Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Ihadseenanidea—ahope—flashinhereyes;butshesteadiedherselfbeforespeaking:

           "Whatwastheurgentsubjectonwhichyouwantedtoseeme,knowingthatmyFatherwas—notavailable?"Thepauseshowedhermasteryofherthoughts.

           TheinstantaneouschangeinMr.Corbeckwasalmostludicrous.Hisstartofsurprise,comingcloseuponhisiron-cladimpassiveness,waslikeapantomimicchange.Butallideaofcomedywassweptawaybythetragicearnestnesswithwhichherememberedhisoriginalpurpose.

           "MyGod!"hesaid,asheraisedhishandfromthechairbackonwhichitrested,andbeatitdownwithaviolencewhichwouldinitselfhavearrestedattention.Hisbrowscorrugatedashewenton:"Iquiteforgot!Whataloss!Nowofalltimes!Justatthemomentofsuccess!Helyingtherehelpless,andmytonguetied!Notabletoraisehandorfootinmyignoranceofhiswishes!"

           "Whatisit?Oh,dotellus!IamsoanxiousaboutmydearFather!Isitanynewtrouble?Ihopenot!oh,Ihopenot!Ihavehadsuchanxietyandtroublealready!Italarmsmeafreshtohearyouspeakso!Won’tyoutellmesomethingtoallaythisterribleanxietyanduncertainty?"

           Hedrewhissturdyformuptohisfullheightashesaid:

           "Alas!Icannot,maynot,tellyouanything.Itishissecret."Hepointedtothebed."Andyet—andyetIcamehereforhisadvice,hiscounsel,hisassistance.Andheliestherehelpless....