Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Loveis,afterall,aselfishthing;anditthrowsablackshadowonanythingbetweenwhichandthelightitstands.Iseemedtohearthehandsgoroundthedialoftheclock;Isawdarknessturntogloom,andgloomtogrey,andgreytolightwithoutpauseorhindrancetothesuccessionofmymiserablefeelings.Atlast,whenitwasdecentlypossiblewithoutthefearofdisturbingothers,Igotup.Icreptalongthepassagetofindifallwaswellwiththeothers;forwehadarrangedthatthedoorofeachofourroomsshouldbeleftslightlyopensothatanysoundofdisturbancewouldbeeasilyanddistinctlyheard.

           Oneandallslept;Icouldheartheregularbreathingofeach,andmyheartrejoicedthatthismiserablenightofanxietywassafelypassed.AsIkneltinmyownroominaburstofthankfulprayer,Iknewinthedepthsofmyownheartthemeasureofmyfear.Ifoundmywayoutofthehouse,andwentdowntothewaterbythelongstairwaycutintherock.Aswiminthecoolbrightseabracedmynervesandmadememyoldselfagain.

           AsIcamebacktothetopofthestepsIcouldseethebrightsunlight,risingfrombehindme,turningtherocksacrossthebaytoglitteringgold.AndyetIfeltsomehowdisturbed.Itwasalltoobright;asitsometimesisbeforethecomingofastorm.