Wow, what a different time. In 1900s it was completely normal for British people to raid Egyptian tombs, take all the treasure, and unwrap mummies as they pleased. British people called others doing exactly the same thing grave robbers while called themselves scientists.
In 21st century, I thought what galls! What cajones! How dared they! Had they no shame!
Then they lived happily ever after! I almost threw the book away!
Then I found out that was the revised 1912 ending. Bram Stoker had a different ending in the 1903 edition. Readers can find both endings in Bram Stoker website.
In the 1903 edition everyone that did horrible things died. Whew! What a relief.
The Jewel of Seven Stars is not as good as Dracula. One character in the story was a lovesick boy that lusted after a girl. One character talked on and on about whale oil and steam engine for an entire chapter, then he finally got to the point of stealing a mummy. Oh no, not stealing. He took the mummy in the name of science.
Bram Stoker changed the ending because back then, readers were horrified that everyone died. Apparently they were completely fine with stealing Egyptian national treasures. Bram Stoker should've stuck to his guns. Before the main characters showed up, everyone that had touched the mummy died. So of course by story logic, all the main characters that touched the mummy must also die. No happily ever after for them.
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