'The very thing, said the Doctor. 'Only fire into the ground, mind. We must do everything we can to avoid an accident. Do you always carry that about with you?
'Only when I'm wearing my diamonds, said Philbrick.
'Well, I hope that is not often. Good gracious! Who are these extraordinary‑looking people?
Ten men of revolting appearance were approaching from the drive. They were low of brow, crafty of eye, and crooked of limb. They advanced huddled together with the loping tread of wolves, peering about them furtively as they came, as though in constant terror of ambush; they slavered at their mouths, which hung loosely over their receding chins, while each clutched under his apelike arm a burden of curious and unaccountable shape. On seeing the Doctor they halted and edged back, those behind squinting and moulting over their companions' shoulders.
'Crikey! said Philbrick. 'Loonies! This is where I shoot.
'I refuse to believe the evidence of my eyes, said the Doctor. 'These creatures simply do not exist.
After brief preliminary shuffling and nudging, an elderly man emerged from the back of the group. He had a rough black beard and wore on his uneven shoulders a druidical wreath of brass mistletoe‑berries.
'Why, it's my friend the stationmaster! said Philbrick.
'We are the silver band the Lord bless and keep you, said the stationmaster in one breath, 'the band that no one could beat whatever but two indeed in the Eisteddfod that for all North Wales was look you.
'I see, said the Doctor; 'I see. That's splendid. Well, will you please go into your tent, the little tent over there.