Liz ran to the power transformer and flicked desperately at the controls.  'Nothing - it's dead.  Stahlman must have cut off the power again.  Wherever the Doctor is, he's trapped!'

The Brigadier said, 'I think you'd better let me know what's been going on, Miss Shaw.'

'I'll tell you on the way over to central control.'


By the time they reached the main control room, the Brigadier knew all about the Doctor's experiments with the Stahlman project's power, and his previous temporary disappearance.  He would have a number of extremely cutting things to say to the Doctor when he returned - if he returned.

The roar of the drill seemed louder and more frantic in the control centre now.  It was obvious that Stahlman had resumed the accelerated drilling.

He was studying the power readings with evident satisfaction, when the Brigadier and Liz approached.

'Professor Stahlman!'

'Not now, Brigadier.'

'I want you to re-connect the power to the Doctor's hut.'

'Don't be ridiculous!'

'Professor Stahlman, the Doctor has disappeared!'

'Excellent!  For once he's done as he was told.'

'You don't understand,' said Liz desperately.  'He was engaged in an experiment, and you switched off the power at a crucial moment.  You've got to restore it.'

'My dear young woman, I denied the Doctor a power source when he was here - I'm scarcely likely to restore it now that he's gone.'

Sir Keith tried to help.  'Professor Stahlman, be reasonable.'

'I have been more than reasonable, ever since this project began.  I've tolerated your experts and advisers.  But now we have accelerated the drilling programme, and I will not be disturbed further.'

'You had no right to accelerate the programme without consultation wth the Ministry.'

'I have every right.'

'Then I'm sorry, but I shall have to appeal to the Minister.'

'Please do.  I can tell you exactly what he'll say.  "This Project is vital to the country's industrial future.  We must have a new power source - and Stahlman is the only one who can get it for us!"'

Liz could see that the fate of the Doctor had been forgotten.  'Please, we must have the power supply reconnected.'

'The matter is closed,' said Stahlman coldly.  'Under no circumstances will any power be reconnected to the Doctor's hut.'  He walked away.

'What exactly has happened to the Doctor?' asked Sir Keith.

The Brigadier hesitated. 'He's vanished.'

'We're afraid he may be in danger,' said Liz.

Sir Keith said worriedly, 'I'm afraid we may all be in danger - unless we can get the drilling rate slowed down.'

'Will you go to London, sir?' asked the Brigadier.

'There's no alternative.  Someone's got to control Stahlman.'

'Do you think they'll listen to you?'

'I very much doubt it.  Stahlman was right.  They believe he's the only one who can make this project succeed.  I'm just a figurehead.  But I shall go and try, just as soon as I've cleared my work.'

Liz frowned.  'Surely you ought to go now - at once?'

'My dear Miss Shaw, the project is reaching a crucial stage.  If Stahlman can find any chance to accuse me of negligence, he will - and who will believe me then?'