Стража! Стража!

           "There’splentyofprecedents.In1135ahenwasarrestedforcrowingonSoulCakeThursday.AndduringtheregimeofPsy-choneuroticLordSnapcaseacolonyofbatswasexecutedforpersistentcurfewviolations.Thatwasin1401.August,Ithink.Greatdaysforthelaw,theywere,"saidCarrotdreamily."In1321,youknow,asmallcloudwasprosecutedforcoveringthesunduringtheclimaxofFrenziedEarlHargath’sinvestitureceremony."

           "IhopeColongetsamoveonwith-"Vimesstopped.Hehadtoknow."How?"hesaid."Whatcanyoudotoacloud?"

           "TheEarlsentencedittobestonedtodeath,"saidCarrot."Apparentlythirty-onepeoplewerekilled."Hepulledouthisnotebookandglaredatthedragon.

           "Canithearus,doyouthink?"hesaid.

           "Isupposeso."

           "Well,then."Carrotclearedhisthroatandturnedbacktothestunnedreptile."Itismydutytowarnyouthatyouaretobereportedforconsiderationofprosecutiononsomeorallofthefollowingcounts,towhit:One,(One)i,thatonorabout18thGrunelast,inaplaceknownasSweetheartLane,theShades,youdidunlawfullyventflameinamannerlikelytocausegrievousbodilyharm,incontraventionofClauseSevenoftheIndustrialProcessesAct,1508;ANDTHAT,One,(One)ii,thatonorabout18thGrunelast,inaplaceknownasSweetheartLane,theShades,youcausedordidcausetocausethedeathofsixpersonsunknown-"

           Vimeswonderedhowlongtherubblewouldholdthecreaturedown.