Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           Ididnotmyselffeelintheleastsleepy;andeachtimeIwentsoftlyovertolookatthepatient,whichIdidabouteverytenminutes,IcouldseethatMissTrelawnywaskeenlyalert.Everyquarterofanhouroneorotherofthepolicemenlookedinthroughthepartlyopeneddoor.EachtimebothMissTrelawnyandIsaidthroughourmufflers,"allright,"andthedoorwasclosedagain.

           Asthetimeworeon,thesilenceandthedarknessseemedtoincrease.Thecircleoflightontheceilingwasstillthere,butitseemedlessbrilliantthanatfirst.Thegreenedgingofthelamp-shadebecamelikeMaorigreenstoneratherthanemerald.Thesoundsofthenightwithoutthehouse,andthestarlightspreadingpalelinesalongtheedgesofthewindow-cases,madethepallofblackwithinmoresolemnandmoremysterious.

           Weheardtheclockinthecorridorchimingthequarterswithitssilverbelltilltwoo’clock;andthenastrangefeelingcameoverme.IcouldseefromMissTrelawny’smovementasshelookedround,thatshealsohadsomenewsensation.Thenewdetectivehadjustlookedin;wetwowerealonewiththeunconsciouspatientforanotherquarterofanhour.

           Myheartbegantobeatwildly.Therewasasenseoffearoverme.Notformyself;myfearwasimpersonal.Itseemedasthoughsomenewpersonhadenteredtheroom,andthatastrongintelligencewasawakeclosetome.Somethingbrushedagainstmyleg.IputmyhanddownhastilyandtouchedthefurrycoatofSilvio.