Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           Itwasnearlypitchdark,butasIopenedthedoortherewaslightenoughtoseeFather’snightdressashelayonthefloorunderthesafe,justasonthatfirstawfulnight.ThenIthinkImusthavegonemadforamoment."Shestoppedandshuddered.MyeyeslitonSergeantDaw,stillfiddlinginanaimlesswaywiththerevolver.Mindfulofmyworkwiththetourniquet,Isaidcalmly:

           "Nowtellus,SergeantDaw,whatdidyoufireat?"Thepolicemanseemedtopullhimselftogetherwiththehabitofobedience.Lookingaroundattheservantsremainingintheroom,hesaidwiththatairofimportancewhich,Itakeit,istheregulationattitudeofanofficialofthelawbeforestrangers:

           "Don’tyouthink,sir,thatwecanallowtheservantstogoaway?Wecanthenbettergointothematter."Inoddedapproval;theservantstookthehintandwithdrew,thoughunwillingly,thelastoneclosingthedoorbehindhim.ThentheDetectivewenton:

           "IthinkIhadbettertellyoumyimpressions,sir,ratherthanrecountmyactions.Thatis,sofarasIrememberthem."Therewasamortifieddeferencenowinhismanner,whichprobablyarosefromhisconsciousnessoftheawkwardpositioninwhichhefoundhimself."Iwenttosleephalf-dressed—asIamnow,witharevolverundermypillow.ItwasthelastthingIrememberthinkingof.IdonotknowhowlongIslept.Ihadturnedofftheelectriclight,anditwasquitedark.