Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           Silvio’seyeswerelikeemeralds.

           Wouldthelampsneverburnup!

           Itwasonlyafewsecondsinalltilltheydidblazeup.Aslow,steadylight,growingmoreandmorebright,andchangingincolourfrombluetocrystalwhite.Sotheystayedforacoupleofminuteswithoutchangeinthecoffer;tillatlasttherebegantoappearalloveritadelicateglow.Thisgrewandgrew,tillitbecamelikeablazingjewel,andthenlikealivingthingwhoseessenceoflifewaslight.Wewaitedandwaited,ourheartsseemingtostandstill.

           Allatoncetherewasasoundlikeatinymuffledexplosionandthecoverliftedrightuponalevelplaneafewinches;therewasnomistakinganythingnow,forthewholeroomwasfullofablazeoflight.Thenthecover,stayingfastatonesideroseslowlyupontheother,asthoughyieldingtosomepressureofbalance.Thecofferstillcontinuedtoglow;fromitbegantostealafaintgreenishsmoke.Icouldnotsmellitfullyonaccountoftherespirator;but,eventhroughthat,Iwasconsciousofastrangepungentodour.Thenthissmokebegantogrowthicker,andtorolloutinvolumesofeverincreasingdensitytillthewholeroombegantogetobscure.IhadaterribledesiretorushovertoMargaret,whomIsawthroughthesmokestillstandingerectbehindthecouch.Then,asIlooked,IsawDoctorWinchestersinkdown.Hewasnotunconscious;forhewavedhishandbackandforward,asthoughtoforbidanyonetocometohim.AtthistimethefiguresofMr.TrelawnyandMr.