Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд
Chapter 3
ThenandthereImadeupmymindthatIwouldwatchwithher—unless,ofcourse,Ishouldseethatshereallydidnotwishit.Isaidnothingofmyintentionsforthepresent.Wecameinontiptoe,sosilentlythattheDoctor,whowasbendingoverthebed,didnothearus,andseemedalittlestartledwhensuddenlylookinguphesawoureyesuponhim.Ifeltthatthemysteryofthewholethingwasgettingonhisnerves,asithadalreadygotonthenervesofsomeothersofus.Hewas,Ifancied,alittleannoyedwithhimselfforhavingbeensostartled,andatoncebegantotalkinahurriedmannerasthoughtogetoverourideaofhisembarrassment:
"Iamreallyandabsolutelyatmywits’endtofindanyfitcauseforthisstupor.IhavemadeagainasaccurateanexaminationasIknowhow,andIamsatisfiedthatthereisnoinjurytothebrain,thatis,noexternalinjury.Indeed,allhisvitalorgansseemunimpaired.Ihavegivenhim,asyouknow,foodseveraltimesandithasmanifestlydonehimgood.Hisbreathingisstrongandregular,andhispulseisslowerandstrongerthanitwasthismorning.Icannotfindevidenceofanyknowndrug,andhisunconsciousnessdoesnotresembleanyofthemanycasesofhypnoticsleepwhichIsawintheCharcotHospitalinParis.Andastothesewounds"—helaidhisfingergentlyonthebandagedwristwhichlayoutsidethecoverletashespoke,"Idonotknowwhattomakeofthem.Theymighthavebeenmadebyacarding-machine;butthatsuppositionisuntenable.