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           "Look,cananybodytellme..."mutteredRichard.

           "Quiet!"saidthethingirl.

           Theratstepped—alittledisdainfully,itseemed—intotheLordRat-speaker’sgrubbyhand,andthemanheldit,respectfully,upinfrontofRichard’sface.ItwaveditstaillanguidlyasitinspectedRichard’sfeatures."ThisisMasterLongtail,oftheclanGray,"saidtheLordRat-speaker."Hesaysyoulooksexceedingfamiliar.Hewantstoknowifhe’smetyouafore."

           Richardlookedattherat.TheratlookedatRichard."Isupposeit’spossible,"headmitted.

           "HesayshewasdischarginganobligationtothemarquisdeCarabas."

           Richardstaredattheanimalmoreclosely."It’sthatrat?Yes,we’vemet.Actually,IthrewtheTVremote,controlatit."Someofthepeoplestandingaroundlookedshocked.Thethingirlactuallysqueaked.Richardhardlynoticedthem;atleastsomethingwasfamiliarinthismadness."Hello,Ratty,"hesaid."Goodtoseeyouagain.DoyouknowwhereDooris?"

           "Ratty!"saidthegirlinsomethingbetweenasqueakandahorrifiedswallow.Shehadalarge,water-stainedredbuttonpinnedtoherraggedclothes,thekindthatcomesattachedtobirthdaycards.Itsaid,inyellowletters,IAM11.

           LordRat-speakerwavedhisglassdaggeradmonishinglyatRichard."YoumustnotaddressMasterLongtail,savethroughme,"hesaid.Theratsqueakedanorder.Theman’sfacefell."Him?"hesaid,lookingatRicharddisdainfully."Look,Ican’tspareasoul.HowaboutifIsimplyslicehisthroatandsendhimdowntotheSewerFolk..."