Стража! Стража!

           "Now,whatarethechancesofamanstandingononelegwithhishatonbackwardsandahandkerchiefinhismouthhittingadragon’svoonerables?"

           "Mmph,"saidColon.

           "It’sprettylongodds,"saidCarrot."Ireckonthehankyisabitoverthetop,though."

           Colonspatitout."Makeupyourminds,"hesaid."Meleg’sgoingtosleep."

           VimespickedhimselfupoffthegreasycobblesandstaredattheLibrarian.Hewasexperiencingsomethingwhichhadcomeasashocktomanypeople,usuallyinmuchmoreunpleasantcircumstancessuchasabrawlstartedintheMendedDrumwhentheapewantedabitofpeaceandquiettoenjoyareflectivepint,whichwasthis:theLibrarianmightlooklikeastuffedrubbersack,butwhatitwasstuffedwithwasmuscle.

           "Thatwasamazing,"wasallhecouldfindtosay.Helookeddownatthetwistedbars,andfelthisminddarken.Hegrabbedthebentmetal."Youdon’thappentoknowwhereWonseis,doyou?"headded.

           "Eeek!"TheLibrarianthrustatatteredpieceofparchmentunderhisnose."Eeek!"

           Vimesreadthewords.

           Ithathepleased...whereas...atthestrokeofnoone...amaidenpure,yethighborn...compactbetweenrulerandruled...

           "Inmycity!"hegrowled."Inmybloodycity!"

           HegrabbedtheLibrarianbytwohandfulsofchesthairandpulledhimuptoeyeheight.

           "Whattimeisit?"heshouted.

           "Oook!"

           Alongred-hairedarmunfoldeditselfupwards.Vimes’sgazefollowedthepointingfinger.