with his mind. He might give her the slip in here.”
” ‘E can’t get out, though, mate,” Mudge commented.
“Unless there’s another way in, and I’d bet me tool there’s
THE DAT OP THE DISSONANCE
279
only the one. I’d say the best we can do now is find that
oversized she-rat who runs the place. She ‘ad the medicine
when the fight started, and I’d wager she’s kept it with
‘er.”
It was a long hike back to the entryway, and Jon-Tom’s
appraisal of the ferret as being fleet of foot turned out to be
accurate, for when they turned up the last aisle Zancresta
was already there.
“Ah just missed him in a side aisle,” Roseroar rumbled
angrily, having rejoined them only moments earlier. “He
won’t get away this time.”
Zancresta’s clothes were shredded, and he looked very
unwizardly as he stood panting heavily before the exit.
A glance down the side aisle showed his tormentors
approaching rapidly. There was nothing, however, to pre-
vent his escaping to plot against them from the outside.
Nothing except an old female kangaroo.
“Get out of my way, hag! My time is precious and I
have none to waste in argument.”
“I’m not here to argue with you.” Snooth spoke calmly,
the pipe dangling from her lips. Her right hand was
extended, palm upward. “You owe me payment.”
“Payment? Payment for what?” Zancresta snarled impa-
tiently. His enemies were hurrying now, the ferocious
tigress in the lead. He did not have much time.
“For damage done to stock and fixtures.”
“I was trying to escape from that insane female who
even now approaches. You can’t hold me responsible for