Chapter 15

           "Now,astotheStarJewel!Thisshemanifestlyregardedasthegreatestofhertreasures.Onitshehadengravenwordswhichnoneofhertimedaredtospeak.

           "IntheoldEgyptianbeliefitwasheldthattherewerewords,which,ifusedproperly—forthemethodofspeakingthemwasasimportantasthewordsthemselves—couldcommandtheLordsoftheUpperandtheLowerWorlds.The’hekau’,orwordofpower,wasall-importantincertainritual.OntheJewelofSevenStars,which,asyouknow,iscarvedintotheimageofascarab,aregraveninhieroglyphictwosuchhekau,oneabove,theotherunderneath.Butyouwillunderstandbetterwhenyouseeit!Waithere!Donotstir!"

           Ashespoke,heroseandlefttheroom.Agreatfearforhimcameoverme;butIwasinsomestrangewayrelievedwhenIlookedatMargaret.Whenevertherehadbeenanypossibilityofdangertoherfather,shehadshowngreatfearforhim;nowshewascalmandplacid.Isaidnothing,butwaited.

           Intwoorthreeminutes,Mr.Trelawnyreturned.Heheldinhishandalittlegoldenbox.This,asheresumedhisseat,heplacedbeforehimonthetable.Weallleanedforwardasheopenedit.

           Onaliningofwhitesatinlayawondrousrubyofimmensesize,almostasbigasthetopjointofMargaret’slittlefinger.