The Truth (Discworld 25)

'But your head's bandaged, too,' said William.

'I think I must have fallen over when... when whatever it was happened,' said Drumknott.

My gods, thought William, he's embarrassed.

'I have every confidence that there has been a mistake,' Drumknott went on.

'Has his lordship been preoccupied lately?'

'His lordship is always preoccupied. It's his job,' said the clerk.

'Do you know that three people heard him say that he'd killed

you?'

'I cannot explain that. They must have been mistaken.'

The words were clipped sharp. Any moment now, William told himself... 'Why do you think--' he began, and was proved right.

'I think I don't have to talk to you,' said Drumknott. 'Do I?'

'No, but--'

'Sergeant!' Drumknott shouted.

There were swift footsteps and the cell door opened.

'Yes?' said Sergeant Angua.

'I have finished talking to this gentleman,' said Drumknott. 'And I am tired.'

William sighed and put his notebook away. 'Thank you,' he said. 'You've been very... helpful.'

As he walked along the corridor he said, 'He doesn't want to believe his lordship might have attacked him.'

'Really,' said the sergeant.

'Looks like quite a bang he had on his head,' William went on.

'Does it?'

'Look, even I can see this smells funny.'

'Can you?'

'I see,' said William. 'You went to the Mister Vimes School of Communication, yes?'

'Did I?' said Sergeant Angua.

'Loyalty is a wonderful thing.'

'Is it? The way out is this way--'

After she had carefully ushered William into the street Sergeant Angua went back upstairs into Vimes's office and quietly shut the door behind her.

'So he only spotted the gargoyles?' said Vimes, who was watching William walk down the street.

'Apparently. But I wouldn't underestimate him, sir. He notices things. He was dead right about the peppermint bomb. And how