The Daemons The Time Monster




Prologue

rumbled ominously; fitful lightning mocked the
green with a sudden day; a few threatening of rain splashed heavily on the cobbled
road... X3'night, Josh.'
Night, Pete. 'Night, Tom.'
Old Josh Wilkins turned reluctantly away from the friendly light of the pub and set off across the
green.
'What's the matter with the dmtted dog... ? pulling fit to choke hisself. Wants to get home, I
reckon. Don't blame him; we're in for a soaker. Better cut through church-

Josh shivered, turned up the collar of his jacket and plodded on.
All at once, the sky split open with a crack that jolted Josh's old heart, and the rain came. In a
moment he was wet to the skin.
'Hey ! Come back, Dan, you great fool !'
The dog, yelping hysterically, had pulled the lead from hh master's hand and dashed through the
churchyard gate. Cursing under his breath, Josh stumbled after him.
Suddenly the, barking became a howl like a scream of fear. A high-pitched chattering noise cut
through the hiss of the rain.
Josh stopped, irrational terror clutching at his throat. But the dog was silent. He had to know.
Fearfully, he rounded the corner of the church and saw Dan, still and lifeless; and, crouching
menacingly above the poor thin body, there was...
Josh struggled to run, to scream, to fight the roaring in his ears and the agony in his chest. He
pitched forward on his face.
There was a rustling in the undergrowth. The 'thing'




'He died of fright, Doctor. I don't care what you say.. the man simply died of fright.'
Doctor Reeves sighed. 'My dear Miss Hawthorne, t~ medical diagnosis is quite dear. He died of a
heart atta&
The morning sunshine flashed on Miss Hawthorne's ix dignant pince-nez. 'But his face... !' she
exclaimed.
'An expression like that is quite common in cases of he~ failure. Now, ff you'll excuse me ...'
The doctor walked across to his ~ Miss Hawthorn, clutching desperately at the folkweave doak
slipping frol her sheulders, scuttled after him.
'The signs are there for all to see, Doctor. I cast t~ runes only this morning.'
The doctor frmvned irritably. 'Superstitious nonsense he snapped. 'I'm sorry--I have my rounds to
do.'
With an exasperated crunching of the gears the doctor ancient car rumbled away. Miss Hawthorne took
a fe, frustrated steps forward, raising her voice as the doctor n ceded...
'If Professor Homer opens that barrow, he'll brin disaster on us all. I'm warning you! This is just
th beginning !'

il

i!







The White Witch

Doctor Who was a happy man: the birds were singing a spring song, the sun was gleaming on Bessie's new
coat of daffodil paint and there was a pleasant tang of engine oilin the air...
'Doctor ! You haven't been listening !'
The Doctor looked up from the open bonnet of his beloved old car. 'Oh yes I have,' he said,
.~rniling at the indignation in Jo Grant's face. 'You were talking aboxit this new pop group who wear
vine leaves in their hair.'
What was ages ago ! I mean, simply centuries. I've been going on about that TV programme. What do
you think'U happen?'
'Happen? When?' The Doctor wandered over to the bench and picked up a fearsome-looking monkey-
wrench. Jo followed him.
'Tonight, of course . . . when Professor Homer opens up that burial mound. I mean, what with the
ancient curse and all.'
'Oh, Jo,' sighed the Doctor patiently. 'You don't really believe in all that nonsense, do you?'
'Of course I do,' she replied. 'There's been a lot of it about lately.'
'You make it sound like the measles,' commented the Doctor, returning to his car.
'But it really/s the dawning of the Age of Aquarius just about now. Astrologically, like in the
song. And that means the occu/t.., you know, the supernatural and all the magic bit.'
The Doctor smiled to himself somewhat ruefully. He was obviously wasting his time trying to turn Jo
into a


!!!i

;i!

scientist. He gave the wrench a final tug and stoo frowned.
'But how do you know there's nothing in it ?'
The Doctor started to fasten down Bessie's 'How ? I just know,~ that's all. Everything that happe
have a scientific explanation, if you only know look for it. Excuse me, my dear.'
Jo moved thoughtfully away from the bench. The picked up a little black box, looking like a
transistc
and started to work on it.~Yes, but...'
The Doctor grinned at her. Jo never gave in easi 'Suppose . . . suppose something happens and knows the
explanation.., nobody in the world.. Universe I That'd be magic wouldn't it?'
This time the Doctor laughed out loud. 'Really, said, 'for a reasonably intelligent young lady, you
h most absurd ideas. In the first place...'
But Jo wasn't listening. Her eyebrows had shot she was gasping feebly, 'Doctor ! Look !'
The Doctor looked up from his work. His old ye] was quietly driving herself out of the open doors
UNIT workshop into the car-park outside.'There's nobody driving her l' said Jo.
Bessie continued serenely on her way. The Doct her sternly.
'Bessie ! What are you up to? Come back here at
The little car flashed her lights rebelliously and e: a tight clockwise circle.
'Do as I say, now. This minute !'
  Bessie stopped. She rewed her motor a couple oJ
as if tempted to take off into the distant countrysidt 'I shan't tell you again.'
Slowly, reluctantly, she rolled towards the worksh, stopped by the Doctor and Jo, whose eyes by nox
popping out of her head. The Doctor wagged a fu the errant Bessie.
'You're a very naughty girl. How dare you go ga] ing around like that ?'

IO


dup.

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here

'radio,

obody the

),' he e the

and

'car
the



r
honked her horn a little aggresively.
'Are you sorry?'
'Honk, honk.'
'Very well then, I'll forgive you this time. Now, go back
your parking place, before I change my mind.'
  the asto, ~shed gaze of poor Jo, Bessie backed and sedately settled herself into her accustomed
place,
one last self-satisfied honk of her horn.
The silence was broken by a male voice.
'I know there's a good explanation for all this but I just
think of it for the minute.'
The Doctor looked round. During Bessie's little dance,
  Yates had appeared from the little office at the of the workshop. The Doctor looked at him quiz-

 5~/ould you believe in magic?' Jo asked Captain Yates at
the same time casting an infuriated glance at the Doctor. `No, of course not,' said Mike.
'Jo would,' the Doctor said provocatively.
~nat's not fair,' burst out Jo. 'It must have been you doing it. Some sort of remote control, I
suppose.'
 The Doctor solemnly held up his little black box and a button on it.
'Honk honk,' said Bessie from the other side of the car-

'You see how easy it is to be a magician ?' said the Doctor. 'Would you like to see some more ?'
'No thanks. I've had enough of your childish tricks,' Jo mid severely, 'I want to see that
programme. Would you give me a lift back to H.Q., Mike ?'
And off she marched. The Doctor looked at Mike and winked. Mike grinned and started to follow her.
At the door, he turned back.
'Are you coming, Doctor ?'
'Coming where?'
'To see that TV programme.'
The Doctor groaned. 'Not you, too, Captain Yatez !'
'Wouldn't miss it for the world,' answered Mike cheerfully. 'Should be fascinating. Forecasts of
doom and



i!

disaster and all that. After all, it has a funny reputa~ Devil's End . . . you know, the village near
the dig. I member reading . . . I say, Doctor, are you feeling right?'
The Doctor didn't even hear him. He was too c cerned with the large disturbing bell sounding in his
Devil's End? Where had he heard the name before? this wretched memory of his ! Devil's End... The Dc
shuddered. It had an evil'ring to it.'Doctor ?'
The Doctor came to himself with a start. Mike was peering at him anxiously.
'Are you sure you're all right ?'
'Of course, of course,' replied the Doctor absently.
 Suddenly he leaped into action, seizing his cloak
making for the door. 'Come on then,' he said urgently. 'Where to ?'
'To see that TV programme, of course?

High on the ridge known to the village of Devil's E: the Goat's Back is the strange mound that everyom
the Devil's Hump. It is a bleak place. Even in the brigh shine of a spring day a cutting wind slices
throug silence. Apart from the thin cry of a lonely curlew, no sing there.
But today, the usual emptiness was alive with the ling of some thirty human beings all intent on
settinl television Outside Broadcast. Thick electric cables h from the cameras and the immense lights
formed a trap the unwary foot. Little figures darted to an dwarfed by the immensity of the Wiltshire
sky, and the size of removing vans littered the grass like abar toys.
The tension in the air, like the spiky heaviness atmosphere before a thunderstorm, was nowhere
evident than in the' immediate neighbourhood of ,a Fergus, the well-known Television Personality.

12


'Professor Homer! Professor Homer!' Fergus looked
, round. Where had the old fool got to, for Pete's sake?
 ,! Where's the Professor? He's up and vanished from face of the earth. One minute he was here and .
. .'
the floor manager, moved into action with all the
of the professional calmer of nerves.
'Not to worry, not to worry, Alastair. He's probably in
unless he's had second thoughts and scarpered.' 'What?'
'Well, you know the local chat. Death and disaster if he

voice grew shrill, q'here'll be a disaster if he get a shift on; he's supposed to be on the air in
threeand-a-half minutes.'
 'Not quite, old son,' replied the imperturbable Harry, 'we've the cavern bit to go out first.'
Alastair Fergus shuddered dramatically. 'Don't remind I'm trying to put that dreadful place out of my
mind. But right out of it !'
 That very morning he had recorded the opening of the programme right inside the notorious Witches'
Cavern of Devil's End. According to local legend and who would dare suggest the legend was a lie--this
curious place, half natural, haft hewn from the bedrock of England by prehistoric man, had been a centre
of mystery and evil since the beginning of humanity.
Here pagan man performed his rites of human sacrifice, here the druids met to conjure up their
secret power, here the covens of the severiteenth century hid from the fires of Matthew Hopkins, witch
hunter; here the third Lord Aldbourne used to play at his eighteenth century parody of  the more
unspeakable rituals of black magic...

jo Grant hurried into the Duty Office of UNIT H.Q. 'Am I in time?' she gasped.
Sergeant Benton didn't need to ask her what she meant. 'He's just showing us the Witches' C, avern,
Miss,' he said.




'Ooh, isn't it creepy. I mean, like spooky l' she wentthere once. In the summer you can actually gO1
Through the vestry.'  ::l
Mike Yates had followed her in, accompa
the Doctor. 'The vestry? What on earth are you uaUall
about?' said Mike.
!
'The church of course. It's built right on top ofI
cavern. How about that ?'
II
  'A perfect symbol, Jo,' the Doctor said shortly. 'Now, ~l
quiet, both of you. I want to listen. Look, there's d
archaeological dig...'
Jo pulled a rueful face at the grinning Mike and turn
towards the TV screen where Alastair Fergus, all traces:
petulance quite hidden, charmingly wooed the affection
the Great British Public.
'... Professor Homer and his gallant little team ha
cut their way into the Devil's Hump as if it were a gim
pie. But now the question is, can Professor Homer pull o~
his plum?'
Alastair Fergus's appropriately fruity laugh was abruptl
interrupted by a loud Yorkshire voice---the voice of the,
yet unseen, Professor.
'Get on with it, man !' the voice said.  i Fergus got on with it. He talked of the
previous attempti to open the Devil's Hump: from the first in I793, whe~ Sir Percival Flint's miners ran
back to Cornwall leavin8 him for dead--right through to the famous Cambridg~ University fiasco of z959.
Always, the Devil's Hump had r, mained an enigma.
qtut tonight, the enigma will be solved! Tonight, al midnight, the witching hour, the viewers of the
B.B.C. will have the privilege of being present when Professor Gilbev Homer, the noted archaeologist...'
Again he was interrupted. The burly figure of Professo] Homer lumbered into the picture. 'Got round
to me at last, have you ? About time too ! Hey, you there with the camer~ --bring it over here ! Come on
!' And off he stumped intr the hole cut into the great mound behind him, followed b5 the camera and the
feebly expostulating Alastair Fergus.



Professor Horner was always a great favourite with a '' audience: guaranteed never to stick to the
guaranteed to speak his mind and call a spade a guaranteed to lose his temper with fools and make
himself unpleasant--he was of course loved. To see him disconcert the other great the oh-so-smooth
Alastair Fergus himself, was a treat rare in the annals of broadcasting.
Struggling gamely to regain the initiative, Alastair down the muddy tunnel, talking hard. 'I'm sure the
viewers will be fascinated, Professor. What exactly are
:r you going to...'
 Professor Homer reached the end of the tunnels and pointed firmly at an unappetising clod of earth.
there That's the spot. Six inches behind that lies the biggest archaeological find this country has
known since Sutton Hoo.'
 Alastair Fergus st.ruggled into range of the camera, muddy and irritable. 'Sutton Hoo. Ah yes.
Would you like
 to explain that reference, Professor.''No, I wouldn't.'
 Alastair wouldn't give in. 'Sutton Hoo was, of course, the place where the greatest
archaeological...'
 ~lever mind about Sutton Hoo, lad. This is what your precious viewers are interested in... the
Devil's Hump and what's inside it. Right ?'
 Back in the Duty Office, the Doctor leaned forward intensely. Alastair Fergus rallied. 'And what/s
inside it?'
 'Treasure, that's what. The tomb of a great warrior chieftain, 8oo ~.c.'
'No, no, no...' murmured the Doctor.
 Jo glanced at him. His face was as desperately concerned as ever she had seen it. 'Doctor... what's
wrong?'
The Doctor shook his head and nodded towards the
screen.
Jo turned back to watch.
 'And why tonight, Professor ? I mean, why open the barrow this night in particular? And why at
anidnight?'
The Professor growled. Several million viewers 'sat up,




eager for the edged rewrt, the quick insult, the snap teeth in poor Alastair's soft white hide. 'I
should thought that that would have been obvious to the mind. Seems I was wrong.'
Several million sighs of satisfaction.
'April 3oth,' the Professor continued, 'Beltane, isn't Alastair took a deep gulp of much-needed air.
'The good Lord preserve me from overpaid nincompoops! You ought to do your homework
yOU~
Alastair Fergus's indignation was great. He dared interrupt. 'I know, Professor Homer . . . and you
.. but perhaps some of our viewers might like to know well. What is Beltane ? Please !'
For once in his lifetime the Professor was
. ~ , yes... I see . . . Beltane,' he said, 'greatest festival of the year, bar Hallowe'en.'
The Doctor jumped to his feet. 'Beltane, of course !'
Jo looked at him, amazed. 'But, Doctor! I thought said you don't believe in all that.'
Once again the Doctor hushed her.
A deep growling roar came from the TV set. The Professor was laughing. 'Ghosts? Witches? Demons? Of
course I don't believe in 'em, lad. It's just that my new book comes out tomorrow !'
Alastair's tone was acid. 'So it's what you might call a publicity stunt ?'
'Top of the class, lad !' said Professor Homer approvingly.
The Doctor growled. 'Most implausible,' he commented. 'His mind's being manipulated.'
'Whose mind?' asked Jo. 'That creep of an interviewer's ?'
 'No, no,' replied the Doctor. 'The Professor's mind
There's something dreadfully wrong.''What could be wrong ?'
'I don't know.' The Doctor walked over to the window and stared at the blossom on the apple trees in
the garden. 'Aquarius... Devil's End... Beltane...' he muttered to

16


'Come on, come on. Think !'
His reveries were broken by Sergeant Benton. 'Hey look,
Something going on...'
Something indeed was going on. In full view of the tele-
cameras, a Fury in homeweave cloak, good strong
  and pince-nez was beating Harry the floor
manager about the head and body with an old green umbrella. Miss Hawthorne had arrived.
 'Now come on, love,' he exclaimed, dodging a fresh onslaught, 'be a good girl and buzz off.., ouch
!'
 He was saved from further damage by the advent of Alastair Fergus from the barrow. 'It's okay,
Harry,' called Alastair as the Professor also emerged.
 Miss Haw-thome pulled her arm free and marched across to them. 'I have come here to protest!' she
announced grimly. 'And protest I shall.' The'Professor mumbled ominously.
 Alastair turned and spoke into the camera..'This is Miss Olive Hawthorne, a prominent local
resident who is very much opposed to the dig. Professor Homer. I believe you two have already met ?'
 The Professor erupted. 'Met? I'll say we've met. The daft woman's been pestering me for weeks.'
 Miss Hawthorne's pince-nez flashed dangerously in the cold sunlight. 'I've merely been trying to
make you see mason. I was obviously wasting my time. You are a dunderhead, sir !'
Viewers with colour television were fascinated to see Professor Homer turn a novel shade of purple
as he struggled to find a suitable reply. Hastily, Alastair intervened. 'Miss Hawthorne, will 3rou tell
the viewers why you are so against this excavation ?'
Miss Hawthorne looked straight into the camera. 'Be. cause this man is tampering with forces he does
not understand.'
A movement made Jo look round. Without knowing it, the Doctor was nodding his head in vigorous
agreement.
The Professor regained his speech. 'Poppycock !' he ex. ploded.





  Miss Hawthorne turned on him. 'You will bring
 upoti yourself and upon the whole area if you per~ 'Balderdash ?
'Death and destruction await you. Believe me, ] Once more Alastair Fergus jumped in. 'Ah, but tt it~ you
see. Why should we believe you and how know~'
 His charming smile froze as Miss Hawthorne t piercing eye on him. 'Because,' she said, 'I am a wit,
The Professor's anger suddenly subsided. He gril most in triumph. 'You see?' he said, 'I told you
daft.'
'I tell you, I'm a witch. A white witch, of corm. that's why you should listen to me. I know.'
With a sense of overwhelming relief, Alastair caught sight of Harry waving his arm in a circle, g
'wind-up' signal. 'Well, thank you very much, Mis thorne, for a most interesting...'
But Miss Hawthorne was by no means ready to up'. 'I have cast the runes,' she announced dramatic
have consulted the talisman of Mercury; it is written stars: when Beltane is come, tread softly, for lo,
the himself is nigh.'
'You see,' said the Professor. 'Mad as a hatter 1' 'The Prince?' enquired Alastair nervously.
'The Prince of Evil,' declaimed Miss Hawthorne Dark One; the Horned Beast...'
All at once, the Doctor tore his eyes from the sc~ if forcing himserf to awaken from a hideous nigh,
Turning on his heel, he strode to the door. 'Come on, said, urgently.
'Where to ?' she asked, scrambling to her feet.
'Devil's End, of course. The woman's quite righ must stop that lunatic before it's too late...'


~rlow? t's jt~t o you




nd-

mce

2

The New Vicar

Montmorency Vere de Vere Winstanley-~-Monty to his
 in the 'county' and addressed as 'Squire' by Devil's
End--leaned forward, turned off his television and chuckled. Good for Miss Hawthorne ! She had kept her
end up well. Wretched London chappies taking over the place. You'd think they owned it.
 He tapped out his pipe and rose ponderously to his feet. Hastily averting his eyes from his too
plump reflection in the doors of the Ghippendale glass cabinet, he looked round for his favourite red
setter.
 'Hereward! Hereward !' The dog came bounding in, eager for his usual evening walk. Confound the
creature l How did it manage to keep so thin ? Always stuffin' itself, wasn't it ?
 The drive of End House, some half a mile long, was lined by rhododendron bushes. In the season
people would come from hundreds of miles to see the Winstanley rhododendrons, and the Winstanley lawns,
and the Winstanley roses and... 'Evening, Squire.'
 'Heavens above, never noticed you, Bates. Everything under control ?'
 'Yessirl apart from a touch of blackfly. Soon put paid to 'un, though.'
 Bates, latest in the long line of Bateses, gardeners to the Winstanleys since the days of good
Queen Anne, touched his hat as the Squire rolled away down the immaculate
 gravel of the drive. Feudalism died hard in Devil's lind. 'Oh... Squire, sir.'
 The Squire turned back. Bates' mahogany face was troubled.
 Ille missus. She's worried, like. Asked me to speak to you...'




 'Well ?'
 'It's her hens, you see. Haven't laid a single
 on a fortnight.'
 'Go on.'
 Bates shuffled slightly, obviously embarrassed.
' sir.'
Winstanley looked at him in some perplexity. Not
Bates to be so roundabout in his manner. 'I don't
.stand,. Bates. How can I help ?'
Bates took off his hat and carefully brushed some '
ible dust from its mud-caked crown. 'Well you see, sir.
she says., it's a lot of nonsense, and I . . . well, she
they've been bewitched, like !'
'Ah. I see. Bewitched, eh ?'
'Yessir.'
The Squire puffed at his old briar for a few seconds.
that as it may.., what can I do about it ?'
'Well, you see, Squire, we was thinking.., that is,
was.., well, you might have a word with Vicar,
listen to you, sir.'
The Squire grunted. 'Doubt it. Doubt it very much. Sens-
ible fellow, this new chap. Can't see him worrying about a
few fowls. Still, could mention it in passing, I suppose.'
'If you'd be so good, sir. Elsie, you see.., she does carry
 on so. If I could say I'd spoken to you ...'
'Of course, of course, leave it to me...'
Bates replaced his ancient hat and vanished into the
shrubbery, lifting a respectful forefinger to Squire Win-
stanley's retreating back.
'Hereward ~ Heel, sir !' The Squire automatically fell into
his accustomed routine as he stepped through his front
gate. But his heart wasn't in it. Hens not laying, for
Heaven's sake! Always happening. Fox about, probably.
Must have a word with the hunt.
Still, Elsie Bates was no fool. If she thought they were
~; bewitched . . . no, no, no, a lot of nonsense. Like those
ridiculous rumours put about by Miss Hawthorne after poor
i! old Josh dropped dead in the churchyard..
!:
 . . And the rotund figure of the Squire of Devil's End


20


it,

in stately fashion down the hill to the village,  e gun-dog at his heel. Nobody could have
guessed that his heart had been gripped by a sudden fear that had almost stopped the Breath in his
throat.



the steep track leading from the Goat's Back flew a strange figure, cloak fluttering behind like
the wings of a giant moth, and uttering occasional weird cries such as 'Ha !' or 'Fool, fool, fool !'
Miss Hawthorne on her bicycle. Swooping through the spinney at the corner of Longbottom farm and out
into Shady Lane, she narrowly avoided the Ransomes' ginger cat and never even notieedmthis being most
odd as Marmalade was a personal friend--so exhilarated was she still by her righteous anger at that
idiot Homer.
'My giddy godfathers, but I told him !' she thought toherself, starting to pedal as the road turned
itself upside down and she faced the long pull up Box Hill. 'He won't forget little Olive Hawthorne in a
hurry...~
Slower and slower went the bicycle as Miss Hawthome's spirit slowly sank back to earth. What good
had she done after all? He was still going ahead. Devil's End still faced the ancient curse; the
terrible curse which every child in the village could repeat and no adult would dare; the curse whose
origin was lost in the morning of time.
As she reached the top of the rise and started to coast downhill past the high stone walls of the
Winstanley grounds, Miss Hawthorne's face became grim and deter' mined. Ha! He needn't think he'd won.
There was a shot or two in the locker yet, by Jove.
Slowing down and jumping off with a hop-hop-hop-she really must get those brakes fixedmshe arrived
at her own front gate, wheeled her faithful steed into the front garden and leant it against the ivy-
clad wall of her little cottage.
Resisting the temptation to escape into the cool haven behind the lilac front door~ there to slake
her dusty thirst



'7

  camomile tea, she walked out into the ro~ and turned firmly towards the Vicarage.

Surprised at the change in the usual pattern, H, down, his tongue .lolling, as his master stopped; of
the village green.
  'Hang on, old son,' said the Squire to hlrm decide what you're going to do.' Straight across 1 as
usual? Or was it his duty to seek out the Vic~ the promised word in his ear? The bar of 'The Ck was
certainly very tempting. Ludicrous name fc house; just cashing in on the superstitions of the the
curiosity of the trippers who crowded the vill suminer.
  Better see the Vicar first. Only fair to old Bate; ing to Elsie's nonsense of course, but still...
  With the pu~led Hereward at his heel, he set the green, past the painted Maypole standinI middle.
Mayday tomorrow! Good Lord, see~ yesterday since last year's shenanigans. Go( tradition, of course, but
a fearful bore, what with terminable Morris dancers and. all that tripping a: Maypole.
  'Have to show my face, I suppose,' he said to 'Noblesse oblige and all that tosh. Only happen:
year after all...'
  Suddenly, the same cold fear gripped him on and he stopped dead, white terror behind his eye
remembered Professor Homer's words '... greate~ est/val of the year, bar Hallowe'en.'
  With an effort, he pulled himseff together and ~/ again, but now he made straight for the welcome
of
door.
  'Just one, then on to the Vicar. Medicinal p~ that's what they say, isn't it ? Can't think what's
the with me. Must have been overdoing it...'

22


~y again in he went, trying not to notice the shaking of his
r the cold sweat on his brow.

Hawthorne didn't notice the door of 'The Cloven
~rcI sat i[feof dosing behind the Squire as she came out onto the
!the edge..~l~' n. She was too busy rehearsing to herself the best way
 il:roach~app the new Vicar, whom she had yet to meet. Un-
Better ately, he was something of an unknown quantity. If
 tr
 he pub,dear Canon Smallwood were still here.., strange that
 ~l drop  didn't say good-bye to anyone, when he left. No doubt
 a Hoof'  couldn't face it. Must have been a terrible wrench to
 publicafter all those years...
 Ils and  As Miss' Hawthorne approached the churchyard gate,
 in thethe corner by the old smithy with its too bright poster
  announcing the availability of teas for tourists, Police
 under-Constable Groom appeared, his beaming face shining even
  redder than usual in the light of the setting sun. ' 'Evening,
 ~crossMiss Hawthorne,' he said. 'Saw you on the telly before I
 the  tame out. Very good you were. Least, that's what I
 only thought. Told them, didn't you?'
 hing Miss Hawthorne's indignation was at once rekindled.
 in-  'Ha !' she ~exclaimed. 'They chopped me ! Cut me off ! But
 the  don't you worry, Constable. I'll get my chance tonight.
  You'll see.' And off she stalked, leaving the Constable smil-
  .~.ing tolerantly after her.
 aPutting her hand on the gate, she started to push it open.
  Immediately, almost as if this were a signal, a sudden fierce
 inwind sprang up; a gale; a hurricane; a typhoonmaU in the
 ~espace of a thirty-yard circle. An impossible wind.
 !tMiss Hawthorne rallied at once. Leaning into the blast,
  her hair and her cloak blowing every which way, she raised
  her arms on high, and began to chant an Exorcism.
  'Avaunt, all ye elementals! Avaunt, all ye powers of ad-
  adversity...'
  In the meantime, Police Constable Groom was behaving
  in a very strange way. Moving as if he were in a trance, he~
  up a large stone and started to move forward with



the apparent intention of bashiag in Miss skull. She, all unawares, was desperately her incantation. 'In
the name of the Great ! charge thee,' she cried, 'be still and return to
ii! at peace in thy sleeping...'
Police Constable Groom lifted the stone above his !  . . a moment later Miss Hawthorne's worries
over. For ever.
However, at this very moment, her words seemed effect, for the wind dropped as suddenly as it had
up. The evening air was still once more. The stone from Groom's hand and he swayed on his feet.
'Mr. Groom !' exclaimed Miss Hawthorne as she and saw the pallor of his face. 'Mr. Groom! Are you
right?'
The Constable rubbed his forehead. 'I... I think so I just felt a bit faint for the moment...'

 Miss Hawthorne nodded wisely. 'I'm not at all
prised. Not at all. It will pass, Mr. Groom. It will pass.' Groom essayed a weak smile. 'I'm okay,
now,' he Olive Hawthorne looked at him: looked past him through him. Her eyes were distant, as if she
were such things as cannot be spoken--things not of this 'We must be on our guard,' she said, 'all of
us.' She and walked up the path, between the rows of and disappeared round a buttress of the church.

!?!i

!:

!i!
l!ii

In the bar Montmorency Winstanley downed his Scotch and gratefully accepted the offer of a third. this
one,' he thought, 'and then I'll go off and have natter with the Vicar. Get him to have a chat with
Bates. Soon set her right.'
All his fears were now forgotten.

Mbs ttan,lhame came/'aund lke back al lke chm'ch and


,ruling for the Rectory gate when a sour-faced man
in front of her, as if from nowhere.
'What do you want ?' he asked aggressively.
Miss Hawthorne, jolted rudely from her reverie, was very
indeed. 'How dare you jump out at me like that,
' she said. 'Get out of my way.'
'I said, what do you want ?'
'If you must know,' she answered acidly, 'I wish to see
Mag~ter.'
C, arvin smiled. 'Well, you can't,' he said. 'What do you

'I'm hardly likely to discuss my affairs with the verger. let me pass.' She made to continue on her way
but stepped into her path again. Miss Hawthorne shook with anger. 'You wouldn't dare behave like this if
the Vicar were here,' she said.
'Mr. Magister doesn't want to be disturbed. He said so.' ~qot him ! The real Vicar !'
Garvin laughed. 'What'd you call Mr. Magister then?'
'I meant Canon Smallwood, our old Vicar, who left in such mysterious circumstances.'
~lothing mysterious about it. Taken ill and had to retire, that's all.'
Miss Hawthorne was regaining her control. 'In the middle of the night? And where is he now? Why
hasn't he been in touch with anyone ? Tell me that.'
Garvin grunted. 'I've got no time to listen to your nonsense. I've got work to do.'
Miss Hawthorne stood her ground. 'I repeat. I wish to see Mr. Magister.'
'And I tell you again. He doesn't want to be disturbed.' 'Then he can say so himself. Let me pass, do
you hear?' Sayingthis, she raised her old umbrella, the weapon which had routed Harry that afternoon.
Garvin eyed it uncertainly.
'You're wasting your time.'
Miss Hawthorne flourished the broUy. 'If you don't stand aside, Garvin, I shall be forced to use
violence !'
'Violence won't be necessary.'




The curiously gentle, yet firm voice at once
the situation. Miss Hawthorne swung round,
! quite discomfited, as if she were abruptly thirty
younger, an eight-year-old surprised in some'Ah... Mr. Magister. Good evening.'
Slim and dapper in his dark suit of clerical grey, the Vicar was a striking figure. His handsome,
yet Mephistophelean, face was curiously ageless. True, the black beard had streaks of pure white in it,
but these merely to offset and emphasise the smooth skin and ful eyes.
 i~And yet, as Miss Hawthorne gazed, intrigued fascinated, those eyes seemed to her to become deep
pools4 unfathomable knowledge; the knowledge of a years or more.
'Good evening. Miss Hawthorne, isn't it? What a real pleasure to meet at last.'
Olive Hawthorne pulled herself firmly together.
no time for day-dreaming, nor indeed for social
'I have to see you most urgently, but this uncouth fellow yours refuses to let me past him l' she
complained.
At once the Reverend Mr. Magister was all
Taking her by the ann he led her out of the churchyard an~ up the path of the Rectory garden, talking,
talking, talkhag, in a ceaseless flow of smooth platitude. Again and again, Miss Hawthorne tried to halt
the torrent of worth, only to have her interjections swept away downstream and
lost in the swirls and eddies of the Vicar's expert small talk.
i iAt length Miss Hawthorne found herself sitting uneasily on the edge of one of the worn leather
armchairs in
 the Vicarage sitting-room, with the Vicar hovering: : solicitously at her elbow.
'... a cup of tea, perhaps?' he was saying, 'I always feel that a good cup of tea can go a long
way to solving most of life's little problems...'
Suddenly Miss Hawthorne could stand it no longer. 'Stop it !' she cried.
'I beg your pardon?' Mr. Magister seemed genuinely taken aback




treating me as if I were a village ignoramus! We
I in the real things you and I--life and death; Heaven He!l---you in your way and I in mine. The forces
of are abroad tonight. We must be up and doing; we must our defences; we must gird ourselves against the
r...'
Vicar sat down opposite her and leaned forward,
his hands together as if about to say a quick 'I can see that you are most upset. But really,
Miss
The forces of evil? What can you mean?' ?Haven't you heard of the Curse of the Devil's End, Mr.
A man assuming such a responsibility as yours, ' be aware of...' The Vicar held up a hand.
'One moment,' he said. 'Perhaps I should make my posi-
clear. Of course I've heard talk of these--forgive me---
foolish superstitions. How could I not? This area is
by them. But I consider it my responsibility, and
duty, to combat the disease, not to spread it by credence to such irrational notions.'
Miss Hawthorne swallowed hard. She must not let her-
become angry again. No matter how misguided thh
might be, she needed his help and needed it badly.
'I beg you to help me, Mr. Magister,' she said intently. qielp me to stop that foolhardy man.'
The Vicar looked bewildered. 'Er... stop whom? From
what? I don't understand, I'm afraid.'
Homer, of course. He must not enter the tomb,
~ghts t.,
Mr. Magister's face cleared. 'Of course, of course. Stupid of me. Your battle royal with the worthy
Profe.~zor. But you know, Miss Hawthorne, I still find it difficult to understand. Even allowing for
your . . . all . . .' Mr, Magister smiled placatingly, 'your somewhat quaint---daxe I say eccentric--
ideas, why are you so against this yew. ordinary archaeological excavation ?'
With a great effort Miss Hawthorne held her temper. 'I tell you, Vicar, we're all in mortal danger.
Have you no concern for the souls in your care?'

27






'The soul as such, is a very dated idea'
'The modem view would tend to see the
Miss Hawthorne could stand it no longer.
feet she looked down on the Vicar with the tempt. 'The modern view ! Sir, you are a see that ! am
wasting my time here !' And she door, her cloak swirling around her.
'Miss Hawthorne ! One moment !'
Even in her rage, Olive Hawthorne responded authority in his voice. She stopped and to face him.
'Well ?'
Mr. ]Vlagister moved with the smooth elegance of { across the threadbare carpet. He looked deep into
Hawthorne's troubled eyes. 'You're very distressed, ! ca that. But I'm sure you're worrying yourself
unduly. E thing will be all right. You must believe me... you believe me.. ?
Once more, Miss Hawthorne found herself caught i eyes. The extraordinary large pupils, the irises,
so da brown as almost to be black and yet flecked with tones of... surely not gold ?
'You must believe me...' the soft voice went on. This seemed a very reasonable and desirable propc Of
course she must believe this most excellent mm man with the eyes of such incredible blue, a blue so
midnight blue.., but weren't they brown just now?
'I... I must believe you,' she heard herself tour and lame to herseff with a shock of anger.
'Why should I believe you?' she gasped, her trembling. 'A modem man are you? A rational ma tell
you what you are, sir. You are a fool! If you help me to prevent the barrow from being opened t' I must
fred someone who will !'
She turned and left. A moment later came the s the front door.
Mr. Magister's face was livid with frustratio thwarted rage. He looked out of the window. Mis. thome
was letting herself into the churchyar, Magister's face twisted. Under his breath he swore i

28


alien tongue. He turned to the door. 'Garvin !' he

the verger was in the room. The Vicar raised his and pointed. Miss Hawthorne was on the point of out
of sight.
smiled, nodded and slipped noiselessly from the The Vicar took a deep shuddering breath and foihim
out of the house, across the churchyard and the north-east corner of the church.

Winstanley was roaring with laughter.
Bert Walker, the landlord of 'The Cloven Hoof', really
a wag ! He was keeping the whole bar in fits.
I'll tell you, sir,' he went on as he put a
glass in front of the Squire, 'when the hem
  giving milk and the cows a-laying eggs, that's when believe all this nonsense. Leave all that to
the addle-
tourists.'
A weaselly little man with smudges of oil on his face,
up from his game of dominoes. 'You'll sing a
tonight, Bert, if they open up the Hump and Old Nick walks out.'
qVIaybe you're right, Tom Wilkins,' Bert replied, grinaing. 'Tell you what, though. If the Old 'un
does come
I'll offer him my best room. My bread-and-butter,
heis!'
As the bar exploded with laughter once more, Squire
wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes. His intention of visiting the Vicar had quite gone
from his head.

Gamin .finished tying the unconscious Miss Hawthorne's hands.
'Right,' said the Vicar. 'In here,' and he unlocked the lid of a large carved-oak chest in the
corner of the vestry.
The verger picked her up. Her thin, wiry body was mr-



!
prisingly light. He could feel her bones through the 14 weave of her cloak, like the ribs of a dead
squirrel.
And Mr. Magister stood back and watched with a of satisfaction as Miss Hawthorne was laid gently in
chest onto a fresh white bed of newly-ironed surplices..




3
The Opening of the Barrow

It was twilight in Devil's End. All over the village shin were being fastened and doors, front and back,
bo against the perils of the night. A solitary child, hustled doors, caught the unspoken terror from her
frantic mot ,and earned herself a smack by wailing a protest. A fo( old man, awakening from a senile
day-dream, hammere( his daughter's door. A brief flash of light as she opene, his voice, then dusk again
and the clank of bolts to seal silence--a silence more intense for the distant howling hound, baying the
pock-marked face of the full moon ing above the Goat's Back.
Across the churchyard flitted a shadow a little n dense than the shadows of the gravestones in the
m( light. Seeking the sanctuary of the church wall, it pal momentarily as if to make sure it was
unobserved and ! vanished through the vestry door.
Nervously crossing the darkness to the far side of room, the figure halted by the low oaken door
with heavy wrought-iron hinges, which led to the steps d, into the cavern beneath the church. Flashing a
light to the handle of the door, he revealed a bony unsatisfied: ---,the face of Wilkins, the player of
dominoes in Cloven Hoof'.
Cautiously, he opened the heavy door, its groans e( ing round the high vaulted ceiling of the
vestry. SteF step he descended to the cavern. At the bottom he pau stared into the improbable blackness
and hissed, there, boy?'

30


the tel Zth a tly in ices..


tremulous whisper came back at once 'Is that you,

 who the blazes would it be, you great fool ?' said
 man in slightly more normal tones, switching on his
 and turning it to find his nephew's face, hover-
 like a death's-head ghost in the gloom of the cavern.
 didn't you light the candles, then?' he went on,
 to the boy
 [ was scared I thought you'd never come'
 to be scared of,' said Wilkins, suppressing the
 of his fearful scuttle across the churchyard. 'Better
sh~  hadn't we ?'
 Taking out a box of matches, he lit two tapers, handed
tied of them to the boy, and crossed to the nearest wall
 seven-branched candlestick stood ready in a niche.
 he lit the first of the seven black candles, the boy let
;red moan of fear.
 'What is it now?'
 K)ver there,' the boy breathed. 'Someone .   some  ..

Wilkins turned on his torch once more.and approached
shape the boy had indicated. 'Why, it's only
he laughed in relief. 'Bok's our friend, ain't you,
beauty', and he affectionately patted on the head the
figure which squatted balefully on its
pedestal against the far wall.
'I thought... I thought I saw it mov&' The boy's voice
uiver.
~es, well, that'll be enough of your fancy, now, won't
)w~~ young Stan ? We've come here to do a job. That right ?'
~ndReluctantly, the boy started to light the hundreds of
acewhich were all round the cave, moving with the
 eof an imperfectly learned ritual. His uncle, more
adept with his taper, hurried from alcove to alcove, im-
lo.patiently urging each wick to take light.
by As the flames took hold, the Cavern came alive in all its
~d,grange beauty. Flickering shadows animated the carvings
)u on the rock walls, some dating back to Roman times, some
more recent, but all depicting the secret ceremonies of the




old witch religion, literally thrust into the darkness underground by the light of Christianity.
Near the gargoyle figure, a large slab of marble let the floor was carved and painted with an
ancient balistic Seal of Magic, while in the very centre of the stood a large rock, rough hewn into the
shape of an On its smooth upper surface were several dark stains, whispered to be the stains of blood...
The candles were all alight and Tom Wilkins stood by i steps and surveyed the result. 'Why it's..,
it's beautiful,'] murmured.
'I don't like it, Uncle,' whispered Stan. 'Let's get out
here.'
Tll be wishing I hadn't suggested you to join us,' uncle snapped. 'All right, get along home. But
don't I late for the ceremony tonight.'
Stan gratefully slipped away. Wilkins took one last loe His eye lighted on the marks on the Stone of
Sacrifice. shiver ran down his spine, but whether it was a shiver excitement, of anticipation, or a
shiver of fear, he cou not tell.
'I need a drink,' he said to himself and went, leaving tl Cavern once more silent and still,
contemplating its ov evil beauty.


'I told you, love, I can'tmI'm on duty.., any other nighl  .. well, I know that.., just because, that's
all. sergeanl Feather had a sudden attack of... Mavis?'
Sergeant Benton carefully replaced the telephone on it cradle. He looked up glumly at Captain Yates
who wa sitting in the corner of the UNIT Duty Office with his fee on the desk, doing The Times
crossword. 'Rung off,' sai~ Sergeant Benton.
'Girl trouble ?' asked Mike.
'Tonight's the knockout for the Southern Area Chain pionship. Mavis and me, we'd entered together.'



arkness of harble let

re of the
of an ah ~ stains,

's get out

bin us,' It don't

last [aC/~ce. I shiver
he

mving the g its own

Yates looked up from his paper. 'What championthose ?'
g, sir.'
turned his attention back to the puzzle. The of the burly sergeant in white tie and tails doing
twinkle-toe quickstep was nearly too much for

 been sewing those blooming sequins on her dress !over three months. Three thousand, four hundred
and

door opened and Benton leaped to his feet.
ease, Sergeant,' said Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart,
in immaculate in full regimental Highland Dress.
order, Captain Yates ?'
Yates was also standing. 'Yes sir. No problems,'
then, I'm off to this wretched dinner.'
is it, sir?'
a way. All the old codgers crawling back out of the
 and filling their bellies at the regiment's A bore.'
~..food though, sir?'
. Regiment rather prides itself on setting a good

'Dancing, I suppose, sir,' said Benton.
'Heaven help us, yes,' replied the Brigadier. 'The wives
it. Well, you know where to reach me if anything up.' The Brigadier turned and left. The unac-
aroma of an expensive after-shave lotion lingered
the air.
Mike Yates picked up his paper and sighed.
'AH right for some, isn't it, sir?' grumbled Benton. 'The Brigadier tripping the light fantastic
with the Coloners
  Doctor and Miss Grant swarming down to the country, and here we are, stuck with the tetly and a
plate of corned beef sandwiches...'

33





~Can't we have the hood up?' asked Jo Giant, shrh into her anorak for protection against the drizzle.
'It's only a shower,' replied the Doctor. 'It'll stop minute.'
Jo huddled gloomily down into her seat. Bessie w~ finitely a fair weather car. 'Just think, Mike and
Ser Benton are all cosy and warm in the Duty Office. Pro
having a cup of coffee---and a sandwich.'The Doctor ignored the hint.
'I never thought it would take so long,' she went ot 'We should be nearly there,' rejoined the Doctor
fully zig-zagglng through a series of double bends at a which would have put any ordinary car into the
ditc!
Jo switched on a minute torch and peered at the ing map. 'We'll be coming to a crossroads soon and
the turn to the village. I should slow down a bit, if i you, Doctor.'
'No time to be lost,' he retorted, as Bessie hurtled another bend in the road, with Jo hanging on
for was worth, and inwardly congratulating herself for put on her safety-belt.
About half a mile ahead lay the crossroads. On island in the middle stood a signpost, qDevil's l
announced, pointing dumbly to the right. The sount Doctor's approach disturbed the tranquillity of tl
light.
Suddenly there was a fierce gust of wind, a wine canny as the one which had assaulted p.o. ( placid
mind. It was almost as odd in its effect, t~ signpost shivered, almost as 'if it had begun to con and
slowly turned, until its lone finger was pointin{ metrically the opposite direction. Its purpose ap]
achieved, the wind died, just as Bessie came into vi
'There it is,' cried Jo. The Doctor abruptly slowe 'To the left. That's funny. Looks on the map as
if to go to the right.'
'You probably had the map upside down,' said 1 tot, swinging the wheel and shooting the car up road.

34


said Jo and disappeared inside her anorak hood.

at the Devil's Hump, the stage is set.., no, no... at the dig, the tension is intense. No, no, no. Can't
say is intense.., sounds dreadful.'
 Fergus, systematically chewing the nail of his middle finger down to the quick, was pacing up
and the springy turf outside the entrance to the barrow his opening remarks in a low and agitated Some
little way away, Professor Homer watched
cynically while noisily sipping tea from a large mug. !'Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, here we axe
again ;. ! Huh ! Sounds like a circus...'
Harry, doing the rounds, checking on the cameras, the and the hundred and one other things that had to
arrived at Alastair. 'You all fight, then ?' he asked

 ~,lastair was exasperated. 'Of course I am~ Why I be all right, for Pete's sake? Of all the stupid

  .'
Harry, well accustomed to the varied symptoms of pre-
nerves, grinned amiably. 'Well, I only asked,'
said.
Fergus grunted and wandered off into the night, fever-
r muttering to himseff.
Harry moved on.
'Everything okay, Professor? Won't be long now.'
 Professor Homer looked up from his mug. 'Any sign of
that fool woman ?''Not so far.'
'Well, keep her out of my hair. I tell you, lad, I'll do her a mischief.'
'I'll do my best,' replied Harry. 'Now, you've got everything straight ? We start with the intro
from Alastair, then I'll give you a cue to launch into your spiel.'
'Spiel?'

35



'You know, the chat bit. Momentous oca~'on ~
 And then comes the big moment...'
  ]
 'Oh aye,' growled the Professor.
'If you could manage to break into the burial just as the first stroke of midnight sounds on the c
clock, that would be absolutely super.'
The Professor regarded Harry for a moment from his heavy eyelids. 'Righto, lad,' he said, 'I'll do
my b be absolutely super.'
 Harry laughed and said, perhaps half-seriously, '
Professor, what if something does happen ?''Like ?'
'Like a personal appearance of you know who.'
The Professor smiled maliciously. 'Use your init lad. Get your chatty friend over there to interview
hi


 Bessie's speed was now considerably less. The r~a
 quickly become a lane and by now was little more
 !cart track.
 l'his can't be fight,' said the Doctor, changing g

J'You saw the sign. Oops !' said Jo as the car went
particularly deep pot-hole.
'Maybe the sign was wrong.'
'And maybe I didn't have the map upside down. (
at least it's stopped raining.'
Bessie ground to a sticky halt.
'What now?' groaned Jo.
'At a glance,' responded the Doctor. 'We appe~
 i  stuck in the mud. Have a look at that map, .To, an
you can see a ploughed field. We're apparently
middle of one... !'


The camera crew were quietly hying bets on the 4 36


the evening. Ted, on Number One Camera, was 'Hundred to one on nothing being there at all,' i mid,
looking up into his viewfinder, where Alastair Fercould be seen, a charming smile glazed onto his face,
for his cue to start the programme.
Suddenly a shout from Harry: 'Right, quiet please ! Lots hush. QU-I-ET !' moment of dead silence.
Alastair glanced at his refiecin the camera lens, licked a finger, and smoothed his yet more perfect
shape.
  by,' went on Harry, listening hard to the instruccoming through his earphones. 'On the Studio ...'
He raised his hand.
Alastair Fergus licked his lips, watching from the corner his eye. The hand dropped and he slid smoothly
into 'Here, at the Devil's Hump, the excitement is inThe stage is set. What shall we see when the
curtain

The momentous broadcast had begun.

Tom Wilkins was feeling a lot better with a couple of pints inside him. He glanced at his watch. Better
get down there. Already he was cutting it a bit fine. Trouble was, an exit now might be a bit obvious
with the bar so quiet,
watching the TV programme.
 At that moment a diversion was provided. The door crashed open and in came a tall man with a shock
of nearwhite hair and a cloak, followed by a girl.
 'Sorry, sir,' said Bert, 'it's long after time.' After all, though everyone knew that old Percy
Groom was safely out of harm's way up the Goat's Back, a licence was a licence, and this was a stranger,
a foreigner.
'We don't want a drink,' said the Doctor. 'Will you please direct us to the Devil's Hump ?'
'Where the dig is,' explained Jo.
'No need to go all the way up there,' said Bert. 'You can see it on the telly,' and he gestured to
the set on the bar,

37



where Alastair could be seen in full flow telling ] the history of the Devil's Hump.
'It's extremely urgent,' said the Doctor.
'Always in a hurry you townsfolk. All be the s~ hundred years, sir,' said Bert placidly.
'I can assure you, it will be no such thing,' rel Doctor, becoming more and more irritated.
A round figure detached itseff from the group an bar and swayed over to the Doctor and Jo. It wa
Winstanley.
'You one of these television chaps, then?' he a~ 'I am no sort of chap, sir,' snapped the Doctor.
'Oh. Forgive me,' the Squire answered. 'I thou  .. well.., the costume, y'know.., and the wiI
Jo, seeing that the Doctor was about to explod~ stepped in. 'Now, Doctor... !'
But in her turn she was interrupted by Tom 'What do you want to go up to the Hump for, th,
'There's no time for all these questions. I simply know the way.'
'All the time in the world, sir,' said Bert, leanin bar as if ready to listen all night.
'Oh, very well,' retorted the Doctor. :I intend to: maniac Professor before he brings devastation u1
all.'
The statement was met by a general groan of Willdns turned on his heel and walked out of the I
The Doctor was by now very angry indeed. 'Is here capable of answering a simple enquiry?' i
fiercely. 'What on earth's the matter with you all i
Jo again spoke up. 'Please can someone tell us tl Please?'
Winstanley beamed at her. 'Of course, my dea right outside, past the church, over Box Hill, ta Shady
Lane about a half mile on and straight up onto the Goat's Back. Can't miss it.'
'Oh. Thank you. Would you mind repeating that think..'

38


yet

on, Jo,' said the Doctor urgently, and swept her !the bar.
  fellow,' said the Squire turning back to Alastair Fergus.

did he by any chance call himself the Doctor ?'
Mr. Magister, that's what the girl called him. Do
then?'
Vicar smiled. 'I believe I have made his acquaint-
You have done well, Wilkins. But... why aren't T?'
  I thought I ought to tell you. Said he was going ~the dig.'
  now and prepare. We start the ceremony in only minutes.'
Wilkins hurried across the vestry and disappeared
the door leading to the Cavern, the Vicar opened
 and took out a robe, a robe of such magnificthat it would have made the congregation of Devil's
 wince. But this was no High Church vestment: bright of heavy silk, thickly embroidered in gold with
esoteric signs, the robe spoke of decadence, of evil, he secret arts.
Donning it quickly, Mr. Magister walked through the
door and stood at the top of the steps. There,
in a circle around the Stone of Sacrifice, were
in hooded black gowns. As they caught sight him, they raised their voices. 'Io Evohe' they
chanted unison.
The Vicar surveyed them. Garvin was there; Wilkins
his quaking nephew; Fenton, the caretaker from the
school; Ashby who kept the General Store; and so and so on. A poor lot, he thought.
He swept down the stairs, his scarlet robe afiying and
the Stone of Sacrifice on which were now seven candles, a chalice and a thurible covered with
runic Taking some incense from one of the hooded figures,



where Alastair could be seen in full flow telling yet ~4 the history of the Devil's Hump.
'It's extremely urgent,' said the Doctor.
'Always in a hurry you townsfolk. All be the same: hundred years, sir,' said Bert placidly.
'I can assure you, it will be no such thing,' replied Doctor, becoming more and more irritated.
A round figure detached itself from the group around bar and swayed over to the Doctor and Jo. It
was Sq Winstanley.
'You one of these television chaps, then?' he asked. 'I am no sort of chap, sir,' snapped the Doctor.
'Oh. Forgive me,' the Squire answered. 'I thought .. well.., the costume~ y'know.., and the wig..
Jo, seeing that the Doctor was about to explode, ha stepped in. 'Now, Doctor... !'
But in her turn she was interrupted by Tom Will 'What do you want to go up to the Hump for, then ?'
'There's no time for all these questions. I simply wax know the way.'
'All the time in the world, sir,' said Bert, leaning on bar as if ready to listen all night.
'Oh, very well,' retorted the Doctor. 'I intend to stop ma~ac Professor before he brings devastation
upon all.'
The statement was met by a general groan of disbe Wilkins turned on his heel and walked out of the
bar.
The Doctor was by now very angry indeed. 'Is nob here capable of answering a simple enquiry?' he .~
fiercely. 'What on earth's the matter with you all?'
Jo again spoke up. 'Please can someone tell us the w Please?'
Winstanley beamed at her. 'Of course, my dear. 'I right outside, past the church, over Box Hill,
turn Shady Lane about a half mile on and straight up the onto the Goat's Back. Can't miss it.'
'Oh. Thank you. Would you mind repeating that, I d think...'

38

i 


on, Jo,' said the Doctor urgently, and swept her bar.
fellow,' said the Squire turning back to Alastair Fergus.

did he by any chance call himself the Doctor ?'
Mr. Magister, that's what the girl called him. Do
then ?'
Vicar smiled. 'I believe I have made his acquaint-
You have done well, Wilkins. But... why aren't ready?'
I thought I ought to tell you. Said he was going
~thedig.'
 now and prepare. We start the ceremony in only minutes.' Wilkins hurried across the vestry and
disappeared the door leading to the Cavern, the Vicar opened cupboard and took out a robe, a robe of
such magnificthat it would have made the congregation of Devil's wince. But this was no High Church
vestment: bright of heavy silk, thickly embroidered in gold with esoteric signs, the robe spoke of
decadence, of evil~ '~e secret arts.
 Donning it quickly, Mr. Magister walked through the door and stood at the top of the steps. There~ in a
circle around the Stone of Sacrifice, were figures in hooded black gowns. As they caught sight him, they
raised their voices. 'Io Evohe' they chanted a unison.
The Vicar surveyed them. Garvin was there; Wiikins his quaking nephew; Fenton, the caretaker from the
village school; Ashby who kept the General Store; and so :on and so on. A poor lot, he thought.
He swept down the stairs, his scarlet robe afiying and approached the Stone of Sacrifice on which
were now seven black candles, a chalice and a thurible covered with runic signs. Taking some incense
from one of the hooded figures,

39




.. Vicar threw it into the thurible. There was a flash, and
 cloying scent filled the air, as smoke drifted across Cavern.
t will, so mote it be.' His rich powerful voice filled
cave.
responded the group.
Magister raised his arms high and spoke the words uration:

'Hearken to my voice, oh Dark One; Ancient and awful; supreme in artifice; Bearer of power; I conjure
thee!
Be present here at my command
And truly do my wiU!
EVA, EVARA, EGABALA!
GAD, GADOAL, GALDINA.t'

Young

Stan Wilkins, pale and sweaty, stared up at the
 face of the great figure in the scarlet robe of

Professor Homer, having been kept waiting in a cramped and awkward position at the end of the tunnel,
was in no mood to play games when, at last, Alastair Fergus stopped talking and Harry waved a cueing
hand at him. 'Oh, my turn at last is it, young man,' he growled at Harry and turned to speak to the
camera. 'Let's face it, you've had enough blether from t'other fellow. You want to see for yourself.
Well, I'll tell you what you're going to see. A stone wall.' His trowel chinked on something hard. The
professor began to scrape away the earth, to reveal some large stones, obviously set in place in the
long distant past. 'What did I tell you ? I'm not so daft...'
All showmanship forgotten, the Professor of Archaeology started to dear the edges of the largest
stone as gently and as lovingly as a craftsman of old working on his masterpiece.

