Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           Outside,inthedistanceIcouldhearthesoundsofacity,theoccasionalrollofwheels,theshoutofareveller,thefar-awayechoofwhistlesandtherumblingoftrains.Thelightwasvery,verylow;thereflectionofitunderthegreen-shadedlampwasadimrelieftothedarkness,ratherthanlight.Thegreensilkfringeofthelamphadmerelythecolourofanemeraldseeninthemoonlight.Theroom,forallitsdarkness,wasfullofshadows.Itseemedinmywhirlingthoughtsasthoughalltherealthingshadbecomeshadows—shadowswhichmoved,fortheypassedthedimoutlineofthehighwindows.Shadowswhichhadsentience.Ieventhoughttherewassound,afaintsoundasofthemewofacat—therustleofdraperyandametallicclinkasofmetalfaintlytouchingmetal.Isatasoneentranced.AtlastIfelt,asinnightmare,thatthiswassleep,andthatinthepassingofitsportalsallmywillhadgone.

           Allatoncemysenseswerefullawake.Ashriekranginmyears.Theroomwasfilledsuddenlywithablazeoflight.Therewasthesoundofpistolshots—one,two;andahazeofwhitesmokeintheroom.Whenmywakingeyesregainedtheirpower,IcouldhaveshriekedwithhorrormyselfatwhatIsawbeforeme.