Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           ThisphaseIcouldnotgetridofsoeasilyasthelast;thefibresofmybeingremainedquiet.Thereremainedtomethehorrorofdoubt.Andeventhen,sostrangeisthemindofman,Doubtitselftookaconcreteimage;avastandimpenetrablegloom,throughwhichflickeredirregularlyandspasmodicallytinypointsofevanescentlight,whichseemedtoquickenthedarknessintoapositiveexistence.

           TheremainingpossibilityofrelationsbetweenMargaretandthemummiedQueenwas,thatinsomeoccultwaytheSorceresshadpowertochangeplaceswiththeother.Thisviewofthingscouldnotbesolightlythrownaside.Thereweretoomanysuspiciouscircumstancestowarrantthis,nowthatmyattentionwasfixedonitandmyintelligencerecognisedthepossibility.Hereupontherebegantocomeintomymindallthestrangeincomprehensiblematterswhichhadwhirledthroughourlivesinthelastfewdays.Atfirsttheyallcrowdedinuponmeinajumbledmass;butagainthehabitofmindofmyworkinglifeprevailed,andtheytookorder.Ifounditnoweasiertocontrolmyself;fortherewassomethingtograsp,someworktobedone;thoughitwasofasorrykind,foritwasormightbeantagonistictoMargaret.ButMargaretwasherselfatstake!Iwasthinkingofherandfightingforher;andyetifIweretoworkinthedark,Imightbeevenharmfultoher.Myfirstweaponinherdefencewastruth.Imustknowandunderstand;Imightthenbeabletoact.Certainly,Icouldnotactbeneficentlywithoutajustconceptionandrecognitionofthefacts.