Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Ihavebeenwatchingbyyou!"Helookedsurprisedforaninstant,andthenIcouldseethathishabitofjudgingforhimselfcameintoplay.

           "Watchingbyme!Howdoyoumean?Whywatchingbyme?"Hiseyehadnowlitonhisheavilybandagedwrist.Hewentoninadifferenttone;lessaggressive,moregenial,asofoneacceptingfacts:

           "Areyouadoctor?"IfeltmyselfalmostsmilingasIanswered;therelieffromthelongpressureofanxietyregardinghislifewasbeginningtotell:

           "No,sir!"

           "Thenwhyareyouhere?Ifyouarenotadoctor,whatareyou?"Histonewasagainmoredictatorial.Thoughtisquick;thewholetrainofreasoningonwhichmyanswermustbebasedfloodedthroughmybrainbeforethewordscouldleavemylips.Margaret!ImustthinkofMargaret!Thiswasherfather,whoasyetknewnothingofme;evenofmyveryexistence.Hewouldbenaturallycurious,ifnotanxious,toknowwhyIamongstmenhadbeenchosenashisdaughter’sfriendontheoccasionofhisillness.Fathersarenaturallyalittlejealousinsuchmattersasadaughter’schoice,andintheundeclaredstateofmyloveforMargaretImustdonothingwhichcouldultimatelyembarrassher.

           "IamaBarrister.Itisnot,however,inthatcapacityIamhere;butsimplyasafriendofyourdaughter.Itwasprobablyherknowledgeofmybeingalawyerwhichfirstdeterminedhertoaskmetocomewhenshethoughtyouhadbeenmurdered.