Penalty failure - no.
Accept the quest?
So, this is very interesting ... To finish, then? Well, modify, good idea I had, and quite interesting. That's just my idea required a complete redesign structures - develop the flight control system, high lift wing, and many others, not such a serious change. But really for the result it will be possible not to worry, I'm sure, this toy will have to their liking, and Mr. Shaw, and future buyers. Now you only have time for five days ...
Not wanting to waste a minute of time, I went to work. Two hours later, the main changes in the drawing were ready. For the realization of all that I had in mind, I had to abandon completely rigid structure mehanoleta my tail, and install additional elevators and rudders. Also, the ailerons on the wings were added.
It must be said that has already begun work on a complicated construction, I realized the trap into which I drove himself. It is one thing - to make a glider, which is quite simple and does not require a large number of precise calculations. It is quite another - a mechanism with a fully controlled flight. Knowing only the basic principles of aerodynamics, not having a clue about the theory and formulas, but without practical experience, I am doomed himself to the endless field trials in the search for the optimum shape of my aircraft. And it took a very long time. And how to get out of this situation, I have not yet had no idea.
The mechanism that I was going to put inside the fuselage, too, did not differ simplicity. But how it works, at least, it was clear to me and clear, and did not require experimentation.
Eh, it's good that here, in virtual reality, still not fully worked reliably laws of the real world. Otherwise, the structure conceived by me, I would have manufactured the five weeks at best, and not five days.
Sighed a couple of minutes and once again horrified volume of the work, I started to develop automatic control mechanism. I must say that here things have gone a little bit more fun, since I, in fact, did not invent anything new, but merely borrowed the principle of the ancient programmable looms, slightly modifying it to fit your needs.
The work was nearing the middle when the door firmly hammered. I looked up from his drawing displeasure. Who is there even the devil has brought?
- Open, come in!
- Sherlock, are you going home? - Donnie has wasted the room looked rather alarmed. - I have today is the first lesson of alchemy, today at three o'clock. I must not be late for it in any case!
Oh yes, I completely forgot. Mr. Jobson promised to bring the teacher today.
- And who has time?
- Two-thirty, just half an hour left on the road, you need to go right now.
Two thirty? Very interesting. Classes with Mrs. Rose, like mine, came to an end in two, where is Donnie spent another half hour? Okay, I will not ask, do not want to force others to blush and stammer, and everything is clear. And when he had it grow?
- Well, so are you going? - each eagerly stepped on the spot.
- I'm afraid not. I have not finished here, I do not know, when set free. And then go to the library, you will need to find some kind of information.
At the word "library", the face of Donnie, pomrachnevshee was the prospect to get to most homes, interested brightened:
- Library? What a library?
- Central Public Library, Londinium, in the City. It is just awesome.
- Ooh ... - dreamily rolled eyes of others. - There's probably thousands of books ...
- Thousands? - I remember the endless shelves. - Yes, it was more about the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of. We are sure you go there together, but now you risk being late to class.
- Yes of course! - Donnie immediately came to his senses. - Okay, I'll go, but it really late.
After seeing other a look, I again leaned over the table. Hopefully, no one and nothing distract me will not.
Even after 2 hours, I was finally ready to put aside the drawing. Phew! I must say job of work was not easy, and even lack of sleep has contributed. I rubbed my tired, watery eyes. Do not worry, it was worth it. Another unit of the skill of mechanics in my piggy bank and, finally, exactly twenty! It cost nearly five hours of classes. The only pity is that, for fear of losing again, I left the house uncle's watch. So solemn moment of the first opening of the lid will have to be postponed a little. And now, while there is still time - to the library!
I must say that now, when the time is chosen in five hours, I began to feel quite a strong hunger. I hope that the irregular diet will not affect the character of my health, as I intend to endure to the home time snacks have it.
