Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           AsIwasgazingatitthesoundofthebreathingcameacrosstheroom,andmyeyesfollowedtoit.TherewasFatheronhisrightsidewiththeotherarmunderhim,justasifhisdeadbodyhadbeenthrownthereallinaheap.Thetrackofbloodwentacrosstheroomuptothebed,andtherewasapoolallaroundhimwhichlookedterriblyredandglitteringasIbentovertoexaminehim.Theplacewherehelaywasrightinfrontofthebigsafe.Hewasinhispyjamas.Theleftsleevewastorn,showinghisbarearm,andstretchedouttowardthesafe.Itlooked—oh!soterrible,patchedallwithblood,andwiththefleshtornorcutallaroundagoldchainbangleonhiswrist.Ididnotknowheworesuchathing,anditseemedtogivemeanewshockofsurprise."

           Shepausedamoment;andasIwishedtorelieveherbyamoment’sdivergenceofthought,Isaid:

           "Oh,thatneednotsurpriseyou.Youwillseethemostunlikelymenwearingbangles.Ihaveseenajudgecondemnamantodeath,andthewristofthehandhehelduphadagoldbangle."Shedidnotseemtoheedmuchthewordsortheidea;thepause,however,relievedhersomewhat,andshewentoninasteadiervoice:

           "Ididnotloseamomentinsummoningaid,forIfearedhemightbleedtodeath.Irangthebell,andthenwentoutandcalledforhelpasloudlyasIcould.