4I



The Doctor's old car came racketing and bumpiJ steep track at an impossible speed.
'What's the time?' he shouted above the di engine.
Jo struggled to focus her eyes on her wristwatd two minutes to midnight, I think.'
Bessie seemed to leap forward as the Doctor, ing all caution, put his foot hard down.
There was no need now to ask where the dig enormous lamps lit the Devil's Hump as if it were --and
the trucks and the cameras made a barrier i~ to get through.
The car shuddered to a halt, the Doctor jumped ran at top speed towards the barrow, shouting, 'St
You must stop him !' And as he ran the chur started to chime...

In the Cavern, as the chanting grew louder and Io~ mighty figure in scarlet raised the smoking incense
the air, and cried in a kind of ecstasy:

'By the power o[ earth,
By the power o/air,
By the power o[ [ire eternal,
And the waters o[ the deep,
] conjure thee and charge thee:
ARISE, ARISE, AT MY COMMAND,
AZAL, AZAL.t'


More by luck than design, the Professor finished , the wall, just as the clock finished its preliminary
and as the first stroke of twelve echoed across the v2 gripped the largest stone, quite oblivious of his
a



!the commotion behind him in the tunnel, and gave it wrench.
sheer speed the Doctor had made his way past Harry the cameras, foiling every attempt to stop him. But
all
 for as he arrived at the end of the tunnel, the stone B out like a decayed tooth from its socket.
the hole came a blast of icy wind. An unearthly filled the air and the earth itself began to shake. the
barrow, the sudden high wind and the quakthe ground threw monster lights and cameras to the tumbling
them over and over like leaves in a gale. Alastair Fergus and the technicians struggled to
profiaemselves from the terrible sound and the falling Jo fought her way against the freezing wind the
barrow. 'Doctor ! Doctor !' she sobbed.
  reached the entrance to the tunnel, the wind sudstopped: the noise died away and all was still,
the broken only by the low moaning of an injured man. are you all right?' she desperately cared out as
stumbled down the tunnel. But the Doctor could not
 All that could be seen of him, emerging from a great of earth and rubble, was his hand, the hand
with his liver Roman ring.

4
The Appearance of the Beast

had been a very dull evening at UNIT Headquarters: rumour from Hampshire Of a monster which turned out
be a Jersey cow on a spree; the usual crop of UFO just after closing time; a report of little green men
Tooting ('Why are they always green?' said Benton. hoaxers haven't got any imagination !') In fact the
0nly item of any interest was the TV report of the Rugby International at Twickenham England v Wales.
Clap-

43





tain Yates and the Sergeant spent a jolly hou the cream of English manhood being beatel ground by their
Celtic cousins.
'Thirteen nil !' grumbled Mike.
'Lucky it wasn't a hundred and thirteen nil geant Benton. 'Useless lot.'
Mike Yates yawned hugely and idly looked a, 'Hey, it's just gone twelve. We've missed the di
'Might just get the end of it,' said Benton, laz! ing over to change channels, 'unless of course
managed to stop it.' He pressed the button, q which swam into view appeared to be upside d~ was
somebody--a girl was it ?--scrabbling fev~ big pile of earth. Suddenly, the sound cut in Doctor !'
'It's Jo !' Mike said, appalled.
At that moment, the screen went blank. Ti B.B.C. 3 emblem came up and a smooth voice worded millions
with well-bred aplomb. 'We see lost contact wkh the barrow at Devil's End. V course~ resume the
programme as soon as we c meantime, here is some music.'
Mike snapped into action. 'Benton, get onto and find out what's going on down them. I'll try 1
Brigadier.'
The next few minutes were spent in a chaos with Benton trying to get past the bland public: B.B.C.
to those actually in charge of the broadcas Devil's Hump, while Mike Yates learned that h~ missed the
Brigadier who had 'gone on somewh~ end of his regimental 'do'.
'This is stupid,' Mike burst out, 'I've a damn to go down there and fred out for myself !'
'The Brigadier'd go spare, sir,' said the Sergean we might get news at any moment.'
'Oh yes, sure,' replied Mike, 'and in the meanti~ happening to Jo and the Doctor ?'

44


UF
m into

I,' said

! his g!'

 Professor Homer and Ted the ~meraman- h y row on the grass, stiff and cold. looked up. 'It's no
good,' he said, 'he's gone too.'
!Jo was frantic.
! No, he can't be ! We must get a doctor.'
face it. They've had it.'
must be a doctor in the village, or somewhere.'
  , looked at the turmoil around them. His eye lighted Alastair Fergus, who seemed to be the only
one of the
unit without an urgent job to do. 'Hey, Alastair! ~>u drive a truck ?'
  took in the scene at a glance. He forced himself ~ speak calmly. 'I'll try anything once,' he
said.
The journey from the Goat's Back down to Devil's End
always to remain one of Jo's nightmares. Bouncing
  in the front of a three-tonner driven by a man who never driven anything larger than a sports car,
knowthat the three men in the back were probably dead,
that the Doctor had for once failed and maybe had for his failure with his life, Jo clung
desperately to
of another time when the Doctor had lain ap-
lifeless, only to recover completely after a few rest.
As it happened, Alastair Fergus's truck was merely the
of a convoy of vehicles carrying the injured and the
 down to the village. Soon the long bar in 'The
Hoof looked like a casualty ward, with Doctor Reeves in his shirt sleeves trying to be in a
dozen different
 race. He looked up from ex~mlrfing Gilbert Homer. ~fs impossible,' he mid.
Wimtanley, shaken into a sort of sobriety, looked down at the lifeless form of the Professor. 'Poor
chap was
suffocated, I suppose. Or was he crushed?' Neither,' said Reeves. 'Frozen to death,' q:rmen ? But that's
impossible.'
'I said so, didn't I? That makes three of them. They're the same.' He gestured to Ted and the
Doctor.
~ut you haven't even examined the Doctor,' cried Jo, trying to hold back her tears.

45




'No need, I'm afraid,' said Doctor Reev nearly a solid block of ice, just like the othi spoke he put
a perfunctory finger on the I 'Can't perform miracles, you know.'
Jo turned away, blinded by silent tears. 'There, there, my dear,' said Winstanley, Suddenly Reeves gave
a start. 'Good grief some blankets over, will you? And get sol bottles. Lots of them.'
'Coming up, Doctor Reeves,' called Bert fi end of the room, where he was dispensing ho
Jo could hardly dare to believe what she hm alive ?'
'It's incredible, but I think I felt a pulse.' 'There's a chance then ?'
'Maybe, maybe,' said Reeves cautiously. 'Ithe constitution of an ox to survive a tempe tion like
that.'
The Squire awkwardly patted Jo on the st upper lip, my dear. Where there's life, there'
 As Jo gave him a watery smile, Bert ar
bundle of blankets and two or three hot wate~ 'Good, good. More if you can spare them.' 'I'll have a
look round,' and Bert turned to g,
'I say,' said Jo, stopping him, 'is there a 'pl use?'
'In the corner, Miss. Help yourself.'
'Oh yes. Thanks.'
Jo picked her way slowly through the B.B.( could see Alastair in the middle. Already the experience
was fading and it was becoming tale for the club at lunchtime. Alastair Fert tough a nut to crack
easily.
Jo was quickly through to UNIT and had so, Yates in the picture.
'But is the Doctor all right now?' he asked.
'It's touch and go, I think,' replied Jo. 'Mike, down here ?'
'Yes, of course We'll come down in the chot

46


'He's
WO.'
~or's

a move on, won't you. ! can't take much more Mike could hear the quaver in her voice. never been
so scared in my life,' she went on, something awful going on here. The whole place
about it, as if...' Abruptly her voice stopped, be replaced by the dialling tone. At once,
Mike rang the
the pub, which Jo had given him.
sir?' said Benton.
~lumber unobtainable...'
we do ?'
~,o down there, Sergeant. Both of us.' ~But... what about the Brigadier ?' q'he Brigadier can . . .'
Mike stopped him~lf just in ime. Even though UNIT was somewhat informal, military etiquette must be
preserved. 'He can follow us down later. Go and change into civvies, Sergeant, and get the Brig's
fuelled up and ready for us to take off at first
light...'

Harry leaned out of the window of his car. 'Well, that's the last of us,' he said thankfully to Police
Constable Groom.
 ~You've been a great help !''Happy to oblige.'
'Can't wait to get away myself. I don't envy you, stuck up here.'
P.O. Groom grinned. 'Can't leave it all open, like. Just another night duty. I enjoy a bit of peace
and quiet.'
'You're welcome to it, mate,' said Harry and drove away with a cheerful wave of his hand.
Thank the Lord, thought the Constable. Friendly lot, but still, look at all the trouble they'd
caused.
He walked over to the entrance to the tunnel, now firmly sealed off with planks. He shone his torch
on the large 'Danger' notice outside and grunted with satisfaction. Then, carefully spreading his
waterproof cape on the turf he sat down, and opened a packet of sandwiches-apricot jam, his favourite--
and a flask of tea.

47


His supper finished and tidied up, P.C. Groom set down, his back against the warning notice, to wait
I~ dawn. Already he could see the sky brightening in the

 . . within minutes he was asleep. It had been a long all
busy day. wAth~
  But the Constable's sleep was not a restful sleep
at once he plunged deep into a dream; a dream
story; a dream which was nothing but a jumble of disc01
certing images. He saw the face of the new Vicar, 1~t
Magister, apparently mouthing some strange incantatio
while swirls of coloured smoke almost hid him from vie~
He saw the notorious gargoyle from the Cavern, Bok, tl
tourists' favourite, stretching his stone wings and hopph
from his pedestal. He saw a pair of red eyes watching hi
steadily from the darkness of the tunnel in the barrow. An
as he stirred uneasily in his sleep, he saw alien creature
giant matures with cruel faces, flying through space p~
uncountable suns. He could feel his heart thudding assl~u~
fell down, down, down, into the heart of the brightest
of all... ]
Abruptly he awoke. The brightness was the brightness 0{
the dawn. The thudding of his heart was the tread of heav~
footsteps shaking the earth beneath him. He struggled t~
rise, but in vain. And as P.C. Groom drew his last breatl~
he recognised one of the giant beings from his dream asi~
indifferently crushed the life out of his body with one of iti
great hooves.


With the sun at their backs Captain Yates and Sergeanl Benton, no longer in uniform, flew through the
azure sky of the May Day morning.
'If only helicopters weren't so blooming noisy!' said the Sergeant. 'It's by far the best way to
fly. Time to look around. Even better than gliding in a way.'
Mike Yates, concentrating on the map on his knee, was in no mood for small-talk. 'Well, you have a
look round and

48


if you can see the village,' he said. 'We should be there
BOW.'
'Right ahead, sir,' Benton replied, in no way abashed.
the church?'
Mike looked for himself and soon made out the church
nestling in the woods. But then something else
'Hello, what's that ?'
~VIust be the dig.'
  'No, beyond that. Going across that big field, a line of
 ... they couldn't be hoofmarks ?' 'Shall we go and look, sir?' 'Yes, better.'
 The helicopter settled to the ground, noisily, softly, beating the grass flat with the force of its
gentle descent. Mike and the Sergeant jumped out and ran over to the line of mrious identations in the
soft turf.
q'hey are, you know,' said Benton his voice tinged with awe. 'They're hoofmarks.'
 'But they can't be. The animal that made these would have to be twenty or thirty feet tall.'
 Benton followed the track with his eye. 'It's gone into that wood, sir.'
tWell, whatever it is, it'll have to wait. Come on. First thing's first,' and Mike turned and
hurried back to the helicopter.
'Like--er--breakfast, you mean?' said the Sergeant following him.
'No I don't,' said Mike grimly. 'I mean Jo and the Doc.' No sooner was the chopper in the air again than
it started to descend once more and soon landed neatly in the very centre of the village green.
'Where's the red carpet then?' said Benton as they climbed out, 'and the brass-band ?'
Yates looked round at the sleeping village. 'After last night I reckon they're entitled to a lie-
in,' he said.
Out of the front door of 'The Cloven Hoof' came a small figure, flying across the grass so fast her
legs almost became a blur. 'Mike! Sergeant Benton!' she gasped as she reached them. 'Boy, am I glad to
see you two.'

49




 'Are you all right, Jo?' said Mike, disentangling him from her hug.
'Yeah, great.'
'And the Doe?'
 'Come and have a look. He's in the pub. They got him bed.'
'Is he any better?'
'I think so, a bit. But he's still out cold.'
 'He'll pull through. You know what a tough old bird is.'
 'Anyway,' said Benton, 'you're both safe. That's the rm thing.'
Jo stopped by the door of the pub. 'I don't think there' any danger here,' she said, 'but out there
. . .' and sh nodded in the rough direction of the distant barrow, he eyes filled with fear.
'Look, Jo, what is going on ?' asked Yates.
'I . . . don't really know. Something really bad. Yo know, devilish...'
Mike caught the Sergeant's eye. 'Those tracks?'
'Look sir, if you don't need me here, I'd like to do a quick recce.' No need to alarm Miss Grant,
his eyes said. 'Just fifteen minutes' shufti round,' he went on. 'Well . . . say twenty.'
Mike felt doubtful. Perhaps they ought to stick together. On the other hand, the sooner they got
this lot sorted out~ the better for everybody. 'Mm... right,' he agreed, 'but
at the first sign of trouble, straight back here.''Oh, do be careful,' said Jo.
'Don't you worry, Miss,' said Benton cheerfully, 'I know how to look after myself.'
'Come on,' said Mike, 'let's go and see how the Doctor i~ --and you can tell me the whole story.' He
put his arm round the reluctant and fearful Jo and gently took her inside.
Sergeant Benton looked round the green to get his bearings. They must have approached from the
north-east; perhaps east-north-east. That would mean that the wood into which the tracks disappeared
would be up there to the right

50


!

got him

old bird

t's the

hink
 ' and mrrow,

! bad. You

ido a quick i said. 'Just 1/ . . . say

It together. ~orted out, freed, 'but

~, 'I know

I Doctor is
ihis arm k her in-

his bear-

 into the right

the church. Couldn't be far--a half-mile, pedml~ set out, manfully ignoring the protests from his
empty stomach, and made his way past the Maypole towards the churchyard. Thirty feet tall[ That was some
creature, whether devil or animal. The Sergeant cast his mind back to some of the curious beings he had
encountered since he
  met the Doctor, as a lowly Corporal. Nothing could worse than the Cybermen, of course, though the
Axons
them a dose second, and as for those plastic Daffodil Men with their great grinning heads . . !
Benton shuddered in spite of himself and brought his mind back to the job in hand. 'Just as well I don't
believe in devils,' he thought wryly, 'or I'd be scared out of my wits.'
 The path through the churchyard took him dose to the wall of the church. How quiet it was. Surely in
the early morning there should be a regular choir of birdsong. Suddenly he stopped. What was that ?
it came, faintly; so faintly that if the birds had gnging he would surely have missed it. 'Help
I Help !'
It could only have come from inside the building. Out o! long habit and experience, Benton gave his
surroundings a quick glance before making for the nearest door into the church.
 Inside the vestry, he stopped. Silence. 'Hello!' he called.
'Help me I Oh, please help me.'
 There was no mistaking the source. Benton hurried over to the old oak chest and tried the lid.
Locked, of course.
'Hang on ! Have you out of there in no time at all !' he
reassuringly, looking around for something to use as a
Seizing hold of the stand of a broken lectern which was leaning against the wall, he pulled off
its wrought-iron
using all his strength, managed to break open the
i~ck.
Miss Hawthorne looked up at him. Her long ordeal had i exhausted her, but her spirit was unbroken.
'And who are you/she said, 'friend or foe?'


'Friend, I hope, ma'am,' answered Benton, he] out of the chest.
'A true knight errant. Well, your damsel in dis! be a bit long in the tooth but she's very
grateful.'
'Lucky I heard you,' said Benton, starting to tu
'It took me hours to work that gag loose--and c a relief it was ! Who are you?'
'My name's Benton, Sergeant Benton.'
'A police sergeant ?'
'No, Army. And you're Miss Hawthorne, aren' saw you on the telly with that Professor Homer.'
Olive Hawthorne took a deep breath and asked tion she hardly dared to ask. 'And what happened.;
night, I mean.'
'Nobody seems to know exactly. But the Professol and Benton told her everything he knew.
'Poor silly man...' Miss Hawthorne was obvic Set.
'But who shut you in that chest? Stupid thing to might have suffocated.'
  'Luckily the lid was by no means a close fit. I
must have been Mr. Garvin, the verger.''But why ?'
'I have a theory.., but come, we mustn't dilly-d~ It could be dangerous.'
The Sergeant shook his head. 'I wish I knew whal ing on. All hell seems to be breaking loose in this
]
Miss Hawthorne paused at the door. 'You kn, geant, you speak more truthfully than you realise. Come
on.' She started to open the door, mediately held up a warning hand. 'It's Gary hissed. 'The one who
tied me up. He's coming this Quickly she led the way to the Cavern door and d. steps into the Cavern.
'We can hide down here u gone,' she whispered, as she hurried to an alcove ]
back of the Cavern. 'Great Heavens !''What is it, Miss ?'
'The gargoyle. It's gone 1'
'What gargoyle?'

52


!(
~, he/ping h'Sssh! !' The vestry door had slammed. 'We didn't dose
chest,' Olive Hawthorne breathed into the Sergeant's

trade her.
oh~


~Lren't you? I
~ee'd the ques,
'ped ? At mid-
!
i~sor's dead,'

5viously ut>. ito do. You


I think it

!ally here.

~wasgoplace.'
DWs ~r*
perhaps
but imP,' she ~y.. !' wn the !il he's ar the

They could hear Garvin's footsteps on the stone floor of the vestry. The door of the Cavern opened
slowly and Carvin's head appeared. Apparently satisfied, he withdrew and
door closed. After a moment, again the slam of the outer door.
'Phew !' Benton started to move towards the exit.
'No, wait till he's clear.'
But Benton had stopped anyway, ~is eye caught by the strangely-marked stone let into the floor.
Miss Hawthorne joined him. 'The sign of the Evil One,' /~e said grimly. 'That proves it. You know
who's at the
bottom of all this.;)''Who ?'
'The Reverend Mr. Magister. Our new Vicar. He's an impostor. I should have realised that at once.
Magister is the name given to the leader of a black magic coven !' She crossed to the now empty Stone of
Sacrifice and looked at the dark stains on its surface with disgust.
~lack magic?' said Benton incredulously. 'That stuff died out years ago.'
'Do you know when the last witchcraft law was repealed in the country? 1957 ... It's as alive today
as ever it was. Come on. It should be safe to leave by now.' But as she put her hand on the handle of
the heavy, door, it was flung open and Miss Hawthorne was precipitated to the bottom of the steps. There
stood Oarvin with a shotgun in his hands.
Slowly he came down into the Cavern. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a word,
Benton was in action. With a straight leg kick which would have done credit to a member of the Royal
Ballet, he had the gun flying out of the verger's hands, and leaped upon him. All Benton's weight and
skill were not enough to subdue the slight figure of the verger. Round and round the Cavern they
stumbled as they struggled for mastery. Sudo

53


denly Miss Hawthorne screamed--'Look out!'
But it was too late.' With a desperate heave, m.~n~ged to push the Sergeant right onto the f
with the esoteric sign. At once, it seemed, mmfiled by a hundred invisible dubs. Vainly
fighl empty air he was forced to his knees, twisting an :hag as he tried to evade the heavy blows. At
last
  strength sapped by the punishment he had taken, lapsed to the ground, luckily falling clear of the
stone.
Miss Hawthorne rushed to him and knelt by his., Garvin, who had retrieved his gun, laughed. 'Ri
i:
i your feet,' he ordered.
  'Don't be stupid,' said Miss Hawthorne as thou~ recalcitrant schoolboy. 'lie's almost
unconscious.'
  Garvin flushed and moved closer. 'Somebody'll i help then,' he said, putting the barrel of the gun
u[ face. 'Come on, move.'
 i As Miss Hawthorne helped the stumbling Benton steps of the Gavern and across the vestry, she becan
scious of a flutter of fear, a fear very different in , from her natural apprehension at being
threatene( gun. Then she realised why: the ground was quiver neath her feet.
'Wait ! Can't you feel...'
'Quiet,' snapped Garvin, 'get him outside.'
  She staggered out into the churchyard with the helpless Sergeant, followed by the verger. As they
to move down the path, the movement of the earth b too obvious to ignore. Garvin stopped the others and
looked around.
Out of the woods, its great hooves shaking the
with each step, came a gigantic creature, some thin i,i tall, with the legs of an animal, the body
of a man aJ
? heaa of ....
  Miss Hawthorne struggled to see clearly, but th lines of the face and head were strangely blurred,
as iJ haze of heat were surrounding them. As the creatu,

54





proached, the heat encompassed its whole being, _ca_me apparent that it was starting to grow sn
temperature of the air rose rapidly, and an oppre wind started to bend the branches of the trees. ]
thome suddenly found deep down inside reserve of courage and strength, and with see] effort she dragged
the still dazed Sergeant into of the ornate tomb of an early Winstanley.
Garvin, white with a primeval terror, raised hi blindly let off one, two barrels, straight into the
1 advancing creature.
And Miss Hawthorne, cowering behind the marble, watched with horrified fascination as it 1 a
gargantuan arm and pointed at the paralyse A thread of unearthly light streaked from th~ finger and the
verger vanished forever, vapor flash of fire hotter than the heart of the sun.


!;!

iii;

5
The Heat Barrier

Mike Yates's usual optimism was severely tested ! sight of the Doctor: the blueness of his face al crisp
whiteness of the old pillowcase was so diffe his usual healthy glow that it was almost impossi lieve
that he was not dead.
'Shouldn't he be in hospital ?'
'Well, no, apparently not,' said Jo. 'Doctor RE we shouldn't move him from here.'
'Then we'll just have to wait,' said Mike. 'Nov all about it.'
Jo started to tremble. 'Oh, Mike,' she mid, 'it fible...' She had in fact little more to recount had
already told him on the 'phone, but Mike, Mike, knew that she must have been bottling emotions so
fiercely that she was near to burstinI



:, and it nailer.

Miss
herself mingly the

 she finished her story, she could hardly speak through her tears.
 Mike waited quietly until she had finished and her ~obs had subsided a little. 'Well done, Jo,' he
said gently. She smiled and accepted the large clean handkerchief he offer-
 her. 'Tell you what,' he said. 'You stay here with the Doctor and I'll go and rustle up a cuppa.'
'Okay,' she agreed and blew her nose loudly.
Mike soon found the kitchen and had the kettle on. While he rooted around amongst the pots and pans,
he tried to make sense of Jo's story. He had already learnt from the B.B.C. before he left London that
the extraordinary freak weather had been confined exclusively to Devil's End. Indeed, it had been a very
mild, quiet night throughout the country; and it had certainly been a perfect morning for flying. In
fact, the Brig's chopper had never behaved so well ... Oh Lot', the Brigadier! He'd forgotten all about
the Brigadier. According to Jo, all the telephone lines out of Devil's End were out of order. It took
only a couple of minutes for Mike to run to the middle of the green and a further couple to contact UNIT
Headquarters on the helicopter radio.
'Yessir,' reported the duty corporal, 'I managed to get in touch with him. Just getting into bed, he
was. About haft past four. No, sir, I wouldn't say he was overjoyed. I passed on your message. No, he
wasn't very pleased to hear that you'd taken his helicopter. Still, it woke him up, sir. Said you were
to stay put. He's on his way down to Devil's End. By car, sir...'
The kettle had nearly boiled dry when Mike got back to the kitchen and by the time he'd boiled
another, made the tea, let it brew for four minutes exactly, poured it out and carried it upstairs, Jo
was, of course, curled up in the cushioned basket chair by the Doctor's bed, fast off in the deep sleep
of pure exhaustion. Mike smiled, sat down in the window seat and sipped his tea. It would do her no harm
at all to have a bit of a rest until Sergeant Benton returned. He put down the cup and leaned back. Just
the chance he needed to get his thoughts in order, he said

57



firmly to hirmelf. Those hoofmarks, for instance.
there was a monster lurking in the woods, or a hoaxe: at work. If it were to turn out to be a
monster it
came a question of whether the anteater's tongue was Ion than the jelly baby or, on the other hand, vice
versa...
Mike Yates's eyes snapped open. For Pete's sake, he
on duty, wasn't he I This was no time to fall asleep.
Fifteen seconds later, he was snoring softly. All was
in the rosy twilight of the little curtained room...
 Moments later, it seemed, he was struggling out of blank depths of dreamlessness into a waking
nightmare. Ill was hot, hotter than a tropical noontide, and the room all ashake. The collection of
little pot animals on th~ mantle fell, tinkle by tinkle, into the brick hearth and picture of Edward the
Seventh as an infant crashed ir~ reparably to the floor. Jo, abruptly tipped out of her cos~ chair, was
scrambling to her feet screaming, while the D~ tor's bed rolled hither and thither, its occupant still]
oblivious, his face streaming with sweat. Somewhere near-ll
 by a baby howled in fear.
/
The earthquake Stopped. The temperature fell. All waJ
 still again; even the baby had stopped crying.Mike and Jo rose shakily to their feet.
'What... what happened ?' Jo gasped. Mike shook a bewildered head.
A sudden movement from the bed: the Doctor sat bolt upright, the flowered eiderdown falling away,
and said, at the top of his voice, 'Eureka I I've got it !'

Bert surveyed his bar in some dismay. Okay, he was insured, but that didn't replace all the broken
glasses right
J! now. In any case, the insurance company would probably wriggle out of it; they'd say the earthquake
was an Act of God. An Act of God ! That was a laugh...
  Down the stairs came a little procession. Hey ! It was the : girl and some other fellow with that
Doctor ! Supposed to be dying, wasn't he ?
~
58


ply belon

le was

~s still

!f the
re. It
Cl wa3
2 the
nd a
d Jr-
cosy
Doc.
still
lear-

said Bert, 'I thought you'd had it.'
the Doctor.
'But are you sure you're okay ?' fussed Jo. rBetter coma



~ae's right, you know,' agreed Mike. 'You ought to take gently for a bit.' i'I tell you I've recovered
completely,' said the Doctor. t was a bit parky there for a while, I'll admit, but it soon
up.'
it did !' said Jo.
q'he final confirmation of my theory, that wave of heats~
went on.
'You mean, you know what caused k ?' 'Yes, Jo, I think so.' 'Fell us then.'
'No, not just yet. I have to be sure. I'm going up to the

Jo shuddered. 'Oh, Doctor, haven't you had enough of

 Bali )re the Doctor could reply, the front door was flung was~. and Miss Hawthorne, hair
awry, staggered in, sup-'
g Sergeant Benton. For a long moment nobody

be-

)olt
, at

i.n-
~t
fly
of

he
to

'If I drop hi'n,' said Miss Hawthorne, a trifle plain-
a dreadful wallop.'
At once Mike Yates and the Doctor, all apologies,
relieve her of her burden.
~I-Ie's out on his feet,' exclaimed Mike, as they helped
bench.
5~Saatever's happened to him?' asked Jo.
 Ie's been beaten up,' replied Mike. 'By an expert, I'd my.'
'You might indeed say that; you might indeed.' Miss Hawthorne sank exhausted into a chair. 'Oh dear,
oh dear. He's a very heavy young man.'
Bert looked at the bruised Sergeant. 'He's in a bad way. I'd better fetch Doctor Reeves.'
'No need for that,' said the Doctor, looking up from his e~amination of Benton's injuries. 'I am
medically qualified

59



myseff. Now then, let me see. No bones brok goodness, and no open wounds. No internal rut
He's a lucky young man. Slight concussi nasty bruises and, of course, shock.'
 The Sergeant was shaking his head gently fr side as if to find out whether it were still attacl
body. He looked round at the anxious group
 lighted on the Doctor.'Doctor...'
'No, no, don't try to speak. Just sit quiefiy.'
 Benton leaned back and closed his eyes. T! looked over at Bert. 'You are our host, I take it ?'
 Bert grinned a litfie uncertainly. 'Could call z suppose. I'm the landlord, yes.'
 'The best medicine friend Benton could have some hot sweet tea. How about it ?'
Bert nodded and made his way towards the kit
  'Thank you,' said the Doctor. 'And thank you, I
 thorne, for looking after him.''You know who I am ?'
'Indeed I do. If only they had listened to you.' 'If only they had. I shall be eternally gratef~ young
man. It is thanks to him that I am alive 1 world what I have seen.' Her manner was so inte~ compelled
attention.
'And what have you seen, Miss Hawthorne ?'
 She paused, relishing the moment. 'Why, Do said. 'I have seen the Devil.'
 There was a moment of silence; a moment of of amusement evenmbut also a moment tinged horror, which
touched everyone present, even th himself.
'I think you'd better tell us the whole story,' he And so Miss Hawthorne told them of the atu her and
her incarceration in the chest; of her Benton; of their being surprised by the villain,
viii**.
  'And it was this verger fellow who worked over
 Benton?' asked Mike.

6o



aa side ed to His

'No, no, no. That was done by the elementah in

'Elementals ?' Mike was way out of his depth. 'Impersonal primitive spirits. One can learn to control
These were controlled by evil...'
Jo took a long shuddering breath. 'And you say you
,saw... the Devil?'
'Yes, my dear. Satan, Lucifer, the Prince of Darkness,
the Horned Beast; call him what you will He

The Doctor leaned forward urgently. 'What did he look

'I only had a glimpse, you understand. He was twenty or thirty feet tall--the cloven hooves were
there---and the horns---and that face !'
Jo seized Mike's hand.
'The Devil !' she murmured.
The Doctor frowned. 'Miss Hawthorne,' he said, 'I've agreed with you from the first about the
danger. But now I think you are utterly mistaken. Whatever else you saw, it was not the Devil.'
Miss Hawthorne's manner became even more grave. 'Oh, but it was,' shesaid. 'You see, there's a
Satanist cult in the
village and last night they held a Sabbat.''A Sahbat ? What's that?' asked Mike.
'An occult ceremony. To call up the Devil.'
'And it worked . . .' breathed Jo, completely carried away. 'The Devil came...'
'Nonsense,' said the Doctor, impatiently. 'It's all rubbish. Superstitious rubbish l'
Miss Hawthorne bristled. 'I assure you, sir, that every word ! have uttered...'
'Oh, I'm not impugning your veracity, madam. It's your interpretation I take issue with. Who is the
leader of this ... this Satanist coven ?'
~'he new Vicar. He calls himself Magister.'
Unexpectedly, the Doctor laughed. 'The arrogance l Magister--of course. I should have guessed.'
'Guessed what ?' said Jo, quite bewildered.

61


'Did you fail Latin at school as well as science, Jo ?' asked. ' Magister is the Latin word for
Master !'

Renegade Time Lord, the Doctor's arch-eneniy, of so many evil schemes in the past, the Master's one
whelming objective always remained the same: The power of the tyrant, to make slaves of all others;
power of the despot, to be ruler, dictator of a country, i empire, a planet; the power of the demi-god,
to a galaxy, a universe; no ambition was too great the megalomaniac dreams of the Master.
The telephone bell was ringing. The new Vicar Devil's End picked up the receiver. 'Magister here . .
see . . . So he has survived, has he? . . . No, no, doesn't surprise me . . . Nevertheless, I'm grateful
to for letting me know... I shall deal with him, never Now get back in there before they begin to
suspect but me know where he goes the moment he steps outside. understand... ?'

Bert put down the 'phone, picked up the tray on the tea for Sergeant Benton stood ready, and returned
the bar. But already the Doctor had left. So had the for that matter. But where had they gone ? He took
the over to Benton, who accepted it gratefully, and turned to his task of clearing the mess behind the
listening hard.
Mike Yates was talking to the Brigadier on his talkie.
'... and that's about it, sir. Over.'
'1' see, Captain ates.' The Brigadier's voice was and dear. 'So the Doctor was [rozen stiff at the
barrow then revived by a [reak heatwave. Benton was beaten up! by invisible /orces, and the local white
witch claims she's~ seen the Devil. Apart /torn that it's been a quiet night?~
OveT'.'



Benton grinned. He was obviously feeling

2 know it all sounds a bit wild. Over.'
'It does indeed, Yates, it does indeed. Now listen, l'm
 five miles away from Devil's End and I seem to have into some sort of heat barrier. Let me talk to
the

Bert, on his hands and knees behind the bar, was at once

'I'm afraid you can't, sir. He's gone up to the dig with Grant. Over.'
So that was it. He must let Mr. Magister know at once.
 he delicately moved across the carpet of glass and out of the room.
'I see. Well, as soon as he comes back I need to have a
 with him. Got it? This heat barriers quite beyond my ken, I don't mind admitting. Over.'
'Right, sir. Er . . . heat barrier? What kind of heat barrier?'
'No time to stand here nattering, Yates. Too much to do.

The Brigadier snapped the aerial back and turned to his
driver.
  'Well, Manders. We'd better have a try at getting in
 urea the south. Let's have a shufti at the map.''Sir !'
The Brigadier spread the map out on the bonnet of his staff car and considered. If they circled and
came up through Lob's Crick--extraordinary names they gave their villages--they might get round this
invisible wall of heat. Might be a hotel there, too. Get some breakfast.
He stood up and looked to the right and to the left. The
strip of charred earth, like a newly made
iroad, extended both ways cutting across fields, through hedges and through spinneys with no visible
end. He turned to his other companion, a worried eighteen-year-old with spots and a brown overall.
'Can't leave you stranded here.'


The young man looked uneasily at the still red hot of his burnt-out van.
'Lob's Crick would do me fine. I can ring the G, 'Jump in then.'
The powerful car turned carefully, and smoc celerated away from the danger area.
'Now then,' said the Brigadier, 'teU me exact happened.'
'Well, it were like this. Fine morning, it was, singing away like fun--I enjoy these early bread r
and the old bus going like a bird and then all of a she started to swerve. I thought I'd got a flat
tyre, it were an earthquake, like.'
'We noticed something of the sort ourselves, di Manders ?'
'That's right, sir.'
'Anyway, I was afraid I'd end up in the dit. stopped and jumped, out. And that's when ! he noise.'
2~loise ?'
'Like a humming . . . no, a buzzing . . . no . . . describe it really, sir, but it were so loud it
got me I just took off. And a good thing I did, because 1 moment the old bread van went up like a bomb.
away she were, all in a minute. And that's when yc along, sir.'
The Brigadier surveyed the charred end of his: cane, thinking back. The van in flames, the youngster
flagging them down, the garbled warn~ then, the discovery of the heat barrier itself. Sta: few yards
from the burning vehicle, he had used l to point at the church tower showing over the trees. Devil's
End?' he'd asked--and the end of his c~ burst into flames like a Guy Fawkes firework. Good he'd been
eighteen inches nearer, he'd have lost hi: Next they'd tried throwing in a stick from the h stone; a
steel spanner. All had exploded into r: turned white with incandescence before being cox vaporised. And
yet, inches away from the invisib



The Doctor stopped and looked down into he little face. 'Of course not,' he smiled, 'I'm gla~

As hesta~ed to clear the tunnel mouth of the s planks which had proved so ineffective a ba glanced
timorously around. She had that prickly: the back of the neck which always meant to her tl
body was watching. Or could it be some thing... 'In we go,' said the Doctor, switching on his tm The
dank blackness of the earth tunnel was, if~ possible, even less welcoming than when the lights had
guided Jo to the scene of disaster the fore. Soon they were clambering cautiously over tl rubble which
had buried the Professor and the D(~ Doctor turned the beam of his powerful lamp into hole beyond. 'What
are we looking for?' whispere
'I'll know when I find it,' replied the Doctor, ingly.
As far as Jo could see the large chamber in the the barrow was completely empty. Here was no no tomb
of a bronze-age chieftain. Professor Ho again proved wrong.
Inside, they were able to stand upright. Th~ played his light along the smooth curves of the wa
'It's enormous,' said Jo, her voice echoing ode the depths of the chamber.
The Doctor shone his torch onto the floor an systematically examining it, foot by foot. 'If my
right, Jo, we're all in great danger; mortal danger. 'You mean.., everyone in the village ?'
'I mean everyone in the whole world... Ah !' The beam of light had fallen on a large bum1 earth floor.
The Doctor squatted down by it and p a little trowel. While Jo held the light, he scraped and dug the
hard impacted soil away
silvery object some fifteen inches long.'What is it ?'
'What does it look like?' returned the Doctor.

66


~,ike... like a model spaceship.'
'Full marks! Except that it isn't a model.'
'What is it then ?'
 The Doctor cleared the last bit of earth. 'Take a look ai the shape of this chamber we're in.'
 Puzzled, Jo turned the light once more onto the walls-and then back to the tiny spaceship. 'It's
the same ! I mean, they're the same shape !'
  Doctor nodded. 'Different size, that's all. Try pickit up.'
Jo put out a hand and gave an experimental tug. The metallic object was quite immovable.
'Here, hold this.' She handed the torch to the Doctor and tried with both hands. 'It's fixed down,'
she said.
The Doctor shook his head. 'You can't pick it up because it weighs about . . . oh . . . about seven
hundred and'fifty tons, at a rough guess.'
'Oh, come on ! Be serious.'
'I am serious. You see...'
There it was again: that prickly feeling. Jo gripped the Doctor's arm. 'Ssh! ! !' she breathed.
'Listen . . .' Som~ thing was coming down the tunnel: scrape, slither scrape...
The Doctor quietly backed against the wall opposite the opening, his arm protectively around Jo's
shoulders. He switched off the torch.
Nearer and nearer came the thing in the tunnel: scrape, slither, scrape, slither... It stopped.
Suddenly two gleaming red eyes were shining out of the darkness and the chamber was filled with a series
of uncanny shrieks and mars.
Jo, nearly fainting from fright, still managed to stop herself from screaming as the Doctor turned
the full beam of his fiashlamp directly onto the thing in the entrance.
There stood the gargoyle from the Cavern. Its misshapen stone body crouching evilly, its claws
outstretched, its batlike wings stretched above its head; it was alive, terrifyingly alive, its blood-
red eyes shining from the grotesque face, while from its hideously twisted mouth came roar after
unearthly roar.

67




6 Meetings

Vicar was standing at the highest window in the little window on the top landing-looking across to the
treetops at the mighty Back Ridge. He was watching the Devil's Hump and
  . he had his eyes dosed. The Master was in full telecommunication with his faithful servant, the
garBok. Through Bok's eyes he could see Jo, shrinking the wall of the barrow chamber, and through in a
moment, he would be witness to the fulfilof one of his lesser ambitions--the death of his old the
Doctor
~gunnily enough, he was experiencing a twinge of had not always been enemies. In the early days ~hool
they had been playmates. Even later, though their diverged, a friendly rivalry had been as far apart as
would allow themselves to go. If only the Doctor so abominably good! All this claptrap about integrity,
compassion and the rest ! If only he had sense, together they could have ruled the Universe... there it
was. The Doctor had chosen. It was his own he had to be killed. The Master came out of his with a start.
What in the name of Beelzebub was
creature up to? He concentrated, and a picture in his mind's eye: the Doctor advancing on Bok, in
front of him . . . what was it? Oh yes, a small Of course, it would be made of steel. Iron had albeen a
basic magical defence. But Bok had ample Why didn't he attack ?
  Master felt waves of fear flowing from the mind of azature. 'Attack, Bok ! Kill him ! You have no
reason : afraid. Kill him !'

69

ii!


Bok raised his hand and pointed it at the D~ moment had come.
Through Bok's ~rs, the Master heard the I~ 'Klokleda partha mennin klatch !' he said.
The Master frowned. What was he up to ? not the words of power, at least, not ones that nised! The
effect on Bok, however, was devast~ co/ling across the smooth earth floor, snarling, and fled down the
tunnel. As soon as he was c took to the air and, with his heavy wings beating, towards the Vicarage,
whimpering.
His face black with rage, the Master awaited


'But you don't believe in magic.' Jo's voice trembling.
'I don't, no. But he did, fortunately !'
'So that was some sort of spell that you said?' 'He thought it was. That's why he ran away. it was the
first line of a Venusian lullaby. Roug] lated, it goes, Close your eyes, my darling; well them at
least.'
In spite of herself, Jo couldn't help but laugh. 'I must admit that I should have been quite d ff he had
seen through my little deception,' said tor wryly.
'But what was it?'
'It looked like a gargoyle. Carved out of stone 'But it was alive !'
'In a sense,' said the Doctor. 'Come on. Let's here.' Lighting the way for Jo, he led her back
tunnel into the fine spring morning. It seemed i that only a few short minutes ago they should h in such
peril.
'Anyway,' said Jo soberly, as they made their w the springy tuff, 'at least it wasn't the Devil.'
'You mean the creature Miss Hawthorne saw? must have been a hundred times more terrifying.'

7



on, insofar as that were possible, and agree sore action. As he was putting a final flourish on the
smiling to himself at Benton's snores, Miss Haw~ turned.
During the short time she had been away she trived to have a bath, change her clothes, re-braid feed
Grimalkin, her familiar tabby cat with a re handsome shirt front, and breakfast sumptuously and
dandelion coffee. As soon as she saw what ] been doing, she went off into peals of laughter, 1: heartily
that the Sergeant leaped to his feet, : instant action. Mike was momentarily cut to [ until he realised
that it was neither the matter manner of his masterpiece which was the occask merriment, but rather the
fact that he contemplate~ it up at all.
'My dear good man,' she gasped, 'it's obvious th never lived in a village.'
Mike had to agree that she was right.
'If you had,' she went on, 'you'd never have wa; time. You're a stranger, you see, a foreigner, and
be suspicious of anything you do, especially anytl smacks of giving orders, dear boy! And how do pose
Lily Watts is going to react to your playing loose with the village hall like that?'
Benton snorted with suppressed mirth.
'Lily Watts ?' Mike said weakly.
'Lily Watts is the letting committee of the hall. 'The... er... chairman ?'
'No, no. She is the committee. Nobody would d a function without her approval.'
'But surely . . . this is an emergency.'
'You've got to convince them of the fact.'
Mike was at a loss. 'All right then, Miss Hawth~ said in desperation. 'You tell me what I should do.
Miss Hawthorne thought for a moment. 'Well,': 'your only hope of getting that notice accepted to
get it signed by somebody with a position in t munity: the Vicar, say, though that's out of the {



of
er}

}n-
.it,
~ly
.sli
ad
SO
or
:k,
2e
er
tg

ff course, wretched man . . . or Mr. G r0om, our village constable . . . or best of all, the chairman of
the Parish Council.'
Mike sighed. 'And who's the chairman of the Parish Council ?'
 'Why the Squire, of course: Mr. Winstanley. Have you
any transport ? It's quite a walk up Box Hill.''Only the helicopter, I'm afraid.'
'Much too ostentatious, Mr. ates. We'll borrow a bicycle for you.'
And so it turned out. Bert dug out an ancient singlegear sit-up-and-beg machine of uncertain vintage
and as Mike wobbled unsteadily off after Miss Hawthorne, Bert set off on foot in the other direction
straight to the Vicarage, to report this latest development to Mr. Magister.


Ir
11
tt

d

The Squire had a headache. He had noticed before the odd coincidence that these migraines of his often
came in the morning after a long evening at 'The Cloven Hoof'. 'All that stimulatin' conversation, too
much for the old nerves. Always was a sensitive child...' The front door bell rang and jangled furiously
between the Squire's ears. As the effect subsided, leaving the normal dull throb, the door opened and
his housekeeper appeared.
'It's that Miss Hawthorne, sir. And a Mr. Yates.'
'I'm not in, Mrs. Anstey, I'm out. I'm ill. I'm dying, woman !'
'Ah ! There you are, Squire.'
 The Squire groaned. Only Miss Hawthorne would barge
in like that without so much as a by-your-leave.'I am not well, madam.'
'Then we shan't detain you long. This is Mr. Yates.'
Mrs. Anstey quietly left. She knew better than to tangle with Miss Hawthorne in this mood.
'Miss Hawthorne, please. I tell you, I'm not well. Please go away.'
'All in good time, Mr. Winstanley,' replied the white

73


on, insofar as that were possible, and agree son action. As he was putting a final flourish on the
smiling to himself at Benton's snores, Miss Haw turned.
During the short time she had been away she trived to have a bath, change her clothes, re-brak feed
Grimalkin, her familiar tabby cat with a r4 handsome shirt front, and breakfast sumptuously and
dandelion coffee. As soon as she saw what been doing, she went off into peals of laughter, heartily that
the Sergeant leaped to his feet, : instant action. Mike was momentarily cut to t until he realised that
it was neither the matteJ manner of his masterpiece which was the occasi merriment, but rather the fact
that he contemplate it up at all.
'My dear good man,' she gasped, 'it's obvious tt never lived in a village.'
Mike had to agree that she was right.
'If you had,' she went on, 'you'd never have w~ time. You're a stranger, you see, a foreigner, and
be suspicious of anything you do, especially anyt smacks of giving orders, dear boy! And how do pose
Lily Watts is going to react to your playing loose with the village hall like that ?'
Benton snorted with suppressed mirth.
'Lily Watts ?' Mike said weakly.
'Lily Watts is the letting committee of the hall 'The... er... chairman ?'
'No, no. She is the committee. Nobody would 4 a function without her approval.'
'But surely.., this is an emergency.'
'You've got to convince them of the fact.'
Mike was at a loss. 'All right then, Miss Hawt~ said in desperation. 'You tell me what I should dc
Miss Hawthorne thought for a moment. 'Well,' 'your only hope of getting that notice accepted to get
it signed by somebody with a position in munity: the Vicar, say, though that's out of the



lorne re-

lad con. her hair) aarkably n muesli [ike had ~ying so ady for ~' quick, nor the k of her putting

: you've

xt your they'll ag that ,u supust and

plan

of course, wretched man . . . or Mr. Groom, our village
constable . . . or best of all, the chairman of the Parish Council.'
 Mike sighed. 'And who's the chairman of the Parish Council ?'
  'Why the Squire, of course: Mr. Winstanley. Have you
 any transport? It's quite a walk up Box Hill.''Only the helicopter, I'm afraid.'
 'Much too ostentatious, Mr. Yates. We'll borrow a bicycle for you.'
 And so it turned out. Bert dug out an ancient singlegear sit-up-and-beg machine of uncertain
vintage and as Mike wobbled unsteadily off after Miss Hawthorne, Bert set off on foot in the other
direction straight to the Vicarage, to report this latest development to Mr. Magister.

The Squire had a headache. He had noticed before the odd coincidence that these migraines of his often
came in the morning after a long evening at 'The Cloven Hoof'. 'All that stimulatin' conversation, too
much for the old nerves. Always was a sensitive child...' The front door bell rang and jangled furiously
between the Squire's ears. As the effect subsided, leaving the normal dull throb, the door opened and
his housekeeper appeared.
'It's that Miss Hawthorne, sir. And a Mr. Yates.'
'I'm not in, Mrs. Anstey, I'm out. I'm ill. I'm dying, woman !'
'Ah ! There you are, Squire.'
 The Squire groaned. Only Miss Hawthorne would barge
in like that without so much as a by-your-leave.'I am not well, madam.'
'Then we shan't detain you long. This is Mr. Yates.'
Mrs. Anstey quietly left. She knew better than to tangle with Miss Hawthorne in this mood.
'Miss Hawthorne, please. I tell you, I'm not well. Please go away.'
'All in good time, Mr. Winstanley,' replied the white

73


witch. 'We want you to sign something. Where i

Mike reluctantly produced his poster. He had :comfortable feeling that this interview wasn't goi
right. He'd better try a little diplomacy. 'We wet hoping, sir, that you might chair the meeting th
hag.'
 The Squire immediately dug in his heels. wretched meeting, eh? He would have been pr% sign
anything, just to get rid of this pestilential p not if it meant having to be chairman. Always beir man,
dammit ! Worst job in the world. And him at door, too. 'Let's have a look at the blasted thing.' it from
Mike, he puzzled his way through it. 'Wt this about a heat-barrier? What the deuce is barrier?'
 'Well, sir, we don't quite know. But it seems to tremely dangerous.'
'Have the authorities been told ?'
'Er... yes. I suppose they have.'
 'Then it's up to them to cope. As for the rest oJ sleeping dogs lie, that's my motto. Sorry about
lessor and all that, but still...'
 Miss Hawthorne was exasperated. Silly old fool! l as much intelligence as Grimalkin. She raised her
'Now listen to me, Squire...' The Squire winced a~ a tender hand to his temple. At once Miss Hawth voice
softened. 'Why, Mr. Winstanley, I do belier have a headache !' The Squire could only nod. 'Why you tell
me ? I'm not a witch for nothing, you know. she started ferreting in her handbag.
 Mike Yates watched her, fascinated. Was he really to witness a demonstration of real witchcraft,
albeit witchcraft?
 Miss Hawthorne surfaced, clutching a small glass filled with a golden liquid. She removed the
stoppel proffered the phial to the somewhat anxious Squire.
'Now, wait a minute...'

74



tn-
ite
let

',n-

a
to
ut
ir-
1'8
ag
fil
Lt-

et

't

it
'$

U
't

'A simple potion, nothing more. Knock it back, like a good boy.'
Winstanley suspiciously accepted the potion. He glanced at each of them. 'Well... bung ho and all
that...'
As soon as he had drunk it, Miss Hawthorne jumped to her feet. Placing a bony forefinger on the
centre of the Squire's forehead, she started to mutter under her breath. The Squire was quite taken
aback. Not daring to move, his eyes darted to and fro as if he were seeking a way of escape. Gradually,
however, his face cleared, and by the time Miss Hawthorne had completed her incantation, if such it was,
he was actually smiling.
'It's gone !' he saich. 'My migraine, my headache, quite gone !'
'Of course,' said Miss Hawthorne. 'Sign here, please,' and she held out the poster and a pen.
'With the greatest of pleasure, dear lady,' beamed the Squire, taking the pen and signing with a
firm hand.
Two minutes later, having successfully fended off the celebratory drink the Squire had tried to
thrust upon them, Mike and Miss Hawthorne were coasting down the long drive.
'Well,' said Mike, 'I really take my hat off to you. I can't say I ever really believed in magic
before but...'
 'Magic,', said Miss Hawthorne scornfully, 'that wasn't
magic. I wouldn't waste good witchcraft on him.''What was it, then ?'
 'An infusion of a herbal analgesic--about as powerful as
a couple of aspirin.''And the spell?'
'Pure suggestion to increase the place l?o effect.'
'I beg your pardon ?'
'He believed it was a spell too, you see. As a matter of
I was reciting--Mary Had a Little Lamb. So now know all my little secrets, don't you?' And smiling
she sailed away down Box Hill with Mike des-
after.

75


Sergeant Benwn and his partner had just exe double natural turn into a hesitation running rev~
was deafe-i~. Fini...hing the quickstep wi! : lift, the ,~geant to6sed Mavis ten feet in the
her neatly on the little finger of his left hand 'Mr. Benton, said the judge, as he handed o
Championship Cup, 'I am proud to know you. I more, I think I can say without fear of contra Bleep...
bleep.., bleep.., bleep.' Sergeant woke up. 'Bleep ... bleep.., bleep...' continuec
ceiver. Hastily he pressed the 'transmit' button. 'Greyhound Three. Over.'
  'Is that you, Benton? What's going on? You al
or something?' The Brigadier's voice was not friem 'Er no, sir.., that is, not all o! us. Over.' 'Mm . .
. Captain Yates there?' 'No, sir.' 'The Doctor?' 'No, sir.'
'I see. Well, listen Sergeant, we still can't get l this wretched heat barrier. Incinerates
anything; Tell the Doctor, will you? Over.'
'Sir, have you . . . I mean, well, can't you go r~ sir? Over.'
'The thought had occurred to me, Sergeant Bento
The door of the pub swung open as the Doctor w: with jo.
'I've sent out patrols,' continued the Brigadier's 'and as Jar as I can see . . . what's that,
Osgood? ,  . . yes, the final report has just come througi perimeter o[ this thing is an unbroken
circle, ten diameter, its centre being the village church. Over.'
The Doctor walked over and took the walkie-talki Benton's hand. 'Lethbridge Stewart? The Doctor What
about going over the top o[ it?
'The R.A.F. are just coming through now. Han minute.' Doubly distorted, the voice of the R.A.F. a
heard faintly--but the message was quite clear

76


Four to Trap Two. No soap, I say again, no soap. test canister exploded at [our thousand five hundred
  altitude. Estimate dome-shaped barrier above village
Ipproximately one mile high at apogee. Over...'Benton gave Jo a worried look.
'Did you hear that, Doctor?' resumed the Brigadier, 'we're locked out. Over.'
'Or we're locked in. Thank you, Brigadier. We'll be in touch.' And he switched off, handing the
receiver back to Benton.
'You're supposed to say, Out, Doctor,' said the Sergeant reproachfully.
The Doctor started to unfasten his cloak. 'Well,' he said,
~re would appear to be in the middle of a sort of lethal mushroom, ten miles across and a mile high.'
Sergeant Benton got up from his chair and stretched. 'I dunno,' he said, 'I'm lost. I wish I had a
clue what's going
Oil.'
Jo brightened. 'Oh,' she said. 'Well, you see...'
'All in good time, Jo,' interrupted the Doctor, 'all in good time. Ah, Miss Hawthorne, the very
person I need. And Captain Yates. Good !' And immediately he and the new arrivals plunged into a morass
of plans, possibilities, ways and means.
Jo looked at the Sergeant and shrugged.
'Do you know what it's all about?' asked Benton.
'Not really,' she answered, 'just that it's aliens. From outer
space?
Sergeant Benton sighed resignedly. 'It always is,' he said.

'Come in, Vicar,' cried Montmorency Winstanley, 'the very man. Been wantin' to have a Word with you. Sit
down, sit down. What'll you have? Scotch?'
Mr. Magister raised a declining hand. 'Thank you, no,' he said, 'why should I put a thief into my
mouth to steal away my brains ?'

