Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Hereyesblazed,andhermouthtookahard,crueltensionwhichwasnewtome.InstinctivelyshesteppedtowardsSilvioasiftointerfereintheattack.ButItoohadsteppedforward;andasshecaughtmyeyeastrangespasmcameuponher,andshestopped.Itsintensitymademeholdmybreath;andIputupmyhandtoclearmyeyes.WhenIhaddonethis,shehadontheinstantrecoveredhercalm,andtherewasalookofbriefwonderonherface.WithallheroldgraceandsweetnessshesweptoverandliftedSilvio,justasshehaddoneonformeroccasions,andheldhiminherarms,pettinghimandtreatinghimasthoughhewerealittlechildwhohaderred.

           AsIlookedastrangefearcameoverme.TheMargaretthatIknewseemedtobechanging;andinmyinmostheartIprayedthatthedisturbingcausemightsooncometoanend.MorethaneverIlongedatthatmomentthatourterribleExperimentshouldcometoaprosperoustermination.

           WhenallhadbeenarrangedintheroomasMr.Trelawnywishedheturnedtous,oneafteranother,tillhehadconcentratedtheintelligenceofusalluponhim.Thenhesaid:

           "Allisnowreadyinthisplace.Wemustonlyawaitthepropertimetobegin."

           Weweresilentforawhile