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There was, and soon the two men were creeping between the fog-enshrouded outbuildings behind the factory, searching for their employer's horse and cart. After ten minutes, however, during which they traversed the entire area and peered into every outbuilding and factory window they could reach, they still had not found it.

'We've lost him,' Albert said, trying to sound both disappointed and to prevent his teeth from chattering.'We might as well go back.'

'Go back when we're so close to exposing our man's secret? Your reasoning dazzles me.Albert.'

'But our quarry is nowhere to be found, Jack. Perhaps if we were to return in daylight...'

'In daylight these grounds would be full of workers. We'd never get near the place. Besides, our man and his cargo would be long gone by then. No, he's close by. We both know it.'

'Then where is he? Perhaps he knew of our presence, after all, and he's deceived us, led us on a wild-goose chase.'

'He must be in the factory,'Jack said 'He and his cargo.'

'But the factory is locked up tight as the Old Lady herselfjack. Let's face it, we're beaten.'

'Never,'Jack said. 'There's always a way. Follow me.'

He led the way round the back of the factory, and stopping beside a likely window, looked around until he spotted a chunk of wood. He picked it up, hefted it in his hand, then drew it back to strike the glass.

Jack, don't,'Albert squeaked.'We'll be overheard and caught. We'll swing for sure.'

'There's no one to hear us, besides the man we want to speak to,'Jack said.

He brought his arm forward and the glass exploded with a shattering crash.

Quickly he used the wood to batter out the jagged shards that still clung to the frame. That done, he threw the wood aside and looked at Albert, savage triumph and determination on his face. 'Come on,' he said, then reached out with both hands, grasped each side of the window frame and hauled himself into the factory.

***

'Sixteen hours? ' exclaimed the Doctor. 'That must be the longest snooze I've had for centuries, give or take the odd coma. Why didn't somebody wake me?'

'Acquiring your time craft is not vital to our plan. Therefore it was not considered a priority task,' said Tuval.

'How insulting,' murmured the Doctor, nonplussed. 'Here we are.'

They came to a halt on the towpath in front of the TARDIS. As the Doctor rooted through his pockets for the key, Tuval, still in the form of Sam, gazed up at the tall blue box without expression.

'Well?' said the Doctor. 'Aren't you going to say it?'

'What am I required to say?'

'Well, most people say "Is this it?" or "Isn't it rather small?" or even "A police box?"'

Tuval gazed at the Doctor as if he had told a joke whose punchline was beyond him. 'Why would I say this when I know from your mind print that your craft is dimensionally transcendental and has an operating chameleon circuit?'

'Why indeed?' mused the Doctor, and then rather grouchily added, 'But for your information, my chameleon circuit isn't operating. It's jammed.'

He produced the key with a flourish and inserted it into the lock. As the door swung open, he said,'Sorry about the mess. If I'd known you were going to drop in I'd have pushed a hoover around.'

He led the way inside, calling,'Shut the door behind you, would you? We don't want stray Skarasen wandering in with muddy feet, dripping water everywhere and knocking things over.' He strode across the floor, jumped up on to the raised dais and patted the console affectionately.'Hello, old girl.'Turning back to Tuval, he said, 'Feel free to have a look around. I'll put the kettle on and make us both some tea. Darjeeling all right? I think I've got some simnel cake somewhere.'

As the Doctor made tea, he kept an eye on Tuval, and despite the circumstances, could not suppress a smile.The Zygon scientist was looking around the TARDIS with wonder and excitement on its borrowed face. The Doctor had quickly discovered after being released from the Zygon ship that