Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Wehadfinishedsomeofthecases,eachofwhichheldonlyoneofthegreatsarcophagi.Thecaseswhichheldmanyobjectscouldnotbeclosedtillallhadbeendifferentiatedandpacked.

           Isleptthatnightwithoutmovementorwithoutdreams;andonourcomparingnotesinthemorning,Ifoundthateachoftheothershadhadthesameexperience.

           Bydinner-timenexteveningthewholeworkwascomplete,andallwasreadyforthecarrierswhoweretocomeatmidnight.Alittlebeforetheappointedtimeweheardtherumbleofcarts;thenwewereshortlyinvadedbyanarmyofworkmen,whoseemedbysheerforceofnumberstomovewithouteffort,inanendlessprocession,allourpreparedpackages.Alittleoveranhoursufficedthem,andwhenthecartshadrumbledaway,weallgotreadytofollowthemtoPaddington.Silviowasofcoursetobetakenasoneofourparty.

           Beforeleavingwewentinabodyoverthehouse,whichlookeddesolateindeed.AstheservantshadallgonetoCornwalltherehadbeennoattemptattidying-up;everyroomandpassageinwhichwehadworked,andallthestairways,werestrewnwithpaperandwaste,andmarkedwithdirtyfeet.

           ThelastthingwhichMr.TrelawnydidbeforecomingawaywastotakefromthegreatsafetheRubywiththeSevenStars.Asheputitsafelyintohispocket-book,Margaret,whohadallatonceseemedtogrowdeadlytiredandstoodbesideherfatherpaleandrigid,suddenlybecameallaglow,asthoughthesightoftheJewelhadinspiredher.