77



'Eh?' 'Paul.' 'Paul who?'
'Saint Paul, I'm afraid.'
'Ah.' The Squire decided not to have another.
'And what was it you wanted to have a word Squire?'
'Oh, yes.' Winstanley sat down in the tapestry opposite the Vicar and leaned forward with an earnest
~ pression. 'It's like this...' he said. There was along 'It's just that...' Another
long pause.
'Yes ?' said Mr. Magister encouragingly.
'Can't remember,' said the Squire, getting up and
ing to the sideboard.
'I'm not at all surprised,' said the Vicar, sympatheti ally. 'A man in your position, a leader..,
nay, the lead of the community, must have so many things on his mind
The Squire, with the air of a man carrying the affairs t the world on his shoulders, splashed a
little soda into k whisky.
'Indeed,' the Vicar went on, 'that is precisely why I ha~ come to see you. In troubled times like
these it behove us to stick together. Wouldn't you agree ?'
'Us ?' enquired the Squire, lowering himself into his chai again.
'Of course. The leaders; the front-runners; the . . .
 . . though I hesitate to use an unfashionable word.., the 61ite.'
The Squire raised an eyebrow. What was the fellow get. ring at ?
'I feel the people of the village are becoming restive Since the unfortunate events of last night
there has been an ugly smell of panic in the air. I think it's up to us... to you, in fact.., to set an
example; to give a lead...'
Sounded like sense. Got the root of the matter in him this fellow, even if he was a padre. 'Er . . .
what are you suggesting ?' asked the Squire.
'Well, that's up to you, of course. After all, you're the Squire.'

78


Winstanley took an uneasy swig of his drink. 'Open to
Vicar.'
'Well now, I would suggest that you should call a little meeting. Not too large, you understand, say
thirW or forty of the more prominent villagers---why, you could have the meeting in here--and make it
clear the attitude they /a0uld take. What do you say ?'
The Squire was staring at him with glazed eyes. 'What do you say, Squire?' repeated the Vicar. The
Squire seemed to wake up. 'Hens,' he said. 'Hens ?'
'What I wanted the word about, Elsie Bates's hens. Bewitched, apparently.'
The Vicar took a deep breath. 'Precisely the sort of thing I meant,' he said, 'such nonsense must be
nipped in the bud. These people must be told what to think and what to do. They must learn to obey. Now,
if we were to hold this meeting...'
~es, yes, I heard you. It's all fixed up. Chairing the wretched thing myself. Five o'clock in the
village hall, if Lilly Watts has no objection.'
The Vicar seemed irritated. 'No, no, no! I'm talking about action, decisive action, action now, not
a W.I. gossip party.'
'Well, really !'
'It's quite time you started acting like the Squire, Winstanley.'
Winstanley sat up. 'You may be the Vicar, Vicar, but I'll thank you not to take that tone with me.'
'Aha,' cried Mr. Magister, 'a man of spirit! Exactly what's needed at a time like this.'
The Squire was a little mollified. 'Mm... be that as it may, I still don't see what you're getting
at.'
The Vicar jumped to his feet and started to pace up and down. 'Decadence. That's what I can see on
every side. All this talk of democracy, equality, freedom. What this country needs is decision, power,
strength. Strong men, men of power, men of decision; men like you, Winstanley.'

79


No getting away from it, he was a sensible chap. ,Go4I
 said the Squire. 11
The Vicar came close to him. 'Listen to me. Listen to
il
words. I know.'
 Extraordinary eyes the fellow had. Big and black... no... more like a deep purple... 'Who... who
are you said the Squire.
 'I am the Master,' said the Vicar, softly. 'I control power which can save the world. And if you
choose, y~ can share my triumph.'
With an effort the Squire tore his eyes from the Maste gaze. 'Power? What power?'
A flicker of anger crossed the Master's face. 'I control t forces which have been unleashed in
Devil's End durk the last few hours.'
'What?' said Winstanley, 'all that business at the dJ
Are you trying to tell me you were behind all that?' 'Exactly,' said the Master.
'Ridiculous,' said the Squire and burst out laughing. The Master flushed. 'You require proof. Very well
proof you shall have.' Closing his eyes and lifting his head the Master started to mutter strange words,
words corn pounded of sounds powerful in themselves, words to send t shudder down the spine. At once the
room seemed to corn alive. The curtains fluttered as if in a strong breeze. Th~ sideboard tilted and
fell over, depositing its load of glass ot the floor with a crash. The priceless Meissen china figun on
the grand piano flew up in the air and hurled itself int~ the hearth. The portrait of the nineteenth-
century Admira Winstanley over the fireplace split neatly down the middl~ and fell to the ground. And
all the time the door was slam ming open and shut and the windows were breaking pant by pane. The very
air seemed to quiver, as a whinin~ sound like a thin shriek grew louder and louder until i
threatened to split the very fabric of the house.'Stop it ! Stop it !' cried Winstanley.
For a moment, the Master ignored him. Then, as if com ing back from far away, he looked up. He
snapped hi~ fingers. At once the room was still.

8o


~Vell?' q'll do anything . . . i'll do anything you say,' gasped aterrified Squire.
  well. i shall be back in an hour.' The Master's was slurred. 'You understand?' ~res, yes, of
course.'
The Master turned and walked out of the shattered Squire Winstanley sank slowly into the tapestry
and buried his face in his trembling hands.
His headache was coming back.

7 Explanations

Sitting round the rickety old oak table in the little back of 'The Cloven Hoof' Jo, Mike and Sergeant
Benton tucking into a traditional 'Ploughman's Lunch'-slabs of cheese, crusty new bread with farm butter
and crunchy pickled onions; all washed down with pints of draught cider or strong ale. Miss Hawthorne
had
graciously accepted one small apple, stating it as her conddered opinion that too much eating in the
middle of the
led to sluggish vibrations in the afternoon.
~)o come and eat something, Doctor,' called Jo.
But the Doctor was too far away to think of food. Surrounded by piles of books of every shape, size
and age, he was hunting here and there through them, making notes and leaving slips of paper as book
marks.
'Well, well, well ! The Grirnoire of Pope Honorius !' The Doctor had seized an ancient leatherbound
volume with great excitement. 'A copy I never knew existed...'
'You have the pick of the finest collection of occult material in the country there, Doctor,' said
Miss Hawthome proudly, 'though why you wanted me to bring it, I can't think.'



 'I hope that will become clear. Apart from anything I'm being pestered for an explanation. These
books help me to provide it.'
Miss Hawthorne looked puzzled. 'But Doctor, the, only one possible explanation: this is the
supernatural work.' i
The Doctor looked up from his notes. 'Nonsense !' ~ said.
Benton thoughtfully chumped on a pickled onion. ' about that thing that got me ? That was real enough.'
The Doctor had returned to his books. 'There's noth more real than a force-field, Sergeant,' he
said, markin! large coloured picture of a goat, 'even a psionic force-fie
Miss Hawthorne bristled. To have her cherished bel~ challenged! It was unthinkable. 'You're being
deliber~ obtuse, Doctor. We are dealing with the supernatural, I you. The Occult ! Magic !'
The Doctor shook his head. 'Science,' he said.
'Magic !'
'Science, Miss Hawthorne.'
Mike Yates finished off his beer. 'Really,' he said, 'wh does it matter? There's no point in getting
all hot undi the collar about words. The important thing is to find way to stop it, whatever it is.'
'How can you stop it without knowing what it is?' sai Jo indignantly, leaping to the Doctor's
defence as usual.
'Well done, Jo,' said the Doctor, getting up, 'you're !~ ing logical at last.'
'Oh, am I ? Thanks,' said Jo, doubtfully.
'We'll turn you into a scientist yet. Now then. If you'v~ all finished perhaps we could clear a
space.'!
One end of the table was quickly cleared of the remaint of the meal and the Doctor was able to
spread out a num. ber of books. 'Right,' he said, 'here we go,' and he opened the first book. 'Who's
that?'
'It's an Egyptian god, isn't it?' said Jo.
'Top of the class. The God Khnum---one of their god., with horns.' He opened the next book. 'A Hindu
Demon-with horns.' Another. And another. 'The Ancient Gree~



Pan--with horns. A bust of Jupiter--with horns. A
 even he's got horns. The Minotaur-bull-headed monster of Crete. Our old friend the-
Homed Beast the Devil with the head of a goat ....' The
Doctor went on opening book after book, until the table
]was filled with pictures of horned beings.
Miss Hawthorne was not impressed. 'You could go on
day and all night showing us pretty pictures,' she said
'It proves nothing. Horns have been a symbol of
power ever since... Oh, ever since...'
'Even since man began,' agreed the Doctor. %ook.' He
showed them yet another picture--a photograph of a pre-
historic cave-painting which seemed to show a group of a
witch doctors dancing, all with horns upon their brows.
~But has it ever struck you to ask yourself why?' the Doc-
tor continued. 'Creatures like that have been seen over and
over again throughout the history of man, and man has
turned them into myths--into gods or devils.' He gestured
towards the pictures. 'But they're neither. They are
creatures from another world...'
Even Miss Hawthorne was silenced.
'You mean,' said Benton slowly, 'like the Axons, and the
Nestenes---and the Cybermen ?'
'Precisely,' said the Doctor, q~ut far, far older and im-
measurably more dangerous.'
'Charming,' murmured Mike Yates.
'Are you suggesting that these creatures came to Earth
in spaceships?' said Miss Hawthorne, regaining her com-
po~ure.
'Yes, I am,' he replied. 'They're Daemons# from the
planet Damos; and that's a long long way from Earth.'
'Sixty thousand light years,' put in Jo, wisely.
'That's right. The other side of the Milky Way; and
they first came to Earth nearly one hundred thousand years
ago...
'But why? I mean, why should they want to?' asked
Benton.

* pronounced deemons.

83


So the Doctor went on to tell them something of history of these alien beings, the D~emons, or
Demons. told of their evolution and the development of culture over long aeons even before llfe began on
When the first land creatures were crawling out of oceans, the D~emons already had a fully civilisation
with a sophisticated science and the time man appeared, the D~emons had been travellers for many
centuries and had established tradition of scientific exploration and experiment out the Galaxy. They
arrived on Earth just in time homo sapiens kick out Neanderthal Man and they been appearing on and off
ever since, merely observing of the time but occasionally giving history a push in right direction...
'There you are,' said Miss Hawthorne,
'that proves you're talking nonsense. This . . . thing Professor Homer loosed on the world is evil. You
said yourself. And now you tell us that they have been mankind for a thousand centuries !'
'Yes,' said Jo, 'and you say they're from another planel Then what's all this jazz about witchcraft
and covens all?'
'A very good point, Miss Grant,' put in Miss thorne.
'But don't you see,' explained the Doctor, 'all magical traditions are just the r~mnants of the _D-
~mons' advanced science. And that's what the Master is using !'
'Mm . . .' Miss Hawthorne was unconvinced. 'And do you know all this anyway?'
'Yes, Doctor,' said Mike, 'you didn't seem to know was going on at first.'
'I learned it at school,' said the Doctor grumpily, 'chapter thirteen of the Galactic History.
Unfortunately, I forgot it all.' He stood up and started to clear away the books.
'You must have gone to a very odd school--and you mug have a very peculiar memory,' said Miss
Hawthorne.
'That, madam~, is my misfortune,' said the Doctor






for she had touched on a sore point. 'In any case, all in these books of yours, if you know how to
read

'rhen these creatures are linked with the Black Arts,' she
, are evil.'
'Amoral would be a better word, perhaps,' the Doctor
'They help Earth, but on their own terms. It's a
experiment to them. We're just a cageful of
rats.'
q'hen what's the Master up to?' asked Mike.
qle's established a link with the D~emon from the bar-
What frightens me is the choice--domination by the
total destruction.'
Jo, who had been stacking the books in a neat pile, lookup aghast. 'You mean this D~emon could destroy
the

/'nat does any scientist do with an experiment that fails? He throws it in the rubbish bin. And you
must admit that mankind doesn't look a very successful species at the mOll~lt.'
q3ut Doctor . . . you're talking about the end of the world !'
The Doctor looked at her very seriously. 'Yes, Jo,' he aid, 'I am.'

The Squire's entrance hall had seen many a Minuet and Quadrille, indeed many a Charleston and Tango,
though it was now many years since last a Hunt Ball was held there. Now, thirty-seven men and women,
mostly middleaged, stood in awkward groups, exchanging sotto voce trivialities and waiting to be told
why they were there. As the big door from the drawing-room opened and the Squire appeared, closely
followed by the vicar, there were a few scattered handdaps, an embryonic burst of applause, quickly
sti/lborn as the set faces of their betters told the assembled villagers of the gravity of the occasion.
The Squire mounted the short flight of stairs to the first land-



ing, which made a natural platform, with the faro stanley ~adned-~ window as a backing. Th
to drift together as it became obvious that s'Lanley was about to make a speech.
  'Just tell them why you've called them togeth
muted the Master in his ear. 'Leave the rest to m~ 'Of course, of course,' said Winstanley.
Turning to the villagers, he lifted his hand fo~ 'Meeting to order, please! Thank you! Thank yc and
gentlemen!' The subdued chatter died a~ thirty-seven faces looked expectantly up at the Sq~
'Now then,' he said, 'as you know, my speeches me--short, but packed with good solid meat,' slapped
himself a couple of times on the belly ' waited for the respectful chuckle he knew would terrible joke,
which was an old and trusted Laboriously and at some length the Squire start, through the events since
midnight. The announc, the heat barrier caused a buzz of wonder, quickly the Squire told them of the
death of P.C. Gro pointed out some of its implications.
Seeing that Winstanley was fairly launched, the stepped quietly down to the bottom of the su
beckoned to Tom Wilkins, the gaage owner, ,~ standing with one or two more members of th, Nodding
towards the little study door down the ] Master whispered in Wilkins' ear. Tom Wilkins,: up at the
Squire, who was still going strong, nod slipped quietly away.
'So it seemed to me,' the Squire was saying,' ought to get together and have a bit of a chat al
situation. Before it gets out of hand.'A murmur of approval.
'Now, it appears that Mr. Magister here has ha thoughts on the subject, so I've asked him to say
word... Vicar ?'
As Tom Wilkins disappeared into the study, h hear Mr. Magister starting his 'odd word' w obligatory
joke: 'Now, I promise you that this isn

86


be a sermon...' followed by the ritual chuckle from his
 Then he shut the door and could hear no more.
to the untidy desk, he pushed aside a pile of bills pulled the telephone across. He dialled.
'Yes? Who is it?' an impatient voice answered. q~hat you, Bert ?'
'Who do you think it is, Tom Wilkins--Old Nick?' ~Fhat's not funny, Bert,' said Wilkins looking over his
Asking for trouble it were, making stupid cracks
that.
'Well, what do you want, then? I've got a bar full of

 'Ah, yes. Magister wants to know what that Doctor's up
t0. He's still there, isn't he? Him and the rest of his lot?' 'Yes, he's still here In the back.'
'Well, better get in there and find out what's going on. Magister wants to know, like.'
 'Does he now? Then he'd better come and mind my bar
!he wants me to run errands for him. You go and tell him that.'
'Aw, come on, Bert !'
'I'll be going in to clear the table when things ease off out here. It'll have to wait till then.'
'Okay. Better ring me back on this number,' and he read it out.
When he rejoined the others in the hall, the Vicar had just finished his opening platitudes and was
getting down to business. 'Even though I am a newcomer here, already I feel that I know you indeed, that
I know you well. You, Mr. Thorpe...' Ron Thorpe, the prosperous owner of the grocery in the High Street,
smirked ingratiatingly. 'Are you still padding the bills of the local gentry ?' went on the Vicar.
Winstanley gave the spluttering Thorpe a sharp look.
'Don't trouble to deny it, Mr. Thorpe,' smiled the Vicar, 'you see, I know. And what about you,
Charlie-bow's your conscience ? Will you get the Post Office books to balance in time? Mr. Greville, has
your wife come back from her sister's yet? Will she ever come back, do you sup-


87


pose ? Not while that pretty young Rosie's still abo

:..It ~ so ob~ous that the Vicar's chosen vict that the rest of his listeners Lrm~ediately s
search their own consciences and, with one or tv tiorLs, began to blush in anticipation and fear of next
few moments fright reveal.
The Master, however, was satisfied with his tz~ of power. 'Please don't be worried, any of you. 
secrets are quite safe with me. And don't be angl You see, I'm on your side.'
His audience eyed him suspiciously.
'If you listen to me and do as I say, you can ge what you want, your dearest ambition, your mr
desire. If you listen to me !'
His audience stared at him in hostile silence.

'A spaceship fifteen inches long?' Mike Yates sak laugh, 'you buy those from the toyshop.'
'Honestly, Mike, I saw it myself,' said Jo, 'u1 barrow. It's what that creature came in apparentl
'Then what are we all worrying about?' said h4 must be only a wee little demon the size of that pot
!'
'Now really,' said Miss Hawthorne, 'you seem t that I have seen him. He was getting on fol feet
tall.'
'But that's exactly what gave me the clue,'., Doctor. 'You see, the Daemons can diminish them~ well
as any object they choose. When that spaceship it was something like two hundred feet long and thl
across. And the D*emon himself can be anythin thirty feet tall down to the size of the pepper-pot---or
of pepper, for that matter.'
'But where's the clue in that?' asked the Sergear 'Well, the freeze-up, you see. And the heat waw 'Mm?'
said Jo, 'say again, Doctor. You've lost m~

88


X)h really, Jo. E = MG~.' The Doctor looked in despair t the group of uncomprehending faces.
'You're the Doctor,' said Jo, shrugging.
'If you lose mass, the energy has to go somewhere. So it's
heat.'
'I think I see,' said Mike, slowly. 'It's like the gas in a
  When it expands, it takes heat from the inside, so food and stuff gets cold...'
'... and when the gas is compressed again, it gives heat
so that radiator thing at the back of the refrigerator ~ts warm !' Sergeant Benton beamed with
pleasure at his own cleverness.
'Well done, Mike. And you, Sergeant,' said the Doctor. 'rhat's not exactly how it works, but it's a
very good com-
~ono'

Miss Hawthorne was not looking quite so sure of herself B before. 'Well, it all sounds very
plausible, I'U adw_/t, but I can't say that you've convinced me. How do you propose dealing with this..,
this D~emon ?'
'Well,' said the Doctor, sitting clown and starting to make s0me calculations on a scruffy piece of
paper that had fallen from one of the books, 'well, if it were magic we were bring, it would be a
hopeless task. As it is, I think we can attack him through this very physical effect he's produced the
Brigadier's heat-barrier...'
 The door opened and Bert's cheerful round face ap-
peared. He spoke to Jo. 'Mind if I clear away?' 'No, no, go right ahead.' 'Like anything else ?'
'No, thank you. That was delicious.'
In he came to clear the table and do a little spying on behalf of the Master. But to his chagrin,
nothing was happening. Nothing at all--except for the Doctor scribbling figures on a scrap of paper. The
others were just sitting or standing around, staring into the distance. Oh well, if there was nothing to
report, okay, there was nothing to report. At least he could get on with his work...


89


Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart felt considerably less naked With a squad of troops and a few vehicles, not
to mentio~
  Mobile H.Q., he felt ready to tackle anything, even th~
infernal heat-barrier.'Osgood !'
'Yessir?' replied his technical Sergeant, who was i~ charge of all the complicated electronic
equipment carried~ in the Mobile H.Q.
'Anything from Strike Command yet ?'
'Not yet, sir.'
'Mm. Very good.' The Brigadier stepped down from the van and raised his binoculars, and stared
across the in-! visible barrier. That must be the church. Looked peacef~ enough. He lowered the glasses
and pulled out his walkie. talkie.
'Greyhound Two. Over.'
'That you, Yates? Now listen. We're going to blast oul way in. I'm in touch with the Artillery and
R.A.F. Striki Command. You'd better get everybody evacuated to the cellars. Report when the operation's
complete. Right?
Over.'
Instead of the formal 'Wilco' from Yates which the Brigadier expected, there was a scuffling noise,
followed by the Doctor's voice.
'Lethbridge Stewart, you'll do no such thing,t O[ all the idiotic plans . . . In the first place,
the energy released: could only strengthen the barrier. In the second place, youl could provoke the most
terrible reprisals; and in the third place, I have a better idea. Over.'
The familiar feeling of frustration the Brigadier so often experienced when dealing with the Doctor
began to creep over him. 'Well, what is it?' he snapped. 'l'm not going to stand here like a spare lemon
waiting ]or the squeezer. Do you hear? Over.'
'Have you got the Mobile H.Q. there?'
'Of course.'
'With the new Mark IVA condenser unit?'
'Hang on? The Brigadier turned towards the van. 'Osgood !' he bellowed.

9


his~

in
ed

le

al

Osgood's worried face appeared at the door.
'Have we got a... a Mark IVA condenser unit? It's new i apparently.'
'Yessir. Installed last week.'
'Good. Don't go away, Sergeant. Yes, Doctor we have. Over.'
'Excellent,' replied the Doctor, 'then I can solve your problem--and maybe ours into the bargain.
We'll build a diathermic energy exchanger. Is your technical [ellow there?'
'He' s listening.'
'Right then. Tell him to build an E.H.F. wide-bandwidth-variable-phase-oscillator with a negative-
[eedback circuit, turnabte to the [requency of an air-molecule at..  what IS the temperature o[ the
barrier, Brigadier?'
The Brigadier looked enquiringly at Sergeant Osgood~ who, looking more worried than ever, shrugged
helplessly.
'I'm sorry, Doctor,' said the Brigadier, 'we've no idea what you're talking about. Over.'
'It's a simple enough question, I should have thought. How hot's the barrier? Over.'
'No, no, no, what you said earlier. The oscillating Icedback bit...'
The irritation in the Doctor's voice was quite dear even through the distortion of the tiny speaker.
'Oh, very well,' he said, 'I'll have to come out and explain. Don't do anything until I get there.
Understand?'
 The Brigadier sighed. 'All right, Doctor, we'll try it your
way. But get a move on, will you?' 'I'U be there in ten minutes.' 'Make it five. Out.'



The Doctor handed the walkie-talkie back to Mike and picked up his cloak.
'Of all the idiotic plans,' said J% 'as if blowing things up solves anything.'


The Doctor looked at her severely. 'The Brlgadier,' he said, 'is doing his best to cope with an
almost impossible situation. And since he is your superior officer, you might show him a little respect.
Are you coming ?' and he swept out. A slightly rebellious, but definitely subdued Jo Grant followed him.
'Are you sure there's nothing else I can get for you,' said Bert.
  r... no, no thanks,' said Sergeant Benton.
Bert carried the loaded tray back to the kitchen and hurried straight to the telephone.

'Right, okay, got that,' said Tom Wilkins, slammed down the 'phone and hurried out of the study.
By using every ounce of practised charm, every trick of the demagogue, the Master had at last got
the audience on his side. 'Fools ! Rabble !' he thought to himself, 'that I, the Master, should demean
myseff so.' But then, the thought came again, a happy slave is an efficient slave. Of course he could
compel them to follow, but how much better for the sheep to run into the pen of their own accord.
'You have chosen wisely,' he was saying... 'Everything is possible if you follow me. You can be the
rulers ! I offer you the world !'
A great round of applause greeted his peroration. At this moment, however, Tom Wilkins pushed his
way through to the front.
'Mr. Magister...'
'Yes? What is it? Why do you interrupt me?'
'It's that Doctor...'
The Master snapped his fingers irritably to stop any further indiscretion. Coming swiftly down to
Wilkins, he inclined his head and listened to Tom's whispered report. Then, having murmured a word of
two of orders, he stood upright and another snap of his fingers sent Tom scurrying for the door. This
little demonstration of power did

92



'he ible
Cat
ept ant






go unnoticed by the audience, who found it not at all to ~heir liking. In those few short moments he had
lost them. well then,' he resumed, silencing the angry buzz of 'the world can be yours. All I ask in
return is your mbmission; your obedience to my will !'
 No one spoke for a long moment. It was the Squire who the voice of the meeting. 'What's all this about
submission and obedience? You said we were going to

 The Master's patience snapped. 'You rule ! You are but dust beneath my feet! You refuse my offer.
Very well, I ~11 give you another choice: serve me or I shall destroy y0u!'
A shock of fear; he meant it.
 'Well, if that's your brave new world, you can keep it,' ~d Winstanley, walking down the stairs. 'I
think this meeting is at an end. I should be grateful, Vicar, if you would be so good as to leave.'
The Master smiled. Throwing back his head, he uttered a curious chattering noise from the back of
his throat. Almost immediately the immeme stained-glass window rlaattered into a hundred thou~nd
splinters of colour, llke a shower of gemstones, and Bok, the stone gargoyl% landed at the Master's
side.
The Master snapped his fingers yet once more and pointed at the Squire, in whose face anger,
amazement and terror could all be seen. Bok raised a twisted claw. There was a flash of red fire, a puff
of smoke--and the Squire had disappeared, vapodsed.
 The Master spoke into the sudden silence. 'Is there any-
one who agrees with the Squire?'Not surprisingly, nobody did.
'Thank you,' the Master continued. 'It does my heart good to know that I have such a willing band of
followers !' He looked round the room and smiled benevolently2 'Today is May Day. Go and enjoy
yourselves. Celebrate the festival with your families. When I need you, I shall send for you...'

93



And he laid a kindly hand on the head of the faith~ Bok, crouching balefully at his side.

8

The Second Appearance

'But are you sure you can manage?' said Miss Hawthorne anxiously, as Sergeant Benton carried the large
pile of books through the door, and out onto the green.
'Not the first time I've had a bit of a punch-up, M~ Hawthorne,' said the Sergeant, 'and I don't
suppose it'll be the last.'
'You're a very courageous young man,' she said, following him out.
Mike Yates closed the door behind them and watched, smiling through the window, as the big Sergeant
and the wiry little spinster crossed the middle of the green, where the UNIT helicopter was standing
patiently chewing the cud.
'Well,' he thought, as he turned back into the room, 'what now?' He and the Sergeant had been
ordered by the Brigadier to 'stay put and keep your eyes peeled', an order which he had every intention
of interpreting very liberally, should the occasion arise. For the moment, however, he seemed to be
stuck here with no particular job to do. Right, this was a good chance to have another go at thinking
things out without going to sleep, this time ! Jo was quite right. Blowing things up was no way to solve
a problem. Brain was the thing, not brawn. So, where had they got to? Where was the enemy? Ah, but
first, who was the enemy? The Master or the D~emon ? Both of course, but still, even if they managed to
sort out the Master--and that was a big enough job in itself--they would still have to face the D~emon.
So, where was he ? According to Miss Hawthorne's stow, he was almost certainly in the Cavern under the
church. Why not go and have a look, then? Well, apart

  94



the danger, there was the added difficulty that at the if the Doctor's theory was correct, the Daemon
about as big as a grain of sand; for all practical purhe was invisible.
walked down to the window and looked out at the seeking inspiration. 'Here's a character in a hurry. he
certainly knows how to handle that motor-bike,' he Mike Yates realised with a sudden start exactly the
character on the bike was up to, riding up onto grass, coming to a skid stop and running straight
to)ter.
'Hey !' yelled Mike, as he rushed out and ran across the to cut him off. The man, a thin wiry individual
with ferrety face, ignored him. Mike put on a spurt and to reach the chopper just as the man started to
aboard. Mike Yates pulled him out. Wilkins Jwung round and landed a surprisingly heavy blow. Mike,
ithough a little shaken, fought back. One, two, three, .raight at the chin. The fellow ought to have
been out for the count. He seemed quite impervious to the heaviest blows Mike could muster up. It was
like fighting an automaton, a robot. Wilkins drew back his right hand and swung it like a club. It was a
blow quite outside the normal run of boxing and should have been of little or no use. The effect on Mike
Yates was devastating. Connecting with the side of his head, the blow sent him flying sideways as if he
weighed nothing. He crashed to the ground and for a few vital seconds lay there, senseless. He recovered
to hear the roar of the helicopter engine. Staggering to his feet, he stumbled towards it through the
gale of wind raised by the flying rotors. Too late. As he reached it, it took off. Mike grabbed for the
port landing skid as it rose past his face--and found himself off the ground, suspended ten, fifteen
feet in the air. His grip, weakened by the recent blow, faltered and he fell to the ground. The weeks of
careful parachute training every UNIT agent had to undergo had taught him how to fall correctly or he
would have inevitably have broken a bone. Rolling to his feet, all in a movement, he stared frantically
around the




95


green--and espied the motor-cycle, abandoned by Wilkim In less than half a minute from the time of the
helicopter taking off, Captain Yates was on the bike and away on a seemingly impossible chase.

1
  . .. .  
The beginning of the trip m Bessie was a httle Icy. Jo stall i
 felt hurt at the way the-Doctor had spoken to her. !
  'I should put on your safety-belt, Jo,' he said, as theyj
rattled away over the cobblestones outside 'The Cloven]l
Hoof'.
Jo ignored him. It wasn't as if he'd be going fast and
it wasn't far. Only five miles, the Brigadier had said.
Unfortunately, the Brigadier had established himself
and his Mobile H.Q., on the road approaching Devil's End
from the south-east, over the downs. This meant that al-
though he was only five miles away from the village on
the map---the shortest line between the two points--poor
Bessie had over ten miles of twisting and turning, upping
and downing, even before she got to the comparatively
straight road across the downs
Suddenly Jo realised that the Doctor was singing a jolly
little song. She grinned to herself. She could never be cross
with him for long. 'You sound happy,' she said. 'You must
be very sure this idea of yours will work.'
The Doctor looked surprised. 'I was singing because...
oh, because the sky is blue, I suppose.'
'But the Daemon... and the end of the world and all ?'
'Oh, yes, of course, the end of the world. But that's not
now. That would be tomorrow---or this evening---or in five
minutes' time And right now, the sky is blue. Just look at
it !'
Jo looked . . . and looked again. It certainly was blue!
A deep, almost cobalt blue overhead fading to a pale
greeny duck-egg blue near the horizon. She stared round,
drinking in the blueness, becoming the blueness--and sud-
denly found that she was singing too !
'See what I mean,' smiled the Doctor.

96




penetrated her consciousness that when she had to the left of the car, the sky hadn't been abclear. She
looked again and saw that it was the helicopter, coming straight towards them. 'Look, she cried.
The Doctor pulled up. 'Something must have happened,' ,,mid. 'Benton and Yates were supposed to stay in
Devil's
o. *
'Well, we'll soon know,' said Jo, 'he's coming in to land.' But he wasn't. He came down so low that if
the Doctor
 he'd have taken their heads off. Then a tight turn, obviously to come in again. The
Doctor started off. 'Who's driving that thing?' 'Well, it certainly isn't Mike. Look, there he is,' and
she
at Mike on the motor-bike, taking a short cut across

The helicopter had positioned itself for another descent.
started to swing down towards Bessie once more.
 'Hold on, Jo,' shouted the Doctor, 'we're in for a bumpy tide.'
 As the helicopter plummeted down on an inevitable collision course, the Doctor pulled on the wheel
and swung off onto the grass, bumping and rattling across the moor.
Mike Yates roared up alongside. 'He's handling it like
 expert !' he yelled to the Doctor, as the bike ran on a parallel course.
'Like a man possessed, you mean,' countered the Doctor. 'I'll try to draw him off.'
'No, Mike, stay back. He's after me, not you.'
 But Mike swerved away from Bessie, pulling out his automatic. Controlling his bike with or/e hand
he started
 to take highly inaccurate pot-shots at the helicopter as it
'started its third attack. At first it looked as if the firing might have frightened the helicopter off,
but after a few moments it came in again--and again--and again . . .
 'What's he trying to do?' screamed Jo, as the car swerved violently to the left and right, with the
helicopter relentlessly in pursuit.

97


/


 'He's trying to drive us into the heat barrier,' s the Doctor. 'There it is, dead ahead !'
 Jo could see, very dearly, the strip of blackem crossing the downs which obviously marked the posi the
barrier.
 Now the Doctor stopped zig-zagging and w; parently bent on blowing Bessie up, for he was d
 straight for the barrier, the helicopter close behind. 'Doctor !'
'Hang on, Jo. Hang on !'
 At the last possible moment the Doctor flicked the to the right. Bessie went over onto two wheels
violent lurch, recovered, and ran neatly parallel burnt track of the barrier. The helicopter desperatel,
to follow, but in vain. Meeting the barrier at abou feet, it exploded in a ball of flame.
 'We've done it, Jo !' shouted the Doctor pulling 1 car. But Jo was no longer in the passenger seat.
Th swerve had been too violent. Jo had been thrown ou
 The-Doctor reached her at just the same moment a~ Yates on his bike. She was quite unconscious. The
I quickly examined her. If only she had put on her belt !
'Is she all right ?' asked Mike anxiously.
 'Nasty knock on the head, but that seems to be aI should be all right,' answered the Doctor.
'Better g~ into Bessie and take her back to the pub. She'll nee and quiet for a bit.'
'Okay,' said Mike. 'How about you ?'
 'I'd better get across to the Brigadier. He's probably to burst a blood vessel.' He nodded towards
the 1 vehicles which were visible on the other side of the b; about a hundred and fifty yards to the
north-east.
 As he helped Mike to lift Jo. gently into the back car, the Doctor said, 'Look, Mike, you and the
Set had better stay at the pub. I'm going to need you when back.'
'Righto,' said Mike.
Having seen them safely on their way, the D

98


on the motor-cycle and set off, bumpety-bump, to-
Mobile H.Q.
'Well, Doctor,? said the Brigadier as he arrived, 'twenW
pounds of UNIT money gone up in a puff of
7 smoke.'
~/ou have the mind of an accountant, Lethbridge
said the Doctor as he dismounted. 'So, this is your
ell?'
'It is,' replied the Brigadier. 'And if you get any nearer, y0u'll know it. Watch this !' He picked
up a large stone and tossed it towards the Doctor standing on the other side d the barrier. As it hit
the invisible barrier, it exploded in a flash of fire.
'Even rock,' said the Doctor.
'Wood, rock, four-inch armour-plate; you name it, we've tried it. It's impenetrable.'
'A hasty and probably inaccurate assessment. Now then, I can't stand about gossiping. Have you
enough cable to reach those high-tension pylons over there ?'
The Brigadier estimated the distance. 'Should have, whyY
'We'll need at least Io,ooo volts to get through the bartier. After that the machine will be charged
sufficiently for what I have in mind.'
At the Doctor's request, the Brigadier called Sergeant Osgood over to listen to the explanation. He
came, all his worries in abeyance, happily clutching a large pad to take
down his instructions from the famous Doctor.'What's the principle of it, sir ?'
 'Negative diathermy. Buffer the molecular movement of
air with reverse-phase short-waves.''Beyond me,' said the Brigadier.
'It's just like a large version of those microwave ovens they use to heat up meat pies, Lethbridge
Stewart. Difference is, we'll use it to cool the air down. Quite simple, really.'
'Simple,' gasped Osgood, all his worries returning. 'It's impossible !'
'Sergeant Osgood,' replied the Doctor, gently, 'according

99


to dassical aerodynamies, it's impossible for a bumble
to fly ? Let's get on with it, shall we ?'

Young Stan Wilkins, unaware of his uncle's death in the helicopter, gritted his teeth. What was he,
a'baby then, to be afeared of the dark ? Moving quickly to the first of the candlesticks, he relit the
big black candles with their shrouds of melted wax, trying not to look at the menacing shadows the light
conjured from the depths of the Cavern. i As he lit more and more candles--about half would do,! so Mr.
Magister had said--his nerve began to return.:~ Magic ? It was difficult to believe that he was mixed up
in it. He'd always heard tell of secrets not to be spoken out loud; of the love-spells and recipes for
potions, for in. stance, which the girls whispered to each other when the! menfolk weren't around--
pretended to laugh at them they~ did, with their mini-skirts and their perfume, but Stan': knew better.
Another thing he knew because Bob Woods had told him and she was Bob's Gran after all was that when old
Mrs. Slenter inherited that 2,ooo from her brother Josiah, it was on account of her having got fed-up
waiting and made a little doll of candle grease and christened it Josiah, and then shoved a darning
needle through its heart. And nobody could deny, could they, that it was his heart killed him? Just
stopped. Proof, that was  . . So when his Uncle Tom said to come along to the coven like, well he'd
jumped at it. Get anything he wanted, Tom said, when he'd learnt how. Didn't want to kill nobody, though
he wouldn't mind making old Pruneface jump a bit, putting up the rent like that. His Mare hadn't cried
so much since Dad died. Last straw, like. No, he knew what he wanted. Just enough money to put down on a
cottage, and a good job so that his Mam wouldn't have to go out scrubbing no more. What was the good of
being an apprentice? Learning a trade? Huh! Cheap labour for Uncle Tom, more like.
He finished lighting the last candle on the Stone of



and arranged the ritual vessels neatly on their doth. There. Just about in time, too. He'd better get
before Mr. Magister showed up. Here, hang on a If he didn't go; if he hid somewhere in the then he could
watch Mr. Magister. Learn some like !
Heating a noise outside the door, he quickly slipped into behind him and hid behind the fight-hand
pillar. The do~r swung open...

The Master, quite pleased with the day so far, walked briskly down the lane leading to the side gate
into the He smiled. A very fitting end for the Doctor, be blown up in that stupid car of his. Pity about
Miss She could have been useful in many ways.
A distant explosion. The Master's head swung round. [ There it was, away to the south-east, an ugly
cloud of black rising slowly above the treetops. The Master's smile So. It was done ! It had to be done
and now it was t0ne. He turned into the churchyard and walked up the path to the vestry door.
Even as he robed himself for the ritual, his mind was full of memories of his sometime friend. The
time they played truant together, 'borrowed' the Senior Tutor's skimmer and went on an unauthorised
visit to the Paradise Islands; the time he fooled the High Council of the Time Lords into thinking it
was the Doctor who had put glue on the President's perigosto stick; the time the Doctor saved his life
by... He shook his head fiercely. This was no time for weakness. If he was to control his guest, he
would need all his strength and power.
C,o~, he thought, as he went down into the Cavern. The boy had carried out his instructions well.
Everything was prepared.
Stan peeped out from behind his pillar. What was Mr. Magister doing? Ah, lighting the charcoal for
the incense. Now he was stretching his hands over the Stone of Sacri-

I01





rice and murmuring in a low voice. Stan strained to hear, his own lips moving in sympathy as he caught a
familiar phrase. 'Io Evohe !' Now a flash of flame and a puff of coloured smoke; the Master's voice
louder now, and dearer:

'By the power o[ the earth,
By the power o[ air,
By the power o[ ]ire eternal
And the waters o[ the deep...'

Why, it were just the same as last night. What were he up to? The Master's voice became loud and
commanding:

... arise at my command/ Azal! Azall'

Stan, holding the stone pillar, felt it tremble under his hands. He could hear a low soughing, as of
a distant wind. The air was of a sudden surprisingly cold, even for the dank Cavern.
The Master was now reciting an incantation in some foreign tongue.., this was it ! This must be the
secret. He didn't say this lot last night. Stan desperately tried to seize hold of the strange sounding
words and stow them in his memory, but they slipped away and were lost in the echoes of the Cavern. The
ground was starting to shake now and the temperature was dropping fast. The Master's voice rose in a
crescendo as he reached the climax of his invoca. tion;

q .. Malelt Tilad Ahyram!'

An horrendous crack as of the thunder of hell, and the very earth lurched, throwing Stan to the
floor. In desperation and despair, clinging with his fingernails to the cracks in the rock floor, he
felt a wave of unearthly coldness sweep over into his body and through his bones. A foul animal stench
made him retch. Over the sound of weird shrieking



now echoed round the Cavern, Stan again heard the voice of the Master. No longer was it triumphant,
selfwilled, commanding. Now it was filled with terror and sup-

'Stop ! Go back to the mark ! You will destroy me ! No!

Stan forced himself to look up. The Master had evidently been thrown to the ground, just as he had
himself. Advancing upon him, not ten feet away from Stan himself, were the giant legs of some creature
so tall that hi, head was almost touching the roof of the Cavern. The legs, covered with shaggy hair
like that of a goat, ended in a pair of gigantic hooves.
The Master had scrambled to his feet and recovered some of his usual arrogance. 'Go back, I say !
Azal ! I command you ! Back, in the name of the Unspeakable One...' And the Master uttered a word of
such power that once more the ground shook as if the world would crack.
The creature hesitated, and slowly retreated to the flagstone with the esoteric carving. Stan, as
fascinated as he was terrified, tried to see what manner of face it had, but succeeded only in catching
a glimpse of an ear; an ear almost human, but pointed and with a thick coating of hair. As the noise and
the earthquake subsided, Stan struggled to his feet and squatted by the frost-enrimed pillar.
The Master gazed up, triumph in his face. 'At last,' he breathed.
A great rumble, as the bass tones of the creature's voice were heard for the first time. 'Speak,' it
said.
'Azal, I bid you welcome. I am the Master. I brought you here.'
'That I know,' growled Azal. 'Tell me why you now call me.'
The Master drew himself up. 'I charge you.., and I require of you . . . that you should give me your
knowledge and your power.'
'Why should I ?'
'So that I can rule these primitives on Earth and help them to fulfil your plan.'

IO3



'You are not one of their kind.' It was a statement rather than a question.
The Master showed no sign of surprise that the D~ern0n should have recognised that he was not a
native of Earth.
'I am superior to them in every possible way. That is why I should be their leader.'
There was a long silence as Azal appeared to digest this proposition. When he spoke at last, it was
to demonstrate once more his uncanny power. 'There is another here d your race,' he rumbled.
This was more than the Master expected. 'He has been destroyed,' he said.
'No,' said the D~emon, unemotionally. 'You are mistaken. He lives.'
The Master frowned.
'If you are superior by virtue of your race,' continued Azal, 'then so is he. I would speak with
him.'
The Master was displeased. 'I think not,' he said coldly. The Cavern shook with the anger of the D~emon.
'Take care, creature,' he boomed. 'With your few pitiful grains of knowledge you have summoned me here.
But I am not your slave--nor are you immortal !'
The Master obviously realised that he had gone too far. 'Forgive me, Mighty One,' he said, bowing
respectfully. Azal's growls subsided. 'Nevertheless,' continued the Master, 'I claim that which is
rightfully mine.'
Again the D~emon did not answer at once. At length, he spoke slowly and thoughtfully. 'It is true
that your mind at least is superior to the mind of man.., and your will is stronger...'
 Stan couldn't take his eyes from the Master's face. It was
alive with evil glee, a triumphant malice horrible to see. 'Then I am to be your choice?'
Again the silence. 'I shall consider,' he said at last.
The Master's face betrayed his disappointment. 'You will come again ?' he asked flatly.
'I shall appear but once more,' replied Azal. 'But be warned . . . there is danger. My race destroys
its failures and this planet smells to me of failure. I am the last of the



D~emons on this world. It may be that I shall destroy it
 and you. Do you still wish me to come again ?'
The Master took a deep breath. 'I do,' he said.

9
Into Danger

Even five miles away at the heat barrier Azal's arrival made itself felt. The ground swayed like the
deck of a small ship
it leaves the shelter of harbour. The jangle of the church bells came faintly across the woods and
the downs, as if in warning.
The Brigadier came out of the Mobile Headquarters, just at this moment. The Doctor was directing
Sergeant Osgood in the construction of a complicated piece of apparatus almost too big to fit onto the
back of a Land Rover, and appeared to be quite oblivious of the shaking of the ground.
'Doctor !' called the Brigadier. 'What's going on?'
'Mm?' mid the Doctor, looking up abstractedly. 'What do you want now, Lethbridge-Stewart ?'
'It seems to have escaped your notice, Doctor, that there is an earthquake.'
The Doctor stared vaguely over at the church. 'Oh yes, so there is. The D~emon must have appeared
once more.' He turned his attention back to Sergeant Osgood's contraption. 'No, man, no ! You're trying
to channel the entire output of the National Power Complex through one transistor ! Reverse the polarity
!'
The Brigadier felt the old feeling of frustration creeping up on him once more. 'But, Doctor, aren't
you going to do anything about it ?'
'I am doing something about it. I need that machine as much as you do. In any case, it's quite clear
from Miss Hawthorne's books that the Da:mon always appears three times. It's the third appearance we
have to worry about.

IO5


That's when we could find ourselves in real troubl haven'~ finished this wretched machine.'
rightly took this to be a dig much faster if we knew what we w,

exmMn't agree with you more, Sergeant,' the
bitterly. 'Now please do your best to concentra Osgood, very conscious of the Brigadier's pr
i struggled to keep quiet.
  A corporal appeared in the doorway of the 1 H.Q., and handed the Brigadier a signal.
  'Excellent,' he said as he read it. 'Right, Osgood, fixed it with the electricity wallahs for the
power to
  for fifteen minutes. Are you ready to link up ?''No, sir.'
'Well, when will you be ready, for heaven's sake?'
  Osgood shrugged. The Doctor answered for 'Christmas after next, I should say. A rough estim~
course.'
  Stung by this sarcasm, Osgood could not stop hi: ings from spilling over. 'If you push xo,ooo
volts th this lash-up, you'll blow it, anyway,' he complained.
  'Just do what you're told, Sergeant,' said the Bri~ calmly. 'The Doctor knows what he's doing.'
  'Yes, sir,' replied the Sergeant, obviously not bell a word of it, and moved away to sort out the
junction ready for the link-up to the electricity supply. The ! dier moved as close to the Doctor as the
heat barrier let him.
'Do you know what you're doing?' he asked quietly.
  The Doctor smiled charmingly. 'My dear chap,' he 'I can't wait to find out !'

That Jo did not sleep right through the earthquake ca by the appearance of Azal was perhaps somewhat sur
ing, as she only recently had been injected with a pow, sedative by Doctor Reeves. When Mike appeared in




carrying the still very woozy Jo, Bert at once helped to take her upstairs, while Miss Hawthorne and the
went out to find the busy Doctor Reeves. By the he had been found (visiting Lily Watt's
youngest,
whose measles turned out to be painted on with a ballpen) Jo was apparently quite awake, but obviously
the effects of the blow on her head.
'In the Cavern,' she moaned, as he examined her. 'He lid the danger was in the Cavern.. !'
Doctor Reeves filled a hypodermic syringe. 'Just lie still, my dear. Try to relax. This won't hurt.'
'But the Doctor...' she gasped, trying to sit up. 'I must help him; I must help him to find the
Master.' Mike made her lie down on the bed again, so that Docgive the injection.
'Take it easy, Jo,' said Mike, as she weakly struggled against his firm but gentle grip, 'as soon as
the Doctor gets back, we'll all go and sort out the Master. Now, don't worry !'
By this time the injection was beginning to take effect. ]go, no, we must go now...' protested Jo,
feebly, '... there's no... time to... be...' Her voice trailed away and Mike felt her relax. He
disengaged hlmseff and looked anxiously at Doctor Reeves.
'That's better,' the physician was saying. 'A few hours' deep and she'll be as right as rain. How
did she come to fall out of the car?'
'Well, you see . . .' began Mike, and stopped as he reaiised the enormity of the tale he had been
about to tell. 'It's a long story, Doctor Reeves,' he said, steering him to the door...
The heavy sleep induced by the sedative should have lasted for two or three hours, but when the
house began to shake she was instantly awake, sitting up clutching the bedclothes, with a nightmare fear
filling her stupefied mind. As the shaking started to die down, her fears, ff not forgotten, were
overcome.
'The Cavern . . .' she mumbled to herself, climbing shakily out of bed. 'I must get to the Cavern .
. .'



She weaved her way to the door. The 'quake had in fact
: :~, but to Jo it seemed that the floor was going up and down like an airliner in bumpy weather. She
opened the door but stopped, when she heard Mike Yates's voice~ 'I'm going to see what's happening,' he
was saying.
 'You mustn't. It's too dangerous . . .' That was Miss Hawthorne.
 'The Doctor did want us to stay here, sir,' interposed the voice of Sergeant Benton. 'So did the
Brigadier for that matter...'
 Jo gently dosed the door. They would stop her! Mike had prevented her from going before; she wasn't
going to give him a second chance.
 As she opened the window, hanging on to the pretty flowered curtain to help keep her balance, she
remembered the first time she met the Master. He had hypnotised her and had nearly succeeded in making
her blow the Doctor up, not to mention herself and the UNIT officers. She shuddered and clutched at the
curtain as dizziness overtook her. No, she wouldn't let herself remember. She must help the Doctor, she
must . . . In her confusion she was by now convinced that the Doctor was in the Cavern, menaced by the
Daemon and the Master. She was determined to rescue him.
 Climbing laboriously out of the little dormer-window, she slid down the tiles to the flat roof of
the garage, which had been built on at the side of the old stone building. From here it was an easy
dimb, via a drain pipe and a handy pile of beer crates, to the cobbled yard. Grimly holding on to her
senses, she made her way out of the yard to the green and set off, steering a somewhat erratic course,
on her journey to the churchyard.

When Azal disappeared again, Stan was hiding his face, waiting in abject fear to be seized by the
monster that Mr. Magister had conjured up from nowhere--or from the

,o8


could it be, from the Kingdom of Lucifer him-

Azal had continued his dreadful warnings~ He had of his centuries-long sleep in the barrow, awaiting
time when, as the last of his race to be left on Earth, would awaken and judge the results of their
'experiHe told of the dead planets of Talkur and Yind all life had been dispassionately destroyed by the
of D~emons. Now perhaps it was to be the turn of suffer the same fate.
 At length, he appeared to become uncomfortable. the Master once more to bring 'the other not of planet'
before him, he started to turn on the spot like
 j dog about to sleep, the stamping of the great hooves makthe echoes of the Cavern ring like bells,
with a note 9 low as to be more felt than heard.
 Stan shrank back behind his pillar of stone, convinced this creature . . . could it be the Old One
himself? would see him. What unimaginable punishment would in store for him then? If Azal was in fact
aware
presence he chose to ignore it. More likely, it was far beneath his notice as the presence of a
cockroach
  have been to the terrified Stan. With the bellow of angry bull, he silenced the Master's protest
at his demand to see the Doctor.
'Go now !' he boomed, 'lest the manner of my leaving
~d strike the very breath from your body. I shall re-

Stan caught a glimpse of Mr. lVlagister's scarlet robe as it swirled past him. He heard hasty
footsteps across the rocky floor. The heavy door creaked open; the slam of its doslag echoed through
every cell of Stan's quivering body. He was alone with the Creature. He buried his face in his hands and
waited, all hope, all courd, ge gone.
: The ground began to shake once more as the strange noise started again, that strange shrieking like
the thousand discordant voices of an infernal choir. Stan could feel k getting hotter.., and hotter..,
and hotter. The sweat from his forehead mingled with the cold sweat

xo9


of his hands and the tears of anguish and terrol forced their way past his clenched eyelids. Soon it hot
that it hurt to breathe. Stan, gasping for his lif why the Master had been sent away. His mind batt the
sound, his body unbearably shaken by the eartZ his throat and his lungs tortured by the searing he; at
last slipped into merciful oblivion.

Outside the Cavern, in the churchyard, the heat
quaking of the earth were by no means so bad. Ht the high wind that sprang up at the same time mad
possible for Jo Grant to stay on her feet. Swept bodi ways against the ivy-covered wall bordering the la
clutched at the branches of the creeper in an eJ hold her own against the pressure of the air. Sudde~
realised that the tendrils of the ivy were squirmin~ her fingers like a fistful of serpents. Larger ones
see be reaching out to clutch her by the throat. 'Elem she thought with terror, remembering Miss Hawl
description of the attack on the Sergeant. She push self violently away from the wall. Still bemused
blow on her head and Doctor Reeves's injection, s no strength left to resist the hammering of the un:
wind. Staggering this way and that, her legs buckl neath her, she soon collapsed, as unconscious as ff
benighted Stan, in the long grass under the old elm corner of the churchyard.

Once more the distant clanging of the bells of the caught the attention of the group at the heat 1 where
Sergeant Osgood was desperately assembling pieces of equipment into what seemed to him an ele hotch-
potch. It obviously had no chance at all of any help in either getting them through the barrier coping
with this monster, whatever it was.

II0






 l
'He's going,' said the Doctor, frowning, 'I'd better get
back. His next appearance could mean disaster.'
'We'll be after you in two shakes of a billy-goat's tail,'
said the Brigadier.
'Hm,' grunted the Doctor, as he crossed to the motor-
bike, 'that might have been better put. The goat isn't a
particularly favourite animal of mine at the best of times,
but at the moment...' He kicked the engine into roaring
life.
Sergeant Osgood stood up. 'Br... Doctor...' he said,
hesitantly.
'Surely you can get the thing working now, Sergeant,'
said the Doctor, suppressing his irritation with difficulty.
The Sergeant blinked his eyes, bleary with concentration,
and rubbed the back of his aching neck. 'Well . . .' he
began,i
'You'll just have to,' the Doctor interrupted, 'we may
have very little time left.' He revved the engine ira-i patiently.
'Wait, Doctor,' cried Osgood, 'I still don't understand how you lock the pulse-generator to the
feed-back circuit. They'll never be in phase !'
'Well, of course they won't, that's the whole point...' 'How do you do it, then ?'
'Dear, oh dear, oh dear,' sighed the exasperated Doctor. 'You can tell him, can't you, Lethbridge
Stewart?' A glance at the blank expression on the Brigadier's face gave him his answer. 'Oh very well
then,' he went on resignedly, 'I'll explain once more. And please listen this time...'

