The Wabbit was in a temporary office at the
castle, allocated to him by the Department of Wabbit Affairs. His own office
was sorely in need of redecoration and the Department had taken the opportunity
when it presented. He looked at the book on his desk. It had been there on his
arrival and it was in such poor shape, he was reluctant to move it. He poked it
with a paw and a bit fell off. He scowled. "No no no," shouted
Lapinette. "You need to be more careful" "Oh, it's only a dusty
old tome," decided the Wabbit. "It looks priceless," commented
Lapinette. The Wabbit frowned. "Look, someone's pinned a note to it."
He studied it, but could make head nor tail of neither the note nor the
manuscript. He leafed the pages over so quickly that Lapinette felt the breeze
shake her ears. "I can't understand a thing," he said. "It's
upside down," said Lapinette. "I still can't," retorted the
Wabbit. Lapinette took the book and read out loud. "Wretched
fellow, said he." Lapinette looked at the Wabbit and
pointed at him for effect. "Thou meritest no blessing, and thou
wouldest not be profited by one, seeing that thou art clad in fur on such
a day as this." The Wabbit felt his fur to make sure it was still
there. "It must be a code," he suggested; "Perhaps it's our
mission instructions?" At that moment a loose page fell out of the book
....
