Doctor Who and the Planet of the Spiders

‘Oh, for Pete’s sake,’ said Yates exasperatedly. ‘Of course it
isn’t. Now, just you untie me and we’ll say no more about my
bump on the head.’ There was real authority in Yates’ voice.
Barnes bent over and started undoing the knots.
Crouched in his cupboard, Tommy sat peering into the
crystal. He wanted to find Yates and ask his advice. But suppose
Yates said he must give up the crystal. He heard voices in the
corridor outside. He opened his cupboard a crack to listen.
Yates – and Barnes was with him. Strange that. They’d never
been friends...
‘We’ll meet in.the cellar then,’ Yates was saying. ‘Half an
hour’s time O.K.?’
‘I suppose so,’ replied Barnes gloomily. ‘It may do some
good. I haven’t had a moment’s peace since Lupton vanished...’
The voices faded away down the corridor. Tommy frowned.
He was grappling with his foggy memories of a few days ago,
before the miraculous change came over him. Everything had
been cloudy then. Sarah had said something about the cellar –
and about Lupton in the cellar. Something bad had happened,
and Lupton and Sarah had gone away. Now it was going to
happen again. Tommy came to a decision. ‘Cho-Je. I’ll tell Cho-
Je...’
He put the crystal back in its hiding place and went out.
* * * * *
Lupton and the Spider Council were in hiding, deep in the
heart of the Spider Citadel. In the tunnels above them, the battle
still raged. Their guards were being killed one by one. But, as
yet, this secret inner room had not been found. If they could
remain undiscovered for just a little longer, they might yet
snatch victory from near-defeat.