Mike Yates struggled to his feet as the 'quake died away. 'Really,' he said, 'this is getting a bit
monotonous.'
'It's no joking matter, Mr. Yates,' said Miss Hawthorne, severely settling her pince-nez into their
accustomed position.
'Are you all right, ma'am?' asked Sergeant Benton.
Miss Hawthorne's eyes softened as they rested on her



brave rescuer, her gentle knight, her Prince Charming. ~l'hank you, yes indeed,' she trilled, 'how too,
too sweet of you to ask !'
Benton, blushing, turned to Mike. 'Er... do you think we ought to check on Miss Grant, sir ?' he
suggested.
'According to Doctor Reeves she'd go on sleeping if the house collapsed around her, never mind an
itsy-bitsy earthquake,' said Yates. 'Still, I take your point.'
'I'11 go,' said Benton eager to escape the embarrassment of Miss Hawthorne's presence.
'No, no, stay where you are.' Mike ran lightly up the stairs, grinned at himself for knocking on the
bedroom door --as ff she could answer, anyway !--and went in.
'The little idiot,' he said to himself as, at a glance, he took in the empty bed and the curtains
flapping gently in the May Day breeze. He hastened to the open window and looked out. It was at once
clear how she'd got out of the room and down to the ground. 'But where on earth could she have gone ?'
he thought, 'she surely wouldn't try to get to the Doctor...'
Suddenly he realised. Of course ! He turned and ran out of the room and down the rickety stairs.
'Jo's gone,' he quickly informed the others.
'But that's impossible,' said Miss Hawthorne, who was busy combing her even more than usually wild
hair, 'we've been here the whole time. We'd have seen her.'
'She's gone out through the window. I'm going after her.' 'But do you know where she is?' asked Benton,
puzzled. 'I know all right. She's gone to the Cavern under the church !'
'Oh, no !' gasped Miss Hawthorne, dropping a handful of hairpins.
'As soon as the Doctor gets back,' went on Mike, 'tell him what's happened. Right ?'
'Right, sir,' answered the Sergeant. 'But do be careful. Don't go copping it like I did.'
'Not if I can help it,' returned the Captain, and hurried out. 'Well, well, well,' said Miss
Hawthorne, firmly subduing


!


an errant lock of wispy hair, 'there's more to that young ! man than I thought...'  
l

I

Stan Wilkins woke up. Why was his cheek resting on cold rock instead of on his friendly old pillow,
lumpy though it was? He gingerly moved an arm. His hand touched the rough stone pillar and at once
memory came flooding back, and with it his fear. All was quiet now and the intolerable heat had died
away. Stan carefully sat up and peeped into the Cavern. It was empW. Apart from a lingering smell-an
animal smell there was nothing to indicate that he had been through anything but a hideous dream.
Cautiously he stood up and crept across the Cavern and up the steps to the door. As he put his hand
on the great iron handle, he froze. Voices! Mr. Magister was in the vestry, talking to someone.
'And do the job properly. The Doctor's been in my way far too long.'
'But what if I can't find him, Magister?'
That sounded like the landlord of 'The Cloven Hoof', that did, though it was funny to hear the cocky
Bert Walker
sounding so uncertain of himself.'Make sure you do.'
'Right, Magister. I'll do my best.'
For a moment, Stall thought that they had both left the i vestry, but then he heard the Master's
voice once more.
'You know, Walker, I was foolish, very foolish, to speak with Azal alone. It might easily have ended
in total disaster. Next time I shall use the full ceremony. If I am to control Azal, I shall need every
ounce of power I can summon up. Every possible member of the coven must be present. Pass the word.'
'Very good, Magister.'
So Bert was a member of the coven too !Stan stood for a moment digesting the fact, as he listened to
the sound of first the main vestry door and then the back door which

II4


rang

  onto the Vicarage path If Bert was a member, and
  he'd never known it, then anybody he met might be. Any-
  body in the village. It would be very interesting to see who
  came to the 'full ceremony' whatever that might be. With
  a shock, Stan realised that he wanted to come himself. Now
  that his terror was rapidly becoming nothing but a memory,
.'old he could recognise the fascination the whole thing held for
Ix it'him. A guilty thrill ran through him as it came to him that
thehe was the only one, bar the Magister himself, to have seen
ink,  the.., the D~emon. Yes, that's what Azal had called him-
bleself...
atoIt should be safe by now. Cautiously he opened the
1--creaking door, crossed the vestry, and escaped to the
hechurchyard, running down the path and across the green,
  taking grateful gulps of cool fresh air.

nd
',at
he

ay


As Mike Yates came through the side gate of the churchyard he saw the vestry door starting to open.
Diving for cover behind the old elm tree, he watched as Bert, with a badly concealed air of urgency,
half walked and half ran down the main path to the green, jumped into a scruffy old car and drove away.
That gun he'd been carrying. It didn't look like a shotgun. More like a rifle. Now, whatever would the
respectable landlord of a village pub be doing with a rifle ?
The problem was pushed to the back of Mike's mind as the vestry door swung open yet again and a
spotty youth, little more than a boy, shot out and away. After forcing himself to wait a few minutes
more, Mike emerged from his hiding place and made his way through the long grass back to the path, and
with infinite caution pushed the vestry door open. A moment's pause. Nothing. Mike suppressed the
tremors in his stomach. 'Here goes,' he thought, and in he went.
Cradled in the aromatic grass, Jo Grant peacefully dreamed of childhood holidays in the springtime,
quite


.
.


unaware that her would-be rescuer had passed by not three feet away.

'... and it comes out here.' The Doctor pointed to the bottom of the enormously complicated circuit
diagram he had scratched in the sandy soil with the point of a stick.
'Thank you, Doctor,' said the Brigadier. 'We'll keep our fingers crossed. Frankly I didn't
understand a word of it, but I'm sure the Sergeant has got it straight now. l~ight, Osgood ?'
Osgood gulped. 'Right, sir... I think.'
'Good grief, man,' exploded the Doctor, 'it's as simple as Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity
!'
'We'll manage somehow,' said the Brigadier hastily. 'Good,' said the Doctor, 'and when you do get the
thing finished, bring it through the barrier and down to the village at once,' and away he roared on the
powerful bike.
The Brigadier sighed. 'You know, Sergeant,' he said, 'sometimes I wish I worked in a bank.' He
turned away and caught sight of a group of soldiers laboriously unrolling a heavy cable. 'At the double
there l' he shouted, moving towards them.
Osgood resentfully watched the Doctor vanishing across the downs. All very well for him to be so
superior. It was his idea, so of course he understood it. He wouldn't fred it so flaming easy to
understand Osgood's scheme for breeding racing pigeons using cross-linked characteristics like the shape
of the flight feathers and the bird's speed. For a moment the Sergeant felt an overwhelming wave of
nostalgia for the warm sweet smell of his pigeon-loft. Shaking himself crossly, he tried once more to
concentrate on the faint seratchings ten feet away across the heat barrier. Now, then. What was it about
the pulsegenerator? Analogous to the principle of the laser, the Doctor had said. How could it be? The
two things were entirely different. The man was just a . . . hang on... if you took the oscillator
signal through a series of tuned dr-



cults... Suddenly excited, the Sergeant pulled out his pad and started sketching possible ways of doing
it. Of course, of course! Absurdly simple. Why hadn't he seen before? Almost running, he hurried to the
Mobile H.Q., nearly knocking over the Brigadier. 'Sorry, sir,' he gasped, 'but I'm on the track of it at
last. Just got to get a few more bits and pieces...'
 'Well done, Sergeant,' beamed the Brigadier, 'knew I could rely on you. I'd better get on to the
Electricity fellows, then. Put them on standby.'
 It seemed no time at all before the Sergeant had fitted the new components. They just seemed to
fall into place. Now for a first test I Not on the heat barrier, of course, too little power for that.
But at least it would show if he was on the right lines...
'Sergeant !' bellowed the Brigadier from the doorway of
the van.
'Sir?'
'Is it you making that horrible racket on the radio? Can't get a thing through. The air's thick with
it.'
'Yes ! Yes ! I'm testing, you see, sir. This is fascinating !' Sergeant Osgood's happy face appeared
over the top of his machine. 'It's not quite right yet, but even on the battery it's really pumping it
out! It's a sort of controlled resonance principle, you see...'
'Never mind the mumbo-jumbo, Osgood. Keep the wretched thing switched off.'
'Sorry, sir, I can't,' replied the Sergeant. 'Must finish the tests !'
'How long are you going to be before you've got it ready ?'
'Matter of minutes, sir,' said Osgood, cheerfully, 'I've really got the hang of it now !' His face
disappeared behind the odd-looking contraption. Almost at once, there was a loud bang and a puff of
smoke. The blackened and disappointed face of the Sergeant slowly reappeared.
'An hour, sir. At least l' he said ruefully.




Bert settled himself comfortably into the bracken and checked his gun. Full magazine, one up the spout,
safetycatch on. Like being back in the army. Bert cocked his hat over his eyes to keep out the sun and
peered along the winding road below him. Bound to come down it, wasn't he? Only way off the downs, like.
The smell of the warm earth took him back even further to soft Wiltshire nights, poaching on the
Winstanley Estate when he was a young 'un. Many a pheasant he'd had off the old Squire, let alone rabbit
and hare. Went down fine with a bit of red-currant jelly, hare did.
Jolted back to the present moment by the
sound of a motor-cycle, Bert stared at the r/fie believingly. Going to kill a man ? Whatever had him
that he should even think of such a thing ?
Around the comer came the figure of the Doctors flying, hair streaming in the slipstream, as he side
to side down the bends of the hill.
All scruples forgotten, Bert slipped the
raised the rifle to his shoulder and fired. Got him! swerved off the road onto the green. No, must
missed him. Going straight, he was, making for No fool, this Doctor. Once more Bert took aim time he
fired at the rear tyre of the bike. All! That was a hit! The Doctor had somersaulted off the bike and
had landed on his back. He was up running like an Olympic sprinter for the cover trees. His broad back
filled the sight of the rifle. Like practice--or shooting a pheasant on the nest. It was too easy.
Bert smiled and lovingly squeezed the trigger...

IO

The Third Appearance

'Missed him? How could you have missed him?' Master's face, usually so controlled, twisted in anger.



'I'd swear he read my thoughts,' replied Bert, desperately seeking a way to avert the wrath he
expected. 'Just as I pulled the trigger, he darted off to the right. When I'd realised what had
happened, he'd gone. And by the time I'd got after him...'
'Yes, yes, yes. Excuses waste time.' The Master had regained his usual coolness. 'The important
thing is: where is he now ?'
'Well . . . I lost him in the woods, you see. I expect he's on his way back to the village.'
The Master smiled malevolently. 'I expect he is,' he said. 'Then we must see that he's given a
suitable welcome! Mustn't we ?'

Sergeant Benton was not used to feeling helpless and frustrated. In his experience, most worries soon
disappeared if you did something about them. Didn't seem to matter much what you did. Move into action
and in the long run things would sort themselves out. And here he was, stuck in this blooming pub, under
orders not to move except in the direst emergency, with Miss Hawthorne as his only companion. Miss
Hawthorne, who seemed to have taken a fancy to him; Miss Hawthorne who treated him with an exasperating
mixture of exaggerated deference and the sort of bossy affection you would expect her to lavish on a pet
poodle. And to top it all, there seemed to be something wrong with communications. He'd tried to contact
the Brigadier to tell him about Miss Grant and the Captain, but there'd been so much interference that
he'd given up the attempt.
Pacing up and down the room like a wild animal in a cage, he tried to work out the best thing to do.
At least he was free of Miss Hawthorne's chatter for a while. The longer she stayed in the kitchen, the
better. Gave him a chance to have a bit of a think. Now then. If he were to go after Captain Yates he
might miss the Doctor when he came back. If, on the other hand, he scrounged some transport



and went to the heat barrier, he might be letting the Captain down. Angrily he pulled out his walkie-
talkie. Maybe the dratted thing would have cleared itself by now.
'Hello, Trap Two,hello Trap two. Do you read? Over?' 'Trap Two', the call-sign for the Mobile H.Q.,
remained obstinately silent. Or if it was replying it was drowned in the heavy static. Better try the
Brig's personal call-sign.
'Hello, Greyhound. Hello, Greyhound. This is Greyhound Three. Do you read. Over?'
Again, nothing could be heard above the interference. No, wait! Wasn't that a voice? The Sergeant
strained to catch it. Was it or wasn't it? Ah ! There it was again...
'I've brought you a nice cup of tea, Sergeant. I do hope you like China.'
Benton was jerked out of his concentration with an almost physical jolt. Miss Hawthorne, smiling
archly, was standing in the doorway with a tray in her hands.
'There seemed to be nobody about,' she went on, 'so I took the liberty of boiling a kettle myself.'
  'Oh, for Pete's sake,' snapped Benton, shaken out of his
usual courtesy. Miss Hawthorne's eyes widened.'What's the matter? Don't you like tea?'
'Look, Miss Hawthorne. Something's gone badly wrong. We've no idea what's happening to Miss Grant or
the Captain; the Doctor should be back here by now; I can't get through to the Brigadier--and you're
nattering on about tea !'
Miss Hawthorne smiled placatingly. 'You must learn the art of waiting, Sergeant,' she said as she
carried the tray carefully across the room and set it on the table. 'The Doctor will come. Or else he
won't. And that's all that can be said. Now then, milk or lemon ? I shan't let you have any sugar. It's
bad for the teeth--not to mention the nerves !'
Benton suddenly grinned. She was right, of course. 'Okay, Miss Hawthorne,' he said, 'you win.'
Giving an approving nod, she started to pour the tea.
'Greyhound Three. Greyhound Three. Come in please. Over.' The unmistakable tones of Brigadier
Lethbridge

12o


tewart filled the room. Benton grabbed his walkie-talkie. 'Hello, Greyhound. This is Greyhound Three,
receiving ou loud and clear. I've been trying to raise you, sir. 'errible inter[erence. Over.'
'Yes, well, the less said about that the better. I'm seizing ~e opportunity of a lull to have a quick
word with the )octor. Over.'
'Sorry, sir. I don't quite understand. Over.'
'What's the matter with you, Benton? I want to speak to
ie Doctor. Will you put him on please? Over.'
'But... I thought he was still with you, sir. Over.'
*No, he left here . . . oh, a good [orty minutes ago.
[am't he turned up yet? Over.'
Sergeant Benton suddenly felt very worded. It was all cry well to be philosophical, but anything could
have hal>ened.
'No, sir,' he replied. 'Not a sign of him. Do you supose he's all right, sir? Over.'
The Brigadier sounded equally concerned. 'Maybe he's iled up that wretched motor-bike...'
'Want me to go and look [or him, sir? Over.'
There was a long silence. Benton spoke once more. '/say ain, shall I have a shufti round, sir? Over.'
'Yes, yes, I heard you, Sergeant. I was thinking. Better ,ive him a bit longer. And if he does turn
up, tell him we're running into a bit of trouble with our . . . our Iced-back Phasing . . . is that
right, Osgood? Yes, that's it, Benton. ?ell him will you? Greyhound out.'
Before Benton could speak, the air was filled with the awe impenetrable interference as before.
'I didn't tell him about the others,' he said, 'I mean, ~t's face it, Captain Yates should have been
back with Miss ~rant ages ago--and now the Doctor seems to have dislppeared as well.'
'More waiting, I'm afraid, Sergeant,' said Miss Haw[home, sipping her tea.
'Not on your life, Miss Hawthorne,' said Benton, ~cisively. 'I'm going to have a nose around that
Cavern.'
'Look what happened last time,' said the white witch,


/


putting down her cup. 'It would be much better if you were to stay here and wait for the Doctor. I'll go
and look for the others. After all, I can claim a modicum of experience in such matters.'
'I'm sorry, ma'am. No offence, but you'll do as you're
told.' He crossed to the window and looked out.'Anyone in sight, Sergeant ?'
'Not a soul. They're keeping under cover, and I can't say I blame them. Tell the Doctor where I've
gone, will you ?'
As he moved to the door, Miss Hawthorne held up her hand. 'Wait... listen...' she said.
Sergeant Benton stopped. Carried on the May Day breeze, the tinkling of fairylike bells, the thin
piping of a tin whistle, the clack-clack-clack of wooden staves...
'What is it?' breathed the Sergeant, prepared by now to believe anything. If this was Titania, Queen
of the Fairies, come to pay her respects to the okay, let her come. Just as long as she kept out of his
He'd got quite enough on his plate, thank you.
'It's the Morris dancers,' said Miss Hawthorne.
'Morris dancers !' exclaimed the Sergeant, joining her the window.
'It's May Day. We always have the Morris dancers on

Round me ......, dancerS o! ~e ~  ,~dln~ them
~ b~- the t r-~aitlon~* , ~ dthy~iff st.afIs a~ ....
d ~i~.b ....t~l~ir ~I s and  ..... e'er ~i-~'arently
the piver_an~ with me
~xf k~k~ oi torn p~F~:'. '~.-o~,r~c~-M~n capereu ~,,~ bladder on ..... '.~, the tom~

 d bY the dancers  and aa
~ace -. ...... both ~/oung . ,V~odt
~,~nd oi vtl~aB~Z ~s~'~, i~a~ttxorne. ~'
i~,harIIllll~). . :,c yOU ask ~*'-,a .
~-- ~ +1..,~, t'VVISI., ~''' ,'t.~A {orl fie 3. u.
,Rounu ~'~ _ ^f villagers.'~ ....3'akb
Iqbw a group, die of the ~ ...... - 'the
   ~s~,voole in the retd.., their moment. --
  ~'o;'each they awat,~ --
  b,~


he
in


fwJshed their dance and there was a moment of absoiute stillness.
 'One! Two! Three !' A distant voice floated across the green. Everybody in sight sprang into
violent action, The Morris men, to the frenetic wail of the pipe, danced the dance of the quarter-staff,
their ribbons flying, their bells a-tinlde. Round and round went the Maypole dancers, weaving ~eir
ribbons into an intricate lace of colours. Even the spectators, urged on by the ubiquitous Paper-Man and
his bladder, jigged and jogged in time to the irresistible lilt of the whistle.
 'Hey, look! There's the Doctor!' exdaimed the Sergeant with relief.
Struggling through the swirling bodies, the tall figure of the Doctor was instantly recognisable.
Soon he was near to the Morris dancers themselves. Smiling genially at the Paper-Man, who was jumping
round him, llke a gleeful chimp, belabouring him with his jester's bladder, he seemed to find himself by
accident in the middle of the Morris ring wand each time he moved to escape, a staff just happened to be
in his path.
'What's going on?' said Benton. 'Here, I'm going out to him.'
'Wait !' The peremptory tone of the white witch was so full of authority that l~nton automatically
obeyed.
The music had died away. The dancing stopped. All eyes turned to look at the Doctor, imprisoned in a
ring of quarter-staffs. In the silence, the Doctor's voice could be dearly heard. 'Now really ! Please
get out of my way. I'm in a great hurry.'
It was the Paper-Man who answered, in the unmistakable tones of Bert Walker. 'You're being invited
to join our May Day revels, Doctor. I'm sure you don't want to disappoint u~ or Mr. Magister.' And from
inside his ragged paper coat he produced a ~nall but dangerous looking automatic.
'All part of the tradition, I suppose,' said Benton grimly, bringing out his own gun.
'No !' said Miss Hawthorne, clutching his arm.









  'The Doctor needs help,' said Bentota, wrenching him-
self free and making for the door.:
'There are too many of them,' cried Miss Hawthorne.
The Sergeant took no notice but threw open the door.
There stood one of the larger Morris dancers. With a swift
sidestep, he brought his staff crashing down onto Benton's
wrist, sending the gun flying from his hand.
From his years of training, the Sergeant's reaction was
instant. His other hand grasped the staff and with a mighty
pull overbalanced the burly Morris dancer so that he stag-
gered through the door. The Sergeant went for his gun but
the man had recovered himself and with the precise toe of
the practised dancer he sent it sliding out of reach.
The fight that followed was very nearly as one-sided as
Mike Yates's battle with Wilkins on the village green. Al-
though Benton managed to hold him off for a while, the
man moved with the agile ferocity of a wildcat, in spite of
his size. Blow after stinging blow found its mark, while
Benton's ripostes time and again connected with empty air.
Even the occasional blow that landed seemed to have no
effect.
Miss Hawthorne hovered on the fringe of the combat ut-
tering shrill cries of distress. But her air of helplessness was
deceptive. Seeing that her dear Sergeant was weakening,
she seized her handbag and leapt to his aid, swinging it in a !
wide arc to meet the Morris man's head with a curiously
heavy thud. Her method of fighting proved considerably
more effective than Benton's. Without even a groan, the
man crumpled at the knees and limply slid to the floor.
Benton looked down at him in astonishment. 'What hap-
pened ?' he asked.
Miss Hawthorne displayed the handbag dangling from
her wrist. 'I hit him with my reticule,' she said.
'Your what ?'
'That's right,' she said, diving into the handbag and pro-
ducing a large crystal ball. 'In such situations, the out-
come's a certainty !'
'Very handy. I'm much obliged to you,' said Benton,
picking up his automatic and going towards the door again.




Miss Hawthorne stopped him once more. 'Please, geant~ I know those people well. They're not r~
wicked. Most of them, anyway.'
'So? They've still got the Doctor, haven't they?' 'You can't take them all on.' 'What are you
suggesting?'
Miss Hawthorne stared earnestly up at him. 'It's u1 us to show them how mistaken they axe. Now
listen c: fully...'

It was useless for the Doctor to struggle as he was boun the Maypole. Held firmly by four of the largest
of locals and with Bert's gun held within inches of his f he had no chance of a surprise escape. His
best hope, i haps, was to talk them out of it...
'You're all making a very grave mistake,' he said, ing his voice so that as many as possible could
hear words. 'Mr. Magister is planning to make you all his sla, he went on. 'I am the only one who has a
chance of s ping him.' The Doctor looked around to see the effec his words. Several of the villagers
were obviously read, hear more.
'He's lying. He is your enemy,' Bert said an~ 'Slaves! He must be crazed to think you'd believe t
Why, you know that Mr. Magister will protect you, for you--aye, and give you everything you've ever want
A murmur of approval came from his listeners.
'This foolishness must stop!' cried the Do urgently. 'Mr. Magister will bring disaster on us all...
'Don't listen to him. He's the enemy, I tell you. He black witch l'
Quite taken aback at this, the assembly stared at blankly. The Doctor was quick to seize the
advantage.
'That's nonsense and he knows it,' he said loudly. ' no witch. It's Mr. Magister who...' He stopped
abruptl] one of his guards gave him a hefty backhander across mouth.



'A witch. Do you understand ?' continued Bert as if the Doctor hadn't spoken. 'A witch ! And you've
always known what you should do with a witch, haven't you? Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live ~ '
The crowd stirred uneasily. Their old folk still handed down stories, some three hundred years old
or more they must have been, dark tales of witch hunts, tales of neighbout denouncing neighbour, tales
of old women taken by night, tales of torture and death.
'Are you out of your mind ?' gasped the Doctor and was again silenced by a heavy hand.
'That's right, friends. Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. ' Bert looked round his audience as
a shudder of delighted fear ran through them. 'Burn him...' he said.
There was a moment of stupefied silence. Then, from the back came a voice. 'Aye. Burn him !' it
cried. Then another. And another. And from all sides came an ever increasing chorus, 'Burn him ! Burn
him ! Burn him !'
Bert smiled with satisfaction. Things were going well.

jo Grant opened her eyes. Sh,e was looking into the depths of a cool green forest. She could hear the
distant hum of a bumble bee in the warm silence. How peaceful it was... J Suddenly she sat up, the
forest dwindling to a patch of
long grass. Her fear came back with a rush, making her head swim. She must get away . . . Struggling to
her feet she stumbled on still wobbly legs to the churchyard gate. There she stopped. No. The Doctor was
in danger. She must go to him. Resolutety turning, she made her way to the vestry door~ went straight in
without a pause~ crossed to the Cavern entrance and walked down the steps. But then her resolution
faltered. She looked round the Cavern with its flickering shadows. Where was he, this creature from
another world, this Daemon ? Or was Miss Hawthorne right? Was he really the King of lieu himself,
conjured from his fiery realm by the secret arts of the Master? Almost she turned to run away, but her
still confused mind






insisted that somewhere here, in this disquieting place, the Doctor needed her. She walked timidly
forward; where could he be ? She rounded a pillar--and started back with a barely stifled scream.
Squatting on his pedestal, Bok, the gargoyle figure, stared at her evilly. But now, she realised, he was
stone once more, a grotesque inanimate carving.
Moving forward again, she spoke in a tremulous whisper: 'Doctor[ Are you there?' Her heart leapt as
a hand was clamped over her mouth and she was pulled back into the darkness of one of the alcoves cut
into the cave wall.
'Ssh !' a voice breathed. 'They're in and out all the time.' It was Mike Yates.
'Why didn't you stay in bed?' he went on, taking his hand away.
'I had to find out what's going on. The Doctor needs me,' she whispered.
'The Doctor's not here. He's still with the Brig.'
Jo's mind was becoming dearer every second. 'I'm an idiot,' she said.
'You can say that again,' said Mike. 'As idiots go, you'd win a prize, coming here. The whole place
is alive with booby-traps.'
'Booby-traps ? You mean, bombs ?'
'I mean spells; elementals; the Doctor's psionic force fields...'
Jo shivered. She said, 'Where... where are they ?'
'All over,' answered Yates. 'Here, I'U show you. Pass me one of those books.'
Jo looked around her. On a table nearby, a small pile of cheap paperbacked guides awaited the coins
of the summer
visitors. She picked one up and passed it to Mike. 'Thanks. Now watch this.'
Gauging the distance carefully, he tossed the book onto the marked flagstone. Instantly there came
the sound of a fierce rushing wind and the book was viciously torn into a hundred fluttering pieces. As
abruptly as it came, the wind died.



Jo watched, round-eyed. 'It's a trick I It's a horrible conjuring trick,' she breathed at last.
 'Do you think so?' said Mike grimly. 'Remember Ben-
ton and what happened to him?'Jo was silent.
'Come on,' continued Mike. 'Let's get out of here before they.., ssh !' Pulling her back into the
sheltering darkness of the alcove once more, Mike laid a finger on Jo's lips.
Into the Cavern came a procession of robed and hooded figures. Forming a circle around the Stone of
Sacrificed they began a low chanting, repeating 'Io Evohe! Io gvohe!' over and over until, echoing and
re-echoing around the reverberant cavern, it became an unbroken background of hypnotic noise.
The door flew open. The noise ceased on the instant. In the more than silent stillness, the Master,
once more enrobed in scarlet, descended the steps, beating before him a large and wicked knife with a
handle of carved black ebony and a razor-sharp blade of the finest steel..This he placed on the Stone of
Sacrifice by the ritual vessels. Moving the chalice to one side, he tossed a pinch of incense onto the
still glowing charcoal in the thurible. A flash of red flame sent a puff of smoke sailing up into the
shadows of the high roof. As if this was the signal, the chanting began once again: 'Io Evohe ! Io
Evohe...'
'Mike, I'm scared,' said Jo, her voice little more than an exhalation.
 'Don't worry,' replied Mike in the same tone. 'The
Doc'll soon be back and Benton knows where we axe.' 'As my will, so mote it be,' intoned the Master.
~qema,' responded the coven.

'Hearken to my voice, oh dark one;
Ancient and awIul; Supreme in artifice;
Bearer o[ power...'

As the sonorous voice rolled round the Cavern, Jo's hand tremblingly looked for Mike's and gripped
it hard. It responded with a reassuring squeeze.






Now the Master picked up the ritual knife from the Stone of Sacrifice and held it high in the air.
'Behold this blade, Athame; the knife of power, the blade of power; the knife of blood. Know it as
my will; as sharp, as cruel and as ruthless. Know the blade of blood, the blade of sacrifice...'
Jo clutched Mike's hand even harder. 'What does he mean ?' she whispered. 'Sacrifice? Mike! What
does he mean ?'
The panic in her voice would have made it sound throughout the Cavern, but that the coven had
started to chant once more, 'Io Evohe...' as the Master intoned the secret words of the Great
Conjuration.
'What's he saying? What language is that?'
'Ssh !' replied Mike, 'I don't recognise it any more than you do.'
'It's evil. It sounds all wrong; all upside down...'
The Master was nearing the end of his incantation '... DNAW ONSSA ETIHW SAWECE ELFS.TIB! MALELT
TILAD AHYRAM !'
A hooded figure struck a large gong. As the booming clang resounded through the distant corners of
the Cavern, the dust of centuries floated down like smoke into the light of the candles. The Master
turned to the figure behind him who, diving a hand beneath his black robe, produced a feebly flapping
white hen. Squawking an ineffectual protest, it was laid out on the black cloth before the Master.
'Azal !' he cried, We have power over life, thou and I. Accept this life, which I dedicate to
thee...'
Jo started forward. 'No !' hissed Mike, grabbing her arm. The Master raised the knife high above his
head while two of his acolytes stretched the neck of the chicken, which was now lying quite still as if
resigned to its fate.
'EKO, EKO, AZAL !' cried the Master, exultantly. 'EKO, EKO, AZAL !' responded the coven.
The knife started to descend, its blade flashing in the light of the multitude of candles.
It was too much for Jo to bear. Wrenching herself free from Mike's grasp, she rushed through the
circle of chant-

130


 figures and thrust herself between the Master and the ~tone of Sacrifice.
'No! No, stop it !' she sobbed. 'It's evil! Can't you see
It's evil !' Seizing the hapless bird from the hands of
guardians she held it in her arms as ff to protect it from the knife, but it struggled free and ran
clucking to safety.
'How very touching,' said the Master, 'but you see, my
 too late...' He raised his arms once more and stared into the darkness behind Jo.
'Azal !' he cried in triumph, 'I welcome thee !'
Jo spun round. She could feel the unearthly cold, the shaking of the ground and hear the weird
howling which she had experienced the night before. And now she saw the cause. Growing rapidly to a
height of over twenty feet, a figure with the legs of a great animal was stamping the i rocky floor with
its doyen hooves; its face, with its hooked nose, its cruel eyes, its ranged teeth, was the face of a
devil; while from its brow swept two magnificent goat horns.
The D~emon had appeared for the last time...


I!

The Rescue

'Are you sure you know what you're up to?' asked the desperately worried Sergeant Benton, as he watched
the last few bundles of wood being added to the pile which buried the Doctor's feet.
'Of course I do,' replied Miss Hawthorne, a trifle aggrieved. 'The working of the human soul is my
subject, after all. As a witch, I am an expert.'
'That's all very well, ma'am,' replied Benton, 'but if we wait much longer, the Doc won't care very
much either way.'
'There/s such a thing as the Psychological Moment, Sergeant,' answered Miss Hawthorne, leaving him
at the win-

I3I



dow and crossing to the door of the pub. 'If our plan is to
work . . ?
'Hang on,' broke in the Sergeant, 'I think your Psychological Moment's arrived...' One of the
villagers who was standing around the pinioned Doctor, had picked up a stick with a bundle of rags tied
to the top. Bert Walker, still incongruously dressed in his costume of tom paper, was pouring something
out of a can onto the rags. Then, strik. ing a match, he lit the rags, which flared up into a smoky
torch.
That's it,' snapped the Sergeant. 'For Pete's sake get a move on !'
'Good luck,' said Miss Hawthorne, and opened the door. 'Right, Mr. Thorpe,' said Bert. Followed by the
fascinated but horrified eyes of the silent people, Thorpe walked towards the pyre, where the Doctor
awaited his fate,
his chin held defiantly high.'Now,' said Bert.
Thorpe stretched out his arm, but before he could act~mlly set alight the pile of wood, a shout from
the direction of 'The Cloven Hoof' made his and every other head swing round.
'Stop ! Stop, I say !'
It was Miss Hawthorne, her cloak flying out behind her, her arms waving frantically as she ran
surprisingly fast across the green. 'Stop ! Or you will bring a terrible retribution upon yourseff !'
Thorpe stood up, nervously awaiting the arrival of the eccentric figure. Her hair, so recently
disciplined, was asserting its freedom and shedding hairpins around her as she panted to a standstill.
She fumbled desperately for her pince-nez and fastened them precariously back in place. She fixed a
birdlike eye on Thorpe.
'You would dare to harm the great white wizard, Qulquaequod ?' she enquired.
'Wizard ?' he said uncertainly.
'Take no notice of the old fool,' barked Bert.
 'You mean . . . he's a wizard?' said Thorpe, looking at the Doctor.



'You wouldn't listen to m before--and now you're in We power of Mr. Magister. I was proved right,
wasn't I ?'
i A murmur from the villagers, almost of agreement. Thorpe looked wildly around for guidance.
 A voice came from the back of the crowd: 'What are we
waiting for? I thought we were going to burn him !' 'Quite right, friend,' said Bert, 'get on with it,
man.' Thorpe lifted the torch.
'Wait! Listen to me!' Miss Hawthorne's voice trembled ~ith urgency. 'Under Mr. Magister, you have
been [tightened, injured, your property has been destroyed. :Serve the great Quiquaequod ! There lies
peace and great
ioy...'
t'Here, give it to me.' Bert grabbed the flaming torch from Thorpe's hand and made to light the fire.
But he was pre-
Iventedby a powerful hand on his shoulder, the hand of Wally Stead, the ~,wm.an. 'Hang on, Bert, said
Wally,,mildly. 'Just suppose the lady's speaking the truth? We re going to look a right parcel of fools
if we burn the wrong one, aren't we dow ?'
Bert looked at the irresolute faces surrounding hiin. *Very well,' he sneered, 'if he's such a great
wizard, let's see him untie himself.'
The faces cleared and turned with relief to the Doctor, lawaiting a miracle. 'You choose to mock
Quiquaequod,' the IDoctor said haughtily. 'I will not. I do not choose to loosen my bonds.'
'No, because you can't, that's why,' said Bert triumphantly.
'But you will give a sign of your power, won't you, oh mighty one?' said Miss Hawthorne, her left
eyelid twitchlng with the ghost of a wink.
'Of course,' agreed the Doctor. 'Er... what had you in ;mind?'
Miss Hawthorne looked around the village green as if !seeking inspiration. 'I know,' she cried,
'that street lamp! 'Shatter the glass.'
The Doctor looked puzzled. Miss Hawthorne nodded at


.
~  .
**.

.

i'





him meaningly. 'Er... that one by the churchyard gate?' asked the Doctor.
'Considering that it's the only one in sight, it's quite probable that she does mean that one,' said
Bert, sarcastic, ally.
'Shatter it. Yes. Yes, of course. Let's see now...' The Doctor caught sight of Miss Hawthorne
nodding even more vigorously.
'Oh, very well,' he said. 'Lamp ! I order you to shatter !' And shatter it did. As the fragments of
glass tinkled onto the cobblestones, a gasp of amazement came from the crowd. Sergeant Benton, watching
covertly from the pub window, grinned with satisfaction. Quite a tricky shot that~ at such long range
and with an automatic---especially an automatic with a silencer . . . It was to be hoped the old boy
would guess what was going on. Yes, he obviously had.
'You see ?' he was saying, 'I should hate to have to harm anybody, but honesty compels me to point
out that the
lamp could have been you. Any of you.'The crowd shrank hack.
'Now then,' went on the Doctor, 'watch the weathercock on the church tower.'
'Blimey,' thought Benton. 'He must think I've got a rifle.' The weathercock was at least half as far
again as the broken streetlamp. The Sergeant raised his gun, squinted along the sights and pulled the
trigger. The weathercock remained unmoved. The people of Devil's End went on watching expectantly
'Well ?' Bert said hastily.
The Doctor glanced at Miss Hawthorne, but she was too busy short-sightedly trying to locate the
weathercock to notice his desperation. The Doctor took a dee~ breath and called, 'Now !'
Sergeant Benton aimed once more; there it was, the wretched bird, full in the sights. The gun
coughed apologetically as he fired. The weathercock spun violently as the bullet hit its tail. The
exclamations from the green were almost a cheer and one simple soul tried to start a

I34


round of applause. For a moment Bert was nonplussed. It seemed that he was in danger of losing all his
followers.
`Drop that torch,' said the Doctor. 'You're beaten and you know it.'
'Am I ?' snarled Bert and lifted the torch. But before he had a chance to thrust it into the heart
of the pyre he gave a sharp cry of alarm as it flew from his fingers as if by magic, landing on the
ground a good twelve feet away.
'That was a near one,' thought Sergean(Benton. 'If I'd missed that time, the Doctor would have had
it.'
This last demonstration of the power of the mighty Quiquaequod had quite convinced the last
doubters.
'Daughter of Light,' said the great wizard, twould you be so good as to untie me ?' Blushing with
pleasure and relief, Miss Hawthorne stepped forward. Seeing that the bundles of wood were in her way,
Wally Stead started to clear thema.
Bert frowned. 'You won't scare me with a lot of daft tricks. Mr. Magister has the real power.'
'In comparison he is worth nothing,' Miss Hawthorne said scornfully. 'Quiquaequod has twice his
power.'
'Of course I have,' said the Doctor, trying to intimidate Bert with an arrogant wizard-like stare.
'Right then,' said Bert, not in the least dismayed, Clefs see if you can turn aside a bullet !' and
from under his coat of paper scraps he drew his gun.
'Ooops !' thought Sergeant Benton, 'I'd forgotten that,' and he took careful aim at Bert's hand,
only to find his view completely blocked by Miss Hawthorne, as she instinctively stepped back.
The Doctor was apparently quite unconcerned. 'I'll give you one more chance, you foolish man. Look
behind you:'
'I'm not an idiot,' said Bert, 'that's the oldest trick in the book; you can't fool me.' But his
hand was shaking.
The Doctor raised his voice. 'You see that car, everybody? The little yellow car.'
All heads swung round; all, that is, save Bert's.
'Let my familiar spirit bring that car to me,' went on the Doctor in a loud and confident tone.





Miss Hawthorne looked at the Doctor, appalled. Was the man mad ? She tried to attract his attention
with a hiss and
a surreptitious shake of the head.'Honk honk !'
Miss Hawthorne turned back as a gasp of amazement came from the watching crowd. Giving another
cheerful honk on her horn, Bessie started trundling across the gnma, her headlights flashing.
Bert said unsurely, still refusing to look, 'You won't frighten me. Do you think I'm as stupid as
this lot?'
All attempts at concealment abandoned, Sergeant Benton steppe~i out of the door of 'The Cloven
Hoof', his mouth dropping open as he watched the little old car going to the rescue of her beloved
Doctor. As she approached, faster and faster, the crowd scattered, leaving Bert standing right in her
path.
'Honk, honk !'
Bert spun round with a yell of fear and fired at her. By this time, however, she was right on top of
him. Before he could dodge, he was knocked flat, the gun flying from his grasp. As Bessie stopped, with
Bert lying between her front wheels shaking with fear, a sigh of wonder escaped from the crowd. Miss
Hawthorne ran tO the Doctor and started to untie his bonds.
'You really are a magician !' she said quietly, breathless with admiration. The Doctor shook his
head.
'Sorry to disappoint you, madam, but I'm not.' Sergeant Benton came running up. 'How on earth did you do
it, Doctor?' he said, making sure that no one could hear him.
'Elemental, my dear Benton,' smiled the Doctor wickedly.
Before the Sergeant could react to the Doctor's excruciating joke, a commotion amongst the people
caught his attention. Bert Walker had pulled himself free of the car and was making a dash for it.
'Oh no you don't, mate,' said Benton and with a low tackle which would have done credit to any Rugby
international, he brought the fleeing man to the ground. Pull-

I36


out his gun, he aimed it at the now terrified Bert 'You're not going anywhere, chum,' he said. 'We've
all
date with the Master. Haven't we?'

was when the chicken was produced and stretched out
the Master's knife, that Stan Wilkins finally decided
  he wanted no more part of this 'magic'. Chanting a nonsense words was one thing, blood sacrifice
was quite
All very well twisting a bird's neck for the pot, but was just plain nasty. He was trying to
gather his fast
stock of courage and call a halt to the pro-
  when the girl made her spectacular intervention.
 And then Azal appeared once more. In spite of his ~arlier experience, Stan was at least as
frightened as the
members of the coven. Cowering on the floor by the
of the elated Master, he could hardly bring himself to 10ok up into the great lowering visage of the
Daemon.
'Azal! Once again I bid thee welcome !' The Master's voice rang through the Cavern. Stan could see
the girl--Miss Grant, Mr. Magister had called her--shrinking back against the Stone of Sacrifice, her
face twisted in a soundless scream.
'On your feet, you worms,' said the Master contemptuously.
Slowly, one by one, the coven stood up.
~rhat's better,' said the Master. 'And now, Miss Grant, what are we to do with you? Have you any
suggestions?'
Jo tore her gaze away from the awesome figure looming over them and looked at the Master. His face,
as evil in its way as the face of the unearthly creature he had conjured up, wore a sardonic smile.
Nobody moved. Then, in a moment, Jo made a frantic bid to get away and two coven members went to
seize her, only to be bowled over by the eruption of Mike Yates from his hiding place. So taken by
surprise were the Master and all his followers that Mike might very well have made good his escape,
pulling the almost fainting Jo Grant after him.

I37





 o
 , .
 .. .

.


 The Master, however, snapped his fingers and point~
at the gargoyle figure of stone.'Bok ! Stop them !'
Mike whirled and pulled out his gun, firing round aft, round at the imp as it leapt from its
pedestal. Round aft, round hit it fair and square and bounced off its scaly stol
body, to ricochet dangerously around the Cavern. Bok snarled and raised a twisted claw. 'Not yet !'
cried the Master.
Once again Mike fired. A ball of fire streaked from I3ot pointing finger to strike the automatic
like a bolt lightning. As the gun jumped from his fingers, he quick raised his hands in token of
surrender.
Azal looked down, dispassionately watching the ear creatures at their puny quarrels. The outcome was
of liu or no concern to him.
'You are very wise, Captain Yates,' said the Master. ! raised the ritual knife which he still held
in his left hm and pointed it at Jo.
'Take the girl and robe her in the ceremonial tabard/] ordered those nearest to her. 'She will make
a very w~ come addition to the Sabbat.' He laid the knife on t Stone of Sacrifice.
~To ! No !' screamed Jo as they started to drag her aw~ With a cry of fury, Mike Yates tore himself
free from I own captors and leapt to her rescue. But he had: chance: struck sharply with the butt of his
own gun art ment later, he lay senseless on the cold stone floor, unal even to hear Jo's cries of
distress as she was hauled up t steps and out through the door.
Stan was shaking; a cold white rage filled his body the thought of the pretty young girl stretched
on the Ste of Sacrifice, as the chicken had been, at the mercy of t Master's knife. And yet, what could
he do? To get hires killed was no way to help her.
 'Two of you. Take this out of here.' The Master's fi disdainfully indicated Mike's unconscious
body. 'Make c rain he is secure. He may be useful later, as a hostage, t

I38


turn as soon as you can. When they bring the gift back we shall resume the ritual.
Stan started forward before anybody else could offer blm~lf and with the help of Arthur Sidgwick,
the retired sailor who mended the village shoes, he lugged Mike up the steps into the vestry. Finding a
length of tasselled cord (remnant of some long forgotten curtains) Start and Arthur tied the senseless
Captain by the hands and feet. Neatly, efficiently, all ship-shape and Bristol fashion, Petty Officer
Sidgwick R.N. (Ret.) made quite sure that when Mike Yates cnme to his senses, he would find hlm~lf quite
helpless. One advantage of a sailor's knot, however, is that they can be easily untied when necessary.
After Arthur had turned away with a grunt of satisfaction at a good job well done, it was the work of a
moment for Start to pull loose his seamanlike bowlines and reef-knots.
Arthur turned back. 'What are you up to?' he demanded. 'Just checking,' said Stan. Arthur grunted again
and disappeared through the door. Stan leant close to Mike's ear.
'Wake up,' he hissed urgently. 'You've got to get help!' But Mike didn't stir a muscle. Stan shook his
head despairingly. He'd have to go back or the Master would miss him. He turned and miserably went back
to the candle-lit Cavern...






In spite of the shaking of the ground, Benton kept Bert covered. As slippery as an eel, the fellow
looked.
Most of the villagers fell over. Miss Hawthorne sat down with an ungraceful thump.
'Another earthquake !' she gasped. 'That can mean only one thing; the third appearance l'
'In the Cavern ?' asked Benton as the movement of the ground died away.
'Where else?' said the Doctor, grimly.
'Right then. Better get over there, hadn't we, Doe?' 'No, no, no. We must wait. And don't call me, Doe
!'



'Sorry, Doc, I mean, Doctor. Wait ? What for ?'
'The right moment.'
BenWn groaned. Another of them !
'You see,' cried Bert to the crowd of villagers who were anxiously waiting for someone to tell them
what to do. 'You see! I told you. This dmp's frightened !'
'Of course I am,' returned the Doctor, 'and so should you be . . . and your friend Mr. Magister.
We're facing the greatest danger the world has ever known !' He turned to the people standing around
him, and raised his voice. Tm going to tell you the truth...'
  'No, Doctor,' gasped Miss Hawthorne, 'you'll lose all
the advantage we've gained.''I've got to risk it.'
Thorpe came over, straightening his tie. 'What truth? What are you talking about ?'
The Doctor looked this way and that at the p-~led faces. Tm not a magician or a wizard or anything
of the sort,' he said.
Bert was being firmly held captive by Wally Stead and the equally large Fred Treglowne, the
Cornishman who lived down by the bridge, growing potatoes and minding his own business. Now bewildered,
Fred loosened his grasp. Bert seized the opportunity to pull himself free. 'You see ! I Wld you !' he
cried to the Doctor's thoroughly confused listeners.
'And neither is the Master,' went on the Doctor. 'You tricked us !' said Bert.
'Yes I did. But only to save you from him.' 'To save your own life, you mean.' 'Of course, that too.'
Bert swung round triumphantly. 'There you are, do you hear him ? He admits it !'
But Bert wasn't to have it all his own way. Thorpe ran his fingers nervously through his thinning
grey hair. 'Just
pipe down a couple of minutes, will you, Bert ?''But you heard him...' protested Bert.
'Just shut up. We want to hear what he's got to say.'



 Seeing that the others largely agreed with Thorpe, Bert reluctantly subsided.
Miss Hawthorne was perhaps the most confused person present. Knowing the trickery involved in the
Doctor's display of magic, she nevertheless was quite nonplussed by the behaviour of Bessie. Surely this
strange man must have ipower. He certainly looked like a magician ! She could conitain herself no
longer. 'But what about your car? How did iyoumake it move by itself?'
'Science, not sorcery, Miss Hawthorne. Look !'
The Doctor took out his little black box and twiddled the knob. 'Honk honk !' said Bessie, coyly
blinking her headlights.
! 'Well, I'll be... blowed,' said Sergeant Benton hastily editing his exdamation in deference to the
presence of Miss Hawthorne.
'And your Mr. Magister uses no more magic than that.' Bert's expression betrayed his for--his fear of
losing his most cherished belief. 'You're talking rubbish,' he said, without much conviction. 'Mr.
Magister's a magician, I tell you. The things I've seen him do... impossible things ! He must be a
magician.'
'You're wrong,' replied the Doctor calmly. 'A1/his feats are based on science--ours or the science
of the Daemons.'
'Tell me this then, if you're so clever. How could he call
him up in the first place except by sorcery?'
'How indeed,' thought Miss Hawthorne finding herseif a temporary ally of the abominable Bert Walker.
'He uses violent emotions--greed; hatred; fear; the emotions of a group of ordinary human beings,
whipped up to an extraordinarily high level. They generate a tremendous charge of psycho-kinetic energy,
which the Master channels for his own purposes.'
Miss Hawthorne pushed a straying lock of hair from her eyes. 'But that/s magic,' she said, 'that's
precisely what black i' magic ~ !'
 'No, Miss Hawthorne. It's science. The secret science of the Daemons !' 'Are you trying to tell me
that the rituals, the invoca-

i4I

..'






tions--indeed the Sabbat itself--are just so much windowdressing?' She was trembling all over with
frustration and indignation.
The Doctor put a calming hand on her arm. 'No, no. They're essential--to generate and control the
psionie forces---and thereby control the D~emon himself.'
Miss Hawthorne digested this. For the life of her, she couldn't see where the difference lay...
As far as Sergeant Benton was concerned' all this chat was just a waste of time. Surely there was
something they could do instead of just standing around nattering...
  'Doctor,' he said, 'Captain Yates said to tell you. He went
off to find Miss Grant. Thought she'd gone to the Cavern.' 'Jo ? But I thought she was in the pub.' 'She
climbed out of the window.'
'I see.' The Doctor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. 'Well,' he said, 'the Captain is pretty efficient.
He should be capable of looking after the pair of them.'
Benton was shocked. 'But shouldn't we get over there, Doctor?' he said. 'Get into the Cavern, I
mean, and sort out this D~emon thing?'
'And how do you propose to do that, Sergeant Benton? 'Well... er...' 'Exactly. We must wait.' 'What
for?'
'The energy-exchangermthis machine the Brigadier's building for me. With that, I shall be able to
drain off our visitor's energy. Then perhaps we can sort hira out !'

'That's it, sir! We're ready to have a go . . .' Sergeant Osgood shakily took off his spectacles and
wiped them with a grimy handkerchief.
'And about time, Sergeant,' said the Brigadier. 'Right, into your vehicles everybody.'
As the UNIT troops piled into their Land Rovers, the Brigadier strode over to Osgood. 'Well,' he
said, 'what are you waiting for?'



'I suppose I'm a bit nervous. I mean.., what if it doesn't:~
work?':
'Only one way to find out.'  ?!
'Yes, sir.'
Osgood dosed the power switch. The odd-lookingi:
machine started to hum. In sequence, Osgood dosed three  !
more smaller switches, carefully monitoring the results on a !:i
bank of dials and adjusting the output,  i
 ::!
'Can't see anything,' grumbled the Brigadier. i
'It's got to build up power, you see, sir. Keep watching.
You should see something any minute.' !,i
And sure enough, he did. A small circle of flame--or so!
it seemed--appeared in the middle of the heat barrier,
about six feet off the ground,i
'Good grief, it's working,' said the Brigadier, who hadi
  :I
very little faith in the wonders of modem technology.
As the note of the machine's hum steadily rose bothiii
in pitch and volume, the flame began to spread; to become ~ ii
  i
a circle; to grow until it touched the ground. At last it
settled into a tunnel of flame about twelve foot high ex- ~i
tending right through the barrier.
The Brigadier stepped forward and held out his cane.
This time it did not burst into flames. He withdrew it and:~
held it close to his face; then cautiously applied a finger.  '7~l
'Hot,' he said, 'but passable, if we go through at speed.'i !~
Running to his own vehicle he jumped in. 'Right,' he ':',iill called out, 'if I get through safely, the
rest of you follow.':
 Giving a nod to his driver, the Brigadier pulled his cap
 down low and hunched down into his seat. The Land
 Rover turned away from the heat barrier in a wide arc, to
 gain speed.
 Osgood anxiously watched the wavering needles on his
 dials. Didn't look too stable. They'd better get a shift on.
 The Brigadier's vehide turned and started its run for the
 tunnel.[
 'Stop! Stop !' shouted Osgood, as the tell-tale needlesi
 sank towards zero. The tunnel of flame collapsed; disap-
 peared; vanished. The Brigadier's driver, foot hard on the .: !
 brake, struggled for control as the vehicle skidded and


.*

.. ..

/


slithered through the mud towards the heat barrier--and certain death for its occupants. At last he
managed to get it under control, and the Land Rover came to a shuddering halt approximately two and a
half feet from the edge of the barrier. The Brigadier unfolded himself. He climbed out of the vehicle
and walked over to the Sergeant.
'What's the matter, Osgood?' he enquired gently. 'Want to get rid of me, do you ? Fancy having a new
Commanding Officer ?'
'I'm sorry, sir,' gasped the poor Sergeant. 'It was the power, you see. The reaction was using it
faster than it could build up.'
'I see. Can you do anything about it?'
'I'll try, sir.'
The Brigadier noticed an extra large switch on the back of the machine which Osgood so far hadn't
used. 'What's that for?' he asked.
'It's a booster switch,' answered Osgood. 'A power booster?' 'Yes, sir.'
'Use that then.'
  'But, sir, the Doctor said we weren't to--or rather, only
in an emergency. He said it was too dangerous.''Mm. I see.'
'Give me a few more minutes. I'm sure I can do something.'
'Very well. But for Pete's sake be sure this time. I don't fancy being roasted alive...'
Sergeant Osgood gulped and turned back to the machine. Now then, it was a matter of balancing the
input and the output. Some sort of homeostatic control; a negative feed back . . . He plunged back into
his circuits desperately working out the figures in his head as his fingers fumbled with the wiring.

Mike Yates had a headache; his arms were twisted uncomfortably behind his back and he didn't know where
he was.

I44


What was that chanting? Was he in church? Then why was he lying on the floor ? With a shock like a blow
to the heart, he remembered. Jo ! They'd got J0 !
He roiled into a better position and started pulling frantically at the rope round his wrists.
Hullo, it was loose In a few moments he had managed to slip his hands free. Struggling into a sitting
position he untied the knots at his ankles.
Now then, back to the Cavern. Hurring to the door, he gently opened it a few inches, hoping that the
noise of chanting would drown its creaking. He peeped through.
Yes, there she was: a pathetic little figure in a long white robe. But she was still safe, thank
Heaven. Then he realised with a pang of horror that he had no chance of getting to her. Not only was she
standing right by the Master at the Stone of Sacrifice, surrounded by the coven, but Bok was crouching
not ten feet away from the door, eyes darting to and fro, obviously on guard. It was no good. He must
get help. Closing the door quietly, he ran across the vestry and out of the door. Praise be, there was
the Doctor !
'Doctor. Doctor! you must come. They've got Jo 1' 'What?'
 'They've got her in the Cavern, and Heaven knows what they're going to do to her. That creature's
in there; the Master calls him Azal.'
 'Azal !' said Miss Hawthorne in an awestruck voice. 'That's almost the same as Azael---and he was
one of the fallen angels !'
 Sergeant Benton already had his walkie-talkie out and was calling up the Brigadier.
 'Give that to me, Sergeant,' snapped the Doctor. 'Hello, Brigadier? Are you there?'
'That you, Doctor? Over.'
 'They've got ]o. That machine must come through now. NOW, do you understand? At once. There's no
more time.'
'Wilco, Doctor. We're on our way. Out.'
 The Doctor handed the radio back to Benton. 'Right,' he said, 'some of you round to the side of the
church. The


oo

  :.'
:::




 ,i!


rest of you come with me. Nobody's to do anything until I give the word. Understand ?'
The villagers started to spread out, Bert Walker amongst them, hoping to slip away unobserved. But
the giant hand of Wally Stead took hold of his arm. 'We'll stick together, shall we ?' he said quietly.
At this moment however, the vestry door burst open and there, like a wicked toy, stood the little
figure of Bok. The villagers recoiled in terror as the stone imp haft flew, half hopped down the
churchyard path and perched on the stone wall. Everybody's attention was riveted on the gargoyle. It was
Bert's opportunity. Wrenching himself free from Wally, he ran forward towards the master's faithful
servant. Too late he realised the stupidity of his action. Lifting his grotesque twisted claw Bok
pointed it at Bert, who stopped in sudden terror.
'No, no,' he shrieked. 'Friend! I'm a friend !'
But Bok was unmoved. A flash of fire came from outstretched claw; a puff of smoke and Bert vaporised
by the monster's evil power.

I2
Into the Cavern

'For Heaven's sake, Sergeant Osgood, let's get going!'
The energy exchanger was crackling and
from it and a thin stream of smok4
innards.
,,'o

  the machln,
'Wilco, Doctor. Out.t ~e




rest of you come with me. Nobody's to do anything give the word. Understand?'
The villagers started to spread out, Bert Walker a them, hoping to slip away unobserved. But the gia
of Wally Stead took hold of his arm. 'We'll stick t shall we?' he said quietly.
At this moment however, the vestry door burst o: there, like a wicked toy, stood the little figure
of B villagers recoiled in terror as the stone imp haft fl, hopped down the churchyard path and perched
stone wall. Everybody's attention was riveted on 1 goyle. It was Bert's opportunity. Wrenching him~ from
Wally, he ran forward towards the master's servant. Too late he realised the stupidity of his Lifting
his grotesque twisted claw Bok pointed it who stopped in sudden terror.
'No, no,' he shrieked. 'Friend I I'm a friend !' But Bok was unmoved. A flash of fire came f
outstretched claw; a puff of smoke and Bert disa] vaporised by the monster's evil power.

