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Larry had been about to offer Annie the yet-unnamed child when Severin shuffled over, looking nervous and upset and not the least bit like he had when he had given those first few calming commands.

Annie's disposition changed too, unexpectedly.

Larry had a running theory on this.

When you approached a dog, if you were friendly and acted as if you knew the dog, the dog reflected that. First the dog would be confused, because it wouldn't remember your smell, but after a moment it would think, "Well, look! This person wouldn't be acting this way if they were somebody suspicious! I must know them after all!" And soon the dog would be belly up. The downside, of course, is that it worked the opposite way too.

Maybe there was a certain energy to it. Larry thought so. The trick was really meaning it, really liking the dog, and some people just couldn't do it. Larry didn't have any difficulties. He liked dogs, even the ones that looked unfriendly.

Larry's theory only worked in the majority of cases. Sometimes there were just genuinely nice dogs. You could be breaking into their owner's home and they'd help you do it. Most dogs didn't fall into this category. Larry liked to think that if he was a dog, he would be able to distinguish, but sometimes got the sneaking suspicion that he wouldn't.

He busied himself with Miriam, her horns and hair worrying him more and more. Now that he thought about it, they could really get in trouble! Maybe he really should postpone the search for another day. He knew this establishment wasn't along the way...they must have taken a wrong turn somewhere...and of course Severin had that limp. The weather was frightful. The mission had been put to a halt anyway... Larry thought suspiciously that it might be his luck, for good or bad, kicking in again.

He didn't like to linger on this sort of negative thinking! He was a man of action! All this contemplation was terribly boring.

Larry replaced Miriam, and stood, resolute, making his way over to the Doctor. He kept squirming, dancing from one foot to the other.

"Hey, uh, Doc...I'm sorry if I'm interrupting anything...you got a minute? It's really important."

Larry managed to verbalize the entire problem in one breath.

"Well at first I thought it might have just been me, but really I've had such phenomenally good luck the first half of the day that it's only fair things should go the other way this half. My grandmother was a witch you see, father's side, helped him get my mother. Dashed contrary when it came to gifts. And I've just realized I probably need a kerchief or something for the kid's horns before something happens. Because it will...you've seen the rain and of course your leg, and this girl's just fainted and everything's working in reverse to counteract everything this morning I'm sure, not that it's any real trouble, but if we could conclude things I rather think I should go home, or if you're not done I'll scoot along by myself, because I also think we managed to go the opposite direction from where we should have been going."

That had been the gist of it. Mostly.

"Right, I understand. I feel the same way, but I'm sure if you see to things, they'll turn out alright. Oh...well, I don't want this to be a sort of permanent goodbye affair, my case still isn't concluded, and anyway I'd like to see more of you. Did you want to shoot for another meeting, or should I just give you my address...?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "You could pop by any time you like, but of course I can't guarantee when I'd be home...and you'd have to be very secretive about it, because I promised...well, I...oh, but I'm sure you'll be alright. You just can't show anyone else. I keep..." His voice grew lower. "A sort of pet, you see, and have to be careful about her."

Larry found his notebook, working around Miriam and writing down instructions in blocky, childhish handwriting.

He handed the paper to Severin covertly, glancing at the gaggle of girls behind the Doctor, then said, "Now this is my address, right here. I live in the Northern bit of the Lost District. I've told that you before, but there was a fire a little back and I haven't had time to redecorate. It's really only the first floor that looks worn. I live on the one below that, it's a sort of basement, and kind of easy to miss."

He pointed at a set of directions on the lower part of the paper. "Just pay attention to where you are and you'll be able to find it. I've got it more in detail here. It will probably be locked, so just give it a good knock, and if I'm not there feel free to leave me a note."

"It's in the job description!" Larry agreed, taking the Doctor's hand.

Larry felt everything...the case, the girl, the weather, would turn out alright. He might have misjudged. After all, if it weren't for the rain, they wouldn't have gotten turned around and come by in time to help the girl. And Severin's leg might have earned some sympathy from the woman who worked there...yes, rethinking, perhaps it had all been very good luck instead of very bad. These things were often slippery.

"I'll...uh...catch you later, Doc. Don't hesitate to come by. I'll be expecting a visit. And this time stay out of the way of street riffraff, huh? Next time just look intimidating and wave your arms around. You're big enough to give whoever it is a good scare."

"Nah, I think you're better off with the size scare tactic. They'll only think you're crazy if you make faces, too."

Larry grinned and added, as an afterthought.

"Goodbye to you too, Annie! I know I've said it before, so you must be tired of hearing it, but we really appreciate you letting us use the place. I'm sure Doc couldn't help her as much out in the middle of that mess as he is with a roof. That's kind of obvious, I guess, but you didn't have to do what you did, and you've got our gratitude. ...Take care."

And Larry took off.

It took him a little longer to make his way back home and dry off, but in time he was neatly settled.

He regarded the baby once more.

"Still no name. Heck, I'm no good at this at all, am I? Wish I could ask mum. She named eight kids, and dad wouldn't let her use anything but Ls, so she had to be a real whiz. But we've been over this. No Ls. I think mum would appreciate it, she always wanted to use...well, we'll do that, then. Miriam. M comes right after L, and mum was always fighting for it, being so close and all. Next letter I can get out I'll tell her she has a daughter, or granddaughter, or something like it with that name, and I'm sure it'll cheer her up a little. That fine with you, Princess? Alright. Why don't we shake on it...there you are. Fifi, did you hear that? Miriam. Now everything's settled properly."

(( And I'm gone until the 16th. -salutes- ))