- Just awesome! Today, we have studied the properties of the basic elements. It's so interesting!
- Essential elements? - I hardly remembered what he knew about the medieval alchemy. - You mean, fire, water, air and land?
- What? Of course not! These scientists have a hundred years, they do not believe in the theory of the Elements! - Wow, "real scientists". And Donny, is very ambitious.
- And in what scientists believe are real? - I tried to hold back, not to start smiling.
- The fact that all around us is of corpuscles, tiny particles, each of which relates to a particular group of elements - metallic material, nonmetallic material, salt-forming substance and main body elements.
Wow, I must say, I somehow itself a little differently imagined alchemy. Akin to magic or something. And then the most that neither is a primitive chemistry. That and look, tell me now about Avogadro's number, or Boyle's law. While there may be here, as with the mechanics, certain "psevdomagiya" is activated only when a high level of skill, and the first required strict adherence to physical laws and formulas.
Judging by the face Inspired by a friend he was going I immediately read the entire basic course, but fortunately, entered the room Jerome prevented him from doing so.
- Mr. and Mrs. Jobson, sir!
- I will meet! - he jumped up from his chair.
Jumping into the hall, I almost collided in the doorway with a lawyer, a lot of it surprised.
- Sherlock? Hello, my boy. Where are you going in such a hurry?
- Hello, sir, ma'am. Can I talk to you? This is very important and Donny does not know - I stopped Mr. Jobson, who has taken has been the doorknob.
The lawyer raised his eyebrows. Mrs. Jobson also looked worried
- Sherlock, something happened?
- Not yet, but it can. Well, probably. Tell me, what is important to you then want to talk about tonight at dinner?
- You know, Sherlock - woman hesitated. - Donald - he loved us, his children we have ... So we would like to invite him to become not just his guardians, and high-grade parents.
Well, everything is as I thought. No, it is impossible, early ... I really hope that they will listen to my words, otherwise nothing good will come.
- That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you. Mrs. Jobson, you know that Donny has a biological mother?
- Yes, - she looked helplessly at her husband. - Arthur told me. But as far as I know, she gave up the boy and gave it to the shelter? What right then it can have on a child?
- It's not in her right, the thing Donnie. Mr. Jobson, Miss Emily did not tell his whole story? - I said to the lawyer.
- I'm afraid that I did not have time for this.
- I got what you mean. You see, the basic problem is that the Donnie, in fact, lost his mother three years ago, but are still selflessly loves and has forgiven all the evil that it caused him. And the worst thing that he still believes that it will ever come back after him and take home. You know what happens if you start right now to talk to him about adoption? At best, he closes in himself, and at worst - just run away.
- And what do we do?
- Nothing. Just wait. I'm Donnie himself will understand and make the right choice. He just needs time. No need to put pressure on him.
- Okay, Sherlock. We wait - Mrs. Jobson smiled knowingly, but a little sad. - Did you know that you are a good friend? Donald lucky.
- I am also very lucky to have him.
- Well, all the important things we discussed, let's go to dinner? We still have other, less important news, but I'm sure you'll like them! - lawyer again took hold of the door handle.
- Of course, sir!
Returning to the living room, we found Donny sitting in a chair, with a textbook in an embrace. But I must say, he immediately put it aside, joyfully welcomed Jobson. By the way, each has behaved almost naturally, especially not to blush and stammer. A little it came to the story of his success in school, then it was not at all difficult to stop. Feeling grateful listeners to spouses, he immediately began to dump them on the entire stock of its svezhepriobretennoy alchemical knowledge.
Marjorie brought supper, and I proceeded to eat lost in thought, and only half an ear catching echoes enthusiastic poisoning substances spouses Jobson, in response to a naive boast another. In my head, meanwhile, regained the unfortunate watch and their mystery. I must admit that the moment of their discovery, I thought the key, after which it should somehow be solved by itself. But it turned out that it was precisely the easiest point. But what to do - absolutely not clear.