I2
Into the Cavern

'For Heaven's sake, Sergeant Osgood, let's get g
The energy exchanger was crackling and ht sparks flew from it and a thin stream of smoke rose
innards.
'We're up to the maximum, sir, and it's still said Sergeant Osgood.
The Brigadier looked at the heat barrier, where nel of flame was wavering on the point of colla]
vainly tried to stabilise itself.
'You'll have to use the booster,' said the Briga, 'If we do, sir, she'll blow us all sky high.' 'We're
going through, Osgood. Booster on.' q3ut, sir... !'


'Daxamit, man, get out of the way... !' The Brigadier stepped forward and slammed home the large
booster switch. At once the noise of the machine grew louder, the crackling and the sparks even more
alarming. Osgood peered through the smoke at the dials, not daring to believe what they were telling
him.
'Look, it's working? said the Brigadier with all the satisfaction of the man who has completed a
long a difficult task.
'Yes, but sir... !' protested Osgood.
'Proof of the pudding, Sergeant,' said the Brigadier ibrisldy and strode to his Land Rover.
The tunnel of fire now stood rock steady, making an obviously safe passage through the heat barrier.
And so it proved. The Brigadier's Land Rover roared through at some forty miles an hour, showing no more
signs of damage than a slight smell of scorched rubber. He was quickly followed by the rest of the
vehicles--all but Osgood's.
'Come on, man,' shouted Lethbridge Stewart.
'Yes, sir, just coming. Disconnecting the power cables, sir. Shan't be a jiff.'
The Brigadier's walkie-talkie crackled. 'Hello, Brigadier,' said the Doctor's voice. 'What's going
on?'
'We're through, Doctor. I say again, we're through.
Ooer.'
'And the machine?'
'Not yet. Over.'
'Lethbridge Stewart, I can't trust you to do the simplest
job! The machine should have come through first. I need it desperately.'
'Not to worry, Doctor,' said the Brigadier impassively, 'it's on its way. Over.'
There followed a strange noise as of distant shouting and cheering. The Doctor came through again,
very excited.
'The exchanger's working! It's bleeding off the energy. This gargoyle creature is staggering about
as if somesomebody's put some knock-out drops in its hell-juice. Bring the machine through, Brigadier!'
'Wilco, Doctor. Out.' The Brigadier raised his voice: 'Get







a move on, Sergeant !'
'Right, sir,' said Osgood as he climbed into the back of the Land Rover where the spluttering
machine was smoking furiously. Its hum had risen to an ominous shriek and it was visibly shaking. In a
moment, it was through the tunnel and pulling up safely clear of the heat barrier. The noise was by now
quite deafening and Osgood could hardly see 'the machine, let alone the dials, for the thick wreath of
smoke enveloping it. Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart beamed with delight. Things were going right at last.
He spoke into the walkie-talkie.
'You can stop worrying, Doctor. It's through. Over.'
'And about time,' the Doctor's voice answered, irascibly. 'Get it over here fast.'
The Brrgadier's triumph had a very short life. A shout from Sergeant Osgood killed it.
'Sir ! Sir ! It's running away !' He could hardly make him. serf heard above the indescribable noise
coming from the machine.
'Switch it off, man.'
'I can't, sir; I can't stop it !'
'Right, out of it, Osgood. Get down, the lot of you.' Osgood and his driver jumped from the truck and
sprinted to cover. All the rest of the UNIT troops hit the deck. Battle veterans to a man, they knew an
explosion was coming just as well as the Brigadier did. And come it did. With an ear-splitting roar the
Doctor's precious energy excharger blew up, shattering into a thousand pieces any hope of using it
against the Da:mon.
'The tunnel's gone, sir,' said Osgood, mournfully, in the ensuing silence.
'Brigadier! Are you all right?' It was the Doctor's voice again 'What was that noise?'
 'The machine. It's gone west. Blown itsel[ up. Still, at last we're the other side o[ the barrier.
Be with you right away. Out.'

I48


'And a fat lot of good that'll do,' said the Doctor as he handed the walkie-talkie back to Benton.
On the churchyard wall Bok, who had come to the point of collapse while the energy exchanger was
working, now was slowly recovering.
The Doctor eyed him and said, 'I'm going in, before that creature recovers.'
'But you can't go in now,' protested Miss Hawthorne, 'not without some sort of protection. Why, you
said yourself it would be suicide.'
'Keep the rest back,' said the Doctor to Mike Yates, as if Miss Hawthorne had said nothing.
'But, Doctor, don't you think...' began Yates. But the Doctor had gone, sprinting past the still
bemused Bok to* wards the church. As he reached the vestry door, the stone imp whirled and pointed. The
ball of flame flew through the air to end as a spectacular Guy Fawkes explosion against the door as it
closed behind the Doctor.
Miss Hawthorne gazed after him. Her eyes filled with tears. 'Good-bye, Doctor...' she murmured.

When Jo Grant was brought back into the Cavern by the two men who had dragged her screaming away, Stan
Wilkins knew at once that the young man addressed as 'Captain Yates' by the Master had not yet managed
to make his escape. If he had, it could not fail to have been noticed by the guardians of the girl. They
would have raised an immediate alarm. He must be still unconscious. Or perhaps those knots weren't loose
enough... Stan's attention was caught by the sight of the poor girl's stricken face, eyes big with fear,
her cheeks as white as the ceremonial robe she was wearing over her own clothes. No longer struggling,
she dumbly allowed herself to be led forward and be presented to the Master, who stood waiting for her
by the Stone of Sacrifice.
'Why, Miss Grant,' he said, giving a courteous bow. 'How very good of you to join our little
ceremony.'

I49



jo looked at him with as much defiance as sh muster. 'The Doctor will come. You'll see,' she said
'I hope he will. I shall be able to... ah... kill t~ with one stone.'
Jo shuddered.
'Not a very happy metaphor, I agree. But appr you must admit.'
'Why don't you just get on with it?'
'What a very good suggestion. Thank you, my de Master turned back to the Stone of Sacrifice, look4
the cruel unfeeling face of Azal and spoke in monial tones of invocation. 'As my will, so mote it
'As thy will, so mote it be,' echoed the cov tinuing, 'Io Evohe... Io Evohe...'
  'Psst...' hissed Stan to his next door neighbor
circle. It happened to Mr. Ashby, who kept the st 'What is it?' he answered, out of the corner of hi,
  'He's not really going to... to sacrifice her, is h
asked under cover of the general chanting. 'Looks like it.' 'But why?'
'To get power, of course; power to control.., t Mr. Ashby nodded towards the Daemon.
'We've got to stop it,' said Stan, his fear lending to his voice.
'Yes? You feel like trying?'
~ut~'
'Shut up, boy, or you'll have the both of us same way.' Mr. Ashby resumed chanting along others and
wouldn't even let Stan catch his eye.
While the rest of the coven had been keepin monotonous repetition of 'Io Evohe' the Maste: cited a
Litany of Hate and of Power directe Daemon.

:.. Prince o[ Evil; Prince o[ Fire;
Keeper o[ the Keys o! Hell; Bearer o! the So
Hearken to my voice;
Hearken to my will?



Turning to his chanting acolytes, he raised a hand. They
fell silent.
'To do my will shall be the whole of the Law,' he intoned.
'To do thy will shall be the whole of the Law,' they repeated. 'Io Evohe ! Io Evohe !'
'Bring the girl,' ordered the Master, POinting to the Stone
of Sacrifice. The two who were holding her by the arms started to lead her forward.
  :i
'No, no, no! You can't mean it. Please! Please!' Her :
terror reduced her voice almost to a whisper. Again the :
Master lifted a restraining hand. Jo's captors stopped.
'You beg so prettily, my dear. But you see, I am so near
to attaining one of my greatest ambitions: power to con-
trol, to rule, an entire planet--this planet, Earth. Nothing
and nobody can be allowed to stand in my way.'
'You're mad.., insane,' she breathed.
'I suppose I am, from your point of view,' ~xid the
  !
Master. 'You can hardly be expected to view the matter
objectively. But I do want you to understand that it would
  i
give me no pleasure to kill you.'
A gleam of hope came into Jo's eyes. 'You mean... ?'!
  'Oh, don't mistake me,' said the Master hastily, 'if it is
necessary to sacrifice you, then sacrificed you shall be. How- ~ ever...'
He turned and looked up into the leathery face of the
Deemon, time-weathered by the centuries. ~,
'Azal !' he called. 'The moment for the decision draws
near. Once more, I demand the power that...' i
Azal's great rumbling tones filled the Cavern. 'You de-
mand i,  i
 i!~
'And why not ? Who in the whole galaxy i q not my in
ferior ? There is not one creature !'::~
'Notevenone ~' It was like being in the middle ofi:
 .*. e,   !

a thundercloud, thought the terrified Stan.  i
The Master obviously decided that he had gone quite
far enough for the moment. He bowed to Azal. 'None save
the last of the Daemons,' he said.
Azars wrath was appeased. The Master turned to Jo.

151 '



'You see ?' he said regretfully.
Jo could hardly grasp his meaning.
'I'm sorry, my dear. I really am,' said the Master, you will at least have the satisfaction of
knowing that will be sacrificed in a worthy cause.'
'He means it. He really means it,' thought Stan perately, looking at Jo, whose struggles were
becomin feeble that her captors were almost having to hold up.
The Master looked up once more at the Daemon. mighty Azal, accept thou this offering as token of
fealty...' He picked up the ceremonial knife and tou its razor edge with a delicate thumb as though
testir sharpness. Nodding to Jo's two supporters to bring h the Stone, he raised the knife high in the
air.
'This is it,' thought Start, 'it's the last chance to
her . . ?
'In the name of Athame...'
Stall took a deep breath.
'Hold l' The gargantuan voice of the Daemon rang more through the Cavern. The Master, plainly
clisce~ ed by this unrehearsed turn of events, lowered the and looked up at Azal, hardly bothering to
hide his gant impatience.
'Well?' he said, sourly.
  'You tell me that you are strong enough to bea
Daemon's burden of knowledge and power; that you.. 'I tell you...'
'BE SILENT ! You tell me that you are superior to kind in all respects; that you should lead them,
rule be Master of their world. All this you would have lieve. Is that not so?'
'It is so, oh mighty one,' said the Master, a pu~l pression on his deceptively noble face.
'Then tell me also, oh Master of the Earth, how is one of these Earthlings you despise so much has m
much of a fool of you.'
The Master was even more puzzled. 'I... I'm al don't understands' he said, his arrogance visibly
cru~



'Indeed?' rumbled Azal. 'Then I shall explain. Your prisoner has escaped to his friends...'
Had Stan not already been quaking with fright, the Master's face would have set his knees knocking.
'Go,' snarled the Master to Ashby, who happened to be nearest the door. Ashby rushed away. The door
creaked open and slammed behind him. Then there was silence, broken only by Jo's attempts to control her
sobs of fear. None of the coven dared to move. The Master was so still that he might have been carved
from the same block of stone as his servant Bok.
In a few moments the door flew open. 'It's true, Magister,' Ashby gasped, 'he's gone. And, Magister,
they're coming. All of them. They're coming across the green... !'
The Master snapped his fingers. Bok jumped up with glee, hobbled over to the steps and scuttled
through the door, casually brushing aside the quivering Ashby.
It was plain that the Master was now very angry indeed.
The black determination on his face was terrible to see as once more he started the ritual of sacrifice,
while the colossus at the end of the Cavern gazed with pitiless eyes.
Once again the dreadful ceremony approached its climax. ~i~ Once again the Master, holding the knife in
his left hand,'~[ raised it on high.
'In the name of Athame, I dedicate this offering to thee,
Azal, in exaltation of thy mighty power !'!!~[
This time Stan had no time to think, no time to be!
afraid. Stepping forward as quickly and as naturally as onei
might reach out to prevent a child from falling, he placed
himself between Jo and the Stone of Sacrifice.:ii
'No, Magister,' he said, with passionate conviction. 'It's
not right.'
The Master's eyes flashed. 'To do my will shall be the
whole of the law.'
'To do thy will shall be the whole of the law.' The coven,
whipped up into a fearful excitement, responded with
total sincerity. Stan was on his own.
'It's not right, I tell you. Listen to me, all of you...' ~:i

I53



 'Out of the way, son, or you're liable to get growled one of Jo's guards.
'Can't you see? It's wrong ! It's evil !'
The Master stepped forward. 'Obey me! You wi me !' he thundered.
Stan still would not budge. Tm not going to let' it...' His small voice echoed ridiculously, mocking
hi defiance.
The Master gave a snarl of rage, raised his righ and smote Stan such a mighty blow that he stagg,
least fifteen feet across the uncertain rock floor be: toppled senseless to the ground.
'Obey me !' said the Master to Jo's captors.
This time nothing stopped them. Her feet dragg was taken to the Stone of Sacrifice, and laid u
stained surface in a state of stupefied shock.
A ghastly hush descended on the Cavern. The closed his eyes and started to mutter the final word:
rite, the secret words, words too terrible to be spoker
Suddenly, the stillness turned into uproar. ,a animal bellow of anguish came from the Da~m, coven
uttered cries of fear as Azal, until now so less, began to stamp his hooves and to sway his migh as if a
pain too great to be borne was draining strength. Even the Master was forced out of the concentration
with which he had been reciting fin of power. Thwarted once again, his fury turned coven. Cursing them
for a craven pack of coward by the sheer force of his will he quietened them. time Azal had begun t6
recover, by the time his grc ceased to deafen and his stamping had ceased to st very earth, the Master
was in control again.
'Nothing shall hinder me !' he raged. 'This girl's 1 way to power. It is mine. Mine to take, mine to
g waiting is over. She shall die ! Now !'
He raised the knife. But this time it was no r gesture, but a movement full of evil purpose. '~
cried. 'This life I give thee. Accept it, and in retur me thy power...'

154



rAz. al!' tl~ Master cried. 'This li~ I giw thee...'




As the knife started to descend, the heavy door to Cavern crashed open. Interrupted yet again, the
Ma~ swung round. There stood the Doctor, the light of day hind his head turning his shock of hair into a
halc silver. He slowly walked down the steps and across to Stone of Sacrifice, the coven falling back in
superstit dread.
With a lightning change of mood, the Master smiled. laid down the knife and spoke quietly and
courteously
 'I've been expecting you, Doctor,' he said. 'Yo saved me so much trouble by coming here. I really
am J grateful.'
 The Doctor ignored him. 'Hello,' he said to Jo, who still stretched out on the Stone of Sacrifice.
'I can'~ you how glad I am to see you.'
 'Oh, Doctor, Doctor,' she replied, finding no wor{ express her feelings: her relief merely to see
him; her for his safety; her certainty that this time their old et really had the whip hand.
 The Master looked from one to the other. 'How t4 ing,' he said.
 The Master's sarcasm was wasted on the Doctor. H. assured himself of Jo's safety, hewas now utterly
abst
~in contemplation of the Daemon. That such acre could exist in all his savage beauty was wonder en but
here, it would seem, staring back at him wit gleaming red eyes, was the living symbol of al mysteries of
evil, the Devil himself.
 The Master tried again. 'You realise that yor doomed man, Doctor,' he said conversationally.
 The Doctor forced himself to tear his gaze away Azal.
 'Oh, I'm a dead man. I was dead as soon as I through that door,' he replied, and it was plain tl
meant it. 'So you'd better take care,' he went on, 'y I have nothing to lose, have I ?'
 This thought obviously did not please the Master A man with nothing to lose had nothing to fear.
could not make a man afraid, how could you contrc



'Enough,' the Master snapped. Then he tumed to Azal.
'Destroy him, oh great Daemon,' he said.
But Azal did not move. There was a moment of silence as
he stared at the Doctor.
'Who is this ?' he boomed.  :
'My enemy and yours, Azal. Destroy him !'
Azal still did not comply. 'This is the one of whom we
spoke. He too is not of this planet.'
'He is a meddler and a fool.'[
'He is not a fool--yet he has done a foolish thing in com-
ing here. Tell me, oh Doctor, why did you come?'
f The Doctor stared into the callous uncaring eyes. How 5
could he hope to get through to such a being?3
'Why did I come ? Why, I came to talk to you.'  3
'Talk then.'1
'First, let her go,' said the Doctor, pointing to Jo.7
Azal raised his hand.5
'No !' cried the Master, 'I forbid it !'6
There was a crackle of fire and Jo's guards fell back with  3
cries of pain. Jo scrambled from the Stone of Sacrifice and 4
ran to the Doctor's side.5
'Are you all right?' he asked her.  5
'I think so,' she replied, though her hands were shaking.~8
like the hands of an old woman. 'Yes, yes, of course I'm all18
right.' !~:
The Doctor looked back to Azal. 'Thank you,' he said.
'You wish to talk.'
'Yes. I came to warn you.'
'Warn me?'
'I came to tell you to leave this planet, while you still
can,' said the Doctor firmly.
It almost seemed that Azal was amused; as mused as a
man warned to leave his own home by a kitchen mouse. A
deep rumbling noise came from the Da~mon's chest which
could have been a gigantic chuckle. 'You are bold,' he said
at last. 'What could happen to me ? There ls no creature
in this Galaxy--nay, in the Universe--that is feared by the
Daemons. Am I to fear you?'
'It may be wise,' answered the Doctor. 'You see, I have a :i.

157




machine outside that can annihilate you.'
Azal threw his head back as if he was sniffing th like a hound seeking a scent. After a moment, he
aga garded the Doctor. 'You lie,' he said, with no apparen
celen.
  'You've already felt its power, I know.' The Doct
of confidence was becoming a little forced.'I have. But the machine is destroyed.'
Jo glanced at the Doctor in sudden trepidation. were true, they were lost.
'One of them, yes,' replied the Doctor, after a fra pause. 'The other is outside the church at this
mot have only to give the signal...'
Again the furious movement of the D~emon's heat lie,' he said again. 'There was but one machine.
longer exists.'
'Oh, Doctor,' breathed Jo.
The D~emon's eyes seemed to look into the dept~ Doctor's mind. 'You have a regard for the tru
boomed. 'Why do you lie ?'
The Doctor shrugged. 'To try to make you listen
'Why should I ? I have listened and you have lie(' Why should I listen further? I see no consequ

The Master seized his opportunity. 'Then kill hi: him now !'
Azal gave him an indifferent glance.
'Very well,' he said and lifting his great hand he straight at the Doctor.

13
The Sacrifice

The little caravan of army vehicles came swingil the corner of the road leading to the village. Devil's
End, completely disregarding the speed If

I58


Brigadier's Land Rover skidded to a stop opposite the knot of people near the churchyard. The Brigadier
jumped out and strode across the green to meet Yates and Benton, who were hurrying to meet him.
'Where's the Doctor?' he said briskly, giving the impression that now he had arrived, their troubles
were over.
'Gone into the Cavern. Through the vestry,' said Mike Yates.
'Then why are we hanging about as if we were a bunch of schoolgirls at a picnic?' the Brigadier
said. 'We'd better get after him.' He turned to give an order to his waiting troops.
'Hang on, sir,' said Yates. 'I shouldn't be too hasty if I were you. Look,' and he pointed to the
stone image of Bok immobile by the churchyard gate.
'What, that statue? Horrible looking thing. Never seen anything like that in a churchyard before.
Usually get
angels. What about it ?''Watch.'
Mike Yates picked up a large stone and lobbed it into the air in the general direction of the
gargoyle. At once it whirled and pointed. The flying stone vanished in a stab of flame.
'Mm. I take your point,' said Lethbridge Stewart, visibly impressed.
'There's been one fatality already. The landlord of the pub. Vaporised, I should think. There was
nothing left of him but a puff of smoke.'
The Brigadier looked at the stone imp once more sitting on the wall, its head malevolently swinging
from side to side.
'Never mind,' said the Brigadier. 'We'll soon fix him. Corporal !'
Corporal Nevin, the crack shot of UNIT, twice runner up at Bisley, came over to his Commanding
Officer at the double. 'Sir?' he said.
'That fellow over there,' said the Brigadier. 'The chap with wings. Five rounds rapid.'
Nevin unslung his rifle and took careful aim. The rifle

I59



5
3
3
1
7
5
5
3

5
5



cracked five times in quick succession. Five times thl lets found their target and bounced off the hard
stone a ricochet whine. Bok was obviously quite unha: Snarling, he stared round as if he were trying to
tra( source of these pin-prick irritations.
'I could have saved you the trouble, Mr. Yates.' ] Miss Hawthorne, who had joined then unnoticed.
'Iq a magical &fence. Only a magical attack could su(
The Brigadier looked at her incredulously. '! madam ?' he said. 'What the deuce are you talking al
'Oh, this is Miss Hawthorne,' intervened Mike hurriedly, 'you remember, I mentioned her when I fi
ported on the situation. Miss Hawthorne has.., e Mike's mind boggled at the thought of attempting plain
Miss Hawthorne's part in the whole affair... Hawthorne has been a great help to the Doctor,' he f~
lamely.
  'I see,' grunted the Brigadier. 'Well, Miss Hawl
my name is Lethbridge Stewart. I'm in command he Miss Hawthorne's eyebrows rose a little.
'... and I think I'm quite capable of coping wifi seems to me to be a relatively simple military
matte~ then, Benton !'
The Sergeant sprang to attention, appearing raft congruous in his sports jacket and flannel
trousers, rl he said.
'Machine guns, that's the answer,' went on the Bri 'Armour piercing shells. The thing appears to be
n stone. Very well then we'll break it up. Right?'
'Right, sir,' and Benton hurried away to get the up.
'But don't you see...' began Miss Hawthorne. 'Please, madam,' said the Brigadier, impatiently. 'But you
haven't a hope of breaking him u ordinary bullets. Now, if you were to try silver ones, a mould made by
a seventh son, at midnight--dur full moon, of course...'
The Brigadier snorted and turned a rich shade c red. 'Now, look here...' he began. Mike hastily cl~



throat and the Brigadier remembered the courtesy due to a
lady.
'Forgive me, Miss Hawthorne. At any other time I
should be glad to listen to your fantasies. At the moment
I'm too busy. Captain Yates, you'd better fill me in on the
situation,' and the two officers walked away, talking hard.
Miss Hawthorne, bridling, pursed her lips. The wretched
man obviously had a totally closed mind. Fantasies indeed ?
She'd show him. Yes, but would she ? It was all very well
being angry with the Brigadier. He was a soldier after all, 1
so naturally he looked at the situation with the eye of a 3
soldier. Whereas she, Olive Hawthorne, made claim to some 5
little knowledge of the secret arts . . . 'Come along, my 3
girl,' she said to herself, 'face the facts. You're plumb 3
scared, aren't you? Not without justification. I'll admit...' 1
and she shuddered as she remembered the face of the 7
Daemon. 'All the same, if the Doctor was right and this is 5
the end of the world, and you've done nothing to stop it, 6
you'll never be able to look yourself in the eye again...' 3
She laughed in spite of herself and set off with a deter- 4
mined air towards her cottage. 15
'Open fire !'
c
As soon as two machine guns were in positiofi, Mike Yates gave the order. As the shells slammed into
the body of the gargoyle, he staggered under the weight of the blows,18 recovered and began to move
forward like a Polar explorer breasting a blizzard. Supporting himself against the! left-hand gate-
post, he raised his hand. A flash of unearthly brightness and one of the machine guns disappeared,
together with both its crew.
'Cease fire,' yelled the Brigadier above the chatter of the:~. remaining gun. He looked with
horror at the wisp of smoke, which was all that was left of two of his men, not to mention the weapon.
Ordering an immediate withdrawal to a safe distance, so far as that could be judged, he held a quick
council-of-war with Mike Yates and Sergeant Benton.
'Might as well use a peashooter on four-inch armour,'
said Mike, gloomily.


!
t

.

2 f . t

t

.


'Get the bazooka set up, Sergeant,' ordered the Bril dier.
'Yessir,' answered Benton.
In double-quick time the bazooka was loaded with high explosive missile. From the partial cover of
one of churchyard's side walls, Benton aimed it at Bok, who ' now patrolling to and fro among the
tombstones.
'Fire in your own time, Sergeant,' said Yates. Ben nodded, waiting for the opportunity for a perfect
shot seemed like long minutes rather than a few seconds, fore he pulled the trigger. The projectile hit
the grote2 stone creature fair and square, blew up and shattered into hundreds of pieces no bigger than
a fist.
'You've done it ! Well do. ne, Sergeant !' cried the Br dier.
Benton's slightly complacent grin turned to a lo0 consternation. All the pieces of stone were rising
from ground, in complete defiance of the Laws of Physics, coming together like an oversized three-
dimensional saw puzzle; and there sat Bok, as good as new, as rea( ever to annihilate anybody incautious
enough to walk his view.
'I told you so !'
The Brigadier turned. Miss Hawthorne had been w; ing the whole fiasco.
'And now perhaps,' she went on infuriatingly, 'you ready to listen to reason. How about letting me
have a

By the time Stan Wilkins had recovered his senses h remembered everything up to the moment of his own
vention. But what had happened after that ? The girl she safe ? With a surge of relief, he saw her
standin~ tall figure with white hair, wearing a cloak. Whoev might be, he seemed to have no fear of
Azal. Ia steadily up at the Da:mon, who had his enormous han stretched with clawed forefinger pointing
menacingt stranger was speaking in a clear firm voice.
'If you kill me now, you will wonder through all el



whether you should have listened to my words...'
For a while nobody moved and nobody spoke. Then the Master burst out. 'Well? Why do you wait?' Again
a long silence. Again the Master spoke. 'You waste time, Azal. I order you to destroy him.'
This was a tactical error. Azal dropped his arm and looked down at the Master with hooded eyes. 'I
command,' he said, 'I do not obey.'
The Master was not one to give up easily. 'But when ! called you.., you came.'
The Da~mon's inscrutable stare did not change. 'I answered your call because the time had come for
my awakening. It was my will that someone should awaken me. It chanced to be you.'
The Master scowled. 'Without me...' he began. 'Without you, I should still sleep as I have slept these
many centuries. But you were the mere instrument of my will. The time had come.'
'The time for the completion of the experiment?' asked the Doctor.
'Or its destruction...' agreed Azal, looking at the Doctor as if he were seeing him properly for the
first time.
The Master leaned across the Stone of Sacrifice towards the Daemon. 'Then fulfil your mission by
granting the ultimate power to me,' he said eagerly. 'Who else can give these humans the strong
leadership they need ?'
'I seem to remember hearing someone else talking like that,' said the Doctor, rubbing his chin.
'Now, who was it . ? Oh yes, of course, that bounder Hitler, Adolf Hitler... Or was it Genghis Khan ?'
  'I have the will,' went on the Master} ignoring the Doc-
tor's interruption, 'you yourself have said it.''I am still not convinced.'
'I'm very pleased to hear it,' said the Doctor. Again Azal looked at the Doctor with interest.
'Why?' he boomed, 'do you wish to see this planet destroyed ? That is the only possible
alternative.'
'I don't agree,' answered the Doctor 'I have yet another choice to suggest.'


1
3
5
3
3
1
7
,5
!6
;3
~4
J5
5
m8


.o


'State it.'
 'Leave humanity alone. Just go. You have done enough harm.'
 'Harm?' said Azal. 'The Daemons gave knowledge to Illan.'
'You certainly did,' said the Doctor, scornfully.
 Azal looked puzzled. 'Without the gifts of the D~emom, man would have remained an animal, living in
caves, scavenging all day for enough food to stay alive in misery. Is this what you would desire ?'
'Without the gifts of the Daemons,' retorted the Doetot,, 'man would have had a chance to develop at
his own pace; a chance to develop the wisdom to control his knowledge. But thanks to you, he can now
blow up the world; and he probably will. He can poison his rivers, his land and the very air he breathes
with the filthy by-products of this '~mowledge. He's started already.., he can--'
'Enough!' The D2emon's voice, like a great organ, reverberated round the Cavern. 'Is man such a
failure then ? Shall I destroy him ?'
Before the Doctor could reply, the Master jumped in. 'No !' he said passionately. 'The right leader
can force him tO learn.'
The Dzemon closed his eyes. His head was thrown back and he was still. Nobody moved. At length, he
gave a great sigh, like the wind off the sea blowing through a forest. 'You are right,' he said. 'I have
decided. I shall pass on my power.'
The Master stood upright, seeming to grow twice the size. 'Mighty Azal, I thank you.'
'But not to you,' continued the Da:mon dispassionately. 'To him...' and he nodded towards the
Doctor.
Jo Grant gasped and looked at the Doctor. He was so taken aback by this unexpected turn of events
that for a
moment he was quite speechless. At last he found his voice. 'No ! No I I don't want it !'
Astonishment at the Doctor's reaction lent uncertainty to Azal's voice. 'You refuse my gift ? I
offer you the world and you refuse it ?'

I64


'Of course I do.'
'But... why?'
  'Don't you understand? I want you to leave. I want v,,,,
 to go away and give man a chance to grow up.''If man is a failure, he must be destroyed.'
 'No, no, no,' said the Doctor, intensely willing the D2emon to understand. 'At last it looks as if
the people of Earth are beginning to see that they have come very near to killing their own planet. But
there can't be a magical solution. They've got to find the answer for themselves.'
 'And you would have me leave, my mission uncompleted ?'
'Yes. Please go. Back to your own world.'
 Azal considered in silence. Then he spoke once more, as coldly and unemotionally as ever.
 'I cannot agree. My instructions are precise. I bequeath my power or I destroy all.'
Jo held her breath and clutched the Doctor's arm. Was this to be the end of the world? Here and now?
'So,' said the Master softly, fearful of provoking Azal's wrath. 'You will give your power to me,
after all.'
 The D~emon looked at him with something like distaste. 'I shall,' he said after a reluctant pause.
'My time is short.'
 The Master struggled to suppress his glee. 'And... what about him ?'
Once more the note of astonishment and incredulity crept back into Azal's voice. 'He is not
rational,' he said, 'he is disruptive. He must be eliminated.' He raised his hand and pointed at the
Doctor. Flashes of fire began to flicker round the fingertips. The Doctor reeled in pain.
Without a second's thought, as inevitably as if her whole life had been leading to this moment, Jo
threw herself in front of the Doctor, shielding him from the attack of the D~cmon.
'No ! He is a good man,' she cried. 'If you must kill somebody, kill me, not him !' She stood there,
eyes dosed, head thrown back, awaiting the bolt of fire which would mean annihilation. But nothing
.happened. She opened her eyes and looked up.

I65




Azal was behaving very strangely. Clutching his hem was swaying back and forth as though in pain.
His cloven hooves rang on the rocky floor as he stamped tc fro. His whole body was starting to glow as
if lighted u internal flames and smoke was drifting from him as fr, smouldering firework about to
explode. His groal anguish were horrendous to the ear.
'This action does not relate,' he was crying. 'There meaning. It does not relate.'
He lifted his head. The great voice was cracke~ strained. 'A D~emon must die alone. Go! Leave me.
you !'
It was very apparent that this was a good idea ground was beginning to shake, a deep rumbling heard
and the rock surrounding the Daemon to tu hot.
Struggling to get through the door they could all h cries of pain becoming shrieks of inhuman agony,
l of the D~emons was dying...

Miss Hawthorne was chattering almost gaily as s] pleted her preparations for coping with Bok. It he] to
put out of her mind a dreadful thought. If she to get past the gargoyle, how was she going to d Azal?
One thing at a time, she thought and conc on the task in hand, the drawing in the roadway ou churchyard
of a magic circle containing a five-poh
'It's the Great Pentagram of Solomon, you geant. It's the greatest magical &fence there is.'
Sergeant Benton had been detailed off to look white witch, wllile the rest of the UNIT troops their
attempts to get into the Cavern, all of failed. An elaborate plan, formulated by the Brig put into
operation by Mike Yates, to keep Bok oc the vestry door while a covert approach was ma Church's main
door was foiled by Bok's taking Swooping and turning, hovering and diving, he

I66


to be in every place at once. After several more soldiers had nearly been vaporised, the Brigadier had
ordered a strategic withdrawal to the green, where he and the rest were now licking the wounds to their
professional pride.
'But surely, we don't want a defence?' said Benton, as Miss Hawthorne drew a strange symbol in each
point of the star. 'It's an attack we're after.'
'I would never be able to raise enough power for a direct attack. Certainly not by myself. No. It's
like judo. We use the enemy's own power against himself.'
'I still don't get it,' said Benton, looking yearningly towards the group of khaki-clad figures on
the green.
'It's quite simple,' she replied, as she placed various objects taken from a paper carrier-bag onto
the pentagram. 'It's an old occult principle. Amagic attack which fails to find its mark recoils on the
attacker.'
'I see,' said Benton, becoming interested in spite of himself. 'So you'll stand in the middle of
that and call the gargoyle thing a few dirty names. He'll attack you, the fire will bounce back off you
and, bingo ! He'll vaporise himself.'
'That's more or less the idea~' she agreed, as she sprinkled salt on the articles in the star--some
iron nails, a garlic flower, some twigs, a strangely shaped root, and a pile of stones.
'But isn't that rather dangerous?' said Benton.
'Of course it is. Now, be quiet, there's a good boy.' Miss Hawthorne produced what Benton could only
suppose was a magic wand. Holding it in her right hand, she traced the outline of the circle and star
with it, muttering under her breath. Benton could only catch a few words.
'... bound and sealed be all demons and powers of adversity . . . to be a fortress against all foes,
visible and invisible.., in the name of Hertha, blessed be...'
She stood up. 'There we are,' she said briskly. 'We've put our shoulders to the wheel and we're
nearly at the top of the hill... Er... I think perhaps, you should get in here with me, Sergeant.'
'Thank you, ma'am, but I'd feel daft standing in that thing.'


I67




'You'll feel very much dafter ff our stone friend s hk you by mistake---or on purpose, for the
matter of
The Sergeant looked vainly around for help. The 1 dier was apparently involved in a vigorous argumem
Captain Yates and Sergeant Osgood.
'Right, Miss Hawthorne. Very thoughtful of yo said, and gingerly stepped into the middle of the
circle.
'Oh, it's not entirely unselfish, Sergeant,' said Miss throne coyly. 'You see, I need your help.'
'My help ? I don't know anything about magic.' 'No, but you play cricket, I'm sure.' 'Well, yes.'
Miss Hawthorne pointed at the heap of stones. 'I think,' she said, 'that a good cricketer could hit
a at . . . let's see . . .' She gauged her distance betwt circle and Bok with a countrywoman's eye.
'Oh.. thirty yards, I'd say.'
Benton grinned. 'I can have a go,' he said, and up one of the stones, hefted it in his hand to get
the 'Ready, ma'am?' he said.
'Ready,' she said, holding the amulet which hunt chest between finger and thumb.
Sergeant Benton threw the first stone. It narrow} the imp, but the noise of its bouncing off a
headsto~ to warn Bok that he was once more being attac turned sharply, a claw half raised, gleaming eyes
this way and that.
Miss Hawthorne could hardly breathe for suffoc citement. This was the real thing! Her forays actual
practice of her craft had been few and mainly concerned with the bringing of good fortm friends. But
this... Now she could find out the her powers for certain. Though of course, should she wouldn't know
anything about it. She smiled the thought.
'Here we go again,' Benton was saying. He hac the smoothest and roundest stone from the pile
practised flick of the wrist, he sent it flying accura



target. It struck Bok a sharp blow on the side of the head. The ugly creature leapt up with an evil
snarl. Spotting Benton and Miss Hawthorne and, at once guessing that they were the source of the attack,
he raised himself some seven feet into the air with a couple of powerful strokes of his bat-like wings
and pointed his claw straight at them.
And then the incredible happened. All at once his eyes turned blank and he seemed to be frozen
solid. Falling heavily to the ground, he cracked into three or four pieces, which lay unmoving, the
fragments of an inanimate stone carving.
'It worked !' said Benton. But Miss Hawthorne knew better.
'He hadn't even attacked,' she said, sounding almost disappointed.
At that moment, however, the vestry door was flung open and a flock of hooded figures came streaming
out. Among them could be seen the scarlet robe of the Master, the distinctive Edwardian clothes of the
Doctor and the white tabard which Jo was wearing.
'Get down !' the Doctor was shouting. 'The whole thing's going up at any second.'
Benton seized Miss Hawthorne and pulled her down to the shaking ground. The windows of the church
were glowing red with heat and there was a roaring like a furnace at full blast.
The Doctor and the others ran past the remnants of the gargoyle and onto the green, where they flung
themselves down with the rest. There was a long moment of suspense. Then the church blew up.

1
3
:5
;3
.3
;1
;7
i5
v6
t3
~4
~5
t5
'~'~8
~8

The Master stood glowering at Sergeant Benton, who was covering him with a gun, while straining his ears
to listen in to the Doctor's conversation with the Brigadier, a little way across the green.
'What happened ?' Lethbridge Stewart was saying.
'Jo saved us all,' said the Doctor, smiling down at her.

169


'I did ?' Jo looked up from pulling off the tabard. 'Yes, my dear. By that ridiculous and foolhardy a
self-sacrifice. You see, Azal couldn't handle a fa illogical and irrational as your being prepared to
gi, your life for me.'
Mike Yates looked a little bewildered. 'So? I mean did that destroy him ?'
'All his power was turned back against himself,' sa Doctor. 'You might say he blew a fuse ['
'There you are, you see. Exactly the same magic pri I was trying to use against that stone
creature,' sai( Hawthorne.
'Not magic, Miss Hawthorne, science.' 'Magic, Doctor.' 'Science.'
'Magic,' she said firmly. 'And I shall never kno' whether my plan would have worked,' she added wi
  'So that would seem to be that,' said the Brigadie]
that heat barrier have cleared itself?''Of course.'
'Good. Get ready to move out, Yates.'
'Sir. Benton ?'
'Yes, sir.' Benton raised his voice. 'Right, you 1 heard the man ! The picnic's over !'
 The UNIT troops pulled themselves reluctantly
feet and sloped off towards the vehicles. 'And get a move on !' barked Benton. Unfortunately, his
attention had wandered fm ment. Seizing his opportunity, the Master, with a twist, flung his scarlet
robe over Benton and made Bessie. Before anybody could stop him, he had ju, and was rolling away across
the green. The Briga Mike pulled out their guns and started firing.
~Xlo! Stop shooting !' cried the Doctor. 'You'll Bessie.'
'You want him to get away, man?' snapped d diet.
q3on't worry, Lethbridge Stewart,' the Doctor called across the green: 'Bessie ! Bring him back!



The little yellow car obediently swung round and, despite all the Master's efforts, brought him
back, straight intG the muzzles of the UNIT guns.
The Brigadier looked at the Doctor. 'You want me to ask you how you did that. Well, I won't.'
The Doctor laughed and so did the Brigadier. 'How on earth did you do it, anyway ?'
The Doctor winked at Jo. 'Well, it wasn't magic,' he said.

Epilogue

Young Stan Wilkins surveyed the busy village green with mixed feelings. Curious how things worked out.
Everybody seemed happy now, and yet, just think, the Squire was dead. Old Josh too, P.C. Groom, the UNIT
soldiers and, of course, poor Tom. Yet again, his uncle's death meant that the garage would now be his
own. He knew enough about ears to make a go of it--and Mare would have somewhere to live! Aye, it was a
funny old world, right enough. Stan took a deep breath of the clean spring air and walked towards the
Maypole.
'Listen,' said Miss Hawthorne. 'The birds are singing. And smell the flowers! The May Day miracle
has happened again. The earth is born anew.'
Sergeant Benton reported to the Brigadier. 'All under way, sir. The Master's under constant guard.'
'Sergeant,' cried Miss Hawthorne with delight. 'You and I must do the fertility dance to celebrate
the deliverance of Devil's End--nay, the deliverance of the world !' And taking his hand, she started to
pull him over to the Maypole.
'Sorry, ma'am,' said the blushing Benton. 'I'm rather busy at the moment. Thanks just the same.'
'Nonsense,' she answered gaily. 'Come along at once.'
Watching the suffering Benton, Jo giggled. 'Come on, Doctor,' she said, 'let's give him some moral
support.'
The Doctor laughing, allowed himself to be dragged off. Mike Yates turned to Brigadier Lethbridge
Stewart.




'Fancy a dance, sir?' he said, straight-faced.
'No, thank you, Captain Yates,' he replied. 'I'd rather have a pint...'
As the two officers walked towards the pub, the piper started to play a lilting tune. The Morrismen
began their intricate figures, while around the Maypole the people of Devil's End danced a dance of
thanksgiving, a dance of liberation,~ dance of joy.



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

CONTENTS

The Nightmare
The Test
The Summoning
The Ageing
The Legend
The Ambush
The High Priest
The Secret
Time Attack
Take-Off
The Time-Eater
Atlantis
The Guardian
The Captives
The Return of Kronos

1
13
25
33
43
51
57
65
76
83
94
105
115
128
138




1

The Nightmare

The tall, thin man with the young-old face and the mane of prematurely white hair was sleeping uneasily.
Suddenly he awoke - to a nightmare.
He was still on the battered leather chaise-longue upon which he had dropped off to sleep - but
instead of being in his laboratory he was at the centre of a barren, burning landscape.
All around him volcanoes erupted, sending out streams of burning lava. Lurid jets of flame flared up
in smoky dust-laden air.
He sat up - and found himself staring at . . . at what?
A row of strange symbols, looking rather like double headed axes. Suspended before them was a huge,
glowing crystal, pulsing with light, shaped like the head of a three-pronged spear, or like Neptune's
trident.
Suddenly a sinister black-clad figure loomed up before him.
'Welcome! Welcome to your new Master!'
Volcanoes rumbled, lightning flashed and the figure gave a peal of mocking, triumphant laughter.
More strange and threatening shapes swam up before the dreamer's eyes. Strangely carved statues,
demonic face-masks with long, slanting eyes...



I! Suddenly everything erupted
in
flame.
Some-
where, someone was calling him. 'Doctor! Doctor!'
The Doctor awoke, really awoke this time, and found himself back in his laboratory at UNIT HQ. A
very small, very pretty fair-haired girl in high boots and a striped woollen mini-dress was shakinf his
shoulder.
For a moment the Doctor stared at his assistan as if he had no idea who she was. Then he sak
delightedly, 'Jo! Jo Grant!'
'Are you all right, Doctor?'
'Yes, I think so. I must have been having nightmare.'
'I'll say you were - a real pippin. Here, I'x brought you a cup of tea. Do you want it?'
The Doctor took the cup and saucer. 'Volcano~ ... earthquakes ...' Suddenly he leaped up. E
handed Jo the untouched cup of tea. 'Thank you. enjoyed that.'
He wandered over to a lab bench, picked up small but complicated piece of electronic circuit and
stared absorbedly at it.
i!'Doctor, have you been working on that thing
night again?' asked Jo accusingly. 'What is it anyw
! - a super dematerialisation circuit?'
(At this time in his lives, the Doctor, now in third incarnation, had been exiled to Earth by
Time Lord superiors. The TARDIS, his space-ti machine, no longer worked properly. Much of time was spent
in an attempt to get it working ag~ and resume his wanderings through time and spat
'No, no, the dematerialisation circuit will hay{
   wait. This is something far more imporant. It m'
make all the difference the next time he turns u
'The next time who turns up?'

2


'The Master, of course.'
The Master, like the Doctor, was a sort of renegade Time Lord, though of a very different kind. The
Doctor's wanderings through the cosmos were a result of simple curiosity. Such interventions as he made
in the~ affairs of the planets he visited were motivated always by his concern to defeat evil and assist
good.
The Master, on the other hand, was dedicated to evil; his schemes had always had conquest and
selfaggrandisement as their goals.
Once good friends, the Doctor and the Master had long been deadly enemies. The Master's sudden
arrival on the planet Earth had led to a resumption of the long-standing feud between them.
The Master's desire to defeat and destroy the Doctor, preferably in the most agonising and
humiliating fashion possible, was quite as strong as his desire to rule the Universe.
And the Master had been part of the Doctor's nightmare ... Perhaps the Doctor's subconscious mind,
or that now-dormant telepathic facility that was part of his Time Lord make-up, was attempting to
deliver some kind of warning. Perhaps he had somehow picked up a hint of the Master's latest, and no
doubt diabolical, scheme . . .
The Doctor swung round. 'Now Jo, listen carefully. I want you to go and find out, as quickly as you
can, if there have been any volcanic eruptions or severe earthquakes recently - anywhere in the world.'
'You're joking of course!'
'Believe me, Jo, this is no joking matter.'
'But I read it all out to you last night,' said Jo indignantly. 'It just shows, you never listen to
a word



I say.' She went over to a side table, picked up~ folded copy of The Times and perched on the edg, of
the Doctor's desk. 'Here we are. New eruptions i~
the Thera group of islands, somewhere off Greece. 'Does it say anything about a crystal?'
'What crystal? Look, Doctor, I know I'm exceec ingly dim, but please explain.'
'It was in my dream,' said the Doctor slowly. '~ big crystal, shaped something like a trident...'

Not far away, in his attic laboratory at the Newto Institute, Professor Thascalos held a trident-shape
crystal aloft. 'Observe - a simple piece of quart nothing more.'
Carefully he fitted the crystal into the centre of cabinet packed with electronic equipment. I~
placed a transparent protective cover over the appa atus and stepped back.
He was a medium-sized, compactly but powerful built man, this Professor Thascalos, with sallow sk
and a neatly-trimmed pointed beard. His da burning eyes radiated energy and power.
Beside him stood his assistant, Doctor Ru Ingrain, an attractive looking woman with short fi hair
and an air of brisk no-nonsense efficiency abe her. Like the Professor, she wore a crisp white 1 coat,
She looked exasperatedly at her superior. '~ that's ridiculous!'
'Of course it is, Doctor Ingram,' agreed ! Professor. His deep voice had just the faintest tir of a
Greek accent. 'Of course it is. There is no for me to prove to you that this crystal is diffen from any
other piece of quartz, yet it is unique. you say, ridiculous!'


 They were standing in the small inner section of the lab, divided from the rest of the lab by a
protective wall of specially strengthened glass.
 Slipping off his lab coat to reveal a beautifully tailored dark suit, the Professor moved through
into the main laboratory. Like the smaller one, it held an astonishing variety of electronic equipment,
crammed into what had once been servants' quarters in a great country house.
  Ruth Ingram followed him. 'And this crystal is the
 missing piece of equipment we've been waiting for?' 'Exactly!'
 Suddenly the door burst open and a tall, gangling young man rushed in, managing in the process to
fall over his own feet.
 'I swear I switch that alarm off in my sleep!' He had a shock of untidy brown hair and a long
straggly moustache - intended to make him look more mature - gave him instead a faintly comic air.
 At the sight of the Professor he skidded to a halt. 'Oops! Sorry, Prof.'
Stuart Hyde was the third member of the 'Professor's little .research team, a post-graduate
student working for a higher degree.
 'Simmer down, Stu, for Pete's sake,' said Ruth. But she couldn't help smiling. There was something
endearingly puppyish about Stuart Hyde.
 The Professor however was not amused. 'Don't call me Prof!'
Stuart groaned. 'In the dog house again!'
 The Professor glanced at his watch. 'Be quiet and listen to me. I have been summoned to a meeting
with our new Director in exactly two and a half minutes. I shah have to leave the final checks for the
demonstration to the pair of you.'





Ruth was both astonished and alarmed. 'At we going to have a trial run first?'
The experimental apparatus on which they ha, been working was due to be demonstrated to or the
Institute's directors that very morning director who also happened to be Chairman o: Grants Committee.
The Professor shook his head decisively. 'A run? It's not necessary, my dear.'
'That's marvellous,' said Stuart gloomily. '$ going to look a right bunch of Charlies if some goes
wrong when this fellow from the C Committee turns up. We'll be left there with e our faces.'
'Surely, Professor-' began Ruth.
'Now, now, my dear, there's no need for ) worry your pretty little head.'
He could scarcely have said anything calcula annoy Ruth Ingram more. 'And there's no ne you to be so
insufferably patronising, Professc because I'm a woman...'
Stuart sighed. 'Here we go again!'
The Professor said instantly, 'You're quite Doctor Ingram. Please, forgive me.' He pat the doorway.
'Now, will you be so good as those checks?'
The door closed behind him.
Ruth stood staring furiously at it. 'That don't kfiow which infuriates me more, his dic attitude or
that infernal courtesy of his!' She 'It's all the same really - a bland assumption superiority!'
Stuart grinned. 'May God bless the go Women's Lib and all who sail in her.'
Privately however, Stuart was thinking tl~


had got it wrong. The Professor didn't assume that he was superior just to women.
He was superior to everybody.

Mike Yates spread out the map of the Mediterranean on the Doctor's table and pointed. 'There you are,
Jo, the Thera group. Those little islands there.'
 Jo looked up at the Doctor who was busy at his
lab bench. 'Doctor, come and look!''Not now, Jo, I'm busy.'
'But it's that map you asked for.'
A little grumpily the Doctor put down his circuit. 'Oh, I see!' He wandered over and looked at the
map. 'Mmm, Thera...'Jo waited expectantly.
'Doesn't mean a thing to me!' The Doctor returned to his bench.
Jo peered at the map. 'It says Santorini in brackets. Must be another name for it. What about
that?'
The Doctor was immersed in his work. 'Forget it, Jo. I had a nightmare, that's all.'
Jo gave Mike Yates an apologetic look. 'Sorry, Mike.'
He began rolling up the map. 'Not to worry! Better than hanging about the Duty Room. If nothing
turns up soon I'll go round the twist.'
  'That makes two of us. And here I was thinking
we were going off on a trip to Atlantis.' The Doctor swung round. 'What?' 'I was just saying to Mike.'
'You said Atlantis,' interrupted the Doctor. 'Why Atlantis?'
'Well, it said so in the paper, didn't it?'

7



 The Doctor strode over to them. 'The
 Captain Yates, the map!'
 Hurriedly Mike began unrolling the map a
 Jo picked up the newspaper. 'Here it
 Believed by many modern historians to be
i;il remains of Plato's Metropolis of Atlantis.'
 The Doctor brooded over the map. 'Of coi
icourse . . .'
:Mike looked puzzled. 'Atlantis? I though
 supposed to be in the middle of the Atlantic (
 Jo was studying the ariicle. 'You're out,
 Apparently it was part of the Minoan civili
 you know, the Minotaur and all that.'
::~  'It's only legends though, isn't it?'
 The Doctor straightened up. 'Get me tb
:dier on the telephone, will you Jo?'
!
'~'  'What, now?'
i'Yes, now,' snapped the Doctor.
  Jo leaped up. 'Sorry!' She reached for tll
  Mike watched her dial. 'The Brig? Why
  for heaven's sake?'
  'Search me!' Jo listened for a second, the
'~i~ the phone to the Doctor. 'The Brigadier!'
The Doctor snatched the receiver. '~
i Now listen to me! I want you to put ow
  wide warning. Alert all your precious U1
  Not that it'll do any good!'
i On the other end of the line, Brigadic
iiLethbridge-Stewart, Commanding Offic
  British section of the United Nations I~
  Taskforce, stroked his neatly-trimme~~
 i moustache. 'Thank you very much, D( against what, precisely, am I supposed to the world?'
'The Master. I've just seen him.'

8

i,


'You've seen him? Where? When?' The Brigadier leaped to his feet. 'Never mind. Stay right 'where you
are Doctor. I'll be with you in a jiffy.'

A few minutes later, the Brigadier was bursting into the Doctor's laboratory. 'Now then, Doctor, you
said you'd seen the Master? Where? When?'
The Doctor looked a little sheepish. 'In a dream. Not half an hour ago.'
The Brigadier sank down onto a stool. 'I can hardly put UNIT on full alert on the strength of your
dreams, Doctor. In any case, every section of UNIT now has the search for the Master written into its
standing orders.'
'Priority Z-44, I suppose.'
'Priority A-l, actually.'
'I tell you Brigadier, there is grave danger.' 'Danger of what for heaven's sake?'
'I'm not sure,' said the Doctor tetchily. 'But I tell you I saw danger quite clearly in my dream.'
'A dream! If that got out I'd be the laughing-stock of UNIT. Really, Doctor, you'll be consulting
the
entrails of a sheep next.'Jo giggled.
The Brigadier glared reprovingly at her and went on, 'Right now, we'd better be on our way to the
Newton Institute. Are you ready, Doctor?'
'Certainly not, Brigadier. I'm far too busy to go anywhere.'
'But I told them you'd go. They're expecting two observers from UNIT.'
The Doctor picked up his circuit and went on with his work.
'Shall I go?' asked Jo brightly.

9





'Certainly not,' snapped the Doctor. 'I need here.'
Jo turned to the Brigadier. 'What's it all al anyway?'
'TOMTIT, that's what it's about, Miss Grar demonstration of TOMTIT.'
'TOMTIT? What on earth does that stand asked Mike.
The Brigadier cleared his throat. 'Well, er.
  The Doctor spoke without looking up. ,l
mission Of Matter Through Interstitial Time.' 'Exactly,' said the Brigadier. 'TOMTIT.' Jo was none the
wiser. 'But what does it d Here the Brigadier was on firmer ground. liant idea. It can actually break
down solid, into light waves or whatever, and transmit the~ one place to another.'
'And it works?' asked Yates incredulously
The Brigadier shrugged. 'Apparently. Yates, you'd better come with me, I suppos
'Sorry sir,' said Mike a little smugly. 'I' Officer.'
Unable to contravene his own orders, th diet looked round helplessly. 'Well, some( to come with
me...'
The door opened and a brawny young civvies marched in, carrying a weekend i: off, sir.'
The Brigadier beamed. 'Sergeant Ben very man!'
Sergeant Benton saw trouble coming, vainly to dodge. 'I was just leaving, sir pass.'
'Oh no you're not, Sergeant. You're cc me on a little trip to the Newton Institute

10


  'Yessir,' said Benton resignedly. 'The what, sir?' 'The Newton Institute. Research establishment at
Wootton, just outside Cambridge...'

'Charlatan?' snarled Professor Thascalos. 'How dare you call me a charlatan, Doctor Perceval!' His dark
eyes seemed to blaze with fury.
The portly silver-haired man on the other side of the desk winced before the Professor's fury, but
he stood his ground. 'Doctor Cook is not only Chairman of the Grants Committee, but a colleague and a
personal friend of mine. Am I to tell him this afternoon that I am as gullible as that drunkard I have
replaced?'
The Professor smiled grimly and made no reply. Doctor Perceval's predecessor had indeed been over-
fond of the bottle, an easy man to impress and to deceive.
Doctor Perceval however was a far more sceptical character. 'How is it that I can find no trace of
your academic career, before your brief visit to Athens University? How is it that you have published
nothing, that you refuse even to discuss the hypothesis behind your so-called experiments, that the very
name of your project is 'arrant nonsense? TOMTIT! What, pray, is Interstitial Time?'
The one who called himself Professor Thascalos leaned forward, hands on the desk, staring into the
new director's eyes. 'You're a very clever man, Director. I can see that I shall have to tell you
everything. You're quite right of course, I am no Professor.'
'Ah!' said the Director triumphantly.
The mellow voice said soothingly. 'I can see that you are disturbed but you have nothing to worry

11




Iiboa ut Yo m., us 10eu t lieveme...youmustbel


me   
  The dark eyes seemed to burn into the Direc brain, the deep voice vibrated inside his skull swayed
a little on his feet.
  'Must believe you,' he muttered. 'I must b~ you.'
The deep voice rose to a triumphant crescen
am the Master. You will listen to me - and yo : obey me. You will obey me!'




