Named Sherlock

by Bagatur Zhamkochyan

  And no longer able to hold back, not controlling myself, I high-pitched howl like a puppy howling near dead mother. Tears stream rolling down from his eyes, overshadowed the whole damn world. I howled and swayed like a toy-idol, without a single thought in his head, yet rebounded to me detective, hugging the shoulders and muttering something soothing, not dragged me back to the crew.

  - Detective, so write on the label - the unknown? - A voice of one of the gravediggers.

  - This is Molly - through tears, swallowed, I said stubbornly.

  - Sign that there rests Mary Shelley, the girl, sixteen years of age, - a detective, a firm hand grabbed his arm, sat me down, do not resist, as if being in a stupor, in a cab.

  Chapter 20

  All the way until we went back to the shelter, the detective remained silent, giving me time to recover. But I was stunned with grief, stared blankly at the floor, still experiencing the painful moments of this terrible farewell.

  And it's not that I was so strongly attached to Molly that her loss was so hard for me. Just now, in the virtual world painted, I first encountered death face to face, in all its ugliness. People died, and I understand this, the ending was inevitable and accepted me as a part of life. I know that before, most people are so afraid of the unknown, which shall follow after death, that came up with a fairytale worlds that supposedly awaited them beyond.

  But what awaited Molly? Lee vs. invented a paradise for her, whether there is life after death in the digital world? What a pity that I have someone to ask ...

  - Sherlock, you spend? - Detective sympathetically inclined towards me.

  - No thanks, I'm fine.

  - Well, - the man held out his hand for a handshake. - If you need help, you know where to find me.

  I wanted to be alone right now. I do not even want to see Donnie, which necessarily began to question me about the sudden departure. So I went straight to the studio, where he planned to work out, at least until dinner.

  Fortunately, this time no one is distracted me, and in the evening all the mechanisms were assembled and configured. With barely contained excitement, making the key a few turns, I started a bird. She obediently spread her wings, shook his head and began to lean forward, simulating the pecking grain. It looked, frankly, a little scary, considering the time that my body was not until the creation and all the gears, springs and joints sticking out. After waiting for some time and making sure that the mechanism of change of waxed cylinder also works as it should, I sighed with relief. Glory to me and Hermes, the patron of thieves and inventors, although I am in it, of course, and do not believe.

  It remains only to cover up all this mess decent shell. The idea with these feathers I immediately dismissed, for some reason, it did not cause me any other emotions except disgust. There was only one - the case of thin copper plates, which I was going to give shape and texture similarity pen. And forthcoming works is not that complicated, but tedious, monotonous and rather long.

  Quickly run to the dinner, I returned back to the workshop and continued to work until late at night. Seeing no point in returning to the room, I lay down immediately curled up on two chairs pushed together. Soul warmed by as much as two units of mechanics, obtained upon completion of the work, and the bird, gently glare polished brass in the light of a kerosene lamp.

  Waking up in the morning, I strongly regretted his decision to spend the night in the studio. Aching back, shoulders, stiff neck. Exercises had to do, overcoming not only lazy, but also a decent pain. However, warm up your muscles soon ceased to protest, and I went to wash and breakfast quite cheerful, full of grandiose plans.

  Start the day flew by quickly, almost imperceptibly for me. As I tried to focus on the present moment, but thought constantly jumped on Mr. Shaw and his job - as the old man would react to his drawing revision? Well it does not recognize for improvement? Then cried my profession. By the way, I wonder how it will be implemented - I forget? Tools will begin to fall out of the hands? Or simply can not read blueprints? Last - is likely to ...

  Barely waiting for the end of the morning classes, followed by lunch and I flew into the shop, as if on wings. Show the old man was already there. Frowning bushy eyebrows, he looked at the cage with a bird, from time to time with displeasure, it seemed to me, shaking his head. The mood is again dropped.

  - Sir? Good afternoon.

