at least, they should be.’
I watched for any reaction from him, vaguely aware that the Doctor was also watching Harries intently, while Herr Kreiner and Wallace both shifted uneasily on their chairs, sensing the tension.
‘I am not concerned with the moral implication, Mr Hopkinson,’ came the level reply.
‘Somehow I didn’t think that you would be.’
‘No, I can leave those to the Church. But if we are able to understand our brains – ourselves – better because of my work, then I think it is of some use. It can further our knowledge.’
‘Has it no practical implications?’ asked Wallace. He was obviously trying to help, but Harries rounded on him sharply.
‘Of course it has. Imagine, for instance, how effective an army could be if each soldier knew instantly what each other was doing; if the general had only to think of an order for it to be carried out.’
The Doctor was still watching him closely. ‘So this thing can help humans to kill each other more efficiently, is that what you are saying, Professor Harries?’
‘It was only an example. I could have suggested similar efficiency in a factory, or it could be used to help save lives – in firefighting, for example.’
‘Or by the police?’ I suggested. For a moment Harries was silent, and George quickly interceded.
‘Er, well – I suggest that we move through to the conservatory, or laboratory rather, since we all seem to have finished eating.’ He stood up and held his wife’s chair for her. ‘After you then, Elizabeth.’ And we filed out into the hall, following Elizabeth Wallace through to the conservatory.
It was locked. George looked around for Harries, but he did not appear to have arrived yet.
‘I’ll see where he’s got to,’ I said, deciding that it was hardly worth going around the house to the outside door.
‘I’ll join you, I think, Mr Hopkinson.’ The Doctor was at my shoulder.
‘There’s no need,’ I said. But he just smiled in reply and together we made our way back to the dining room.
Harries was still in the dining room with Susan Seymour. The door was open, and I caught sight of them an instant before they noticed me. Harries was holding one of Susan’s hands, but she avoided his gaze. Her eyes were moist and I suddenly felt terribly embarrassed. But she had seen me and I sensed a plea for help behind the moisture.
The Doctor seemed to have no qualms about interrupting them. Possibly, he had no idea of the situation, I reminded myself. I could not recall if George had introduced Miss Seymour as Harries’s fiancée, and only I knew that the relationship was foundering.
‘Ah, there you both are,’ the Doctor said loudly, striding into the room. He removed Miss Seymour’s hand deftly from Harries’s and patted it gently. ‘Coming?’ he asked.
She turned to look at him, and I could see the tears plainly on her cheek. ‘Doctor?’ she asked,