Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           "

           "ThereisnothingEgyptianintheseroomsatallthen?"Iasked,rathertoshowinterestinwhatshehadsaidthananythingelse,forthefurnishingoftheroomwasapparent."Whatalovelycabinet!MayIlookatit?"

           "Ofcourse!withthegreatestpleasure!"sheanswered,withasmile."Itsfinishing,withinandwithout,Fathersays,isabsolutelycomplete."Isteppedoverandlookedatitclosely.Itwasmadeoftulipwood,inlaidinpatterns;andwasmountedinormolu.Ipulledopenoneofthedrawers,adeeponewhereIcouldseetheworktogreatadvantage.AsIpulledit,somethingrattledinsideasthoughrolling;therewasatinkleasofmetalonmetal.

           "Hullo!"Isaid."Thereissomethinginhere.PerhapsIhadbetternotopenit."

           "ThereisnothingthatIknowof,"sheanswered."Someofthehousemaidsmayhaveusedittoputsomethingbyforthetimeandforgottenit.Openitbyallmeans!"

           Ipulledopenthedrawer;asIdidso,bothMissTrelawnyandIstartedbackinamazement.

           TherebeforeoureyeslayanumberofancientEgyptianlamps,ofvarioussizesandofstrangelyvariedshapes.

           Weleanedoverthemandlookedclosely.Myownheartwasbeatinglikeatrip-hammer;andIcouldseebytheheavingofMargaret’sbosomthatshewasstrangelyexcited.

           Whilstwelooked,afraidtotouchandalmostafraidtothink,therewasaringatthefrontdoor;immediatelyafterwardsMr