12


2

The Test

Suddenly the Director found that everything had become very clear. There was no problem, no reason for
concern. It was very simple. All he needed to do was to obey. Indeed the very word vibrated inside his
brain. 'Obey... obey.., obey.. '
'That's better,' said the Master gently. 'Now, you just sit there quietly and await the arrival of
this wretched man from London. And remember- you are perfectly satisfied as to the integrity of my work
here and the authenticity of my credentials. You understand?'
The Director sank slowly back into his chair. 'Yes  . . I understand.'

In the laboratory, now filled with the high pitched oscillating whine of the TOMTIT apparatus, Ruth was
checking readings on an instrument console. She was using an intercom to call the results through to
Stuart, who was crouched over a complex piece of apparatus in the inner lab.
'One point three five nine,' she called.
Stuart's voice came faintly back. 'One point three five nine - check.'
'Two point zero four five.'
'Two point zero four five - check.'

13






'Three point zero six two.'
'Three point zero six two. Check.'
'Fifty-nine and steady.'

  'Fifty nine and steady - check.'
Ruth flicked switches and the noise died aws 'And that's the lot.'
'And that's the lot - check, check, checl parroted Stuart. He came through from the im laboratory.
'And now we just sit and wait,' said Ruth disgu edly. 'I still think it's just plain stupid not to
hav trial run. Ludicrous!'
'Ludicrous, check!'
'Oh, grow up, Stu!'
'No, but I mean it, love, it /s ludicrous.. suppose this thing won't wag its tail when we te to?'
'They'd withdraw the grant.'
'As sure as God made little green apples. , bang goes my fellowship.'
'Bang goes my job,' said Ruth. 'And my sciel reputation for that matter.' She snorted. 'Men their
conceit that bugs me.'
'Hey, hey, hey,' protested Stuart. 'I'm on side, remember?'
'Oh well, you don't count!'
'Oh, do't I?'
'Don't bully me, Stu, or I think I'll burs' tears.'
  There was a moment of gloomy silence.
Stuart looked up. 'Let's do it!''What?'
'Have a run-through.'
Ruth looked instinctively at the door. 'Wit' him?'

14


'Why not?'
'Well, it's the Professor's project after all,' said Ruth doubtfully. 'He is the boss.'
'Nominally, perhaps. But when you think how much you've put into it, Ruth, it becomes a joint
affair. You've as much right to take that sort of decision as he has.'
Ruth was tempted but uncertain. 'Well .... '
 Stuart played his ace. 'Of course, if you feel you
need to have a man in charge . . i' 'That does it. We go ahead.' 'That's my girl!'
Ruth gave him an exasperated look and went over to the controls.

Jo Grant looked furiously at the Doctor who was still hard at work on his complex piece of circuitry. He
was fitting it into a carrying case which was shaped rather like a table tennis bat. The rounded end
held dials and a little rotating aerial.
'You know, Doctor,' said Jo conversationally, 'you're quite the most annoying person I've ever met.
I've asked you at least a million times. What /s that thing?'
The Doctor looked absently at her. 'Extraordinary. I could have sworn I'd told you... It's a time
sensor, Jo.''I see.'
'Do you? What does it do then?'
'Well, it ... it's a ... Obviously it detects disturbances in the Time Field.'
The Doctor gave her an admiring look. 'Very good. You're learning, Jo. Yes, this is just what you
need if you happen to be looking for a TARDIS.'
'It's a TARDIS sniffer-outer!'

15





  'Precisely; Or any other time-machine f
matter. So, if the Master does turn up...' 'Bingo?
'As you so rightly say, Jo - Bingo!'

Stuart was laboriously climbing into an all oping protective suit which made him look rather comic
astronaut. 'I feel like the back a pantomime horse.'
  'Very suitable for a keen young man lik
said Ruth briskly.'Come again?'
'Starting at the bottom?
Stuart groaned. 'Anyway, it's all a waste Why should there be any radiation dangel
receiver? We're only going to use about ten d 'Are you willing to take the risk?' Stuart thought for a
moment. 'No!' 'Then stop beefing and get on with it!' Fitting the visored helmet over his hea~ went
through into the inner section of the lal - the receiving area.
Ruth operated controls and the TOMT' began, rising steadily in pitch and volume
(Blissfully unaware of all this scientific the Institute's regular window cleaner was st ladder up
against the laboratory window. H curiously at the radiation suited figure in then reached for his wash-
leather.)
Ruth went to a shelf and took down marble vase. It had curved sides and a d and looked rather like
a giant chess pawn.
She put the case on a fiat surface b complex looking focussing device, then re her control panel.

16


at

a
of

le.
he
;S.'

art
Dry

ise

ty,
his
red
ab,

ire
lid,

! a
[ to 

Stuart's voice came from the intercom. 'Interstitial activity - nil.'
Ruth checked the dial on her console. 'Molecular structure, stable. Increasing power.'
The oscillating whine of TOMTIT rose higher. In the inner lab the crystal began to glow.

With the Doctor's time sensor in her hand, Jo stood looking apprehensively at the open door of the
TARDIS, which was making a strange wheezing, groaning sound. 'I say, Doctor, you're not going to
disappear to Venus or somewhere?'
The Doctor's voice came through the TARDIS door. 'No, of course not. Just keep your eyes on those
dials!'
Suddenly the dials began flickering wildly, the aerial spun frantically, and the device gave out a
high pitched bleeping sound.
'It's working!' said Jo excitedly.
'Of course it is. Make a note of the readings will you?'
Jo grabbed a note pad and pencil.

Ruth was still calling out the readings. 'Thirty-five
... forty.., forty-five...'
Stuart's voice came back. 'Check, check, check.'
'Increasing power . . .'

The circular aerial on top of the Doctor's device was revolving wildly. It slowed and stopped as the
TARDIS noise died away.
The Doctor came marching out, took the note pad with the readings from Jo's hand and began studying
it absorbedly.
'Well done,' said Jo.

17



ii,



'Thank you,' said the Doctor modestly.
'It's a bit out on distance though. Says I TARDIS is only three feet away.'
'Those are Venusian feet,' said the Doc~ solemnly.
'I see. They're larger than ours?'
'Oh yes, much larger, Jo. The Venusians always tripping over themselves.'
Suddenly the time sensor came to life again. jumped, 'You must have left something switched in the
TARDIS, Doctor.'
'I most certainly did not. Why?'
Jo handed him the sensor. 'Look, it's worl4 again. And the readings are different.'
  The Doctor stared indignantly at the sen~
'That's impossible - unless...''Unless what?'
The Doctor said slowly, 'Unless someone's op ring another TARDIS.'

In the inner laboratory Ruth's voice came to St~ over the intercom. 'Isolate matrix scanner.'
Stuart reached for a control with his gloved h~ 'Check.' In front of Stuart there was a square rr
platform with a focussing device suspended ov, - the exact duplicate of the one before Ruth in outer
lab.
Suddenly on that platform there appeared ghostly outline of a vase.
'It's going to work!' shouted Stuart excitedly
Ruth's calm voice came back. 'Pipe down concentrate. Stand by. Initiating transfer.'
Stuart began the countdown. 'Ten . . . nine eight . . .'
The crystal glowed brighter.

18


In the Director's study the Master had installed himself at the Director's desk, calmly drafting a
proposal to double his own grant for the Director to sign. The clock of what had once been the old
stables began to chime. Suddenly the Master frowned and looked up. The chiming was slow, dragging,
slurred, as if the old clock was somehow running down. But the Master knew better. It wasn't the clock
that was slowing down - it was time itself.
'The fools!' he snarled, and hurried from the room.

'Four... three.., two.., one!' chanted Stuart.
In the outer lab the vase became transparent, then faded slowly away ...
 :-. to re-appear, solid and real on the receiving plate in front of Stuart.
Rapidly he operated controls. 'Transfer stabilising. Okay Ruth, switch off. We've done it!'
He expected the noise of TOMTIT to die away, but it didn't. The oscilliating whine rose higher.
He heard Ruth's voice over the intercom. 'Stuart, come here. There's a positive feedback. She's
overloading!'
Pulling off his helmet, Stuart rushed back to the outer lab where he found Ruth busy at her console.
Without looking up she said, 'You'll have to bring the surge down as I reduce the power or she'll
blow.'
Stuart ran to the console 'Right.'

The astonished window cleaner was still perched at the top of his ladder, staring at the glowing crystal
as if hypnotised. Suddenly a giant surge of power laruck him, like a push from an invisible hand.

19





He flew backwards off his ladder, and fioate rather than felt to the ground below.
The Master, crossing the courtyard observed th phenomenon without surprise. He hurried towar~ the
door that led to the laboratory.
As he came closer, he leaned forward against tt thrust of some invisible resistance, like a m~
walking against a high wind.
The stable clock was still giving out its low, dral ging chime.

In the laboratory itself, the calm centre of this loc~ ised temporal storm, things seemed normal enougl
Ruth and Stuart were in the inner lab examinir the vase on its metal platform. The crystal was st:
glowing brightly.
Carefully, Stuart lifted the vase from its platforr 'It looks fine!'
Ruth nodded. 'Be careful. Bring it through here She led the way back into the main lab.
Carefully, Stuart stood the vase on a bench. don't believe it. We've really done it!'
'It'll have to be checked for any structur changes,' said Ruth cautiously.
'OH, FOR Pete's sake,' said Stuart explosively, 'il as good as new, you can see it is.' He grabbed h
by the shoulders and began waltzing her round tl room to a triumphant chant of 'We've done it, we', done
it, we've done it!'
The dance stopped abruptly as they waltz{ straight into the Master. He was standing in tl doorway,
an angry scowl on his face.

The Doctor was studying a map. 'I'd place it in th

20


segment there, Jo. Anything from fifty to a hundred miles from here.'
'Not much to go on.'
'Not unless he switches his TARDIS on again...'
Jo looked hopefully at him. 'Well, you never know. He might.'
'And in that case Jo, if we were a bit nearer, and in Bessie...'
'Right,' said Jo. 'Come on then, Doctor, let's go. You bring the map.'

The Master was in a towering rage. 'You are a fool, Doctor Ingram.'
Ruth felt herself quailing beneath the sheer force of his anger, which made her all the more
determined to stand up for herself. 'You have no right to talk to me like that, Professor.'
'Be silent! You might have caused irreparable damage.'
'I was in full control the whole time. If you have no confidence in me -'
The Master cut across her. 'That is quite irrelevant. Mr Hyde, why did you allow this stupidity?'
'Hang about,' protested Stuart. 'I'm not my sister's keeper, you know. She's the boss.' He hesitated
and then admitted, 'In any case, I was the one who suggested it.'
The Master turned away. 'I might have known. Just like an irresponsible schoolboy. You'll pay for
this!'
Ruth came to the defence of her colleague. 'The decision was entirely mine, Professor. I take full
responsibility for testing the apparatus, and I'm prepared to justify my action at the highest level.

21






I IlllI

Perhaps we had better go and see the Direct~ sort all this out before the demonstration.'
With a mighty effort the Master con' himself. When he spoke, his voice was once calm and reasonable.
'I'm sorry Doctor Ingral must excuse me. It will not be necessary to ta matter any further.'
But now Ruth was angry in her turn. 'Th; very well, Professor. After the things you'v saying -'
'Please,' said the Master forcefully. 'Aco apologies.'
Ruth drew a deep breath. 'Well, perhaps i bit unethical of me not to have told you.'
'Come off it, Ruth,' said Stuart. 'He climbing down because he needs you J demonstration.'
'How very clever of you, Mr Hyde,' s Master smoothly. 'Of course I need you, you.'
Stuart couldn't help feeling mollified. '3 Prof, let's face it, we couldn't ,risk a foul afternoon,
could we?'
'Say no more,' said the Master magnanl 'The matter is closed.'
'Well, not quite,' said Ruth a little guilti see, it wasn't all plain sailing. We had sore positive
feedback. There was an overload.'
.'But that's impossible.'
'See for yourself.' She tore off the printthe computer and handed it to him.
The Master studied it thoughtfully. 'I se~ course, how foolish of me.'
They heard Stuart calling from the inner 1~ Ruth, Professor. The crystal - it's still glo~

22


The Master snapped his fingers. 'Of course it is! I
see . . .'
Ruth looked dubiously at him. 'You know what caused the overload then?'
'Of course. You must have been drawing some kind of power from outside time itself. We must build a
time vector filter into the transmitter.' The Master snatched up a pencil from the bench, and began
drawing on the computer read-out paper. 'Here, let me show you.' With amazing speed, he sketched an
elaborate circuit diagram. 'You see? In effect, it's a sort of paracybernetic control circuit.'
Ruth studied the diagram. 'Yes, I See. But won't this take some time to line up? The demonstration
is at two.'
'Indeed it will - and I'm afraid I must leave the task to you. I am expected to eat a pretentious
lunch .and exchange banalities with our guests.'
Stuart Hyde was an amiable soul and he was happy that a semblance of good feeling had been restored.
'Don't worry, Prof, you go off and enjoy your nosh. Leave it to the toiling masses.'
'I have every confidence in you, Mr Hyde.' said the Master smoothly. 'And of course, in you, Doctor
Ingram.'
Stuart had wandered over to the window. 'Hey, you'd better get your skates on, Professor. The VIPs
are arriving.., escorted by UNIT no less.'The Master hurried to the window.
An enormous black limousine was gliding up the drive, with an Army landrover close behind it. Gold
letters were painted on the side panel of the jeep.
'UNIT,' muttered the Master. 'What are they doing here?'
Stuart shrugged. 'Military observers, I suppose.

23
t





Happens all the time. The Government are th, people with the money for our sort of nonsense days.'
The Master turned away from the wi: 'Doctor Ingram I have changed my mind. I sha here and set up the
time vector filter myselfthe assistance of Mr Hyde, of course.'
Ruth gave him an offended look. 'I assure am perfectly capable of constructing the circu
'And I am sure you are equally capable of a tough pheasant on my behalf.'
'But why don't you want to go suddenly?' The Master's voice was throbbing with sin 'I am a life-long
pacifist, Doctor Ingram. The ation of the military, with violence, with  . .'He shuddered delicately.
'Please bear wit
Ruth thought the Professor made a most u: pacifist, but she had no alternative but to 'Very well.
I'll get them to send you some wiches across.'
'Good thinking, Batman,' said Stuart. helped her off with her lab coat he whis 'We've got a right
nutcase on our hands!'

24


3

The Summoning

The occupants of the two vehicles parked outside the Institute were staring in astonishment at what
looked like a freak accident. They stood in a little semi-circle around the window cleaner who was
laying sprawled out and motionless on the gravel drive.
There were four of them in the group: Doctor Cook, chairman of the Grants Committee, a serious,
indeed pompous manin his middle fifties; Proctor his assistant, younger, and nervously deferential;
Sergeant Benton, back in uniform and still sighing for his vanished leave; and finally, there was the
immaculate figure of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, who was kneeling beside the body and taking its
pulse.
'He's not dead, is he?' asked Doctor Cook nervously.
The Brigadier stood up. 'No, he's still breathing.' 'Well - who is he?'
The Brigadier glanced at the ladder still propped up against the building. 'A window cleaner, I
presume. Must have fallen off his ladder.' He studied the unconscious but apparently uninjured form.
'It's a miracle he's still alive.'
'Poor fellow,' said Cook indifferently. 'Come

25




along, Proctor. I trust you'll make the necess~ arrangements to get the man to hospital, Brigadier
The Brigadier too knew all about the advantage of delegation. 'Yes, of course sir, leave it to me He
raised his voice. 'Sergeant Benton! See to it wi you?'

Bessie, the Doctor's little yellow roadster, shot alo~ the narrow country lane with the Doctor at th
wheel. He cut a colourful figure in his elega~ burgundy smoking jacket, ruffled shirt and flowi~ cloak.
Beside him sat Jo Grant, a map spread ou on her lap, the time sensor resting on top of it. Sh was
wearing a warm fluffy coat over her mini-drew
She glanced up at the sky which was dull an overcast. 'Isn't it a doomy day? I mean, look at the
sky. Just look at it!'
The Doctor was concentrating on his driving. 'M dear girl, stop whiffling. We're not out on a
pleasm. jaunt.'
'Sorry, Doctor.'
What they were out on, thought Jo, was more c a wild goose chase. The plan was to drive about i a
more or less random search pattern, covering tk general area from which the mysterious time sign had
originated.
The Doctor said, 'If it is the Master, we can't rc the risk of losing him. So you just keep your eye
c the sensor.'
Obediently Jo glanced at the sensor on her 1~ and found to her astonishment that its little scann~
aerial was whirling frantically.
'Doctor, it's working again!'
The Doctor stopped the car. 'What's the bearing

26


Jo made a rapid calculation. 'Zero seven four. And it's.., sixteen point thirty-nine miles away.'
'That's Venusian miles. That'd be seventy-two point seventy-eight miles ...' He studied the map.
'Which puts it about - here. A village called Wootton.'
'Wootton? But that's where the Brigadier and Sergeant Benton went to.'
'TOMTIT!' said the Doctor. 'If the Master's behind that... What time's the demonstration, Jo?'
 'Two o'clock, I think.''We've got to stop it!'
The Doctor started the car, and flicked the superdrive switch. Bessie streaked away at an impossibly
high speed.

Ruth Ingram was thoroughly relieved when lunch was over at last. It had been pheasant - tough pheasant -
just as the Professor had predicted.
Socially speaking, it had not been the most enjoyable of occasions. Throughout the meal, Doctor Cook
had whinged on about the need for stringent' economies. Indeed, he was still doing so now as the
little group made its way into the TOMTIT laboratory.
'Well, that's how it is, Charles. It may seem churlish of me after eating your excellent lunch
though how the Institute can afford pheasant I really don't know...'
 'We are in the depths of the country,' protested the Director feebly. He had been silent and
abstracted throughout the meal as if part of his mind wasn't really with them at all.
Cook strode on into the laboratory. 'Be that as it may, we are responsible for international funds,

27






public money. I.doubt very much whet :~'~ allow ourselves the luxury of either pheasants TOMTITs.' He
laughed loudly at his own labori joke, and Proctor tittered obsequiously.
Ruth looked round the empty laboratory. 'W~ she said awkwardly, 'the Professor doesn't seerr be
here.'
'Obviously,' said the Director pettishly. Stuart came from the inner laboratory, suitec except for his
helmet, which he carried under arm.
Ruth greeted him with relief. 'There you Stuart. Where's the Professor?'
'Search me. He was here a couple of minutes
'Who is this fellow Thascalos, anyway?' demar Cook. 'I've never heard of him.'
The Director seemed to come to life. 'Oh excellent background, excellent,' he said enthus cally.
'Surely you've read his paper on the gral structure of time?'
'It's all I can do to keep up with my Departm, papers,' said Cook loftily. 'I leave all the re
Proctor here.'
He glanced sharply at his assistant, who s his head apologetically. 'New one on me, sir afraid.'
The Brigadier was gazing around the labol which was cluttered with equipment. 'Feal looking load of
electronic nonsense you've got Doctor Ingrain,' he said briskly. 'How does it - and what does it do?'
Ruth drew a deep breath. 'Well...'
'In words of one syllable, please,' said the Z dier hurriedly.
Ruth smiled. 'I'll do my best. Now, accord

28


  Thascalos's theory, time isn't smooth. It's made up of bits.'
 'A series of minute present-moments,' said Stuart helpfully.
 Ruth nodded. ,That's it. Temporal atoms, so to speak. So, if one could push something through the
interstices between them, it would be outside our
space-time continuum altogether.'
 The Brigadier gave her a baffled look. 'Where would it be, then?'
'Nowhere at all, in ordinary terms.'
'You've lost me, Doctor Ingram.'
 'And me,' said Humphrey Cook emphatically. 'Never heard such a farrago of unscientific rubbish in
my life. It's an impossible concept.'
  'But we've done it,' said Stuart triumphantly. 'We
' shoved a vase through here -' He indicated the transmission platform- 'and brought it back in there.'
And he pointed to the inner laboratory.
'Shoved it through where?' asked the Brigadier exasperatedly. ; Benton, who had been standing silent
and a little
overawed at the back of the group said unexpectedly, 'Through the crack between now and now, sir.'
 The Brigadier shook his head. Where was the Doctor when he needed him? 'I give up. It's beyond
me.'
 A deep, foreign-accented voice said, 'Then you must see for yourselves!'
 In the doorway stood a figure in a radiation suit, features obscured by the visored helmet. 'I must
apologise for keeping you all waiting. Shall we begin?'

29






Jo clutched the edge of her seat as Bessie sped alon1 the lanes at a speed, she was sure, of several
hundre~ miles an hour. 'Please slow down, Doctor. It's no safe to drive so quickly.' They were moving so
fas that the countryside around them was no more tha~ a blur.
'It's perfectly safe,' shouted the Doctor cheerfully 'My reactions are ten times as fast as yours
remember. And Bessie's no ordinary car.'
They were streaking along a comparativel' straight stretch of road when, to her horror, Jo sa~ that
a main highway was cutting across it at righ angles.
They swept up to the junction, the Doctor's foo pressed steadily on the brake, and Bessie
stoppedinstantly.
Jo gulped. 'Why didn't I go through th, windscreen?'
'Because Bessie's brakes work by the absorptiol of inertia - including yours.'
Suddenly Jo's attention was caught by the whirrinI of the time sensor. 'It's starting again!'
 'Come on, Bessie, old girl,' said the Doctor. 'It' up to you!'
Checking that the junction was clear, the Docto started Bessie up again and shot off even faster
thai before.
Unfortunately it was a case of more haste, les speed. Just beyond the junction was the notice boar~
signalling the way to the Newton Institute. Th~ Doctor and Jo shot straight past without even seeinl it
...

In the TOMTIT laboratory, the Master switched ol the power. The experiment was about to begin.

30


~d along aundred It's not [ so fast ire than

~erfully.
 yours,

u'atively i Jo saw at right

n's foot Dpped -

gh the

!orption ~'hirring Ior. 'It's

i Doctor [er than

ite, less me board e. The seeing

:hed on ,,in.

you don't need to wear radiation gear out here, Professor?' asked Ruth.
'A precaution in case of emergency, my dear. I may have to join Mr Hyde in the inner laboratory in a
hurry.' He leaned over the intercom. 'Report!'
 Stuart's voice came from the speaker. 'Interstitial activity, nil.'
 Ruth was placing a rather handsome cup and saucer on the metal transmitting platform. She
 checked a dial. 'Molecular structure stable.' 'Increasing power,' snapped the Master.
The oscillating whine of TOMTIT rose higher. Ruth'g voice was tense. 'Isolate matrix scanner.' 'Check'
'Increasing power,' said the Master again.
Ruth gave him a worried look. 'But you're into the second quadrant already, Professor.'
 'I know what I'm doing.' The Master spoke more calmly. 'Initiating transfer!'
 He threw a switch and to the astonishment of the Brigadier and the other onlookers, the cup and
saucer faded slowly away.
 'Good heavens,' said the Brigadier. He looked through the partition and saw the cup and saucer
standing on the receiving platform in the inner laboratory, the radiationZsuited figure of Stuart Hyde
hovering over it.
 Suddenly Stuart's voice crackled frantically from the intercom. 'I'm getting too much power again.
I
.
can't hold it. Switch off. Switch off!'
 Ruth turned to the Professor, and was horrified to see that he was actually increasing the power.
'Turn it off!' she shouted.
 But the figure at the controls seemed rapt, enchanted.

31





4

The Ageing

In the inner laboratory the crystal glowed with a fierce, almost unbearable brightness.
Even through the darkened vision-plate of Stuart's helmet it's intensity was dazzling. He staggered
back...
Suddenly the transferred cup and saucer glowed brightly, then shattered.
 In their place Stuart sensed rather than saw some-
thing else beginning to form.A winged shape . . .
A tendril of fire snaked out, groping aimlessly. It touched Stuart, and his whole body glowed
brightly for a second.
He staggered back, clawed at his helmet and collapsed. Beneath the helmet, his face began to change
Ruth saw him fall, and ran to the partition door. She was about to go to his assistance then stopped
herself. The radiation level in the inner lab was still dangerously high. But Professor Thascalos was
already suited up.
She swung round and called 'Professor!' To her horror, she saw that the Professor had disappeared.
Ruth ran back to the main control console. Stuart

33


would have to wait. The essential thing now was turn off the power - if she could . . .

It didn't take the Doctor long to realise that he overshot his destination. He stopped the car, the map
and swung the car in a U-turn. Mira later he was streaking up the drive of the Institute and making one
of his amazing stops the main door.
 The Doctor jumped out of the car. 'Right, Jo.. Oh, good grief!'
Jo Grant didn't move or speak. She was
i!i quite still, staring straight ahead of her.
 For a moment the Doctor thought she must stunned by the speed of the journey. The he that it
was something else entirely that happening - something that confirmed his fears. Someone was interfering
with time.
 As he turned away from the car, he felt the ance of the temporal disturbance. Forcing his
through it, the Doctor used the resistance as a

 itl letting it lead him to its source. He ran through archway at the side of the main building, across
courtyard beyond, through the white-painted
on the other side.
 In his haste, the Doctor failed to notice a ation-suited figure, flattened against the wall on
other side of the arch.
 As the Doctor vanished through the door figure snatched off its helmet. His face a picture
frustrated evil, the Master turned and hurried away.


After climbing endless flights of stairs the dashed into the attic laboratory.

34


He summed up the situation at a glance. 'Cut the power!'
'I can't,' shouted Ruth frantically. 'The controls won't budge!'
The Doctor studied the console. 'Reverse the polarity'.
'What?'
'Reverse the temporal polarity!'
Ruth snatched an inspection hatch from the top of the console, extracted a circuit, reversed it, and
fitted it back into place.
Immediately the whine of the apparatus began dying down. In a few moments it had stopped altogether.
  The Brigadier began moving towards the
connecting door. 'Is it safe to go !n there?'Ruth shook her head. 'No, ~/ait...'
'But what about that poor cheap in there?'
Ruth held up her hand for silence, studying a rapidly falling dial. 'Right, the level should be safe
now.'
The Doctor and the Brigadier hurried through into the inner lab. Kneeling by the unconscious body,
the Doctor lifted the loosened helmet from its head.
The face beneath the helmet was lined and wrinkled, with the pouched and sagging skin of the
very old. Above it was a shock of snow-white hair. Ruth gave a gasp of horror. 'Stuart!'
The Doctor looked curiously at her. 'Who is this man?'
'Stuart Hyde - my assistant.' 'Your assistant- at his age?' 'Stuart's only twenty-five!'
'And this man's eighty or more.' The Doctor stared thoughtfully at the ancient face.

35






Jo Grant came hurrying in, released t strange paralysis in the car. 'What's ha Doctor? Were we too
late?'
'On the contrary, Jo. I think we were just

It was some time later and Stuart Hyde wa uneasily in his own little bedroom in the I~ residential wing.
The Doctor was taking his 1 ture watched by Ruth Ingram, Jo Grant Brigadier.
'How is he?' asked the Brigadier.
The Doctor studied the thermomete moment and handed it back to Ruth. 'We him to hospital soon, but
for the momen~ needs rest. He must have been a pretl youngster.'
Ruth sighed, remembering Stuart as he be, with all the vitality and bounce of an e~ puppy. 'He was.'
'Lucky for him. Otherwise the shock of th4 would have finished him off.'
'He will be all right, won't he?' asked Jo The Doctor nodded. 'He'll survive.'
'Like that?' said Ruth unhappily. 'And long? He's an old man!'
As usual the Brigadier was still strug understand what was going on. 'But what c~
Some sort of radioactivity?''No, it's more than that.'
'A change in the metabolism?' suggested The Doctor rubbed his chin. 'That's mor~ but it still can't be
the whole answer. Eve metabolic rate had increased a hundredf( change in him would have taken seven (
months, not seconds.'

36



The Brigadier gave up. 'Well, there's only one
I know that makes people grow old.'
The Doctor raised an eyebrow. 'Yes?'
'Anno Domini, Doctor. The passing of time.' 'We all know that,' said Ruth impatiently.
But the Doctor said, 'Congratulations, Brigadier.
provided the explanation.'
'Glad to be of service, Doctor. Er - what did I i?'
'Time,' said the Doctor impressively. 'That's the answer. The only possible answer. Stuart Hyde's
own personal time was speeded up so enormously that his whole physiological life passed by in a moment.
But why? How did it happen?'
Ruth shrugged. 'The Professor might know. But he seems to have disappeared.'
Jo looked puzzled. 'What Professor?' 'Professor Thascalos. TOMTIT's his baby.'
'What?' yelled the Doctor indignantly. 'The arrogance of that man is beyond belief!'
'Whose arrogance?' asked the Brigadier wearily. 'I do wish you wouldn't speak in riddles, Doctor.'
'A more classical education might have helped, Brigadier, Thascalos is a Greek word -'
'I get it,' interrupted Jo. 'I bet Thascalos is the Greek for Master.'
Stuart moaned and stirred.
Ruth leaned over him. 'He's coming round.' 'Help...' muttered Stuart. 'Help me...'
'It's all right,' said Jo soothingly. 'You're safe now.'
The old man glared wildly at her. 'Safe? No-one's' safe. He's here . . . he's here. I saw him.'
Ruth tried to setfie him back on his pillows. 'The

37



poor boy's delirious,' abe said. 'Don't try to speal
~t rest.'
wait,' snapped the Doctor. 'Let him tall What did you see?' He leaned over the terrified ol man.
'Answer me!
'Danger!' muttered Stuart. 'The crystal ... t/, crystal.'
His body arched and he flung his head from sid to side.
Ruth tried to push the Doctor aside. 'You mu., stop this!'
'The Doctor ignored her, leaning over Stuar 'Speak up, man! What was it you saw?'
'I say, steady on, Doctor,' said the Brigadier. 'Doctor, please,' pleaded Jo.
But the Doctor was not to be distracted. 'Be qui~ all of you.' He leaned over Stuart. 'Stuart, answ~
me! What was it?'
Suddenly Stuart sat bolt upright. 'Kronos!' h screamed hoarsely. 'It was Kronos!' He fell bac
unconscious.
'I should have known!' said the Doctor softl} 'Doctor Ingram, I want you to come with me. Yo must
tell me everything you know about Profess~
Thascalos and about this machine of his.''Shall I come too?' asked Jo.
'No, you'd better stay here with this poor fellow. ] he starts talking agnfin,:call me at once.' The
Doct0 headed for the door and with a helpless look at th others, Ruth followed him.
'Better lock the door behind us, Miss Granti advised the Brigadier.
The Doctor paused. 'Don't hang about, Brigadiel I've got a job for you too, you know!'

38


In the duty room at UNIT HQ Captain Yates was noting his superior's requirements on a message pad.
'Newton Institute, Wootton. Yes sir, got that, sir. Over.'
The Brigadier's voice crackled from the RT. Unfortunately, there was rather more crackle than
message. Mike Yates flicked the switch. 'Say again, sir, I didn't quite get that. Over.'

The Brigadier was standing by his land rover which was still parked outside the Newton Institute. He
raised his voice. 'I said, bring some men down with you, Captain Yates, I feel as naked as a baby in its
bath. Light and heavy machine guns ... oh, and shove a couple of anti-tank guns in the boot, will you?'
Mike's voice was puzzled. 'You've got tanks there, sir?'
'You never know,' said the Brigadier ominously. 'Over.' Although the Brigadier didn't really know
what he was up against, he did know that the average alien menace seemed distressingly immune to rifle
bullets. Maybe something heavier would do the trick.
Mike Yates said, 'Right, sir, I've got all that. And when, sir? I mean how soon?'
'Oh, the usual,' said the Brigadier calmly. 'About ten minutes ago! Oh, and Captain Yates, the
Doctor
wants you to bring his TARDIS with you. Over.' 'Right, sir. Over and out.' 'Over and out.'
The Brigadier turned as he heard voices behind him. Humphrey Cook and his assistant Proctor were
marching out of the Institute, followed by a protesting Director.

39





'I'm sorry, Charles,' Cook was saying. 'The
  of bad fish. You'll be well out of it.' Director seemed compelled to argue a less case.
'But I would stake my reputation on integrity of Professor Thascalos.'
'You already have, Charles. A foolish gamble very long odds. It is scarcely surprising that you lost,
'Humphrey, please...'
'I'm sorry, Charles. I see no alternative to a Whitehall enquiry. One can only hope we have to
parade our dirty linen at Westminster.;
The Brigadier stepped forward. 'Forgive me, Cook.'
'Doctor Cook, actually.'
  'I beg your pardon, Doctor Cook. I couldn't hel
over-hearing what you were saying.''Well?'
  'This affair is no longer in your hands, sir. It
now a security matter and I have taken over.' 'You have no right, Brigadier.'
Tm'sorry, sir, I have every right. Subsection
of the preamble to the seventh enabling act,
Paragraph twenty-four G, if I remember rightly.' 'Oh,' said Cook completely deflated.
'So, bearing in mind the Official Secrets Act, will please say nothing to anyone about events.' He
glared fiercely at Proctor. 'Either
you. '
Proctor opened his mouth to protest, Humphrey Cook snapped. 'Oh, be quiet, Proctor. He turned back
to the Brigadier. 'You can't have grounds for such high-handed -'
'This man Thascalos is known to me,'
the Brigadier. 'He is a dangerous criminal and escaped prisoner. Sufficient grounds, I think?'

4O




at
t.'

ull
a't



is

Fee
fir.

~OU
iy's
of




Cook rounded on the defenceless Proctor. 'Oh, come along, Proctor. Don't stand about.'
They both got into the car, and Cook leaned out of the window to fire a parting shot at the
Director. 'You will be hearing from me, Charles.'
The limousine swept away down the drive and disappeared from view.
The Brigadier ~vatched it go with the satisfaction of one who has thoroughly routed the enemy. He
turned back to the Director, who was walking back into the main building with slow, almost stumbling
steps. 'Excuse me, sir!'
The Director didn't seem to hear him.
 'Doctor Perceval!'
Slowly the Director turned, his expression vague, almost blank. The poor old boy .was still reeling
under the shock, thought the Brigadier. 'Are you feeling quite well, sir?'
'What? Yes, of course I am. This whole matter has been a great shock of course... What did you
want?'
'I should like this place evacuated of all but essential personnel at once.'
'But that's nonsense,' spluttered Perceval. 'I can hardly think, Brigadier, that you have the
remotest idea what you are asking. There are projects in train here which -'
'I'm sorry, sir, but it's absolutely necessary. Sergeant Benton is keeping an eye on that infernal
machine of yours until the troops arrive, but I cannot be responsible for the consequences unless you do
what I ask.'
The Director attempted a last protest. 'Brigadier, you may enjoy playing soldiers, but -'
The Brigadier said crisply, 'By three o'clock

41



please, Doctor Perceval.' He turned to paused. 'By the way, if the Master shoult you, don't try to hold
him. Just let me once.'
'Who?'
The Brigadier smiled wryly. 'I'm sorry. the Professor of course. Professor Thascal
The Director looked worried. 'But surel~ miles away by now?'
'I doubt it. Why should he have any i, we're on to him? Believe me, he'll be back


42


5

The Legend

Sergeant Benton sat in the inner lab, staring unblinkingly at the TOMTIT machine. So far, no-one had
tried to run away with it.
There was a tap on the outer door. 'Who is it?' 'Me! Ruth Ingram. The Doctor's with me.' Benton got up
went through the outer lab and opened the door, admitting Ruth Ingram and the Doctor, who looked
quizzically at him. 'Any trouble?'
'I've been a bit lonely, that's all.'
'Good, good,' said the Doctor absently. He stared thoughtfully at the TOMTIT machine.
'But why won't you explain, Doctor?' asked Ruth,. obviously continuing an unfinished conversation.
  'Because I have to be sure that I'm right. Now,
where's this crystal?''Through here.'
Ruth led the way to the inner lab and lifted off the transparent cover, revealing the crystal
socketted into its place in the machine. 'There.'
The Doctor stared at the crystal in fascination. 'The Crystal of Kronos. Then I am right.'
Ruth frowned. 'Kronos? That's what Stuart said. Please explain, Doctor - that's if you really do
know what it's all about.'

43


'You'll find some of it difficult to accept, I warn you. '
'Try me.'
'Well - luckily you're at least familiar with the idea of stepping outside space-time.'
'I've lived with the concept for months.'
'iiThe Doctor said solemnly, 'And I've lived with it for - for many long years. I've been there, and
a strange place it is too.'
He paused staring thoughtfully into space - or perhaps into space-time. 'A place that is no
place, i!i: where creatures live, creatures beyond your imagin-
~i ation. Chronivores- time-eaters- who can swallow a life as a boa constrictor can swallow a rabbit,
fur and all.'
'And this Kronos is one of these creatures?' 'That's right. The most fearsome of the lot.'


  When the Director finally reached his office, he
  found the Master sitting in the big armchair beside
  his desk, drinking his brandy and smoking one of
[5
~ his best cigars.
]~:;'You!' gasped the Director. 'What are you doing
  here?'
  'Don't panic. Close the door and come here.'
  'But they'll find you!'
  'Not if you keep your head. Why should they look
  in here? Now calm down and tell me what's been
  happening - and don't fidget, please!'
  Ruth Ingram said, 'But surely, Doctor, Kronos was
  just a Greek legend, wasn't he? He was the Titan
  who ate his children.'
  'Exactly. And what's more, one of the children in
  the legend was Poseidon, the God of Atlantis.'
  44


'n

te

it
a



'Are you trying to tell me that the classical gods were real?'
'Well, yes and no. Extraordinary people the Atlanteans, you know, even more extraordinary than their
cousins in Athens. If reality became unbearable, they would invent a legend to tame it.' 'Like the
legend of Kronos?'
'Exactly! Kronos, a living creature, was drawn into time by the priests of Atlantis, using that
crystal.'
'You mean that crystal is the original? The actual crystal from Atlantis?'
'It is. And your friend the Professor is trying 'to use the crystal exactly as it was used four
thousand years ago - to capture the Chronivore.'
'And that's what you meant when you talked of the most terrible danger just now?'
'Do you mean danger to us?' asked Benton. 'Or to the world?'
The Doctor said gravely, 'The danger is not just to us, or our world, or even our galaxy, but to the
entire created Universe.'

g

Puffing peacefully on his cigar, the Master listened to the Director's stammered tale of recent events.
'And now here you are,' moaned the Director. 'Suppose somebody should walk in here now and find me
talking to you?'
The Master sighed. 'My word, you are a worrier, aren't you? Come here.'
Reluctantly the Director obeyed.
'Closer,' orderd the Master. 'Now, look into my eyes. There is nothing to worry about. Nothing. Just
obey me and everything will be all right..Just . . . obey.., me!'

45







'Obey,' said the Director dully. 'I must obey, andi everything will be all right.'
'That's better. Now go and arrange for the evacuation like a good boy, and let me get on with my
sums. '
The Master took pad and pencil from a table beside the armchair and began a series of complex and
abstruse calculations. 'You know Director, it's some time since I found such a good subject for hypnosis
as you've turned out to be. It's quite like old times...'
 Calmed and reassured, the Director sat down at his desk and began a series of telephone calls.

The time sensor in his hand, the Doctor was examining the TOMTIT apparatus with the sce expression of a
garage mechanic checking over very old car.
'There are two things I don't understand. One the unexplained power build-up you had. The other is
the strength of the signal I picked up on my sensor.'
'You said yourself,' Ruth pointed out, 'the time sensor picks up all time field disturbances.'
'Indeed it does.' The Doctor began wandering about the lab. 'But the signal was far too strong for a
crude apparatus such as this.' Suddenly the Doctor stopped in front of a tall green computer cabinet the
needle on the sensor flickering wildly. 'Aha!'
Benton came over to him. 'What is it, Doctor?'
'I knew it had to be around here somewhere. This Sergeant Benton, is the Master's TARDIS!'

'I'm sorry; but you must leave. At once, please,' said the Director and put down the phone.

46


heard the Master muttering, ' . . . now, if E
mc cubed . . .'
'Squared, surely?'.
'What?' The Master looked up.
'E equals mc squared - not cubed.'
'Not in the extra-temporal physics of the time
said the Master irritably. 'Now you've made me lose my place. You're an interfering dolt,
~rceval.'
'I'm sorry. What are you doing?'
'Trying to find the reason for that massive power build-up we experienced. It makes the experiment
imcontrollable. Even the filter didn't prevent it.' The Master frowned. 'Logically, it just shouldn't
happen.'

'Logically, it just shouldn't happen,' said the Doctor.
'But it did.' Ruth pointed out.
'It did indeed. So, logically there's only one thing to do. Wouldn't you agree, Sergeant?'
'Oh yes, sure, Doctor. Er - what, for instance?' 'Switch on the power and see for ourselves.' Ruth
Ingram drew in a deep breath. 'Right!' She switched on the power. The.machine began its low whine.
The Doctor studied a dial. 'It's reading ten already.'
'That's impossible,' gasped Ruth.
Benton was looking through the open door to the inner laboratory. 'Doctor! Doctor, the crystal's
glowing!'
The Doctor came to join him. 'Sergeant Benton, you're a strong man. Go in there and pick up that
crystal.'
'After what happened to that chap Stuart?'

47





'It's perfectly safe at this low level.'
'If you say so, Doctor.'
Sergeant Benton's faith in the Doctor was limitless. He went to the crystal and tried to lift it
from its resting place.
It refused to budge.
'It's fastened down,' he grunted.
'It isn't, you know,' said the Doctor. 'you can see it isn't.'
Benton heaved until his muscles cracked. 'I can't shift it.'
'No, of course you can't - because it isn't really here at all. It made the jump through
interstitial time. It must still be linked to the original crystal all those thousands of years ago.'
Ruth gave him a baffled look. 'Then where is thi original crystal?'
'Where do you think? In Atlantisl of course.'


Lightning streaked across the night sky of Atlantis, followed by a great rumble of thunder. In the
Temple, a neophyte shuddered with fear. The gods were abroad tonight. He was little more than a child.
olive skinned and curly haired, a priest's servant and apprentice. He glanced at the glowing crystal on
sacred altar and braced himself to do his duty.
His bare feet pattering on the marble floors of the temple, he ran to where Krasis, the High Priest,
stood watching the lightning flare across the night sky.
The terrified neophyte threw himself to the ground at Krasis's feet. 'Holiness! Holiness, come
quickly. The Crystal is afire.'
Tall and gaunt, an impressive figure in his priestly

48


it-
Dm

ee

l't

robes, Krasis strode across the temple to where the crystal rested upon the altar. It was glowing
fiercely.
Krasis lifted his hands in a gesture of worship. 'At last, Kronos, at last! The time is come, and I
await your call.'
From behind a pillar a tall young man stood watching, a look of fascinated interest on his darkly
handsome face. His name was Hippias, one of the High Council of Atlantis. He had long been fascinated by
anything to do with Kronos.

lly
ial
all


is,
he
ds
Ld,
ad
he

T
he
n,
ht

Id

[

[

[

The phone in the TOMTIT lab rang, and Benton snatched it up. 'Sergeant Benton ... Oh, hello, Miss
Grant... Yes, he's here. I see... Yes, hang on...' He turned to the Doctor. 'It's Miss Grant. She says
Stuart Hyde is coming round. He's in a bit of a state it seems.'
The Doctor was already heading for the door. 'Tell her I'm on my way, Sergeant. You'd better stay
here on guard. Coming, Ruth... Doctor Ingram?' 'Ruth will do. Yes, of course I'm coming.' They hurried
from the room.

In the sick bay, Jo was still chatting to Sergeant Benton on the phone. 'Yes, I'm all right, honestly.
No, not scared exactly, just a bit ... well, you know, churned up. And a merry Michaelmas to you tOO...'
 She heard a groan from the bed. 'Oh 1or, I'm neglecting my patient!'
 Putting down the phone, she hurried back to the bed, where Stuart Hyde was writhing uneasily.
'Kronos...' he muttered. 'Kronos!'
Jo leaned over him. 'Are you all right?'

49



Suddenly he opened his eyes and stared wildly a~ her~ 'I felt him coming back!'  i
'Kronos!' He clutched her arm. 'Don't let him touch me. The fire . . . I'm burning. I'm burning...'
'Jo pushed him gently back on the pillows. 'It's all right, you're safe now. It's all right,
honestly it is.'i
  Stuart stared at her as if seeing her for the firsg
time. 'Who are you?' 'Jo - Jo Grant.' 'Where am I?'
'You're in your own room.'
Stuart groaned. 'I've got the granddaddy of al hangovers.' He rubbed his forehead and suddenl~
caught sight of his hands - the wrinkled hands of very old man. 'My hands. What's happened to m hands?'
'It's all right,' said Jo soothingly. 'It's difficult t explain.'
'Give me a mirror. A mirror. Where's my shaving mirror?'
'There isn't one,' said Jo desperately. 'I'll get you one later. Now, just lie down...'
But Stuart had spotted his shaving mirror on the bed-side table. Before Jo could stop him he lunged
for it, snatched it up - and gazed in the mirror at his own eighty-year old face.
'No . . . no . . .' he groaned. Tossing the mirr( aside, he buried his face in his hands.

50


6

The Ambush

'Point zero zero three five seven,' said the Master thoughtfully. 'Good!'
The Director asked timidly, 'You've finished?' 'Yes, at last. So, it's back to the lab.' 'But they've
got someone on guard.'
'Yes, I suppose they have. You don't happen to
who it is, do you?'
'A Sergeant Benton, I think.'
The Master smiled. 'I see. Well, I think I know how to deal with him.'

By now the Doctor and Ruth Ingram had arrived.
 Stuart, a little calmer now, was trying to give some account of what had happened to him. 'It was
just after the cup and saucer appeared... I was about
 switch off when it . . . happened...' His voice broke and faded away.
'Go on, old chap,' said the Doctor encouragingly.
doing fine.'
With an effort, Stuart continued. 'It was like a
of flame. Like all my body was on fire. All my life, my energy, was being sucked out of me.'
  The Doctor leaned forward. 'Why did you say ,,?,
~ 'Because that's who it was.'

51



'Buthow did you know?' asked Ruth.
'I just knew, that's all.'
'You mean you heard a voice or something?' 'No, I just knew.'
'A race memory,' explained the Doctor. 'We a have them.'
'What is Kronos?' asked Jo. 'Or should I s~ who?'
'Later, Jo, later.' The Doctor turned back! Stuart. 'Go on, what else?'
'Nothing else.., till I woke up like this.' The! was anguish in Stuart's voice. 'Doc, am I really
old man now? Is there anything you can do - or al I stuck like this?'
The Doctor hesitated. 'I don't know. But! promise you - we'll do everything we can.' i

The phone rang in the TOMTIT laboratot] Sergeant Benton snatched it up, hoping it would news of his
relief. 'Hullo?'
  He heard the quavering tones of the Director. 'i
that Sergeant Benton?''Yes.'
  'This is the Director. The Brigadier wants you !
meet him at once - here, back at the main house.. 'But I don't get it. Back at the house?' 'At once.'
'But that means leaving the lab unguarded.'
'Ah... well, he said to be sure to lock up. Thoi were his very words.'
'I don't know, Doctor Perceval,' said Bent0 worriedly. 'You put me in a bit of a spot. The Bfi told
me to stay here, no matter what. He'll have m stripes~f I don't.'




the Director's study the Master hissed, 'What's the matter?'
The Director _said, 'Hold the line a moment please, Sergeant,' and put his hand over the mouthpiece.
'I don't think he believes me.'
'I'm not surprised, I've seldom heard a more inept performance. Tell him to ring the Brigadier for
confirmation.'
'But you can't -'
'Do as I tell you.'
The Director took his hand from the mouthpiece. 'Sergeant Benton? I suggest you check with the
Brigadier personally.' He paused. 'Oh, you want his number?' The Director looked helplessly at the
Master who pointed wearily to the other telephone on the desk. The Director swallowed. 'I think you can
get him on five-three-four. Yes, that is correct.
Goodbye.'
 A minute later the other phone rang. To the Director's amazement the Master picked it up and
spoke, 'not in his own voice but that of the Brigadier. 'Lethbridge-Stewart. That you, Benton?'


se

)n
:ig
ny

In the lab Benton said, 'Yes sir. I've just had rather a peculiar phone call.'
'Nothing peculiar about it, my dear fellow,' said
 voice. 'Perfectly simple. I need you over ihere at the gate house. On the double.'
'Yessir,' said Benton woodenly. 'I quite under-
sir. Right away.'
He put down the phone and stood considering for
 moment. He went to the window and opened it from the bottom and left the laboratory by the door,
locking it behind him.

53



fill!

The Director stood staring anxiously out of his window while the Master stood idly leafing a sheaf of
calculations.
Without looking up the Master said, 'Well?' The Director shook his head. 'No sign of him. you really
think he'll- Ah, just a moment. he is!'
The tall figure of Sergeant Benton came the arch and rounded the corner of the gate 'It worked! It
really worked!'
'Of course it worked,' said the Master sh: 'Now see if the corridor's clear.'
The Director went to the study door and out. 'Not a soul, Professor.'
Tucking his notebook in his pocket, the led the way from the room.

Sergeant Benton meanwhile was clambering the roof of an outbuilding just beneath the tory. He climbed a
fire escape ladder bolted to wall, swung agilely across to a climbed through the window that he open.
Back in the lab he closed the window stood just to one side of it, looking out.
A few minutes later he gaw the Master and Director come out of a side door and hurry the courtyard
towards him. Drawing his revolver, Benton ducked out of sight behind TOMTIT machine and waited.
Before long he heard a key turn in the naturally, the Director would have keys, he
- and the lab door opened. He heard voices. the Director..
'But Professor, you haven't much time.'

54


Then the Master. 'Time? Soon I shall have all the
in the world - literally!'
'In an hour or so the place will be swarming with

! 'Perceval, you irritate me. Be quiet! I tell you,
nothing and nobody can stop me now.'
 Sergeant Benton couldn't help feeling that this was his cue. He rose slowly from behind his hiding
  revolver levelled. 'Put your hands in the air, both of you.' The two men obeyed. 'Now, turn round
- slowly!'
 The Master swung round, an expression of sheer astonishment on his face. 'Well, well, well. The
resourceful Sergeant Benton.'
 'You didn't really think you could fool me with a fake telephone call, did you? It's the oldest
trick in the book.'
 'I underestimated you, Sergeant. How did you know?'
 'Simple. The Brigadier's not in the habit of calling Sergeants my dear fellow.'
 'Ah, the tribal taboos of Army etiquette,' sneered the Master. 'I find it difficult to identify
with such primitive absurdities.'
 Benton grinned with savage enjoyment. 'Primitive or not, mate, you're still in the soup without a
ladle - aren't you?'
 The Master came forward. 'You must let me explain...'
Benton raised the revolver. 'Keep back.'
The Master stopped his advance, hands raised. 'Of course, of course. You see, Sergeant, the whole
point is...'
Suddenly his eyes widened as he looked over

55



Benton's shoulder. 'Doctor, what a very arrival?
Benton's eyes only flickered for a fraction second, but it was enough.
The Master sprang forward with tigerish wrenched the gun from his hand and threw against the wall
with such force that he slid to the ground. The Master looked down at 'You were wrong, Sergeant Benton.
That is oldest trick in the book!'
Turning away, the Master hurried to the apparatus and switched it on.
'What are you doing?' quavered the Director. 'I am going to bring someone here who will me to find the
power I need. Without it I helpless.'
'I don't understand...'
'Of course you don't understand. How could understand? Only one thing stands between me total power
over the Earth - over the Universe He who I am calling here will show me how harness that power. Now -
you watch that
The whine of the apparatus rose to a sort triumphant howl. The crystal glowed brighter brighter,
till the whole room was filled with blazing light.
Sergeant Benton, slowly recovering
ness, opened his eyes and found himself straight into the glowing heart of the crystal.
And there, in the centre of that radiance, a was beginning to form . . .

56


7

The High Priest

Benton's unbelieving astonishment the shape grew larger, became solid and real.
Suddenly an extraordinary figure was standing beside the crystal - a tall gaunt old man, in flowing
white robes, a short red cloak and a jewelled breastHis long grey hair was bound with a circlet of and
his haggard, lined face was filled with and authority. A gold medallion hung about neck. He was Krasis,
High Priest of Atlantis.
  Since the crystal in the temple had begun to glow, had kept ceaseless vigil by the altar, purifying by
prayer and fasting.
last the summons had come. The fire of the had reached out, enveloped him, and transhim to this
strange place.
  The Master strode into the inner lab and spread his hands in greeting. 'Welcome! Welcome!' The old man
drew himself up proudly. 'I am High Priest of the Temple of Poseidon in

'Of Poseidon? Surely Kronos is your Lord?'
 'You would dare to profane with your impious the great secret, the mystery no man dare Who are you?'
~ The Master's eloquence was more than a match




ili! :;,

for that of the old priest. 'I am the Master, Lord
Time, and Ruler of Kronos.'
'You lie! No-one rules Kronos!'
'I shall - with your help,' said the Master all
gantly. 'Together we shall become Masters of !
Universe. '
Astonished as he was by these Strange even
Sergeant Benton wasn't too astonished to gather]
strength and choose his moment. The Master, t
Director and the strange new arrival were all in i
inner lab. Scrambling to his feet, Benton ran fori
main door.c~
  The Director saw him go and called, 'Profess
The Master swung round, but Benton was alrea disappearing through the door. 'Oh, let him go, i can
do us no harm now.'
The Master turned to Krasis. 'Come with me!' He led him through to the main laboratory. {
Krasis gazed about him in wonder. 'Is this abode of Lord Kronos?'
'No. But with you to assist me, I shall bring here.'
Krasis fixed him with a reproving glare. 'I only to do the will of Kronos - and he is not
commanded.'
  'Ah, but surely Kronos obeyed the Pri~
idon as a pet dog obeys his master?' His voice ened. 'The truth now, Krasis!'
  Reluctantly Krasis said, 'So it is written.'
'Then you must have the formula - the how to control him.'
  'It is lost,' said Krasis sadly. 'For five
has been lost to Atlantis.'
  'And was nothing handed down?'
  'Nothing save the Great Crystal - and the

58




trro-

:the High Priest.' Detatching it from its chain, Krasis held out the gold medallion.
The Master took it and studied it eagerly. The fiat golden disc was carved with elaborate symbols.
The Master studied them eagerly. 'But that's it. From this seal I can learn the correct mathematical
constants. Kronos is in my power at last!'

ents
',r his!
, thei
the! Stuart Hyde had been carefully loaded into a
r the'f' wheelchair, and Ruth Ingram, escorted by Jo Grant,
[[; the Doctor and the Brigadier, was wheeling him out
sor!' '~i~[ of the front door of the Institute towards a waiting readyt ambulance.
o, hell Understandably, Stuart wasn't in the best of
II
moods.
e!' I 'Rest, that's what you need,' said the Doctor
J
rather more cheerfully than was really tactful.
s th'oThat'sall__ly,ur bdy you can do at the moment-rest until
recovers from the shock.'
hi~ A charming prospect I must say,' grumbled
I  -I Stuart. 'You'd better find out about my old age
~pension, Ruth. After all, I'll be twenty-six in seven
~o 'b~.weeks,'i time.'
 'Try not to be too bitter, Stu,' said Ruth gently.
 'W
~ ry r
Pose~ Suddenly Sergeant Benton came pounding
 ~ar~ The Master's in the lab!'
a~l~lowards them. 'Doctor!

