Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Ididnotwaittolookfurtheratpresent,formyattentionwasdemandedbymorepressingthings;butIdeterminedtomakeamoreminuteexaminationwhenIshouldhavetime.ItwasevidentthatsomeofthestrangeEgyptiansmellclungtotheseoldcurios;throughthebrokenglasscameanaddedwhiffofspiceandgumandbitumen,almoststrongerthanthoseIhadalreadynoticedascomingfromothersintheroom.

           Allthishadreallytakenbutafewminutes.Iwassurprisedwhenmyeyemet,throughthechinksbetweenthedarkwindowblindsandthewindowcases,thebrighterlightofthecomingdawn.WhenIwentbacktothesofaandtookthetourniquetfromMrs.Grant,shewentoverandpulleduptheblinds.

           Itwouldbehardtoimagineanythingmoreghastlythantheappearanceoftheroomwiththefaintgreylightofearlymorningcominginuponit.Asthewindowsfacednorth,anylightthatcamewasafixedgreylightwithoutanyoftherosypossibilityofdawnwhichcomesintheeasternquarterofheaven.Theelectriclightsseemeddullandyetglaring;andeveryshadowwasofahardintensity.Therewasnothingofmorningfreshness;nothingofthesoftnessofnight.Allwashardandcoldandinexpressiblydreary.Thefaceofthesenselessmanonthesofaseemedofaghastlyyellow;andtheNurse’sfacehadtakenasuggestionofgreenfromtheshadeofthelampnearher.OnlyMissTrelawny’sfacelookedwhite;anditwasofapallorwhichmademyheartache.