Part 9 (2/2)

'And for that they were prepared to kill thee?'

'Afraid so. Not just me either.'

Luke knew this a.s.sertion to he true. 'That's what I were trying to tell thee,' he added. 'Tha's to stay workshop, his lords.h.i.+p says. He's feared for safety of thee and rest of visitors.'

'Tha' means Davy, Faraday, Telford and t'others are in danger?'

'Don't you?' asked the Doctor.

'Nay, I find that incredible!'

'If tha'd seen devastation at gate tha' wouldn't, sir.'

'You can't reject the evidence, Stephenson.'

Peri joined in. 'That's not the first time they've tried to kill the Doctor either!'

''Tis truth.' Luke's golden hair shone in the light from the wicker lamp that burned in the anarchic workshop.

His earnest young face wore a worried frown.

Stephenson began to waver. 'Dolt reckon us should cancel meeting?'

The Doctor was in no doubt.

'Luke?'

'Aye, sir. I do.'

Peri certainly thought so.

Stephenson capitulated. 'A pity.' He crossed to a bench.

'I suspect Doctor's contribution would've put cat among pigeons. Where's paper, lad?'

Luke ripped a sheet from a pad. Picking up a quill, Stephenson began to write.

'Fine. Now that's sorted out,' Peri said to the Doctor.

'Shouldn't we do something about the TARDIS?'

Paying no heed, the Doctor gazed around the workshop with its crude implements, and was consumed with respect for the inventor. Without the more refined equipment of Peri's twentieth century, George Stephenson's ingenuity would reshape existence on the planet Earth - provided, that is, the Master and the Rani could be foiled. It was a grim thought but not one that prevented him from being intrigued by the prototype engine.

'The Blucher, is it?' he asked Luke.

'Aye.'

'Doctor, this is no time to be playing trains!'

'Mind if I take a peep?'

'The TARDIS is at the bottom of that pit shaft!' Peri wasn't going to be tubbed off.

'We have to wait -' his voice became m.u.f.fled as he stuck his head into the boiler of the engine, ' until it's safe.'

'And that could be forever!'

Speaking quietly, Luke moved closer to Peri. 'When Doctor were attacked again...' he faltered, reluctant to hear the answer to his question.

'Yes, Luke?'

'Was did me Da' take part?'

Peri nodded.

'I asked me Mam about that red mark. On his neck. She knew nowt of it. She'd nay seen it. Dost know what caused it?'

Selfconsciously, Peri rubbed her own neck, recalling that she, too, was almost a victim.

Stephenson interrupted. 'Luke, take this to his lords.h.i.+p.' He gave him the note he had written.

'Dost mind if I also seek me Da'?'

'Of course not, lad.'

'Wait!' The Doctor crawled from under the Blucher.

'Luke, your father's not the man you knew. Take care ...'

Perplexed, the young apprentice left. Stephenson was also perturbed by the Doctor's warning. 'I'd nay like anything to happen to Luke. Lad's got great future. He'll outs.h.i.+ne me.'

This final remark worried the Doctor. It bewildered Peri. 'You?' How could Luke Ward outs.h.i.+ne George Stephenson? No-one had done that not according to the history books.

Stephenson continued. 'I were down pit at nine. Never did get much schooling. But Lord Ravensworth's seen to it Luke's been well taught. We've both great hopes for the lad.'

Little did he know how tragically forlorn these hopes were to be.

Having gained access, the Master was systematically searching the sprawling environs of the mine when he witnessed a dispute that suggested an entirely new strategy.

'Hey, Tim! Tim Ba.s.s! Hast seen me Da'?' Luke had spotted the marauding aggressor flitting between the sheds, obviously avoiding the guards.

The jaunty scarf was still tied about Tim's brow but his jovial manner had been banished. 'He'll want nowt to do with thee! Not as long as tha's lackey to that Stephenson!'

'But why? He's nay objected afore.'

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