Jingo

“Incredibly seriously, commander, I assure you. But if by some chance I survive, I authorize you to buy some shackles. We must learn to do this sort of thing properly.”

“I shall keep them handy, I assure you.”

“Good.”

The Patrician nodded at Lord Rust, who was flanked by Mr Boggis and Lord Downey.

“Good morning,” he said. “Can we make this quick? It's going to be a busy day.”

“It pleases you to continue to make Ankh-Morpork a laughing stock,” Rust began. His glance flicked to Vimes for a moment, and wrote him out of the universe. “This is not a formal trial, Lord Vetinari. It is an arraignment so that the charges may be known. Mr Slant tells me that it will be many weeks before a full trial can be mounted.”

“Expensive weeks no doubt. Shall we get on with it?” said Vetinari.

“Mr Slant will read the charges,” said Rust. “But in a nutshell, as you are well aware, Havelock, you are charged with treason. You surrendered most ignobly—”

“—but I did not—”

“—and quite illegally waived all rights to our sovereignty of the country known as Leshp—”

“—but there is no such place.”

Lord Rust paused. “Are you quite sane, sir?”

“The surrender terms were to be ratified on the island of Leshp, Lord Rust. There is no such place.”

“We passed it on the way here, man!”

“Has anyone looked recently?”

Angua tapped Vimes on the shoulder.

“A strange wave came up the river just after we arrived, sir—”

There was some urgent conversation among the wizards, and Archchancellor Ridcully stood up.

“There seems to be a bit of a problem, your lordships. The Dean says it really isn't there.”

“It's an island. Are you suggesting someone's stolen it? Are you sure you know where it is, man?”

“We do know where it is, and it isn't there. There's just a lot of seaweed and wreckage,” said the Dean coldly. He stood up, holding a small crystal ball in his hands. “We've been watching it most evenings. For the fights, you know. Of course, the picture is pretty bad at this distance—”

Rust stared at him. But the Dean was too large to be written out of the scene.

“But an entire island can't just vanish,” said Rust.

“In theory they can't just appear either, my lord, but this one did.”

“Perhaps it's sunk again,” said Carrot.

Now Rust glared at Vetinari.

“Did you know about this?” he demanded.

“How could I know something like that?”

Vimes watched the faces around the room.

“You do know something about this!” said Rust. He glanced towards Mr Slant, who was leafing hurriedly through a large volume.

“All I know, my lord, is that Prince Cadram has, at a politically dangerous time for him, given up a huge military advantage in exchange for an island which seems to have sunk under the sea,” said Lord Vetinari. “The Klatchians are a proud people. I wonder what they will think?”

And Vimes thought about General Ashal, standing beside Prince Cadram's throne. Klatchians like successful leaders, he thought. I wonder what happens to the unsuccessful ones? I mean, look at what when we think—

Someone nudged him.

“'s us, sir,” said Nobby. “They said they didn't have any hurdles but they do a ping-pong table for ten dollars. There's a small trampoline we could drag him on but sarge thinks that'd be a bit ridiculous.”

Vimes walked out of the room, dragging Nobby with him, and pushed the little man against the wall.

“Where did you get to with Vetinari, corporal? And remember I know when you tell me lies. Your lips move.”

“We… we… we… just went on a little voyage, sir. He said I wasn't to say we went under the island, sir!”

“So you– Under Leshp?”

“Nossir! We didn't go down there! Stinking hole it was, too. Stunk of rotten eggs, the whole bloody cave, and as big as the city, believe me!”

“I bet you're glad you didn't go, then.”

Nobby looked relieved. “That's right, sir.”

Vimes sniffed. “Are you using some kind of aft—” – he corrected himself – “some kind of insteadofshave, Nobby?”

“No, sir?”

“Something smells of fermented flowers.”

“Oh, it's just a souvenir I picked up in foreign parts, sir. It kind of lingers, if you know what I mean.”

Vimes shrugged and went back into the Rats Chamber.

“—and I resent most strongly the suggestion that I would have negotiated with His Highness in the knowledge that… ah, Sir Samuel. The keys to the handcuffs, please.”

“You knew! You knew all the time!” Rust shouted.

“Is Lord Vetinari charged with anything?” said Vimes.

Mr Slant was scrabbling through another volume. He looked quite flustered, for a zombie. His grey-green shade was distinctly greener.

“Not as such…” he muttered.

“But he will be!” said Lord Rust.

“Well, when you find out what it is you be sure and let me know, and I'll go and arrest him for it,” said Vimes, unlocking the handcuffs.

He was aware of cheering outside. Nothing stayed secret very long in Ankh-Morpork. The damn island wasn't there any more. And, somehow, it had all worked out.

He met Vetinari's eyes. “Piece of luck for you, eh?” he said.

“Oh, there's always a chicken, Sir Samuel. If you look hard enough.”