Doctor Who_ War Games - Malcolm Hulke [9]
the sergeant replied. ‘They were shouting about Scotland versus England or something. It sounded like they was going to murder each other. So two of my men barged in to quiet them. But it was a trick. They set on my men and both got out. We’re hunting them down in the grounds now, sir.’
‘Bring him to me as soon as you can.’ Gorton cradled the phone.
‘Some little problem?’ asked the Doctor.
‘He’ll be here in a moment,’ said Gorton. ‘I could have another pot of tea brought in if you wish?’
From outside, came the sound of a volley of shots. Zoe ran to the window. ‘What are those soldiers shooting at?’
‘I imagine a little target practice,’ said Gorton. ‘My guards like to keep their hand in, in case they’re ever needed at the front.’
‘They’ve wounded someone,’ Zoe exclaimed. ‘They’re carrying him.’
The Doctor rushed to the window and looked down.
There was no one in sight now. ‘Who was it?’
‘He had a red coat.’
Colonel Gorton came to the window, pretending to share their interest. ‘We get chaps in all sorts of uniforms here. From different regiments, don’t you know. What about this spot of tea?’
‘I want to know,’ said the Doctor, ‘what or who those soldiers were firing at.’
‘I imagine I could find out...’ The colonel made a pretence of returning to his telephone, but before he had lifted it there was another tap on the door. It opened and two soldiers entered with Jamie.
‘The Highlander, sir,’ said one of the soldiers.
Jamie stared. ‘Doctor!’
‘Dismiss your guards,’ the Doctor told Gorton. ‘Get rid of them.’
‘Dismiss,’ said Colonel Gorton. The two soldiers hurried out.
‘Doctor,’ Jamie said, grinning, ‘what are you doing here?’
The Doctor replied sharply to him. ‘You speak when you’re spoken to, my man.’
‘Who’s side are you on?’ Jamie blurted, hurt by the Doctor’s sharpness, ‘I and another fellow had just escaped—’
‘Escaped?’ The Doctor swung round to Gorton. ‘You didn’t mention this. Is that what the shooting was about?
And you claim this prison is not barbaric?’
‘An escaping prisoner must expect to be shot at,’ said Gorton. ‘How is it this prisoner seems to know you, sir?’
‘He’s mistaken me for somebody else.’
‘Are there many people dressed like you., I wonder?’
Gorton put his hand on the telephone. ‘By which military authority are you in the fighting zone, sir?’
‘General Smythe,’ the Doctor said emphatically. ‘If you ask any more impertinent questions, I shall require to use your telephone to call him.’
‘There will be no need,’ said Gorton. ‘I intend to call him myself right now.’ He lifted the telephone.
‘You did say we might have some tea?’ said Zoe.
‘What?’ Gorton was surprised by the question, then remembered he was an officer and gentleman. ‘I could not deny refreshments to a lady.’
‘Thank you very much,’ said Zoe. But before Gorton could carry out the request, Zoe quickly picked up the teapot and brought it down smartly on his head. He collapsed forward onto the desk, unconscious.
‘I know you hate violence,’ she said innocently to the Doctor. ‘But it seemed the only way.’
‘Well done,’ said the Doctor. ‘Now let’s see if we can bluff our way out of here. Come on.’
He hurried to the door followed by his two companions.
‘If we could get into this place, we can get out!’ With a cheerful flourish he flung open the door.
Standing immediately outside was Captain Ransom, revolver in hand. Either side stood armed soldiers.
‘Going somewhere?’ Ransom enquired. ‘Perhaps I can give you a lift.’
3
The Time Mist
‘This time,’ said Zoe, ‘that awful general will sentence us all to death.’
Glumly she surveyed their dismal surroundings. The trio were back in the château locked in a basement room. A little light came through a grille set near the ceiling. The place smelled of damp and age.
‘About this redcoat,’ the Doctor said to Jamie. ‘He really believed he was in 1745?’
Jamie had told the story once already. ‘That’s right, Doctor. He said he was fighting my lot, then all of a sudden he was in another war—this one. Do you think he was crazy?’