Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд
Chapter 12
"IdonotknowhowIrestrainedmyselfwhenIrealisedthat,atlast,Iwasatleastclosetosuccess.Iwasskilled,however,inthefinesseofEasterntrade;andtheJew-Arab-Portugeetradermethismatch.Iwantedtoseeallhisstockbeforebuying;andonebyoneheproduced,amongstmassesofrubbish,sevendifferentlamps.Eachofthemhadadistinguishingmark;andeachandallwassomeformofthesymbolofHathor.IthinkIshooktheimperturbabilityofmyswarthyfriendbythemagnitudeofmypurchases;forinordertopreventhimguessingwhatformofgoodsIsought,Inearlyclearedouthisshop.Attheendhenearlywept,andsaidIhadruinedhim;fornowhehadnothingtosell.HewouldhavetornhishairhadheknownwhatpriceIshouldultimatelyhavegivenforsomeofhisstock,thatperhapshevaluedleast.
"IpartedwithmostofmymerchandiseatnormalpriceasIhurriedhome.Ididnotdaretogiveitaway,orevenloseit,lestIshouldincursuspicion.Myburdenwasfartooprecioustoberiskedbyanyfoolishnessnow.Igotonasfastasitispossibletotravelinsuchcountries;andarrivedinLondonwithonlythelampsandcertainportablecuriosandpapyriwhichIhadpickeduponmytravels.
"Now,Mr.Ross,youknowallIknow;andIleaveittoyourdiscretionhowmuch,ifanyofit,youwilltellMissTrelawny