14-THE PHARAOH'S CURSE

THE PHARAOH'S CURSE The professor pointed toward a tunnel on one side of the pyramid. "We're going this way," he said. "Don't forget your camera! This place is a sight to make you squeak!" I gripped my camera and followed in the professor's pawsteps. The ceiling was so low my ears brushed the ceiling! I shuddered. I hate being in small, tight spaces. Oh, well, there was no time to think about it now. The professor was spewing out information like a walking encyclopedia salesmouse. "Legend has it," he began in a mysterious tone, "that whoever desecrates a pharaoh's tomb falls

victim to a terrible curse! For example, in 1922, two Englishmice discovered Tutankhamen's tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Inside, they found priceless treasures: the pharaoh's magnificent mask, his mummy, a solid-gold sarcophagus, and also many statues, jewels, and precious stones. Twenty-six mice witnessed the discovery. Many of them died in a mysterious way in the following years. That is how the legend of the curse was born!" A shiver ran through my fur. All this talk about curses and death was giving me the creeps. I started taking pictures even though my paws were shaking. Meanwhile, the professor let out a low chuckle. "By the way, Stilton, did you know I, too, discovered a tomb a month ago?" he said. "But nothing has happened

to me. I'm still kicking up the old paws. I don't give a whisker about all these legends. It's just total nonsense." At that precise moment, something horrible happened! The professor tripped on a stone and smashed his snout on the ground. His flashlight went out. The room was totally dark. A dreadful silence followed. "Professor! Professor!" I cried. But there was no answer. I took a couple of pawsteps forward. Big mistake. I tripped and hit the ground with a thud. I looked around. It was dark. Pitch- black dark. I couldn't even see my own whiskers next to my nose. How would I be able to find the exit? HOLEY CHEESE! I was hopelessly lost!