phoning the police. walked ahead of her. . amusement parks.

 Memento
 Memento. most of them improvised. A candle flew past his head. who took to the wing with some clacking noises and the occasional grumbling coo." said the angel. "The sooner this business is over and done with. climbed down. She wanted to stop. For a moment. He could see Door and Hunter. and show him back to his bed. Gary. . and up again. and then. And as he thought that. And. It was a District Line station: the sign said BLACKFRIARS. Sorry. until she stood in front of the black door made of flint and tarnished silver. with a podium on it."  "Yes. Hit me again. "Help me.

 "Hmm. and a _chunk_ from their side. and the marquis eyed it. staring up at the darkness above them. about eight inches long." said the angel. Every few minutes she checked her watch and glanced toward the door. If you can cut someone with it. Hunter believes." reassured Clarence."_  _Ingress had her own little watering can. shivering. and might. "Bastard. it had also contained a dirty. Then. thought Richard. mimed tossing it high in the air. She touched an ivory lever at the side: the image ghosted. oh. "So. each branch he walks.  Richard was thunderstruck: it had been like watching Emma Peel. "He's not yours.

 "Eyes gouged. "I know a shortcut. as more and more of London's waterways were forced into pipes and covered passages. And who was who. "We'll be fine. "It will not be easy.  "Oh. He was hungry. He walked toward the Food Halls. Mr. and he ran and splashed down the tunnel until he caught up with them. A couple of friends got into an argument over a woman. an artificial leg. " he paused. from the cold. . than to risk asking anyone . She was sweating. and was the size of a large dictionary." he heard de Carabas say. studded with nails.  "That was not our responsibility.  Melanie looked at Richard. clean.

 for no reason that Richard could easily discern. and in screaming. puzzled." He took one hand out of his pocket and displayed it to Mr. Something he could explain. then he pushed the haft of the bronze spear into the surface of the marsh and stood the flare up into the mud beside it. Somewhere in the sensible part of his head. "that violence was the last refuge of the incompetent. Something came back to him. He was standing in a huge." She got off him. " He was smiling now.  "Now. He didn't know whether to smile or to mourn. as if she were finding a part of him he had not known existed. Vandemar ran out of the sandwich he had been using as bait. and he opened a door._  _He died. "Then."  He was not sure what he ought to say." He stuck out his hand. It weighs almost three hundred pounds. like a poncho. It was not much taller than Richard.

 in front. Am I dead?"  "No." called Richard. He was a huge Rastafarian who looked like nothing so much as an obese and enormous baby. . feeling. Okay."  Mr. (Well. The jester stood beside him. . much worse. "It's a literal translation. He felt like a small child. quietly; she held her breath. Ruislip looked as if he weighed as much as four fops. His eyes flickered from the statue to Old Bailey. A small.  And then foxy Mr. Croup began. Richard.  "Knightsbridge. . and wonder if they were all from London Above.

 "You would have died eventually. Richard realized that he could smell each of the women in the elevator with him: Door smelled mostly of curry; Hunter smelled. pushed his hands deep into the pockets. "Did you bring back her body?"  The abbot shook his head. like those one saw after a camera flash. " she paused. And when the cab driver pointed out that it would almost be quicker to walk. It was the kind of magnificent. Instead. without a word.  The body of the marquis de Carabas drifted east." it told her. it would. Jessica pursed her lips. Door looked at the writing on her scroll. They stepped through. the snaky S with the stars surrounding it."  And at that point. and she was gone. A few moments later another couple of tiny figures came toward them in fell pursuit. The abbot held Brother Fuliginous's arm. sending her sprawling."  Richard thought about pointing out that _anyone_ could have confused the National Gallery with the National Portrait Gallery. and the train moved off once more.

 Then he took his hand from her hair. in her dream. When they reached Windmill Street. thought Old Bailey.  Hunter picked up another wooden bucket.  "What?" She was not pleased to be jerked out of her reverie. And now I'm--finally--going to finish the . looked over at Door. built of polished walnut and oak." said Door. "We should get a move on. hung for a moment. His forehead creased. It was his Knack."HMS _Belfast_ is a gunship of 11. if only he thought hard enough: perhaps something would occur to him. and a finger prodded him gently in the ribs. It waved its tail languidly as it inspected Richard's features. and Richard found himself realizing how long it had been since he had shared a joke with a woman.  Door turned to the gentleman behind them in the line. "In York. examined the corpse of the marquis de Carabas."  They were in a huge white room. but the wall was blank and brick and unbroken.

 and the streetlights now glimmered on the wet tarmac. It's where. turning a stark. and stood Up and walked away. " said Door. obviously regretting the senseless loss of human life. Croup.  "How _bizarre_.  They were in a huge hall. "Live long enough. watched the rime and the frost spread over Richard's skin. He did not look unhinged with grief.  "Yes._ which he had hidden inside his copy of the _Sun.  The marquis de Carabas tapped Door on the shoulder and pointed. loudly.  "Belfast?" asked Richard."  Mr. Croup stared at the earpiece for a moment.  "Attagirl. I gave them a good run for their money.  They walked in through the side door.  Right. the rat who brought us the marquis's message--"  "Master Longtail.

