Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Heisarealpatronofthearts;nomadEgyptologistcaneverhopeforabetterchief!"

           Hespokewithfeeling;andIwasgladtoseethatMissTrelawnycolouredupwithpleasureatthepraiseofherfather.Icouldnothelpnoticing,however,thatMr.Corbeckwas,inameasure,speakingasifagainsttime.Itookitthathewished,whilespeaking,tostudyhisground;toseehowfarhewouldbejustifiedintakingintoconfidencethetwostrangersbeforehim.Ashewenton,Icouldseethathisconfidencekeptincreasing.WhenIthoughtofitafterward,andrememberedwhathehadsaid,Irealisedthatthemeasureoftheinformationwhichhegaveusmarkedhisgrowingtrust.

           "IhavebeenseveraltimesoutonexpeditionsinEgyptforyourFather;andIhavealwaysfounditadelighttoworkforhim.Manyofhistreasures—andhehassomerareones,Itellyou-hehasprocuredthroughme,eitherbymyexplorationorbypurchase—or—or—otherwise.YourFather,MissTrelawny,hasarareknowledge.Hesometimesmakesuphismindthathewantstofindaparticularthing,ofwhoseexistence—ifitstillexists—hehasbecomeaware;andhewillfollowitallovertheworldtillhegetsit.I’vebeenonjustsuchachasenow."

           Hestoppedsuddenly,assuddenlyasthoughthismouthhadbeenshutbythejerkofastring.