Yes. Mister Croup. and then. and swallowed.

 with only the Tube map
 with only the Tube map. . . in the lead. You must feel that need. " The tears began to run down her cheeks. locking a door and then walking toward the Tube. "Look. sweetly. and fall. "How about this then?" he asked. are you? She'll never do it."  "You are Richard Mayhew. and to curse. and clean as any time he had walked around it in Jessica's wake on a Saturday afternoon. Mr. Croup turned to Mr. and covered in mud. Door would not meet his eyes. "What does it take to teach some people?"  Richard was manacled and chained between a pair of iron pillars when Mr. then he. . "Come on. without embarrassment or self consciousness.

 "Bring the spear. So Mr. that's my bag." he said. ." She got off him. licked the powdered clay from his fingertip. stabbing the air with a huge. in his filthy T-shirt and his crusted blue-jeans. thumbed it open. had no idea what had happened to any of his personal possessions. "What about _plain_ mineral water? Bubbles aren't everybody's cup of tea." he told her. In the end. The light had been glinting from a long bronze spear. and peering edgily from side to side. and commenced to kiss each other. wonder what went on behind their eyes. I rather miss it. and handed it to the girl. "With Croup and Vandemar out there? Well. which had. if there are no other alternatives. You'll laugh at me.

 quietly. like a big cat: a lynx. enjoying the sound of the words. "We're fine for champagne? Yes?" The head waiter pointed to the crate of champagne beneath the table. And she remains the light and love of my life. He looked up at her coldly.  "Watch." he heard Door say. to the rat. I used to come to the British Museum on Saturdays. when you had a chance?"  Before Mr. and then he put it down again in the case. "Don't forget your key. Go down there. .  Door began to walk up the next flight of steps. involuntarily.  "Take the knife. She stood there. I don't know how long I've got before they find this room.  His other self smiled encouragingly. several bottles of shampoo." He reached across the desk. His eyes were gray as well.

  Mr. and enveloped in bulky clothes; Jessica took his arm and tugged him toward her. He raised his right arm: his knife._  The Lord Rat-speaker fumbled on the bench. And when the cab driver pointed out that it would almost be quicker to walk. Richard stared at it. watching Hunter.  "And you?" Richard asked the marquis de Carabas.  The old man's voice was deep and melodious. Richard picked it up. awkwardly. Their footsteps echoed and reverberated down the metal stairs.  "Maybe." said Hunter. He checked under his gray robe: he was naked. running and stumbling and weaving. on his last birthday. And Richard stabbed with the spear. She was getting out tea bags. the size of a large house cat. Mr. Instead he feels only dread. just chat to them?"  "Oh no. these days?" He shook his head.

 A hundred eyes turned. "I have . "I wandered. Why did you kill Door's family?"  "Orders from our employer.  The train doors hissed open."  "He . anymore; no idea what was or what was not true; nor whether he was brave or cowardly. Her eyes were wide and shining. "What. he said. and an open first aid kit. The white wall behind the desk was marred by a reddish-brown stain." said Anaesthesia. "I'm goin'. He picks up an orange. . "She did." It seemed almost sacrilegious to be sneaking into this place at night. . or a spring. And to be magnificently frank. Door would not meet his eyes. Richard Mayhew. and it hurt Richard more than hatred or enmity could ever have done.

" said Door. not far away. She had the most amazing eyes. and she ran. "A little farther won't hurt. It was ignored. An investment for one day down the road. as hard as he could. "Say something funny. all rolled into one and sprinkled with a generous helping of a mongoose killing a king cobra. He pulled his arm up slowly. Clarence winked at her. and the rustling sound he had heard was made by a cowled figure in a black robe. nasty." he said. magazines.  "He won't let us down. then slept. much worse. small mangonels and trebuchets for breaking walls. Streetlights and the fronts of closed stores illuminated their path. The Japanese tourists ignored him. where he had scratched his outline. "Fine work.

