Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           "Hervoicehadagulpinitasshesaidinalowvoice:

           "Asleep!You!andmyFatherindanger!Ithoughtyouwereonthewatch!"Ifeltthestingofjusticeinthereproach;butIreallywantedtohelpher,soIanswered:

           "Onlyasleep.Itisbadenough,Iknow;butthereissomethingmorethanan"only"roundushere.HaditnotbeenthatItookadefiniteprecautionImighthavebeenliketheNursethere."Sheturnedhereyesswiftlyontheweirdfigure,sittinggrimlyuprightlikeapaintedstatue;andthenherfacesoftened.Withtheactionofhabitualcourtesyshesaid:

           "Forgiveme!Ididnotmeantoberude.ButIaminsuchdistressandfearthatIhardlyknowwhatIamsaying.Oh,itisdreadful!Ifearforfreshtroubleandhorrorandmysteryeverymoment."Thiscutmetotheveryheart,andoutoftheheart’sfulnessIspoke:

           "Don’tgivemeathought!Idon’tdeserveit.Iwasonguard,andyetIslept.AllthatIcansayisthatIdidn’tmeanto,andItriedtoavoidit;butitwasovermebeforeIknewit.Anyhow,itisdonenow;andcan’tbeundone.Probablysomedaywemayunderstanditall;butnowletustrytogetatsomeideaofwhathashappened.Tellmewhatyouremember!"Theefforttorecollectseemedtostimulateher;shebecamecalmerasshespoke:

           "Iwasasleep,andwokesuddenlywiththesamehorriblefeelingonmethatFatherwasingreatandimmediatedanger.Ijumpedupandran,justasIwas,intohisroom.