Read Doctor Who: The Masque of the Mandragora for Free Online Page B

the throne,’ explained Marco.
    â€˜I do not fear so much for myself as for the people,’ continued the young Prince. ‘Were he ever to rule San Martino all knowledge, all attempt at learning would be suppressed.’
    The Doctor nodded understandingly. ‘And that’s what he wants? Well Giuliano. if you don’t mind my saying so you look good for at least another fifty years.’
    The Prince lowered his eyes. ‘I am to die. Hieronymous has predicted it.’
    The Doctor gave a snort of derision. ‘Hieronymous? I shouldn’t take too much notice of him.’
    â€˜I try not to,’ replied the Prince in a level voice. ‘From the way you spoke to him I take it you are a man of science?’ His eyes searched the Doctor’s intelligently.
    â€˜I do dabble a little,’ said the Doctor modestly.
    â€˜Excellent! I crave for contact with men of intellect and understanding.’
    The Doctor seemed amused. ‘How flattering! But surely you’ve not gone to all these lengths just to enjoy my company?’
    In answer, Giuliano crossed to a screened alcove at the rear of the chamber. ‘There are things I want to show you, Doctor. This—for example.’ He snatched back the screen to reveal a dead body on a pallet. Sarah winced. The body, once one of Federico’s guards, was hideously disfigured with burn marks.
    The Doctor stepped back looking grim. ‘Yes Helix Energy. High ionisation. It only has to touch human tissue...’
    Giuliano looked puzzled.
    â€˜You’re not talking his language, Doctor,’ interjected Sarah.
    â€˜This man’s body was found by the city gates,’ explained the Prince. ‘The guards are muttering of fire devils. I of course do not accept such superstitions.’
    â€˜Nevertheless?’ enquired the Doctor.
    Giuliano frowned. ‘It worries me. Is it possible that something has entered the city—perhaps something conjured up by Hieronymous?’
    The Doctor shook his head gravely. ‘Something has certainly entered the city, Giuliano—a malevolent power quite beyond the experience of that old fake. The question is why?’
    The Prince still seemed puzzled. ‘I don’t understand...’
    The Doctor dug his hands deep into his pockets and began pacing the room. ‘Why here? Why now?’
    â€˜And what has it got to do with the Cult of Demnos?’ piped up Sarah.
    â€˜Exactly,’ exclaimed the Doctor. ‘We seem to have rather a lot of questions. It’s time we started finding a few answers.’
    Outside Giuliano’s chamber there were increasing signs of activity. The clank of armour and shuffling footsteps echoed along the palace corridors indicating the search was being intensified, and through the open window came distant yells of guards still hunting the gardens.
    Meanwhile Count Federico strode about his chamber like a caged tiger, awaiting news. There was a knock at his door and the scar-faced captain entered and bowed.
    â€˜Well,?’ snarled the Count impatiently. ‘Have you nothing to report?’
    â€˜Only that they have disappeared, sire.’
    â€˜Impossible!’ exploded Federico. He aimed a kick at a nearby footstool.
    â€˜There has been no sign of them since they were last seen in the palace gardens.’
    The Count’s face grew black with fury. ‘They must be found! Something about that Doctor disturbs me greatly. I want every corner of the palace searched. Take all the men you need.’ He turned his back on the captain and waved him angrily out of the room.
    The captain bowed silently but remained where he stood. ‘Sire.’ he said softly.
    Federico’s broad back remained firmly turned. ‘What is it?’
    The captain took out a piece of paper from his belt. ‘This