Стража! Стража!

           "Anyway,"headdedpeevishly,"alotofotherpeoplehavegotthem."

           Thatwastrueenough.Neighbouringrooftopsbristledlikehedgehogs.Ifthewretchedthingturnedup,itwasgoingtothinkitwasflyingthroughsolidwoodwithslotsinit.Youcouldalmostfeelsorryforit.

           "Isaidputitaway,"saidVimes."I’mnothavingmyguardsshootingcitizens.Soputitaway."

           "That’sverytrue,"saidCarrot."We’reheretoprotectandtoserve,aren’twe,Captain."

           Vimesgavehimasidelonglook."Er,"hesaid."Yeah.Yes.That’sright."

           Ontheroofofherhouseonthehill,LadyRamkinadjustedaratherinadequatefoldingchairontheroof,arrangedthetelescope,coffeeflaskandsandwichesontheparapetinfrontofher,andsettleddowntowait.Shehadanotebookonherknee.

           Halfanhourwentby.Hailsofarrowsgreetedapassingcloud,severalunfortunatebats,andtherisingmoon.

           "Buggerthisforagameofsoldiers,"saidNobby,eventually."It’sbeenscaredoff."

           SgtColonloweredhispike."Lookslikeit,"heconceded.

           "Andit’sgettingchillyuphere,"saidCarrot.HepolitelynudgedCaptainVimes,whowasslumpedagainstthechimney,staringmoodilyintospace.

           "Maybeweoughttobegettingdown,sir?"hesaid."Lotsofpeopleare."

           "Hmm?"saidVimes,withoutmovinghishead.

           "Couldbecomingontorain,too,"saidCarrot.

           Vimessaidnothing.ForsomeminuteshehadbeenwatchingtheTowerofArt,whichwasthecentreofUnseenUniversityandreputedlytheoldestbuildinghithecity.