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'I really couldn't say'

'He's got a present for you'

Angua risked a glance Gaspode was holding, but only just, a very large bone in his ed to soreen and furry in places

'How nice,' she said, coldly 'Look, you go on Let me see what I can do'

'If you're sure' Carrot began, in a reluctant tone of voice

'Yes'

When he'd gone Angua headed for the nearest alley There were only a few eant Colon saluted when Carrot cao hoested

'What? Why?'

'Now it's all sorted out?'

'I just said that to waylay suspicion,' said Carrot

'Ah Very clever,' said the sergeant quickly 'That's what I thought He's saying that to waylay suspicion, I thought'

'There's still aworse'

Carrot ran his gaze over the ill-assorted soldiery

'But right now I think we're going to have to sort out this business with the Day Watch,' he said

'Er People say it's practically a riot up there,' said Colon

'That's e've got to sort it out'

Colon bit his lip He was not, as such, a coward Last year the city had been invaded by a dragon and he'd actually stood on a rooftop and fired arrows at it while it was bearing down on hie his underwear afterwards But that had been sihtforward There it was, right in front of you, about to broil you alive That was all you had to worry about Admittedly, it was a lot to worry about, but it wassi to have to sort it out?' he said

'Yes'

'Oh Good I like sorting things out'

Foul Ole Ron was a Beggars' Guild ood one He would walk behind people ave hiht he was mad, but this was not, technically, the case It was just that he was in touch with reality on the coss sh on very sht was Grade A)

Therefore he was not surprised when a handso woman streaked past hi happened all the tih up until now only on the inner side of his head

Then he sahat happened next

He watched as the sleek golden shape streaked away

'I told 'e end of a rag'r'em Millenniued as technically a tail when Angua re-e htlyyou thif little token--'

He dropped it on the cobbles It didn't look any better to Angua's lupine eyes

'What for?' she said

'Stuffed with nourishin' ly

'Forget it,' said Angua 'No do you noret into the Assassins' Guild?'

'Andout in thePhedre Road?' said Gaspode, his stu there that'll et I mentioned it,' he finished quickly, when fire flashed for a hed

'There's a drain by the kitchens,' he said

'Big enough for a human?'

'Not even for a dwarf But it won't be worth it It's spaghetti tonight You don't get hetti--'

'Coood bone,' he said 'Hardly even started going green Hah! I bet you wouldn't say no to a box of chocolates froed as she rounded on hi about?'

'Nothing! Nothing!'

He trailed after her, whining

Angua wasn't happy, either It was always a probleht she'd been lucky before, she'd found that few rows hair and howls She'd sworn: no le himself to a life without love, or at least any more than the practical affection experienced so far, which had consisted of an unsuspecting chihuahua and a brief liaison with a post

The No1 powder slid down the folded paper into the ht he'd actually head for the opera house? He'd lost a set of rubes up there But there were still three left, packed neatly in the hollow stock A bag of No 1 powder and a rudi was all a onne lay on the table There was a bluish sheen to the listen And, of course, that was only the oil You had to believe it was only the oil It was clearly a thing of metal It couldn't possibly be alive

And yet

And yet

'They say it was only a beggar girl in the Guild'

Well ? What of it ? She was a target of opportunity That was not onne Gonnes don't kill people People kill people

'You killed Hammerhock! The boy said you fired yourself! And he'd repaired you!'

You expect gratitude? He would have onne

'Was that a reason to kill hi

Was the voice in his head or in the gonne? He couldn't be certain Edward had said there was a voiceit said that everything you wanted, it could give you

Getting into the Guild was easy for Angua, even through the angry crowds So floppy dogs around the place in the saht a feith thelances as she trotted through the buildings

Finding the right corridor was easy, too She'd remembered the view from the Guild next door, and counted the number of floors In any case, she didn't have to look hard The reek of fireworks hung in the air all along the corridor

There was a crowd of Assassins in the corridor, too The door of the rooua peered around the corner she saw Dr Cruces ee

'Mr Downey?'

A white-haired Assassin drew himself to attention

'Sir?'

'I want him found!'