Named Sherlock

by Bagatur Zhamkochyan

  - think quickly, you idiot! - Langdon no longer restrained. - The garrison of soldiers in the course of half an hour of walking, until they will get here - we shoot, and the hotel will burn! There has been a more than once, you need to escape!

  Chapter 8

  - Are you seriously? We really can just kill or maim kakieto sailors?

  - Mr brayn. I beg you, take my words seriously. A few years ago there was a similar situation. Drunken sailor raped a native. Her father - killed the rapist. The same night, a crowd of dockworkers better men, and other trash, which wipes in the port, almost completely destroyed the area where the local live. Then, half the city burned, and more than thirty people were killed. Then, of course, they punish the ringleaders, whom they found, but only the matter has already been done.

  And then it hit me. And this not tried to warn me old? Only it is not clear at what point it was necessary to "open the eyes". Perhaps the case even imagine, in any case, we must not tarry.

  - I understand you, knock on Miss Warren, lift it! - I rushed into the room to the sleeping Donnie.

  To our happiness, he woke up pretty quickly, and even immediately caught the essence of the problem, apparently, concussion was not so strong.

  - It's all my fault!

  - Donnie, this is no time to find out we need to flee! - I must say, I was infected with panic Mr. Langdon, it seemed that I had already heard from the street noise and indistinct cries.

  Quickly dressed and leave the bag in the things, I wondered what to do with Joey. On the one hand, it would be easier if he ran himself, all the same luggage, lightweight on dozen kilograms, great would accelerate me. But, on the other hand, it is, though mechanical, but the dog, and do not know how he would react in an emergency. Suddenly run away? I will not take the risk, the more the plant just ended. Strongly pushed into a bag Joey, I turned to Donnie. He stood firm on his feet, dressed, collected only a little pale.

  - Ready?

  No sooner had the answer, or at least nod as Marissa flew into the room.

  - They're close! Faster!

  - What? How do you know?

  - Tennyson was just outside and said that they are already in the beginning of the street!

  Jumping into the corridor, we saw there panting Tennyson and Mr. Langdon.

  - And now, ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to silence and unquestioning, and lightning-fast performance of my teams. The only way I can ensure that we get away from the chase. Everyone clear? - Langdon looked very calm and resolute, as if he did not have this anger a few minutes ago.

  - Yes, sir, - I have allowed myself to answer for everything.

  - Lord, here now was coming a crowd of drunken bastards, thirsty for our blood. their doors will not stop, so we hide will not. We must leave. So now we get down to the first floor and from there to the cellar. There is an underground passage that leads out of the city. More precisely, earlier led, now there's warehouse district.

  With these words, Mr. Langdon turned and moved decisively down the stairs, we reached for it. The lobby was dark and quiet, the hotel reception desk was empty. Inconspicuous door next to the reception today was ajar.

  - This is office space.

  Tiptoed back, we were in a long corridor, which ended with another half-open door, where he started in the basement staircase.

  - Phew! Well, now we have a little time, here they go at once, - the door closed, there was the sound of the bolt retracts.

  It suddenly seemed ridiculous that we, five adults, middle of the night running from someone else hiding in the cellars ... And, do not know if there really is a danger kakayato!

  I went to the door, stopped, listened. About a minute silence reigned, I did not hear anything, except his own breathing, and was about to turn to Langdon with the words no doubt that the crowd is looking for us, as he heard the door kakieto sounds, humming, ringing of broken glass.

  - Well, here they are. Hurry up, gentlemen! - man approached one of the cabinets and wine, especially without straining, pushed it aside. - I beg.

  Pushing and swearing in whispers, we entered a dark tunnel, and a secret door clicks into place.

  We walked for a long time, though, most likely, so it seemed, because to squeeze a low, crumbling corridor, koekak supported rotten legs, was very joyless. By the time Mr. Langdon finally announced that soon the street, I was beginning to go crazy with creeping claustrophobia - heart pounding like crazy, air is not enough, and the layer of earth above his head felt almost physically.

