Part 6 (1/2)

The Doctor played louder, and over by the door Colin opened his eyes and smiled faintly at the sound of the rallying song of the Jacobite army.

'All right,' said the soldier, 'we'll see if a touch of this bayonet will hush ye.' He turned and ran towards the staircase leading down to the cell.

The Doctor immediately stopped playing and pa.s.sed Jamie back his pipe. 'I think this is yours,' he said.

A moment later, the long bolts rattled back and the door was flung open. The sentry glared around at them. 'Who's responsible for this?' he cried.

The Doctor immediately stepped forward. To Ben's surprise he was putting on his German accent again.

'Ach, himmel,' he said, 'did you hear that tune?'

The sentry nodded suspiciously. 'The rebel dirge.' He looked at the Doctor. 'And you were playing it.'

'Ach, vein. They were playing it. To drive me out of my mind.' He placed his hand on his heart. 'I am from Hanover, a loyal subject of King George the Second.'

The sentry scowled at him suspiciously. 'What's that to do with me?'

The Doctor looked back at the others. Ben realised that the Doctor was up to some ruse, but Jamie was completely outraged by this latest switch in the Doctor's s.h.i.+fting loyalties.

'They know the plan to murder your general, the Duke of c.u.mberland,' said the Doctor.

'That's a lie!' Jamie burst out. Jamie turned round to Colin who was now sitting up and taking notice. 'I knew he was no one of us,' he said.

'Well,' said the sentry truculently, still looking rather suspiciously at the Doctor.

'Take me to Commissioner Grey, and let us hope we may be in time to stop it.'

'Why did you not speak before?' said the sentry, still suspicious.

'Ach,' said the Doctor, ''tis just discovered.' He pointed at Jamie. 'And that rogue is a party to it.'

This was too much for Jamie. He flung himself forward to throttle the Doctor, but the sentry intercepted him with a bayonet levelled at his chest. 'Ye filthy spy, ye,' said Jamie, furious.

Ben grabbed hold of Jamie's arm and pulled him back.

This finally convinced the sentry that the Doctor was sincere: Jamie's anger was too intense to be anything but the real thing. He nodded behind him. 'Go on,' he said, 'out!'

The Doctor gave a quick wink at Ben, and then walked out of the door. The sentry backed out and slammed the door behind them.

Ben nodded approvingly at Jamie. 'Well done, mate,' he said.

Jamie was still furious. 'What d'you mean, and why dinna ye join your friend with the other traitors?'

'Aw, calm down,' said Ben. 'Can't you see it was all a fiddle?'

'Fiddle?' said Jamie.

'Trick, mate. A ruse, to get us out of here.'

Jamie shook his head, trying to comprehend. 'I dinna understand ye.'

Ben shook his head, then patiently tried to explain.

'Blimey, listen. Outside, he's got a chance to get away and get help, to rescue us. What chance do you think he's got paddling around in here?' He looked down to where the water was now lapping around their feet.

Jamie finally seemed to comprehend what Ben was saying. 'Aye,' he said, 'I see. But nevertheless, I'm a'

worriet.'

Ben looked around the cell. 'Well, don't waste time worrying about the Doctor, mate. Worry about us.' He pointed up to a dark line which ran all the way around the circular cell. 'That's a tide mark, unless I'm very much mistaken.' He bent down and tasted the water. 'Yeah, salt.

'Ere,' he touched the mark which was some foot above their heads. 'That's where the water level comes up to when the tide's in, and it ain't my bath night.'

8.

Blackmail In the lantern light, Polly was carefully counting out Algernon's money. 'Eighteen, nineteen, twenty guineas.

Hmm... how far will that get us, do you think?'

Kirsty, beside her, was wide-eyed. 'I've never seen so much money in all my days,' she said.

'You'll both h-hang for this, you know,' said Algernon.

Polly turned to him. 'You're very fond of hanging, Mr uh-h-h...' She had an idea. 'Here, what is your name?'

Algernon set his mouth and turned his face away. 'I refuse to tell you.'

'Oh, we're very brave all of a sudden, aren't we?' said Polly. She turned to Kirsty. 'He must have some identification on him. Let's find it.' Polly leaned forward and unb.u.t.toned the top of Algernon's waistcoat.

Underneath, there was a large crescent-shaped ident.i.ty disc, worn by all the British soldiers of that period. She pulled it out towards the light and read, 'Algernon Thomas Alfred Ff she stumbled for a moment on his surname 'Ffinch. With two ”f”s yet? A Lieutenant in the Honourable Colonel Atwood's Rifles.' She laughed. 'I'll bet the Honourable Colonel Atwood would be interested to hear how one of his lieutenants was captured by two weak girls.'

For the first time, Algernon's eyes widened in fear. 'Oh come,' he said, 'surely you would not tell...'

Polly smiled at him. 'Oh, wouldn't we, Algernon.' She turned to Kirsty. 'Give me that knife.'

Kirsty handed over the dirk.

Algernon braced himself. 'What are you going to do?' he said.

'Never fear, Algernon Thomas Alfred,' said Polly. She cut off a lock of his hair protruding from under the dishevelled white wig. 'You know,' said Polly, 'how girls like souvenirs of their fellows.' She looked at him. 'Well, perhaps you don't, but I'm just after a small souvenir of you. There.' She then raised the dirk and cut the cord that held the ident.i.ty disc. 'This hair should be proof enough that we captured you. Just in case the Colonel doesn't believe us.'

Kirsty had been watching this with astonishment. 'But why would you be...'