Master was carefully transcribing the mathematsymbols carved into the great seal. The Director him in
puzzlement. 'But how can Atlantean mean anything to you?'
ratios remain constant throughout said the Master confidently. 'If you have intelligent to
say, Perceval, keep quiet!' He

59


set of co-ordinate
'And now - we switch
He turned on the power, and the risin~ the apparatus filled the room.
In the inner lab the crystal began to gh raised his arms in worship.

Sergeant Benton meanwhile was concludin himself felt was an extremely unlikely stoJ
The Doctor frowned. 'Are you sure h was from Atlantis?'
'Yes,' said Benton simply. 'He just from nowhere.'
The Brigadier wasn't interested in appar was only interested in the Master. 'Right, we waiting for?
On the double, Sergeant Doctor! Females stay under cover, all ri Grant?'
The Brigadier dashed off towards the la Benton at his heels.
'Brigadier, wait? shouted the Doctor. 'And wait for me!' called Ruth Ingram. under cover indeed!' She
ran after BentoJ Brigadier.
Jo felt suddenly strange and shivery. Sh4 strangled cry from behind her and turned. look?
Stuart Hyde was recovering his youth at speed. Grey hair turned to brown, the ski~ firm and
youthful, the eyes clear and brig suddenly there was a puzzled-looking twent old Stuart sitting in the
wheelchair.
The Doctor studied the phenomenom fully. 'A massive feedback of time . . . late, Jo. Kronos is
coming!'

60


laboratory the crystal was pulsating, blazing light. The Master stared into the heart of the t glow,
raising his arms in a gesture of welcome. Kronos, come!'
 the High Priest, stared enraptured at the Doctor Perceval, the Director, looked on in
fascination.
In the heart of the crystal a shape was beginning Perceval peered into the fiery glow, trying ~to make
it out. At first it seemed like a giant bird,
 like a man, finally more like a man with wings, though the head was still birdlike... He heard the
steady beat of mighty wings. The winged shape grew bigger and bigger emerging fi'om the crystal until it
was somehow there in .the laboratory, a shape of white light thrashing about in the confined space like
some great eagle in a too small cage.
 Krasis prostrated himself in worship, but the terrified Director screamed and turned to run. The
noise and movement seemed to attract the winged attention, and it swooped down on him
 a great bird of prey. Fiery wings enfolded him, him up and Humphrey Perceval ceased to exist, his very
being absorbed by Kronos, so that an atom of him remained.
 As the Director disappeared, Kronos resumed the terrifying swirl of activity. The fiery wings
thrashed frantically, sending whole shelves of equipsmashing to the ground.
  The Master was beginning to fear that he had a monster he could not control. 'Kronos! Be
peace!' he roared. 'I am your friend.'  Krasis raised his head, gazing worshippingly at the restless
fiery form. 'You will never control Kronos.

61


He is the destroye

said the Master. A sudden i he snatched up the Great Seal c and held it out before him.
'Kronos, h~ order you to be at peace and obeyl'
Kronos recoiled, and the beating of t lessened in intensity.
The Master laughed. 'Well, well, well pet dog does obey his Master!' He advan Kronos, driving the
fiery being back into lab and slamming the door. 'Now, stay kennel till I have need of you!'

The Doctor and Jo watched as the retreatir of the Brigadier, Sergeant Benton and Rut] suddenly ceased to
retreat and became mol
Still striving to move forward, their hod frozen, like running figures when the film is
'What's the matter with them?' asked Jo The Doctor said, 'You stay back.'
He began running towards Ruth Ingr, nearest of the group. As he approached he the resistance of the
temporal distortion. Fo: way through it, the Doctor grabbed Ruth's yanked her back towards Jo. As he
retreatec merit became easier. By the time they reac Ruth was back to normal. She blinked and around.
'What happened?'
'That's it,' said the Doctor. 'She's outside l of the effect now.'
He ran forward and repeated the rescue Ol with Benton.
Ruth looked on in astonishment. 'What ha to me? What's going on.9'

62


'Don't worry,' said Jo reassuringly. 'The Doctor will explain - I hope !'

While Kronos thrashed about the inner lab like an angry eagle, the Master was working busily at the
TOMTIT controls.
'What are you doing?' asked Krasis.
'Reducing the interstitial flow rate. Now don't interrupt me, I must concentrate.'
'You do not have the power to control him,' screamed Krasis.
'I shall have, never fear. Just give me time!' He made a final adjustment. 'Now - I must put him
back where he belongs!'
The hum of power rose higher and, as it did so, Kronos began to dwindle and fade.

e
It
S
d,

d

Doctor led the astonished Brigadier back to the others. Since the Brigadier's own subjective time
had been slowed down, it seemed to him as if he had been running normally when the Doctor appeared from
nowhere, and hustled him back to his starting point at impossible speed. Not unnatuthe Brigadier was
both astonished and indig'Doctor! Will you kindly explain...'
'There's no time to explain now. Benton, take the everybody inside, quickly!' The Brigadier was still
spluttering. 'What? What?' 'Come along, man,' said the Doctor impatiently, and bustled everybody away.

Kmnos seemed to be rushing away, becoming both fainter and smaller at the same time. Finally the winged
shape seemed to disappear into the heart of the crystal.

63


mopped his brow, and saJ
 to go in now, most noble E you for your help.'
Krasis followed him into the inner lab slave that I should serve you, I serve only
'You will serve me, Krasis, and like it!' 'You dare to mock the High Priest?'
The Master stretched out a hand to th4 'Take care, Krasis! I can always bring Kro
Instinctively Krasis recoiled. 'No! No, you... What is your will?'
'Knowledge!' said the Master simpl knowledge of the ancient mysteries.' His ' in anger. 'Why could I
not control him?'
Krasis said scornfully, 'For all your sol are as a child trying to control a wild eh puny child!'
'But I have the crystal!'
'That crystal is but a part of the true Kronos. '
The Master was furious. 'A part!'
'Only a small fraction,' said Krasis loftil 'A fraction - and the rest is in Atlantis? 'Deep in the
vaults of the Temple of i Guarded night and day from such thieve: You may command the slave but never:
control the Mighty One himself!'
The Master had already recovered fron back, and his deep voice was filled with confidence. 'You
think not? We shall see.'
He reached out and grasped the crystal.

64


[r

,e

U



8

The Secret

In the Great Temple of Atlantis, Hippias held high a blazing torch and pointed dramatically at the empty
altar. He was a tall, exceptionally handsome young man with glossy black hair that fell to his shoulders
in shining ringlets in the Atlantean style. Wearing only the brief Atlantean kilt, he was a noble and
  figure. 'You see, most venerable Kingthe crystal is gone!'
Beside him, King Dalios was, at first sight, almost comically unimpressive. Just a little Qld man
with 10ng flowing white hair and a jutting beard, clutching his night-robe around him.
 And yet there was something impressive about the calm and wisdom that come only with age. He looked
thoughtfully at his excited councillor. 'And Krasis?'
 Hippias spoke in a deep thrilling voice. 'I was O King! The sky opened and a spear of fire hurled by
the hand of Zeus...'
  'Yes, yes,' said Dalios impatiently. 'I saw the
myself. What next?'
  'They disappeared,' said Hippias simply. 'Krasis
the Crystal together-like smoke! What does it
Lord Dalios? Are the gods angry? Has the come at last?'

65


Dalios looked pityingly at him. 'You are young Hippias, as young in years as in the Sacred
Mysteries. What do you know of Kronos?'  j
Hippias gasped, at the sound of a name almo4
too holy to speak. As if reciting some lesson learne4
by heart, he said, 'The years of Kronos were th4
great years of Atlantis~ Perhaps some day he will
return to us.'
'That is my fear,' said Dalios solemnly. 'Our
is in great danger. Come.' He led the young
through a secret door, and down endless
stairways, until they were deep in the heart of
catacombs beneath the Temple.
As they descended the final flight Dalios
and glanced over his shoulder at the young
cillor. 'How old would you think me, boy?'
'A great age, Lord Dalios,' said Hi
respectfully.
'How great?'
Hippias hesitated. 'Four score years -
perhaps...'
Dalios smiled a little sadly. 'A stripling of ei
summers ... No, Hippias, when these eyes
clear like yours, I saw the building of the Temple.
was a witness to the enthronement of the image
the great god, Poseidon himself.'
'But that was - it must have been five
years ago.'
Dalios nodded. 'Five hundred and
Hippias gazed wonderingly at him. 'Lord D~
would you have me believe that you are of such
age?'
'I am,' said Dalios quietly, and led the way
down the stairway.
The stairs led to a short passage. At the end

66


i there was a great bronze door set into a wall of solid rock. Dalios produced a massive key, and after
a moment the door creaked open.
 It was as if he had opened the door to a furnace. A fierce white light blazed forth from the
doorway. Hippias staggered back, his hands over his eyes. 'What is the light?'
 'It is the true Crystal of Kronos,' said Dalios solemnly. 'This is the great secret, the veritable
mystery. Now that Krasis has gone no-one but you shares that secret. You must guard it with your life!'
Hippias bowed his head. 'I shall, my Lord.'
 Suddenly a shattering bellow came from the doorway.
Hippias looked at Dalios in alarm. 'Do not fear,' ~d the old man calmly. 'It is the Guardian.' He
through the doorway. 'Return to your rest. It is I, Dalios.'
 The bellowing died away. 'Who was it?' whispered Hippias. 'You said that no other person shares the
mystery.'
 'The Guardian is a person no longer,' said Dalios sadly. 'A thing, a creature too horrible to
imagine, half-man, half-beast. Come.'

Stuart Hyde's wing room was a sprawling untidy sort of place. A row of home-made shelves divided the
living from the kitchen area and there were clothes, books and records everywhere.
Stuart, who now seemed fully recovered from his sudden rejuvenation, opened the door and gestured
everyone inside. 'Make yourself comfortable - if you can!'
The Brigadier was still in a state of some indigRation. 'All right. Doctor, what next? Having picked

67


us up by the scruff of the neck and bundled us here, what do you propose to do with us?'
'Nothing at all,' said the Doctor 'There's nothing to be done at the momentwait.'
Jo giggled. 'I seem to have heard that before.'
'Speaking personally,' the Doctor went on 'I'd love a nice cup of tea. How about it,
'I'll put the kettle on,' said Stuart amiably. the mugs out, will you, Ruth? How about a anyone?
Only marmalade, I'm afraid.'
'I'd love one,' said Benton unwisely.
'This isn't a picnic,' exploded the Brigadier. moment you're talking about the entire blowing up and
the next you're going on about What's happening, Doctor?'
'A great deal, Brigadier. For instance, you caught in a hiatus in time. Being without an ontological
absurdity.'
'I don't understand a word you're saying!'
'It's true,' said Jo. 'I saw it. You and Benton Doctor Ingram were stuck.'
'Nothing of the sort, Miss Grant.'
'Oh,.you wouldn't be aware of it,' said the 'Your time had slowed to a standstill too.'
'And all this is because of that TOMTIT asked Benton.
'So it would seem. After all it did make a in time, didn't it?'
Jo blinked. 'A what?'
The Brigadier said wearily. 'Oh, a gap
the now and the now, as Sergeant Benton no doubt put it.'
Benton looked embarrassed.
The Doctor patted him on the back. 'Exactly,

68


well put. So we're bound to experience all sorts of freak side-effects.'
 'You mean, even leaving Kronos and the crystal right out of it?' said Ruth, coming out of the
kitchen section. 'Marmalade sandwich?'
 'Correct.' The Doctor began wandering round the room, collecting odds and ends.
She looked puzzled. 'But why weren't we affected ourselves, when we were working on the thing? We
didn't get slowed down.'
 'If you stand right under a fountain you don't necessarily get wet, do you?'
 'I see,' said Ruth. She didn't, of course, but it seemed to be all the answer she was going to get.
 'Well, I'm dashed if I do,' said the Brigadier. He noticed the Doctor's strange activity. 'Doctor,
what are you doing?'
'Me?' said the Doctor blandly. 'Collecting!'

The Master completed the last of a long series of adjustments to the TOMTIT apparatus, switched on and
stepped back.
 In the inner lab the crystal began pulsing with light once more. With each pulsation the intensity
of light seemed to fade a little.
The Master rubbed his hands. 'Right! Now we
soon be ready to move.'
'But, Master,' said Krasis nervously. 'The Mighty
He may return.'
The Master laughed. 'Fortunate Atlantis to be
with such a courageous High Priest. Never Kronos will only return if I desire it.' 'But the
crystal.., what are you doing?'
'I am draining the time energy from the crystal.
we could scarcely take it with us.'

69


'We? Where are we going?'
The Master lool~ed surprised. 'Where? ' Atlantis, of course?


The Doctor was still gathering up his colk odds and ends. By now he had accumulate coat hanger, a set of
keys, some kitchen anti the top part of a broken coffee maker
COIlt~llucd his prowling round the room the muttered, 'He must be stopped!'
'Fair enough,' said the Brigadier hopefull) don't we get on with it?'
'Because without the TARDIS we can' begin to find out what he's up to~' The Doctor round the room.
'I need a bottle.'
'How about this?' Stuart held up a milk b~
'No, no, one with a narrow neck. A wine would do.'
'Moroccan Burgundy, for instance?' Stuar a bottle from underneath the bed.
'Yes, that'U do nicely. And the cork?' Stuart scratched his head. 'You've got me Ruth came out of the
kitchen. 'Will this dc
  Stuart grinned. 'Remarkable efficiency, the
still on the corkscrew. There you are, Doc.' 'Well done!'
The Doctor sat down at Stuart's batterec and began sorting through his strange assortn objects.
The Brigadier was losing patience. 'Doctor, insist - what are you up to?'
'Delaying tactics, Brigadier! A small fly Master's methaphorical ointment.' With th Doctor set to
work.

7O


As far as the Brigadier could make out some sort of a tower...

glow of the crystal became fainter and fainter until at last it died away.
Krasis gave the Master a look of awe. 'The fire is
You are indeed the Master.'

in absorbed silence, the Doctor was happily his strange assortment of oddments into a sort structure.
Jo and the others watched in fascination as he the cork neatly in half, jammed one half back in the neck
of the bottle, fixed a needle into the and fixed the other half of the cork on the end of the needle
thus creating a sort of pivot axis. He took two forks and fixed them by the spikes into the upper cork
so they projected like arms, one on each side.
Stuart leaned over to Ruth and whispered, 'Another nutcase!' She nodded and whispered. 'Fruit-cake
standard!' Jo overheard them. 'You just wait and see,' she loyally. But even Jo was beginning to wonder
what the Doctor was up to this time,

crystal was completely inert now, and the :Master switched off the apparatus. 'There, it is
You must help me to carry the crystal,
grasis.'
Krasis shrank back. 'No, no... I dare not.' 'There is nothing to fear,' said the Master
t. 'You will do as I tell you.'
Krasis gave him a look of sheer terror. 'Do not compel me, I beseech you.'

71


Somehow, heaven knows how, th~ succeeded in balancing the top of the col on'top of the cork. With the
two forks like out-stretched arms, the whole thing a kind of mobile, or one of those bala which can be
bought in novelty shops.
'But what is it meant to be?' asked the irritably.
The Doctor laughed. 'You're a Philisti diet. It isn't meant to be anything it jm rickety structure
started toppling and tt corrected its balance. 'I hope.'
'You mean it's just a ridiculous piece c art?' asked Ruth.
The Doctor looked hurt. 'No, no, my ( Time Flow Analogue.'
Stuart gave her a reproachful glance. ' it is, Ruth. You ought to have seen that at
The Doctor went on making adjustme nonsensical tower. 'The relationships be different molecular
bonds form a crystal ture of ratios.'
  The Brigadier sighed. 'Does that mak,
of sense, Doctor Ingram?''None whatsoever!'
'I thought as much,' the Brigadier said edly. 'Doctor, please stop this silly game;
The Doctor was infuriatingly calm. Brigadier, patience!' He tapped one projecting forks and the
whole contrapti revolving like some lunatic roundabout. I alarmingly, but by some miracle it didn'l
However, the Doctor clearly wasn't sati: dear!'
'What's up?' asked Jo.

72


'It doesn't work!'
astound me,' said the Brigadier acidly.
 'Bad luck, Doctor!' Stuart handed the Doctor a mug. 'Here, have a cuppa and drown your sorrows!'
'A cup of tea!' said the Doctor joyfully. 'Of
 Tea leaves!' Swigging down the tea in one 10ng swallow, he began balancing the empty mug on the
top of his tower.

 Master was still trying to calm Krasis's fears. 'I !give you my solemn pledge, Krasis, the crystal
isstill totally inactive.'
Krasis stared fearfully at the inert crystal. 'It looks !,dead . . .'
'Of course it is, I promise you...'
 Cautiously Krasis stretched out his hand towards the crystal.

'Right,' said the Doctor. 'Here we go!'
 He tapped the projecting fork again. The whole contraption began to revolve. It spun faster,
faster,
faster, until suddenly it was glowing with a weird :unearthly light ...

crystal was glowing too and Krasis snatched
 his hand with a yell of fear. 'The crystal is afire. ~The Great One comes again!'
'The meddling fool!' snarled the Master, and rushed to the control console.

 Doctor's strange contraption was spinning faster i and faster, glowing ever more brightly.
Jo stared at it as if hypnotised. 'But what does it i do, Doctor? I mean, how does it affect the
Master's
plans?'

73


'It's just like jamming a radio signal, Jo. ' to make them at school to spoil each oth~
experiments.'
Ruth stared at the strange contraptiot continued to glow and revolve in defiance o laws of physics.
'I don't believe it. I just don'l it.'

The Master adjusted controls in rapid suc slammed home the power switch ...

. . . and the Doctor's contraption exploded bang and a shower of sparks.
The Doctor stared philosophically at the s ruins. 'Ah well! It was fun while it lasted!'

A UNIT convoy was speeding through count towards the Newton Institute. In the lea UNIT land rover,
behind it a canvas-hoode lorry filled with troops, and behind that truck, in the back of which was a
blue polic

The Master was carrying the crystal, still n in a section of TOMTIT equipment, tow~ laboratory door. It
was a considerable task a~ Krasis was now too terrified to touch the cr) had to perform it alone.
Suddenly the static-distorted voice of Mik, crackled through the lab. 'This is Greyhound Over.'
The Brigadier's voice came in reply. ' Greyhound, Greyhound Three. And where h: been, Captain Yates?
Over.'
'Won't be long now, sir. We're about te: away. Over.'

74


  'Well, get your skates on will you? We need the
 )octor's TARDIS here double quick. Out.' 'Greyhound Three. Wilco. Out.'
The Master replaced the crystal and its TOMTIT mounting, and studied a watch-sized mini-screen
strapped to his wrist. He had left the audio-scanner switched to the UNIT frequency and now the vision
scanner had homed in on the signal. To Krasis's :astonishment the little screen now showed the UNIT
going on its way.
He shook his head in wonderment. 'Images that
  and speak, wagons with no oxen to draw them .. this is indeed a time of wonders.'
 'I will show you greater wonders than either,' said the Master savagely. Still studying the screen
he began operating controls with his other hand.
 Krasis looked on fearfully. 'Master... Lord... you are not bringing the Mighty One here once more?'
'Certainly not. Just a little demonstration of my ~power over time. Watch carefully.'

Mike Yates was at the wheel of the land rover,
 the little convoy. They were on a long straight stretch of road, completely empty.
Then, all at once, it wasn't empty any longer. A
in full armour, lance levelled, was galloping
towards them.

75


9

Time Attack

'Look out,' yelled Mike and swerved off th, his right, jamming on the brakes. The two behind him swerved
off to left and right in the armoured knight clattered through the galloped on down the road.
Mike jumped out of the land rover, no~ off the road at an angle and snatched up 'Greyhound? This is
Greyhound Three. We in the mud. Forced off the road by some fancy dress, I think. Over.'
On the other end of the radio link, the 1~ stared disbelievingly at his RT. 'Are you, from
hallucinations, Captain Yates? Or h been drinking? Over.'
'No sir, but I could do with one, I do1 telling you,' said Mike Yates frankly. 'This c in armour
just galloped straight at us. Yo sir, the King Arthur bit. And then he vanis
'In a puff of blue smoke, I suppose,' c Brigadier's sarcastic voice. 'Really, Yates, ) been
drinking!'

In the lab, the Master looked at the stranded on his mini-screen and smiled evilly.
'And that, Captain Yates, was just a sam

76


He busied himself at the controls. Amongst its other functions, the TOMTIT apparatus recreated the
powers of the legendary Timescoop of the Time Lords, forbidden by Rassilon in the Dark Time. The Master
was enjoying this opportunity to try it out...

Captain Yates raised his voice and bellowed, 'Righto, lads, out of the lorry and get these vehicles out
of the mud. Get a move on, I want to get out of here.'
There was a flat crack, and something spanged off the side of the land rover.
Mike Yates whirled round, and opened his eyes in astonishment. On a little hill not far away a
handful of men had appeared from nowhere, grouped around a cannon. They wore old fashioned doublets and
breastplates and round helmets, and they carried long muskets. Roundheads!
'Take cover!' yelled Yates - just in time, as a ragged volley of musket balls hummed overhead like
angry bees. 'Hey, what do you think you're up to?' he yelled indignantly.
The cannon boomed and a cannon ball whistled overhead.
'Keep down,' shouted Yates. 'They mean it!' Yates and his men peered from behind the flimsy
  of their vehicles, and the Captain reached his RT. Heaven knows what the Brigadier was
to make of this one . . .

listening, Captain Yates,' said the Brigadier
t. 'Over.'
'Another hallucination, sir. Roundhead troops,

77


attacking us with ball ammunition. Cannon
fact. Over.'
 ~ 'Captain Yates, if this is some sort of jok
The Doctor interrupted him. 'Believe m
dier, this is no kind of a joke. This is deadly
'All right, Doctor, you tell me what's goi
'Don't you see? A horseman in armour -
heads - the Master's using that crystal to bri
forward in time.'
'So why don't we get over there and stop
'It would be suicide without the protectio
TARDIS.'
'Which is stuck in the mud being batt~
i roundheads,' said Sergeant Benton.
'We'd better go and fetch it then,' said the
cheerfully. 'Come along, Jo. Coming, Briga
'Benton, you stay here,' ordered the Briga
the Master pokes his nose out you know
do.'
'Yessir.' Benton was determined that the
wouldn't escape him a second time.
'Can I come?' asked Ruth.
'And me?' said Stuart hopefully. 'I've
fancied myself as a cavalier.'
The Brigadier shook his head. 'Sorry, you'c
stay here with the Sergeant. You're the onl
who can handle that infernal machine apal
the Doctor. I must ask you to place yourselt
Sergeant Benton's command. Both of you, r
'Full of old world charm, isn't he?' sak
resignedly. She reached for her lukewarm
tea.

The Doctor and Jo were already sitting in when the Brigadier hurried out of the buildin

78


up, Lethbridge-Stewart,' urged the Doctor. in!'
The Brigadier headed for his land rover, a new model of which he was very proud. Doctor, matter of some
urgency, better go my own steam.' He got behind the wheel. not to be too far behind!'
The Brigadier started the engine and roared away. The Doctor grinned wickedly at Jo and started the and
flicked the Superdrive switch.
The Brigadier wasn't yet fully aware of the latest modifications to Bessie. He was surprised when just
as he was gathering on a straight stretch of road, Bessie flashed him effortlessly and vanished into the

Master and Krasis were watching the battle on Master's mini-screen.
It was still inconclusive. The roundheads' weapons some time to reload, and their fire was far from The
Master grimaced in frustration.
Krasis stared at him. 'But why? Why do you do this? Do you fear this TARDIS so much?' 'I fear nothing,'
snapped the Master. 'But I intend go to Atlantis and I don't want my enemy to me.' He glared at the
screen. 'Get on with it, useless seventeenth-century poltroons!' Shaking head, he reached for the
controls.

far Mike Yates had ordered his men to fire over attackers' heads. But the roundhead muskets, primitive,
were still deadly, and when of his men fell wounded, Mike Yates that enough was enough. He took a
grenade

79


from the arms locker in his land rover ~ :forwards to a point of vantage, pulled th hurled the grenade
in the classic overa~ dropping to the ground as he did so. Th arced through the air and exploded . . .
both roundheads and cannon disappeared Mike Yates raised his head and saw to
  ishment that  his attackers had c,
  vanished...

The Master laughed. 'I could have told wouldn't work, Captain Yates.' He adj controls yet again. 'Now,
stand by to dt comes the grand finale.'
The picture on the Master's mini-screen Now it showed a tiny stubby-winged plato across the sky ...

Ruth Ingram cocked her head at the stra putting noise. 'What's that?'
Stuart shrugged. 'Sounds like a motor-b
Sergeant Benton was peering out of the 'It seems to be coming from the sky...'

The Doctor and Jo were zooming tow ambush site in Bessie.
'Something wrong with the engine, shouted Jo.
'Never! Why?'
'I can hear a funny noise.'
The Doctor made one of his astonishingl] stops. 'So can I. But it's not the engine.'
Jo listened. 'It's coming from over there
The Brigadier screeched to a halt besic 'What's up?'

8O






'Listen!' ordered the Doctor.
  The Brigadier listened to the strange putt-putting from overhead and looked unbelievingly at
Doctor. 'It can't be!'
  'Oh yes it can,' said the Doctor. 'Displaced in
time, but real enough. It's a V.I.''A what?' asked Jo.
'A buzz-bomb. A doodlebug. A kind of robot
- a flying bomb! The Germans used them
England at the end of the Hitler war.' 'What did they do?'
'Blew up sizeable chunks of London,' said the
'If that engine sound cuts out, fall flat on face. It means the bomb is on its way down!'
off into the distance. 'Look, there's the
f!'
And there it was, just disappearing into a little
that spanned the road some way ahead.
The Brigadier grabbed his RT. 'Greyhound
Greyhound Three, can you hear me Yates?

 , i!

Yates's voice came back, badly distorted.
Three... only just... Over.' 'Yates, that thing is a flying bomb, and it's headed
way. Over!'
'Say... again...' crackled the voice. 'Must be
 trees.., cannot read you... Over.'
(The Master made a final adjustment and waited,

The puttering of the engine stopped, leaving a
 silence. The Doctor grabbed Jo's arm. 'Out the car. Get down!'
i The Brigadier was still yelling into the RT. 'Yates,
a bomb! It's a bomb! Get out of it, Yates!' To his relief he heard Mike Yates's voice coming

81


back over the air. 'All out, lads. It's a bomb.
for cover!'
There was an ear-splitting crash and a column i flame and smoke shot up from inside the wood.
As the echoes of the explosion died away, Brigadier tried the RT again. 'Yates? Yates? Can you hear
me?'
There was no reply.

82



10 Take-Off

Stuart's room Sergeant Benton was trying franti~eally to raise someone - anyone - on the RT.
'Brigadier, come in please. Greyhound Three, come in
... Captain Yates, can you hear me, sir?'
Silence.
Benton gave the others a stunned look. 'It's no
I can't raise them. They must have copped it.'

the little wood there was a scene of devasThe truck containing the Doctor's TARDIS been blown clear off
the road, and the TARDIS on its side in a little hollow. The other vehicles
 slewed at an angle amongst the trees. Several the trees had caught fire and there was smoke
flame everywhere.
A solitary farm labourer rumbled up on his tractor
stared at the chaotic scene in amazement. 'What
then?'
A dazed UNIT sergeant was staggering to his feet.
Some sort of explosion.'
'I know, I heard it,' said the labourer simply. He
his cap to the back of his head. 'Funny that! were just about here one of them doodlebugs
down. Back in 1944 that was...'

83


The Master flicked off his mini-screen. ' I thoroughly enjoyed that.'
'You have destroyed this TARDIS?' asL in awe.
'Unfortunately it cannot be destroyed. E can. We'll have no more trouble from tl while.'

By the time the Doctor, Jo and the arrived, UNIT discipline was asserting i things were sorting
themselves out. T~ sergeant had taken command, and those escaped unhurt were caring for the wouJ
checking the damage to the vehicles.
They found Mike Yates leaning against a land rover. His face was blackened, his clo charred and he
was bleeding from an ul wound. 'Now you keep still, Mike, and tak said the Brigadier. 'You've finished
wor' day.'
Mike managed a feeble grin. 'Sorry a TARDIS, Doctor.'
 'Don't worry, Mike. We'll soon have h~ feet again.'
 Already a team of UNIT soldiers with r busily hauling the TARDIS into an upright
 The Doctor drew Jo aside, took the tin from Bessie and handed it to her. 'Now, J, you to keep a
close eye on this. As soon a~
 the slightest reaction, you let me know.' 'Right, Doctor.'
The UNIT soldiers had fixed their rop4 labourer's tractor. At a signal from the serl
began driving forwards. With the unwield

84


a drunken dowager, the TARDIS was straight-into an upright position.

to his relief, Sergeant Benton had finally
  to raise the Brigadier on his RT. 'Very sir, I'll stand by. Glad you're all okay, sir. We thought
you'd copped it! Benton out.'
He put down the RT and turned to Ruth and
appeared to be in the middle of a blazing

It's a daft idea anyway,' Stuart was saying. 'I've one basinful, I don't feel much like another. heard
what the Doctor said.'
'For a member of the so-called dominant sex, Stu,
being remarkably feeble.'
Benton looked amusedly at their angry faces. 'Is
a private fight, or can anyone join in?'
Stuart turned to him as an ally. 'Boadicea here
wants to creep over to the lab and nobble the

'And supposing the time field is still working?'
'We shan't know that till we try, shall we?' said crisply.
Stuart's horror, Benton headed for the door.
then, what are we waiting for?'
worse than she is!' moaned Stuart. Master's escape was still very fresh in
 mind. 'So you're suggesting we just sit here let the Master treat us like a load of twits?'
mate, you're paid to play James Bond I'm a scientist.'
Stu!' said Ruth reproachfully.
swung round on her. 'And don't you start! be the first-to clobber me if I mucked it up.'

85



 'Well, you could at least have a go indignantly. 'Oh, why are men so spinek
'Look lovey, I'm not me~. IYn Stuart h tered card-carrying fully paid-up coward!'
Benton and Ruth didn't answer. They j at him.
'Don't look at me like that! For Pete's, no-one spoke. 'Oh, all right,' said Stuar 'I'll come.'
'Thanks, Stu,' said Benton solemnly. 'I wouldn't let us down.'
Stuart grunted. 'Just give me time, that' grabbed a giant spanner from a shelf by and waved it
martially. 'Well, come on .tl are we waiting for?'

The Master opened the front of the t: computer cabinet like a door, heaved up tk of TOMTIT equipment in
which the crysta and led the way inside. 'Come, Krasis, we h to do.'
Nervously Krasis followed.
He was astonished to find himself in a l well-lit chamber - in the centre stood a many-sided shape.
An altar perhaps, thougI He looked about him in awe. 'Master, wh place? Is it a temple?'
The Master put down the equipment crystal on a specially prepared table nex control console. 'Do not
let it concern you,
'So vast a space inside so small a box,' sai wonderingly.
The Master seized his opportunity to kee thoroughly overawed. 'My power is greai your imagination
can encompass. Yc

86


d

d

11
t.

U



'k


that. Your only interest at the moment is ; realise that Atlantis awaits us.' His hands moved controls.
'First I must test the power levels.' console of the Master's TARDIS began throbWith power. He studied
the instruments and in satisfaction. 'Good. A few more minutes and we shall be ready to leave!'

now the Doctor's TARDIS was standing upright

Jo came running up to the Doctor who was
 at the roadside supervising preparations to his TARDIS back on the road, and then onto now-repaired
truck.
quickly! I'm getting a reading!'
He took the time sensor from her and studied it.
very low,' muttered the Doctor. 'And it's fading
He must be testing before take-off, the power
have been enormous...' He raised his 'Brigadier, the Master's on the move again.'
 Brigadier came hurrying up. 'Right, Sergeant, i the Doctor's machine loaded up!'
no time for that! I'll have to take-off from there.'
thought your TARDIS still wasn't working?'
Jo.
isn't, not properly. I intend to use the time as a homing device, and put my TARDIS his. Then wherever
he goes I'll go with him.' Doctor made his way down to the TARDIS Jo and the Brigadier close behind him.
He by the TARDIS door. 'Well, goodbye, LethI'll make contact as soon as

87


. 'We'//make contact as soon as possible

The Doctor raised his eyebrows. 'We, 'We!'
'Nothing I can say will dissuade you?' 'No.'
'Oh! Well, you'd better come along th
 The Doctor went inside the TARD followed.
 Even when you knew the TARDIS wa the inside than on the outside, thought Jo experience still
continued to be some~ shock.
 She looked around her. Something hl something about the circular configurat walls. 'Doctor, the
TARDIS looks diffen
 'Oh, just a spot of re-decoration, that's time to time, the Doctor altered some dc TARDIS interior.
More often than not 1 he didn't like what he'd done and fever original. Dismissing the subject, the
Docto ously, 'Jo, you do realise that what I'm al is appallingly dangerous?'
'I've been in the TARDIS with you bel 'Very well. You've been warned.'
 Jo watched while the Doctor studie~ faintly registering time sensor, and made of minute adjustments
to the controls.
 The TARDIS console began humming g the Doctor straightened up. 'The two T are now operating on the
same frequency the tricky part ... This is the time se critical to the billionth part of a nanosecon,
see?'
'No.'

88


al
a

Doctor sighed. 'If it's infinitesimally low, we'll
entirely and go whistling off to Heaven-knows-
If it's too high, by even the tiniest fraction
  a . . 
Doctor slapped his hands together.
~h! Time Ram! The atoms making up this
would occupy precisely the same space and
of those of the Master's TARDIS.'
that's impossible!'
~. 'Of course it is. So, what do you think would

'Whoomph?'
'Exactly. Extinction Utter annihilation. Still want J, to come?'
'It's my job, remember?'
'Glad to have you aboard, Miss Grant,' said the
solemnly.
Jo gave him a mock salute. 'Glad to be aboard,
~r!'
The Doctor grinned and operated the controls,
~i  the TARDIS vanished with its usual wheezing,
Io !sound. At the wheel of his tractor, the farm
watched it dispassionately. 'Londoners!' he
disapprovingly.

a circuitous route through the shrubbery,
 Stuart and Ruth worked their way round building, and then dashed through the arch that to the
Master's lab . . .

the TARDIS, the centre column of the control
  was rising and falling steadily. 'Mmm, ..' said the Doctor thoughtfully. 'Well, so far, good!'
'How long will it take us to get there?' asked Jo.

89


rubbed his chin. 'Well, thing. No time at all, really. We time. But, of course, it always seems to tal
amount of time. Depends on the mood, Z 'What, your mood?' 'No, the TARDIS's.'
'You talk as if she was alive, Doctor!'
'Depends what you mean by alive, d Take old Bessie, for instance...'
The centre column began slowing perceI the Doctor broke off. 'We're coming i~ already Jo.'
Suddenly a curiously familiar wheezing, sound filled the air - and a large compute appeared on the
Other side of the control
The Doctor stared at it in dismay. 'Oh dear! Well, it was always on the cards, I st
Suddenly Jo realised what had happen Master's TARDIS is inside ours, instead of way round!'
'Quite! Very curious effect, that. I do~ understand how it happened.'
The Doctor switched on the scanner ar~ himself gazing into the swirling patterns of vortex. 'That's
strange. . Oh no, of coum seeing through the TOMTIT gap into t vortex. Wait there, Jo.'
The Doctor strode determinedly throt TARDIS door.
After a moment Jo heard him exclaim, grief!' Th. en he called, 'Jo, come out here a r will you?'
Jo followed him, and found herself stan, a control room like, and yet curiously unlil Doctor's own.
She glanced over her shoulde:

90


:he
ide
ain
;e.r

it?



was the square blue shape of the TARDIS she just left. 'I don't get it!' 'Don't you? Follow me.'
<The Doctor led the way across the strange control
and out of the door on the other side. found herself back in the more familiar control
of the Doctor's TARDIS- with the computer
that disguised the Master's TARDIS behind

still don't get it!'
md :'Oh really, Jo, it's quite simple. My TARDIS is
ILthe Master's.'
mg~:~.'But his is inside yours!'
net ~?Exactly! They're both inside each other. I should
~e expected that.'
oh:j~:'So what can we do now?'
~..' d~The Doctor smiled. TII give you three guesses.' ['he i~$o pretended to consider. 'Wait?' her 
snapped his fingers. 'Right first time.'

alto

Master and Krasis were back in the laboratory the Master was making a few final adjustments
main TOMTIT controls.
was looking out of the window. 'Master,
in wagons!'
Master hurried to the window. Coming up drive of the Institute was the UNIT convoy,
 at last. He hurried back to the controls. 'I'll deal with them...'

Brigadier was leading the convoy in his land
 He came to a halt and the other vehicles drew line behind him.
 Brigadier leaped over the side of the land and began barking orders. 'Right, A squad

91


here, B squad round the back. Keep your At the double no-oo-oo...'
Time suddenly slowed. To the Briga thing felt normal but, as the time field l Krasis and the Master
saw the Brigadi men freeze like statues. 'That'll keep t
unoccupied for the time being. In you g~ Krasis recoiled. 'Where?'
The Master flung open the front of th, cabinet. 'Into my TARDIS, man, an about it!' Reluctantly
Krasis obeyed.
The Master made a last adjustme TOMTIT console. 'They won't stop me i
The lab door was flung open and RL appeared. 'Sorry, Professor, that's wh wrong!' Behind her was
Stuart Hyde, brandishing his enormous spanner.
The Master. took a step forward. moderate size he was enormously stror knew full well that he could
brush these like cobwebs. 'Well, well, well, my devc ants! And are you going to stop me?'
'Not by ourselves, no,' said Ruth stea( a look behind you.'
The Master's lip curled in scorn. 'Oh, r don't expect me to believe...'
From behind him Benton's voice said, self mate. But you'd better get those han
The Master whirled round. Benton finished clambering through the windov covering him with the big
service revolv the Master raised his hands. 'I should ha~ you off when I had the chance.'
'You'll never get another one. Stuart, got a gun.'

92


moved to search the Master - and made elementary mistake of coming between the and Benton's gun. It was
only for a second, t for the Master it was long enough.
one savage sweep of his arm, he sent Stuart across the room. Then he dashed into his the door in Ruth's
face as she tried follow him. Seconds later, the computer cabinet before her astonished eyes.

the Master's TARDIS, Krasis was pointing to a
  blue shape by the far wall. 'Master, look! other one. Your enemy is here!'
rhe Master gave an exultant laugh. 'Good! Now
got him really trapped!'
!

93


11

The Time-Eater

Inside h/s TARDIS, the Doctor was beil about like a passenger in a small boat oi sea. Jo was sent flying
across the control: picked herself up and clung to the consok what's happening?'
'We're on our way, Jo. The Master's ta~ Atlantis!'
'But the TARDIS has never behaved before!'
The Doctor was struggling frantically controls. 'The two TARDISes are operati~ phase, that's why.'
Suddenly the TARDIS seemed to settl,. little. 'There,' gasped the Doctor. 'That's be managed to calm
her down. She has a v~ temper when she's roused.'
'I never know if you're joking or not,' rubbing an ache at the base of her spine: I've bruised my
tailbone.'
  'I'm sorry about your coccyx Jo, but the
things are sent to try us.''My what?'
'Your coccyx - your tailbone!'
Another voice said, 'I'm sorry about your too, Miss Grant.' The Master's face had at

94


  Win the scanner screen set into the TARDIS wall. 'How very sociable of you both to drop in!'

Ruth Ingram was staring at the still gently throbbing TOMTIT apparatus. 'I think we ought to turn it
off.'
Benton disagreed. 'I don't think we should touch
it.'
'Why ever not?'
 'The Doctor was going after his TARDIS - and that thing's some sort of time-machine, isn't it?'
'SoT
tedi;
'my  we'd better leave well alone, Miss.' Benton
ihe couldn't help feeling that interfering with TOMTIT
~or somehow foul things up for the Doctor.
f i 'Very well. You're in command, Sergeant
 r B 'And a right muck-up I've made of it,' said Benton
i, is :lb?rly'
[ 18~ Come on, it's not exactly your fault.'
~ ~: 'Don't look at me,' said Stuart hurriedly. 'You
~ ;~'t say I didn't warn you, now can you, Sergeant?'
V' ,i/:,~ 'I'11 listen to you next time. That was the nearest
 ~a :::ill ever come to capturing the Master, that was.'
 /~:.',Oh, come on, it isn't the end of the world after
 Z!:~:~ilsn't it?The Doctor seemed to think it might be.
 [4~ telling where the Master is by now - or when he
 ~'~  [or that matte~'
  Ruth gave a sigh of exasperation. 'Honestly, you
  make me sick. Standing about moaning like a
  of old women.'
  Stuart was indignant. 'Old women?'
  I mean it, Stu. Okay, so the Master's gone
  somewhere. And whether he's gone into the
  or the past - well, frankly I don't know and


95


! don't care. The point is, weYe still here and the first thing we've got to do is to problem.'
Stu had wandered over to the window d~ little speech. At this point he turned and s: can stop right
there, Ruth, the problem is Come and look.'
They joined him at the window and 1oo[ at the Brigadier and his men, still frozer temporal stasis.
'It's the Brig,' said Benton wonderingly. Ruth said, 'Exactly the same as before.'
'But how can it be the same as before,' sai 'now that the crystal's gone?'
'Don't you remember? The Doctor said works quite independently, even with crystal.'
Benton looked alarmed. 'Do you re~ means we're trapped?'
'Now will you let me turn off the transm
They wrangled for a few minutes longer b Benton said 'All right, turn it off.'
  'Ah, a man of decision!' Ruth hurriet
controls. The TOMTIT noise began to die 'Go on then,' said Benton. 'Turn it off!' 'I have.'
'But - they're still stuck!'
'That's impossible!'
Stuart turned from the window. 'Wel better go and explain it to them, love. ? think they're stuck,
apparently.'
'And we're still trapped,' said Benton. 'h

'Now, Doctor, what can I do for you?'
Master smoothly. 'Or is your visit purely so

96


'Oh, I thought we might have a little chat.'
!What an excellent idea. Why not join me out
:,9'
'Because one step outside my TARDIS and that
be the end of me!'
The Master looked hurt. 'You have a very low  ' of me!'
'You've noticed that, have you? Well, well, well!' 'It may interest you to know, Doctor, that I've
time lock on your TARDIS. You cannot leave unless I lift it, of course.'
'Do you think I haven't thought of that too?
t're as trapped as I am. You can't even open
door unless I wish it.'
'Alternatively, I could fling you out into the time
  the Master continued. 'I very much doubt you could do that to me. So, do be very careful.' 'Do you
really think I care what happens to me the moment? Don't you realise that your plans
bring disaster to the entire Universe?'
The Master yawned and flicked a switch on his
The Doctor's voice faded, leaving his mouthing face on the screen. The Master turned to Krasis.
'An excellent brain, nust admit, if a little pedestrian. But what a bore
fellow is!'
'Is he dangerous?'
'Dangerous enough. But don't worry, I can deal
him.'
'In there?' asked Krasis. 'Surely, he is safe in

The Master chuckled 'As soon as he realises he's to himself, he'll be out in a flash.' He glanced the
scanner and saw the Doctor suddenly stop his face indignant. 'Ah, he's realised at last.

97


That took a long time, the slow-witted t you watch. He cannot bear not to haw word !'

The Doctor saw the Master wave mock: turn away from the screen. 'He's not even
He's turned down the sound!''Well, that's notvery nice!'
'I've got to make him listen, Jo. It's chance of stopping him!'
'You're not thinking of going out there, 'Not if I can possibly help it!' 'What are you going to do
then?'
'He's turned off his sound receiver, s~ make myself heard without it. If the Thra his fingers in
his ears it's polite to shout. C sian proverb.' The Doctor reached into ', locker beneath the console
and pulled out mass of circuitry.
'Ah!' said Jo, wondering, as usual, Doctor was on about. 'What's a Thraskin?'
The Doctor was dismantling the a,, circuits. 'Archaic word,' he said absently, used since the
twenty-fifth dynasty. The equivalent is Plinge.'
'And what does Plinge mean?'
The Doctor was busily reassembling the c a different sequence. 'Oh for heaven's sal just told you.
It means Thraskin.'

Ruth Ingram meanwhile was carrying oul similar operation on the inner circuitry TOMTIT machine.
'But why?' Benton was asking. 'I mean,

98


ii~ed.it off, the Brig and Co. should have speeded
~lllP again. Why didn't theyT
/:~ 'Well, I'm not sure, but it looks as if TOMTIT
made a permanent gap in the structure of time.
only hope is to close it up again.'
'And how are you going to do that?' asked Stuart.
 turning the circuits upside down, so to speak. a bit empirical, but you never know.' Benton
looked baffled. 'Empirical?'
'That, Sergeant Benton, means I haven't a clue
I'm doing.'
'Join the club,' said Stuart cheerfully.
Benton scratched his head. 'So, it's just trial and
Have a go and see what happens?'
'More or less!' She fitted the circuitry back into
and switched on. 'Right, Stu, you monitor interstitial activity. If it goes over sixty, give
us


'What's the upper limit?'
'If it goes over seventy, say a prayer and duck.' 'What do I do?' asked Benton.
'Just stay out of the way and look pretty. Right,
are you happy?'

'Then let's have a stab at it.' She switched on, and
TOMTIT sound began.
qnterstitial activity, nil.' reported Stuart.
structure, stable. Increasing power.' began calling out readings. 'Three five.

the time wedge?' on zero zero four.' Isolate matrix scanner.'
Four, five, five zero...'
activity?'

99


Stuart's voice was tense. 'Shooting up. Five five, six zero... It's running away again.' Ruth worked
frantically at the controls. 'Decreasing power.'
Stuart's voice went on in a kind of chant. 'Seven five, seven zero, six five, six zero...'
Benton was leaning forward over the consol~ trying to make sense of what was going on. Witho
realising it, he was resting one hand on the mission platform.
'Five five, five zero, four five, four zero,
five, three zero...'
Benton felt a strange tingle running through
He tried to snatch his hand away and found couldn't move ...
Suddenly he felt himself dwindling... 'Okay, that's enough,' said Ruth. She switched and the power hum
faded away. She hurried to window and Stuart joined her.
The Brigadier and his men were still
time. Despairingly Ruth said, 'It's made no ence. They're still stuck.'
Stuart turned back to the console. 'There we
the skin of a gnat's whisker from the big bang
m

'Nothing happened at all,' concluded Ruth. There was a strange wailing cry.
Stuart was staring in astonishment at the
side of the console. 'Nothing? Come and see!' Ruth came over to look.
On the floor a baby was squalling
it tried to free itself from a tangle of army Benton, like Stuart before him, had been a of the TOMTIT's
temporal interference, but in opposite chronological direction.
Sergeant Benton was now just over one year

100


d

n


?

Master waited patiently, eyes fixed on his
screen.
'Master, what is he doing?' asked Krasis. 'Exactly what I would do in his position.' 'And what is that?'
'Wait and see, Krasis, wait and see!'
Suddenly the screen lit up, showing the Doctor's
  The Doctor's voice rang loud and clear through Master's control room. 'Testing, testing, testing!
two, three, four, five!'
The Master laughed. 'I thought as much!'
'I've boosted my audio and over-ridden your sound circuits,' announced the Doctor, cheerfully. 'You
can't turn me off now, can you? You've got to
to me!'
'Have I, Doctor? Have I really?'
  The Master's hands flicked over the controls. The Doctor settled down to lecture the Master on
  evil of his ways. 'Obviously you've not been able bring Kronos through yet, or you wouldn't be
  to Atlantis, so there may yet be time to make realise your folly.' Suddenly the Doctor's words
twisted, garbled ...


his TARDIS, the Doctor listened in amazement
sound of his own voice. What he had actually
  'Surely you must see the dangers you risk?' somehow what came out was, 'Illursh ooee tsum uth
serjnade eeoo ksirr?'
On the screen the Master leaned forward. 'I'm so
Doctor. What was that again?'
The Doctor glared indignantly at him and shouted, Lsaid, surely you must see the dangers you risk?'
But what he heard himself saying was, 'Eea dess,
ooee tsum ees uth serjnade eeoo ksirr...'

101


Angrily the Doctor switched off the scar all the low underhand tricks!'
'What happened? What language was th~ 'English,' said the Doctor indignantly wards! He's picking up my
words even bef them, and feeding them back to me thr~ TARDISes' telepathic circuits, so that th out
backwards.'
Jo realised that the Master was reversinl letters but the actual syllables of the Doctor It was
exactly like hearing a tape played ba but at normal speed.
'Did you say the TARDISes were telepat 'Of course,' said the Doctor matter-~ 'How else do you suppose
they would comm Well, that settles it. I have no choice. No Jo, when I go out there -'
'You're not going out there!'
'What else can I do?'
'You said yourself it would be suicide t4 there without the protection of the TARDl
'I've'got to risk it, Jo. He's got to be stop, that's no reason to put you into any danger. as I go
through that door you must close
me.'
'But then you'll be shut out.'
  'And you'll be safely shut in. And you
open up to anybody or anyone until I say.' 'I won't do it,' sobbed Jo. 'I won't.'
  Gently the Doctor touched her cheek. '~
as you're told, Jo. It's your job, remember' 'But Doctor, if anything happens to you 'I know, Jo, I
know. Now, go and open th~

The Master smiled triumphantly as the do

102



Y
e
~e




ft

police box opened and the Doctor emerged. 'There, Krasist What did I tell you?'
'Won't you introduce me?' said the Doctor.
The Master nodded to Krasis, who said proudly, 'I am Krasis, High Priest of the Temple of Poseidon.'
'Greetings to you, Krasis,' said the Doctor politely. 'Any friend of the Master's is an enemy of
mine.'
'Oh come, Doctor,' said the Master wearily. 'Must we play games? I take it you have something to say
to me before I destroy you?'
'Yes, I most certainly have!'
'The usual song of death and disaster? I do wish you'd learn a new tune, Doctor.'
The Doctor drew a deep breath. 'Now, just you
to me for once. If you try to take control of
the Universe through Kronos, you risk total destruction of the entire cosmos.'
  'Of course!' said the Master arrogantly. 'All or
 aothing - literally! What a glorious alternative!' 'You're mad! Paranoid!
'Of course, Doctor,' said the Master. 'Who isn't?
just a little more honest than the rest, that's all.
,e, Doctor.'
The Master threw the switch on the TOMTIT

The crystal began to glow.
.'No, Master, no!' shrieked Krasis.
But it was too late. The winged form of Kronos
emerging from the fiery heart of the glowing
 and the beating of his mighty wings filled Master's control room. Holding up the Seal of
 for protection, the Master shouted,
  Kronos, a rare, a delicate feast for you. A Lord! Devour him! Devour him!'

103


Kronos swooped down, wrapped his fiery about the Doctor and engulfed him.

In the Doctor's TARDIS, Jo Grant had seen every.
thing on the scanner. She gave an anguished cry of 'Doctor!' and fainted dead away.

104


12 Atlantis

When Kronos unfolded his wings the Doctor was gone, vanished leaving no trace behind.
His appetite unsated, Kronos bore down on the Master and Krasis, filling the air with the terrifying
beating of his wings.
Krasis cowered away with a scream of terror, but the Master stood his ground, holding up the Great
Seal of Atlantis. 'Kronos, be at peace - I command Be at peace!'
For a moment nothing happened. Then, with astonishing suddenness, Kronos began to shrink, to and
vanished into the heart of the glowing

The Master laughed exultantly. 'You see, Krasis?
is my slave!'
Suddenly Jo's face appeared on the scanner. Her
had lasted only a few moments, and she was
to discover the Doctor's fate.
The Master looked up. 'Miss Grant?'
'What's happened to the Doctor? You must help

'Ah, he's beyond my help, my dear. He's beyond
help!'
'That thing - that creature - really swallowed him

105


~tTW (~8[~ a nice point,' said judicially. 'Yes - and no! Yes, it engul it didn't actually eat him
up. He's out
time vortex, and there he's going to sta 'Then he is alive?'
'Well, if you can call it that. Alive fo eternity of nothingness.' The Master ch coin a phrase - a
living death!'
'That's the most cruel, the most wic~ ever heard.'
'Thank you, my dear,' said the Maste accepting what he saw as a compliment. about you, Miss Grant?
You're an emba me... as indeed is that antiquated piece the Doctor's.'
Jo was close to tears. 'I don't really care Do what you like - just get it over with!
'Your wish is my command,' said the M teously. His hands moved over the contro picture of Jo on the
scanner began to roc as she, and the TARDIS, were hurled o~ time vortex,
The Master touched another control picture on the screen showed the TARDI away into the infinite
nothingness of tt 'Goodbye, Miss Grant!'

The sudden, whirling acceleration caused consciousness yet again. She awoke stretch the control room
floor, with a strange sense The TARDIS seemed to be poised, at resl of voices were whispering gently in
her ea Jo . . . Jo. . .
Somehow one voice seemed to dominate 'Doctor?' she said feebly.