  Underground tunnel ended a deadlock and a short wooden ladder leading up. Climbing up on it, we were in a small room completely empty.

  - Wait here, I'll check what's going on there - Langdon popped out. It was not five minutes.

  - So, all go out, we try to break into the port. They're attacking the hotel will have time to rush, - the man returned just at the moment when I actually was going to look out.

  We rushed into the street, which I, like, knew - this was the territory of the warehouse, which has already crossed on the way to the native market today. Crouching, using the fact that there was no lighting in the streets, we are slowly making their way to the bay. Occasionally cries, I heard the sound of broken glass, once even had to climb over the hedge and hide in someone else's front garden, where a few people with torches suddenly turned into a side street, we sneak.

  With every minute gained strength in me the confidence that everything will, and have already started to climb in the head outside thoughts. For example, this: "And if we did not meanly, escaped from the hotel, and guests without warning?". And again: "How fortunate that the hotel was the underground passage!". And here's the latest thing that came into my head, I was about to sound, before she seemed to me interesting, when something happened that had happened.

  Mr. Langdon caught on something kicked in the dark head over heels and rolled on the ground, and at the same time there was a loud shot. He immediately jumped to his feet, and has in no way hiding, hysterically screamed:

  - Quick, follow me! In the port!

  Hmm. Even if someone from our pursuers did not hear a shot or ignored him, now, then loudly indicate any doubt where to find us, just disappeared.

  Fortunately, as it turned out, the port was very close. Skip adjacent to it a tiny square with a fish counter, we jumped straight to the docks. On the water, swung a lot of little ships, mostly - small fishing lodchonka locals. Which one is ours - in such darkness to make out it was absolutely impossible, but Mr. Langdon ran forward with confidence. We had no choice but to follow it, as a drunken man threatening cries were heard behind closer. At the same side of a sudden there was a couple of shots.

  - Hey, on board! Takes passengers!

  Without pausing for a second, not even slowing down, a man with a running start, jump one crossed the strip of water that separates the board the boat from the dock, nearly knocking down sleepily otkudato rising from its depths, sailor. Following things fell. Marissa also famously jumped after him, we were the last to Donnie. Taking a deep breath, each strongly jumped into the boat, but I, for fear of damage to Joey, who all this time carried in a bag, at first gently passed it.

  Froze for a few seconds, gathering the courage to jump all the same space had no less than one and a half meters, and even land in the swinging boat, risking to fall to break his legs. At this point, a small square, where in the morning, the day of our arrival, selling fresh sea fish and local fruits, popped the crowd. The distance from the place where I was standing before them was less than fifty yards, and I could clearly see everyone.

  - Here they are! Go!

  - Do not go - there was a confident voice.

  Flashed dim flash, heard a few claps.

  - Sherlock, jump! - I measured. Hell, after shooting at me! About anything without thinking, I darted from the dock into the boat, and in the fall he heard scream Tennyson: "Cut!"

  I keep up, all the same, twisted. But it turned out that later, when we set sail in a good distance f
rom the shore. And then no pain was not only fear, a wild nervous excitement and triumph, when it became clear that in the sea for us, and no one chased us off.

  At that moment, when he fell from the pier, ride head over heels, I do poorly understood what is happening around. However, like a sailor "Burevesnik", which are full of sleeping on sackcloth directly under the bench rower and at first, when everyone began to pour it upon his head, almost jumped over the side, took us for robbers. However, it is still very little was thinking, well, at least not interfere with the actions of mercenaries.

  At that time, they worked just perfect, fulfilling the money that I paid a hundred percent. The second cut the rope that was wrapped around fun on the dock, they together hit the oars. In the few moments it took pursuers to cross the square, the boat was already a dozen meters from the shore and picked up speed.

