Named Sherlock

by Bagatur Zhamkochyan

Finally, just before dinner, the third day of school, when I finally got the better of the first volume of "Mechanics and mechanisms", I got the much-awaited notification system. Ten! Ten intelligence units, and eight - mechanics. Having flown into her room, I happily turned the properties window:

  Sherlock Brown

  Level 3 (800/1000)

  Characteristics:

  Strength - 4

  Perception - 3

  Endurance - 6

  Intelligence - 10

  Agility - 1

  Attractiveness - 2

  Luck - 3

  abilities:

  Mimicry - 3

  Deduction - 1

  skills:

  Mechanics - 8

  Yes, I was not mistaken in the calculations, all right. Strength and endurance, too, pleased the addition of a few units at the expense of every morning, ever increasing loads.

  Pulling out of the chest drawing, I was surprised, as previously such confusing and frustrating, it became clear lines and clear. I could read and shape and size of the pieces, beautifully presented and seen the very assembly diagrams. The only limitation was that, in order to finally collect the key, it was necessary to have the skills of mechanics in the 10 rather than 8 units. But to make the individual parts it does not bother me!

  In one breath rally from the stairs, I was head over heels in the closet rolled Mr. Shaw Speaker to issue a set of my mechanics. The old man, grinning through his beard, and no questions asked, silently handed him. It seemed to me he was waiting for me and was not even surprised.

  Drag a box in my room, I was surprised that almost did not notice its severity. Presumably, the increased performance of strength and endurance. Refusing to dinner, driven by some feverish impatience, and then fearing to spoil everything, I spent the whole evening and half the night cut, bent, sharpened and polished. I went to sleep, in the end, sitting at a table in front of the key ready dismantled and nine skill in the sense of "mechanics".

  The morning was heavy. I did not sleep well, almost no rest, back and neck stiff, my head was empty and heavy. Doing morning exercises without any enthusiasm, the same willful effort, I trudged to wash and breakfast. Sluggish greeting Donny and somehow swallowing a regular rubber plate of porridge, I walked to school, which disappointed all teachers, not just understanding what they want from me, answering at random, and even several times fallen asleep.

  In the classroom with Mr. Shaw, I had to make a superhuman effort to stay focused, although, I must say, after lunch, my condition improved a little.

  At this time, I had already known me to make the racks, it was difficult and very hard work. I do not know why, but I was sure - all the things that I was doing manually, you can easily book somewhere. And certainly, if the master of dealing with all production cycle, as they say, "and from", any easiest mechanism would be required for its production of several years.

  But to argue with the teacher I did not dare, so, obediently, 2:00 teeth knocked out by hand, and then processes them for a perfect accuracy. Notification of the skill increase, which appeared at exactly the moment when I finally despaired, was greeted with shouts and wild dancing.

  Handing a lot of surprise my sudden joy Mr Shaw his rack and shouting:

  - Thank you! Thank you sir! - I drove off to his room to collect the key. A little worried, anticipating the next challenges, however, he met instantly as if trying out a bunch of disparate parts become one, take form.

  - you get the achievement "Apprentice!" - you have collected its first finished product, using the finished drawing!

  The award - Mechanics 1 (11)!

  Well, just in time. Anyway, the most important thing that I had had time!

  I must say, the key is, though so called, to the wrench does not like. He had a handle and a trigger mechanism which controls the movement of several thin pins, curved at the end. Pins are moved by changing the position of the pins in the lock. When all the pins is the correct position - the lock opens.

  Meeting with Marissa was scheduled for six o'clock, and before it was even more than three hours. Wait was unbearably heavy, and not knowing what to do, I went along the familiar route - to the library. There is a smile and a wink Donnie, I opened the second volume of "Mechanics and mechanisms". I must say that now, when reading a book is no longer required, I suddenly felt pleasure from the process. Maybe it was due to the fact that the images are no longer mysterious and incomprehensible, and, looking at the drawing, I immediately saw the movement, representing about a possible purpose of this mechanism.

