The Truth (Discworld 25)

'Can he ask me that?' he said. 'Just come out with a question, just like that?'

'Yes, my lord.'

'Do I have to answer it?'

'It is a reasonable question in the circumstances, my lord, but you don't have to.'

'Do you have a message for the people of Ankh-Morpork?' said William sweetly.

'Do we, Mr Slant?' said Lord Downey.

Mr Slant sighed. 'It may be advisable, my lord, yes.'

'Oh, well, then - no, there won't be a trial. Obviously.'

'And he's not going to be pardoned?' said William.

Lord Downey turned to Mr Slant, who gave a little sigh.

'Again, my lord, it is--'

'All right, all right... No, he's not going to be pardoned because it is quite clear that he is quite guiltless,' said Downey testily.

'Would you say that this has become clear because of the excellent work done by Commander Vimes and his dedicated band of officers, aided in a small way by the Times!' said William.

Lord Downey looked blank. 'Would I say that?' he said.

'I think you possibly would, yes, my lord,' said Slant, sinking further in gloom.

'Oh. Then I would,' said Downey. 'Yes.' He craned his neck to see what William was writing down. Out of the corner of his eye

William saw Vimes's expression; it was a strange mixture of amusement and anger.

'And would you say, as spokesman for the Guild Council, that you are commending Commander Vimes?' said William.

'Now see here--' Vimes began.

'I suppose we would, yes.'

'I expect there's a Watch Medal or a commendation in the offing?'

'Now look--' Vimes said.

'Yes, very probably. Very probably,' said Lord Downey, now thoroughly buffeted by the winds of change.

William painstakingly wrote this down, too, and closed his notebook. This caused a general air of relief among the others.

'Thank you very much, my lord, and ladies and gentlemen,' he said cheerfully. 'Oh, Mister Vimes... do you and I have anything to discuss?'

'Not right at this moment,' growled Vimes.

'Oh, that's good. Well, I must go and get this written up, so thank you once--'

'You will of course show this... article to us before you put it in the paper,' said Lord Downey, rallying a little.

William wore his haughtiness like an overcoat. 'Um, no, I don't think I will, my lord. It's my paper, you see.'

'Can he--?'