  - Well, hello, young man. Something I do not see anything unique about your product. It made certainly accurately, efficiently. good craftsman will come out of you, but unlikely - Master.

  Swallowing insulting words, I started a bird stuck in the back of small key. She obediently start to cross the legs, wings sounded, he turned head. Mr. Shaw skeptical watched, arms folded across his chest.

  I sighed and began to speak. Looking straight into the widened his teacher's eyes, I loudly and clearly read the poem:

  second day

  Pouring rain.

  And birds like

  Wind swept.

  And you still

  Sing -

  I do not know,

  What's your name.

  I do not see you -

  So you're small.

  only branch

  Quiet vstrepenotsya ...

  And why such Khmara

  You sung so much fun? (1.)

  It a long time ago, my mother told me. It has become one of the favorite, in her memory.

  When finished, I turned invisible lever on the breast of poultry in a different position and put it in his beak a small copper cone that produced specifically for this purpose. She immediately stopped moving and beating wings, but because of an impromptu horn, quietly but very distinctly, he heard my voice, repeating all that I have just mentioned.

  I looked at the teacher. He was standing in the same position, with the same expression on his face and I could not understand - work, no? Meanwhile, the factory ended, and the bird was still.

  - It's ... it's just amazing! Sherlock, I'm amazed! Sumptuously! - noisy sigh of relief escaped from my chest, and I immediately felt the tension is gone.

  - I handled, sir?

  - Undoubtedly, my young friend! I'll admit, I do not remember a case that someone's art would have caused me to professional jealousy, but to you it is definitely possible. Therefore, without a doubt I declare to you, that you move from student to apprentice, and from that moment you can call himself a mechanical engineer!

  - Congratulations! Quest: "I am a mother Engineer" is executed.

  - Reward: Experience 1500 (2100/6000), 3 mechanics (17), the reputation increased Mr. Shaw (respect).

  - received the title -Inzhener mechanic.

  - Thank you, sir - oh, all three of ones is not enough to twenty.

  - And now, boy, frankly, you yourself made it up, or spied on where? And I show in detail how it all works ...

  I must say that I have great difficulty resist the order to assign the invention of the phonograph, invented by me deeply respected by Thomas Edison himself.

  - No, sir. I just successfully reproduced, invented by another person.

  Removing part of the body, covering the rib cage birds, I let Mr. Shaw in detail examine the entire structure. To see how the cutter, obeying the fluctuation of the membrane, cut into spiral grooves waxy disk and how, by pressing the lever, it replaces the needle's pickup. Himself being the inventor, as well as Mr. Edison, the old man Shaw instantly caught the conservation idea further reproduction and amplification of sound vibrations, which showed my simple phonograph.

  - Terrific, it's just amazing! It is possible and so save the music, - Mr Shaw did not get tired to admire.

  - Mr. Shaw, do not you see? - I handed the old man watch.

  - What? - The old man barely turned his eyes on me. - Oh, your watch. Well, let's see ...

  He held out his hand, took the watch, literally second shook their hands, and then immediately brought them back:

  - Well, why do you tell me of their thrusting? Then it is clearly stated only for She
rlock Brown.

  - How? Where? Nothing like it is written!

  - Well, it is not written. That's the same - Mechanics 20 (can only be used Sherlock Brown).

  I looked carefully. Indeed, after the minimum requirements for the mechanics, my name was written. But for some reason I had not seen this? Maybe because it has never tried to not look at them closely, trying to see the hidden properties when my susceptibility little grown up? That's fooling himself silly hope that Mr. Shaw does everything for me. Idiot!

  - That is, you can not open them? - I did not hide his disappointment.

  - Are you sure he did it a bird? - said the old man, beginning to feel irritated. - And it seems to me that the person who ask such silly questions, it could not be done. If it says that you can only use you, accordingly, what? Open and only you can make. It is logical?

  - It makes sense - I said a small voice.

  - Do not worry about it, Sherlock. You're getting close. Just keep watching and not bury your talent in the ground. But do not become obsessed with, do not cross the line, - Mr. Shaw suddenly grinned slyly. - And so that you can quickly achieve this goal, here's a job for today!

