Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Thenitstruckmethatiftheopeningspringwasontheleft,thisontherightmighthavebeenintendedforthesimultaneouspressureofallthestarsbyonehandofsevenfingers.Byusingbothmyhands,Imanagedtoeffectthis.

           "Withaloudclick,ametalfigureseemedtodartfromclosetotheopeningoftheserdab;thestoneslowlyswungbacktoitsplace,andshutwithaclick.TheglimpsewhichIhadofthedescendingfigureappalledmeforthemoment.Itwaslikethatgrimguardianwhich,accordingtotheArabianhistorianIbnAbdAlhokin,thebuilderofthePyramids,KingSauridIbnSalhoukplacedintheWesternPyramidtodefenditstreasure:’Amarblefigure,upright,withlanceinhand;withonhisheadaserpentwreathed.Whenanyapproached,theserpentwouldbitehimononeside,andtwiningabouthisthroatandkillinghim,wouldreturnagaintohisplace.’

           "Iknewwellthatsuchafigurewasnotwroughttopleasantry;andthattobraveitwasnochild’splay.ThedeadArabatmyfeetwasproofofwhatcouldbedone!SoIexaminedagainalongthewall;andfoundhereandtherechippingsasifsomeonehadbeentappingwithaheavyhammer.Thisthenhadbeenwhathappened:Thegrave-robber,moreexpertathisworkthanwehadbeen,andsuspectingthepresenceofahiddenserdab,hadmadeessaytofindit.Hehadstruckthespringbychance;hadreleasedtheavenging’Treasurer’,astheArabianwriterdesignatedhim.Theissuespokeforitself.