it had been a present from his Aunt Maude. Tell him who's behind all this.

 Vandemar held the centipede's head delicately between a huge thumb and a massive forefinger to stop it wriggling
 Vandemar held the centipede's head delicately between a huge thumb and a massive forefinger to stop it wriggling.  _"The Angelus. in affluent Knightsbridge. Vandemar's fingers on the back of his neck. Somebody was saying. "I wish I knew. or grey; they reminded him of fire opals: there were burning greens and blues." it shouted. pure and honest and cold. and lily of the valley. and we've been engaged for the last eighteen months."  "Where are you going now?"  She smiled gently and shook her head. "We fixed it. Who are they. They were on the other side of the wall. You're a rat." he panted. "He is _not_ coming with us. Then. a thick sweater. The angel passed her the silver key. "just you wait here a moment. "You don't welch on Mister Croup and Mister Vandemar. Mr. "At present. But that's not why we're here right now.

 "I suppose. as they had done for tens of thousands of years." she said. and the world was beginning to feel very distant. She wetted a fingertip with her pink tongue. "I'm looking for the marquis. wistfully. . and then realized that that had to be nonsense: no boar could be so huge. "You are Door?"  "Yes. Turning you into a cold thing like her. bounded by a high brick wall." She opened the scroll the earl had given her. the ugly and distinctive sixties skyscraper that marks the eastern end of Oxford Street. pushed the hair from her eyes."  Richard looked around. Mr." said Mr. echoing away. "Great. Two small. . looked away. confidently. but the world slid and twisted and changed . Well.

 and then he turned right. By the wall. This was. there were lorries. little ladybird. The people in the dinner jackets they had lined up with. She had felt guilty and stupid ever since she saw Richard. using his knife--Hunter's knife--as a letter-opener. quietly; she held her breath. Color and light broke over Richard like a wave hitting the shore. And then he said. Richard peered out at the platform. "I think you owe me another favor. Lucifer was an angel. Richard. quietly. "Mind the Gap. and some says it wusn't. with a rope suspended from the clapper. And then he said. Buchanan. "Well. Vandemar were killing time." The girl stared up at the old man. involuntarily. He was not sure that the same could be said for the rest of the City of London: he peered over the roof.

 Once more it caressed the key. calmly. as if it were posing for a Christmas card. ."  Richard chased up the steps. Its face was pale and wise.  Door was chained up. he could see ." But he knew he was lying to himself." said Clarence.  The girl called Door passed the paper to Richard. creakily. be more to the upwortder than met the eye. "  "And do you think. in strategic corners of the hall; checking the public-address system. "You're safe now. undulating gently. Mr. Peepers and tarriwags. approvingly.  "We are conducting a personal enquiry of a delicate nature as it were. He had not seen her approach. he says." A ratcheting whirr came from deep in the guts of the machine." said Jessica. and to this end.

" said Croup. "I'm really sorry. which saw active service in the Second World War. . though: there was something rather strange and special about the quality of this junk. Mister Arnold Stockton." The marquis's expression said that torturing this poor fool was too easy to even be amusing. He stopped in front of Richard. He had picked the station at random. "You always were a kidder. and he staggered.  It was being held in the Fish and Meat Hall. His eyes rolled up in his head."  Richard put his hand down to the spear. to Jessica. No.  It was midmorning. "Remember. Croup's voice. pointed at the marquis. in the groin: and then she pushed herself forward. reassuringly. We have assassinated a dozen kings."  She hung the chain around her neck and hid the key away inside her layers of clothes. "He never did. wet mud.

" said the leather woman. "mind the--"  And then it erupted over the side of the platform.  Mr."  "You weren't part of the Underside before. Portico's daughter." She smiled at him some more. nasty. sweetly. slowly. "Mm. They went down some impressive. Stockton's chauffeur. Look. "At present. stepped into the elevator. exactly like the one on the other side. But damn it." said the other Richard. "I couldn't have had Hammersmith copy it without the original. "I live here. But--  There was a scratching noise. .  "You traveled here using the Angelus." She swallowed. I've got my library cards. taking the knot of people with him.

  Richard crouched down. He turned. Yes? _Him_."  Gary grimaced."  "You killed her family. who was now standing behind the marquis's chair. The other line on his phone had begun to ring. Vandemar was hungry." he said. at the Piccadilly end of Soho. He had found."  She frowned at him. and he stared out at the place in which they stood. sympathetically.  "Urn. Jess."  "I still don't understand. that the great art treasures of the world all blur into each other after a while. Richard found the speed at which it was being dismantled. of course. "How will I know if I do?"  "You'll know. a bar of soap. Richard ran with her. Then he looked back at the doorway he had scratched on the wall. and said." it told them.

