surprise.

"Archimedes?" he said.

The computer halted, turned awkwardly, and leaned back slightly, angling its

screen up so it could scan him. "Wyrdrune, isn't it? Karpinski, Melvin. I

recall

your file."

"Archimedes, it is you!" Wyrdrune said.

"Yes. Nice to see you again," said the computer. It turned to Billy. "Look, I

don't mean to be a pest, especially with your having guests in, but I've been

waiting and waiting. You promised me..."

"Yeah, yeah, right," said Billy, still feeling a bit groggy. He reached into

the

large inside pocket of his leather coat and pulling out a thin, rectangular

box.

"'Ere, this what you 'ad in mind?"

"My modem!" The little computer actually jumped with joy. It wasn't much of a

jump, only about two inches off the floor, but it was a joyful reaction just

the

same. "Can I see it, can I have it now, please? Give it to me!"

"Now 'ow the 'ell am I supposed to give it to you?" Billy said. "You ain't

got

no bloody 'ands, you silly twit."

"You help me with it," Archimedes said anxiously. "You can hook it up."

"'Ey, I don't know nothin' 'bout computers, mate," said Billy. "I don't even

know what the 'ell that gizmo is. I looked for what you told me to, but I 'ad

to

nick it quick like, so I just 'ope it's the right one."

"Maybe I can be of some assistance," Jacqueline said.

"Give 'er a go, luv," Billy said, tossing her the box.

She caught it and examined the label. "Ah, yes. This should do nicely." She

knelt down and showed the box to Archimedes. "Come on, mon petit, we shall

tune

your new peripheral for remote broadcast compatibility, oui?"

The computer waddled over to her with the air of a small child anxious to

receive a brand-new toy. Jacqueline picked it up and set it down upon the

desk,

where it watched anxiously as she unpacked the radio modem and the

thaumaturgically charged power pack.

"Well, what happens now?" said Kira. She jerked her head toward the bedroom.

"What are we going to do with Sleeping Beauty in there?"

"He'll come around in the morning," Makepeace said. "Then we'll see if we

can't

convince him to cooperate with us."

"I'd settle for convincing him not to put us in jail and throw away the key,"