Fidget looked down at the sacks. Shadow had finished tying string around one of them and was hefting it up onto her shoulder.

"Whaddya want with these?" He grumbled, kicking one suspiciously with his foot. It gave a wet, squelching sound.

"We're taking them with us." Shadow said. "We'll need them."

"What fer?"

Fidget scowled at her retreating back. Shadow had now picked up a second bag and was placing the two in the middle of a large pocket handkerchief spread out upon the pavement. It was the second time she had ignored his question.

Finally she turned towards him impatiently. "Well? Are you coming?"

The bat's scowl deepened. "I'm coming! I'm coming!" He hobbled towards her quickly on his wooden leg, pasting a blatantly fake smile on his unattractive face whenever Shadow looked at him.

"I hope he feeds you to Felicia!" He muttered under his breath.

Finally he reached the handkerchief and waited, staring blankly at his companion.

Shadow reached into a pocket of her coat and pulled out a small tin whistle. Raising it to her lips she let out a shrill blast. Fidget jumped nervously.

And then a large shadow swooped over them. Fidget ducked, squealing in fright- his wings automatically rising to protect himself from the approaching menace.

"Oh don't be ridiculous!" Shadow said derisively. "It's perfectly safe."

One yellow eye peeked from between the leathery folds. "S- safe?"

"Yes." She folded her arms and stared at him. "How did you think we'd get to our destination. By walking?"

Slowly Fidget uncurled himself from his ball and stood up. Hopping and chirruping excitedly from the other side of the handkerchief was a young robin.

It cocked its head to one side and eyed him with bright, beady eyes. Fidgit stared back at it with dawning horror.

"You wanna make me go on that?" He shrilled. "No way! You can't make me! I'm not gonna go on no bird!"

"Her name," Shadow said oppressively "is Rose."

Fidget threw a tantrum. "I don't care! Boss hired me to spy! Not die! I wanna live. I'm not going on a bird. Birds are nasty. Birds flap wings and peck you. I'm not gonna go!"

"Very well."

Shadow turned around and with a gesture towards the handkerchief, which the bird seemed to understand, climbed nimbly upon the robin's back.

Fidget blinked. He had not expected that reply.

Rose chirruped happily and gathered the corners of the handkerchief in her beak. She hopped a little way and then flapped her wings..

Suddenly the bat gave an unearthly screech and hurled himself at the robin

"No! No! Me come too! Boss be angry. You're gonna make Boss angry at me! I'm gonna come! Wait fer me!"

Fidget reached the bird just in time to seize her leg with one of his wings. And then came a giddying, sickening sensation as the ground dropped away from beneath him.