Named Sherlock

by Bagatur Zhamkochyan

  And now I consider, in prison. It would be good, if I still managed to kill that vile creature, Lady Elizabeth, and suddenly - no? Suddenly now it will go, taking advantage of my helplessness, I look into my eyes and I, Mr. Appleton, hung on his own pants?

  Amulet! Mechanically I ran a hand over his chest. Strangely, he was there, and I took it like a lifeline.

  Then, the door actually opened. But was not on the verge of Lady Elizabeth, I must confess, expected, and an unknown girl in a blue dress, white apron and a kerchief. The first thing that caught my eye - a huge red cross embroidered on the chest.

  Seeing that I opened my eyes and turned his head, she let out a muffled cry and then shut the door, then, judging by the frequent clatter of heels, somewhere to run.

  A minute later the door opened again, and went into the room of an elderly, heavyset man in a white coat.

  - You Look, really came to life, and we'll admit, and did not expect. Well, look here.

  In his hand he had a small shiny hammer, he began to drive in front of my eyes. Right, left to his nose. After that, tapping me on the knees and checking reflexes, Doctor clearly cheered.

  - Well, at first glance, everything is normal. You can say what? How are you feeling?

  And could I say? I do not know, I have not been able to test.

  - Okay, - I hissed quietly. Well, I could say, but the language is hardly twisted and turned, his throat dry.

  - Mary, bring water, - the man turned to his companion.

  She ran out, then he came back with a glass. I accepted it with gratitude and gulped down. Dryness gone, the language ceased to resemble a piece of pumice.

  - Thank you very much, now much better - his voice became stronger and harder, hissing passed.

  - Well, that's wonderful. Now you bring to eat until quite a bit, so as not to become ill. Wake up until it is impossible, I think, and you just will not work. Gain strength, they will need you soon.

  I wonder why this is? I do not think that something good ... As if the doctor know at the same time if he is with them? Maybe it will be possible to win him over to my side? It seems that he does not look like a bastard ...

  - Tell me, Doctor, but what I will soon be necessary to force?

  - What, what? For a meeting with Detective Marchi, he has long been waiting for, until you come to your senses. The first days here almost around the clock guard.

  First days?! My mom, it's how much I'm here I roll?

  - Ahh ... - horror took my breath away, and I could not squeeze out anything more intelligible. Fortunately, the doctor realized that I wanted to say.

  - How many days? Well, today went to the ninth. I told you, we would not even dream that you wake up.

  The man pulled out his watch, looked at it, frowning.

  - So, I have to go, I shall come to you later. Who will feed you Maria, try to eat everything, even if there is no appetite. Good?

  I nodded, digesting the doctor's words that took eight days. My head was still out of order, it is something buzzing and fire intermittently. Apparently it stopped me immediately think of the troubles associated with it. Firstly - I failed quest to mehanoletom now work is not seen as their ears without a mirror in the toy store to me. Five days of hard work in vain.

  But this is minor compared with the second disaster. Carried away by the whirlwind of events of this world, I completely forgot that in the real world there is some competition, which I, in fact, still have to win, otherwise why all this? Now what? Spectators eight days observed as lying on the bed unconscious, or me at this time to turn off all of the broadcast? In general, no matter what it was, I'm sure its rating inflicted enormous damage.

  While I indulged despondency, he reappeared nurse, this time with a tray on which was a plate of liquid broth, thin slice of brown bread, and a mug of tea with a liquid. She clearly has intended to feed me, but this I could not afford, so he took a spoon and myself, at first a little shedding due to shaky hands, he began to eat.

  Whatever the doctor said - forces still need? Exactly! Because I plan to get out of here. I'm not going to wait until you see a beautiful woman, calling herself my sister, or even a relative, and after I suddenly confess to kidnapping, or even in someone's murder.

  I must say, to carry it, obviously, is not as easy as I would like. Eating a bowl of broth, I leaned back on the pillow with a feeling as if peretaskat several tons of cargo. Nakata weakness, dizzy, like a madwoman.

