Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок
Chapter 17
UptothismorningMargaret’slapsesintohernewselfhadbeenfewandhardlynoticeable,savewhenonceortwiceherattitudetowardsmyselfhadbeenmarkedbyabearingstrangetome.Buttodaythecontrarywasthecase;andthechangepresagedbadly.Itmightbethatthatotherindividualitywasofthelower,notofthebettersort!NowthatIthoughtofitIhadreasontofear.Inthehistoryofthemummy,fromthetimeofVanHuyn’sbreakingintothetomb,therecordofdeathsthatweknewof,presumablyeffectedbyherwillandagency,wasastartlingone.TheArabwhohadstolenthehandfromthemummy;andtheonewhohadtakenitfromhisbody.TheArabchiefwhohadtriedtostealtheJewelfromVanHuyn,andwhosethroatborethemarksofsevenfingers.ThetwomenfounddeadonthefirstnightofTrelawny’stakingawaythesarcophagus;andthethreeonthereturntothetomb.TheArabwhohadopenedthesecretserdab.Ninedeadmen,oneofthemslainmanifestlybytheQueen’sownhand!AndbeyondthisagaintheseveralsavageattacksonMr.Trelawnyinhisownroom,inwhich,aidedbyherFamiliar,shehadtriedtoopenthesafeandtoextracttheTalismanjewel.Hisdeviceoffasteningthekeytohiswristbyasteelbangle,thoughsuccessfulintheend,hadwellnighcosthimhislife.
