ASSERT(slot != NUM_MONSTER_SLOTS);

    const mon_inv_type slot = item_to_mslot(item);
    // If it's a meele weapon then pickup_melee_weapon() already rejected
    // it, even though it can also be thrown.
    if (slot == MSLOT_WEAPON)
        return (false);
    ASSERT(slot == MSLOT_MISSILE);

    if (mslot_item(MSLOT_MISSILE)

    if (mslot_item(slot)

        && pickup(item, MSLOT_MISSILE, near, true))

        && pickup(item, slot, near, true))

        if (inv[MSLOT_MISSILE] != NON_ITEM && !drop_item(MSLOT_MISSILE, near))

        if (inv[slot] != NON_ITEM && !drop_item(slot, near))

        return pickup(item, MSLOT_MISSILE, near);

        return pickup(item, slot, near);