Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           DoctorWinchesterwastostandbehindthecouchsothatheshouldnotbebetweenthemummyandthesarcophagus;hewastowatchcarefullywhatshouldtakeplacewithregardtotheQueen.Margaretwastobebesidehim;sheheldSilvioreadytoplacehimuponthecouchorbesideitwhenshemightthinkright.Mr.TrelawnyandMr.Corbeckweretoattendtothelightingofthelamps.Whenthehandsoftheclockwereclosetothehour,theystoodreadywiththeirlinstocks.

           Thestrikingofthesilverbelloftheclockseemedtosmiteonourheartslikeaknellofdoom.One!Two!Three!

           Beforethethirdstrokethewicksofthelampshadcaught,andIhadturnedouttheelectriclight.Inthedimnessofthestrugglinglamps,andafterthebrightglowoftheelectriclight,theroomandallwithinittookweirdshapes,andallseemedinaninstanttochange.Wewaitedwithourheartsbeating.Iknowminedid,andIfanciedIcouldhearthepulsationoftheothers.

           Thesecondsseemedtopasswithleadenwings.Itwereasthoughalltheworldwerestandingstill.Thefiguresoftheothersstoodoutdimly,Margaret’swhitedressaloneshowingclearlyinthegloom.Thethickrespiratorswhichweallworeaddedtothestrangeappearance.ThethinlightofthelampsshowedMr.Trelawny’ssquarejawandstrongmouthandthebrownshavenfaceofMr.Corbeck.Theireyesseemedtoglareinthelight.AcrosstheroomDoctorWinchester’seyestwinkledlikestars,andMargaret’sblazedlikeblacksuns.