Thief of Time - Knowledge

Lobsang looked at the two frozen people. One was medium-sized and had all the right number of appendages to qualify as a member of the human race, and so therefore probably had to be given the benefit of the doubt. It was staring at the clock. So was the other figure, which was that of a middle-aged, sheep-faced man still holding a cup of tea and, as far as Lobsang could make out, a biscuit.

'The one who wouldn't win a beauty contest even if he was the only entrant is an Igor,' said Susan. 'The other one is Dr Hopkins of the Clockmakers' Guild here.'

'So we know who built the clock, at least,' said Lobsang.

'I don't think so. Mr Hopkins's workshop is several streets away. And he makes novelty watches for a rather strange kind of discerning customer. It's his speciality.'

'Then the... Igor must've built it?'

'Good grief, no! Igors are professional servants. They never work for themselves.'

'You seem to know a lot,' said Lobsang, as Susan circled the clock like a wrestler trying to spy out a hold.

'Yes,' she said, without turning her head. 'I do. The first clock broke. This one's holding. Whoever designed it was a genius.’

***

The Thief of Time - p244-245