Chapter 1

The Missing Mummy

Chapter 1 "Mummy Monday at the museum?" Josh said. He peered over Dink's shoulder at the Sunday

newspaper. "So what's the next day Tammy Tuesday?" It was summer vacation, and Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose were lying on the lawn behind Dink's house. Josh's dog, Pal, was snoozing under a tree. Ruth Rose took the paper and read the article quickly. "No, Josh, the next day is about dinosaurs," she said. "It's called Tyrannosaurus Tuesday." "The museum is having programs for kids all week," Dink explained. "So what happens on Wednesday?" Josh asked. "Kids go to the Connecticut River and study plant and animal life," Ruth Rose said. "It's called Wet Wednesday." Dink took the newspaper back from Ruth Rose. "And the next day, you get to make a horror movie —that's Thrilling Thursday. The last day is Frog Friday. Each kid gets to study a frog." "So let's sign up!" Josh said. "How much does it cost?" Dink scanned the page. "A dollar for each program," he said. He looked at Josh and Ruth Rose. "That's five dollars for all five days." "I don't have five bucks," Ruth Rose said.

"Me neither," said Josh. "But I know how we can earn it." "How?" Dink asked. "My dad's been trying to get the barn cleaned out," he said. "I bet he'd give us the money if we did it for him." "Great idea!" Dink said. The kids ran to Josh's house and spent the rest of Sunday working. Brian and Bradley Josh's two little brothers, helped by playing with Pal. Josh's dad gave each of the kids seven dollars for their hard work. After lunch the next day, Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose got on a bus to Hartford. Fifteen minutes later, the bus dropped them off on Main Street, in front of the Wadsworth Museum. Across the street was a bank. A digital sign over the bank's entrance said MONDAY, JULY 10, 82 DEGREES. Then the sign flashed the time: It was nearly two o'clock! "Come on, guys," Dink said. "We only have a few minutes to sign up."

They ran up the museum's front steps and through the wide doors. Inside, the museum was air-conditioned and quiet. The floor was made of marble. Tapestries and large paintings covered the white walls. "Welcome to Mummy Monday," said a woman standing behind a counter. Across the lobby, a bunch of other kids and a few grownups were already waiting. Ruth Rose took a map from a rack just inside the door. Then the kids walked over to join the group. They each gave the woman behind the counter a dollar. "I wonder where they keep the mummies," Josh whispered. At exactly two o'clock, a door behind the counter opened and a tall man walked out. He was wearing a tan jacket and shorts, knee socks, laced boots, and a white helmet. "I'm Dr. Harris Tweed," the man said. "Today, I will take you on a journey to ancient Egypt."

Dr. Tweed's face, hands, and knees were deeply tanned. Dink wondered how much time he had spent in the Egyptian desert. "Who's ready to follow me into a tomb?" Dr. Tweed asked. He smiled, showing big white teeth that made his tanned face even darker. "We're going in a tomb?" Josh muttered. "I think I want my dollar back!" "Shh," Dink whispered.