To the library I drove already in the gathering dusk. Check with the employee that they close at eight, I went to the familiar pallet. I do not know whether I reasoned, but he decided to start his search with a ten-year-old newspaper, finding that the likelihood that a woman might need such a radical rejuvenation of the more frequently than very low time in ten years.
I check to start the newspapers, and if I can not find anything, you have to look more fresh.
Fortunately, the newspapers were produced in the city is not much, only three. Preferring the "Daily Courant" like myself, from my point of view, "yellow" publication, I began to look at the titles and front pages. I must say that the amount of work could be much higher if the newspaper was published at the same rate as now. But, as it turned out, ten years ago, the volume and circulation of the publication was twice less, and they went out every day, but only twice a week.
Dragging from the rack on the table one by one, almost too heavy for me semiannual filing, I was coming back, year after year. Finally, I was lucky on the seventh stack of newspapers. Article from April 22, 1834, which occupies almost the entire front page, a size giant reported that: "We found another victim of a series of suicides in Whitechapel." I tensed. Quickly scrolling through a couple of issues, he sighed - yes, it looks like it is. Another headline read: "The fifth girl killed herself - if the end will be?". Soooo ... Two issues ago - and again the front page: "Another suicide graduate of the orphanage!". Graduates of the shelter? This is something new...
Leafing through the newspaper further and further, I found information about all six victims, only the first two are not worthy of the first bands and screaming headlines, and were mentioned only in the section of incidents this week, on the last page.
Picking up from the table a piece of paper and a pencil, I wrote the date of the publication of newspapers, which were mentions of suicide. The result was a range from the eighteenth March to 22 April, exactly once per week. So - six suicides, every week, in the same district of the Eastern District. Something that reminds me ...
And now, we need all the details, which can only be extracted from here. Carefully read the article caught my eye the very first, I wrote on a piece of data on the first victim - Shannon Wright, sixteen years old, an orphan, ward of a female orphanage "Heavenly haven". Discovered in the early morning dock workers at the port, with his throat cut and a knife clutched in his right hand. Special features - a tattoo on his wrist, representing an unknown character.
Half an hour later I was looking at a piece of paper on which straight rows crowded lines - virtually the same words in the description of each victim - sixteen, cut throat, tattoo shelter. They differed only in places where there is a victim and names. It could be no doubt - I found the right thread. The only information that I have not found in the newspaper, was the name of the investigator leading the case then, and the name of the seventh victim - donor. Though perhaps this time she was not even found.
Well, never mind, I think, digging in the police archive, I know all this. Hopefully March detective to help me access.
Well, I think, with this period of all, you need to try to delve into the past for another ten years. I am sure that I will find more than one such series.
- Sir, are you finished? - pretty girl librarian came up almost inaudibly. - The library is closed.
Looking up, he found that in the great hall I was almost alone.
/> - For eight o'clock, sir.
- I'm sorry, I forgot about the time - well, that will have to come back later. I dragged the heavy binder back on the rack and turned back to the girl.
- It's okay, sir, - she smiled. - This is a library, then the time is completely different. Goodbye, sir.
The street was quite dark and cold, strong wind arose. Fortunately, in the center it was still crowded, so stop the crew was not difficult. Dark and gloomy streets of the Eastern District at this time would have already been almost empty, there is life in the evenings only raged in numerous drinking establishments.
All the way home I thought about what had just learned. Information that all the girls were pupils of the shelter, would not let me rest. Is there a certain hidden meaning, maybe some kind of connection with recent crimes? While there, the victim had nothing to do with either the shelter or with each other. Strange. In any case, it will be necessary to look for information about it and "Heavenly haven". Some unpleasant name ...
- Good evening, sir! You have all been waiting for - it seemed to me, in a voice or Jerome opened the door to my knock, I heard the condemnation?
- Good evening, Jerome. And who is it?
- Mr. Watson, Mr. and Mrs. Jobson. They are waiting for you in the drawing room, sir. Mr. Watson refused to dinner without you.
