Thief of Time - Spinners

'We want the spinners, Qu.'

The monk suddenly looked guilty. 'Spinners? What spinners?'

Lu-Tze walked across the room and pressed a hand against part of the wall, which slid aside. 'These spinners, Qu. Don't muck me about, we haven't got time.'

Lobsang saw what looked very much like two small Procrastinators, each one within a metal framework mounted on a board. There was a harness attached to each board.

'You haven't told the abbot about them yet, have you?' said Lu-Tze, unhooking one of the things. 'He'd put a stop to them if you did, you know that.'

'I didn't think anyone knew!' said Qu. 'How did you-'

Lu-Tze grinned. 'No one notices a sweeper,' he said.

'They're still very experimental!' said Qu, close to panic. 'I was going to tell the abbot, of course, but I was waiting until I had something to demonstrate! And it would be terrible if they fell into the wrong hands!'

'Then we'll see to it that they don't,' said Lu-Tze, examining the straps. 'How're they powered now?'

'Weights and ratchets were too unreliable,' said Qu. 'I'm afraid I had to resort to... clockwork.'

Lu-Tze stiffened, and he glared at the monk. 'Clockwork?

'Only as a motive force, only as a motive force!' Qu protested. 'There's really no other choice!'

'Too late now, it'll have to do,' said Lu-Tze, unhooking the other board and passing it across to Lobsang. 'There you go, lad. With a bit of sacking round it it'll look just like a backpack.'

'What is it?'

Qu sighed. 'They're portable Procrastinators. Try not to break them, please.'

'What will we need them for?'

'I hope you don't have to find out,' said Lu-Tze. 'Thanks, Qu.’

***

The Thief of Time - p143-144