  - You feel bad? - cute nurse Maria anxiously leaned over me.

  - No, I just need a little rest.

  - Relax, doctor will come after surgery, in the late afternoon. Get some sleep.

  She smiled, picked up the tray and left.

  Well, of course, get some sleep. No, no, sleep just can not be the same, in any case, that's just a little otdyshites and business.

  I came to a half an hour, and then slowly stood up cautiously. Unsteadily walked across room. Weakness was just horrible, but the head is not spinning. Looking behind the screen, I found there another chair, on which all of my things were stacked. There was only a sword belt with darts and crossbow. Well, I suppose, of course, it they took in the first place.

  Slowly, respite, dressing, I found in his trouser pocket his master key, and did not even believe in such luck. Apparently, the man who had searched my things, had no idea about its purpose, otherwise I can see why he left.

  Armed with the key, I went to the window. Fortunately for me, the grid was not tightly mounted into the wall, and was made in the form of a door, hanging on its hinges, and a locked on big padlock. To reach it, we had to perch on the bedside table, which was not so easy. But from then on it was a matter of technique.

  Click lock discarded grille and window open. To the earth far enough, although only the second floor. Immediately jump I did not dare, not even enough to break a leg. Snowdrift at the bottom looked tempting, you could try to land it but unsure - as well as it is not just the snow? Suddenly there was something sharp or hard beneath the thin layer of snow?

  But under the window I saw a narrow ledge, which stretches along the entire building. If you walk on it, it is just five meters across, we could jump off the roof of the adjacent single-storey wing, and with him already on the ground. Too high, but at least not two floors.

  Time should not have to lose at any moment could come after me, so I resolutely climbed onto the ledge. Casually looking at the ground, I suddenly realized that it is terribly far away, dizzy, and I frantically grabbed the window frame. Oh, no, absolutely not look down! Crossing the small steps, I almost went beyond the boundaries of the window, when suddenly I heard the sound of a door opening and inarticulate cry. I did not, someone went into the ward!

  Run! Convulsion towards saving roof, I suddenly felt my right leg begins to frantically slide. Shift the weight to the left, I have not had time, and slowly, as if not in a hurry, began to be filled up at the back. Here is the second leg gave way, fell from the rim, and I fell to the ground backwards. At the last second he saw over the head of a gray sky branch of a tree, a bird's nest on it, then blow followed. There was no pain. The last thing I felt like it pulled out of the lungs fill them with air and then came almost the familiar darkness.

  When I opened my eyes the next time I was in the same room, from which he tried to escape. Turning his head to the window, I realized that the room, though, is different. At this time, the lattice has been deeply embedded in the wall, and a chance to escape I did not have any more.

  Once again, I was naked and laid in bed, my clothes were neatly folded on the chair beside him. From above, as if in a subtle mockery, lay my now useless, universal key.

  I sighed. I can not say that I was seized with despair, but the idea that I will most likely not the right - very much oppressed. Are all these children, which I found in the basement - died? And Irwin? He could leave, and waited for me ...

  From my sad thoughts distracted by the growing noise in the hallway. There is clearly arguing or sweari
ng. I involuntarily listened.

  - Explain to me as a patient who has this morning lay motionless and unconscious, now riding on the windows? And why in the House was not even a nurse?

  - The nurse fed him and left. It was literally five minutes. Nobody expected such a hurried from it ...

  - Here you have an example of that from a man can expect anything! Lucky he did not crash, I do not know what I did to you did.

  - Detective, I do not like your threats, take the trouble to come down a peg!

  Detective! Oh, and I was hoping that I will have another chance to escape, before he comes back ...

  - I'm sorry, Doctor, I got excited. I just waited so long for the time when he comes to himself, and now this. Once again, I apologize. I can talk to the boy?

  - Not sure - Dr. tone was quite dry. - When I came to him last time he was still unconscious. But, we can check.

