J looked miserable. «I only wish it were as easy as that, Richard. It isn't, of course. Lord L is waiting for you now.»

Blade stood up, his sinewy bulk making the room appear even smaller than it was. His dark hair nearly touched the ceiling. He winked at J.

«Then why are we wasting time here? Let's get on with it, sir. Who knows-this might be an easy one.»

It would not be, of course. As always there would be death and terror lurking out there in Dimension X.

They left Copra House by a side entrance and came into Lothbury Street. The newsboy was still placarding his black headline. Blade nodded toward the man and said, «Who in the hell do you suppose David is?» It was in the nature of a rhetorical question. J was the last man to be au courant with London's various subcultures.

J surprised him. He glanced at the placard and then smiled at Blade. «You're rather out of things down in Dorset, I see.»

«True. I like it that way. And if I did have.a paper brought to the cottage it wouldn't be News of The world.

J raised a finger to a taxi. It ignored them. J joined Blade again on the curb. «You mustn't be smug, Richard. Admittedly the paper is an abomination, a penny dreadful, but it does have a certain zest and life to it. Vulgar, yes, but alive.» J made a prim mouth. «There are moments when I think the Times could do with a little vulgarity.»

Blade did not hear him, not really. He was staring across the busy street at the newsboy. LADY DIANA DUCKS DAVID The newsboy was holding up a paper, quarter folded, and Blade could see that there was a picture, a three column `cut,' beneath the screaming headline. The photo was of a woman, but even Blade's eyes could not make out details at that distance.

J signaled another taxi and was again ignored. Blade crossed the street and bought a paper, giving the man a shilling and not staying for his change. He recrossed to where J stared in surprise, glancing at the picture as he nimbly dodged a lorry.