Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Trelawnyhasuseditsince.Heknewlongagoallthatwasinitwhichwasormightbeofinteresttohim.Butitwillbenecessary,oratleasthelpful,tounderstandotherthingswhichIshalltellyoulater.YouwillbeabletotellDoctorWinchesterallthatwouldaidhim.ForItakeitthatourworkwillbranchoutprettysoon.Weshalleachhaveourownendtoholdup;anditwilltakeeachofusallourtimeandunderstandingtogetthroughhisowntasks.Itwillnotbenecessaryforyoutoreadthewholebook.Allthatwillinterestyou—withregardtoourmatterImeanofcourse,forthewholebookisinterestingasarecordoftravelinacountrythenquiteunknown—isthepreface,andtwoorthreechapterswhichIshallmarkforyou."

           HeshookhandswarmlywithDoctorWinchesterwhohadstooduptogo.

           WhilsthewasawayIsatlonely,thinking.AsIthought,theworldaroundmeseemedtobeillimitablygreat.TheonlylittlespotinwhichIwasinterestedseemedlikeatinyspeckinthemidstofawilderness.Withoutandarounditweredarknessandunknowndanger,pressinginfromeveryside.Andthecentralfigureinourlittleoasiswasoneofsweetnessandbeauty.Afigureonecouldlove;couldworkfor;coulddiefor...!

           Mr.Corbeckcamebackinaveryshorttimewiththebook;hehadfounditatonceinthespotwherehehadseenitthreeyearsbefore