  Under the door the sound of footsteps, and the door opened gently. The Chamber went daveshny a man in a robe behind him seemed detective. His left arm was bandaged and hung in a sling, the mere sight of it was quite alarmed.

  - Oh, our patient woke up - having seen that I have dug my eyes, smiled the doctor. - And where did you suddenly decides to jump out of the windows, young man?

  - I do not remember - I do not know on which side of the doctor and whether he knows a lot, so it's best to pretend to be a fool.

  - Strange. He was in adequate condition, react - a man turned to the detective. - Perhaps the shock ...

  - Maybe. I could talk alone with the boy?

  - How do you feel? - he turned back to me the doctor.

  - tolerance. Dizzy, I did - nothing.

  - Well, it would have you not dizzy. Well, Detective, you can talk for ten minutes, but much of the patient do not tire.

  The doctor turned and left the room.

  - And where are you going to run away? And most importantly, why? - March detective went to the bed, sat on the standing beside her chair and crossed his legs.

  - I do not remember.

  - Do not remember? Very sorry. Then, I think, there's no point in telling you about what the outcome of the investigation ...

  - Investigation? So it is all the same end?

  - Of course. Do you doubt it? The investigation is completed, the killer is caught, the children are exempt.

  When I heard the words of the detective about the children, I thought that my breasts removed a stone slab, so it became easy and pleasant to breathe. Although I should not have to relax, I'm convinced that you can not trust anyone.

  - How can I make sure that the kids really saved me and you is not cheating?

  - What? And where did you get ... - Detective eyebrows shot to his forehead, then he smiled knowingly. - Ahh, so you're guessing that we'll use? Well, it is commendable, I was convinced that you would not understand. It is a credit to your ability to think.

  Oh wow, at least I would have blinked an eye! It is a pity, but because Detective March I really liked.

  - Well, I will not torment you, I will tell. I am sure you are interested in details. So, when you came to me with the news that the orphanage children were gone, I immediately realized someone is doing. And we had to quickly change the timing of the operation. Yes, in general, because of the loss of everything went topsy-turvy. Old, Greta told me that the witch is not limited to youth, that equilibrium is disturbed, and that each time more and more risks. But even the old woman could not imagine that it will be resolved as quickly on this ritual. Yes, he would have only one, the last, but the risk to wake Master Waters was immeasurably higher than before. Witch hoped to deal with it with the help of stolen power and gained immortality. You know, we take the risk?

  Frankly, I do not understand anything. Old, Greta? Who is it? And that goes without my detective knew who was behind it all? Ah, yes, of course, he knew that if he was involved in this. Or not?

  - Who's the old Greta?

  - Old, Greta? But you also know her, my dear grandmother, kind, sympathetic. Witch Hackney.

  - Wait a minute. Have you spoken to her?

  - Well yes. She came to me about two weeks ago. She said she made a mistake by putting one on you that you are too weak, and have become stronger in no time. What time is almost there, and I have to help you.

  - Help me? But why did not she just tell you to do everything yourself, if I so weak? - not that I was slischkom ambitious, but the detective words seemed to me a little sad.

  - She said that you - the key. I do not know why, but that you have to be in the middle of everything, my same task was not to leave you there alone. But the problem was that officially I could not get close to the woman too close, to say honestly, I tried to not even look in that direction, so as not to cause unnecessary suspicion. Therefore, all the research I conducted during off-hours, at your own risk.

  - Wait a minute. That is, you are unofficially investigated this matter? But ...- I suddenly felt cheated. - What if I was doing this unnecessary work?

  - Who told you that it is unnecessary? You hone your thinking, your ability to analyze facts and draw conclusions. Unless you did not feel you have learned a lot during this time? And then, watching as we'll come to the same conclusion, I once again convinced that he is right. Understand, in this case the error can be too expensive.

  - And Mr. Leksidi? Have you talked to him?

  - Well, of course. Do you think that I might have missed a valuable source of information? I asked him not to mention it. I wanted you yourself to understand.

