Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд
Chapter 12
TherearesevenformsorvariantsoftheGoddess;whyshouldnotthesecorrespondinsomewaytothesevenlamps!Thattherehadbeensuchlamps,Iwasconvinced.Thefirstgrave-robberhadmethisdeath;thesecondhadfoundthecontentsoftheserdab.Thefirstattempthadbeenmadeyearssince;thestateofthebodyprovedthis.Ihadnocluetothesecondattempt.Itmighthavebeenlongago;oritmighthavebeenrecently.If,however,othershadbeentothetomb,itwasprobablethatthelampshadbeentakenlongago.Well!allthemoredifficultwouldbemysearch;forundertakenitmustbe!
"Thatwasnearlythreeyearsago;andforallthattimeIhavebeenlikethemanintheArabianNights,seekingoldlamps,notfornew,butforcash.IdarednotsaywhatIwaslookingfor,orattempttogiveanydescription;forsuchwouldhavedefeatedmypurpose.ButIhadinmyownmindatthestartavagueideaofwhatImustfind.Inprocessoftimethisgrewmoreandmoreclear;tillatlastIalmostovershotmymarkbysearchingforsomethingwhichmighthavebeenwrong.
"ThedisappointmentsIsuffered,andthewild-goosechasesImade,wouldfillavolume;butIpersevered.Atlast,nottwomonthsago,IwasshownbyanolddealerinMossulonelampsuchasIhadlookedfor.Ihadbeentracingitfornearlyayear,alwayssufferingdisappointment,butalwaysbuoyeduptofurtherendeavourbyagrowinghopethatIwasonthetrack.
