Стража! Стража!

           "Lance-constableCarrot,onestepaforwarda,take!Lance-constableCarrot,innayouraownatimer!Openthesegatesa!"

           "Yes,sir!"

           Carrotsteppedforward,saluted,foldedanenormoushandintoafistandrappedgentlyonthewoodwork.

           "Openup,"hesaid,"inthenameoftheLaw!"

           Therewassomewhisperingontheothersideofthegates,andeventuallyasmallhatchhalfwayupthedoorslidopenafractionandavoicesaid,"Why?"

           "Becauseifyoudon’titwillbeImpedinganOfficeroftheWatchintheExecutionofhisDuty,whichispunishablebyafineofnotlessthanthirtydollars,onemonth’simprisonment,orbeingremandedincustodyforsocialinquiryreportsandhalfanhourwithared-hotpoker,"saidCarrot.

           Therewassomemoremuffledwhispering,thesoundofboltsbeingdrawn,andthenthegatesopenedabouthalfway.

           Therewasno-onevisibleontheotherside.

           Vimesputafingertohislips.HemotionedCarrottowardsonegateanddraggedNobbyandColontotheother.

           "Push,"hewhispered.Theypushed,hard.Therewasasuddeneruptionofpainedcursingfrombehindthewoodwork.

           "Run!"shoutedColon.

           "No!"shoutedVimes.Hewalkedaroundthegate.Foursemi-crushedpalaceguardsgloweredathim.

           "No,"hesaid."Nomorerunning.Iwantthesemenarrested."

           "Youwouldn’tdare,"saidoneofthemen.Vimespeeredathim.

           "Clarence,isn’tit?"hesaid."WithaC.Well,ClarencewithaC,watchmylips.