  From the pier again clapped shots. Obeying Tennyson sharp team, we are including a sailor, which is still not fully realized what was happening, fell to the bottom of the boat. The mercenaries continued to paddle broad strokes, only slightly bent down and hunching his shoulders. Iron guys!

  - Lie quietly until they can still swim for us.

  We stayed for about ten minutes. I looked at extremely bright stars, listen, if there are any suspicious sounds nearby and thought about what should be in the mind of man, that he decided on an open manifestation of animal aggression, and whether he has the right to be called after this man?

  was a lot of black spots in the history of mankind, and many major historical events up to the revolution, that's provoked such seemingly meaningless incidents anything. But, anyway, the reaction of these people to fight in the market, seemed to me now full of excess. It is clear that alcohol in the blood sometimes works with people terrible things, do not forget about the effect of the crowd, where each person is infected madness neighbor, but is it? Go to smash hotel persecute people like animals, shoot at them ... What would have happened if they had caught up with us? Killed or injuries would cost? And by the way, we ran, without telling anyone at the hotel. Perhaps we could suffer because of other people, visitors, staff ...

  But Langdon is what is handsome! He brought us right out from under the strike lucky that he knew about this secret course, wondering why it was used? And where mercenary learned about it? We must ask how things calm down a little, so far nothing has happened again, and I have not forgotten.

  A minute later I suddenly remembered about the things that are left in the port warehouse. Lose their hated. Even if you do not take into account that they cost me a lot of money, I'm sure, that there things I just do not buy. Which cost at least a collapsible canvas boat, a device for the purification of river water or the most expensive set of medicine, antidotes and bandages, which could find! Although the presence of the alchemist in the campaign partly compensated for this loss, but Donnie was also not omnipotent, in the absence of reagents.

  - All kind of come off, get up, gentlemen and lady! - Even in the darkness I could guess the smile on your face, Mr. Langdon.

  And how he manages to maintain his composure in such a situation? Honestly, there is a lot to learn.

  - So what happened there, Mr. - finally spoke up sailor. - I hope you're nobody bumped off? And the captain unseat you ashore and give local authorities.

  - Yes, it's us almost bumped off! - Langdon cheerful laughter sounded even a little creepy after all what happened. - Gentlemen representatives of the local white trash, drank local tangle-legs and went to war on us. If they did not shoot at the same time, we would have probably given, they fight.

  - It is necessary to state authorities - suddenly spoke up, who had been silent all the way Tennyson. - I will never believe that this is all a just happened. The people here at the port, of course, different, except that none of the crowd did not go kudato itself, need someone who will lead it. And to have people to such a state that they will climb the hotel burn, knowing that it is for the hard labor threatens, and even rope ... Those assholes from the market is not able to.

  - But for sure! Not only that, our room was searched ...

  - What? They searched the room? How do you know? - Langdon interrupted me, instantly becoming serious again.

  - Well, it's Donnie noticed - I told the autopsy bubble. But its ability to see the "memory" of the mechanism, I did not mention. Knowledge of it no matter what no effect, and I do not see the point spread. - In general, just at a time when we were not in the hotel.

  - That is to say, that a fight in the market, that it is not by itself come from?

  - It turns out that the so - thoughtfully handed Tennyson. - The boy was provoked to detain us a little longer on the market, but this time to rummage our stuff.

  - And by the way, the guy who followed us, then came to the hotel!

  - What guy? You saw someone else, Sherlock? - Donnie so obviously happy that he was the perpetrator of the accident was almost the victim of a conspiracy, that he did not respond to the "boy."

  - Yes, I saw a young man kakogoto ... More on the market. As soon as he realized that I look at him - was gone. And then I found him in the lobby of the hotel, he was allegedly waiting for a porter.

  - Have you talked to him? - My story is so interested in Langdon that he dropped the oar.

  - No. I tried, but he ran away from me. But I remember it well and was able to describe and identify, if needed.

  - Well, - Langdon began to row again - if you decide to stay here and take part in the investigation, it will be very useful.

