Named Sherlock

by Bagatur Zhamkochyan

  - So that's what I said, when you are so rude I interrupted?

  - About the holiday, sir ...

  - Yes! That's about it! Today a real holiday. Why, you may ask? And I'll answer! Because just today I realized that you're not a complete muddle, not as hopeless as I had thought!

  Well, that does not understand, or praise, or offended ... In any case, so as not to irritate him once again, I decided nevertheless to thank.

  - Thank you sir. I am very happy.

  Mr. Shaw laughed. I began to feel more and more that the old man have changed over the last five days I have not seen him.

  - I'm glad he did. Well, a good laugh, and that's enough - he suddenly became serious. - Boy, I'm really glad to have found a talented student who, with due diligence, it is able to achieve my, I see no reason to be modest, a very high level of skill. And perhaps even exceed it.

  - Thank you sir.

  - Only you must not forget that it requires years and years of self-sacrifice and hard work, skill does not fall from the sky.

  - I understand, sir.

  - As for the cruise of your car ... How, by the way, did you call it?

  - Mehanolet, sir.

  - Mehanolet ... - The old man frowned. - Above the title is definitely worth another thought. So, your mehanolet - a true work of art. The very idea of powered flight fresh enough, and implement it in an original way, use this elements known, but never before in this way does not apply - it's really brave. Tell me but this plate with holes - their own location can be changed?

  - Yes, sir. The location of these holes are coded position adjustment controls. I thought to write a statement, which will be described exactly how the hole on the plate must be positioned to perform a particular maneuver. Complete with mehanoletom will go some empty plates with labels hole positions, and manual punch. And it will be possible to make the flight program.

  - As you said, the program?

  - Well, it means - a sequence of instructions, commands.

  - Well, it's very, very original and bold. I congratulate you, my young apprentice! You coped with the task completely, you managed to create a mechanism that really surprised and delighted me. I will not hide, I am proud of your progress!

  System message is not long in coming.

  - Congratulations! Quest "Independent work" is made.

  - Reward: experience 3000 (500/15000), the mechanics of +5 (27)

  - gained a level!

  - Stage 7 (available for distribution characteristics - 1)

  Wow! Surprise and joy I almost danced on the spot. Five! As many as five units of mechanics! Plus those two units that I gained while working on mehanoletom, a total of twenty-seven. Yes, cherished thirty units closer, almost in one step.

  - Sir, thank you very much, it is entirely thanks to you!

  - Well, I do not entirely - the old man grinned. - Would you dunce, I would not have been able to do. So that your merit here no less. By the way, what are your plans for your creations?

  - you, sir You see, my mehanolet - an opportunity to become a supplier of the department of mechanical toys in one of the largest shops. I need to start to earn a living on their own, I do not want to sit on the neck of his uncle.

  - Well, your desire is commendable. But in the future, when you become a real master, I would advise you to think about your own cabin. Now your work will bring fame and money to the owner of the store, and must be - just for you.

  - Thank you very much, sir, for advice - that's just not me opportunities to use it, I was not going to be in this project for many years. Provided that it will depend on me.

  - Well, I think you're free today. Your mehanolet laid up in the studio. And by the way, in your place I would have thanked Mr. Robertson, he's just a magician, I did not even expect. All go, I need to work. And do not you dare be late tomorrow!

  Without giving me time to recover, the old man practically pushed me out of your closet and shut the door right in front. Shrugging, I went to the studio.

  Model lying on the table, proudly stretched alo golden wings. Having considered the painting closely, I quietly gasped - Mr. Robertson was indeed a great master. He managed to create the illusion of a real, live flame, which swirls and splashes covered fuselage and wings bloomed on strange, crimson flowers. In general, mehanolet reminded fabulous phoenix firebird or even at rest, and even in flight this illusion only intensified.

  How can thank Master for such work? I have no money, and besides, I wanted to give something more significant than money. So I do not think for a start, I decided to just go to the beginning, to say thank you.