  Three hours passed quickly, and with regret slamming the book, I wrote a note to Miss Emily, in which he said that today spend the night at a friend in the city and come back in the morning. On paper, it was easier to lie. Donnie, I presented an abbreviated version of the truth, saying that I was going with his friend to mine uncle's watch, I will come in the morning and be sure to tell you all the details.

  Going into his room, I took the bag with the crossbow, pocketed the key. To dress as a woman I did not, you never know what will arise circumstances suddenly have to run away, but I'm confused in skirts. That's shame will not be gathered. The only thing I did before leaving, so it's scooped up a bit of black paint out of the box with make-up and carefully blackened eyebrows, and protruding from under the caps of whiskey, which were frankly red even in the twilight, and would help my identification in the event of failure.

  Finally, I slipped a note under the door of Miss Emily and went outside.

  When they reached the door Marissa's room, I knocked. She opened instantly, as if all this time stood at the door.

  - Well, you got the key? - it was the first thing she asked.

  - Yeah, I got - I did not say that it did and could do more. It seemed to me that it should be silent.

  - Show, show it! - Marissa eagerly grabbed me by the shoulder. Her behavior has ceased to like me and I instinctively recoiled. Seeing something in my face, Marissa made an effort and began to behave as if nothing had happened. But I was on the lookout.

  - So, let's begin, I'll tell you that dug about Mr. Appleton - she changed the subject. - Funny man. He appeared in Londinium about four years ago, bought a huge house in one of the best places on Strand Street. Fabulously rich, obsessed with collecting ancient relics, it is interested in the occult. Often arranges evening salon, where shows off his new acquisitions and attempts to invoke the spirits. Successful or not - do not tell.

  - And one more thing - Marissa wondered - I do not know if you know this early, but oh well. He is best known client of brothels on Shaftsberri Avenue. Always take only young virgins. I must say that a couple of them seemed to be gone, but who will check? And like the one in the end I wrote that returned to the farm to his parents. The address of his home - that's - Marissa handed me a sheet of paper.

  - It's all? - in fact, in principle, it was enough to arouse even more suspicion, so to say, is almost a certainty the guilt of Mr. Appleton.

  - Yes. Now, - continued the girl - let's discuss our plan. To come to a place we have alone. You go first, and before nightfall shlyaeshsya just down the street, looking in shop windows. There such slackers is complete without will draw special attention. As soon begins to get dark, you come back to the shop and quietly hiding behind a hedge of the neighboring house. You sit there, waiting for me.

  - I drove up later, as soon as it gets dark. Norrie between the cabin and the house next door is the gate that leads to a common backyard. Open it, then break open the back door. Old grymza Norrie sometimes spends the night in the shop, but very rarely. In this case, we will have to wait until she falls asleep. If not - just open the shop window, take the clock, take the money from the safe and run away.

  Hearing about the safe, I frowned. But he did not say anything. Naturally, Marissa did not help me just like that, the girl, who grew up on the street, it is always and everywhere, in the first place, blyula their interests.

  - Well, - I said. - Great plan.

  -
Of course! With me will not be gone, baby!

  It must be said Marissa plan really was simple, yet good. Everything went exactly according to the script, took just a few minutes, and I did, in fact, nothing did. Marissa, deftly wielding pick up the keys, silently opened the first gate, then the door, and behind it, and a safe.

  The only thing I changed in our plan, this is what I asked for an additional ten gold coins for Molly. Expire after 2 days, but I still had no idea where else to take the damn money. Marissa, smiling happily poured me a decent handful of gold right into your pocket, scooping up of weighty bag, which she picked up from the opened safe. What else she stuffed his pockets, I'd rather not know.

  For me, an added bonus was the indoor adventure and a new level:

  - Congratulations! Quest: "Return the stolen!" made.

  - Reward: experience 600 (400/3000), 15 gold coins!

  - gained a level!

  - Stage 4 (available for allocation characteristics points - 1).

  And so, it seemed, only that we were standing in front of the closed cabin door, as already wading dark corner away from the crime scene, with pockets full of gold.

