Стража! Стража!

           "IthoughtyoumetoverinTreacleStreet,’’saidthedampman,afterawhile. 

           "Yeah,well.Youknowhowitis.ThefretworkclubhavetheroomTuesdays.Therewasabitofamix-up." 

           "Oh?Well,thanksanyway." 

           "Mypleasure." Thelittledoorslammedshut. 

           Therobedfigureglaredatitforamoment,andthensplashedfurtherdownthestreet.Therewasindeedanotherportalthere.Thebuilderhadn’tbotheredtochangethedesignmuch. 

           Heknocked.Thelittlebarredhatchshotback. 

           "Yes?" 

           "Look,’Thesignificantowlhootsinthenight’,allright?" 

           "’Yetmanygreylordsgosadlytothemasterlessmen.’" 

           "’Hooray,horrayforthespinster’ssister’sdaughter’,okay?’" 

           "’Totheaxeman,allsupplicantsarethesameheight.’" 

           "’Yetverily,theroseiswithinthethorn.’It’spissingdownouthere.Youdoknowthat,don’tyou?" 

           "Yes,"saidthevoice,inthetonesofonewhoindeeddoesknowit,andisnottheonestandinginit. 

           Thevisitorsighed.