Стража! Стража!

           "I-"Carrotbegan,andthenrememberedthat,yes,oneshouldtellthetruth,eventooddpeoplelikeNobbywhodidn’tseemtoknowwhatitwas.AndthetruthwasthathewasalwaysgettingMintyintrouble,althoughexactlyhowandwhywasabitofamystery.JustabouteverytimeheleftafterpayingcallsonherattheRocksmackercave,hecouldhearherfatherandmothershoutingather.Theywerealwaysverypolitetohim,butsomehowmerelybeingseenwithhimwasenoughtogetMintyintotrouble.

           "Yes,"hesaid.

           "Ah.Oftenthecase,"saidNobbywisely.

           "Allthetime,"saidCarrot."Justabouteverynight,really."

           "Blimey,"saidNobby,impressed.HelookeddownattheProtective."Isthatwhytheymakeyouwearthat,then?"

           "Whatdoyoumean?"

           "Well,don’tworryaboutit,"saidNobby."Everyone’sgottheirlittlesecret.Orbigsecret,asitmightbe.Eventhecaptain.He’sonlywithusbecausehewasBrungLowbyaWoman.That’swhatthesergeantsays.Brunglow."

           "Goodness,"saidCarrot.Itsoundedpainful.

           "ButIreckonit’s’coshespeakshismind.SpokeitoncetoooftentothePatrician,Iheard.SaidtheThieves’Guildwasnothingbutapackofthieves,orsomething.That’swhyhe’swithus.Dunno,really."Helookedspeculativelyatthepavementandthensaid:"Sowhere’reyoustaying,lad?"

           "There’saladycalledMrsPalm-"Carrotbegan.