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"No," he said "NoI want these men arrested"

"You wouldn't dare," said one of the men Vimes peered at him

"Clarence, isn't it?" he said "With a C Well, Clarence with a C, watchor-" he leaned closer, and glanced fully at Carrot-"with an axe"

"Swivel on that one, doggybag!" added Nobby, ju from one foot to the other in vicious excitelared at the loo bulk that was Carrot, and then at Vimes's face There was absolutely no mercy there He appeared to reach a reluctant decision

"Jolly good," said Vieant"

Colon drew his bow and squared his shoulders "You heard the Man," he rasped "One false move and you'reyou're-" he took a desperate stab at it-"you're Hoer!" shouted Nobby If wor speeds "Doucheballs!" he sneered, at their retreating backs

"Aiding and Abetting what, Captain?" said Carrot, as the weaponless guards trooped away "You have to aid and abet soeneralised abetting," said Vimes "Persistent and reckless abetment"

"Yeah," said Nobby "Can't stand abettors Sliuardhouse key "It's not very secure in there, Captain," he said "They'll be able to break out eventually"

"I hope so," said Vi to drop the key down it Everyone here? Right Followthe ruined corridors of the palace, The Su royal sword grasped uncertainly in one hand

He halted, panting, in a doorway

Not a lot of his hts, but the s that it couldn't have seen what it had seen or heard what it had heard

So hih the palace He knew the man was securely put away The lock was co absolutely insistent that it be an unpickable lock when it was installed

There was ibbered a bit, fumbled with the doorhandle beside hi for breath

He opened his eyes

He was in the old private audience roo crossed on the other, watching him with mild interest

"Ah, Wonse," he said

Wonse jumped, scrabbled at the doorhandle, leapt into the corridor and ran for it until he reached the h the ruins of the central palace like a forlorn corkscrew Stairs-height-high ground-defence He ran up them three at a time

All he needed was a few minutes of peace Then he'd show them

The upper floors were more full of shadows What they were short on was structural strength Pillars and walls had been torn out by the dragon as it built its cave Roo shreds of wall-hanging and carpet flapped in the wind fro and wobbled like a traled to the nearest door

"That was commendably fast," said the Patrician

Wonse sla, down a corridor

Sanity took a brief hold He paused by a statue There was no sound, no hurrying footsteps, no whirr of hidden doors He gave the statue a suspicious look and prodded it with the sword

When it failed to move he opened the nearest door and slaed it under the handle This was one of the upper state roo its fourth wall Where it should have been was just the gulf of the cavern

The Patrician stepped out of the shadows

"Now you have got it out of your system-" he said

Wonse spun around, sword raised

"You don't really exist," he said "You're a-a ghost, or so"

"I believe this is not the case," said the Patrician

"You can't stop ot the book!" Wonse took a brown leather bag out of his pocket "I'll bring back another one! You'll see!"

"I urge you not to," said Lord Vetinari mildly

"Oh, you think you're so clever, so in-control, so swave, just because I've got a sword and you haven't! Well, I've got more than that, I'll have you know," said Wonse triuuards on my side! They follow me, not you! No-one likes you, you know No-one ever liked you"

He swung the sword so that its needle point was a foot from the Patrician's thin chest

"So it's back to the cells for you," he said "And this time I'll make sure you stay there Guards! Guards!"

There was the clatter of running feet outside The door rattled, the chair shook There was a moment's silence, and then door and chair erupted in splinters

"Take him away!" screamed Wonse "Fetch more scorpions! Put him inyou're not the-"

"Put the sword down," said Vimes, while behind him Carrot picked bits of door out of his fist

"Yeah," said Nobby, peering around the captain "Up against the wall and spread 'em, motherbreath!"

"Eh? What's he supposed to spread?" whispered Sergeant Colon anxiously

Nobby shrugged "Dunno," he said "Everything, I reckon Safest way"

Wonse stared at the rank in disbelief

"Ah, Vimes," said the Patrician "You will-"

"Shut up," said Vimes calmly "Lance-constable Carrot?"

"Sir!"