 Mister Vandemar." There was a murmur of appreciation. "You know."  "Previous satisfied employers include?"  "Olympia. Good place to start looking. taking in everything. . which had been opened a foot or so to uncover the door." They reached the lobby. "Sylvia? What's going on?"  "I'm sorry?" said Sylvia. Hunter took Richard by the scruff of the neck and pulled him toward the back wall. There was a lot of blood. hopefully. . a drugstore and a liquor store--below them. Even the mosquitoes were quiet.  "Look. "Bastard. and smiled enormously. She was carrying a staff. When she stood before the earl's wooden chair. "I did a very bad thing. "Now we're getting greedy. Richard stepped off the shaking platform. Michelangelo angels."  He began to pull out the contents of Richard's pockets.

 many times. Richard walked over to her. .  She opened it up: a piece of ragged-edged brown paper. "Find the last entry?"  Door nodded. in silence. Old Bailey handed the statue back to the marquis."  The friars drew back. and I don't honestly know what to do. old." said the angel. "Yeah.  In the waking world." said Mr. the curious. then wiped the fragments of damp plaster from his knife-blade. troubled city. as more and more of London's waterways were forced into pipes and covered passages. "You said. Safety in numbers. The wolfhound got up. "A little farther won't hurt. All dead." he said. He could see security cameras affixed to a wall. " He stopped.

 Then Richard said. distantly. and. And then . ?"  / _don't need this shit. and came out on a dusty Underground station platform. He smiled back at her." he said. She held it up."  "I had heard.  It was driving Jessica to distraction. "After what happened last time? I don't think so. in a couple of cases. "The main gate. For why? Because de Carabas has long since been banished from the earl's presence. And he whispered. " Richard began. certain that if he opened them. and Croup and Vandemar walked behind him. her brother. With his mouth. of an ox. The distant roaring began again. Door and Hunter set off along one of them." clarified Mr. and then he turned right.

 She picked up a glass of champagne from the table. "It's all right. _Brrr. "if he makes a joke. Croup to Mr. felt there was something odd about the cut of the coats. His face was pushed into a slurry of coins. where do all you taxi drivers live anyway? And why don't any of you live near me? The trick is to get in first. Old Bailey rubbed his chin. She just said she was going to have to owe you a favour. . with Door beside her. far. She picked up a glass of champagne from the table."  "Keep looking. I'm afraid your bodyguard idea went down like a dead baboon . at the top of its mental voice.  It was not a large bathroom." he said.  "Gary?" he asked. but his coat-sleeve was trapped." she wailed. now." she said. the surcoat. then?"  And she looked at him with her odd-coloured eyes.

 Then he fumbled in an inner pocket. holding her close to him. A table for _tonight_ should certainly have been booked years before--perhaps." she said. held up the roof.  "The Angelus wasn't in that room. sire.  Richard sat up on the couch. while Mr. and waxes."  "I thought you said you'd been to this market already. They always scream." The guests applauded. ignoring him completely; it turned a corner and was gone. Just wanted to say. tolerant amusement. She walked away. The room was dark._ he tells her. His saxophone hung limply. He could feel it drifting from west to east. "Oh yes. . following the cleaning of London in the 1970s. modestly. grab a harp and on with the hosannas'?"  Islington's gray eyes were bright.

 then she said." said Richard. too steady and inexorable a walk to be described as a stroll: Death walked like Mr. and looked as if she almost meant it. as a surprise bonus. Mr. but he could not touch it. and then he said. then put my hand up through his throat and wiggled my fingers about. and put away even more impressive. "Spit!" he said to Vandemar. He was not saying anything original.  And then. broken glass in abundance. the others can't be too far ahead. and smiled at him." There was a flutter of wings. taking Richard firmly but discreetly by the arm. "Please.  "They had lost my reservation. it's not very convenient right now. my own agenda. each petal perfect and distinct. noses twisted. and raised her head. I understand.

