He glared into the darkness. Somebody was here. H «sniffed the air, turned his head slowly right and left. He took a dozen quick steps, pointed down.

He was right. The trail was fresh. The departing half looked hurried. I stared at those marks. I dont like it, Raven. Our visitors spoor indicated that he dragged his right foot. The Limper.

We dont know for sure.

Who else? Wheres Elmo?

We returned to the Raker trap, waited impatiently. Raven paced. He muttered. I could not recall ever having seen him this unsettled. Once, he said, The Limper isnt Soulcatcher.

Really. Soulcatcher is almost human. Limper is the sort that enjoys tormenting babies.

A jangle of traces and squeak of poorly greased wheels entered the plaza. Elmo and the wagon appeared. Elmo pulled up and jumped down.

Where the hell you been? Fear and weariness made me cross.

Takes time to dig out a stableboy and get a team ready. Whats the matter? What happened?

The Limper was here.

Oh, shit. What did he do?

Nothing. He just....

Lets move, Raven snapped. Before he comes back. He took the head to the stone. The wardspells might not have existed. He fitted our trophy into the waiting declivity. The golden glow winked out. Snowflakes began accumulating on head and stone.

Lets go, Elmo gasped. We dont have much time.

I grabbed a sack and heaved it into the wagon. Thoughtful Elmo had laid out a tarp to keep loose coins from dribbling between the floorboards.

Raven told me to rake up the loose stuff under the table. Elmo, dump some of those sacks out and give them to Croaker.

They heaved bags. I scrambled after loose coins.

One minute gone, Raven said. Half the bags were in the wagon.

Too much loose stuff, I complained.

Well leave it if we have to.

Whatre we going to do with it? How will we hide it?

In die hay in the stable, Raven said. For now. Later we put a false bed in the wagon. Two minutes gone.

What about wagon tracks? Elmo asked. He could follow them to the stable.

Why should he care in the first place? I wondered aloud.

Raven ignored me. He asked Elmo, You didnt conceal them coming here?

Didnt think of it.

Damn!

All the sacks were aboard. Elmo and Raven helped with the loose stuff.

Three minutes, Raven said, then, Quiet! He listened. Soulcatcher couldnt be here already, could he? No. The Limper again. Come on. You drive, Elmo. Head for a thoroughfare. Lose us in traffic. Ill follow you. Croaker, go try to cover Elmos backtrail.

Where is he? Elmo asked, staring into the falling snow.

Raven pointed. Well have to lose him. Or hell take it away. Go on, Croaker. Get moving. Elmo.

Get up! Elmo snapped his traces. The wagon creaked away.

I ducked under the table and stuffed my pockets, then ran away from where Raven said the Limper was.