Mechanically cutting off pieces of their portion of meat pudding and chewing their little sense of taste, I replayed in my head again a mysterious inscription. So, what did they say there really? About the real ships and storms, or is it all just an allegory? Maybe you need to read more to see the house? Search for everything related to ships, pirates, storms ... But, at the same time too, and with imagination. Hmm.
Meanwhile, the dinner came to an end. Tea was served, and it has some unknown to me aerial cakes, filled with stunning cream. Yummy! Donnie, it seems, was of the same opinion, because we are not saying a word, began to destroy the race is incomparable achievement of culinary art.
- So, - tried to get our attention, Mr. Jobson, - I have two news for you! The day after tomorrow the hearing will be held on the official appointment of a temporary guardian Sherlock me and Donald. It's all just a formality, but in order to have everything under the law, you will have to attend there. If there is no other legitimate contenders or valid objection to my candidacy, and they will not be, I'm sure, the process goes smoothly and will not take much time.
- And what time will the hearing, sir?
- This evening session, will take place at five o'clock in the afternoon. And then - he made a solemn pause, - to celebrate the event - again pause - we are with you, my friends, go to the opera! I got four tickets to the box!
I must say, a cheer that followed that statement, published by none other than Mrs. Jobson. I am more glad that the meeting will be in the evening, and I have time to work in the studio, and Donnie, in my opinion, not really understand what it all about. Although, in this case, he smiled politely.
- Well, you're happy?
- We are very pleased, sir. It's just amazing.
I must say, Mr. Jobson took my answer at face value and began to enthusiastically tell how hard it was to get the tickets to the premiere, and for what he had to pull strings, and how many people agree. I smiled mechanically nodded in response to his words, thoughts again returned to the clock.
But what if there is any hint of a steering wheel, which is located in the attic? And the bow shape there is also a reason. Maybe it's a sign? Steering wheel - ship as a management tool, and the figure indicates the right way. So-so, of course, an option, but check its worth. But when will end this dinner? Patience is running out gradually.
To my delight, after a while Jobson zasobiralis home. Finally ask me about my progress in creating a wonderful mechanism to hit the toy store manager, they went home.
Donny again buried in his textbook, and I went into the kitchen.
- Jerome, can distract you for a moment? - suddenly the old servant could help. After all, he, unlike me, knows the house, moreover, in the past, repeatedly watching solve puzzles Sherlock probably push in the right direction.
- Yes, sir?
- Tell me, you can call at random any item in this house, which would be associated with your ship, storm, or perhaps Stranger Tides?
- Of course, sir! - he took without blinking an eye. - This is your picture, you have presented us with Marjorie at Christmas. It is called - "On Stranger Tides". Show you, sir?
- Um, yes, of course!
My picture? And what I should ask about it yesterday?
Chapter 13.
When, just a couple of minutes, Jerome returned to the picture in his hands, I still reproached himself for the stupid habit always and everywhere to look for complicate
d ways, and the inability to simply ask for help and advice. How many problems could have been avoided!
"Painting", as it is called a man, was small, with three-quarters of a standard sheet of landscape, watercolor, set in a thin wooden frame. It was shown the confrontation raging storm and already pretty battered sailing ship. And, judging by virtually disappearing in high waves, the lifeboat, the crew had no doubt in the outcome of the battle. But the most interesting was the fore. It stretched a deserted beach, black and dead. Here and there, the ground rose a vague, unclear, translucent shadows. What is it - it was absolutely impossible to understand. But overall, the picture produced an eerie impression. From her and blew chilling fear of death and something even more terrifying than death. On the back crawl.
- This is exactly what I drew?
- Yes, sir.
- Tell me, Jerome, and she does not scare you? This painting.
- a bit frightening, sir. Marjorie, no offense to you will be told, it does not like. Too it is alive.
- I would say - dead - just crazy, how could all this draw? Especially a child. Oh, something was all wrong ...
I turned the picture. On the flip side, on the frame substrate, read: "On Stranger Tides". And nothing more. Strange. And where the tip? Or I missed again, and it is not in this picture?
