Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           Wewerealldeterminedthatthelampsshouldnotbelostagain.

           Aboutanhourafterwehadfoundthelamps,DoctorWinchesterarrived.Hehadalargeparcelwithhim,which,whenunwrapped,provedtobethemummyofacat.WithMissTrelawny’spermissionheplacedthisintheboudoir;andSilviowasbroughtclosetoit.Tothesurpriseofusall,however,exceptperhapsDoctorWinchester,hedidnotmanifesttheleastannoyance;hetooknonoticeofitwhatever.Hestoodonthetableclosebesideit,purringloudly.Then,followingouthisplan,theDoctorbroughthimintoMr.Trelawny’sroom,weallfollowing.DoctorWinchesterwasexcited;MissTrelawnyanxious.Iwasmorethaninterestedmyself,forIbegantohaveaglimmeringoftheDoctor’sidea.TheDetectivewascalmlyandcoldlysuperior;butMr.Corbeck,whowasanenthusiast,wasfullofeagercuriosity.

           ThemomentDoctorWinchestergotintotheroom,Silviobegantomewandwriggle;andjumpingoutofhisarms,ranovertothecatmummyandbegantoscratchangrilyatit.MissTrelawnyhadsomedifficultyintakinghimaway;butsosoonashewasoutoftheroomhebecamequiet.Whenshecamebacktherewasaclamourofcomments:

           "Ithoughtso!"fromtheDoctor.

           "Whatcanitmean?"fromMissTrelawny.

           "That’saverystrangething!"fromMr.Corbeck.

           "Odd!butitdoesn’tproveanything!"fromtheDetective.