Dinner! Once Jerome said the magic word, I immediately remembered what had not eaten anything since morning.
- Yes exactly! Dinner. I am starving. Jerome, can I have something to eat?
- Of course, sir. Dinner will be served in the dining room, I will clarify, perhaps Mr. and Mrs. Jobson will want to join you at the table.
Ah, it seems, will have to be patient. Fiddling with the clock in the presence of a couple I did not want Jobson.
- Sherlock, well, where have you been so long? - at the sight of me, entering the living room, the lawyer's wife threw up her hands. The lawyer himself reproachfully shook his head, and even watched Donnie obviously disapproving.
- I was in the library, I needed something which literature - and even did not cheat. I hope that no one will specify which books I needed and for what purpose. I did not want to lie to Jobson, but I'm sure they would not approve of my attempt to climb again in the investigation. Fortunately, matters of this kind are not followed.
- Well, a visit to the library, of course, it is very commendable. Yet, it is not necessary to stay up there until dark, the town in the evenings can be dangerous ...
Well, still, who, if not I know about it. About this loud talk is not worth it, so I just smiled alarmed woman:
- Okay, ma'am. I promise - I will not linger and so cause you to worry.
- Very well! - I picked up the conversation the old lawyer. - Well, since we're finally all together, Donnie can tell us how he spent his first lesson on alchemy?
- X-hhorosho passed, I really liked it - one is still not completely get rid of anxiety in the presence of the couple Jobson, and therefore slightly stuttered.
- Really? Well was it? And it's all? Stunning modesty! - the lawyer turned to me and continued with a broad smile. - Imagine Sherlock Donald so impressed his teacher that he had not bothered to call after the first class to me, and thank you for the most talented disciple of all that he has taught ever.
- Really? It's just great! - I looked at the rapidly blushing friend.
- Moreover, he halved the cost of education, arguing the fact that Donald learns the same material, two faster than the other students!
Wow! It looks like you guys are really great talent. And by the way, once again, have a closer, she looked at each other, I noticed that he was like a little bit older. Well ka ... Yes! Exactly! Appeared above his head a sign read: "Donald Watson, a teenager, level 6". That is Donnie raised his level, apparently, learning a new profession.
- Dinner is served - in the living room looked Marjorie.
Phew, how the way, forces did not have to wait any longer, the belly is already quite painful drawn. Donnie, apparently delighted at the opportunity to avoid such unusual attention to him, he immediately jumped out of the living room.
Mr. and Mrs. Jobson, refusing food, zasobiralis home.
- Maybe, if you drink tea with us?
- No, no, go, - smiled Mrs. Jobson. - Today, we simply looked for a moment to visit you, so to speak, in a neighbor. But tomorrow would invite himself to dinner. We sit and chat, while we are now almost one family!
- Of course, come, we will be very happy Donnie.
- See you tomorrow Sherlock, a pleasant evening and good night, - shaking hands with a lawyer and received a soft goodbye kiss on the cheek from his wife, I closed the door behind them.
Entering the dining room, I found Donny at the table - he was unhappy with the face looked tablecloth.
- Sherlock, tell me I'm a bad person?
- What? In what sense? - I admit this question I least expected.
- Well, you know, - one hesitated, clearly not knowing where to start. - Mrs. Jobson, she was kind, and Mr. Jobson is also very good to me. They have done so much, even though I am a stranger to them, not what you ... - he paused again.
- And? - I, frankly, is not yet understood nothing.
- Mrs. Jobson today asked me whether I very badly without a mother, and if I want to make it again I got.
- And what did you answer?
- What would this more than anything else ... And she said, that the Lord may fulfill the most cherished dream. That's just I do not want a new mother, even such good Mrs. Jobson, I want her.
- Donald, I'm sure Mrs. Jobson exactly that meant, you just do not get it - will have to be tomorrow to speak with a lawyer, so that they are not in a hurry, if you really decided to adopt Donnie. I feel that it will not be so easy.