  Locked the shop, I went to Mr. Robertson, in his little room under the stairs. Finding masters for nailing the soles of the shoe to the new kid, I had started to say words of gratitude, but was interrupted.

  - You know, Mr. Brown, I'm from you do not need any gratitude. I only had what I looked in his old age, this old devil Shaw as a young jumping across rooftops. Anyway, somehow I'm glad that in this case my hand.

  Once again I marveled altruism master who previously did not show it, I went to the library, said Donny, it's time to go. I found it all in the same chair in which he had spent long hours in solitude with a book in his hand. Seeing me, each dramatically closed the book, got up and put it on the shelf. His appearance at the same time was extremely embarrassed. Very interesting...

  - What are you reading? - I tried to sound bored and disinterested as possible notes.

  - Oh, nothing special, nonsense. Fiction. Well, you're released, we go home?

  - Yes, I'm finished. We'll go with you, but not home. I need to call back in one place to talk with someone - talking to Donnie, I quietly moved closer and closer to the place from which was visible shelf with books, where each set that you have just read. I remember shade maroon binder, I hope that these in a row will not be much.

  - Okay, let's go. It's a while?

  - Of course not. The thing is literally a couple of minutes, and then straight home.

  Pretending that I was untied shoelace, I took another step forward, and sat down, ostensibly tying it. From this position, I just opened a beautiful view of the desired shelf, in the midst of which I saw the same volume. To read the title on the spine, I had to exert great vision and squint, but when I finally saw it, I almost groaned in disappointment. William Shakespeare, "Collected Works, sonnets."

  Someone might ask - what's wrong with that Donnie read Shakespeare? Of course, anything. I myself have several times re-read the "Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Othello" and "King Lear" and was by one of my favorite works, but it seems to me that Donnie did not read it. Would not he hurried to close and hide the book. I feel that there has not been without a sad story crossed lovers who died in each other's arms, and that is what upset me the most. The fact that one began to read or reread the tragedy "Romeo and Juliet", saying that he already feels unhappy in love, and that no good could result.

  Mentally cursing Marissa, from which I have always been nothing but trouble, and promising himself to look after Donnie, I got out of the library after him.

  Almost instantly, catching a cab, we went to the house of Mr. Leksidi. Donnie silent soaring in the clouds. Probably he imagined how he would steal Marissa from the wedding, and will take away into the sunset. If only it did not end badly, on this hotties you can expect anything.

  Fifteen minutes later, we were standing at the door of the room, where I found my visit last complete devastation and Mr. Leksidi, drunk in the smoke, in the middle of a pile of garbage. Knocking and waiting for an answer, we went.

  At this time the situation was better, though not by much. Mr. Leksidi still lying on the couch, though this time completely sober, but apparently suffering from a severe hangover, judging by his morbid mind and how it curves and winced at the slightest sound. The room, however, was the relative order. Wallowing around debris disappeared, as well as broken down into parts of the chair. About yesterday's attack looked like a riot of alcohol and Scherb
iny marks on the wall, on which, apparently, and that poor chair was broken.

  - Good afternoon, Mr. Leksidi, I see, you are almost normal.

  - Oh, it's you, the young investigator, because of which I was kicked out of the service? Of course, I'm fine, how much can now be a normal man in my position - no job, no pension, no livelihood.

  - Look, I'm sorry that it happened. Detective March visited you?

  - Nimble Mr. March, - the old man tried to chuckle, but then frowned, apparently from a bout of headache. - Comes, sympathized. It brings a bit of money for the first time, thanks to him. I brought your funny picture. Beautiful. Will comfort me when I'm going to die of hunger.

  - So, stop feeling sorry for yourself. No one will not die, I found you a new job. Rather, it found my guardian, but it is not important to you.

  - a new job? What are you, son? Who wants an old man, if the young are unemployed. I've already gone seventy, I can?

  - Stop. You can a lot of things, you have a great experience. And the work is similar to that which you were doing before. This is the position of assistant librarian at the Royal Bar. Going?

  - What? I'll go? Of course, I'll go! - The old man tried to get up from the couch, but apparently he felt still very, very bad, because the rise, and could not.

