Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Surely,hereinanothercountryandage,withquitedifferentconditions,shemayinheranxietymakemistakesandtreatanyofyou—ofus—asshedidthoseothersintimesgonepast.Ninementhatweknowofhavebeenslainbyherownhandorbyherinstigation.Shecanberemorselessifshewill."ItdidnotstrikemetillafterwardswhenIwasthinkingoverthisconversation,howthoroughlyIhadacceptedthelivingandconsciousconditionofQueenTeraasafact.BeforeIspoke,IhadfearedImightoffendMr.Trelawny;buttomypleasantsurprisehesmiledquitegeniallyasheansweredme:

           "Mydearfellow,inawayyouarequiteright.TheQueendidundoubtedlyintendisolation;and,alltold,itwouldbebestthatherexperimentshouldbemadeasshearrangedit.Butjustthink,thatbecameimpossiblewhenoncetheDutchexplorerhadbrokenintohertomb.Thatwasnotmydoing.Iaminnocentofit,thoughitwasthecauseofmysettingouttorediscoverthesepulchre.Mind,IdonotsayforamomentthatIwouldnothavedonejustthesameasVanHuyn.Iwentintothetombfromcuriosity;andItookawaywhatIdid,beingfiredwiththezealofacquisitivenesswhichanimatesthecollector.But,rememberalso,thatatthistimeIdidnotknowoftheQueen’sintentionofresurrection;Ihadnoideaofthecompletenessofherpreparations.Allthatcamelongafterwards.Butwhenitdidcome,IhavedoneallthatIcouldtocarryoutherwishestothefull.