The Madman knew East's step, and thought there was going to be a siege.
"'It's the Doctor, Martin.

He's here and wants to see you,' sings out East.
"Then the bolts went back slowly, and the door opened, and there was the old Madman standing, looking precious scared--his jacket off, his shirt-sleeves up to his elbows, and his long skinny arms all covered with anchors and arrows and letters, tattooed in with gunpowder like a sailor-boy's, and a stink fit to knock you down coming out.

'Twas all the Doctor could do to stand his ground, and East and I, who were looking in under his arms, held our noses tight.

The old magpie was standing on the window-sill, all his feathers drooping, and looking disgusted and half-poisoned.
"'What can you be about, Martin ?' says the Doctor.

'You really mustn't go on in this way; you're a nuisance to the whole passage.' "'Please, sir, I was only mixing up this powder; there isn't any harm in it.