Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma Read Online Free Page B

that had even more secrets than him. To the man-made tracking devices of Earth the freighter was invisibile, as it was protected by a deflector screen. The cat also knew this in the same way he knew that someone from the freighter was being transported to Earth using a matter converter. The cat smiled. Soon the twins would know what he did, but they would never know that he knew it first!
    In the cosiness of their bedroom, Romulus and Remus studied the screens of their computers. They were delighted with what they saw. Their calculations were perfect. What had started as a game had turned into a creation of pure genius.
    The twins exchanged a glance of pleasure. They didn't need to say anything as they were aware how each other felt.
    It was in this air of self-satisfied pleasure that an elderly man with a shiny bald pate materialised in the middle of the room. He wore a long brown smock and looked a bit like Father Christmas without a beard.
    Amazed, the twins watched as the newly-formed imaged settled and became solid.
    The old man smiled benevolently, but his sharp, alert eyes were quick to notice the computer screens. 'My name is Edgeworth, Professor Edgeworth,' he said, studying the screens and then nodding with approval and delight at what he saw. He even let out a fruity 'ho-ho-ho' to complement his near Father Christmas image.
    'Brilliant!' he said, turning to the twins. 'Absolutely brilliant... A symphony of higher mathematics... I can only be in the company of Romulus and Remus Sylvest.'
    'You are. And although you have told us your name, we still do not know who you are and what you are doing here.'
     
    Professor Edgeworth chuckled. He realised he was slightly over-playing the Father Christmas image. 'I've come to pay my respects to your father. A man of great distinction...'
    The twins exchanged a nervous glance. 'At this time of night?'
    Remus' voice was slightly shrill.
    'Yes, I must apologise for the lateness of the hour, but I've come a long way.' The words sounded hollow and Edgeworth knew it. He also knew he had to act quickly. It had been his idea to transport down from the freighter alone. He had wanted to avoid the excessive violence he knew a certain crew member of his crew so much enjoyed. But should he fail to take the twins back with him, he would be in a great deal of trouble.
    'Look,' he said jovially, 'it seems I've come at a difficult time. Tell your father I will call on him again.'
    Professor Edgeworth extended his hand towards Romulus who stared at it for a moment. 'Goodbye, my boy. It's been a pleasure and a privilege.'
    Cautiously, Romulus took the proffered hand and shook it. As he did, a fine needle shot out from a ring Edgeworth was wearing and painlessly penetrated the palm of the boy's hand.
    Edgeworth turned to the other twin and shook his hand. 'Goodbye, Remus.'
    And again the needle did its work.
    At first, nothing seemed to happen, then suddenly the twins'
    expressions went quite blank as though their personalities had been drained from them. Edgeworth ordered the twins to show him their hands. This they did in a passive, unquestioning way. He then asked them where they were, and as hard as they tried, they couldn't remember.
    Edgeworth smiled. The drug had worked perfectly. The twins were without conscious memory. When he got them back to the freighter, he would loosen the drug's control, but until then, it was safer that they remained zombie-like.
    Edgeworth pulled back the sleeve of his smock and exposed a bracelet. He fiddled with it for a second then ordered the twins to grip his hands. This they did, and a second later the trio dematerialised, leaving a fine powdery deposit on the bedroom floor.
    Outside, the ginger torn stood guard over his territory. He knew what had happened. He had sensed the freighter pull out of orbit and set a course for one of the bleakest areas in the universe. He knew all this, but would tell no-one.
    The front door of twenty-five Lydall Street was