Стража! Стража!

           Insteadheslippedoutofthedoor,andlurkedintheshadows,andfollowedthehoodedthiefwhenitcameoutclutchingthebook,andwaitednearthedreadportalintherainuntiltheElucidatedBrethrenhadmetand,whenthelastoneleft,followedhimtohishome,andmurmuredtohimselfinanthropoidsurprise...

           AndthenranbacktohisLibraryandthetreacherouspathwaysofL-space.

           Bymid-morningthestreetswerepacked,VimeshaddockedNobbyaday’ssalaryforwavingaflag,andanairofbarbedgloomsettledovertheYard,likeabigblackcloudwithoccasionalflashesoflightninginit.

           "’Getupinahighplace’,"mutteredNobby."That’sallverywelltosay."

           "Iwaslookingforwardtoliningthestreets,"saidColon."I’dhavegotagoodview."

           "Youweregoingonaboutprivilegeandtherightsofmantheothernight,"saidNobbyaccusingly.

           "Yes,well,oneoftheprivilegesandrightsofthismanisgettingagoodview,"saidthesergeant."That’sallI’msaying."

           "I’veneverseenthecaptaininsuchafilthytemper,"saidNobby."Ilikeditbetterwhenhewasonthedrink.Ireckonhe’s-"

           "Youknow,IthinkErrolisreallyill,"saidCarrot.

           Theyturnedtowardsthefruitbasket.

           "He’sveryhot.Andhisskinlooksallshiny."

           "What’stherighttemperatureforadragon?"saidColon.

           "Yeah.Howdoyoutakeit?"saidNobby.

           "IthinkweoughttoaskLadyRamkintohavealookathim,"saidCarrot."Sheknowsaboutthesethings."

           "No,she’llbegettingreadyforthecoronation.