Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд
Chapter 1
Withamanifesteffortshewentonwithherstory:
"TheDoctorwaswithusinanincrediblyshorttime.Thegroomhadmethimlettinghimselfintohishousewithhislatchkey,andhecamehererunning.HemadeapropertourniquetforpoorFather’sarm,andthenwenthometogetsomeappliances.Idaresayhewillbebackalmostimmediately.Thenapolicemancame,andsentamessagetothestation;andverysoontheSuperintendentwashere.Thenyoucame."
Therewasalongpause,andIventuredtotakeherhandforaninstant.Withoutawordmoreweopenedthedoor,andjoinedtheSuperintendentinthehall.Hehurrieduptous,sayingashecame:
"Ihavebeenexaminingeverythingmyself,andhavesentoffamessagetoScotlandYard.Yousee,Mr.Ross,thereseemedsomuchthatwasoddaboutthecasethatIthoughtwehadbetterhavethebestmanoftheCriminalInvestigationDepartmentthatwecouldget.SoIsentanoteaskingtohaveSergeantDawsentatonce.Yourememberhim,sir,inthatAmericanpoisoningcaseatHoxton."
"Ohyes,"Isaid,"Irememberhimwell;inthatandothercases,forIhavebenefitedseveraltimesbyhisskillandacumen.HehasamindthatworksastrulyasanythatIknow.WhenIhavebeenforthedefence,andbelievedmymanwasinnocent,Iwasgladtohavehimagainstus!"
"Thatishighpraise,sir!"saidtheSuperintendentgratified:"Iamgladyouapproveofmychoice;thatIdidwellinsendingforhim.