Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           ThiswaseasiertodowhenMissTrelawnycameclosetome,and,leaningherforeheadagainstmyshoulder,begantocrysilently.Thenallthemanhoodinmewoke,andtopresentpurpose.Itwasoflittleusetryingtospeak;wordswereinadequatetothought.Butweunderstoodeachother;shedidnotdrawawaywhenIputarmprotectinglyoverhershoulderasIusedtodowithmylittlesisterlongagowheninherchildishtroubleshewouldcometoherbigbrothertobecomforted.Thatveryactorattitudeofprotectionmadememoreresoluteinmypurpose,andseemedtoclearmybrainofidle,dreamywanderinginthought.Withaninstinctofgreaterprotection,however,ItookawaymyarmasIheardtheDoctor’sfootstepoutsidethedoor.

           WhenDoctorWinchestercameinhelookedintentlyatthepatientbeforespeaking.Hisbrowswereset,andhismouthwasathin,hardline.Presentlyhesaid:

           "ThereismuchincommonbetweenthesleepofyourFatherandNurseKennedy.Whateverinfluencehasbroughtitabouthasprobablyworkedthesamewayinbothcases.InKennedy’scasethecomaislessmarked.Icannotbutfeel,however,thatwithherwemaybeabletodomoreandmorequicklythanwiththispatient,asourhandsarenottied.Ihaveplacedherinadraught;andalreadysheshowssomesigns,thoughveryfaintones,ofordinaryunconsciousness.Therigidityofherlimbsisless,andherskinseemsmoresensitive—orperhapsIshouldsaylessinsensitive—topain."

           "Howisit,then,"Iasked,"thatMr.