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The inside of the Mended Druendary as the most famous disreputable tavern on the Disc-world, and such a feature of the city that, after recent unavoidable redecorations, the nener spent days recreating the original patina of dirt, soot and less identifiable substances on the walls and imported a ton of pre-rotted rushes for the floor The drinkers were the usual bunch of heroes, cut throats, mercenaries, desperadoes and villains, and only microscopic analysis could have told which hich Thick coils of s the walls

The conversation dipped fractionally as the two guards wandered in, and then rose to its former level A couple of cronies waved to Nobby

He realised that Carrot was busy

"What you doin'?" he said "And no talkin' aboutnotes," said Carrot, griot a notebook"

"That's the ticket," said Nobby "You'll like this place I coht for my supper"

"How do you spell 'contravention'?" said Carrot, turning over a page

"I don't," said Nobby, pushing through the crowds A rare ied in his mind "What d'you want to drink?"

"I don't think that would be very appropriate," said Carrot "Anyway, Strong Drink is a Mocker"

He are of a penetrating stare in the back of his neck, and turned and looked into the big, bland and gentle face of an orangutan

It was seated at the bar with a pint lass amicably towards Carrot and then drank deeply and noisily by apparently for a noise like a canal being drained

Carrot nudged Nobby

"There's a ently "Don't say the word! It's the Librarian Works up at the University Always co"

"And people don't object?"

"Why should they?" said Nobby "He always stands his round, just like everyone else"

Carrot turned and looked at the ape again A number of questions pressed for attention, such as: where does it keep its ently pushed the bowl of peanuts towards him

Carrot pulled hiht and consulted his notebook The afternoon spent reading The Laws and Ordinances had been well spent

"Who is the owner, proprietor, lessee, or landlord of these premises?'' he said to Nobby

"Wassat?" said the suard "Landlord? Well, I suppose Charley here is in charge tonight Why?" He indicated a large, heavy-set man whose face was a net of scars; its owner paused in the act of spreading the dirt lasses by ave Carrot a conspiratorial wink

"Charley, this is Carrot," said Nobby "He's stopping along of Rosie Palht?" said Charley

Carrot cleared his throat

"If you are in charge," he intoned, "then it is my duty to inform you that you are under arrest"

"A rest of what, friend?" said Charley, still polishing

"Under arrest," said Carrot, "with a view to the presentation of charges to whit l)(i) that on or about 18th Grune, at a place called the Mended Druree Street, you did a) serve or b) did cause to serve alcoholic beverages after the hours of 12 (twelve) ht, contrary to the provisions of the Public Ale Houses (Opening) Act of 1678, and l)(ii) on or about 18th Grune, at a place called the Mended Druree Street, you did serve or did cause to serve alcoholic beverages in containers other than of a size and capacity laid down by aforesaid Act, and 2)(i) that on or about 18th Grune, at a place called the Mended Druree Street, you did allow custoreater than 7 (seven) inches, contrary to Section Three of said Act and 2)(ii) that on or about 18th Grune, at a place called the Mended Drues in premises apparently unlicensed for the sale and/or consues, contrary to Section Three of the aforesaid Act"

There was dead silence as Carrot turned over another page, and went on: "It is also my duty to inform you that it is my intention to lay evidence before the Justices with a view to the consideration of charges under the Public Foregatherings (Gaiene) Acts of 1433, 1456, 1463, 1465, er, and 1470 through 1690, and also-" he glanced sideways at the Librarian, who knew trouble when he heard it co to finish his drink-"the Domestic and Domesticated Animals (Care and Protection) Act, 1673"

The silence that followed held a rare quality of breathless anticipation as the assembled company waited to see ould happen next

Charley carefully put down the glass, whose smears had been buffed up to a brilliant shine, and looked down at Nobby

Nobby was endeavoring to pretend that he was totally alone and had no connection whatsoever with anyone whoan identical uniform

"What'd he mean, Justices?" he said to Nobby "There ain't no Justices"

Nobby gave a terrified shrug

"New, is he?" said Charley

"Make it easy on yourself," said Carrot

"This is nothing personal, you understand," said Charley to Nobby "It's just a wossna about it Sort of bendy educational thing, you know?" He appeared to think for acurve Detritus, get your big stony arse over here a moment"

Generally, about this tilass And, in fact, this now happened

Captain Viest in the city, which shows the faeant Colon stu

Nobby was outside the Druer he had a way of propelling hih the intervening space which could put any ordinaryin there!" he stuttered, grabbing the captain's arm

"All by himself?" said the captain

"No, with everyone!" shouted Nobby, hopping from one foot to the other