“We don't need Grido's Mechanics,” said Didactylos. "Hey, I wish I could have seen the look on his face! Damn good shot, considering. I just hope someone wrote down what I-
“Principles of gearing! Theory of water expansion!” shouted Urn. "But we don't need Ibid's Civics or Gnomon's Ectopia, that's for sure-
“What? They belong to all mankind!” snapped Didactylos.
“Then if all mankind will come and help us carry them, that's fine,” said Urn. “But if it's just the two of us, I prefer to carry something useful.”
“Useful? Books on mechanisms?”
“Yes! They can show people how to live better!”
“And these show people how to be people,” said Didactylos. "Which reminds me. Find me another lantern. I feel quite blind without one-
The Library door shook to a thunderous knocking. It wasn't the knocking of people who expected the door to be opened.
"We could throw some of the others into the-
The hinges leapt out of the walls. The door thudded down.
Soldiers scrambled over it, swords drawn.
“Ah, gentlemen,” said Didactylos. “Pray don't disturb my circles.”
The corporal in charge looked at him blankly, and then down at the floor.
“What circles?” he said.
“Hey, how about giving me a pair of compasses and coming back in, say, half an hour?”
“Leave him, corporal,” said Brutha.
He stepped over the door.
“I said leave him.”
"But I got orders to-
“Are you deaf? If you are, the Quisition can cure that,” said Brutha, astonished at the steadiness of his own voice.
“You don't belong to the Quisition,” said the corporal.
“No. But I know a man who does,” said Brutha. “You are to search the palace for books. Leave him with me. He's an old man. What harm can he do?”
The corporal looked hesitantly from Brutha to his prisoners.
“Very good, corporal. I will take over.”
They all turned.
“Did you hear me?” said Sergeant Simony, pushing his way forward.
"But the deacon told us-
“Corporal?”
“Yes, sergeant?”
“The deacon is far away. I am right here.”