Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           Whilstshewasfondlinghim,hesuddenlygaveawrigglelikeaneelandslippedoutofherarms.Heranacrosstheroomandstoodoppositealowtableonwhichstoodthemummyofananimal,andbegantomewandsnarl.MissTrelawnywasafterhiminaninstantandliftedhiminherarms,kickingandstrugglingandwrigglingtogetaway;butnotbitingorscratching,forevidentlyhelovedhisbeautifulmistress.Heceasedtomakeanoisethemomenthewasinherarms;inawhispersheadmonishedhim:

           "OyounaughtySilvio!Youhavebrokenyourparolethatmothergaveforyou.Now,saygoodnighttothegentlemen,andcomeawaytomother’sroom!"Asshewasspeakingsheheldoutthecat’spawtometoshake.AsIdidsoIcouldnotbutadmireitssizeandbeauty."Why,"saidI,"hispawseemslikealittleboxing-glovefullofclaws."Shesmiled:

           "Soitoughtto.Don’tyounoticethatmySilviohasseventoes,see!"sheopenedthepaw;andsurelyenoughthereweresevenseparateclaws,eachofthemsheathedinadelicate,fine,shell-likecase.AsIgentlystrokedthefoottheclawsemergedandoneofthemaccidentally—therewasnoangernowandthecatwaspurring—stuckintomyhand.InstinctivelyIsaidasIdrewback:

           "Why,hisclawsarelikerazors!"

           DoctorWinchesterhadcomeclosetousandwasbendingoverlookingatthecat’sclaws;asIspokehesaidinaquick,sharpway:

           "Eh!"Icouldhearthequickintakeofhisbreath.