  - Good. You just do not drink anything, okay? Here is the address - I put on the table a piece of paper. - Ask Mr. Ottisa there, you say that you have sent a lawyer Jobson. You will wait for the day after tomorrow morning. And I'll come to you tomorrow night, and we'll talk. You remember that promised to tell me about your investigation?

  - Of course I do, I'll tell you everything I know.

  - Then I'll leave you until tomorrow, and in the evening I shall come. I hope you do not hold on to me for the evil that because of me you got fired.

  - Do not keep, my son, do not hold. The more that you have to fix it.

  - Well, not yet, but I hope that everything will turn out. Goodbye, Mr. Leksidi recovering.

  Chapter 19.

  - Amusing old man. I never think that before he was a detective-Don, stood silently in a corner all the time of our visit, spoke, as soon as we stepped outside.

  - Really? And how do you imagine a retired detective?

  - Well, I do not even know. He should be intelligent to see through everyone, it should be obvious weaknesses. And this man, he is like a broken toy, it looks useless and pathetic.

  - Wow! It seems to me that the image of the ideal detective formed you from the pile of books read about the detectives, not otherwise. Or are you familiar with a real detective?

  Donnie blushed, but did not hesitate, but on the contrary, clearly tuned in to defend the opinion:

  - Well, I am not that familiar, seen once, but you yourself told. Here, take, for example, your friend, the detective Marcha, except he's not? He's a smart, strong, the search for truth puts on the first place, above all else. I'm sure it did not break the household difficulties, and he would not have drunk to the bestial state, if it has lost a job, and began to seek a way out!

  - Oh, if only it were so. There are no perfect people, and every one of us can break, you just need time to press the right spot. And it is at everyone, I'm sure. And Detective March is also not as flawless as you think. I admit that he even wondered the same as you, at the beginning of his service. Now, however, his opinion about the truth and that's really important, and expensive, has changed, and I ran with it. He is a man like you and me, and not the ideal hero of the book. Yes, these, I'm sure, and do not be among the normal, living people.

  - Why, then describe them?

  - Probably to a person always had a dream ...

  The street was getting dark when we finally managed to stop the carriage. I felt a vague anxiety and wanted to get to get home. Not that I was afraid for our safety, walking around in the frankly unfavorable area adjacent to the docks, being dressed as a secured master. It was just unsubstantiated feeling of vague anxiety.

  In the carriage, on the way home, it's a little strange feeling passed. Donnie trailed off, wondering whether our conversation, or again dreaming of Marissa, I'm without a single thought in my head, just tried to relax a little and enjoy a half-hour rest. The crew gently swayed on its springs. I closed my eyes and slowly let go of consciousness in a leisurely swim in the waves responsive nap, when suddenly came to mind a sudden thought made me instantly awake.

  I do, that's just the same, absolutely forgot about the reason that prompted me to experiment on himself. My perception is now equal to ten points, and I have not even checked that this has changed.

  To focus on Donnie, I wait until translucent informational signs, and immediately noticed the difference. Now, in addition to the name and level, there is evidence of the relation of an object to me, or rather about my his reputation. It looked now as: "Donald Watson, a young man, 7 level respectful attitude.".

  Not very impressive. While, on the other hand, and what I expected? What I will present on a silver platter all the details? This is silly.

  And now the most important thing, for what, in fact, I risked health. Glancing at Donny, who stared blankly out the window, lost in myself, I pulled out from under the jacket with a chain hanging from her amulet.

  Gaze a little effort of thought, and! My suffering was not in vain, subject to perception, has reached a new heights, the amulet could not hide his secret any longer. In the palm of my lay not nothing like "Tooth Dakuvangi", giving its owner for three units of resistance and three - good luck. I do not know how to good luck, I still did not understand, whether it is this option works well if works, then how, but the resistance was very out of place.

  After admiring for a moment, as though alive and really seeing eye on the precious sheath, I again removed the miniature dagger-amulet in her bosom. The crew, meanwhile, drove up to the house, and we Donny hurried exit.

