Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           SincehereceivedthatcableintheshippingofficeatAlexandriaIhaveneverseenahappysmileonhisface.

           "Workisthebestthinginsuchacase;andtohisworkhedevotedhimselfheartandsoul.Thestrangetragedyofhislossandgain—forthechildwasbornafterthemother’sdeath—tookplaceduringthetimethatwestoodinthattranceintheMummyPitofQueenTera.ItseemedtohavebecomeinsomewayassociatedwithhisEgyptianstudies,andmoreespeciallywiththemysteriesconnectedwiththeQueen.Hetoldmeverylittleabouthisdaughter;butthattwoforcesstruggledinhismindregardingherwasapparent.Icouldseethatheloved,almostidolisedher.Yethecouldneverforgetthatherbirthhadcosthermother’slife.Also,therewassomethingwhoseexistenceseemedtowringhisfather’sheart,thoughhewouldnevertellmewhatitwas.Again,heoncesaidinamomentofrelaxationofhispurposeofsilence:

           "’Sheisunlikehermother;butinbothfeatureandcolourshehasamarvellousresemblancetothepicturesofQueenTera.’

           "Hesaidthathehadsentherawaytopeoplewhowouldcareforherashecouldnot;andthattillshebecameawomansheshouldhaveallthesimplepleasuresthatayounggirlmighthave,andthatwerebestforher.Iwouldoftenhavetalkedwithhimabouther;buthewouldneversaymuch.Oncehesaidtome:’TherearereasonswhyIshouldnotspeakmorethanisnecessary.