  - Yeah, I understand. I am as a puppet on strings dance to your music.

  - Sherlock, you're wrong. You're acting like a child, pestuya their complexes, oblivious to the fact that together we caught the killer, and this would not happened without you!

  - Congratulations! Quest: "Fishing with live bait!" made.

  - Reward: 5000 experience (10500/15000)

  - Congratulations! Quest: "Puppeteer!" made.

  - Reward: 5000 experience (500/25000), the continuation of the quest chain, the subject.

  - gained a level!

  - Stage 8 (available for distribution characteristics - 1)

  Wow, just ten thousand experience points, wow! And it turns out that the killer really caught? That is, I it did not kill! A detective comes out, not a traitor?

  - And by the way you go, this is for you - a detective gave me some kind of flat, round object like a coin. On the one hand, complex coat of arms was depicted on it, on the other - ornate lettering in a language I did not understand.

  - What is it?

  - It? That, my friend Sherlock, the thing for which many people would be willing to pay any money, or kill without hesitation. A sign of special favor of the crown. This thing gives you the right to almost any time be accepted by the Queen, and in addition, many other nice bonuses.

  - But why me? For what?

  - Like what? You participated in the disclosure of the conspiracy against the reigning monarch, it is at your bird recorded testimony of the conspirators.

  - On my bird? But I did not even know about it!

  - So what? Yes, just for the mere fact that you are, without hesitation, climbed into the lair of the bandits, knowing that there Verkhovod woman at the click of a finger, any would start dancing a jig over a precipice, you are worthy of this award.

  - By the way, the detective - here in my head I had the idea that, in theory, was supposed to come back sooner. - And as you yourself escaped mind control Lady Elizabeth?

  - Elementary, Sherlock! You have a friend of the alchemist, I would have guessed. Elixir, which takes away the sharpness of thought and does not concentrate. It is quite famous potion, though forbidden to sale. A large dose of the drug, which is poured into the coffee maid Magda, allowed to reduce the intensity of exposure. And the old Greta helped as much. Doubt, I confess, were. But, fortunately, nothing happened, and you're cool witch distracted by their appearance.

  As soon as I learned new details of the case, I f
elt more and more tired, and besides, suddenly began to hurt badly and dizzy. Well, the final details of the case, you can figure out when I'll come a little to himself, and now I would like to ask the detective one last question.

  - Tell me detective, but why are you preventing me to kill her? After all, since all would have been better, there would be a risk that it will run away and start all over again.

  Detective suddenly stopped smiling.

  - I think that it's just my whim. I do not want you to become a murderer, my friend. It's too heavy burden, and not everyone is able to do. As for the risk, then it is not. Now our lovely Lady Elizabeth with great difficulty can concentrate, to remember his own name, not to mention more. The investigation is almost complete on a royal pardon her count silly. So for her, as well as several of her closest aides and supporters, ready rope. Like this. And now the rest, I see that you are already exhausted. And tomorrow I will come to you again, and you tell me, what is this you have suspected that reached into the box in such a state.

  After the words of the detective, I felt that my cheeks burned with fire unbearable. Answer was nothing, I silently looked at the blanket. The detective smiled.

  - Oh yes! Completely forgot! As soon as you come to your senses, you really want to see Victoria.

  - What is Victoria?

  - Like what? Victoria can be only one! Queen, by itself.

  Queen? Well, just that I was lacking!

  Interlude 3.

  President "VirtArt" the company's office.

  - What? Once again, what did you say? - Leo K. slowly put his glass on the table.

  - All participants immediately and forcibly removed from the online, at least, the players of our cluster. What's going on at the neighbors, I do not know, but I'm sure the same thing. How to respond to instructions the situation was not so long just launched unscheduled profraboty.

  - Profraboty, it's good ... It will give us time. What does the equipment, there are some reports?

  - Iron everything is normal, but the logs for some reason do not. It is too early, perhaps Proteus will be able to answer.