- You think?
- one hundred percent!
- Well ... It's just my mother does not know where I am. How does it find me when changes his mind and wants to take away?
Oh, holy simplicity ... Well, if he finds out about a rich house and custody - just change his mind. About to take - not sure, but blackmail or begging for money - easily. Although perhaps I'm wrong. But check - do not want to.
- Do not worry. I'm sure Miss Emily give her address.
As usual, when he heard the name Donny immediately tuned in sublime dreamy mood and forget about everything else.
Without distracting more than anything, I finally started to dinner. This time it was lamb with beans. Without thinking about the ethics of eating once a living being, it's still a virtual world, I grind the portion is less than two minutes. Donnie from me depart. In general, he was a great lover of food and it showed.
Swallowed his share of chocolate truffles, filed for tea, almost without chewing it and not feeling taste, I hurried upstairs. Now that Jobson left, I wanted to open the uncle's clock as soon as possible, patience was gone. Having said Donnie, I was tired and I want to lie down, I went up to my room.
Watches were in the same place where I had left them - on the table, next to the layout of the yacht. Taking them into the hand, I froze for a moment. That really did not happen, and I just now they are open? By all the laws of the genre, something is bound to happen - earthquake, fire, aliens, anything that can stop me to accomplish their plan. Nothing? Strange. I strongly pressed the button, the lid bounced.
Inside, they were the most common - thin gold hands, Roman numerals on the hour divisions. No autographs, no icon masters. Only on the inside of the lid, ornate inscription, engraved in two lines: "Storm of the imagination carries the ship and who knows what strange shores of it will stick.".
And what would it mean?
Chapter 11.
I once again read the inscription carefully. Clearly she did not. Went to the window, and by closing hours, once I looked at them from the outside. Apart from drawing from the open circles, it was the most common antique clock-bulb, with a smooth cover and a small key on a short chain.
He reopened. Carefully examined th
e dial - perhaps the solution lies precisely in it, and the word is not with me? Hmm ... It seems not. All figures correspond to the divisions, the arrow routine, normal shape and length. This means that all the matter in writing.
Thinking I was nervously pacing the room. It did not go absolutely nothing in his head. Making a few laps, I decided to begin, as they say "ab ovo". My Virtual uncle leaving me this puzzle had to be sure that I will be able to solve it, but for someone else it will remain a mystery. That is, the phrase touches something that is obvious to Sherlock. And most of all, I know it too. What do can have the real me, and virtual Sherlock? Both of us, we can say practically an orphan, both love invented worlds and adventures that give the book. Look like that's it.
Once again, I shook my head in ice. For me, it was not meaningless - it said on the fantasy that, at times, can make a person in the unknown distance. But as I did not strain, I could not come up with the idea for what was supposed to touch up the phrase.
Perhaps the key is not in the sense of, and in the words themselves? Looking at the title again, I suddenly saw something that did not immediately caught my eye. Yet there was a second picture, and I almost shouted, "Eureka!", As once Archimedes shouted, running through the streets of Syracuse.
If we discard the unnecessary words designed only to distort the meaning, the inscription on the clock can be read as follows: "The storm ... ... the ship has to strange shores". And here is where it all became clear. It was an indication of a particular book that I loved and reread many times. Namely - to writer Tim Powers' novel "On Stranger Tides". There was everything that could be of interest to any young person - corsairs and treasures aboard and walk the plank, and voodoo magic and evil spirits of the loa. That's just one point I was a little confused - the book was rather will only be written in the twentieth century, almost a hundred and fifty years ... Although it is not the real world, then the laws do not work.
It remains only to find her. I really hope that I guessed correctly, and this is the book.
In my room any books, except that I brought myself - was not. Going into the uncle's room, staring in horror at the slender ranks of the thousands and thousands of roots. Choice was not, and I sighed and began to search.
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