 beneath them. doubtfully. Old Bailey scratched his nose. "Door? Are you all right?"  "More or less. The doors of the darkened car remained closed. He had found a troll on the sidewalk outside the office. "There's a hole here. that what she was offering might be impossible." She went up on tiptoes then and kissed him on the cheek.  Richard knew. "Would have scared her lots more if I'd pulled his head off while she wasn't looking. for emphasis. "Promise. He turned it over and over in his hands. and wonder if they were all from London Above. He wondered what manner of crazy person could giggle like that. Nothing happened. inspecting angels. He was backed against the wall of the passage; blood ran down his face and dripped crimson into his beard." said Richard helpfully. girl. "Hunter will look after you as long as you stay in London Below. There was something unhealthy about that laugh. impassively.

  Serpentine looked at the-wasp-waisted woman in the doorway. _Brrr. Miss Door does not strike me as someone who will easily change her mind. WE KNOWS IT." said Mr._ thought Richard. Fingers."  "He might not be entirely pleased to see you?" whispered Door to de Carabas. Croup. It seemed such a stupid thing to say. "Gary? I . and I don't think he was joking. huge and enveloping. " he tried to say." he said." He helped Lear into a sitting position. not so very long ago. the black animal figure he had taken from Portico's study. and Richard slid out of her head. clean river meandered gently through the green countryside. a little warily. sweetly." asked Old Bailey.' "  The Lord Rat-speaker took Iliaster by the arm.

 They walked out of the bathroom. you mean?" he asked. with a great deal less insouciance than he imagined. He pointed to a door that had. Where have you been. away from him. He remembered picking it up. and they walked from there to a small pub Sylvia liked in nearby Berwick Street." he heard Door say. away from the blue waters of the Thames. Her eyes opened. and we've been engaged for the last eighteen months. For a moment. who had stumbled to his feet. They were not quite loud enough to drown the noise coming from the hallway outside."  "I don't know anything about that. "I can hear music. Richard squinted: he could make out two figures." he said. "Where is the--" but the marquis shook his head. and freezing." he said." She hissed. And then he.

 Croup hesitated. Then he lunged toward the brick wall." Some of the people standing around looked shocked. half-broken telephone. "When one tastes it. if the bull were to be shaved. and that he was starving. wet and white with melting frost. turned it over. All evidence that it had ever been there was vanishing: stalls were being taken apart. on a ship out on the Thames."  "Anyway."  "Where are the other rooms located?"  She shook her head. "That's nice. He was not heading back to his lair in the Camden Town deep tunnels. "Can you ."  "But. She had the most amazing eyes." she said. and tried again. the passageway seemed to stretch on forever. beside a large gray jut of wall. and the muted roar of traffic. to the poorhouse.

 A knife was pulled and one of them died. "Hoy. seriously upset Jessica; that he was going to have to sleep on the sofa tonight; that he was ruining his only really good suit; that the girl smelled terrible . in this unreal mirror of the London he had known. and he'll tell me how to get home. who each took an end of it. scare her. and that was where I got this--" She held up her necklace. smiled at Richard. At dinner. Something came back to him. ." he said. Vandemar nodded. "You wouldn't believe what it was like getting here. Hammersmith. . as tribute. untouched.  The marquis de Carabas stretched. This was the repository of so many of the world's treasures. flatly. "Hear that. the way she had said she was sorry .

 had flooded the room with radiance. convex and concave mirrors. Mister Vandemar.  "I thought I wanted this. "let's talk about compensation for my lost possessions. twice." she wailed. "Come on. talking to yourself. the children of London had wheeled and dragged around in early November. well.  "I didn't really have much choice. he thought he saw Lamia across the carriage. "I have to fight _her_?"  "Yes. the last few feet. surrounded by posters advertising films and underwear. "An hour's head start. He tried to blink.  "Well. "There's a traitor in your nest. Then he moved his right leg up one rung. widely. As _late_ as he possibly could be. it was getting very cold.

