Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок
Chapter 8
Onthistablestoodacaseofaboutafootsquarecomposedofslabsofrockcrystalsetinaskeletonofbandsofredgold,beautifullyengravedwithhieroglyphics,andcolouredwithabluegreen,verymuchthetintofthefiguresonthesarcophagusandthecoffer.Thewholeworkwasquitemodern.
Butifthecasewasmodernwhatitheldwasnot.Within,onacushionofclothofgoldasfineassilk,andwiththepeculiarsoftnessofoldgold,restedamummyhand,soperfectthatitstartledonetoseeit.Awoman’shand,fineandlong,withslimtaperingfingersandnearlyasperfectaswhenitwasgiventotheembalmerthousandsofyearsbefore.Intheembalmingithadlostnothingofitsbeautifulshape;eventhewristseemedtomaintainitspliabilityasthegentlecurvelayonthecushion.Theskinwasofarichcreamyoroldivorycolour;aduskyfairskinwhichsuggestedheat,butheatinshadow.Thegreatpeculiarityofit,asahand,wasthatithadinallsevenfingers,therebeingtwomiddleandtwoindexfingers.Theupperendofthewristwasjagged,asthoughithadbeenbrokenoff,andwasstainedwithared-brownstain.Onthecushionnearthehandwasasmallscarab,exquisitelywroughtofemerald.
"ThatisanotherofFather’smysteries.WhenIaskedhimaboutithesaidthatitwasperhapsthemostvaluablethinghehad,exceptone.WhenIaskedhimwhatthatonewas,herefusedtotellme,andforbademetoaskhimanythingconcerningit.