So, let's not rush. Once again, I looked at the picture carefully. A narrow wooden frame could hardly have something to hide. But subtle pinks, Pincher cardboard substrate, can bend. Moreover, there is a feeling that someone had already done.
- Mr. Brown also asked about this picture, sir.
- Uncle? When?
- About a week before his departure. He said that he needed to check something, and took her to the office. Then he returned.
Aha! So, I was not mistaken! Most likely, uncle hid clues it here. I hastily unbent cloves, pulled a thick cardboard. And barely had time to catch the coin in the air, which fell out of the makeshift hiding place. The inscription "Rex Castelle", a schematic view of the castle with three towers. Wow! This is what the Castilian doubloon? I remembered this image - at one time was interested in pirates, and all that is connected with it.
There was nothing more for support. So it is in this case a coin.
- Jerome, it's not you put it here?
- No, sir. I think it made your uncle. This is one of its Spanish collections of coins.
- the Spanish collection?
- Yes, sir. Mr. Brown assembled a small collection of things, he said, added to his inspiration. Among them - a few items related to the Spanish treasures and pirates. I'm sorry, sir, I do not hurt something that I understand.
- Where are all these things? I have not seen them in the house.
- I think they are in the safe of Mr. Brown, sir.
Well, where would they be used. I feel that there is a lot of interesting ... By the way, if you worked one time may come, and more?
- Jerome, and this coin, it will not remind you of anything? - I handed a man a doubloon.
He took it doubtfully shook before my eyes, read the inscription.
- I'm afraid not, sir. Coin itself is not familiar to me.
- The coin is not met, and that familiar? Inscription? - I hurried to grab a strange intonation Jerome.
- Yes, sir. Actually, not all. Word Rex, sir. It reminded me of Arthur Rex name.
- Arthur Rex? King Arthur? And where does it?
- No, sir, King Arthur, and Arthur Rex, well, or simply Rex, as you called it. Your dog, sir.
- What? I have a dog? But why did not anyone tell me about this? - Wow. I have all my childhood dream of a dog, how about something absolutely unrealizable, and here at you - the dog.
- Excuse me, sir, I put it wrong ... You have a dog, she died a year ago. Rather, it was a dog Mr. Brown, but yours too. You loved him. Mr. Brown pile it in honor of Mr. Jobson, and partially paid tribute to his breed. It was a royal dog, sir.
Everything is clear now. A kind of pun - Rex, which means royal, king, Arthur, in honor of a friend. Together, Arthur Rex, or King Arthur.
- So you think that this coin can be a hint of a dog, Rex?
- It is likely, Sir, - The man smiled. - In your place, I would not reject this option. It is possible that this decision is not so obvious, but ... once you've tried to dig up the treasure in the garden, and everything was much easier. I advise you to visit its booth, sir.
- booth? I do not see any booths.
- It is necessary to go through the back door, sir. Shed in the backyard. Mr. Brown did not dare to remove it.
- Thank you, Jerome!
- Exit through the kitchen, sir!
I rushed into the street, without dressing. Backyard drowned in darkness, even aggravated by a sharp transition from a brightly lit room. In the very depths of it, adhering to a low fence, dog house standing. Slowly, in the dark, fear of stepping in a hole or something to hold on, I went to her side. Having considered the dog home, I was finally confirmed in the thought that Jerome was right.
Booth was artfully stylized ancient castle. Someone has to work hard to create these battlements and round towers. Eyes already a little accustomed to the darkness, and I was not hard to read the inscription above the entrance, make a beautiful Gothic script: "Camelot". Ah yes, uncle, ah yes joker! I think there may be, and Excalibur somewhere hang from the fence. But, unfortunately, to satisfy the curiosity I can only tomorrow. Too dark. Even if you bring home a lamp, still remains the risk of missing some important details.
I shivered. Still cold and horrible.
- Sir, you need help? - from the porch he heard the voice of Jerome.
- No, thank you, I'm going back.
Returning to the house, he remembered about another point that considered it important, and I turned back to the elderly servant,
- Jerome, tell me, where do you keep this picture?