  - Tell me, baby - suddenly heard a whisper Marissa. - And you did not think to work together? Imagine how many cases can be turned, with skeleton key, because there is no lock that would resist him. We could be rich people ...

  - No, Marissa, I'm sorry. I did it once and I am sure even this regret.

  She sighed:

  - Yes, baby, you're right. Believe me, I am also very ... very sorry!

  Intuition suddenly screamed siren. I stopped at a loss, with a strong sense that in any case can not continue to go forward, when he felt a strong push in the back and involuntarily stepped. Supports under the foot was not, and I, with the deserted heart with a deafening cry flew into the black depths.

  Chapter 12

  Fortunately, I flew long. Not having time to even really scared, I landed on some fairly soft pile. Bruised legs buckled and I sat down with a flourish on the fifth point, right in the jumble of decaying leaves, smelly old rags and dirt.

  Above his head was visible square of the night sky. Flashed completely misplaced idea that out of the well into which I fell, it looks especially beautiful, and the star is much brighter.

  Upstairs there was a silhouette.

  - Hey, are you alive, baby?

  To be honest, I did not want to answer. I immediately understood everything and now reproached himself for trusting and naive. After all, even if the house in Marissa, I felt something was wrong. But then he forgot about his thoughts, considering them as a result, paranoia.

  Key all this time was a girl. Pleased with the acquisition of his uncle hours, and I think forgot about it. Marissa meanwhile, continued to cry out:

  - Sherlock, answer me!

  - Why did you do that? - I asked reluctantly. The question was largely rhetorical, but she began to respond with all the enthusiasm.

  - You know, Sherlock, I doubt until the last minute ... But this is a chance to miss it would be very foolish. You're a good boy and will be sorry if you happen something bad. Therefore, listen to my advice - all channels under the city as a result of access to the river, and how much you had not wandered in the end, you will choose. Of course, you can just sit there, under the grate, and scream all night, you probably hear a police patrol and pull. Just how will you explain to them how you, poorly dressed boys from the orphanage, in his pocket a gold watch and a lot of money? And store near someone robbed ... You understand what I mean, kid?

  Marissa was absolutely right - to call for help I was absolutely contraindicated. Not only that, I was immediately taken to the police, and then another, and was imprisoned for robbery Norrie salon, so I still would not help Molly, that would certainly have led to her death from the killer's hands.

  The girl, meanwhile, continued:

  - You know, Sherlock, I until the last minute did not believe that you really get at the real skeleton key. When held it in his hands, I realized that just can not give. And I must say that you are, in fact, has no right to be mad at me. I helped you get the clock, gave the money, not killed in the end! A key - it's just to pay for all this.

  Excellent, it will take a couple of minutes and Marissa persuade myself that I it also needs, but the girl stopped, moved away from the well. After a few seconds, grunting and panting, she dragged a square cast-iron grate and covered the hole it over my head.

  - I'm sorry, Sherlock, and goodbye. When you pick out, I'll be long gone.

  Hmm. Here again, I paid the price for his naivety. Yes, what naivete, stupidity is the most natural. Knowing about the criminal life of Marissa, having already once been robbed of her late friends, I quietly give it into the hands of thing, which is the dream and the sweetest dream of any local thief, and even about anything not think! But how could I do to live in this world for almost a week, just amazing!

  Well, blame yourself will post in a safe place. Slowly, his hands on the slimy wall climb. Bruised foot ache, but this damage seems to be ending. No fracture, mobility is not limited.

  Patting his pockets, I discover that all the money seems in place, the clock too. This is clearly a moment of game mechanics, in the real world I'll be crawling on all fours, collecting coins in the dark, in a pile of rot.

  Well, you have to be nominated. Pulling out of the bag a crossbow for the first time to charge it, then I thought it was worth still hold normal test their weapons in advance, even at the shelter. Here's another reason to berate himself later, when I finally get out to the outside.

