Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           Thisnewgentlemansaysthesethingswerestolenoutofhisroominthehotel.Thelamps,Itakeitfromsomethingshehassaid,reallybelongtoMr.Trelawny.Hisdaughter,theladyofthehouse,havinglefttheroomsheusuallyoccupies,sleepsthatnightonthegroundfloor.Awindowisheardtoopenandshutduringthenight.Whenwe,whohavebeenduringthedaytryingtofindacluetotherobbery,cometothehouse,wefindthestolengoodsinaroomclosetowheresheslept,andopeningoutofit!"

           Hestopped.Ifeltthatsamesenseofpainandapprehension,whichIhadexperiencedwhenhehadspokentomebefore,creeping,orratherrushing,overmeagain.Ihadtofacethematterout,however.Myrelationswithher,andthefeelingtowardherwhichInowknewfullwellmeantaverydeeploveanddevotion,demandedsomuch.IsaidascalmlyasIcould,forIknewthekeeneyesoftheskilfulinvestigatorwereonme:

           "Andtheinference?"

           Heansweredwiththecoolaudacityofconviction:

           "Theinferencetomeisthattherewasnorobberyatall.Thegoodsweretakenbysomeonetothishouse,wheretheywerereceivedthroughawindowonthegroundfloor.Theywereplacedinthecabinet,readytobediscoveredwhenthepropertimeshouldcome!"

           SomehowIfeltrelieved;theassumptionwastoomonstrous.