A group of men dressed in hunting clothes and armed with shotguns were pointing at them. Rose grabbed the Doctor's hand unconsciously; she felt that he slightly clenched her hand, as if to reassure her. She felt safe.
"Stop!" it was one of the riders, a tall man with a big mustache which fell on both sides of his face, like a walrus'. He had a strong German accent; the TARDIS instantly translated languages, but had never managed to do much with the accents.
"These are the private gardens of the Emperor. Who are you and how did you enter in here? I demand you to identify yourselves"
The Doctor cleared his throat and began to approach to them, stretching a hand in greeting, Rose didn't move from his back.
"Hello! I'm the Doctor, and this is Rose. We're here due to an unfortunate accident, you see, we'd just made a long journey, so we decided to rest ..."
He was approaching nearer as he talked, until the men pointed their weapons at him.
"But it's not our intention to spoil your exciting and cruel sport, so- if we have your permission, we leave now. Bye!"
Another man, his face cleanly shaved and a severe but intelligent-looking, spurred his horse and advanced towards them before they could leave.
"One moment, just one moment ...! Wait there, doctor ... Would you explain what kind of doctor you are… and why is this young lady dressed in a so… peculiar manner?
"Oh no, not again…" Rose whispered to herself with shame, burying his face into the shoulder of the Doctor.
The Doctor thought for a moment.
"No, I can't explain it" he merely said. "As for me ... I'm ... Dr. John Smith, "he added, taking the Psychic Paper and showing it to the riders for a slight moment.
"John Smith? So are you English?" the rider asked, getting off the horse.
"As English as tea with herring for breakfast" he grinned.
Another rider, a golden-haired young man, spoke timidly.
"He must be here for... you know, the girls, Mr. Stonenberg "he said. "Before he went to Berlin, the Dr. Hesse said he would send a colleague, an English doctor who lives in Bavaria"
"Eeeexactly, that's me, "said the Doctor, his eyes sparkling with excitement when to his head it came the idea that something interesting was happening there ... and that he would witness it.
"Then you should join us, Doctor Smith, "said a voice from behind the men, slow and proud.
One of the riders, who all time had remained in the background, moved his horse towards them. The Doctor recognized the Emperor Francis Joseph, who dismounted his horse and headed towards him. His men did not remove his eyes from him as he approached the Doctor, who made a slight bow in greeting, but said nothing.
"I will honor any man who can help us to solve a strange mystery that is taking place in the palace, Dr. Smith" he said solemnly. "I want nothing to disturb the tranquility of my subjects and my wife, the Empress Elizabeth."
"Sissi… The Empress Sissi!" Rose said to herself, fascinated, although maybe too loud, because the Emperor's men dedicated her a stern look.
"Show more respect for the Empress, child" said Stonenberg, looking her up and down with disapproval.
"I'm sorry, sir" Rose murmured, wishing she had not opened his mouth.
The Emperor, to everyone's surprise, seemed amused.
"Yes ... That's how she likes to be called by his beloved people, young lady", he said "What is your name?"
Rose bowed respectfully.
"Rose T ... " she paused for a moment, thoughtfully, then she looked up, her eyes shining "Dame Rose, of the Powell State".
The Doctor glanced at her, his eyebrows raised; she winked a conspiratorially eye at him and he turned away, pressing his lips to suppress a smile.
"A lady? A very curious way of dressing for a lady ... yes, I think you are very special in England" the emperor said, laughing.
"Does she have to come too? She cannot show up in court with that looking" Brower said sternly, his mustache quivered with every word.
Rose, half hidden behind the Doctor again, rolled her eyes in an expression of disgust.
"Just… ignore her, the lady thought it would be much fun to wear trousers and show her arms… they are a bit special, in London" said the Doctor"If you could excuse us a moment ... "he grabbed Rose's arm gently and approached the TARDIS, opening the door and putting her inside, Rose just looked at him raising an eyebrow, an expression of humiliation etched on her face. " The cabinet at the bottom, look for jackets with epaulettes" he whispered her, so no one could hear him.;"that's the one for nineteenth century, the fifties, you know how they dressed, I'm sure you've studied that in History class. I'll wait here. Oh, by the way, the Dame Rose part has been brilliant."
He closed the door. The men stared in disbelief; the Doctor just smiled openly.
"What is that, Doctor, a portable dressing-room?" Brawer asked.
"Yes, in England we like to dress for every occasion, you never know what clothes will you need ... And tell me, Emperor ... "he began, moving towards him, always guarded by his men," What is exactly happening with those ... girls?
Suddenly, a young man dressed as a butler came running towards them.
" My Lord ...! " he paused or a moment to catch his breath "My Lord, they have found another one ...
A gesture mixing worry and satisfaction appeared on the Emperor's face.
"You'll be able to see it for yourself, Dr. Smith ..."
At that very moment, the door of the TARDIS was opened. Rose had some difficulty trying to go out, her dress was huge and so wide that she had to (cogerlo) it in order to fit through the hole left by the door (she could not afford to open it widely so the Emperor and his men could see that it was not exactly a portable dresser). The Doctor helped her to come out of the ship and then he closed the door. He looked at her, smiling sweetly; no doubt had she made the right choice. The dress was pale pink, simple, with half sleeves up the arm; she also was wearing matching short gloves. A wide broad-brimmed hat tied in a bow under the chin crowned an improvised hairstyle, and in her hand she had got an umbrella. She stood beside the Doctor.
"Did you bring the clowns?" she whispered in her ear, in some way a little annoyed "I already have the circus…"
She rocked back and forth for a moment, the Doctor suppressed a chuckle.
"You look beatiful, Lady Rose "said the Emperor, she flashed a shy smile and let him kiss the back of her hand ...
"Well!..." interrupted the Doctor abruptly; he gave them a wide smile "Shall we go, gentlemen?"