Free Doctor Who: The Sea-Devils by Malcolm Hulke Page B

and lifted the handpiece.
    The Master came up behind the C.P.O. ‘Turn round,’ he said in a firm, strong voice.
    Smedley turned. ‘Sir?’
    ‘You will obey my orders, Chief Petty Officer,’ said the Master, his piercing hypnotic eyes staring straight into those of Smedley’s. ‘Replace that telephone.’
    Smedley slowly hung back the telephone handpiece, presenting his back to the Master. The Master’s hand flashed as he delivered an almost fatal blow to the back of Smedley’s neck. His victim fell heavily to the floor. The Master got back to his work of rifling the naval stores of all that he needed.
    By now the Doctor had heard about the golfing abilities, and weaknesses, of a man called Spiecer, a retired Merchant Navy captain called Higgs, the island’s vicar, the publican, and a financier who had his own yacht and.wasn’t very sociable. For a man who had said that his visit would only take a minute, George Trenchard had by now indulged himself with a full twenty-five minutes.
    Always a gentleman, Captain Hart had at no time hinted he was in a hurry to get on with the discussion that Trenchard had interrupted. Completely bored with the two-handed conversation, Jo had gone and stationed herself at the office window where she could watch the seagulls. Now, at last, Trenchard seemed ready to leave.
    ‘Now I don’t want you to worry,’ he was saying to Captain Hart. ‘If you can’t play in the tournament, we’ll find someone else. Although, goodness knows, that isn’t going to be easy.’
    For a ghastly moment the Doctor thought Trenchard was going to recapitulate on why it wasn’t going to be easy to replace Hart on the golf course. Perhaps Hart also feared that, for he quickly said, ‘I haven’t definitely said that I won’t be there, George. Could we agree to cross that bridge when we come to it?’
    ‘Of course,’ said Trenchard. He looked at his watch. ‘My goodness, I’d better be on my way. I realise how busy you are.’ He moved to the door, which Jane Blythe quickly opened for him. But there he paused and turned to the Doctor. ‘Staying on the island much longer?’
    ‘That,’ said the Doctor, ‘depends on how long it takes me to conclude my business. Goodbye, Mr. Trenchard.’
    ‘What? Oh, yes. I mustn’t hold you up.’ He turned to Jo at the window. ‘Goodbye, Miss Grant. A great pleasure to see you again.’
    Jo said goodbye from the window.
    ‘Well,’ said Trenchard, ‘must be off.’ And so, finally, he left them in peace.
    Captain Hart smiled at the Doctor. The deadening personality of George Trenchard had formed a bond between them. ‘You were saying, Doctor?’ he said.
    ‘I believe all shipping must be kept away from this area,’ said the Doctor. ‘That’s for a start—’
    But Hart raised his hand to stop the Doctor continuing. ‘Doctor, these are major shipping lanes. In any case, you know what happens in the English Channel when there’s a dangerous wreck. Half the foreign ships simply ignore the Trinity House marker buoys.’
    ‘Then send ships out to patrol the area,’ said the Doctor. ‘Somehow ships must be kept away, to avoid further sinkings.’
    Suddenly Jo let out a little shriek from her place at the window. ‘Doctor! Quickly! Come here!’
    The Doctor turned. ‘I know this discussion may be boring you, Jo—’
    ‘It’s the Master,’ she cut in, looking down at the concrete roadway below. ‘Please come and look.’
    The Doctor leapt over to the window and looked where Jo had pointed. ‘Where is he?’
    ‘You’ve missed him. He turned that corner.’ Jo pointed now in the direction of the car-park, but from the window the car-park was not in sight.
    From his desk Captain Hart asked: ‘Do you two mind telling me what you’re talking about?’
    ‘A very dangerous criminal,’ said the Doctor, ‘loose in your base. I suggest you order a full security alert.’
    ‘Doctor,’ said the captain, with as much authority as he could muster,