Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок
Chapter 1
AsIwasgazingatitthesoundofthebreathingcameacrosstheroom,andmyeyesfollowedtoit.TherewasFatheronhisrightsidewiththeotherarmunderhim,justasifhisdeadbodyhadbeenthrownthereallinaheap.Thetrackofbloodwentacrosstheroomuptothebed,andtherewasapoolallaroundhimwhichlookedterriblyredandglitteringasIbentovertoexaminehim.Theplacewherehelaywasrightinfrontofthebigsafe.Hewasinhispyjamas.Theleftsleevewastorn,showinghisbarearm,andstretchedouttowardthesafe.Itlooked—oh!soterrible,patchedallwithblood,andwiththefleshtornorcutallaroundagoldchainbangleonhiswrist.Ididnotknowheworesuchathing,anditseemedtogivemeanewshockofsurprise."
Shepausedamoment;andasIwishedtorelieveherbyamoment’sdivergenceofthought,Isaid:
"Oh,thatneednotsurpriseyou.Youwillseethemostunlikelymenwearingbangles.Ihaveseenajudgecondemnamantodeath,andthewristofthehandhehelduphadagoldbangle."Shedidnotseemtoheedmuchthewordsortheidea;thepause,however,relievedhersomewhat,andshewentoninasteadiervoice:
"Ididnotloseamomentinsummoningaid,forIfearedhemightbleedtodeath.Irangthebell,andthenwentoutandcalledforhelpasloudlyasIcould.