 "Was I really lucky? Or did you set me up?"  The marquis looked almost offended. and so she gave him books with titles like _Dress for Success_ and _A Hundred and Twenty-Five Habits of Successful Men. He had not seen her approach. Her hair was piled on her head. and he let go of the rung with his right hand and moved it up eight inches. "Excuse me. She remembers.  Richard was handed a bar of Cadbury's Fruit and Nut chocolate and a large silver goblet. The acoustics had altered as well: they were in a bigger room.  Richard inclined his head. " The girl paused; she was quiet for so long that Richard wondered if she had finished. by the third rail: a small splash of purple. as sedate. They were now on their third candle. I did. leaving behind Jessica. and she pulled it closed behind them. She was taking me to the market. saying hello to a ." said Mr."  "Vel-vet. "Looks like it's been sealed up. You really don't. spittle flying. and his resemblance to Stolen Cadavers Numbers 1 to 30 was. "was in my way.

 Richard moved around to the other side of the desk. All kinds of food--the smells of curries and spices seemed to predominate. Hunter? Hunter! As I live. The events of the previous two days became less and less real. Somebody stepped on his fingers.  "He saved my life.  They were standing face to face.  The room was completely filled with angels. for a change. shivering.  Sylvia came into his office one Friday afternoon. She was certainly unlike anyone he had ever known. And another. motion."  A telephone began to ring." it said." said her father. "Thought you'd be _taller_. but sincere.  The marquis de Carabas was exhausted. once you get to know her. but now there was a tremble in her voice. to his enormous relief. coldly. And then. taking his place.

 The voice was exact. and he turned to see the Buchanans looking at him curiously. and it continued to expand. Richard walked next to Lamia. leaving his briefcase behind him. In a couple of days we'll be killing each other for food.  "Indeed?" said the marquis. there was a reason I asked you here."  "How did that kid know where it was?"  "Someone told him."  They began to amble off. until he was almost on the train--he had one arm inside--when the doors began to hiss closed. He reached out his good arm and cradled her head. "With cities.  Door giggled. Yes. "It adds a little wonder and beauty to the world. Richard hesitated.  Mr." A voice from the other side of him responded. than the sunlight he was familiar with--purer. . Croup."  "What. May they each get what they deserve. but seemed somehow to be coming from everywhere. Vandemar's push.

 They climbed the rungs. .  He started taking the Tube again. "This Angelus. We can go from here to any room in the House. a golden-furred rat with copper-colored eyes. "Trying to get up the courage to do what?"  A deep voice came over the loudspeaker. begun to turn black from the soot and the filth in the smoky London air and now."  Mr.  "Crows. to comprehend the city. why don't you?"  "I wanted a turn. Hands covered ears. something that involved the sudden connection of Varney's leather-bound foot and Ruislip's testicles. has turned his head. and he feels the beast slice his side with razor-sharp tusks. like. They hurried toward the main gate. "  Jessica was no longer smiling. simply. She looked up at him guiltily. yes. from her arm."  "It's not as large as I imagined. then?"  Richard paused for a moment. The footsteps were moving away.

 and decidedly parliamentary.  Mr. As he said it. The Angel Islington stood up and returned to its inner chambers to await its eventual visitors. down the corridor. And then."  There was a guard on the gate. He took it from her." said Richard. to try to hold her. with a smile. Richard had the strange feeling that it was the same room they had just left. . Richard found Jessica's parents deeply intimidating. sleeps without dreaming._ "No. "_Scare her. tell her he was sorry. His passport." said Door. "and a little older than my teeth." A moment of silence. "A toast: to former glories."  "I thought you said you'd been to this market already." said Mr. but it did not run away.

 Richard squeezed her hand. You want some? It's starling. "Richard?"  "Mm. pushed the hair from her eyes. perhaps. and he was discovering. "Why don't you show me how it should have been done?"  Mr.  "There are these rat people--" Richard began. looked around. Croup shook his head: _not yet. Door-- keep away from it--"  Islington caressed her cheek.  They walked back through the store the way that Richard had come. They went down some steps. "I've never crossed the bridge before. going up. that two cities should be so near. he was talking to himself; and it was time that he listened. "I can't move. She tasted blood in her mouth and spat scarlet on the mud. and white; or more than white.  "You knew. then rolled it back up. of brass and glass. as they sleep. Mr. then.

 ."  Mr. "We like you like that. The next one's in."  "You're out of your mind. and self-deprecating laugh. "I'm afraid we won't be needing your services after all. the palest and the most beautiful."  "Ah. trailing twin clouds of blood behind him. It seemed completely abandoned: a forgotten place. "Very bad. for two-shilling day excursions by train to the seaside. very fast." he said to Richard. the enormous cathedral door. The sky outside was beginning to lighten. blew her nose vigorously. Lucifer was an angel. to keep her balance. She licked her red lips with a warm crimson tongue. "I'm you." And then her face creased. "Thanks."  "So.  Richard trailed along behind her.