  Still I could not understand how I'm going to crawl on the damn tunnels in the dark, but when I move just a few meters from touchdown, as the issue was dropped by itself. The walls of the corridor, built of brick, soft light on the joints, forming a weak glowing grid, exactly repeating pattern of brickwork. Kovyrnuv fluorescent strip, I got first a sharp increase in brightness, then fast, in just a few seconds, the extinction of a pale green glow at their fingertips.

  Light, as such, on these walls is almost not there, but to somehow navigate in space - enough.

  Holding a loaded crossbow at the ready, busy himself as a cocking spring, I moved cautiously along the tunnel. It was quiet, I have only heard his steps and gradually beginning to release tension. After some time, the tunnel became apparent to go deeper into the earth, and under the feet splashed water. Well, water ... Liquid. The fact that there just is not clean water, said first heavy, suffocating stench that seemed to be so thick that it could be cut with a knife.

  Trying to breathe through again, I walked almost to the touch in this mess of sewage, the income has to his knees. The tunnel is still stretched straight, slowly, imperceptibly leaving deeper and deeper. And I almost believe that here also quietly, after a while it will rise to the surface and release me from his captivity, when he came to the first crossroad.

  It was a small round room, with a swimming pool in the center, which slowly trickled down, I would say, the liquid slipped out of my tunnel. He was framed by a narrow rim, which I got relief. The central pool 2 side, an angle of about 60 degrees, yet out of the tunnel 2, with the same along the skirting walls and arched ceiling.

  Thinking, I headed to the right corridor. Practice passing mazes I did not, I just knew in theory that, if you always turn off to the right, as a result, it is possible to get out of the maze. Provided that there will be roundabouts. I do not know why it would be to build a labyrinth under the city, so it was hoped that it would be quite simple, and I will soon come out to the surface.

  Go to the new tunnel was much more fun in the first place - I walked knee-deep in the muck, which in itself was a tangible advantage, and secondly - there smelled less. Whether from the fact that I no longer worry the source of the stench, then I have just sniffed, but definitely breathe easier.

  Twenty minutes I walked briskly, gradually accelerating pace, when suddenly a rustling that I've heard before, but took over the splash of water, suddenly bec
ame louder, clearer and suddenly disintegrated into a squeak and clatter of clawed feet on the stones. Rats. Yes, that is it! I, a person who has studied the history of Europe, I forgot about the huge hordes of rats, which then prevailed in all major cities almost everywhere! But the creator of the world has not forgotten.

  I grabbed my bow, which was a little earlier so pocketed, unique, doubting his ability to get at least one rat, and wishing not armed, for example, with a club.

  When out of the darkness there was the first creature - doubts vanished. Even with my ability to shoot, it would be difficult not to get into an animal the size of a good dog. I can not say what guided Proteus, creating these creatures, but I'm sure in one thing - even a rat would be enough to kill me if I told her to let it.

  Rat came a little closer, never taking his eyes off me, beads, sparkling furious madness. Suddenly, a little to the left and slightly above the line of sight, there was already familiar to strip health and stamina. Above the head of the rats also appeared translucent strip. The system will automatically switch the interface to the minimum mode, as it was set up for the fight.

  I pull the arm with the weapon towards the cowering on the stone floor of the animal, trying to combine the front and rear sights. In principle, if the rat will step even though on a small step towards me, I'll be ready to shoot, and I hope that I will go. That's just this gray bastards did not care about my plans, nowhere to walk, she was not going to. Straight from the place where she sat, without run-up and training, the rat is released by a spring, he jumped, aiming for my throat.

  In slow motion, I saw slowly swing open mouth, yellow, curved blades, eyes burning thirst for murder. His shot I did not notice the trigger pressed more fright than consciously. And I do not even realize what it is, all of a sudden, heavy bag had fallen to me right under his feet.

  Somewhere on the periphery of plate flashed: "Experience 10".

  As I stood in a stupor, just two rats slowly emerged from the darkness. Seeing the death of their brother, they were in no hurry to attack at once, however, and retreat is clearly not going to. And suddenly I was like thunder struck by the thought - singly charged! My single-shot blaster! Heck! Trying not to make any sudden movements, I took out his arrow cocked spring. Then it all it started at a gallop!