Doctor Who_ The Sea-Devils - Malcolm Hulke [43]
As a child Trenchard was often told how his great-great grandfather died. It was during the Indian Mutiny and Major Wilfred Trenchard was the last man left alive in a besieged Army barracks. Knowing that there was no escape, and that the mob outside killed anyone who tried to be taken prisoner, the Major loaded his gun, went outside and shot dead four mutineers before he himself was cut to pieces.
This was what Trenchard must now do. It was his last chance to prove that he was not a failure, and that he was a worthy son of his good family name. He had failed many times in his life, but on this occasion he was going to succeed, even though it meant going down fighting. To give himself a little more courage he recalled that the lizards on the beach were not very fast moving. There were six bullets in his revolver, and with luck he might bag six of these creatures before they knew what was happening and turned on him. His final act of bravery and ability would be written up in the newspapers, and if these lizards were going to try to invade England, George Trenchard would be remembered as the first man, the first soldier, who had really tried to stop them. A grateful Government might even put up a little plaque on the outside of the château, over the front door, to remind people that Trenchard had lived, and heroically died, there.
With these thoughts of being remembered as a courageous man of action, Trenchard opened the door to leave his office. To his horror a Sea-Devil was standing directly outside. Trenchard raised his revolver and tried to pull the trigger. Nothing happened. The Sea-Devil raised its raygun: it flared a brilliant red. Trenchard felt a sudden heat rush through his entire body, choking and blinding him. In his last moment of life he realised that he had forgotten to turn the safety catch of his revolver. Then he fell dead.
10 The Diving-Bell
It took the Doctor and Jo several hours to get back from the minefield to the Naval Base. Once through the mines, they still had to keep under cover in case the prison officers came hunting for them. All told, they walked a good ten miles to return to HMS Foxglove. Captain Hart listened patiently to their story, but when they had finished he said:
‘I’m sorry, but I don’t believe a word of it!’
‘Captain Hart,’ said Jo, nursing one of her sore feet, ‘we haven’t walked ten miles to tell you a fairy story.’
‘Do you seriously expect me to believe in monsters walking upright and coming out of the sea?’ said the captain.
‘Ask your friend, Mr. Trenchard,’ said the Doctor. ‘He saw them. At the same time, you might ask him why he tried to hold us prisoner.’
‘I think that I’ve already troubled Mr. Trenchard quite enough,’ said the captain. ‘Because you claimed that his prisoner was on the loose I went along to the château and saw him with my own eyes. A man, manacled hand and foot, does not have much opportunity to go masquerading as a naval officer, you know.’
‘Manacled hand and foot?’ said the Doctor. ‘The Master lives in considerable comfort, despite his confinement. What sort of room was he in?’
The captain described the cramped little windowless cell, and repeated that the Master appeared to be chained to the wall.
‘They did that to fool you!’ said Jo. ‘You may be an important man in your Navy, but to me you’re just stupid!’
‘I must apologise for my young companion,’ said the Doctor quickly, before Captain Hart exploded in wrath. ‘I think her feet are hurting her.’
‘If what you tell me is true,’ said Captain Hart; ‘Mr. Trenchard is in a conspiracy.’
‘That,’ said the Doctor, ‘is the thrust of our argument.’
The ’phone rang and Captain Hart answered it. He seemed most perturbed by what the caller was telling him. He replaced the receiver and turned back to the Doctor. ‘I think this may interest you, Doctor. I despatched