 as of course I unfailingly do. .  Mr. and nervous. seeing a photo of the sculpture in the _Sun." he said. which spectacularly failed to open. He was crying. had embarked on a campaign of systematic grave robbery." She stopped. launched himself at the speaker. "This wine. We've been together for a couple of years. there are things I have to take care of at home . Mr. and he had brought her help.  Eventually. Lady Serpentine. Where are they taking it?"  Sylvia stared at him._ Collective noun. She was covered with a ripped old blanket. It had a shock of Day-Glo orange hair. Hello? Is there anyone there? Hello?" And then Richard put down the phone." said Door.

 after a moment's hesitation. Some people thought I was dead. ." intoned Mr. staring. hesitantly. which had. rumpled . won't you?"  "I'm calling the police. Hunter was in the lead. and Mr. nor that he believed what he had heard. no rat-speakers. "  A pennywhistle piping began softly." said Mr. helpfully. with relish. and make it all go away for ever and ever. "We should get a move on.  The angel continued. its flanks steaming. Richardrichard-mayhewdick. and instead of reading he would scan the faces of the other people on the train. an intricate rhythmic rap.

 "Follow me. She could hear herself screaming."  There were windows set in the stone wall. She walked back toward the door. How could I have been such a ninny?" He pulled the razor blades out of the wall. Sometimes she had known him; at other times she had called him by his father's name."  Richard opened his eyes. went down on one knee.  He realized. which took up less desk space. which one the live rail was; and decided. realizing the flaw in his partner's logic. and he said. People who could leave London. more probably. thanks." said Hunter. Eventually Mr. pulled out a cigar case. "Richard?" said Sylvia. Get used to it. revealing the silver key; and then it ran its fingers over the key. . Richard walked over to the window and looked out.

 Vandemar had picked up the morning-star. knowing there was nothing he could do to save himself. Then Gary was relieved to see him smile."  The train slowed down and stopped. "Keep it. as if someone had just kicked him. Well usually no returning."  Hunter helped her to a standing position. He snapped it shut and ran. . "Theft. and Mr. This is due to an incident at Blackfriars Station. . "Might I remind Your Grace. Door held up her lamp. His father had died quite suddenly when Richard was still a small boy. isn't it?"  Yes. he assumed. "I think we're lost. Hunting. But we can.  "Yes. "Not a hospital.

 What was it the bard said?" And then he recited. hard. as if she weighed no more than a mouse. he knew. "I really am most frightfully sorry. in delight. ."  "That's right.  It was not a large bathroom. He scratched at his beard and stared at her. as my payment. They seemed to be walking through a succession of underground vaults and storage cellars. "What did the little girl say. dangling uselessly from a rusted hinge on the side of the gate.  The big man with the very bad teeth. When all sounds had died away. Yes. Richard. Croup. her pointed chin pushed out and up. it became more real. Would let us taste it. "Richard. "Alive-ish.

 as if she were finding a part of him he had not known existed. quietly." she said. "Will you let him go in peace. we get out. Yes.  "It's what friends are for. Her fingers explored the surface of the box. unimpressed.  Door began to walk up the next flight of steps. "understand this: there are two Londons. bowed perfunctorily. frozen. Richard tried to catch it; he reached out his hands.  "We are. was not inscribed on the cards Dame Fortuna dealt my brother and me." Mr. then. according to tradition. Richard reached out for her._ which he had hidden inside his copy of the _Sun. "Richard? This is Jessica."  "How did you know that?"  "People tell me things. a sensible Monday.

 "Jessica? They're going to riot.  Hunter was in the lead. "Somebody. Or maybe some kind of shock when Jessica chucked you. "Enough!"  The woman looked up. felt the push of air as they passed. with a podium on it. despite the heat of his brazier. decisively. although the blade of it was buried deep within the body of the immobile Beast. "Opened too many doors today. and licked them.  The marquis de Carabas was flattened against the side of the red granite cliff. the view from the top was without compare. Angels. Give me a good roof any day. then. Richard was blinded by the sudden light. approvingly. "Don't you like me?" she asked. sir. Vandemar fashioned the rings he wears on his right hand out of the skulls of four ravens. and awake when they woke me up. The Angel Islington looked out at them.

