Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок
Chapter 10
Hehadevidentlybeenstrangled;foronlooking,Ifoundonhisthroattheredmarkswherefingershadpressed.ThereseemedsomanyofthesemarksthatIcountedthem.Therewereseven;andallparallel,exceptthethumbmark,asthoughmadewithonehand.ThisthrilledmeasIthoughtofthemummyhandwiththesevenfingers.
"Eventhere,intheopendesert,itseemedasiftherecouldbeenchantments!
"Inmysurprise,asIbentoverhim,Iopenedmyrighthand,whichuptonowIhadheldshutwiththefeeling,instinctiveeveninsleep,ofkeepingsafethatwhichitheld.AsIdidso,theStarJewelheldtherefelloutandstruckthedeadmanonthemouth.Mirabiledictutherecameforthatoncefromthedeadmouthagreatgushofblood,inwhichtheredjewelwasforthemomentlost.Iturnedthedeadmanovertolookforit,andfoundthathelaywithhisrighthandbentunderhimasthoughhehadfallenonit;andinitheheldagreatknife,keenofpointandedge,suchasArabscarryatthebelt.Itmayhavebeenthathewasabouttomurdermewhenvengeancecameonhim,whetherfrommanorGod,ortheGodsofOld,Iknownot.Sufficeit,thatwhenIfoundmyRubyJewel,whichshoneupasalivingstarfromthemessofbloodwhereinitlay,Ipausednot,butfledfromtheplace.Ijourneyedonalonethroughthehotdesert,till,byGod’sgrace,IcameuponanArabtribecampingbyawell,whogavemesalt.WiththemIrestedtilltheyhadsetmeonmyway.