  Looking at the drawings lend a pack, I mentally rolled my eyes.

  Even though the well grown up skill mechanics and tools, significantly speed the production of individual parts, freight I was just before lunch.

  After dinner watery broth with half the eggs and toast, which seems to have been insane luxury, I wrapped the cage of his old jacket, hurried to leave the shelter.

  Consumed with impatience, I did not even notice how to get to Abbey Street. Confidently stepped onto the porch Jobson spouses, knocked on the door. It opened as the day before, Mrs. Jobson. When he saw me at the door, she broke into a smile.

  - Sherlock, dear, I'm so glad to see you! Come quickly, Arthur you've been waiting for.

  Wow, not only as the good news! Going into the living room, I said hello to Mr. Jobson, who, almost hidden behind the expanded "Londinium News," panted tube. Man hear my voice, instantly turned the newspaper:

  - Sherlock, well, finally! Sit down, - the lawyer pointed to a chair. - You're just in time, I have great news.

  Frankly, I have just a stone fell from his chest. News lately there were many, but few of them could be called good. Seated in a soft, deep seat, I stood waiting for the story.

  Mr. Jobson tried to release a couple of puffs of smoke. But, obviously, by this time the handset is already burnt, so he shook it in the ashtray, and finally began his story:

  - Frankly, do whatever was easy enough, I'm even a little surprised. Pal housekeeper did not looked for how to get rid of it, so that a small amount that I offered him easily pushed him in the right direction. Right to us.

  - That is, he told you everything?

  - Exactly! It was easy to catch. The boy, whom I hired to spy on the house, spotted him when he left. Then, I could only wait. I must say, at some point of his story, I even felt a little sorry for the idiot, though, of course, no one's sympathy, he did not deserve. And here's your housekeeper, this spider Miss Volfish should receive no less than a rope around his neck.

  - So, - continued the lawyer - in his words - the story is. Miss Volfish, already mistress of your uncle, which she absolutely did not hide, hoping that the rumors will push him to early marriage, seduced a young teacher who came to the neighbor's child. I must say that to do this it was not difficult - as superficially very attractive special, it made quite an impression on the inexperienced young man of twenty. As a matter of fact his real arm, it merzavka completely subdued him, forcing her to fulfill all orders, constantly scaring excommunication from the body.

  - The decision to poison you, most likely arose from her immediately, as soon as Jeremy announced his departure and that, in whose favor he wrote to the house. Being a man of naive and trusting, he is not aware of it, left you in the care of the devil that exists.

  - That is me, still poisoned? - Yes I have, and he was almost sure of it, after a conversation with Donny.

  - Yes, you are poisoned, Sherlock, still. Only the result was not planned this. You should have been in full unconscious, pass half of the city, well, how much you had to pass until the poison would not have entered the final stage. And then - quietly and peacefully die somewhere away from home, providing Miss Volfish perfect alibi.

  - Wait a minute, sir, - I excitedly jumped up from his chair. - And why am I not dead? Do not load poison?

  - Poison load. And you would have died if this pathetic little man, the young lover of our heroine, did not commit the same act for which I gave him life and liberty today. He diluted the poison, which Miss Volfish going to poison you to lethal concentrations. He did not dare to completely get rid of it, it would have aroused the suspicions of the housekeeper, and the weakling too afraid for his life. Yes, and you would not be much help. You, as a major competitor in the fight for the uncle's legacy, one way or another, would be eliminated. And after your death, if returned, Jeremy, Miss Volfish going to brighten his grief again, hoping, left absolutely alone, either he, nevertheless marries her, or at least mention in the will.

  - That is, I was given a very dilute the poison, sir?

  - Exactly. As was intended, you are under the influence of his not knowing what's going on out of the house, which, incidentally, saw the neighbors, and managed to walk to the eastern part of the city. And then, instead of dying, exhausted, fell asleep on a park bench. Waking up, you do not remember anything from his past, did not know who you are and what is your name. Here, in fact, from that moment it all started for you.

