works,orifhehasamother,sister,brother,friend,youletmeknow."

    "OfcourseIwill,Igel.Idbehappytospyonhimatthelibrary."

    HebadeSmaolachtowalkwithhim,andIbroughtuptherear.Abitterlyfreezingraiofall,andIrafewmomentstoescapefrombeingdrehewarrenexcavatedbyIgelandLuchógovertheyearsprovedanidealshelteronsuchblusterynights,althoughmostofthetimeclaustrophobiaforcedmeout.Thecoldanddampdrovemeintothetunnels,andwithmypalmsIfeltalonginthedarknessuntilIsehepresehers.

    "Whosthere?"Icalledout.Noanswer,onlyafurtivemuffledsound.

    Icalledoutagain.

    "Goaway,Aniday."ItwasBéka.

    "Yougoaway,youoldfart.Ivejusteinfromtherain."

    "Gobackthewayyoucame.Thisholeisoccupied."

    Itriedtoreasonwithhim."Letmepassby,andIllsleepsomewhereelse."

    Agirlscreamedandsodidhe."Shebitmydamnfinger."

    "Whoistherewithyou?"

    Speckshoutedoutinthedarkness."Justgo,Aniday.Illfollowyouout."

    "Vermin."Békacursedahergo.Ireachedoutinthedarknessandshefoundmyhand.Wecrawledbacktothesurface.Stingingraingatheredinherhairandflatteagainstherskull.Athinlayeroficecakedoverherheadlikeahelmet,andthedropscollectedonoureyelashesandstreameddownourfaces.Westoodstill,uosayanythingtoeachother.Shelookedasifshewishedtoexplainorapologize,butherlipstrembledaeethknockedandchattered.Grabbingmyhandagain,sheledmetotheshelterofaunnel.Wecrawledinandcroueartothesurface,outoftheraiinthecoldear