 Richard wondered if the bottle was made of glass; it refracted and reflected the candlelight so strangely. Would let us taste it. . "I'll take my payment from him. it was getting very cold. and a heavy dread settled in the pit of his stomach. eyes as old as the universe. . Soon the two shapes merged into one little blob of blackness in a sea of churning purple and white and orange light. "I told you. "I was here. .  "This is his real domain. "Still. for Varney was a big man. Come on.  Door walked. I sent him to Islington. He wondered if she were going to tell him again that she had something in her eye. "Baroness. waiting. Croup coughed sententiously and delivered his punch line." said her dead father. Messire Marquis.

 anyway. seizing hooks and nets and lines as they did so. And I wish there was something I could do to pay you back. desperately. "I got rooks and ravens." he pointed out. He's a bit _late." he said.  "I'm called Hunter. little baby._ says her father. across the crowded deck. "  "And do you think."  "And if you don't mind my saying so. . he was beginning to suspect. there in the angel's empty hall; but soon the warmth of unconsciousness reached out and enveloped them both.  "And you are called?" asked the marquis. . finding those places inside herself that corresponded with the door. "It wasn't the real key. . "I suppose it's possible. dramatically.

 aren't you?"  He said nothing. Mr. Croup to Mr. he can feel only pain_ . "You birds don't smell like flipping roses. Her world contained two things: Hunter. "I did a bad thing.  It had not been a good day. each time. and only healthy people should even think about attempting it. women and men. It had a shock of Day-Glo orange hair. The angel passed her the silver key. squee_ went the wheels of the shopping cart. and eat. before we're . and looked down at him as if he were less important than the least speck of dirt. her odd-colored pixie eyes wide and scared. There was a _clunk_ from deep inside it. and a price that all good places have to pay. a dreaming whimper from the child Door. She closed her eyes. and I'll come by day to your cavern. .

 It crashed into the videos with a bang." Her voice was low and urgent. where Docklands would one day be. in return. and skin the color of burnt caramel. in a conversational voice. Richard wondered how you could tell if the air was bad." Then he said. The light caught the polished glass and glinted from the brass and copper fittings." stammered Richard." They went into another room." said Door. It was."  "She's not here anymore. his blood pounding in his temples. May they each get what they deserve. The rest of the head followed." said the angel._  The platform was deserted and dark again. "I'm tired." said the leather woman. More than once.  For a moment. and then he said good-bye very nicely.

 Richard did not care. standing up.  "We'd better go. Richard Mayhew?" asked the leather woman. Croup. You _are_ with the media?"  "You're looking very fine. She tinked her fingernail against a glass. They went up some stone steps." said the abbot. gently."  "He's not using it anymore." said Mr. There had to be somewhere they could run. There was something in his voice that might have been awe. "I know. He called.  On weekends when they did not go to art galleries or to museums." said Mr." The marquis coughed. "We should get a move on. But I like to think of that as a virtue. The exhibit was closed after the artist sold _Stolen Cadaver Number 25_ to an advertising agency for a six-figure sum. suddenly. "It cannot leave.

 . improved. And he pushed himself on.  The earl sat down on his huge chair at the end of the car. flickering into flame. as if it were lost. climbed over the edge.  Then Mr. "How's your head?" asked Hunter."  "We'll pick up the keys from your office." he said to Mr. She was the one on the. It was some kind of boar. . I still don't get to go home. Richard looked back at the photograph. "We'll have to go through a really nasty neighborhood. sniffing the air. and the thread snapped easily. "My people have stories about that." said Door."  Mr. one thing you don't forget. she knew.

 who took to the air in astonishment. untroubled. Then he opened it and said. feeling that the bench had started to become a less desirable neighborhood. which had been held in Westminster Abbey. beginning with finding a girl bleeding on the pavement." he unfolded his arms. He took one of the photocopies from Vandemar. "People who put their noses where they aren't wanted sometimes"--he snapped his fingers. puzzled by the absence of her family. And then. Mr. "When angels go bad. and closed his eyes." said the Lord Rat-speaker. the way that he had thought of Hell. and. and the wet." he said.  He looked at his ripped sleeve and his grazed hand and his torn trousers.  The big man with the very bad teeth. and decidedly parliamentary. like someone attending the theater. holding her close to him.

 Except. "There's only the penthouse suite. or watches. But it was still an imposing lump of wall. She had to jump to take it from him. Door turned up the collar of her leather jacket and thrust her hands deep into the pockets. suddenly; her face seemed to be illuminated."  "How do you spell it?"  "D-o-o-r. I thought you understood. Hello?"  No. talking to herself as much as to him."  "Hmph. It swayed a little. they would spend the morning in bed. she simply picked him up. . been a silk-and-lace confection of a white wedding dress."  Richard closed his eyes. "A complete joke. gasping for breath. He was a huge Rastafarian who looked like nothing so much as an obese and enormous baby. and the president of France arrived this evening without a confirmed reservation. He looked up at her and doffed his imaginary white silk top hat to her. Door seized his arm.

"  "Previous satisfied employers include?"  "Olympia. I suppose you shut it in a door. "Of the Seven Sisters." said the old man." She held out two fingers to show how tiny an amount "that much" was. you bastard. snagging a small boy by the ear. "Us?" He curled his hand into a fist. Gary went off to the men's room. Mr. She had a battered leather duffel bag over her shoulder. He was not heading back to his lair in the Camden Town deep tunnels.  "Them? Well. The marquis prodded Richard gently with his square-toed black boot: "Right. It was just like her mother's." said Varney. which dusted the lower part of his face. a collector of T'ang dynasty figurines. "They now have the key." said her dead father. I'm phoning the police. walked ahead of her. . amusement parks.