106


~ster ~, no
the

an
i'To


Thank heavens you're alive, Jo!
'Doctor! It is you!' She sat up, looked round, and found she was still alone. 'Doctor - where are
you?'
I'm nowhere, Jo. Still in the time vortex. The TARDIS is relaying my thoughts to you.
'What are all those other voices I can hear?'
Those are my subconscious thoughts. I shouldn't listen too hard if I were you - I'm not all that
proud

~gI  of some of them.
! Resisting the temptation to eavesdrop on the
~tly il~/Doctor s subconscious, Jo said, 'I still don't under!hat ::! stand, you must be somewhere. Tell
me how I can
~to get you back.'
 ofYou can't Jo - but luckily the TARDIS can. That's
! why she's put us in touch.
! What do you - I mean, what does she want me
I to do?' '

IGo to control panel number three.
I Jo obeyed. Okay. Now what?
Lift the little lid marked Extreme Emergency.
'Right.'
 I' There s a red handle inside. Got it?
/'~ Jo lifted the lid and saw the handle beneath. 'Yes.' lI Then pull it?
~il: Jo grabbed the handle and tugged hard.
:t Nothing happened - until a voice behind her said
quietly, 'Hello, Jo.
?l~, She spun round and saw the Doctor sitting cross,/ilegged on the floor, a little dishevelled, but
very !llhuch alive. 'Doctor!' she cried joyfully and ran to i/hug him.

the outer hall of the Great Temple of Poseidon, royal council was about to begin.
The chamber was enormous, dominated at one

107



end by the huge statue of the god Pt of the statue was a raised stone d were set two carved thrones.
The trumpeters at the great mm
their long curved horns and blew a fa ately a richly-dressed procession c nobles, the High Council of
Atlantis temple, taking their places before the
Crito, the Elder of the Council r: marblehis staff of office 'Op,
The doors to the inner temple o1~ smaller procession appeared. In the le Dalios, his ornate robes
contrasting wl pressive stature.
The woman who came behind him, litter by four giant Nubian slaves more up for Dalios's
appearance. imposing, red-haired and voluptuously gorgeously robed and with an elaborat~ head-dress, she
looked every inch the que~ was. This was Galleia, Queen of Atlantis of King Dalios.
Priests, slaves and temple guards flanked couple as they took their places on the twin The assembled
Councillors bowed their h~ once again Crito rapped on the marble floor staff. 'Peace my brothers! His
Holiness, t[ Venerable Priest of Poseidon King of the Te will hear his Council.'
Before anyone else could move the hat figure of young Hippiasforward and low. His voice rang
clearly through the tt 'Your Holiness, Most Venerable Priest of Po.,

  Nearly five hundred years of public life had 108


Dalios somewhat impatient of 'official
t. He leaned forward, cutting off the string complimentary titles. 'Yes, yes, yes, I hear you,
Hippias.'
I-Iippias bowed again. 'My Lord, may I speak
t?'
 grieve me to think you would ever speak Speak as a friend should speak.' tossed back his long
coiled ringlets in an
gesture. 'You are popular, Dalios, and the
 love you. Will their love fill their bellies in winter when the granaries are empty?'
was a shocked silence. This was close to Then Dalios spoke. 'Your words are plain Hippias. What would
you have me do? you have me order the rain to fall?'
Dalios, I would!'
a care, Hippias.'
  was not to be deterred. His eloquent like a trumpet-call through the temple. I shall have a
care. A care for the peace of A care that foolish superstition, old wives'
the fear of old men shall not prevent our for them as our rank demands.'
 another young Councillor, stepped 'He speaks the truth, Lord King. Many
do.'
! know not what you ask,' said Dalios wearily.
I be plainer still?' cried Hippias. 'I know
I ask for the blessings our forefathers
  I ask for the divine Power to be given land from which it was so cruelly stolen!'
was adding blasphemy to treason, exploded in uproar.

109



Krasis re-appeared as the Master returned to control room, looking sinisterly elegant in a high-collared
coat.
'Master, why are we not yet in Atlantis?' The Master was busy at the console. 'My Krasis, I must work
out the landing as accurately as possible. Your people must immediately that I am the Master, that I
come the gods, and that I am bringing Kronos back them.'
'Where in Atlantis will you arrive?'
The Master gave him a look of surprise. smack in the middle of the temple of course!'

It took the intervention of King Dalios himself quell the near-riot. He rose from the stretching out his
hands, his voice surprisingly and strong for such a frail old man, and called
'Brothers, peace, peace, I say. Be silent!'And all at once there was silence.
Dalios spoke again. 'I shall speak plainly too. ask for the blessings of the Golden Years. I tell
plainly, there came a time when Atlantis grew hate them. What would you have, Hippias, if were Master of
Kronos, Ruler of Time?'
There was a shocked murmur. To speak the
of Kronos was near-blasphemy, even for the king..
'Would you have ten crops in one season?' D: went on. 'A surfeit of fishes, an ocean of wine? take
the barren soil as well, the stinking piles rotting meat, an idle, drunken, cruel people. I you plainly,
the gifts of Kronos were a curse. is why we, of our own choice, banished him renounced them.'
'But Dalios -' protested Hippias.

110


Shocked, Crito intervened. 'Be silent, Hippias! King speaks!'
 Sulkily Hippias subsided and Dalios went on. 'I seen a temple, twice the size of this in which we
stand, fall through a crack into the fiery bedrock the earth. I have seen a city drowned, a land laid by
fire. So listen to an old man's fears. If should come again, I tell you plainly would be doomed. You
hear me, Hippias? destroyed, never to rise again!'
Hippias seemed about to reply, thought better of and turned angrily away. Dalios sat brooding on his
throne for a moment. knew, because he had seen it, that interference with the true course of time
produced short term and eventual disasters. The physical cataswere bad enough, the fires, the
earthquakes, it he floods. Far worse was the moral and spiritual ~,corruption brought by too much ease
and wealth. The gifts of Kronos had been given up just in time. They had come very near to destroying
Atlantis.
Now Hippias was clamouring for their return. And was not alone. There had been as many Atlanshouting in
support of Hippias as against him - perhaps more.
The voice of Queen Galleia broke in on his 'Listen - I heard strange music. There it is once more...'
An unearthly sound shattered the silence of the and a strange shape appeared in the centre of the temple
- a tall green box. It was, in fact, the computer cabinet from the TOMTIT laboratory; in his haste the
Master had forgotten to reprogram his chameleon circuit.

111


The overawed Atlanteans drew back. raised his voice. 'Guards!'
Nervous but determined, the temple guar, forward, ringing the box with their three-I spears. The
door opened and a black-b black-clad man stepped out.
Finding a razor-sharp trident inches from l the Master brushed it casually aside.
Dalios stepped forward to confront him. 'h you?'
'I am the Master. I am an emissary from th The newcomer's voice was deep and cot and there was a murmur
of awe from the Dalios however was not so easily im1 'Indeed? Any god in particular?'
The Master studied Dalios for a moment, l that here was no primitive to be impress tricks and mystic
talk. 'Of course . . . Why you trust me?'
He snapped his fingers and Krasis appear~ the doorway behind him. Since everyone kn Krasis had been
snatched up by the gods night of the great storm, the crowd was mox
awed than ever. Even Dalios was shaken. '~ The Master said, 'Now do you believe me 'What do you want?'
whispered Dalios.
'To speak of the ancient mysteries. The se the mighty Kronos.'
There was a terrified gasp from the crowd 'You are brave indeed, O Master,' said 'An emissary of the
gods.' He raised his 'Brothers, should I listen to this man?'
Queen Galleia had been staring in fascin~ the newcomer since his arrival. 'He has t~ bearing of a
god himself.'

112


/
/
'He appeared from the heavens, like Zeus,' !imuttered Myseus.
me ~ 'I know of many such tricks,' said Dalios dismiss-
~d i!~ ively. 'Krasis?
~d, il: The eyes of the High Priest glittered fanatically.
 lB.'Most Venerable, I have seen - him.'
ee, Dalios lowered his voice. 'You have seen Kronos?'
 Krasis nodded eagerly.
~re '~ 'We must speak privately,' said Dalios. 'Crito, the
 Council is at an end. Come, Lady.'
Is.' Crito rapped on the floor with his staff. 'The
Lng Council is at an end. The King departs. Sound
~d. trumpets!'
~d. The fanfare rang through the temple and the King
 and his entourage moved towards the inner door.
ag Galleia rose to follow and stood for a moment,
[th eyes fixed on the Master. As he moved past her, he
rid !paused, his dark eyes burning into her own. He
~ inclined his head, very slightly, not in the salute of
ga a courtier to a queen, but as a greeting between
 equals.
 The Master went on his way, and Galleia stood
 after him. 'The bearing of a god,' she said,
 to herself, and moved away.
 But Hippias heard, and stood staring angrily after
 In his gaze there was all the bitterness of an
 favourite who has been suddenly



Doctor finished his calculations and looked up.
we are, Jo. On our way to Atlantis.'
'But I thought you couldn't just take the TARDIS you wanted to. I mean you haven't managed
fix it yet, have you? Or have you?'

113


'Not entirely,' admitted the Doctor. I'm
the time sensor to lead us to the Master's 'I 'But not inside it?'
'I hope not, not this time. We'll soon fin He operated the landing controls.

Krasis and Hippias, both awaiting the resu Master's audience with the King, found th4 confronted by a
second miracle, as a tall 1 appeared beside the Master's TARDIS. Tht and Jo stepped out. Jo looked round
in aston at the massive temple, with its great sta~ robed priests and Councillors and the Greek guards.
The Doctor beamed amiably at Krasis. well, well, small world, isn't it?'
Krasis stared unbelievingly at him. 'You alive!'
'So it would seem.'
Krasis soon recovered from his astonishmer not for long! Guards, slay them!'

114



,n~.


13

The Guardian

,r :i!Hippias
ktstepped forward, raising his hand. 'No! I
eforbid it!' He turned to Krasis. 'Are you mad? Who g are these strangers? Why should they be
slain on
sight?'
 'They are the enemies of the Master- and therefore the enemies of our people and our land.'
,1The Doctor said, 'We have come to warn you -' 'Silence!' screamed Krasis. 'You will regret this
interference, Lord Hippias!'
t  Hippias ignored him. 'Guards, take them to the
King.'


In the King's simply furnished private chambers, Galleia stood quietly by the door, a silent witness to
 the interview between the Master and her husband. Her eyes never left the Master, who stood dominating
the seated figure of the King.
 But despite appearances, Dalios was proving difficult to impress. 'If the High Priest saw fit to
break a sacred trust, is that good reason for the King to follow him?'
Once more, the Master's voice was deep and compelling. 'Krasis saw the crystal in my hand, saw
Kronos himself, saw him dominated by me. Krasis 'knows that I am the Master of Kronos.'

115


'Krasis is but a slave at heart,' said dismissively.
The Master leaned forward, staring hard at the unimpressive little figure seated before him. 'Maybe,
But Krasis has learned that it is well to obey me.'
Dalios looked at him, with a mild, amused curiosity. 'You seek to make me fear you?'
The Master sat on the couch, close to Dalios, staring deep into his eyes. 'Not at all,' he said, his
voice deep and soothing. 'But if you wilt only see; with Krasis, that I am the Master, then natural1
will obey me.' His voice deepened, became urgent. 'You will obey me. You will obey me!'
To the Master's astonished fury, Dalios shook head and laughed. 'A very elementary technique
fascination. I am too old a fish - too old in and in the sacred mysteries - to be caught in such l net.
You are no messenger from the gods.'
'But you saw me descend from the skies! protested the Master.
Dalios chuckled. 'Tell me then, what of Poseidon? What did he have for breakfast? Fish, Z suppose!
And what of Zeus and Hera? Tell me the latest gossip from Olympus. Do tell me!'
It was a new experience for the Master to mocked and not one he cared for, but he his anger. 'I
underestimated you, Dalios.'
'I am no child to play with such painted Kronos is no god, no Titan. I know that, and so you. '
The Master bowed his head. 'The King is old wisdom.'
Once again Dalios laughed at him. 'Now you to flatter me. You pull a string and wish to see


lance.' Dalios's voice hardened. 'You shall not have the Great Crystal!'
The Master rose with as much dignity as he could i muster. 'I shall go now, Dalios. I have nothing
more to say to you.'
Even now Dalios had the last word. 'You have
nothing to me yet. When you find the true word
I shall listen!'
and dismissed, the Master left the

There was worse to come. Outside, he met the
and Jo Grant, being escorted by Hippias to an audience with the King. Astounded the Master
at them, literally speechless with fury. 'Can't think of a thing to say?' asked the Doctor.
very embarrassing!'
'How about, Curses, foiled again?' suggested
helpfully.
The Master turned and stalked away furiously. 'Come,' said Hippias, and led them into the'royal

As they entered, Queen Galleia slipped away by door that led to her own quarters. She had listangrily to
the debate between the Master and It seemed wrong to her that the fascinating had been sent away,
unhappy and rejected. It was a situation that could be remedied.

Jo and the Doctor were shown in, King Dalios
courteously to greet them. 'Strangers are
in our land - though not this day, it Who are you?' The Doctor bowed. 'This, your Majesty, is
Jo -
Grant.'
'Welcome, Jojogranti' said the King solemnly.

117


'Surely, as in ancient times, a goddess has d, from Olympus!'
Jo was taken aback. 'But I'm not a honestly I'm not.'
Dalios chuckled. 'Of course you're not, r Forgive the clumsy gallantry of an old ma
I'm sadly out of practice. Hippias!''My Lord?'
'Take the Lady Jojogrant to the Queen talk with...'
'Oh, this is the Doctor,' said Jo hurriedl' 'With this learned man,' said Dalios. 'This way, Lady,' said
Hippias.
  Jo hesitated, looking worriedly at the Do,
smiled reassuringly. 'You'll be all right, Jo. Jo followed Hippias from the room.
Left alone, the Doctor and Dalios stood s a moment, summing each other up.
Dalios was a priest as well as a King, an had demonstrated to the Master, an adept ir knowledge. He
had the ability to see the nature of a man. Just as he had sensed ev IVlaster, fie saw the goodness of
the Doctor honesty of his intentions.
'Forgive the roughness of your welcom Dalios. 'Hippias has all the delicacy of a red fisherman.'
'Nevertheless, he did save our lives.' 'Indeed,' said Dalios thoughtfully. 'He k to himself! Now Doctor,
why have you ( Atlantis?'

In her private chamber, a room rich with ta and jewelled ornaments, Queen Galleia sat l grapes while
Lakis, her favourite slave girl,

118




  hair. Lakis was an unobtrusively pretty browngirl, quite eclipsed by the more flamboyant of her
mistress.
~ 'Tell me,' asked Galleia, 'what did you think of
Master, Lakis?'
'He had the bearing of a god, Lady.'
'My very thought. In fact my very words. Are you
 me, Lakis? Would you dare? No, I hardly
you would. Are you frightened, then? I shall
 be angered by your reply if it is an honest one.' 'I like the Lord Hippias better,' whispered Lakis


~r

he

Galleia tossed her head. 'A sweetmeat! A confec-
 for a child's taste. This Master would not cloy the tongue, as Hippias does!' Lakis bowed her head.
'He is very handsome.' Galleia stared into the distance. 'Handsome? Aye,
looked well enough, I SUlSpose. But it was a face
 Lakis. A man with such a face would to risk a world to win his desire.' She laughed.
is but a petulant boy.'
'And a foolish one, no doubt, to trust a queen,'
from the doorway.
Galleia rose angrily. 'Foolish, certainly, to think
man enough to love one.' She turned to who was fleeing.from the room. 'No, Lakis, back. The Lord
Hippias is not staying.'
  bowed. 'The Lord Hippias would not be
 at all but that he has been sent on an errand the King.'
give me your message, boy - and go!'
i Hippias turned and called, 'Lady!'
Jo Grant came into the room.
i Hippias said curtly, 'Lady Galleia, may I present

119


to you the Lady Jojogrant. The King would you treat her as an honoured guest.'
'How do you do?' said Jo. She held out her then hurriedly withdrew it under Galleia's icy stare With
vague memories of old historical movies did a sort of improvised curtsey and said, ings!' This seemed to
go down rather better.
Galleia inclined her head. 'Greetings Lady.' looked at Jo's striped mini-dress and fluffy 'You come
from a far land?'
'Couldn't be much farther.'
'She fell from the skies,' said Hippias. 'Like Master.'
'A day of wonders,' said Galleia.
'You can say that again.'
  Galleia looked at her in surprise. 'Why should I
wish to? Lakis, take the Lady - Jojogrant -''It's just Jo actually,' interrupted Jo.
'Your pardon. Take the Lady Jo to my maids and see that she is given attire more fitting for a lady
of the court.'
'Yes, Lady,' said Lakis obediently.
'And hurry back, Lakis, I have an errand for 'Yes, Lady.' Lakis led Jo from the room. Hippias said
mockingly. 'Are there no errands for me to run? A flower, perhaps, a token of love for some lordling of
the Court? But no, it would be dead before it was delivered.'
'You are impertinent, Hippias. Remember, I Galleia, Queen of Atlantis, daughter of Kings wife to
King Dalios. Have a care!'
Hippias bowed his head. 'Your pardon, I you for another. I knew a Galleia once, you see, woman not
the Queen. A sweet and loving lady, took you for her. Please, do forgive me.'

120


Galleia bit her lip in anger, then turned and sat down, her back to Hippias. 'You may leave me
!lOW.
Hippias bowed. 'I thank you, Lady.'
He strode from the room just as Lakis reappeared.
 Galleia summoned her. 'Lakis, come here at once.
Come closer.''Lady?'
 'Go to the Master. Go to him quietly when no-
one is near and say to him one word.' 'What word, Lady?' 'Kronos. '

'Kronos!' said Dalios unhappily. 'Kronos ... Kronos ... Kronos ... I am the last alive who knows, who
remembers with a fear to twist the guts. And these fools would have me bring him back.'
 The Doctor said, 'But why didn't you destroy the Crystal?'
 'We tried,' said Dalios sadly. 'We merely split the smaller crystal from it. It cannot be
destroyed.'
  'Of course, just like the TARDIS,' muttered the
Doctor. He looked up. 'The Great Crystal has its , being outside time. Only its appearance is here.'
'You are a philosopher, friend Doctor.'
i:' 'If wisdom is to seek the truth, I am.'
: 'Then help me, Doctor,' pleaded Dalios. 'Help me to find a way'to stop this evil man. Help me to ~Save
Atlantis from destruction.'

Master marched arrogantly into the Queen's
and stared about him. 'Where is she?'
~ 'If you will please wait, Lord,' begged Lakis. He was already turning away. 'The Master waits'

121


:~for no-one. I shall return when the Queen i:
to speak to me.'
 Galleia appeared in the inner doorwa' looked at the Master with the sleepy, wic.
 stare of the cat in her arms. 'Please stay,' sl
 calmly. She put down the cat, which strolle from the room, and sat on the couch. 'Lakis wine for this
Lord - and then go. See to the of our other guest.'
 With trembling hands, Lakis poured wit hurried thankfully away.
 The Master sat on the couch, close to the ( and gaied in her eyes. In his deep, mellow vc said,
'You are beautiful, O Queen!'
Galicia purred, like one of her own cats.

Lakis reached the next room just as Jo appea her new court dress, a simple Grecian-style With her hair
redressed in Atlantean-style ril Jo looked even more attractive, and certainly sophisticated, than
usual.
She surveyed herself in the mirror with apl: 'Wow, what a fantastic dress! Do you reckon i mum's
approval?'
Lakis stared at her. 'Mum? Do you mean ( Galleia?'
'That's right. Let's go and give her a previe Lakis held her back. 'No, I'm sorry. She do, wish to be
disturbed, The Lord Master is wit]
They speak of the sacred mysteries.' 'Kronos and all that?'
'It is forbidden -' began Lakis. 'But that/s what they're on about?' 'Yes.'

122




said Jo determinedly, and headed for the
door.
Again Lakis stopped her. 'No! You mustn't go in.
mustn't !'
'Listen,' said Jo reassuringly. 'I'll be as quiet as -
you have mice here?'
Lakis nodded.
'I'll be as quiet as an Atlantean mouse!'
Gently she opened the door, and stood listening the low voices that came from the couch in the
of the room.

Master and Queen Galleia were rapidly coming an understanding.
'You are a man who knows what he wants, Lord

'And takes it,' said the Master arrogantly. 'You want the Crystal.' 'And I am going to have it.'
 'Not without my consent.' There was an edge to Galleia's voice.
The Master said smoothly. 'Of course not. Yet I ~un confident that you will give it.'
It would have been simple enough for the Master to hypnotise Queen Galleia. Already under his
influence she would have shown none of the resistance of Dalios. But somehow it was more amusing,
more satisfying to his enormous vanity, to domi-
nate her by the sheer power of his personality. 'Why should I help you?' asked Galleia.
'For the sake of Atlantis, Lady. Would you not see her restored to her former glory - rich,
powerful, mighty amongst the nations of the world? Who would not wish to be ruler of such a mighty
country?'
Galleia considered this alluring prospect - and

123


1

went straight to the point. 'No harm must come to Dalios.' In her way she loved the old man, though more
as a father than a husband.
  'Why should it? He will reign for many long years,
 the beloved ruler of a happy and prosperous people.' 'And you-'
The Master sighed theatrically. 'Purely because of Lord Dalios's great age, it might be well if he
were i relieved of the more onerous burdens of kingship. The reins of power should be in stronger hands
such as yours, Lady Queen.'
He placed a black gloved hand over jewelled fingers. After a moment, she covered hand with her other
one. 'And yours?'
'It would be my pleasure to serve you ... course, when the end comes for Lord Dalios, as must come
for all men, then perhaps...' Again the Master sighed
The conquest of Galleia was complete. Crystal shall be yours,' she breathed . . .

   . . but not so quietly that the listening Jo
hear. She strained her ears to catch the
next words. 'And where is the Great Crystal?'
'Deep in the earth, beneath the temple.
has a key - and so has Krasis.''Then Krasis shall take me there!'
'I wish it were as simple as that. No-one can near, save Dalios himself. It is certain death, to
try.'
'But what is the danger?'
'The Guardian!'

'Yes, but who is this Guardian?' asked the
King Daiios sighed. 'A beast, a man, you
take your choice. Once he was my good friend,

124


Councillor. He was a great athlete, and just
  longed for the wisdom the years alone can bring,
craved great strength, the strength of the bull, and a long life in which to use it.'
'A harmless enough ambition, I would have

'And so should I,' said Dalios sadly. 'And Kronos his wish, as he granted mine. But in his Kronos gave
my friend not only the strength the head of a bull. And so he has remained, past five hundred years and
more.'
The Doctor recognised the origin of an old legend. ~fhe Minotaur,' he whispered. 'I'm sorry, go on!'
'There is little more to tell. He determined that else should suffer as he has suffered. Until last day
of his life, for which he longs so ardently, will guard the Crystal. No-one can approach it. to try is
certain death!'

 Krasis,' said the Master mockingly. 'Would like to volunteer?'
'No, Lord no!' sobbed Krasis. He had been
  by the Queen for an urgent conference.
Queen GaUeia said thoughtfully, 'Then perhaps should send someone down who is skilled with sword. One
who longs with all his heart to seize Crystal - and whose death would be of little

Lady?' asked Krasis.
'One who will listen to you, Krasis. The Lord
of course.'
who was still eavesdropping on the converheard a horrified gasp from behind her and back into the
anteroom.



Lakis was frantic with fear. 'What can we do? What can we do?'
'Tell the Doctor, that's what. Take me to the King!'
'I dare not, Lady Jo.'
'Would you rather let this Hippias face the creature?'
Lakis shook her head. 'Quickly then.'
They slipped away.

Lakis led Jo down endless corridors until they to the entrance to the King's quarters. A
bearing guard barred their way. 'Halt!''Take us to the King,' demanded Jo.
Crito, the Chief Councillor, stepped from the shadows 'The King is not to be disturbed.'
'But it's a matter of life and death,' protested Jo. Crito smiled. 'It could be indeed - yours!'
Jo was about to argue further, when Lakis pulled her aside.
'Be careful - the Lord Crito is no friend to Hippias.'
'Oh, for Pete's sake,' said Jo impatiently. These palace politics were a great nuisance, she
thought. Suddenly Lakis pulled her deeper into the shadows.
Hippias and Krasis were coming along corridor, deep in conversation. Hippias was a sword.
'They must be going for the Crystal,'
Jo. 'I'll follow them. You try to get in to tell Doctor and the King what's happening.' up her long
skirts, Jo hurried away.
She followed the two men along the gloomy
lit corridors of the palace, and across to the ad temple. She followed them through the secret

126


Io?

the

the

nt-

he

to.

ed

to

se

behind the altar of Poseidon, and through the maze i/of tunnels below the temple. The winding steps
and
tunnels led lower, lower, until the two men rounded a bend and disappeared from view.
Jo hurried on, rounded the bend herself, and
found herself at the top of a steep flight of steps. At
i the bottom she saw Hippias, sword in hand, stepping
through a door set into the rock wall. She heard an angry bellow.
 'No, Hippias!' called Jo. She rushed down the steps to call him back. But as she reached the
bottom, Krasis appeared from the shadows and thrust her through the still-open door, slamming it dosed
behind her.
 She found herself in a great stone cavern, dimly lit by a flickering torch set into a wall bracket,
its roof supported by many huge pillars. Hippias was nowhere in sight, although his abandoned sword lay
close to the door. She turned back and hammered on the door.
'Let me out,' she screamed. 'Let me out!'
A shattering roar came from behind her.
 Jo turned and saw a terrifying creature stalking towards her out of the shadows. The body was that
of a huge, immensely muscular man, wearing a
loin-cloth.
i The head was that of a bull.
The creature threw back its head, gave a savage i mar, and charged towards her.

127


14

The Captives

Lakis was by nature a timid girl, but in this emergency she found unexpected reserves of courage.
Waiting for a moment when Crito was talking to the guards, she dodged around them and dashed into the
royal chamber.
Dalios was still talking to the tall white-haired stranger. The two men looked up surprised as she
skidded to a halt. 'Lord King, forgive me! Lord Hippias and the High Priest have gone to the lair of the
Guardian, followed by the Lady Jo.'
The Doctor leaped to his feet. 'What? Lord King, tell me how to reach them)'

The many pillars supporting the chamber roof were what saved Jo's life. The Minotaur moved quickly, but
it was relatively clumsy, and the smaller Jo was much more agile.
Time after time, the creature charged with a savage roar. Time after time it was left baffled,
swinging its great head to and fro as Jo ducked into hiding behind a pillar.
Unfortunately the space before the door was clear. Even if the door hadn't been locked, there was no
chance of reaching it without being seen.
Jo flattened herself behind a pillar, gasping for

128


breath~. She was getting very tired. The Minotaur however, seemed as fresh as ever. And if Jo once
started to slow down ...
It was searching behind the pillars now, looking for her. As the snuffling of its breath came
closer, Jo prepared for another spring - and wondered how many more she could manage . . .

The Doctor came haring into the temple - and found
his way barred by Krasis and a temple guard. 'Seize this intruder,' screamed Krasis.
The guard raised his trident-spear, but the Doctor was in no mood for interruptions.
Wrenching the spear from the guard's grip he swung it round horizontally and thrust it forward under
the chins of both Krasis and the guard, so that they were held back against the wall on tiptoe.
Maintaining his grip with one hand, the Doctor snatched the key from Krasis's belt with the other.
'Sorry to hold you up like this, Krasis, but I need that key!'
Snapping the trident across his knee the Doctor disappeared through the secret door, leaving Krasis
and the guard gasping for breath behind him.

Somehow Jo had been driven away from the main door, into a network of tunnels and passages on the far
side of the hall. All the time she could hear the bellowing of the Minotaur as it pounded after her. The
creature was hunting her, she realised, driving her towards the heart of its maze.

'The Doctor came through the door and looked around the underground hall.
'Jo!' he called. 'Jo, where are you?'

129


~. From the far side of the hall he heard a t
of,' 'Doctor!' It was followed by a distant be
The Doctor began running towards the s(

The Minotaur's plan had succeeded at last.
Jo was trapped in a blind alley at the end  was a shining mirror set into the wall. The 1~
lowered its head and bellowed, ready to ch, Exhausted, Jo awaited her fate.
Suddenly Hippias appeared behind the Mi He had been lost in the maze all this time, t Jo and the
Minotaur by the sound of the cr~ bellowing.
Fa~d by the terrifying sight of the Minotat he had first come through the door, Hippias': had
broken. Throwing down his sword, he h into the darkness of the maze.
Now, seeing Jo in danger, his courage rel 'Stay back!' he shouted. The creature whirled Snatching a
blazing torch from its bracket wall, Hippias hurled it at the creature's heaa missed.
The crushing force of the Minotaur's chart him to the ground. Scrambling to his feet, Idodged behind
the monster, leaping upon it in a vain attempt to throttle it...
Reaching up and seizing him in its great 1 the Minotaur held Hippias high above its he stalked
towards the cowering Jo at the end cul-de-sac and hurled the struggling body of H at her. Jo leaped
aside. Hippias crashed in' mirror, shattering it into fragments and exposi wall beyond. He fell to the
ground and lay sti
Swinging round on Jo, the Minotaur prepal

130


charge again - when there came another distraction. This time it was a shout of 'Toro! Ah, Toro!'
It was the Doctor. He had slipped off his cloak and now he was holding it so the red silk lining
faced the Minotaur, and he was giving the traditional cry of the Spanish bullfighter: 'Toro! Hey, Toro!'
The Minotaur charged. The Doctor flicked the cape aside and the Minotaur shot past, missing him by
inches.
As quick as any fighting bull in the arena, the Minotaur spun round and charged again. Once again
the Doctor flicked the cape, and this time as the creature charged past he dealt it a savage chopping
blow with his fist on the back of its bull-neck. The Minotaur stumbled and fell to its knees. It shook
its head and bellowed dismally.
 The Doctor turned and ran to Jo, who was watching terrified, pressed against a stone wall. 'Are you
all right, JoT
 'Just about! Are you all -' Jo broke off to shout a warning: 'Look out, Doctor!'
 The Minotaur had lumbered to its feet and was charging straight towards him. The Doctor leaped
aside, taking Jo with him.
 The Minotaur slammed into the stone wall with such incredible force that it smashed a hole in the
wall's centre section, bringing down not only the wall but part of the ceiling as well. There was a
rumble of falling stone and the monster vanished beneath a pile of shattered masonry.
 Jo turned and saw the shattered body of Hippias. i,He saved my life, Doctor.' The Doctor made a
quick examination. 'rm afraid dead, Jo.'
The Doctor saw a gleam of light beyond the shat-

131



tered wall and peered into the chamber be) the Crystal Jo. The Crystal of Kronos!'
They clambered through the gap, and later they were standing before a circular st on top of which
reposed a huge glowin~ a larger version of the one used in the machine.
The Doctor pointed. 'There you are, J what all the fuss is about.'
'It's beautiful - but at the same time it's It gives me a funny feeling.'
'Cheer up, Jo. Now we've got the Cry,. Master's little game is at an end.
'Not quite,' said a voice behind them. They turned and saw Krasis and several guards. They must have
reached the chamb~ proper entrance, thought the Doctor.
'The game is just beginning,' said triumphantly. 'A pity that you will not live the end.'
'That's where you're mistaken, Krasis,' s Doctor firmly. 'And if you value your own 1 will take me
to see the King!'

The Doctor stared indignantly at the blac] figure in Dalios's chair. 'I asked to see the K
The Master smiled and spread his hands. am the King, Doctor - for all practical pm Didn't Krasis
tell you? A jolly fellow, our ~. He loves a joke!'
The Doctor glared at Krasis's malignant 'Does he really?'
TheMaster settled himself comfortably in D chair. 'A complete success, our little 1 revolution.'

132



i'S

~s
lr
il,
is


'What's happened to King Dalios?'
'Why, nothing, Doctor.'
 Queen Galleia entered. The Master rose and' bowed.
I The Doctor gave her a quick glance. 'So Dalios is ~: still alive?'
I 'Of course,' said the Master. 'Alive and treated f honourably.'
l[ Galleia came majestically towards them. 'Even 't though Dalios is an old man, the King is still the
l:; King.'
1[ The Master gestured towards the Doctor and Jo.
l 'And now it seems I must thank you both!'
!~ 'What for?' asked Jo.
'Why for giving me the Great Crystal, Miss IiGrant.'
i The Doctor glared indignantly at him. 'You don't il mean to say you still intend to go ahead with this
i stupid plan?'
  I 'I most certainly do, Doctor. And tomorrow, you ' i~i. will both receive a suitable reward - an
introduction ,?:~:to the mighty Kronosl This time there will be no
  'l mistakes!'
[ :::~l 'I wouldn't count on that,' said the Do~, tor angrily.
[ :~!l The, Master snapped his fingers. Take them
[ ~i!~iaway!
The Doctor and Jo were led away.
The Master turned to Galicia. 'You seem discon-
my love. You would question my decision?' 'Perhaps. It depends what you mean to do.' 'You
must learn to obey, my love. To do my will.
carry out my commands like a soldier.'
Galleia's eyes blazed angrily. 'Or like a servant
 You must learn, my love, that Galleia is a Queen.' She strode disdainfully away.


133


The Master stroked his beard and sigh looked as if their association was to be a shor one after all.

The Doctor and Jo were both chained to th in the same bare stone cell. They were reacl imprisonment very
differently.
The Doctor was leaning against the wall most comfortable position he could manage wasn't very
comfortable at all. Jo, meanwhile
wrestling frantically with her chains.'Any luck?' asked the Doctor.
She shook her head. 'They didn't include tean chains in my UNIT escapology lessons. ] good.'
The Doctor nodded consolingly. He had their chains a thorough inspection on their a and decided
that, since he had left his sonic ,~ driver in the laboratory, there was nothing done.
Moreover, he was in a strangely philoso mood, as if he had only to bide his tim4 somehow things
would work out. A strange f for someone chained to a dungeon wall condemned to annihilation . . .
Jo felt no such optimism. 'Doctor, what a going to do?'
'We'll just have to play it by ear.' 'What will happen if the Master wins?' 'The whole of creation is
very delicately bal: in cosmic terms, Jo,' said the Doctor thoughl 'If the Master opens the floodgates
of Kr{ power, all order and all structure will be swept and nothing will be left but chaos.'
'It makes everything seem so - pointless.'

134


 The Doctor smiled at her. 'I felt like that once, when I was young. It was the blackest day of my
life.'
Jo looked curiously at him. It was very seldom  that the Doctor embarked upon any kind of personal
reminiscence. 'Why was that?'
'Ah well, that's another story I'll tell you about it one day. The point is, that day was not only
my
 blackest, it was also my best.''What do you mean?'
His eyes gazing into the past, the Doctor began to speak. 'When I was a little boy we used to live
ina house that was perched halfway up the top of a .mountain. Above our house near the mountain peak,
there sat under a tree an old man. A hermit, a monk... He'd lived under this tree for half his lifetime,
so they said, and had learnt the secret of life. So, when my black day came, I went and asked him to
help me.'
'And he told you the secret?' The Doctor nodded. 'Well, what was it?'
 'I'm coming to that, Jo, in my own time. I'll never forget what it was like up there... All bleak
and cold, just a few bare rocks with some weeds sprouting from them and some pathetic little patches of
sludgy snow. It was just grey. Grey, grey, grey .. The tree the old man sat under was ancient and
twisted, and the old man himself- he was as brittle
 and as dry as a leaf in the Autumn.''But what did he say?'
 'Nothing,' said the Doctor simply. 'Not a word. He just sat there, expressionless, while I poured
out my troubles. I was too unhappy even for tears, I remember. When I'd finished, he lifted a skeleton

135


hand and he pointed. Do you know what he pointed at?'
Jo shook her head.
'A flower,' said the Doctor softly. 'One of those little weeds. Just like a daisy it was. I looked
at it for a moment, and suddenly I saw it through his eyes. It was simply glowing with life like a
perfectly cut jewel, and the colours were deeper and richer than you could possibly imagine. It was the
daisiest daisy I'd ever seen.'
'And that was the secret of life? A daisy?' She laughed. 'Honestly, Doctor!'
The Doctor smiled. 'Yes, I laughed too! Later, I got up and ran down that mountain and I found that
the rocks weren't grey at all. They were red and brown and purple and gold. And those pathetic little
patches of sludgy snow were shining white in the sunlight!'
  The Doctor was silent for a moment or two. Then
he said, 'Are you still frightened, Jo?''Not as much as I was.'
'I'm sorry I brought you here.'
'I'm not.'
'Thank you,' said the Doctor quietly.
Suddenly the cell door crashed open and a guard thrust Dalios into the cell. 'Inside, old man.'
Dalios made a quavering attempt to assert his dignity. 'I demand to be taken to the Queen.'
'You'll do as you're told,' said the guard indifferently, shoving him back.
Dalios was outraged. 'How dare you lay your hands on me? I shah see the Queen. Out of my way, slave.
'
He tried to thrust the guard aside, and the guard, almost by reflex, swung the butt of his trident.
Dalios

136


staggered back beneath the blow and collapsed close to the Doctor and Jo. The guard moved away, slamming
and locking the cell door.
By stretching their chains, the Doctor and Jo could just reach Dalios. The Doctor lifted the old
man's head. 'Dalios!'
The old man had been badly beaten. The guard's blow was the last of many. His eyes fluttered. 'Who
would have thought it - my sweet Queen...''Is the Master responsible for this?'
'Aye. He sought to bend me to his will... But it is no matter. Come closer . . . I have so little
time . . .'
'What is it?' asked the Doctor gently.
Dalios's voice was faint. 'Atlantis is doomed. I tell you the vision of a dying man. You are a true
philosopher, friend Doctor. The world must be saved . . . and you are the one to save it.' Dalios's head
fell back, and his eyes closed.
'Don't worry, Dalios. We shan't fail you,' said the Doctor fiercely.
But Dalios could no longer hear him.

137


15

The Return of Kronos

Once again the Council of Atlantis was assembled in the great hall of the temple.
Once again, two figures sat on the throne-like seats on the raised stone. Just as before, one was
Queen Galleia. But this time, the other was the Master.
Crito rapped on the floor with his staff of office.
'Silence. The Lady Galicia, Queen of Atlantis, speaks!'
Galleia rose. 'Brethren of the Council - my faithful few.' (This was a reference to the fact that
over half the council had mysteriously disappeared.) In a ringing voice she continued: 'Our troubles are
now at an end. No longer shall we fret beneath an old, defeated King. I present to you his Holiness, the
Most Venerable Lord Master.'
The Master rose, looking about him with arrogant self-satisfaction. Everything was prepared.
In front'of his own TARDIS stood the TOMTIT apparatus on a specially prepared altar, this time with
the large crystal attached. Nearby sat the Doctor, a bound and guarded prisoner, with Jo at his side,
unbound, and Krasis standing guard over her.
The Doctor looked up at the Master, standing on

138


the dais beside Galleia. 'Getting a bit above yourself, aren't you?'
'Silence!' screamed Krasis.
The Master began to speak. 'Greetings to you, my brothers. I grieve to see the Council so small. Yes
I rejoice ,that you, the few who put me here have come tO claim your just reward. You shall see the
Mighty One himself, Kronos the Most Terrible.'
There was a murmur of awe from the little crowd,
The Master held up his hand, 'Krasis, the High Priest, will assist me. Krasis, beware!'
Krasis went to the TOMTITconsote and operated the few simple controls that the Master had shown him
the night before. There was a hum of power and the crowd drew back.
The Doctor raised his voice. 'What's happened to the rest of the Council? Are they alive?'
The Master looked down. 'The po 'iq~t is academic, Doctor. In another minute or so it will be of no
further interest to you.'
'Satisfy my curiosity then. Are they indeed alive? Or are they dead - like King Dalios?'
'Dalios is unharmed,' said Galleia quickly. 'The King is dead, Madam,' said the Doctor.
'It's true,' said Jo. 'We were there in the cell with him when he died.'
  Galleia stared at-her. 'You were there? You saw
him die?' She turned to the Master. 'Is this true?' The Master made no answer.
Galleia rose and approached him. 'Is this true? Is the Lord Dalios, the King, no longer alive?
Answer me!'
'He is dead,' said the Master indifferently.
'You were responsible for his death,' shouted the Doctor.

139


 Galicia looked accusingly at the Master. 'Bfit you promised me . . .'
 'I promised you power,' said the Master impatiently. 'And you shall have it. Power to realise your
most ambitious dreams.'
 Galicia was not listening. 'You promised he should not be harmed.'
 The Master shrugged. 'He was an old man - and stubborn.'
Galicia aimed a savage blow at his face, but he swept her hand aside and she fell back. She turned
to the temple guards. 'Seize this man{'
As the guards began closing in on the Master, he called out: 'Krasis! The switch!'
'No! Stop him{' shouted the Doctor.
But it was too late.
Krasis threw the power switch and the Crystal blazed into fiery life.
The towering winged figure of Kronos seemed to burst from the heart of the Great Crystal, filling
the temple with the beat of his mighty wings.
To his horror, the Doctor saw that in this manifestation Kronos was larger and more uncontrollable
than ever - a fact that the Master failed to realise.
'I, the Master, welcome you Kronos,' he bellowed. 'I bid you to do my will.'
Kronos began swirling to and fro,. swinging back and forth across the temple, sending the crowd
fleeing i~ terror.
'Do you hear me, Kronos?' shouted the Master. He pointed to the Doctor. 'I command you to destroy
that man{'
Kronos ignored him. Already the temple was beginning to shake, great stone blocks falling from the
walls and ceiling. The air was filled with dust

140


and the screams of the wounded and dying. There would be death and destruction in plenty in Atlantis ;
that day, but it would be at the whim of Kronos alone.  --~
 'He'll never obey you,' shouted the Doctor. 'Don't you understand what you've done? He's
uncontrollable.'
 Even now the Master refused to admit defeat. 'I need more power,' he muttered. 'All the power in
the Universe is waiting for me - in another time, another place.'
 He ran to the TOMTIT appfiratus and wrenched free the Great Crystal.
 'Stop him,' shouted the Doctor. 'He mustn't get away!'
But no-one dared approach the Master or the
 Crystal.:' No-one but Jo Grant.
 Darting from her place at the Doctor's side Jo ran '. to the Master, reaching him just as the
Crystal. came free. In a desperate attempt to slow the Master down, she leaped upon his back.
~
 It had not the slightest effect. The Master ran for his TARDIS clutching the Crystal, and carrying
Jo Grant, who hung on like a child playing piggy-back.
 To the Doctor's dismay, J0, the Master and the Crystal all disappeared inside the Master's TARDIS -
which promptly dematerialised.
 The Doctor called to Galleia. 'Your Majesty, set me free!'
 Galleia snatched a sword from the body of afallen guard and began severing the Doctor's bonds. 'You
and Dalios were right, Doctor,' she sobbed. 'I was wrong. Go quickly! It is too late now to save my
people.t~
141


The Doctor sprinted to his TARDIS and vanished inside. Moments later, the TARDIS too disappeared.
Queen Galleia stood alone in the centre of the temple. Above her Kronos roared to and fro, bringing
down the roof and walls with his fiery passage, in an orgy of destruction.
The destruction would not come to an end until the entire city of Atlantis had been destroyed.

The Master was handcuffing Jo to the console of his TARDIS. (Just like the Master to have built-in
fittings for prisoners, thought Jo.)
'There, Miss Grant. I think we've seen the last of the Doctor. Buried for all time under the ruins
of Atlantis. You know, I'm going to miss him!'
'He's not finished,' said Jo stubbornly. 'I know it.' 'Nonsense, my dear. Of course he is.' 'You're the
one who's finished,' said Jo. 'Do you really think that - thing out there will ever let you control it?'
'I do so already. He came at my call. You saw that for yourself.'
'Like a tiger comes when it hears a lamb bleating,' said Jo scornfully.
The Master smiled. 'Nicely put, my dear. Worthy of the late lamented Doctor himself.' He laughed
exultantly. 'You know, I could kick myself for not having polished him off long ago.' He strolled over
to the Great Crystal, which rested on a table by the console. 'Just think of the future. Dominion over
all time and all space. Absolute power forever, and no Doctor to ruin things for me.'
'Don't worry, Jo,' said the Doctor's cheerful voice. 'I'll soon sort him out for you.'

142


Jo looked up and saw the Doctor's face beaming at her from the scanner screen. 'Doctor!'
The Master laughed, slightly bitterly this time. 'Really, Doctor, you must be as indestructible as
that wretched TARDIS of yours! And how exactly do you propose to sort me out?'
'By making you see reason - and by making you destroy that Crystal.'
'And why should I do that? I have my TARDIS, I have Kronos, and I have Miss Grant. Now, my reason
tells me that I hold all the cards.'
'But there's one you've forgotten,' said the Doctor calmly. 'I hold the trump card. I can stop you
whenever I please.'
  For a moment the Master looked worried, then
he laughed. 'You're bluffing, Doctor.''Am I? What about Time Ram?'
'Time Ram,' said the Master uneasily. 'You couldn't do it in that pathetic old crock of yours. You'd
never be able to lock on to my TARDIS.'
'I've already done it. The two TARDISes are operating on the same frequency, and our controls are
locked together. See for yourself.'
To his horror the Master saw the needle on a particular dial creeping remorselessly towards the
danger zone. 'You know what'll happen if that control goes over the safety limit, don't you? Tell him,
Jo.'
A little unsteadily Jo said, 'The two TARDISes will occupy precisely the same space and the same
time and that means -'
The Master slammed a fist down on the console. 'I know what it means!''
'Do you?' said the Doctor remorselessly.

143


/
The word seemed forced from the Master's lips. I 'Oblivion.'
'Top of the class,' said the Doctor. 'Utter destruction. For you, the TARDIS, the Crystal.'
'And for you and your TARDIS and Miss Grant, Doctor,' snarled the Master.
'Of course. But Kronos will be free again, and the Universe saved.'
Defiantly the Master straightened up. 'Very well. Go ahead. Time Ram!'
'You don't mean it,' whispered Jo.
'Why should I dance to the Doctor's tune like a performing poodle. If you want to stop me, Doctor !
- try!'
'Very well,' said the Doctor quietly. 'Goodbye, Jo.'
'Goodbye, Doctor.'
The needle on the Master's dial crept closer and
closer to the danger zone. It was hovering on the
edge of it when it quivered and stopped.
  The 'Master looked up at the screen. 'Well,
Doctor, why have you stopped?''To give you one last chance.'
'Rubbish. You can't bring yourself to destroy Miss Grant. Admit it. It's that fatal weakness of
yours, Doctor. Pity. Compassion.'
The Master pronounced the words like curses. 'For a moment, you almost had me believing you.'
'Don't think about me, Doctor,' called Jo. 'Think about the millions who will die. The millions who
will never be born. Do it, Doctor, quickly!'
The Doctor hesitated. 'There may be another way, Jo.'
'Of course there is,' shouted the Master. 'The way
to unimaginable glory.'

144


Jo saw that she could just reach the control on the Master's console - the equivalent control to the
one the Doctor was using on his own. If she pulled that lever, it would mean Time Ram. Suddenly Jo Grant
saw that she had to make the sacrifice that the Doctor would never make himself.
'Goodbye, Doctor!' She lunged forward and pulled the lever.
The needle slipped into the red zone. Somewhere in space-time two TARDISes merged and disappeared. And
for Jo Grant everything vanished in a ball of fiery white light.

Jo awoke to find herself, lying on the floor of the Master's TARDIS. Mysteriously, she had been freed
from her handcuffs. Close by was the Master, stretched out unconscious.
Jo cautiously got to her feet, and made for the door. She opened it upon nothingness. Not land or
sea or space - just nothingness.
Suspended in the nothingness, quite close, was the Doctor's TARDIS.
Jo stepped out into the void, walked carefully across to thepolice box and went inside.
The Doctor lay unconscious on the floor of the control room. Jo knelt beside him and shook him
gently. 'Doctor. Wake up!'
He opened his eyes and blinked at her. 'Jo! Are you all right?'
'Oh yes,' said Jo, matter of factly. Tm dead, of course, but I'm all right.'
The Doctor got up. 'What on Earth are you talking about, Jo? You're no more dead than I am.'
'Yes, but that's it. I mean, that's what I mean. You're dead too - and so's the Master.'

145



'And I suppose we're in Heaven?'
Jo shrugged. 'Must be. Or somewhere. Come and.~ have a look.'
She led the way to the still open door, and stepped out into the void. Cautiously the Doctor
followed;-
She turned to him, gesturing around the vast nothingness. 'Fantastic, isn't it?'
  'Fascinating,' said the Doctor dryly. 'Though
somehow I don't think we're in Heaven.''Well, where are we then?'
'That's just it,' admitted the Doctor. 'I don't know myself. You shouldn't have put us into Time
Ram, Jo. Besides, I was just on the point of doing it myself.'
'Really?'
'Now look here, Jo -' He broke off, and smiled ruefully. 'No, not really.'
A sort of vast throat-clearing took place behind them and they turned to see a colossal face. It was
a female face, beautiful and exotic, so large that they could have crawled upon the shapely nose like
flies.
The Doctor was in a state where he felt nothing could surprise him. 'Greetings,' he said calmly.
The face spoke in a clear bell-like voice that reverberated everywhere. 'Your courtesy is always so
punctilious, Doctor!' 'You know me?' 'Of old.'
'Do please forgive me, but I can't seem to place you.'
'I am Kronos,' said the face.
'You!' said Jo in amazement. 'But - you're a girl.' 'Shapes mean nothing.'

146


'But you were a raging monster before,' persisted Jo. 'An evil destroyer.'
'I can be all things,' said the voice. 'A destroyer, a healer, a creator. I am beyond good and evil
as you know it.'
'Where exactly are we?' asked the Doctor.
  'On the boundary of your reality and mine. You
brought yourselves here.''With the Time Ram?'
'At the moment of impact I was released. That saved you.., and took you here, to the threshold of
being.'
The Doctor nodded. 'I see. So what happens now?'
'I owe you a debt of gratitude that nothing could repay. What would you wish?'
It was Jo who answered. 'To go back home.' 'In the TARDIS,' added the Doctor. 'You shall.'
'What about the Master?' asked Jo curiously. 'He will stay here.'
'What will happen to him?'
'Torment,' said the face sweetly. 'The pain he has given so freely shall be returned to him in
full.'
The Master staggered out from his TARDIS and fell to his knees. 'No,' he screamed. 'Please Doctor,
help me. I can't bear it. Please, Doctor, please!'
  The Doctor t~rned back to the great face. 'O
mighty Kronos, I ask one more favour of you.~ 'Name it.'
'The Master's freedom.'
'He made a prisoner of me!' said the voice angrily.
'I know. But will you allow us to deal with him in our way?'

147


 'I do not understand-you. But if that is your desire, so let it be.'
  The Master rose from his knees and stood facing
the Doctor. 'Thank you, Doctor,' he said humbly. -~' 'Don't thank me,' said the Doctor brusquely.
'You're coming back to Earth with us.'
  The Master bowed his head, clearly a broken man. 'Yes, of course,' he whispered.
 The Doctor stepped back and motioned the Master to enter the TARDIS. The Master walked slowly
forward, gave the Doctor a shove that sent him staggering against Jo, spun round and vanished inside his
own TARDIS.
'Stop him,' yelled the Doctor, but it was too late. The Master's TARDIS promptly dematerialised.
  'You asked for him to be given his freedom,' said
 the voice amusedly. 'He has it!''Here we go again,' said Jo.
She followed the Doctor into his TARDIS.

Stuart Hyde held out a spoonful of mush to the baby on the laboratory floor. It stared disapprovingly at
the spoon and said distinctly, 'No!'
'Come on, Baby Benton,' coaxed Stuart. 'Come on, get it down you!'
Ruth looked up from her work at the console. 'What are you feeding him on now?'
'The remains of my lunchtime sandwiches, mashed up with some cold tea.'
  'Well, stop playing mothers and fathers and come
and give me a hand here. I think I'm nearly there.' 'What are you trying to do?'
'Well, if I'm on the beam, I should be able to close up the gap in time for good,' She made a last
adjustment. 'Right, switch on, Stu.'

148



'Okay!' Putting down his saucer of improvised baby food, Stuart switched on.

Inside 'the TARDIS, Jo was saying, 'But why, Doctor? Why did you even ask?'
The Doctor adjusted the controls, and studied the rise and fall of the central column.
  'Would you condemn anybody to an eternity of
torment, Jo - even the Master?''No, I suppose I wouldn't.'
'Well, neither would I -even if he was responsible for the destruction of Atlantis.'
'It's terrible when you think of it,' said Jo suddenly. 'All those people...'
The central column was slowing its rise and fall. 'Jo,' said the Doctor gently, 'we're about to land in
England - in your time. That all happened three thousand five hundred years ago...'

Once again Stuart was calling out the readings, 'Three five, four zero...'
'Increasing power,' said Ruth.
Suddenly another sound drowned out the TOMTIT noise, and a blue police box appeared in a corner of
the lab. The Doctor and Jo Grant stepped out.
'Suffering monkeys!' said Stuart faintly.
Ruth was too absorbed in her experiment to notice. 'Now concentrate, Stu!' she called. 'Isolate
matrix scanner.'
  'Check!' He returned to the power readings~ 'Six
zero, six five, seven zero...''See if it's working, Stu!'
Stuart ran to the window and Saw that the Briga~

149


  men were back to normal. H~ the Brigadier shouting orders. Stuart turned back from the
window. 'Yes, 'Good!'
The Doctor studied the power readings. 'It to be working a bit too well.'
'It's running away,' shouted Ruth.
'Everybody get down!' shouted Stu. 'It's g~ go up!'
They all took cover as the TOMTIT console loaded and blew up.
In the absence of the crystal however, the was nothing more serious than a loud bang, a s of sparks
and a lot of smoke.
Ruth got to her feet and studied the sha console.
'You'll have to start all over again,' said Jo
Ruth shook her head. 'I couldn't, not witho Professor. Just as well I suppose.'
'Well, it's done its job, thanks to you,' saJ Doctor. 'Everything's back to normal.'
As if to prove the Doctor's point, the Bril burst into the room, revolver in hand. 'Stand still
everyone.' He broke off, staring roun, somewhat unexpected group. 'Er - where'~ Master?'
'A very good question, Brigadier,' saic Doctor.
'Ah, Doctor, glad to see you're back. And Miss Grant...'
The Brigadier suddenly registered Jo's Atla costume. 'Miss Grant, what are you doing in
extraordinary get-up?' Without waiting for a the Brigadier went on, 'And where, for hea sake, is
Sergeant Benton?'

150



Stuart clutched Ruth's arm. 'The baby! We forgot the baby!'
Sergeant Benton arose from behind the TOMTIT console. He had been restored to his full age and size,
and he was wearing nothing but a very inadequate improvised nappy, and an embarrassed smile.
He looked around the circle of smiling faces, and said plaintively. 'Would someone please tell me
exactly what's been happening around here?'
And that too, thought the Doctor, was a very good question!