  Investigation? Heck! That's what I am considering not exactly need that for sure it's all very long and dreary. Mercenary only confirmed my fears, saying that, as the town is quite small, besides the garrison of soldiers, led by an officer, no other representatives of official power in him. Accordingly, a person of the governor, who will deal with the investigation, will come from the nearest big city - from the colony, or even from within Panama. That is, it will have to wait at least a week, and still do not know how much later will run the investigation.

  - But what are we to do? We can not waste so much time ...

  - There is the option that can suit you. Of course, it's not perfect, but the best I can come up with. We should return to the "Petrel" and go to KastilaSerra as originally planned.

  - What things? Weapons? Do we go right into the jungle so practically naked?

  - See for yourself, Mr. Brown, if you have the desire to stay here for at least a couple of weeks, then, on health. Just keep in mind that, under the terms of our agreement with you, you have to pay us to stay here, even if we will not be day and night to get out of the brothel. This is the first. And there is also the second. Imagine for a moment that the session is right ...

  Session, that is, Mr. Tennyson, who also dropped the oars, listening attentively to Langdon, made a strange sound, very much like a growl.

  - Sorry, friend, I forgot again - it seems that it is not only I heard. - So, imagine that he is right - Langdon continued, - and this is not just a fight and a drunken brawl, and carefully thought-out, planned action directed against you. If you stay in the city, who will protect you until the moment until the criminals are not caught?

  - You are, are not you?

  - We? I'm afraid, Mr. Brown, that we can protect you against accidental dangers on the road and in the jungle. The attempt to deliberately hurt, we can not keep. Therefore, the best thing you could do - is to go back now "Petrel". On the way to Belize from KastilaSerra you do not need any of the things that you have bought, so luggage can be left with a light heart in the port, subsequently sold by proxy. You might even be able to get some political profit. And in Belize, buy the most necessary. Of course, such a luxury equipment to get there, but it is a weapon you can buy exactly.

  - Yeah, I guess you're right ... Probably did.

  Given that we are more talking than rowing boat stopped just a few hundred meters from the shore. To as quickly as possible to get on board the ship, I decided to help. As
king the sailor to show me how to do this, after a couple of clumsy attempts to adapt himself and I am quite confident began waving a paddle, trying to get into a rhythm with the others.

  Since Marissa was not suitable for the job, and Donnie was still not fully fit after a concussion, you'll get just two pairs of oarsmen: Langdon with Tennyson sat on the central bank, I was a nameless sailor on the next, closer to the stern. At first, the work seemed to me quite an enjoyable experience, while busy hands, his head free and there is much to ponder. For example, where do, all the same, Langdon found out about the secret course?

  - Mr. Langdon! And tell me where in this hotel a secret passage and how have you found it?

  - Oh, it's a very interesting story! It was once the house was not a hotel, and belonged to one provided enough gentleman who was young enough popiratstvoval throughout the Caribbean. But, as he attacked solely on Spanish ships, it was considered not a pirate, a venerable and respected captain. Before they reach old age, he decided to settle in PuertoBello. Actually, his money rebuilt the port and fortifications in the form in which they exist now, as well as the entire central part of the city, including the same house, which later became the property. And since this gentleman constantly feared for his life, from his house were several secret underground tunnels in different parts of the city. And I know this because my last visit to this wonderful city, brought a fairly close acquaintance with a lady who worked there as a maid.

  Yes, really lucky, so lucky. It is terrible to imagine what would happen to us if Mr. Langdon did not know about this secret passage, or he would have been locked up. I wonder if the hotel has escaped?

  A paddle is not so and easy. It's only twenty minutes, I took him, but gradually began to feel the increasing fatigue and muscle pain. Yes, for this job you need to have great strength. To digress a bit, I decided to speak with the silent nameless sailor, believing that joint work is a great excuse to explore. After a couple of minutes later, I found out that his name was John, that he is from Reading, that the house was left mother and younger sister.