Стража! Стража!

           "Andyousaythiswasoneperson?"saidLordVetinari.

           "Yes!Thatis-"VanPewhesitated.

           Itdidsoundweird,nowhecametotellsomeone.

           "Buttherearehundredsofyouinthere,"saidthePatriciancalmly."Thickas,youshouldexcusetheexpression,thieves."

           VanPewopenedandshuthismouthafewtimes.Thehonestanswerwouldhavebeen:yes,andifanyonehadcomesidlinginandskulkingaroundthecorridorsitwouldhavebeentheworseforthem.Itwasthewayhestrodeinasifheownedtheplacethatfooledeveryone.ThatandthefactthathekepthittingpeopleandtellingthemtoMendtheirWays.

           ThePatriciannodded.

           "Ishalldealwiththemattermomentarily,"hesaid.Itwasagoodword.Italwaysmadepeoplehesitate.Theywereneverquitesurewhetherhemeanthe’ddealwithitnow,orjustdealwithitbriefly.Andno-oneeverdaredask.

           VanPewbackeddown.

           "Afullapology,markyou.Ihaveapositiontomaintain,"headded.

           "Thankyou.Donotletmedetainyou,"saidthePatrician,onceagaingivingthelanguagehisownindividualspin.

           "Right.Good.Thankyou.Verywell,"saidthethief.

           ’’Afterall,youhavesuchalotofworktodo,’’LordVetinariwenton.