  - It turns out, for the life I should thank accomplice housekeeper?

  - Exactly. Silly boy simply did not understand, to a certain point, with whom he actually contacted. Ready to go on cheating, to steal, to murder, he, fortunately, was too pitiful. Or, Coward. It does not matter. The main thing is that in his plans, after some time, you had to get over it and go home. And he, by this time, hoped to escape. Why does he still have not done - is not clear, perhaps just because of lack of money - Mr. Jobson grinned. - Now it is not limited, so he gladly took advantage of this opportunity.

  - Congratulations! Quest: "Economical Housekeeper" is executed.

  - Rewards: Experience 2000 (3500/6000), the continuation of the quest chain.

  And then followed by a sequel:

  - to offer you the quest: "The weight of evidence."

  - Quest Conditions - found compelling evidence Nations Mission Volfish attempts to murder you.

  The award - the continuation of the quest chain, the experience (2500).

  Failure penalty - reduction of reputation with the housekeeper Volfish to hostile.

  Accept the quest?

  Well, that's wonderful, that's what we have on and intended! Accept!

  - It's just amazing, sir!

  - Terrific? - old lawyer eyebrows raised high. - Are you sure this is what you wanted to say?

  - Of course! Now, I'll show you something.

  Jumping out of the living room, I went back into the hallway, where he made from the hat shelf, still wrapped in a jacket with a mechanical bird cage.

  - Look, sir! This is something that will help bring Miss Volfish to clean water!

  - It? Sherlock, my boy, are you feeling okay? Maybe you ...

  - Sir, let me show you - I rudely interrupted Mr. Jobson, sdergivaya cover with cell and setting the stage for the bird. - I told you that trained mechanics? So, this toy I made myself. Its purpose, besides the fact that she knows how to entertain the audience simulate the behavior of normal, live birds, is to record all conversations that take place nearby.

  - Write down?

  - Exactly. This is done not a pen, it just captures vibrations of sound waves on the special wax cylinders, and then plays them.

  Seeing that the lawyer is looking at me with an increasingly growing bewilderment, I just switched the lever to reproduce and amplify the sound with a copper horn. Hearing repeat my words, rep
roduced by a bird, the old lawyer slowly broke into a wide smile.

  - It's just a brilliant plan, Sherlock!

  - You guessed it, I want to do, sir?

  - Of course! Do you want some way to get the housekeeper to a frank conversation, and all lock their device miracle!

  - That's right, sir. But I wanted to ask you just to talk to her. My original plan was to - you meet with Miss Volfish, and try to bargain with her, saying that they found me, and ready to hand over a reward. If she does not agree - are threatening to give me the police, confirming my identity. I'm counting on the fact that she, fearing publicity, agrees. But, nevertheless, there was a risk that she does not believe our bluff and is not recognized. And now, when we have a testimony of her boyfriend - everything becomes easier.

  - well! I'm ready!

  - Yes sir. Then proceed as - you go to Miss Volfish and tell her that you know all the details about the terms of my murder. Immediately warn her that everything described in the letter, which will be immediately transferred to the police in the event of your failure to return in two hours. Given that this woman - a monster, I'm not sure that it does not come to mind immediately get rid of you. Next, calling on her for money for your silence, but not too push so that it will not immediately run away. Agree to the postponement, if it is to offer it. But the most important thing - as soon as you feel that the conversation goes to the line you want us, then, under any pretext crank bird. You will have only six minutes to get and record its recognition. By the way - I suddenly remembered the deft questioning detective Marcha - and you play poker?

  Old lawyer laughed:

  - Do not worry about it, Sherlock. My profession requires the ability to play with words, and bluff at all, one of the strongest of my parties.

  - It's very good, sir. I hope very much for your help - I said seriously. - Oh yeah, one more thing, I almost forgot!