Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           "Begpardon,sir,I’msorryfordisturbingyou,butmyorderswasimperative;Iwasnottoloseamoment,buttoknockandringtillsomeonecame.MayIaskyou,sir,ifMr.MalcolmRossliveshere?"

           "IamMr.MalcolmRoss."

           "Thenthisletterisforyou,sir,andthebro’amisforyoutoo,sir!"

           Itook,withastrangecuriosity,theletterwhichhehandedtome.AsabarristerIhadhad,ofcourse,oddexperiencesnowandthen,includingsuddendemandsuponmytime;butneveranythinglikethis.Isteppedbackintothehall,closingthedoorto,butleavingitajar;thenIswitchedontheelectriclight.Theletterwasdirectedinastrangehand,awoman’s.Itbeganatoncewithout"dearsir"oranysuchaddress:

           "YousaidyouwouldliketohelpmeifIneededit;andIbelieveyoumeantwhatyousaid.ThetimehascomesoonerthanIexpected.Iamindreadfultrouble,anddonotknowwheretoturn,ortowhomtoapply.Anattempthas,Ifear,beenmadetomurdermyFather;though,thankGod,hestilllives.Butheisquiteunconscious.Thedoctorsandpolicehavebeensentfor;butthereisnooneherewhomIcandependon.Comeatonceifyouareableto;andforgivemeifyoucan.IsupposeIshallrealiselaterwhatIhavedoneinaskingsuchafavour;butatpresentIcannotthink.Come!Comeatonce!MARGARETTRELAWNY.