Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Wewaited;whenhewentonhespokewithacautionthatwasnewtohim,asthoughhewishedtoforestallouraskinganyquestions:

           "Iamnotatlibertytomentionanythingofmymission;whereitwasto,whatitwasfor,oranythingatallaboutit.SuchmattersareinconfidencebetweenMr.Trelawnyandmyself;Iampledgedtoabsolutesecrecy."

           Hepaused,andanembarrassedlookcreptoverhisface.Suddenlyhesaid:

           "Youaresure,MissTrelawny,yourFatherisnotwellenoughtoseemetoday?"

           Alookofwondermentwasonherfaceinturn.Butitclearedatonce;—shestoodup,sayinginatoneinwhichdignityandgraciousnesswereblended:

           "Comeandseeforyourself!"Shemovedtowardherfather’sroom;hefollowed,andIbroughtuptherear.

           Mr.Corbeckenteredthesick-roomasthoughheknewit.Thereisanunconsciousattitudeorbearingtopersonsinnewsurroundingswhichthereisnomistaking.Eveninhisanxietytoseehispowerfulfriend,heglancedforamomentroundtheroom,asatafamiliarplace.Thenallhisattentionbecamefixedonthebed.Iwatchedhimnarrowly,forsomehowIfeltthatonthismandependedmuchofourenlightenmentregardingthestrangematterinwhichwewereinvolved.

           ItwasnotthatIdoubtedhim.Themanwasoftransparenthonesty;itwasthisveryqualitywhichwehadtodread.