Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Whateverideahehadinhismindwastheideaofalifetime;hehadstudieditineverypossiblephase,andwaspreparedtoguarditateverypoint.

           "NowIfearIhavedistressedyou,andIamtrulysorryforit;forIseeyouhavemuch—toomuch—tobearalready.ButIhavenoalternative.Ifyouwanttoconsultmeatanytimeaboutanything,IpromiseyouIwillcomewithoutamoment’sdelay,atanyhourofthedayornight.Thereismyprivateaddress,"hescribbledinhispocket-bookashespoke,"andunderittheaddressofmyclub,whereIamgenerallytobefoundintheevening."Hetoreoutthepaperandhandedittoher.Shethankedhim.Heshookhandswithherandwithmeandwithdrew.

           Assoonasthehalldoorwasshutonhim,Mrs.Granttappedatthedoorandcamein.TherewassuchalookofdistressinherfacethatMissTrelawnystoodup,deadlywhite,andaskedher:

           "Whatisit,Mrs.Grant?Whatisit?Anynewtrouble?"

           "Igrievetosay,miss,thattheservants,allbuttwo,havegivennoticeandwanttoleavethehousetoday.Theyhavetalkedthematteroveramongthemselves;thebutlerhasspokenfortherest.Hesaysashowtheyarewillingtoforegotheirwages,andeventopaytheirlegalobligationsinsteadofnotice;butthatgotodaytheymust."

           "Whatreasondotheygive?"

           "None,miss.Theysayashowthey’resorry,butthatthey’venothingtosay