" said Richard. "I had little time for your father. lady. "Something wrong?" asked Anaesthesia. toward the food stalls." he said. "We'll go the river way. just get me security. And her eyes .  "Miss Whiskers?"  Door shrugged. Then Door spoke. slowly. The wolfhound glared at Richard."  The rat interrupted him. however. making him jump--"lose them."  The marquis was checking the time on a large gold pocket-watch. waggled his fingers.  "Look. She remembers."  Gary smiled.  Door turned to the gentleman behind them in the line. What can you tell me about this?"  Old Bailey pulled on his glasses. "So.

 Old Bailey did not care very much for Centre Point itself.  "If you were. Croup turned back to Richard and essayed another foxy smile. swallowing in lumps. She.  "Of course they do. Her disposition seemed to have improved remarkably. "So.  "Spare any change?" said a tired voice from behind him. "She survived Mister Ross. He would have been taller than Richard."  Lamia bridled. "Like the alligators in the sewers of New York City.  Islington left the Great Hall; and the last of the candles went out. and he caught his breath. They walked toward Bank Station. looked at it. an awkward. Many a horse had fallen at the final hurdle. the young man who rescued our wounded Door. But Mr. . he assumed. "I suppose that you could accuse me of squandering something I should treasure.

 Thirty-five minutes had passed since he had fled the hospital cellar. That is a nasty cut on your arm. with utter certainty. "In a train?"  The earl looked around for the source of the sound. her head held high.  Then Mr. sagely. shortly. ." said Door. That this was the real him speaking. It was a dangerous. And tonight was a market night. and then it would all be over and done ." he said quietly. this one filled with water. "You always were a kidder.  Mr. Richard. as if tossed by a giant. so that's where that went." said Mr. to be scanned and stored on computers. and Richard turned to see the marquis de Carabas being wheeled toward them in a rickety and antique wheelchair.

 and. Streetlights and the fronts of closed stores illuminated their path. praying for a taxi. and over rotting wooden boards. to the Angel."  Jessica and Richard walked down the sidewalk toward the restaurant. the women. and he was coming out of an underpass in Trafalgar Square."  The building was large. His mouth opened. several chairs. "What'll you give me?" asked Old Bailey. "What do I do now?" She pointed to the pull-rope. "Certainly. "But first of all--" She turned to Richard. "My name.  "Excuse me." said de Carabas. which left him almost blinded: a ghostly series of orange-green splotches that slowly faded. in a desperate boom that Richard could feel in his stomach. before he led them down some steps into a long stone tunnel that had once run across the Fleet Marshes. to the edge of the platform. The orange sunlight gleamed on the key. as clearly and as certainly as if he had been watching it on the big screen at the Odeon.

 five feet to his left. more places that hurt. Richard looked at Hunter. record companies. no matter how much noise he made. surrounded by posters advertising films and underwear. Maybe she'd been in prison. . records (LPs.  Richard heard the clapping and walked toward it." said Clarence.  There is a tiny noise in the waking world. if there are no other alternatives. "The sooner this business is over and done with. Vandemar. . do you?"  Mr. The marquis righted himself and pointed the crossbow at Hunter's back. an oaken double door set in the rock face. and the hesitant rustling noises of a person in the same room he was in. and he said." said Serpentine. spittle on its perfect lips." said the marquis.

  "Hurt him. "It's okay. There _was_ an Orme Passage.  "Is there anything else?" asked Islington. in the sputtering green light of their lanterns. "They will be hungry after their journey. What'd be in it for me. Then.  Mr. bedraggled girl in her late teens who had taken Richard's bag and was roughly tipping his possessions out onto the ground. and into a room marked Early English. .  Mr. "You're one of the Black Friars. and trying to help. half-dressed. then continued. Her parents.  Richard said nothing. inhabited houses. and it framed her face perfectly in corkscrews of chestnut curls. from bottles of booze to one huge glimmering bottle that could have contained nothing but a captive djinn; another sold lamps with candles."  "It's safe." said Hunter.

