The Crusaders by David Whitaker

Author:David Whitaker [Whitaker, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Science Fiction, Life on Other Planets, Doctor Who (Fictitious Character)
ISBN: 9780411806705
Publisher: Atlantic Book Publisheing
Published: 1967-07-14T08:00:00+00:00

‘Did you miss any of your possessions after this man had visited you?’

‘Why, yes. Some clothes had gone.’ Ben Daheer glanced about him nervously, remembering that the things he had missed had been stolen clothes he had acquired from Thatcher, the Palace servant. ‘Just a few miserable garments, Your Eminence,’ he said indifferently. The Chamberlain walked across to the Doctor, plucked at the sleeve nearest to him and held it out.

‘Clothes like this?’

The Doctor pulled his arm away sharply and stood up so rapidly that his chair crashed backwards to the floor.

‘This is quite insufferable!’ he raged. ‘How dare you burst in here with these insulting accusations.’

‘Clothes like these were stolen from the Palace...’

‘But how,’ interrupted the Doctor, ‘do you know these are the same? I mean exactly. They may resemble yours.’

‘I am quite certain the clothes you are wearing belong to the Palace wardrobe. We keep a large supply here, for travellers may not be able to transport wearing apparel. It is my duty to see those who have audience with the King are properly attired.’

‘So you carry a large stock of clothes, do you? How large? How many items?’

‘That is beside the point,’ replied the Chamberlain angrily. The Doctor darted out a finger, pointing it straight into the Chamberlain’s face.

‘It is just the point, my friend. You have in your Palace wardrobe shoes, buckles, stockings, cloaks, belts, hats, caps, coats, tunics, leggings, vestments, capes – all in different colours, sizes and designs. You dare to stand here and tell me you’re certain these garments belong to you!’

The Chamberlain nodded but the Doctor had seen the momentary indecision on his face and followed up his advantage.

‘Where is the mark on these clothes proving they are yours?’ he said sharply. ‘Where is your bill of sale?’ The Chamberlain opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again, realizing he was on unsure ground. The Doctor’s manner softened suddenly. He was an eminently fair man and knew perfectly well he was in the wrong, even if the present difficulties had been brought about by Barbara’s abduction.

‘I will tell you what happened,’ murmured the Doctor, ushering the Chamberlain to a chair. ‘My... page and I met a rough fellow in Jaffa firm whom we bought them simple garments. Our own clothes were in a terrible state. Now whether this uncouth man had stolen the clothes from you first is another matter. Have you been missing things from the wardrobe?’

‘Yes, without a doubt,’ agreed the Chamberlain.

‘Then someone in your service at the Palace is a pilferer.

Someone who has access to the wardrobe. Of course, if you are certain these clothes I am wearing belong to you, I shall see they are returned to you immediately.’

Vicki breathed an inward sigh of relief as the Chamberlain’s manner became much wanner, mentally blessing the Doctor for wriggling out of the awkward situation. ‘Of course, my page and I have no clothes here,’

the Doctor went on, ‘and also, it seems to we, this honest merchant has been involved without much proper cause.

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