'Yes, yes,' said Vimes. 'Don't worry.' He reached down with a shaking hand, picked up the bag Wonse had been holding, and tipped out a pile of stones. Every one had a hole in it. Why? he thought.
A metallic noise behind him made him look around. The Patrician was holding the remains of the royal sword. As the captain watched, the man wrenched the other half of the sword out of the far wall. It was a clean break.
'Captain Vimes,' he said.
'Sir?'
'That sword, if you please?'
Vimes handed it over. He couldn't, right now, think of anything else to do. He was probably due for a scorpion pit of his very own as it was.
Lord Vetinari examined the rusty blade carefully.
'How long have you had this, Captain?' he said mildly.
'Isn't mine, sir. Belongs to Lance-constable Carrot, sir.'
'Lance…?'
'Me, sir, your graciousness,' said Carrot, saluting.
Вы читаете Guards! Guards!