  The house met us warm, quiet and inviting aromas of preparing dinner. We looked at each other and without saying a word, moved into the dining room. Marjorie popped up to meet us there and then hurried to set the table, our hungry eyes were very eloquent.

  Baked chicken with boiled potatoes was swallowed just a couple of minutes. I must say that in the time that I spent in this world, I almost forgot neutral taste, or rather, even the almost complete lack thereof, in the synthetic food reality. This, incidentally, is one of the many things that I will miss on the return. When taking into account the fact, of course, that I can go back.

  - Whew - sated sigh Donnie distracted me from the sad thoughts. - I never thought before, that someday he could eat a whole chicken.

  - I also.

  - You? You would think that before you did not eat it.

  Well, I for Donnie child from a wealthy family, who never knew the needs. Naturally, he could not imagine that I really had never eaten chicken or whole, or even a small piece. And I tell him the truth, I could not.

  - Probably ate. Maybe. For me, life began from the moment when I opened my eyes on a bench in the park, and all that was before me, I know only from the stories of other people. So I do eat chicken for the first time, and a lot of things I will do for the first time.

  - I'm sorry, I did not think about it - Donnie noticeably embarrassed.

  - It's okay, I'm not offended.

  - You know, Sherlock, and I'm even a little jealous of you. No, you do not understand, - Donny waved his hands, seeing that I am going to argue. - It is not what you were born into a wealthy family, your uncle a famous writer. The thing is just that you do not remember your past. Sometimes, I also start to dream about it.

  - Why?

  - Well, you know, when I think about how my life has changed, that my dream came true and I can become alchemist master, that there are people who want to help me and that I am not indifferent, I feel so happy. I'm starting to believe that I really can achieve something in this life. And then again I begin to recall Henry, and all returned to their seats. I again nobody wanted freeloader, on what not cap
able, from which all alone in trouble ...

  - Henry? Who is it?

  - This is the new husband of my mother.

  - How often do you think about this?

  - Before - every day, now much less frequently. Just when I recall this, I begin again to feel that everything is meaningless, that from me and the truth is there is no sense that one day the people around me see the light, they see how I am useless and bring me back to a shelter or on the street .

  - Donnie, come on. Nobody thinks you're useless, or idler. In fact, everyone who knows you are very good. Mrs. Rose appreciates you and believes that you deserve the best, and she told me about it. Mr Birkin thinks you're the most talented of his students, Miss Emily at all for you constantly going through, and not because it thinks you're weak and useless. How you are treated Jobson? Mrs. Jobson loved you like a brother, almost from the moment she saw. About me I'm not even going to talk, you're my only friend, and that's it. Therefore, that said some of Henry, you do not think, let him at least three times a husband to your mother!

  - Yes, you're right, I'll often say it, just I do not always believe himself. And believe you. Thank you, Sherlock.

  - Stop it. Let's leave this topic. Tell me something better tomorrow because you go to school in a shelter?

  - Tomorrow? I'm not sure.

  - What? Wait, are you going to just ignore them again? Donny, this is not the case.

  - No, I'll come, warn that no one worried.

  - warned? Very interesting. And where will you really?

  - Sherlock, you just do not get angry, and do not be offended. I can not say anything to you now, perhaps later.

  - Donnie, I very much hope that it is not associated with Marissa, and you will not incur any problems. This woman - a predator, do not mess with it, it will swallow you will not even notice.

  - Stop it! You do not know anything about it! - Donny suddenly jumped up so quickly that he almost dropped the chair. - I am very tired and do not want to talk anymore. I'll go lie down - he went out of the dining room, slamming the door.

  Damn it! Just what I was missing. If too soft and timid Donnie begins to raise his voice and slam doors, then we are talking about a really strong love. Why, why he chose this particular subject for yourself? Although, if we are to be honest to the end, not a single girl, able to compete with Marissa, I can not remember not only to the crowd in the lobby of the opera house, but in general. So Donnie could easily understand. But how did it all out of place!