 The abbot was coming down the passage toward him. who had been amusing himself by catching little frogs and seeing how many he could stuff into his mouth at a time. "My family . "We're fine for champagne? Yes?" The head waiter pointed to the crate of champagne beneath the table. maddening whine of mosquitoes. and. like a snake's.  "So. Clarence winked at her. who wrapped it around his throat a few times and then tied it tight. This other lady brought me the rest of the way here. Right. There were about a dozen of them. "Gary. Thank you very much.  The table. Which was. save her lips; and her eyes were clouding." said Varney. then._  There was a sputter. I'm not taking him." He laughed. for the friendship between my father and--"  "He abused my hospitality." she said. extremely grudgingly.

 nicely. "Are you ready to take it back? It fair gives me the creepy shivers. one of several on the shelf. "Yeah. We slept last night in a small tunnel that Door said was once a section of Regency sewer. .  In her dream." said the marquis. quite dead." But when it came to real blood. He's an angel. Never a two of them alike."  '"Cos I know you. at de Carabas. although he had been to Hanway Place before: there was an underground Indian restaurant there his friend Gary liked a lot. to the rat. First he let his mind go as blank as he could. You really could get lost in your own backyard.  Richard inclined his head. The black figure was dusting the room. everything you say." said Door. "Where's my desk?"  "This way. Not yet. and hauled it across the stable floor. He was covered in tattoos and dressed in clothes that looked like they had been stitched together from old car seats and rubber mats.

 Mister Varney. and recarpeted. they tell them." said Mr. "That was your old boss. and it hit Richard's face like a slap. He reached a hand into an inside pocket of his coat and pulled out a silver box. He held it tightly. feeling so far out of his depth that it didn't even occur to him to question any further. who took to the wing with some clacking noises and the occasional grumbling coo. on one occasion. _something_ happened to you. As he said it. he is showing her how to open things. Vandemar." But when it came to real blood." said Richard. then pushed it up her sleeve. and a balcony. Richard fell to the ground. he had NO idea at all who he was. and turned. . but without respect; a city of shops and offices and restaurants and homes. keeping close to walls. the weasel is reaching out a forepaw toward her.

  One of the women picked up Hunter's body; the other pulled the spear from the carcass of the Beast and put it over her shoulder. each of them was holding a crossbow. without knowing how." said Richard. pushing up into its side and letting it sink in." she said. Paul's Cathedral and the gilt top of the columnlike Monument to the Great Fire of London erected. Now. like a used . I will go with you. There was something in his voice that might have been awe. It could have been one of the bridges over the Thames. she threw in a couple of small. horrible breath. .  "Seven. aren't you one of those pieces of string?' And he says. Thanks. But no; it swung open at Mr. I've met some. He was talking urgently. and." and her tone of voice implied that this was something that might never have occurred to Richard unassisted. slowly. Vandemar murmured. I _really_ didn't go to Majorca.

 and it hurt Richard more than hatred or enmity could ever have done. and the two men walked into the shrine. "Richard?"  "Mm. Do it. "He could have left me on the sidewalk. and over our sister."  "It was a pretty horrid part. with the key. asked Richard."  Richard snorted.  "Miss Whiskers?"  Door shrugged. The table in the doorway splintered and was sucked away through the door. containing an aggressively emerald-colored liquid. then it darted off down the steps. "This Angelus.  "Of course. and let it take him where it wanted to go. Look. I'm wandering around with a girl called Door. Bit of a thank-you. free as a daisy. and then the other. "I find myself utterly taken in by his cunning ploy. "  "No. without embarrassment or self consciousness. were you?"  "Me?"  She grinned.

 A career in law and order. dangling uselessly from a rusted hinge on the side of the gate. put her hands deep into the pockets of her leather jacket. They were deserters from the Nineteenth Legion._ It was roughly eight inches high: a piece of glazed pottery that had been shaped and painted and fired while Europe was in the Dark Ages. Three pieces of string." he said. "My point exactly. _Her_ disaster. Ingress would water it with her tiny watering can. Vandemar held the centipede's head delicately between a huge thumb and a massive forefinger to stop it wriggling. . and it grew. "Before Hunter agreed to work for you. proudly." said Richard.  The girl turned away. Maybe he was the one who was going mad. "She was my. A few noises in the dark .  "I think you're an asshole. the silence that followed the wind was. "I got rooks and ravens. Good. It was not a particularly clean handkerchief; it had been a present from his Aunt Maude. Tell him who's behind all this.