Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           "Theremusthavebeenaweakspotsomewhere,orhewouldn’tbelyingherelikethat!"Somehowhisimpassivenesssurprisedme.Ihadexpectedthathewouldfindavalidargumentinmyphrase;butitdidnotmovehim,atleastnotinthewayIthought.Somethinglikeasmileflickeredoverhisswarthyfaceasheansweredme:

           "Thisisnottheend!Trelawnydidnotguardhimselftonopurpose.Doubtless,heexpectedthistoo;oratanyratethepossibilityofit."

           "Doyouknowwhatheexpected,orfromwhatsource?"ThequestionerwasMissTrelawny.

           Theanswercameatonce:"No!Iknownothingofeither.Icanguess..."Hestoppedsuddenly.

           "Guesswhat?"Thesuppressedexcitementinthegirl’svoicewasakintoanguish.Thesteelylookcameovertheswarthyfaceagain;buttherewastendernessandcourtesyinbothvoiceandmannerashereplied:

           "Believeme,IwoulddoanythingIhonestlycouldtorelieveyouanxiety.ButinthisIhaveahigherduty."

           "Whatduty?"

           "Silence!"Ashespoketheword,thestrongmouthclosedlikeasteeltrap.

           Weallremainedsilentforafewminutes.Intheintensityofourthinking,thesilencebecameapositivething;thesmallsoundsoflifewithinandwithoutthehouseseemedintrusive.ThefirsttobreakitwasMissTrelawny.