Doctor Who_ The Sea-Devils - Malcolm Hulke [32]
‘Exactly, sir,’ said Jane, not wishing to say outright that Captain Hart’s friend must be a liar.
He scowled. ‘What a peculiar way to carry on. You’d better send someone to collect that Jeep.’
‘But sir, why would they take a taxi when they had a Jeep? And isn’t it odd that they haven’t called back here?’
Captain Hart thought for a moment. Then he went to the clothes-stand and took down his cap. ‘You have a very suspicious mind,’ he said, allowing himself a little smile. ‘I’m going to drop by and see old George. If the submarine reports back, you can reach me at the château.’
While Captain Hart, in thoughtful mood, was driving his car to the château, the Doctor was being brought in handcuffs into the Master’s room at the prison.
‘Ah, Doctor,’ said the Master, producing a hardback chair, ‘do sit down.’
Two prison officers pushed the Doctor down in to the chair.
‘Do you run this place now?’ asked the Doctor.
The Master smiled. ‘You might say that I am a privileged guest.’ He nodded to the prison officers. In response they unlocked the Doctor’s handcuffs.
The Doctor rubbed his wrists. ‘Thank you very much.’
But the prison officers quickly grabbed the Doctor’s arms, twisted them behind the back of the chair, and replaced the handcuffs so that he was now firmly attached to the chair.
‘That’ll be all,’ said the Master, and the two prison officers departed, closing and locking the door.
‘You realise,’ said the Doctor, ‘that I ’phoned through to UNIT and gave them a full report when Miss Grant spotted you at the Naval Base?’
‘I realise,’ said the Master, ‘that you are lying. If you’d done that, why come back here to investigate in person? Now let’s get straight down to business. I’ve had you brought in here because you may be able to help me.’
‘To escape?’ asked the Doctor.
‘My dear fellow,’ the Master laughed, ‘I can leave here any time I wish. I only stay on because it makes a useful base for my operations.’ He paused for effect. ‘I am planning to contact underwater friends.’
The Doctor was genuinely surprised. ‘How do you know about them?’
‘From the Time Lords’ files,’ replied the Master, truthfully. ‘It’s been particularly useful to me,’ he went on, ‘the way our old friends the Time Lords keep a record of everything.’
The Doctor asked, ‘What do you hope to gain by helping the Sea-Devils?’
‘Power,’ said the Master. ‘I shall use them just as I’ve used the Ogrons.’ He smiled reflectively. ‘And there will be an additional reward—the pleasure of seeing these humans, of whom you’re so fond, being exterminated or made into slaves!’
‘What do you want me to do?’ asked the Doctor.
The Master turned to the table on which stood a compact black box with dials and controls. ‘That, Doctor, is a calling device. It is on the same wavelength as the Sea-Devils’ mental waves. I have spent some time here designing it. You might assist me to perfect it. I can manage alone, but with your technical ability it might be easier to complete the task.’
The door opened and a prison officer came in. ‘The Governor wants to see you,’ he told the Master. ‘Come along.’
‘I’m having a very important discussion,’ said the Master, put out by this interruption.
‘Never mind about that,’ said the prison officer. ‘I said “come on”, so jump to it.’
The Doctor was amused. ‘Better trot along, old chap,’ he advised the Master. ‘You’re still a prisoner, you know.’
Annoyed, the Master picked up the black box, thrust it under his arm, and went with the prison officer. The door was closed and locked. Alone, the Doctor started to try and slip his hands through the handcuffs. He quickly realised that there was no escape that way.
George Trenchard looked terrified, like a little boy who knows he is about to be caught for doing something terribly wrong. ‘I tell you,’ he said to the Master, ‘Captain Hart’s car is at the gates now. He wants to see me.’
The Master was quite calm. He sat in the most comfortable big leather chair in Trenchard’s office, the compact