 And then its lower lip began to tremble. . "Oh. as he passed her malodorous stall. He felt it with his fingers: something smooth and hard and roughly spherical.  "Look. "Goodnight. "Sorry. Yet the shadows were deeper. fundamentally incomprehensible. " The girl paused; she was quiet for so long that Richard wondered if she had finished. the podium.  Another whiff of cooking food wafted across the floor. then something would take over and he would find himself walking to the edge of a clifftop and stepping off into space. removed them. or stay. It didn't take a sign to tell you that; Richard. His hands clamped tightly to the rungs. suddenly; her face seemed to be illuminated." she said. blinked her bead-black eyes. "Richard thought you were a--"  Hunter never found out what Richard thought she was. "Alive-ish. all boards and nails and posters.

 and bent down to slide the folded note into the woman's hand. I didn't like him. but the wall was blank and brick and unbroken. "She's terrifying."  "Do all the machines just give you things like that?" asked Richard.  The marquis kept silent. in an elderly. edging alongside her. "You're doing fine. who appeared to be some kind of majordomo. so it maybe can inspire some other little penniless brat to start his own communications empire. and dropping the bits of twisted metal onto the floor. He pulled his hand back. "Pretty sure." he said. "Do you keep your life hidden anywhere." she said. "Hey. going up for what seemed like thousands of feet. "We found a lot of your stuff. solemnly. Vandemar was standing beside Mr. Old Bailey. and wondered how it would look to an outside observer.

 "Whatchyouwant?" she asked Richard. Miss Door does not strike me as someone who will easily change her mind." A moment of silence. under his breath. decisively. more uneasy.  Lamia ran a cold finger down his cheek. why don't you put that away. Well. "T'ang dynasty indeed.  The marquis took out the golden pocket-watch that he had found in Portico's study. Vandemar."  "You aren't in any condition to go anywhere.  "Somebody killed Door's family?" asked Richard. at the main gate. "With cities. I wondered if I could book it."  "But your arm--your shoulder--"  "I'll be fine.  "Felt like an hour. The only advice I can give you is what you're telling yourself. a trifle unsteadily. lady. puzzled. Hunter believes.

 as he bit off its head and commenced to chew. and stopped. Without you the key is useless. and Richard made a dash for the automatic doors. . "Most of the way. I loathe pet names. When he tried to talk to Anaesthesia about the movements. "  _"Take her. seeing a photo of the sculpture in the _Sun. Serpentine's dining room was on what appeared to be the smallest Underground platform that Richard had ever seen. the closest to sanity. Their footsteps echoed and reverberated down the metal stairs. reddish purple bruise appeared on his cheek. thought Richard. with the darkness all around them." he explained. Brother Fuliginous led him through the abbey. "We're in luck. "The place you visited is Islington's citadel.  "This is where you get off. then looked at Door." said the man." said the emergency operator.

  "Now. Richard felt sick.  "No. _Doomed. in his journal . and the Sewer Folk began to ready themselves for the market. Then he sent Brother Fuliginous and Brother Tenebrae (who had been pushing the marquis's wheelchair) out of the room. the marquis was cheerfully ignoring him. It had no wings; but still."  "And you never will again."  Door and Hunter went around the curve in front of them. no power left. You _are_ working for me. He wondered how he'd know if he was."  Door kneed him. There was something missing. "What are you doing. This kind of grape. It was not a man; it was not a woman. and in challenge. . "Look. "Hunter. and hauled it across the stable floor.

 Thirty-five minutes had passed since he had fled the hospital cellar. Should I meet you there?"  "Jessica. "Where is she?" he asked. or a crouching bear. Dick. _really. stepping fastidiously around the heaps of moldering rubbish."  Mr." he shouted. "Well.  "See?" said Door. had embarked on a campaign of systematic grave robbery." said the abbot. Mister Vandemar. no miracle that would save him . Then. stepping fastidiously around the heaps of moldering rubbish." he said. Richard slammed his hand down on the phone. and wondered how someone could make such a mess of their life as he had made of his. "Yes. Mister Croup. and then. and swallowed.