Colon had hoped he wouldn't be asked that. 'It was a place in the Shambles,' he said. 'It was foggy, so I - '
Vimes grabbed Colon's wrists. 'What's this?'
They tied me up with string, sir! But at great pers'nal risk of life and limb I - '
This doesn't look like string to me,' said Vimes.
'No, sir?'
'No, this looks like... candlewick.'
Colon looked blank.
That a Clue, sir?' he said, hopefully.
There was a splatting noise as Vimes slapped him on the back. 'Well done, Fred,' he said, wiping his hand on his trousers. 'It's certainly a corroboration.'
That's what I thought!' said Colon quickly. This is a corrobolaration and I've got to get it to Commander Vimes as soon as possible regardless of - '
'Why's that gnome nutting that bull, Fred?'
That's Wee Mad Arthur, sir. We owe him a dollar. He was ... of some help, sir.'
Rogers the bulls were on their knees, dazed and bewildered. It wasn't that Wee Mad Arthur was capable of delivering a killing blow, but he just didn't stop. After a while the noise and the thumping got on people's nerves.
'Should we help him?' said Vimes.
'Looks like he's doing all right by himself, sir,' said Colon.
Wee Mad Arthur looked up and grinned. 'One dollar, right?' he shouted. 'No welching or I'll come after yez! One of these buggers trod on me grandpa once!'
'Was he hurt?'
'He got one of his horns twisted right orf!'
Vimes took Sergeant Colon firmly by the arm. 'Come on, Fred, it's all hitting the street now!'
'Right, sir! And most of it's splashing!'
'I say! You there! You're a watchman, aren't you? Come over here!'
Vimes turned. A man had pushed his way through the crowds.
On the whole, Colon reflected, it was just possible that the worst moment of his life hadn't happened yet. Vimes tended to react in a ballistic way to words like 'I say! You there!' when uttered in a certain kind of neighing voice.
The speaker had an aristocratic look about him, and the angry air of a man not accustomed to the rigours of life who has just found one happening to him.
Vimes saluted smartly. 'Yessir! I'm a watchman, sir!'
'Well, just you come along with me and arrest this thing. It's disturbing the workers.'
'What thing, sir?'
'A golem, man! Walked into the factory as bold as you like and started painting on the damn walls!'
'What factory, sir?'
'You come with me, my man. I happen to be a very good friend of your commander and I can't say I like your attitude.'