Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Weplaceditonthecouchinthatotherroom,wheretheblazeoftheelectriclightsshoneonthegreatsarcophagusfixedinthemiddleoftheroomreadyforthefinalexperiment,thegreatexperimentconsequentontheresearchesduringalifetimeofthesetwotravelledscholars.Again,thestartlinglikenessbetweenMargaretandthemummy,intensifiedbyherownextraordinarypallor,heightenedthestrangenessofitall.Whenallwasfinallyfixedthree-quartersofanhourhadgone,forweweredeliberateinallourdoings.Margaretbeckonedme,andIwentoutwithhertobringinSilvio.Hecametoherpurring.Shetookhimupandhandedhimtome;andthendidathingwhichmovedmestrangelyandbroughthometomekeenlythedesperatenatureoftheenterpriseonwhichwewereembarked.Onebyone,sheblewoutthecandlescarefullyandplacedthembackintheirusualplaces.Whenshehadfinishedshesaidtome:

           "Theyaredonewithnow.Whatevercomes—lifeordeath—therewillbenopurposeintheirusingnow."ThentakingSilviointoherarms,andpressinghimclosetoherbosomwherehepurredloudly,wewentbacktotheroom.Iclosedthedoorcarefullybehindme,feelingasIdidsoastrangethrillasoffinality.Therewastobenogoingbacknow.Thenweputonourrespirators,andtookourplacesashadbeenarranged.Iwastostandbythetapsoftheelectriclightsbesidethedoor,readytoturnthemofforonasMr.Trelawnyshoulddirect.