Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           TheveryideaseemedtoendorseMargaret’smagnificenttributetoherpurpose,andhelpedtocalmmytroubledspirit.

           Thenandthere,withthisfeelingstronguponme,IdeterminedtowarnMargaretandherfatherofdirepossibilities;andtoawait,aswellcontentasIcouldinmyignorance,thedevelopmentofthingsoverwhichIhadnopower.

           IreturnedtothehouseinadifferentframeofmindtothatinwhichIhadleftit;andwasenchantedtofindMargaret—theoldMargaret—waitingforme.

           Afterdinner,whenIwasaloneforatimewiththefatheranddaughter,Iopenedthesubject,thoughwithconsiderablehesitation:

           "Woulditnotbewelltotakeeverypossibleprecaution,incasetheQueenmaynotwishwhatwearedoing,withregardtowhatmayoccurbeforetheExperiment;andatorafterherwaking,ifitcomesoff?"Margaret’sanswercamebackquickly;soquicklythatIwasconvincedshemusthavehaditreadyforsomeone:

           "Butshedoesapprove!Surelyitcannotbeotherwise.Fatherisdoing,withallhisbrainsandallhisenergyandallhisgreatcourage,justexactlywhatthegreatQueenhadarranged!"

           "But,"Ianswered,"thatcanhardlybe.Allthatshearrangedwasinatombhighupinarock,inadesertsolitude,shutawayfromtheworldbyeveryconceivablemeans.Sheseemstohavedependedonthisisolationtoinsureagainstaccident.