- I hung it on the wall in our room with Marjorie, sir. However, sometimes I take it, but only if the wife wakes up at night. Silly woman, said that she was afraid of ghosts, who are drawn there. Forgive her, sir.
- You do not ask for forgiveness for what I understand you perfectly. I must admit I wonder why I have not painted for you something more life-affirming. So, Jerome, if this picture is frightening and unpleasant to your wife you do not hang it in any case. Hide away, and it is better to discard. I am not offended, and I'll be glad. I admit, she scares me.
- What are you, sir! How can you, it's a gift!
- Look, you have the right to do with it whatever, I just want to say that none of this will not be offended. Thank you very much for your help.
- It's my job, sir.
Back in the dining room, I found Donnie dozing on the textbook. The clock on the mantelpiece showed a quarter to ten. It's time to go to bed, given that tomorrow, as usual, a lot of cases, but I still would like to read a little before going to sleep.
I must say, for the short time I spent in this world, I had time to get used to the routine of the shelter, get up early in the morning I have there is no difficulty, but to ten in the evening - the usual lights out time - I have actually started to feel drowsy. Here it is, the force of habit!
- Donald Watson! Why is sleep in class! - I could not help it, and did not make fun of Donny.
- I do not sleep, sir! - one immediately stood up and opened his sleepy eyes completely senseless. However, he quickly oriented himself, and after a couple of seconds I was flying sighting fired cushion.
- Hey, what you are doing! - I was not expecting it to be so difficult, specifically did not dodge. Pillow hit in the face, causing a momentary dizziness and forced to recoil.
- Oh! Sherlock, I'm sorry, I did not want to! - Donnie, not expecting such an effect, jumped up from the couch and ran to me.
- It's okay. Damn, what's in it, sand, or what? - I picked up a pillow from the floor.
- This horse hair, sir. If you want to continue the war pillows, I recommend up to the bedroom. There's a pillow stuffed with goose down,
they are lighter and more suitable for battle - the voice of Jerome, who appeared at the door, attracted by our fuss, oozed polite irony. I blushed.
- Thank you, Jerome. I think we will not continue. Yes, Donny? - A friend who was a frightened look, without raising his eyes, nodded. - And in general, it was late, it's time to sleep.
- Good night, Mr. Brown, Mr. Watson. I'll have about your evening milk - man faintly smiled and left the room.
I looked at Donny and suddenly I made out the anger. What to do with the child, so that he every second compressingly tail like a dog, waiting to strike? So that it has ceased to believe in the people and used to bad that the usual good attitude perceives how God's grace?
- Donnie, you go to sleep? Or just going to sit here all night?
- I'm going ...
Upstairs in the bedroom and decided not to go to bed until it's Marjorie with milk, I picked up on his desk diary. There is no explanation of the excitement with which I opened its pages - I did not write, and to this my past what was written in it, did not have any relation. But somehow I felt strange and anxious to read it. Newly opened at random.
"June 28.
The first month of summer is already almost over. The street is very hot. Uncle says that this scorching heat was not very many years. All around complaining and Tonto Josy completely exhausted. The kitchen is so terrible, probably like hell. I started reading a new book about the glorious knight Ivanhoe, I really like. When I grow up, I will definitely be a knight. Just do not understand where I'm going to keep my steed? Stables we have. Uncle says that now the times are different, the Knights go without armor and the horse they also do not need. In my opinion, this is some wrong knights. What a knight without a horse? I need to be, and armor, and a sword, and a horse. Horse - always. "
A quiet knock on the door made me stop reading.
- Yes, come in!
- Your milk, sir, - entered the room, Marjorie. I took the tray from her hands.
- Thank you so much.
- Good night, sir.
I put the tray on the bedside tables. Desire to return was not a diary. Somehow I got sick to read the details of the past Sherlock. In fact, the more I learned about him, the more often I thought of as a living, present, boy, with their habits and dreams. As if this is not just the past synthesized virtual character, but the real life of a child, which I chose, instilling in his body. All this evokes horror and terrible in my life and so lacking.
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