Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Thedayhashardlycomeyet,Iamgladtosay,whentheBritishMuseumandSt.Thomas’sHospitalhaveexchangedtheirnormalfunctions.Good-day,MissTrelawny.IearnestlyhopethatImaysoonseeyourFatherrestored.Remember,thatshouldyoufulfiltheelementaryconditionwhichIhavelaiddown,Iamatyourservicedayornight.Good-morning,Mr.Ross.Ihopeyouwillbeabletoreporttomesoon,DoctorWinchester."

           Whenhehadgonewestoodsilent,tilltherumbleofhiscarriagewheelsdiedaway.ThefirsttospeakwasDoctorWinchester:

           "Ithinkitwelltosaythattomymind,speakingpurelyasaphysician,heisquiteright.IfeelasifIcouldhaveassaultedhimwhenhemadeitaconditionofnotgivingupthecase;butallthesameheisrightastotreatment.Hedoesnotunderstandthatthereissomethingoddaboutthisspecialcase;andhewillnotrealisetheknotthatwearealltiedupinbyMr.Trelawny’sinstructions.Ofcourse—"HewasinterruptedbyMissTrelawny:

           "DoctorWinchester,doyou,too,wishtogiveupthecase;orareyouwillingtocontinueitundertheconditionsyouknow?"

           "Giveitup!Lessnowthanever.MissTrelawny,Ishallnevergiveitup,solongaslifeislefttohimoranyofus!"Shesaidnothing,butheldoutherhand,whichhetookwarmly.

           "Now,"saidshe,"ifSirJamesFrereisatypeofthecultofSpecialists,Iwantnomoreofthem.